“Profession Reveals Our Faithfulness Evangelizing Souls Since Immanuel's Our Nurture! (P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N)/”How can you use your P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N to tell others about Jesus?” By Ramesh C. Reddy

Updated on Mon, March 11, 2013 at 10:54 a.m. (EST) & 08:26 p.m. (IST), MARCH 2013 Edition

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“Profession Reveals Our Faithfulness Evangelizing Souls Since Immanuel's Our Nurture! (P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
"One day as Jesus was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew fishing with nets, for they were commercial fisherman. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me! And I will make you fisherman for the souls of men!” At once they left their nets and went along with him.” (Mark 1:16-18, NIV)

I ask myself what do I learn about the capability of Jesus?
1. Jesus had the capability to walk along the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
2. Jesus had the capability to see Simon and his brother Andrew fishing with nets.
3. Jesus had the capability to call out to Simon and Andrew, "Come, follow me!"
4. Jesus had the capability to tell Simon and Andrew, "And I will make you fisherman for the souls of men!"
5. Jesus had the capability to persuade Simon and Andrew to follow Him just by His words as evidenced by, "At once they left their nets and went along with Him"

I asked myself what do I learn about the commitment of Jesus?
1. Jesus was committed to make Simon and Andrew 'fisherman for the souls of men'!

I asked myself what do I learn about the claims of Jesus?
1. Jesus is able to claim that He can take the profession of Simon and Andrew and use it to make them 'fisherman for the souls of men'.

I asked myself what do I learn about Simon and Andrew?
1. Simon and Andrew were brothers.
2. Simon and Andrew were fishing with nets, for they were commercial fisherman.
3. Simon and Andrew heard the call of Jesus to come and follow Him.
4. Simon and Andrew left their nets at once and went along with Jesus.
5. Simon and Andrew took to heart Jesus' promise of 'And I will make you fisherman for the souls of men!'

I asked myself why is it significant to learn that it is mentioned Simon and Andrew were commercial fisherman but left their nets at once to follow Jesus?
It shows us that Simon and Andrew were even willing to give up their job that gives them a livelihood to follow Jesus because the call of Jesus was very enticing in their lives which is evidenced by the statement, "At once they left their nets and went along with Him." In essence, they left their livelihood in the hands of Jesus because they were so enticed by Jesus' call of 'Come follow me! And I will make you fisherman for the souls of men!"

I asked myself why it it significant when Jesus says, "And I will make you fisherman for the souls of men?'
Jesus uses language that they are able to understand as he meets them where they are. Jesus calls them to follow Him from the profession they are already in. But the awesomeness of this is that Jesus does not tell them to forget everything they have learned or even forget to do their profession. On the contrary, Jesus tells them that He will use what they already know how to do well that of 'fishing with nets as commercial fisherman' and use that to spread the Good News that He wants them to share with the souls around them. That is so exciting to know that they do not have to feel that their profession of fishing will go to waste when they follow Jesus but that Jesus will use their profession of fishing to be used for the souls of men. Jesus cares so much for the soul of mankind. The soul is dying because of virus known as sin so Jesus came to redeem humanity. Jesus decided to do that using His servants to bring the Gospel to others wherever they are so they can be saved from soul sickness as Andrea and Jason share with their Asian InterVarsity Christian Fellowship students.

I asked myself what is the function of a fisherman?

They have to go out into the sea if they want to start fishing or at least have access to the water.

They need to have a good net or hook that fish will become attached to and cannot escape.

They need to throw the net or hook in the water at the right place and time because it is not enough to have the best net or hook if the net or hook is not thrown in the water at the right place and time.

Usually they need to work together as one drops the net and others help pull it up.

They need to utilize ways to attract the fish to come to them.

They need to make the fish die once the fish are caught so they can be used.

They need to then clean the fish and make them available to others.

These are only some of the functions I can think of but there could be more to a fisherman than meets the eye. Those 7 could have been their responsibilities and here comes Jesus calling them to follow Him so that He can make them “fisherman for the souls of men.”

I asked myself how can the functions of a fisherman be used to become fisherman for the souls of men?
To answer that I looked at all 7 points to see if I can make an analogy of 'being a fisherman vs. being a fisherman for the souls of men.

Point 1:
They have to go out into the sea and have access to water where the fish are living.

In the same way, to be ‘fisherman for the souls of men’, Jesus will send them to places where there are lost people or have access to lost people so they can fish for their souls.

Point 2:
They need to have a good net or hook that fish will become attached to and cannot escape.

In the same way, to be ‘fisherman for the souls of men’, Jesus wants to become their good net or hook that they can use so that lost people will become attached to Him and will not escape once they come to Jesus.

