Teach a Man to Fish
“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day.”
When the world is crashing around you and you feel all alone, where do you turn? Do you open your social media apps? Zone out to Netflix? Grab the nearest substance to numb the mind? Immerse yourself into work or another activity? None of these things will make you feel better in the long run. They may ease the pain or distract us for a moment (or a day), but only God can give us a peace that lasts a lifetime.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. - John 14:27 ESV
JOURNAL: Write about a time this week when you were overwhelmed and turned to something other than Jesus to make you feel better. How long did it take to begin feeling anxious again?
It didn’t take long; did it?
“Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Do you remember memorizing Bible verses as a child? Maybe it was in Sunday School or Vacation Bible School, or maybe your grandma gave you treats when you would recite the memory verse that week. At the time, we were in it for the reward. But many years later, some of those memory verses pop into my head.
You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. - 2 Timothy 3:15
We were taught that God’s Word was important. When hidden in our hearts, we can use it as a weapon against the enemy. It’s not a momentary relief but an eternal peace that passes all understanding. Why is it that now as adults we often forget that truth and turn to things that can’t help us?
ACTIVATION: Commit to memorizing one verse a week. Stock your arsenal with ammunition to fight the enemy and your toolbelt with the tools you need to find comfort and peace in even the most difficult times.
Here are some verses to help you get started:
Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 59:1-2 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 69:1-3 NIV
May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
PRAYER: Ask God to help you stay committed to memorizing Scripture and bring it to your mind when difficulties arise.
“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day.”
When the world is crashing around you and you feel all alone, where do you turn? Do you open your social media apps? Zone out to Netflix? Grab the nearest substance to numb the mind? Immerse yourself into work or another activity? None of these things will make you feel better in the long run. They may ease the pain or distract us for a moment (or a day), but only God can give us a peace that lasts a lifetime.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. - John 14:27 ESV
JOURNAL: Write about a time this week when you were overwhelmed and turned to something other than Jesus to make you feel better. How long did it take to begin feeling anxious again?
It didn’t take long; did it?
“Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Do you remember memorizing Bible verses as a child? Maybe it was in Sunday School or Vacation Bible School, or maybe your grandma gave you treats when you would recite the memory verse that week. At the time, we were in it for the reward. But many years later, some of those memory verses pop into my head.
You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. - 2 Timothy 3:15
We were taught that God’s Word was important. When hidden in our hearts, we can use it as a weapon against the enemy. It’s not a momentary relief but an eternal peace that passes all understanding. Why is it that now as adults we often forget that truth and turn to things that can’t help us?
ACTIVATION: Commit to memorizing one verse a week. Stock your arsenal with ammunition to fight the enemy and your toolbelt with the tools you need to find comfort and peace in even the most difficult times.
Here are some verses to help you get started:
Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 59:1-2 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 69:1-3 NIV
May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
PRAYER: Ask God to help you stay committed to memorizing Scripture and bring it to your mind when difficulties arise.
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