Apprenticed to Christ

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. Mark 1:17, 18.
They were humble and unlearned men, those fishers of Galilee; but Christ, the light of the world, was abundantly able to qualify them for the position for which He had chosen them. The Saviour did not despise education; for when controlled by the love of God, and devoted to His service, intellectual culture is a blessing. But He passed by the wise men of His time, because they were so self-confident that they could not sympathize with suffering humanity, and become colaborers with the man of Nazareth. In their bigotry they scorned to be taught by Christ. The Lord Jesus seeks the co-operation of those who will become unobstructed channels for the communion of His grace….
Jesus chose unlearned fishermen because they had not been schooled in the traditions and erroneous customs of their time. They were men of native ability, and they were humble and teachable,—men whom He could educate for His work. In the common walks of life there is many a man patiently treading the round of daily toil, unconscious that he possesses powers which, if called into action, would raise him to an equality with the world’s most honored men. The touch of a skillful hand is needed to arouse those dormant faculties. It was such men that Jesus called to be His colaborers; and He gave them the advantage of association with Himself. Never had the world’s great men such a teacher. When the disciples came forth from the Saviour’s training, they were no longer ignorant and uncultured. They had become like Him in mind and character, and men took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus.
He who called the fishermen of Galilee is still calling men to His service. And He is just as willing to manifest His power through us as through the first disciples. However imperfect and sinful we may be, the Lord holds out to us the offer of partnership with Himself, of apprenticeship to Christ. He invites us to come under the divine instruction, that, uniting with Christ, we may work the works of God.
Conflict and Courage p. 282
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Prayer Requests
—–I would wish that everyone would pray for Felicia. She suffered a brain aneurysm early yesterday morning, she will not survive it. She is/was my sister-in-law. She is currently on life-support as she is an organ donor. James
—–Prayer Family!! I’m soo OverWhelmed! I’m trying to focus on Jesus and trust him but im going thru A lot right now!! One thing on top of another and another and another & I’ve just taken everything in stride & prayer until now! I feel like I’m at a breaking point I can’t handle anything else to go wrong! I just can’t!! Lissa
—–my husband has had a very bad headache for 2 days. I insisted he go to the emergency room this am. We have just learned that he has aneurism on his optic nerve and may have operation tonight (May lose his sight). Please pass this along for me. Thanks so much…J.
—–Please pray for my brother-in-law elderly mother Nancy who fell down and busted her face landed on it and her shoulder is in the hospital .Also for my step sister Lisa who is already going through some medical problems and just got some bad news about her health. Becky
——Our daughter Rhonda has been bitten by a tick and now has contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. She needs all the prayer worriers that we can muster. Please pray for her. Patricia
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Dear Friends,
I once heard of an incident that I thought I’d share with you today.
Michael was tired. It had been a hard day. Wearily, he climbed into his pickup and started the engine. After leaving the city’s brightness, there were only a few lights from oncoming cars or the occasional farm house to break up the monotony of driving in the darkness. Michael smiled to himself. He had driven this road so often that he could probably drive it blindfolded.
Suddenly, his reverie was interrupted by the sight of a car making a u-turn on the road behind him. Immediately there was a flash of lights—police car lights. Michael checked his speed—no problem there. Was he weaving a little from weariness? He didn’t think so. What had he done to make a state trooper take notice of him? Pulling to the side of the road, he waited for the inevitable. Within seconds, the policeman pulled in behind him.
Moments later, a semi going the wrong direction whizzed by them—in Michael’s lane—with no headlights. How thankful Michael was that he was parked at the side of the road giving his license to the patrolman. Had he been driving along as he had been, he would have had a head-on collision with that huge vehicle. Shaking with the realization of how close he had come to death, he looked up at the trooper. The man had a similar shocked look upon his face. As they continued talking about what had just happened, the officer told him the reason for his pulling him over. As he had approached Michael’s pickup from the other direction, it appeared that the truck’s cab was on fire. The officer had turned around to help. There was no fire. It was a direct miracle—a miracle both men will never forget.
How many times we are heading down the road of life weary and careworn, heedless of what looms ahead. How often we are in danger and do not even know it, yet God, in His great mercy, protects us from calamity. Surely, “the angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Ps 34:7 We can have the assurance that Our Great Redeemer “Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire” will rescue us from whatever danger the evil one throws in our path to destroy us. It may be some great danger that speeds toward us as the semi was speeding toward Michael, or it may be a whispered temptation that could change our life forever if we give it heed. Praise God! “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” 2 Peter 2:9 The Great King of the Universe is our Refuge and our Fortress, our Great Deliverer in Whom we can safely trust. Day and night our He watches over us to deliver us from the snares of the devil. Whatever trial or temptation, He is there to help us, to care for us, to lead and guide us in every aspect of our life.
*Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you, Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you, God will take care of you, Through every day, o’er all the way, He will take care of you, God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when your heart doth fail, God will take care of you, When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you. God will take care of you, Through every day, o’er all the way, He will take care of you, God will take care of you.
All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you, Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you. God will take care of you, Through every day, o’er all the way, He will take care of you, God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you, Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you. God will take care of you, Through every day, o’er all the way, He will take care of you, God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you, Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you. God will take care of you, Through every day, o’er all the way, He will take care of you, God will take care of you.
Let us put all of our trust in the One Who loves us with an everlasting love. Let us declare as did David, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust, I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” Ps 56:3,4 Let us allow Our Good Shepherd to lead us in the way He would have us go and to deliver us according to His will. Moreover, He purges away our sins for His name’s sake. <79:9> Praise His Holy Name!
Rose