At first this thought sounded as if people coming to Jesus become prisoners if they cannot escape. But, I believe once ‘fisherman for the souls of men’ allow Jesus to work in their lives, lost people start seeing the work of Jesus in people’s lives that they are so attracted to that they want to be part of it. So, now lost people get attracted to Jesus and come. Once they come, they cannot escape because they come to the point of voluntarily ‘surrendering their lives to Him.’

In a way, some people do think about becoming a prisoner once they give their life to Jesus. But, I believe it is those who have not surrendered their wills to Him who feel that way. Those who do surrender find abundant life with Jesus.

Lost people get attracted to Jesus many times because of the lifestyle of those who already know Jesus and are known by Him.

Point 3:
It is not enough to have the best net or hook if the net or hook is not thrown in the water at the right place and time.

In the same way, it is not enough for us to have Jesus as our best net or hook knowing Jesus and being known by Jesus if we are just content with having Jesus as our best net or hook but do not make ourselves available and access the help Jesus provides to reach out to lost people at the right place and time. Just as the disciples went out in faith while they threw their net for fish and believed in the profession they were in, ‘fisherman for the souls of men’ need to go out in faith, believing in Jesus and presenting Jesus to lost people at the right place and time.

It won’t always be easy to find the right place and time but fisherman keep going at it and so should ‘fisherman for the souls of men’. Eventually, just as fish are caught ‘lost people’ do come when we do not give up and keep presenting Jesus.

Point 4:
Usually, they need to work together as one drops the net and others help pull it up.

In the same way, just as one person may present Jesus to someone or multitudes, that person has just dropped the net in a ‘lost person’s life’. This is just the beginning where the seed has been sown. As others help pull the net, I am reminded of Billy Graham Crusades where ‘lost people’ are attracted to the net of Jesus and come to Him. While they come to Him, they are helped by tons of counselors to pull them up from where they were to ‘where they can be now’. Now, they are attracted to Jesus and come but are helped by people who know Jesus and are known by Him.

I learned reaching out to ‘lost people’ is not a solo job just as being effective fisherman is not. Jesus did not call Simon and Andrew individually but both of them together in utilizing what they are familiar with. Jesus loves pairs and working together :)

Point 5:
They (fisherman) utilize ways to attract fish to come to them.

In the same way, to reach ‘souls of men’ different ways can be utilized as ‘fisherman for the souls of men’. Some can use evangelistic crusades to attract people to Jesus, friendship/relational evangelism, testimonial evangelism, narrative/story telling evangelism, evangelistic movies, confrontational/street evangelism, and most of all personal evangelism: Living out our life in such a way that we become the bait to attract people to Jesus. Personal evangelism could use other ways to reach out too. These are just some examples and are not exclusive.

Point 6:
Once fish are caught, they make them die to be used.

In the same way, once lost people are caught, ‘fisherman for the souls of men’ make them realize that they need to ‘die to self’ and surrender themselves completely to the Lord to be used of the Lord. It is here ‘lost people’ actually have the opportunity to give their life to Christ by praying and meaning what many call the ‘Sinner’s Prayer’.

If they do not want to die to themselves and be born again for Christ, they have freedom to go their own way! But if they do that they still remain lost to Christ but alive to the world which is not a good thing in the long run. It is possible these lost people are attracted sometime in the future and decide to ‘die to themselves’ as other ‘fisherman for the souls of men’ come along.

Point 7:
They (fisherman) clean the fish and make them available to others.

In the same way, ‘fisherman for the souls of men’ clean the ‘lost people’ after they ‘die to themselves’ but this cleaning is not done without the help of the Lord. Lost people who are saved now and born again are helped to clean their lifestyle with the help of Jesus. Jesus personally works in their life through the power of the Holy Spirit, through His Word, through prayer, and the community of believers.

As this continues to happen, now ‘lost people who have been found’ are available to others to reciprocate what happened to them. Just as fish is eaten and people get nourishment after it is available to them, in the same way, now people who are saved can allow Jesus to work in their lives and bring spiritual nourishment to others.

I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
No matter what my profession is when Jesus calls me to follow Him, Jesus will not ignore my profession or everything I have learned but will use what I have learned to tell others about Himself so that they can experience the love of Christ through my profession of what I have learned. As I use the profession I know to share Christ, souls can come to Him in His timing. Even if the Lord changes the profession I am familiar with and gives me a new profession, the calling will remain the same for me: "But life is worth nothing unless I use it to do the work of assigned me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others about His mighty goodness and love!" (Acts 20:24). No matter what profession I am doing or what I am called to whether it be a pastor, teacher, evangelist, manager, etc, my duty should be to follow Jesus and tell others about Jesus. Simon went from being a commercial fisherman to becoming a pastor as His profession later in life. But the calling still remained the same: To follow Jesus and make Jesus known! Thank you Jesus! That is my calling first and foremost to make Jesus known even as a husband and daddy. Thank you Jesus for this special responsibility. Friend that is your calling too to follow Jesus and make Jesus known!

