About Those Four Fishermen

Posted on Dec 4, 2011 in Reflection | 0 comments

by Richard L. Burguet •

Just so you realize, that as we read Mark 1 and see Simon, Andrew, James and John respond to Jesus’ call to “follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” – this was not the very first time they had met Jesus. From John’s gospel (John 1:35-41) these men had been invited to come and see where Jesus lived and become His spiritual followers about a year earlier. Here in Mark’s account of their calling, their obedience is deepened and they are called to become the Lord’s more steady companions. As they responded to Jesus calling they were made aware of the fact that they were being trained for something more. The calling is to become a fisher of men, and was for them a call to apostleship.

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The Principle of Overflow

Posted on Jul 3, 2011 in Reflection | 0 comments

by Richard L. Burguet •

At the end of the feast Jesus stood and cried out, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke of the Spirit.” John 7:37-39

The evangelism God uses is the result of an overflowing heart of someone vitally connected to his heart. Ultimately, authentic and effective outreach is what is left in our wake when we hotly pursue after Jesus. If we are overwhelmed by God’s grace, we will overflow with His Spirit and we will not be overcome by the fears which so often paralyze and discourage us from sharing our faith. Our primary preparation, then, is to first preach the Gospel to ourselves so that the refreshing truth of His grace flows deeply in our own hearts. Then we will attract those who are thirsty for the “living waters” of His grace. (John 4:13-15)

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To be perfectly honest – I’m Scared

Posted on May 22, 2011 in Reflection | 0 comments

Adapted by Richard L. Burguet • Each One Reach One •

Obeying the Lord in the area of personal evangelism can indeed be scary. Just the thought of rekindling friendships with un-churched folks, turning conversations to spiritual issues, asking for a response to the hard truths of the Scripture, or pointing out the need to repent can make even the most mature believer join Jonah on the next boat to Tarshish!

But notice the refreshing transparency of the Apostle Paul. He openly admitted that he “did not come with superiority of speech or wisdom.” Rather, he came in “weakness and in fear and in much trembling” to serve and love his unbelieving friends in Corinth. (1 Cor 2:1-5) Remember how Moses responded when he was asked by the Lord to leave his comfort zone to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to the promised land. He pleaded, “O Lord, please send someone else!” (Ex 4:13) When Solomon and Jeremiah were challenged to take a stand for the Lord in their culture, they both tried to excuse themselves by exclaiming, “I do not know how to speak, for I am only a child.” (1 Kgs 3:7, 9; Jer 1:6) And don’t forget good ole Timothy, who needed constant encouragement because of his timidity. (2 Tm 1:6-9; 4:5-8)

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