John 21:15-17
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
When Jesus questioned Peter about his love, He was not inquiring because He didn’t know the answer. God is all-knowing. When Jesus questioned Peter … when God raises a question in our life … it is not an inquiry to gain some unknown information. Rather it’s purpose is so you and I will know the answer. When God asks a question, the answer is for our benefit, not His. God wants us to grow, develop, become the saints who will go out and feed His sheep.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
WORDS FROM THE EYE WITNESS
2 Peter 1:16-21
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Paying Attention to Scripture
16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes 17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” 18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
Peter, known for his willingness to take action and make decisions, is firm about his position on the Scriptures. Having personally witnessed Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17); having heard the voice of God testify and identify His Son; Peter’s conclusion from what he has seen and heard is that God’s Word, the Scriptures are authentic.
What do you believe about the Scriptures? Peter, the leader of the 1st century church had no take it or leave it attitude. The Word of God was His rock (Matthew 16:18). It was his foundation. Facing all the challenges of the early church, Peter held on to the rock and encouraged the church with the rock..
Take hold of that rock. It will see you through any situation you face.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Paying Attention to Scripture
16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes 17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” 18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
Peter, known for his willingness to take action and make decisions, is firm about his position on the Scriptures. Having personally witnessed Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17); having heard the voice of God testify and identify His Son; Peter’s conclusion from what he has seen and heard is that God’s Word, the Scriptures are authentic.
What do you believe about the Scriptures? Peter, the leader of the 1st century church had no take it or leave it attitude. The Word of God was His rock (Matthew 16:18). It was his foundation. Facing all the challenges of the early church, Peter held on to the rock and encouraged the church with the rock..
Take hold of that rock. It will see you through any situation you face.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
CHARACTER – WHO AM I?
2 Peter 1:3-8
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Growing in Faith
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ask yourself, “How am I doing on these eight Godly character traits?” The list in verses 5-7 is admirable and possibly overwhelming if viewed from the perspective of human capability. Looking at the list, which ones are you doing well? Which ones are your struggles?
Where you are doing well, it is because of the divine power God has provided, not your human effort. Where you are struggling, it is the same divine power that will help you to grow.
Ask God to help make all eight increasingly real in your life. They all flow from the Spirit of Christ that lives in you.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Growing in Faith
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ask yourself, “How am I doing on these eight Godly character traits?” The list in verses 5-7 is admirable and possibly overwhelming if viewed from the perspective of human capability. Looking at the list, which ones are you doing well? Which ones are your struggles?
Where you are doing well, it is because of the divine power God has provided, not your human effort. Where you are struggling, it is the same divine power that will help you to grow.
Ask God to help make all eight increasingly real in your life. They all flow from the Spirit of Christ that lives in you.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
GOD’S CHARACTER
Exodus 34:6-7
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
6 The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,
“Yahweh! The Lord!
The God of compassion and mercy!
I am slow to anger
and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.
I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
But I do not excuse the guilty.
I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren;
the entire family is affected—
even children in the third and fourth generations.”
Moses asked God to reveal His glory to him. God responded to Moses request, giving him only a glimpse. As God passed before Moses, He proclaimed the perfection of His character.
God is full of compassion, mercy, faith and unfailing love. God is forgiving and slow to anger.
At the same time that God is so gracious, He is also just. He does not excuse the guilty. There are consequences for sin which last for generations.
God’s character never changes. It is uncompromising. His character is the standard that gives meaning when we seek to be loving, faithful, merciful and patient. While we can never match His example … the standard is lofty … we don’t throw in the towel. Every day we strive for the perfection that has been set before us.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
6 The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,
“Yahweh! The Lord!
The God of compassion and mercy!
I am slow to anger
and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.
I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
But I do not excuse the guilty.
I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren;
the entire family is affected—
even children in the third and fourth generations.”
Moses asked God to reveal His glory to him. God responded to Moses request, giving him only a glimpse. As God passed before Moses, He proclaimed the perfection of His character.
God is full of compassion, mercy, faith and unfailing love. God is forgiving and slow to anger.
At the same time that God is so gracious, He is also just. He does not excuse the guilty. There are consequences for sin which last for generations.
God’s character never changes. It is uncompromising. His character is the standard that gives meaning when we seek to be loving, faithful, merciful and patient. While we can never match His example … the standard is lofty … we don’t throw in the towel. Every day we strive for the perfection that has been set before us.
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