I ask you now dear friend, how can you use your P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N to tell others about Jesus Christ?
Dear friends, just as Jesus took the initiative to call Simon and Andrew to come follow Him when they were already in a professional job as commercial fisherman; Jesus also took the initiative to give them a promise that if they would follow Him as commercial fisherman, He would use the profession they were already doing to help them become 'fisherman for the souls of men'. That is so exciting to know friend. The same Jesus who called Simon and Andrew to follow Him and be used for the souls of men from what they have already learned and become, Jesus can use us too in the profession we are in to tell others about Jesus and draw them to Jesus, if we follow Him, being faithful, available, and teachable.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow so never ever think to yourself that Jesus cannot use what you are doing to tell others about Jesus Christ and bring them to Himself. When you are following Jesus, you are already commissioned by Him to go and tell others about Him because they need to first hear about Jesus and know about Jesus before they can come to believe in Jesus. You are the catalyst the Lord Jesus wants to use friend. Proverbs 11 says 'Those who win souls are wise!'

Simon and Andrew were told that they would become fisherman for the souls of men. The Lord Jesus could be telling you the same thing but in the profession you are in such as 'student for the souls of men, 'academic for the souls of men', 'accountant for the souls of men', 'doctor for the souls of men', 'pastor for the souls of men', 'journalist for the souls of men', 'software engineer for the souls of men', etc but whatever your profession is, ask yourself 'what is the function of your profession?' Then, look for an analogy of how you can use your profession to reach souls for Christ. Just as Christ used the language Simon and Andrew could understand and what they are familiar with to reach souls for Him, He can use the language that you are familiar with whether it is being a doctor, lawyer, software engineer, student, etc to share about Jesus Christ. Sometimes there can be a direct analogy made such as what I made about 'functions of fisherman and functions of 'fisherman for the souls of men' and other times it can be indirect but the calling stays the same for all of us no matter what our profession is. That calling is to follow Jesus and make Him known. You can do that friend as you allow Jesus to help you do it.

Remember Jesus did not say, 'Come follow me and you will become fisherman for the souls of men' but Jesus said, 'Come follow me! And I [Jesus] will make you fisherman for the souls of men' to Simon and Andrew. The onus is on Jesus because He is the One that takes the initiative to use us to accomplish His purposes when we follow Him and adhere to His call. Wherever the Lord Jesus has called us to or what He has called us to, He will enable us, equip us, and empower us to share the love of Christ with those around us so that they all can be saved and redeemed by the power of the Gospel. It starts with Jesus and ends with Jesus. We are just the vessel, He is willing to use. How awesome that the Lord Jesus wants to use our profession to tell others about Jesus so we need not ever think, 'I cannot use my profession to tell others about Jesus'

Friday in Transformers small group of Oakland International Fellowship, we learned about Paul having a special responsibility to extend the grace of Jesus Christ to the Jews and Gentiles, the privilege of sharing the Good News of Christ, the privilege of sharing the endless treasures available to those who belong to Jesus and being chosen as a steward of making the mysterious plans of God known so that God's purpose could be accomplished through the church in all its manifold wisdom and rich variety to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This can happen only through Jesus Christ who is the head of the church. For that to happen people need to know Jesus, follow Jesus, and be known by Him. So the central application and theme became evangelism or mission of making Christ known as our calling no matter where or what we were called to. The more I thought about that it reminded me of how the Lord Jesus used Simon and Andrew as commercial fisherman to become fisherman for the souls of men. He can use you to friend.

I shared with Yvonne, David, Mike, Chloe, Daniel, Karthik and Chelsea, that each of us are given a special responsibility and it could be different from Paul but whatever that responsibility is, Christ should be shared if we are His followers. That is our calling. I used an example of a software programmer using their knowledge to create Bible games so people can come to know Jesus Christ by playing that game. My special responsibility is being a husband and papa. I need to use those moments to share Christ and His love the way I live my life. Thank you Jesus. Help me Jesus!

Pastor Hugo would remind me about a F.A.C.T check: Faithful, Available, Compatible, and Teachable. When you possess these characteristics depending on the Lord, He will use you wherever you are. The Lord Jesus can use anyone in their profession when that profession is turned over to the Lord to make an impact for His Kingdom. You need to remember that He is the Initiator because He calls you and commissions you to go out spread the Good News.

