31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:31-32
Jesus knew what Peter was about to go through but instead of leading him around the storm, He release him towards it. Jesus understood the power of a storm. There had just been an argument about who was the greatest disciple and Jesus told them the greatest is the one who serves. Then He turns to Peter and tells him, Satan wants to destroy you. Jesus knew Peter was a leader but he needed to be shaken to realize what was inside of him.
Though Satan meant to destroy Peter, he became the tool that revealed who Peter truly was. Through being humbled by his adversity he learned to trust God like never before. His faith in God became unshakeable because he was shaken. What was not apart of his destiny was shaken off him and only what was apart of his destiny remained.
When we go through adversity we don't surrender to Satan but to God. We allow God to have his way in our life and He transforms us into His image. When a silversmith is making silver they place it in the fire and the silver remains in the fire until the silversmith sees their reflection in it. When God sees His reflection we are taken out of the fire and put on display. We are refined not simply for our own good but to help others. Our journey strengthens those around us. When we allow God to have his way, our life will inspire others to trust in God. If we have faith in God in spite of the adversity we learn who we are and who God is. Nothing can destroy us because we are in the Master's hands.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Thursday, February 7, 2013
20 Days with Peter: Day 4 - Feed my sheep
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. John 21: 15-17
Jesus did not need to know if Peter loved him. He knew Peter's heart, this dialogue was for Peter as well as for us. Going to church is not enough. Fulfilling our titles is not enough. God wants us to feed his sheep. He wants our heart to be towards loving others. What Jesus was teaching Peter to express your love for God it is through love your neighbor. By loving other you love God. Peter was not going to be able to rest on his personal relationship with Jesus for Jesus was not going to be there phyiscally for him to follow. He was going to have to love God by loving those God gave him to help.
We can get so catch up in our individual lives that we forget to love others. We don't greet each other in passing because we are too busy tweeting. We have lost sight of what it means to love God. Jesus was not asking Peter to simply do charity work because you can do that without your heart being in it. He wanted to transfer Peter's focus from the Physical Jesus to seeing Jesus in all. If we saw Jesus in others would we not love them?
When we love God there is evidence of it by how we treat others.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. John 21: 15-17
Jesus did not need to know if Peter loved him. He knew Peter's heart, this dialogue was for Peter as well as for us. Going to church is not enough. Fulfilling our titles is not enough. God wants us to feed his sheep. He wants our heart to be towards loving others. What Jesus was teaching Peter to express your love for God it is through love your neighbor. By loving other you love God. Peter was not going to be able to rest on his personal relationship with Jesus for Jesus was not going to be there phyiscally for him to follow. He was going to have to love God by loving those God gave him to help.
We can get so catch up in our individual lives that we forget to love others. We don't greet each other in passing because we are too busy tweeting. We have lost sight of what it means to love God. Jesus was not asking Peter to simply do charity work because you can do that without your heart being in it. He wanted to transfer Peter's focus from the Physical Jesus to seeing Jesus in all. If we saw Jesus in others would we not love them?
When we love God there is evidence of it by how we treat others.
If you love Jesus, feed his sheep.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
20 Days with Peter: Day 3 - Launching into the deep
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. Luke 5:2-11
Peter had a divine appointment with God. It is amazing how God meets us when we are empty, when what we set out to do fails. Peter was an experienced fisherman but with all his skill and experience he could not catch one fish that night. Peter was empty but as he sat on his boat listening to the teaching of Jesus something ignited within him. This man was no normal man. His words began to fill Peter and when Jesus was done teaching, He turned to Peter to put the words to action. It was time for a demonstration. Even though Peter had worked all night with no results he obeyed the word of Jesus and had the biggest catch of his life.
Peter learned that day that obedience to God’s word pays off. Peter had received the biggest catch of fish but he could not take his eyes off of Jesus. He turned from his profession, followed Jesus. What is amazing is God met Peter where he was. God revealed that his life’s purpose was to draw men into the net of God’s love.
Don’t be afraid to launch into the deep. God has something special to reveal to you. You have a calling on your life that no one else is meant to answer. Surrender to your call. You are more than a worker, you are more than a servant, you are a child of God. God bless you.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. Luke 5:2-11
Peter had a divine appointment with God. It is amazing how God meets us when we are empty, when what we set out to do fails. Peter was an experienced fisherman but with all his skill and experience he could not catch one fish that night. Peter was empty but as he sat on his boat listening to the teaching of Jesus something ignited within him. This man was no normal man. His words began to fill Peter and when Jesus was done teaching, He turned to Peter to put the words to action. It was time for a demonstration. Even though Peter had worked all night with no results he obeyed the word of Jesus and had the biggest catch of his life.
