Luke 5:1 – 11
God’s simple requests are often stepping stones to life’s greatest blessings. Simon Peter said yes to Jesus Christ’s two small requests, and his whole mission changed from fisherman to fisher of men. WOW!
Although weary from a catchless night, Peter willingly brought Jesus on board and pushed his boat into the water so that the Teacher’s words would carry to the crowd. When the Lord finished speaking, he told the experienced fisherman to head out to deeper water. Peter knew that the
timing for a good catch was wrong, but HE OBEYED and was blessed with not one, but two boatloads of fish.
Often God’s blessings result from our compliance with seemingly insignificant requests. Though we prefer that He ask us to perform great tasks which will impact large crowds, obedience in small matters is our proving ground. If we refuse His prompting to perform some minor action,
what reason have we given Him to trust us with a more important responsibility?
Had Peter refused to ferry Jesus on his boat or to risk a midday fishing expedition, he’d have missed the immediate blessing of a big catch and perhaps also the even greater opportunity to be Jesus’ disciple.
Walking with the Lord every day for three years, Peter witnessed miracles more spectacular than anything he saw that first day: a blind man received sight, Lazarus was restored to life, and at Jesus’ urging, Peter himself walked on water. Can you imagine walking on water?
The disciple’s courageous step off the boat and onto a raging, stormy sea was the result of saying yes every time God made a small request.
Therefore SUBMIT TO GOD. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7
Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20
And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. Luke 11:14
Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” Luke 4:33-36
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ. Luke 4:40-41
Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. Luke 9:1
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues… Mark 16:17
Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. Mark 16:9
At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. Mark 1:32-34
And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. Mark 1:39
Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons… Mark 3:14-15
And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. Mark 6:13
Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed. Mark 7:29-30
Devotional for the Day 