"I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you." (Matthew 28:18b-20a, NLT)

^“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentileare the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (Romans10:9-15, NLT)

Friend, you are being sent by the Lord to share His Good News to a lost world wherever you are or whatever you are doing as a follower of Christ. So, don't think 'being sent' only refers to so called missionaries who go to other countries, evangelists who evangelize, pastors who preach, etc but 'being sent' refers to you too because you and I have been commissioned by the Lord in the profession we already or in whether it is being a student, being an academic, being a domestic engineer, etc.

Be excited that God is the One that takes initiative and gives you opportunities to share Christ's love to a dying world. It is so easy to say that Simon, Andrew, and Paul were able to do it because they were great but we often forget that the same Holy Spirit that lived in them lives also in us to do greater works for the Kingdom of God. God promised us that in His Word! The important thing is not to think we have to reach the level of Paul before we Evangelize but no matter how miniscule or small our outreach maybe, we should do it with excitement of knowing Jesus Christ and wanting Him to be known. The Lord will take care of the rest. Let me share real life examples with you all involving my wife, my mom, myself, and Calvin.

Example 1:

My so precious and loving wife Chandraleela used to work in Saudi Arabia as a nurse in a dialysis clinic. As a nurse, as she followed Jesus diligently depending on Him through lots of prayer and meditating on the Word of God in the Bible, she got opportunities to share Christ in a very hostile country. But it started with spending daily time with the Lord getting up at 3:00 a.m. to spend with Him and then working a 12 hr day. One day while working, she was singing a song called 'Awo Yeshu Deva'. When one of the Muslim patients heard that, he called her over and asked her to sing it to him. He loved it so much that he made it into a CD. My sweetie got multiple opportunities to share Christ through word and song even though she was in Saudi Arabia. Thank you Jesus. When I remember things like this, I fall so much more in love with my sweetie. My prayer request was that I would marry someone who would love Jesus more than me or anyone else. To put her life in danger for the sake of the Gospel so the message of the Gospel can be known touched me very much. Thank you Jesus for keeping her safe. I loved how my wife used her profession in the hospital to reach souls for Christ by singing uplifting songs pertaining to Jesus Christ to bring hope, help, and healing to those in bondage to their diseases. I loved to hear her stories of how patients responded. She also uses her professional knowledge to limit my sugar intake, reminding me that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, etc.

Example 2:

My mom did the same thing when she was temporarily stranded in a Muslim country on her way to India. She would use that opportunity to leave Gideon Bibles behind. When my mom called me, I was so scared what she was doing because I knew how hostile certain Muslim countries can be but I left her in the arms of our loving Savior Jesus Christ.

Example 3:

I have a lot to grow in the Lord but I thank the Lord Jesus for giving me different opportunities to share Christ with others whether it is simple or complex.

When I was a student going through depression because of circumstances, I focused myself on the Lord and wanted others to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Personal Savior so I started writing Christian poems and sharing them at Giant Eagle where I used to work. But when I shared them, I called them Christian Rap which enticed people very much to read them because they thought to themselves, 'He is Indian and he can rap'. Anyway, it started with 1 poem and ended with 31 poems on different issues with the mission: Counseling Broken Hearts with the Love of Christ. Every week they wanted a new rap which I gave them with a problem of man and solution in Christ. Each poem ended with a prayer

One day, an employee came and told me that he was so blessed to read one of the Christian raps because it prevented him from committing suicide. He shared how he came across the Christian rap called 'Downing Depression' that was on the floor that he picked up and read including the prayer below it. After he read that, he said that he changed his mind regarding suicide. To this day that employee is so grateful when he sees me in the bus as he now works for Port Authority Transit. It is all because Christ was shared to him as I was an employee there using Christian rap as a means.

Example 4:
There was a young guy who was drunk at the bus stop at Forbes Ave opposite to the William Pitt Union wanting to go to Shadyside. He asked me what bus he needed to take to go there and I kept telling him that he was on the wrong side of the street if he wanted to go to Shadyside. He was so sure he was on the right side and just needed me to tell him the numbers. After awhile, I did not try to persuade him anymore. Rather, I decided to read my Bible.

He comes up to me and said that he liked to read the Bible too and told me that he loved ‘Revelation’. He asked me what my favorite passage was and I used that opportunity to tell him one of my favorite passages was in Proverbs 23:29-35.

Then, I asked him if he would like to read Proverbs 23:29-25 which was my favorite. He decided to read it with whatever comprehension he had while drunk and saying what it meant to him. Then he asked me what I thought about it.

