Peter

February 8th – 1 Peter 4:8

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1 Peter 4:8

The one thing Peter wanted Christians to know above all else, was the importance of loving one another. Not because loving others earns God’s forgiveness. For we know that our sins are paid for through the blood of Christ. And forgiveness for sin comes only through trusting in Him. Instead it means that all, even Christians, are sinners who fail and need forgiveness daily. And by remembering the grace shown to us, we can love each when hurt, forgive each other when wronged, and build each other up when we fall. Because love makes it possible for us to be, “hospitable to one another without complaint”, and to use our God given gifts and talents to serve one another. All with the goal of leading others to the Lord, so “in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Pet. 4:11) And as the days grow darker, our love needs to shine all the brighter.

 

February 8th – 1 Peter 4:8 Read More »

November 11th – Acts 4:12

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Acts 4:12

I am thankful for name of Jesus Christ by which I am offered salvation

When the apostle Peter healed a lame man, he was asked what power he used to perform this miracle. In response Peter said he did it through the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The only name that has the power to save. The word salvation comes from the the Greek word, sōtēria. It means “deliverance and preservation.” To be rescued from enemies, or spiritual rescue. And that’s exactly what Jesus does. From His unmerited love and grace, He reaches down to pull us up from death and destruction. The only begotten Son of God, Jesus took the form of a man to pay a debt that we owed. And it is by His glorious name alone, can we have the gift of eternal life. Satan and his minions try to tell us there are many paths to God, and many ways to be saved. But he is father of lies. Christ who was born without sin and lived a sinless life, sacrificed His precious blood to save us. And there is no other that can offer us salvation than our perfect Savior!

November 11th – Acts 4:12 Read More »

June 13th – Psalm 4:8

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Psalm 4:8

Experts recommend getting 7-9 hours of sleep a day. Yet for many a good nights sleep is an elusive goal. So no wonder a reported 9 million Americans take prescription drugs to help them fall asleep. And 50 to 70 million people in America suffer from one or several sleep disorders. David had many reasons to lay awake at night in worry. Yet because of his faith in God to protect and see him through his troubles, Israel’s king slept like a baby. And look at Peter. Facing certain death in the morning, you’d think he would have spent the night pacing his cell. But instead he slept so soundly, the angel sent by God to rescue Peter had to strike him in his side to awaken him. We all can experience that kind of peace and deep, restorative sleep. If we do like David and Peter, and turn over all our cares to God. For He promises peace. A peace “which surpasses all understanding,” and one which “will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

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April 13th – John 21:15-25

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John 21:15-25 

Imagine how terrible Peter felt when he betrayed Jesus three times; as the Lord predicted he would do. No wonder it struck a chord deep in Peter’s conscience when later Jesus asked him three times, “Peter, do you love me?” Knowing the Lord knew his heart and his regret, Peter answered, “You know that I love you.” Even though the apostle had earlier denied Christ, Jesus had forgiven Peter and restored him to a place of trust. As evidenced by the Lord’s commandment for Peter to, “Feed My sheep.” And just as He did for Peter, Jesus will do for us. The Lord knows our failures even before we commit them. And, like Peter, when we humbly seek Him in repentance, will be faithful to forgive and restore. God has a purpose that is uniquely ours. And He will help us fulfill that purpose. And no life, no matter how broken, can be beautifully transformed to bring glory to God. Today Jesus is asking you, “Do you love me?”

Blessings,

Becky

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April 12th – Luke 22:54-60

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Luke 22:54-60

Have you ever made a promise and failed to keep it? Let another down? Swore you would never do something and then did that very thing? If so, have you received the gift of a second chance? Do you know the power of being forgiven? The story of Peter is one of failure and forgiveness. He suffered the brokenness of sin, shame, and guilt. Because even though the Lord had warned him, and Peter’s determination not to, he failed Jesus. Peter denied His precious Savior. And seeing Jesus look his way the moment he failed, must have crushed Peter’s heart.