Peter learned that day that obedience to God’s word pays off. Peter had received the biggest catch of fish but he could not take his eyes off of Jesus. He turned from his profession, followed Jesus. What is amazing is God met Peter where he was. God revealed that his life’s purpose was to draw men into the net of God’s love.
Don’t be afraid to launch into the deep. God has something special to reveal to you. You have a calling on your life that no one else is meant to answer. Surrender to your call. You are more than a worker, you are more than a servant, you are a child of God. God bless you.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
20 Days with Peter: Day 2 - A little faith
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matthew 14: 24-31
Peter walked on water, something no other person since has done. First things first, imagine being on the ship with the wind going crazy and Jesus is not on the ship with you. The disciples had to have questioned why Jesus told them to get on this boat without Him. Then out of nowhere they see a “spirit” and they know they are in trouble. But to their surprise this “spirit” claims to be the Messiah, telling them to not be afraid. Then Peter has a NOW moment. He sees the “spirit” and wants to come meet on the water. Jesus tells him to Come and Peter does the impossible, he walks on water.
Okay how do you get from that to a little faith? Peter was so bold to step out onto the water, while the other disciples stayed on the ship. He went alone to be with God. That takes great faith, to go against the norm and you have no one support your desires. Peter walked on the water reflecting what Jesus was already doing. But as he was doing the impossible, he allowed the circumstances around him to distract him from his NOW moment. His desire was to walk to Jesus on the water but he was focusing on the wind and fear took root in him. In fear, he could no longer walk by faith.
You see, our walk with God is all by faith. What we see, like the wind is working against where we are going. Jesus has placed us on our journey but we are constantly met with resistance. We want to live by faith but fear keeps knocking at the door. Regardless of the circumstances if we look unto Jesus we will do the impossible. Peter was human, he had doubts and fears. He needed Jesus to save him when he was sinking. We need God to save us when we lose our focus.
Don’t be afraid for God is with you. He is regarding your situation and in spite of all the chaos around you, He has given you access to heaven. Keep your eyes on Christ and your faith will keep you walking on top of life.
Monday, February 4, 2013
20 Days with Peter: Day One - Careless
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you." I Peter 5: 6-7
The lesson of humility is one that Peter knew better than most. So many accounts in the bible reveal Peter puffed up only to be humbled. The great thing is by experiencing humility, he learned to master the practice of humility. He discovered his need for God. You see humility requires you understanding your need for God and allowing God the opportunity to meet that need. It is not by our efforts but by His that we prosper.
Each day we are full of cares. We want our children to do well in school. We want our businesses to increase in sales. We want to overcome a sickness. We care about our community and our country. With all the cares we carry we can begin to be weighed down by them. We are trying to carry a burden that is not meant for us. What Peter learned and we need to learn is to give God our cares. To empty ourselves before God that we may live free from cares and burdens. God cares about us. He knows what we have need of. He will give us what we desire if we choose to yield our lives to Him.
verse 5 says "God resists the proud but gives more grace to the humble."
When you surrender your life to God. He gives you more grace. God will not forces you to give Him your cares. You have to want to. Through humility your life is exalted. Why? Because nothing is weighing you down. Give God your cares and live in the freedom of God's grace.
The lesson of humility is one that Peter knew better than most. So many accounts in the bible reveal Peter puffed up only to be humbled. The great thing is by experiencing humility, he learned to master the practice of humility. He discovered his need for God. You see humility requires you understanding your need for God and allowing God the opportunity to meet that need. It is not by our efforts but by His that we prosper.
Each day we are full of cares. We want our children to do well in school. We want our businesses to increase in sales. We want to overcome a sickness. We care about our community and our country. With all the cares we carry we can begin to be weighed down by them. We are trying to carry a burden that is not meant for us. What Peter learned and we need to learn is to give God our cares. To empty ourselves before God that we may live free from cares and burdens. God cares about us. He knows what we have need of. He will give us what we desire if we choose to yield our lives to Him.
verse 5 says "God resists the proud but gives more grace to the humble."
When you surrender your life to God. He gives you more grace. God will not forces you to give Him your cares. You have to want to. Through humility your life is exalted. Why? Because nothing is weighing you down. Give God your cares and live in the freedom of God's grace.
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