I greet you in Jesus’ precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 5th of December, 2024, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. 

We start in the Book of Mark 1:16-17:

”And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.” Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

I want to say to you this morning that possibly the least effective way of preaching the Gospel is through the pulpit or the platform. It’s ordinary working people like you who are making the difference in the kingdom of God.

I’ve just read the scripture, Simon Peter and Andrew, his brother, were fishermen, they weren’t preachers, they weren’t professors of theology. What about the farmer, Job? They say Job is probably the oldest book in the Bible. He was a farmer and if you’ve been through a rough time today, my dear friend, and you’re looking for some encouragement, read the Book of Job. Job lost everything but he did not deny the Lord. He said in Job 13:15:

”Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

And what happened at the end of his life?  The Lord recovered everything for him and he had exactly twice as much as he had at the beginning.

David, the darling of Israel, the hero of the Jews, King David, he was a shepherd, he wasn’t a priest, and of course, our biggest and best example of all, our beloved Master, Jesus Christ. He was a tradesmen. He was a carpenter. For thirty years He was on the bench and then for three years, into ministry. What about the man who wrote two-thirds of the New Testament, Paul. Paul was a tentmaker by trade. I want to say to you today, don’t despise small beginnings. Use what you’ve got.

Remember, Moses said to the Lord in the burning bush, ”What can I do, I’ve got nothing?” When the Lord said, ”Go and tell pharaoh to let my people go.” 

The Lord said to him, ”What have you got in your hand?” 

He said, ”I’ve got a stick, a staff.” 

“Well, use it.” And the rest is history.

Today, don’t despise small beginnings. Don’t put yourself down. God uses anyone who will put up their hand today. Go out today and tell people what Jesus means to you because that’s what preaching actually is all about.

Jesus bless you and goodbye.