A great idea is to ask people if they want to read the verses you want to share with them. This way they get to read Scripture for themselves.

I told him psychology talks a lot about the dangers of alcohol but the Bible already mentions them here. Finally, he looks at me and said, “You know, all these things I have experienced” regarding the dangers of alcohol. He was so awestruck with his experiences and what he was going through was already mentioned in the Bible even before Psych books came along.

Later, he gave me his number to keep in touch and gave me a big hug. Finally, he tells me that he was on the wrong side and decides to go to Fifth Ave to catch the bus. This type utilized a type of evangelism more than psychology but psychology did come into play. One of the Quiet Times I had, had to do with alcohol and is called A.L.C.O.H.O.L. You can access it by typing 'Previous Devotionals' in the search box.

Example 5:
I have taken classes as a means to ministry. When we have exams, I pray to the Lord and prepare my own sample exams and post them on the EDUCATION section of Pittsburgh Standard so my classmates can access it. The ministry part is when Bible verses are embedded within the sample exam for students to read if they choose to. The exams have helped so many students. Anything we do, we can use it for the glory and honor of the Lord.

Example 6:
I had an opportunity to use my field of psychology to open a counseling session online. It was on Internet Relay Chat (IRC) years ago. A person came into that chat room and I talked with her asking how her life was and so on. She told me that she was not doing well. I shared with her the Christian rap called "Never Forsaken" that the Lord helped me write. After talking, I asked her if she wanted to give her life to Jesus Christ and allow Him to work in her life and take care of her. She did, so I prayed with her by typing each prayer sentence and she typed it after me. It happened online and did not even see that person's face. It did not matter because the Lord used that moment to bring her to Salvation.

I used to wonder how she was doing and one day I received a letter in the mail about how her life changed. She told me that she was 25 yrs old and lived in California and because of her becoming a Christian, her husband came to know the Lord too and that she was pregnant with a child. This is awesome that she is a mother who knows Jesus Christ and can raise her child with Christian principles. She also sent me money to help me when I was doing full-time ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

I thank the Lord for the opportunity to use my profession to counsel and minister to her and to see her soul saved!

Example 7:
Lord put upon my heart to write what I have learned in my solitary time with the Lord and share the study part with hundreds of students as an expositional devotional. There have been days that I did not feel like studying and sharing but I wanted to be obedient to the Lord and have done it. After I have done it, I felt I was so nourished by the Lord. What I did not know was going to happen, Jesus already knew. Jesus used the devotionals I posted online at http://www.pittsburghstandard.com as an instrument to bring students to come to know Him. As a former campus minister, I was glad to be able to write devotionals such as these to minister to believers and unbelievers. Jesus used the devotionals to bring students to Himself. A student shared her testimony of how she came to Christ after reading the devotionals.

Example 8:
My job as an employee of Sodexo gave me multiple opportunities to reach students with the love of Christ while I served as a student cashier, student manager, and floor manager. I still am on the management team of Sodexo. Students would get to know me through my job and later befriend me on Facebook. Through my job alone, the Lord helped me accumulate more than 2400 friends who I know by name. Now, every time I write a devotional, it shows up on their newsfeed if they desire it. So facebook became a means to ministry.

Example 9:
I have used my skills as a journalist to publish Pittsburgh Standard which has served as a means to ministry in different ways while I cover different events. I would write spiritual reviews of movies I watch looking for spiritual connections in them and tying them to the Word of God. Thank you Jesus!

Example 10:

In closing, there is a profession that is so important that every woman who raises a child becomes part of. I am talking about the profession of motherhood. I want you to think about your mommy and the life she gave you. A mom can use her profession of nurturing and raising a child to bring them to Jesus too! This is what happened to me!

Years ago, our mommy would read us Bible stories every night before we went to bed. There was one day I was watching a television program and the host talked about 'Accepting Jesus into your heart". I had no idea what that meant and asked my mommy what it meant.

My mommy took me aside to my bedroom and explained to me what it meant. My mommy then asked me if I wanted Jesus Christ in my heart. I told my mommy excitedly that I wanted Jesus in my heart. My mommy then wrote a prayer down on a 4*6" cardboard and prayed with me. I repeated the prayer and gave my life to Jesus Christ. Lord used my mommy to help me come to Jesus. I had severe asthma and said to myself if Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, what Jesus did then, He can even do now which means He can heal my asthma. After I gave my life to Christ and became His follower, my asthma was healed too!

These days the profession of motherhood is looked down upon by many in the Western culture but it is so noble as mentioned in Proverbs 31 too. A mom usually is the one that can influence their children to come to know Christ. That's what our mom did for all of us.

