THE HERALDS DEVOTIONAL

DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 5 – NET MENDERS: THE GRACE TO STRENGTHEN WITHIN   Matthew 4:21 (NIV) “Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets.” 🔁 Recap From Part 4 – Net Casters In Part 4, we examined Peter and Andrew — the casters. They represented: Initiative Expansion Outreach Evangelistic grace We learned that without casting, there is no harvest. But now we shift focus. Because before expansion can be sustained, something else must happen. The nets must be prepared or mendered. James and John were not casting. They were mending. Repairing. Strengthening. Preparing. Different action. Different focus. Same lake. Same Lord. Same mission. This is the other hand of the Kingdom. What Does Mending Symbolize? Mending is: Inward Patient Detail-oriented Protective Preventative When you mend a net, you: Examine weaknesses. Repair tears. Strengthen fragile areas. Prepare...

DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 4 – NET CASTERS: THE GRACE TO REACH OUT Matthew 4:18 (NIV) “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.” 🔁 Recap From Part 3 – Leaving The Nets In Part 3, we saw that calling requires surrender. Peter and Andrew left their nets immediately. They released security for destiny. They chose obedience over comfort. Now we zoom in on something specific: Before they left the nets… They were casting them. That detail is not accidental. Not all disciples were doing the same thing when Jesus called them. Peter and Andrew were casting. James and John (as we will see later) were mending. Different actions. Different expressions. Same lake. Same Lord. Same mission. This is where diversity begins. What Does Casting Symbolize? Casting is: Outward Risk-oriented Initiative-driven Faith-based When you cast a net, you: Step into uncertainty. ...

DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 3 – LEAVING THE NETS: THE COST OF CALLING Matthew 4:20 (NIV) “At once they left their nets and followed him.” 🔁 Recap From Part 2 – The Invitation Before The Assignment In Part 2, we established that Jesus began with an invitation: “ Come, follow Me .” We saw that: Relationship comes before responsibility. Formation comes before function. Identity comes before activity. But an invitation always demands a response. And this is where many hesitate. Because following Jesus is free — but it is not without cost. Matthew says something powerful: “ At once they left their nets …” No debate. No delay. No negotiation. Immediate obedience. The shoreline became a crossroads. Stay with security. Or step into surrender. What Were The Nets? The nets were more than fishing tools. They represented:  Income,  Stability Family business Familiar identity Daily routine Predictable future Leaving the nets meant: Leaving control. And that is where the real cost lies...

DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 2 – THE INVITATION BEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT Matthew 4:19 (NIV) “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 🔁 Recap From Part 1 – God In The Ordinary In Part 1, we saw how that Jesus met Peter and Andrew at the Sea of Galilee — in their workplace, during their routine, while casting nets. We established three powerful truths: God calls people in ordinary places. Faithfulness in routine attracts divine attention. Your profession does not disqualify you. The shoreline was not random — it was preparation ground. Now we move deeper. It is one thing to be seen by Jesus. It is another thing to be invited by Him. After observing their diligence… After seeing their consistency… Jesus speaks. And His first words are not instructions. They are invitation. “ Come, follow Me .” Before authority. Before miracles. Before public ministry. There was closeness. Kingdom Principle #1: Relationship Before Responsibility Jesus did not start with...

DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 1 – THE SEA OF GALILEE: GOD IN THE ORDINARY Matthew 4:18 (NIV) “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.” Before there was a sermon on the mount… Before miracles shook cities… Before crowds followed Him… Jesus started at the shoreline. Not in a synagogue. Not in a palace. Not in a religious council. But at work. At the water. At the routine place of labor. The Kingdom of God did not begin with celebrities — it began with fishermen. The Setting: God Moves In Ordinary Places The call happened at the Sea of Galilee — a place known for: Fishing Trade Daily struggle Long nights of labor This teaches us something powerful: God does not wait for perfect environments. He invades ordinary routines. Peter and Andrew were not fasting. They were not praying in a temple. They were not preparing for ministry. They were working.  An...

LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES  PART 9: THE FINAL LAP “FROM LESSONS TO LEGACY: APPLYING THE TENTS TODAY”   Jeremiah 35:1–19 (KJV) Scriptural Focus The Rechabites obeyed Jonadab’s instructions faithfully across generations: Build no house Plant no vineyard Sow no seed Have none Dwell in tents God used their discipline to contrast Judah’s disobedience and to demonstrate the reward of consistent obedience. The message is clear: obedience produces legacy, not just comfort or convenience. Meaning in Our Time and Dispensation Spiritual Dimension — Obedience Shapes Eternity Faithfulness in small things trains us to honor God in big things. Legacy is not measured by wealth or influence but by consistent obedience and godly impact. Physical Dimension — Mobility and Readiness Living as pilgrims, not settlers, keeps us adaptable and aligned with God’s timing. Emotional Dimension — Peace Through Discipline Obedience reduces anxiety, fear, and regret. Trusting God over possession...