GOD DOES NOT LEAD BACKWARD

3 SIMON PETER SAID TO THEM, “I AM GOING FISHING.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 JESUS SAID TO THEM, “Children, DO YOU HAVE ANY FISH?” THEY ANSWERED HIM, “NO.”
6 HE SAID TO THEM, “CAST THE NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BOAT, AND YOU WILL FIND SOME.” So they cast it, and NOW THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO HAUL IT IN, BECAUSE OF THE QUANTITY OF FISH.
7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “IT IS THE LORD!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea."
John 21:3–7 (ESV)

• When Simon Peter decided to go back into fishing work, other disciples said they would also go with him (John 21:3).
I. This shows that If someone who is being looked up to as a leader made any decision or policy or choice, those who are under him or her tend to follow suit, or be in agreement, because of his or her influence; even If the decision made by the leader was wrong.

• The fishing business that Simon Peter had left for three years plus, he suddenly decided to go back into it. And when he was initially called out of it, Jesus told him, he would be a Fisher of Men (Mark 1:16,17).
• Know that God does not lead backward. God will not tell you to go back into the secular work which you left for the ministry work after you had been in the work for a number of years. I have seen some who left the ministry work after being in it for a couple of years. God would never lead backward!

II. Another Important thing is, the fact that they did not catch anything shows that God was not with them in the fishing trip (John 21:3).

• It was in the morning time when Jesus showed up and asked If they had anything and they said, No. Then He told them to cast their net at the right side of their boat, and they were able to catch a lot and were not able to draw their net in because of the multitude or quantity of fish (John 21:4-6).
• Lessons:
  a. This shows us that without Jesus' help we can but do nothing (John 15:5). Also, If you embarked on the journey not sent by Him, you would toil without any results.
  b. Their eyes were strained they could not see or know it was Jesus Christ when He told them to cast their net At the right side of their boat (John 21:4,6). But, John was able to perceive or discern It was Jesus Christ when they caught a multitude of fish (John 21:7).
  c. A believer should be discerning, able to see or discover God's hand in whatever is happening in his or her life. Others in the boat with John were yet to discern that this stranger who told them to cast their net and they caught a multitude of fish could not have been an ordinary person.
  GOD at times would be doing a great thing in the lives of some believers, they would not be able to see Him in it. They either trivialized it or presumed It as a mere coincidence.
  BUT John was able to see that God, Jesus Christ, was in it, they could not have toiled throughout the night without any catch, now in the morning, they caught a multitude at the instruction of one strange Man at the shore (John 21:6).
  A BELIEVER should be spiritually sound and be able to read the handwriting on the wall (Daniel 5:5,8). A lot of believers are not spiritually inclined, they are too disposed towards the natural side of life. They do not have any Bible sense; they are dull of hearing or they are spiritually indiscernible (Hebrews 5:11).

III. God usually does not communicate straight. He communicates nonverbally mostly. One could see the mode, a form or manner of expression or style, in Jesus' earthly Ministry; most of His Teachings are done through the sharing of parables.

• God wanted to get Simon Peter's attention but wanted to be dramatic about it—He wanted it to be striking in effect. In other words, He wanted to do it in a way that his attention would be deeply enmeshed or catched in a special way.
  a. Jesus wanted him, Simon Peter, to know that the ministry work should be his first and the main priority and nothing else.
  b. Jesus also wanted to show and tell him that He was able to take care of him and the ministry work.
• Why did Peter go back into fishing business? It is quite clear or obvious that the basic needs of life was the cause, being a family man.
• Thus, Jesus provided the fish and the bread to show or prove to him that If he concentrated on His work, Kingdom assignment or ministry work, his needs would definitely be met—be taken care of.
• Jesus asked him, Peter, three times; "DO YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN THESE [the fish and the bread]" (John 21:15-17).
• If I may ask you, as you read this piece, Have you not forsaken your first love? (Revelation 2:4).
  a. Where is your faithfulness? Have you not gone back into those things you forsook or sacrificed not to do again because of His work?
  b. Are you faithful and loyal in the work you are assigned to do in His Kingdom?
• Whatever may be the need in your life, do not forsake God's work, especially If you are sure and certain of His call on your life.

• God is enough, He is able to take care of His work, you and your family in addition. There is no economic downturn in His Kingdom. He is able to do all things, all He needed from you is your Faithfulness. He says: “BEHOLD, I AM THE LORD, THE GOD OF ALL FLESH. IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME?" (Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV).

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
• Whatever is not planted in your body, working against your health and wellness, such is rebuked and completely uprooted in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
  Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!