My mom has always been the best domestic engineer, making sure everything goes well at home. She raised 4 of us boys, 2 of us who are hyperactive including me. My hyperactivity could be because of the wonderful desserts my mom would always make that I would gobble up! Of course, that gave me a sweet tooth not to mention all my relatives stuffing me with sweets :) My mom ministered a lot to my dad too who is in Heaven with Jesus. Praise the Lord for the Lord's work! Amen!

I praise the Lord Jesus for my loving wife Chandra who is a mommy now for our 5-month old girl Esther. She loves to sing songs of praise to Jesus that Esther can hear and read God's Word to Esther.

I love to recite Bible verses from A - Z as I hold Esther and walk with her including singing songs of praise and reading God's Word to her.

Example 11:

My brother Calvin uses his profession to make magnets, paper holders, etc with God's Word on them to reach others for Christ.

These are only some of the examples but there are so many more! Thank you Jesus!

Take a look at the function of your profession and see how you can make an analogy to use that profession/major to reach lost people for the Kingdom of God. There could be times the Lord could ask you to change your profession/major completely and take you to another profession but that can be used to bring lost people to Christ too if you have a willing spirit of surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ. It does not have to be a job to reach others for Christ but it can be whatever talent or gifting the Lord Jesus has given you that can be used for Christ.

Friend, it does not matter what profession you are in. Whatever your profession, it can be used for the glory of the Lord.

May the Lord use your profession for His honor and glory and may you know that He can inspire you and nurture you daily helping you in whatever area you are in this Spring of 2013 and forever! Amen!

“Profession Reveals Our Faithfulness Evangelizing Souls Since Immanuel's Our Nurture! (P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N)/”How can you use your P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N to tell others about Jesus?”

Friend, opportunities will come as you decide to follow the Lord in the profession you are in. May you allow Him to work in your life!

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much for calling Simon, Andrew, and even the Apostle Paul and commissioning them. You told them that you would use them in the knowledge they already had to tell others about you. That is exciting to know Jesus. In the same way, whatever our profession is, we thank you that you can use us to tell others about you when we are faithful, available, and teachable depending on you. I pray Oh Lord that you can give us wisdom in our calling for you called all of us to follow the Great Commission you have for us no matter what our role is. Just as you told Simon and Andrew that you would make them fisherman for the souls of men as a family, you can use us to. For that I thank. I pray Oh Lord for anyone who is confused about their role that you would make it clear to them no matter what they do as they follow you. Thanks so much Jesus. We depend on you and your love. In Your Name I Pray Oh Lord. Amen!

Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)

No matter who you are, it is not ever too late to join a Bible-believing church or a college fellowship. I highly encourage each of you to come to Transformers Small Group on Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. and Oakland International Fellowship on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. for prayer, 11:30 a.m. for worship, 10:30 a.m. for Sunday School, and 12:30 p.m. for fellowship lunch.

May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and forever! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

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2013 DEVOTIONALS:

"What happened to Jesus' stinky/dirty F.E.E.T one day?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (March 11, 13, 10:54 a.m.)

"What can Christ do with the relational H.O.S.T.I.L.I.T.Y in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Feb 23, 13, 07:28 a.m.)

"Why should you always want to be R.I.G.H.T in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Feb 16, 13, 10:50 a.m.)

"Why bother with the L.I.F.E of Jesus Christ?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Jan 02, 13, 10:17 a.m.)

Isaiah 43:16,18-19, Mark 1:40-42: "Where will your I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y be found in 2013?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Jan 01, 13, 12:26 p.m.)

ADVENT 2012 DEVOTIONALS:

Luke 2:8-14: "How do you relate to the shepherds this C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S season?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 25, 12, 07:31 p.m.)

Luke 1:34-38: "What does God do with your D.O.U.B.T.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 24, 12, 10:41 p.m.)

Luke 1:31-33: "What K.I.N.G.D.O.M will you be part of in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 22, 12, 05:43 p.m.)

Matthew 1:29-30: "What do you G.R.E.E.T.I.N.G.S do in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 21, 12, 11:04 a.m.)

Matthew 1:29-30: "When have you experienced the F.A.V.O.R of the Lord?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 20, 12, 12:36 p.m.)

Matthew 1:24: "In what outcome will you give C.R.E.D.I.T to the Lord?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 19, 12, 09:09 a.m.)

Matthew 1:24: "Whose C.O.M.M.A.N.D.S do you obey in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 18, 12, 11:41 a.m.)

Matthew 1:23: "What does I.M.M.A.N.U.E.L mean to you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 17, 12, 05:01 p.m.)