I’ve had moments like that. Moments when I’ve dishonored the Lord and let Him down. It could be something as simple as promising to spend time with Him each morning. Time in His word and in prayer, but instead I rolled over for a few more minutes of precious sleep. But Peter’s story is our great reminder that our failures don’t determine our future with our Lord. And just like He did with Peter, God can take those times we’ve fallen short and make something good come from them. We all matter to Jesus, and He wants to make sure our relationship with Him is blameless and untarnished. And while our failures are not part of His plan for us, the Lord will take those slip ups, and restore us back into His plan.

Blessings,

Sue

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March 11th – 2 Corinthians 10:4

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2 Corinthians 10:4

1 Peter 5:8 tells us the Enemy prowls the earth like a lion looking for someone to devour. That’s why it’s so important we use every weapon available to us for protection. Divinely powerful weapons intended to tear down the strongholds of Satan. And one such weapon is prayer. The Enemy will do anything he can to keep us from praying. Because prayer limits his power, disrupts his plans, and stop him in his tracks. Prayer is a powerful force. For as our communication with God, the prayers of His children move God to act. Satan cannot touch or do what God does not allow. Which is why he delights in the absence of a prayer life. And also why the Enemy uses every trick in the book to distract, defeat, and discourage us from praying.

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March 4th – Acts 12:5

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Acts 12:5

When it comes to being a powerful prayer warrior, there is none greater than a small servant girl named Rhoda. Her faith in God was so strong, all she needed was to hear the voice of Peter to know her petition was answered. After Peter had been captured and jailed, believers gathered at the house of Mary, the mother of Mark. While praying for Peter’s release, there came a knock at the gate. Rhoda went to answer it, and after recognizing Peter’s voice, she joyfully ran to the people to share the good news. But they thought her mistaken. Yet Rhoda never doubted for a moment. For she had complete faith that what we ask from God, He has the power and ability to do. (1 John 5:14) We should all be like Rhoda. Exited, and full of faith. Praying expectantly to our Heavenly Father, and being filled with joy when those prayers are answered. There is great power in prayer. For when we are bound by chains and all gates are shut, the gate to God through prayer is always open. And through Him, all things are possible.

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February 15th – 2 Peter 3:18

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 2 Peter 3:18

Peter tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” But have you ever wondered what that means exactly, and how one can grow in grace? Is it our responsibility, God’s or both of ours? Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith. This is not our doing, but a gift from God . One through which we mature and are sanctified by grace alone. Grace is defined as “unmerited favor”; a blessing that we don’t deserve. It is God, through His grace that justifies, sanctifies, and eventually will glorify us in heaven. This sanctification process, (becoming more and more like Christ), is actually synonymous with growing in grace.

Therefore to grow in grace actually means to mature as a Christian. We grow in grace by reading God’s Word and letting it “dwell in us richly” (Colossians 3:16). Peter also mentions growing in “knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ“. This happens  by praying and communicating with God, our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ. And It’s also important to note it’s not about gaining more grace from God, for His grace never increases; it is already infinite. But we do need to seek and trust Him for it. Because grace will be the attribute of God that will enables us to break free of our sinful nature and follow Him. It will give us strength and protect us from the evil one.

Blessings,

Sue

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The Sting Of Betrayal – John 18

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John 18  

“Et tu, Brute?”  Is Probably one of the most recognizable phrases from Literature. Latin for, “Even you Brutus?”, it’s from the play “Julius Caesar” written by William Shakespeare. They are the words Caesar utters while being stabbed to death, seeing his friend Brutus among the murderers. Sadly, no one is immune to the sting of betrayal, not even Jesus who was doubled crossed with a kiss. …

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January 29th – Proverbs 29:25

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Proverbs 29:25

Living in a world ruled by Satan, many are the threats against Christians. In Proverbs these threats are to referred to as the fear of man. Of course we know about the physical threats. But more often for Believers the more dangerous threat is the one against our minds. The threat that tells us we need to listen to the world rather than the truth of God. To be people pleasers rather than God pleasers. Because if we don’t we’ll be shunned, ridiculed, ostracized, or worse. But when we give in to such wrong peer pressure, rather than saving us, it ensnares us. It keeps us trapped in fear, anxiety, and compromise. It steals our joy, our testimony, and the security found in Jesus alone. So that’s why we need to be bold like Peter and declare, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29) Never fearing what man can do to us, and focusing instead on how God saves us.

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