LAUNCHING OUT INTO THE DEEP

LAUNCHING OUT INTO THE DEEP

"When he [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon
[Peter the fisherman], "Put out into deep water, and let
down the nets for a catch." -- Luke 5:4 (NIV)

Have you ever been in a situation where you'd been praying
for something for a long time wondering why God wasn't
answering, only to discover that he already had. . .but you
just hadn't seen it? I sure have. Let me explain.

I've had the privilege of publishing the gospel for three
decades. Until two years ago it was primarily through the
printed page. All I've ever wanted is a small organization
but to be able to do as big as job as possible in reaching
people with God's message of salvation. Our gospel
literature distribution peaked about ten years ago and more
and more I became very frustrated. For several years I felt
like I was stuck close to shore and couldn't launch out into
the deep because I was blocked by a sand bar. I kept praying
that God would help me to launch out into the deep. I didn't
ask for a big ship. . .just a small one but I wanted to get
out there in the deep to be "fishing for the Lord."

A few months ago it suddenly dawned on me. God had answered
my prayer. I was launched out into the deep in my little
boat. It was via email and the Internet! My "ship" is my
computer and the Internet takes me all around the world
every day!

On average we are seeing close to three people a day make a
salvation response from either our emails or web pages.
They are responding from around the world! And our combined
email lists with "Daily," "Weekend," and "Prayer Encounter,"
have passed the 18,600 subscribers. . .sharing with people
also all around the world! What a wonderful privilege.

Yes, God always answers sincere prayers but so often it
isn't in the way we expect. As the pun goes, God always
answers prayers. Sometimes his answer is, "Yes." Sometimes
it's, "No." Sometimes it's, "Wait a while," and sometimes
it's, "You've got to be kidding!"

So, if you've been praying about something for a long time
and feel God hasn't answered your prayer, why not ask him to
open your eyes to help you see what his answer already is?

"Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for the wonderful
privilege of serving you and for the fact that you always
answer prayers that are honest and from the heart. Please
help me to see how you have and are answering all of my
prayers. Gratefully in Jesus' name. Amen."

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DAILY ENCOUNTER is written by Dick Innes
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Dick Innes
ACTS International
250 W. Colorado Blvd., Suite 100
Arcadia, CA 91007-2608
U.S.A.