Matthew 1:22-23: "How can P.R.O.P.H.E.C.Y make you believe in Jesus?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 15, 12, 09:12 a.m.)

Matthew 1:21: "Who are you depending on to S.A.V.E you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 13, 12, 12:44 p.m.)

Matthew 1:21: "What significance do you give a N.A.M.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 12, 12, 1:27 p.m.)

Matthew 1:20: "Why expect a M.I.R.A.C.L.E. in your life this season?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 10, 12, 10:40 a.m.)

Matthew 1:20: "What has a D.R.E.A.M revealed to you in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 08, 12, 11:42 a.m.)

Matthew 1:19-20: "Why W.A.I.T through conflict in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 08, 12, 11:40 a.m.)

Matthew 1:18-19: "How has your L.O.V.E influenced others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 01, 12, 11:32 a.m.)

Matthew 1:1-17: "What does God do with your G.E.N.E.A.L.O.G.Y in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 01, 12, 11:32 a.m.)

2012 DEVOTIONALS:

"What place do you give T.H.A.N.K.S.G.I.V.I.N.G in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Nov 22, 12, 9:05 a.m.)

"Who are you campaigning for and V.O.T.I.N.G for in your heart: Jesus Christ or Satan?” By Ramesh C. Reddy (Nov 04, 2012, 11:41 a.m.)

"What is your view of T.I.M.I.N.G in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 24, 12, 11:02 a.m.)

Mark 1:12: "How do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 22, 12, 10:10 a.m.)

Mark 1:12: "What determines your G.R.O.W.T.H in the Lord?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 19, 12, 08:46 a.m.)

Mark 1:9-11: "Who will you P.R.A.I.S.E publicly in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 13, 12, 06:16 a.m.)

Mark 1:9: "What do you S.T.A.N.D for in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 08, 12, 07:59 a.m.)

1 Thessalonians 1:3: "What does your L.A.B.O.R show in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 03, 12, 06:30 a.m.)

Mark 4:4-8: "Who do you P.O.I.N.T to in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 01, 12, 10:10 a.m.)

Mark 1:1-4: "How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophecy?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 29, 12, 09:57 a.m.)

Mark 1:1: "Why bother with the G.O.S.P.E.L when you see yourself as a good person anyway?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 28, 12, 09:00 a.m.)

Mark 1:40-42: "How do you deal with the L.E.P.R.O.S.Y of sin?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 07, 12, 11:21 p.m.)

Mark 10:10-12: "When have you become an A.D.U.L.T.E.R.E.R in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:54 p.m.)

Mark 10:6-9: "What should your take be for M.A.R.R.I.A.G.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:54 p.m.)

John 6: "What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat to live forever?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:48 p.m.)

John 10:9: "What D.O.O.R is the only Door that will save you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 31, 12, 09:08 a.m.)

John 8:12: "How can the L.I.G.H.T impact your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 30 12, 08:28 a.m.)

Matthew 25:14-30: "What are you doing with the T.A.L.E.N.T the Lord Jesus has given you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 28, 12, 10:38 a.m.)

Matthew 22:36-40: "How are the dimensions of L.O.V.E in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 27, 12, 09:13 a.m.)

Matthew 18:12-14: "What hope is there for the L.O.S.T in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 26, 12, 09:50 a.m.)

Mark 4:22-23: "What happens to a sin you C.O.N.C.E.A.L in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 25, 12, 07:23 a.m.)

John 15:18-21: 'Is it better for you to experience H.A.T.E or love, why or why not?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 24, 12, 01:01 p.m.)

John 10:14-16: "Who will you make your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 19, 12, 06:03 a.m.)

John 15:10-14: "What does it mean to remain in the V.I.N.E always?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 18, 12, 10:13 a.m.)

Matthew 18:21-22: "What stipulation do you put to F.O.R.G.I.V.E. someone?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 17, 12, 09:17 a.m.)

Philippians 4:20-23: "How do you see F.A.T.H.E.R in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 13, 12, 07:39 a.m.)

Philippians 4:19: "What are your N.E.E.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 12, 12, 08:51 a.m.)

Philippians 4:15-18: "Who will you F.I.N.A.N.C.E in ministry?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 11, 12, 05:42 a.m.)

Philippians 4:14: "How do you S.H.A.R.E in others troubles?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 10, 12, 08:30 a.m.)

Philippians 4:12-13: "Where do you need S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 09, 12, 08:59 a.m.)

Mark 5:24b-29: "Where do you need F.R.E.E.D.O.M to move on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 07, 12, 10:43 a.m.)

