January 8 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

The theme of the month is spiritual war. Jesus won the battle not by might but by obedience. He is the source of salvation for all who obey him. When we have stood the test, we will share Christ's glory.

Bible Reading:

Matthew 4:18–22

Bible Text:

"Come, follow me, " Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men" (Matt. 4:20).

Devotional:

Jesus had students (disciples) who trained, walked, and worked with him full-time. Today's passage tells how he called two sets of brothers to join him. All four were in the fishing business, and they became the first of twelve disciples. When their training was finished, they became Jesus' apostles, or missionaries.

All Jesus' disciples come to him in the same way: by answering his call. And we all end up as "fishers of men."

The call is decisive. We are admitted to training not by passing an entrance exam but simply by heeding his voice. "Come, follow me." Some respond with excuses. ''Let me first do this or that." they say. But those who believe in Jesus simply go.

Our training consists of following. We learn by listening to what Jesus says and imitating what he does. We absorb his teachings and his way of life.

Then we become "fishers of men." The first disciples were in the fishing business. They talked about fish and the fish market just as car dealers talk cars, physicians talk medicine, and theologians talk theology. But Christ is interested in people. His followers must become his coworkers as he brings people into his kingdom.

People are very important to Jesus.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.