Philippians 4:10: "Why show C.O.N.C.E.R.N for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 03, 12, 09:18 a.m.)

Philippians 4:9b: "How do you know your P.E.A.C.E is real?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 02, 12, 08:33 a.m.)

Philippians 4:9a: "What kind of S.O.L.D.I.E.R will you be?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 30, 12, 09:58 a.m.)

Philippians 4:8: What is your T.H.I.N.K.I.N.G based on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 30, 12, 09:56 a.m.)

Philippians 4:6-7: "How do you handle A.N.X.I.E.T.Y in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 28, 12, 08:05 a.m.)

Philippians 4:5: "What measure of G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S do you have?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 27, 12, 08:57 a.m.)

Philippians 4:4: "When do you R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 26, 12, 09:26 a.m.)

Philippians 4:3: "How have you C.A.M.P.A.I.G.N.E.D for Jesus in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 25, 12, 08:58 a.m.)

Philippians 4:2: "How do you respond to a P.L.E.A.D in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 23, 12, 10:45 a.m.)

Philippians 4:1: "Where do you S.T.A.N.D on love in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 23, 12, 10:40 a.m.)

Philippians 3:20-21: "What C.I.T.I.Z.E.N.S.H.I.P should you desire the most?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 21, 12, 07:28 a.m.)

Philippians 3:18-19: "Why shed T.E.A.R.S for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 20, 12, 08:37 a.m.)

Philippians 3:15-17: "Who or what are you willing to P.A.T.T.E.R.N your life after?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 19, 12, 07:30 a.m.)

Philippians 3:12-14: "How can you deal with the P.A.S.T in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 18, 12, 11:43 a.m.)

Philippians 3:1-11: "Why for R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N do you need the transaction of the cross?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 16, 12, 8:57 a.m.)

Philippians 2:25-30: "When will your H.O.M.E.C.O.M.I.N.G begin?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 15, 12, 6:43 a.m.)

Philippians 2:19-24: "How can you Q.U.A.L.I.F.Y well in other people's lives?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 14, 12, 8:18 a.m.)

Philippians 2:17-18: "How do you live out your F.A.I.T.H in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 13, 12, 6:58 a.m.)

Philippians 2:14-16: "How is your B.E.H.A.V.I.O.R. in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 12, 12, 8:15 a.m.)

Philippians 2:13: "How do you W.O.R.K out your Salvation?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 11, 12, 8:36 a.m.)

Philippians 2:12-13:"What path have you taken for S.A.L.V.A.T.I.O.N in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 09, 7:50 a.m.)

Philippians 2:12-13: "What is the point of O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 7:51 a.m.)

Philippians 2:9-11:"How do you handle the N.A.M.E of Jesus in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 7:47 a.m.)

Philippians 2:8: "Why should you make a C.R.O.S.S transaction in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 06, 7:26 a.m.)

Philiippians 2:5-7: "How do match Jesus' A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 05, 9:09 a.m.)

Philippians 2:3-4: "How do you respond to C.O.M.M.A.N.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 03, 6:19 a.m.)

Philippians 2:1-2: "What C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 02, 6:52 a.m.)

Philippians 1:29-30: "How do you handle S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (June, 01, 6:52 a.m.)

Philippians 1:27-28:"How do you C.O.N.D.U.C.T yourself in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 31, 12, 7:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:22-26: What are your C.H.O.I.C.E.S based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 30, 12, 6:27 a.m.)

Philippians 1:21: "Why D.I.E for Christ?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 29, 12, 4:59 a.m.)

Philippians 1:20: "Where do you need to have C.O.U.R.A.G.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 25, 12, 8:08 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19:"Who do you C.A.L.L often in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 24, 12, 8:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19: "What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.)

Philippians 1:15-18: "How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.)

Philippians 1:13-14:"What have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 21, 12, 9:04 a.m.)

Philippians 1:12: "How can you feel so S.P.E.C.I.A.L when things are going so wrong in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.)

Philippians 1:9-11: "What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response in life based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.)

Philippians 1:8: "How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards others in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 17, 12, 6:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:7: "Why cannot you be saved by G.R.A.C.E. alone?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 16, 12, 9:55 a.m.)

Philippians 1:6: "Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 15, 12, 10:54 a.m.)

Philippians 1:3-6: "How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 14, 12, 08:38 a.m.)

Philippians 1:3: "How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?" (May 11, 12, 09:53 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1-2: "When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?" (May 09, 12, 7:30 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: "Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when you are already a leader?" (May 10, 12, 9:01 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: "Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead of being a sinner?" (May 08, 12, 8:05 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life? (May 07, 12, 7:06 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

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