Pray

Words By, Roxanna~ Varieties of Prayer

10:30 AM


Prayer is the most important activity of your life. It is the main way in which you develop a relationship with our Father in heaven. If you love someone, naturally you will want to spend time in their presence communicating with them. Like any relationship, communication can take many different forms. Lancelot Andrewes (1555–1626), one of the great theologians and preachers of his day, wrote two lists in his Private Devotions:
First, he wrote a list of times of prayer in the Bible:
‘Always ...
Without ceasing ...
At all times ...
Three times a day ...
Evening, and morning, and at noon ...
Seven times a day ...
In the morning, a great while before day ...
At daybreak ...
The third hour of the day ...
About the sixth hour ...
The hour of prayer, the ninth ...
The evening ...
By night ...
At midnight ... ’.
Next, he wrote a list of places of prayer in the Bible:
‘In the assembly ... and in the congregation ...
Your closet ...
An upper room ...
A housetop ...
The temple ...
On the shore ...
A garden ...
On their beds ...
A desert place ...
In every place ... ’.
There is no limit to the times, places and different ways in which you can pray.
 
Blessings, 
Roxanna 

1 Corinthians

Take That Step! {Acts 18-20}

7:05 PM



And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” Acts 18:9-10.

These verses always send me back to the beginning of my journey as a believer. Can you imagine the Apostle Paul being afraid? Neither could I when the Lord first showed me these verses. The City of Corinth was definitely not a city that would be receptive to the Gospel, but surely Paul wouldn’t be fearful there, would he? Certainly not Paul, but I’m getting ahead of myself…

You see, back when I first discovered these verses I was a fairly new believer; whose faith was smaller than a mustard seed. I looked at faith as more of a passive, internal conviction.  I trusted God in my heart and mind, but not so much through my actions. I desired to do great things for God as long as He didn’t take me out of my comfort zone! I loved attending Bible studies and reading His word on my own. I even grew brave enough to pray out loud with others! But I never, ever thought to teach other believers! That was until the Lord began to impress upon me that that was exactly His will for me!

Surely not! I couldn’t possibly be hearing Him correctly! After all, He knew how very shy I was! I was always content to simply be in the room to listen to others. No one needed to ever call on me and I certainly wouldn’t volunteer. He knew better than I how very little of God’s Word I had memorized, and was able to find in His Word! There were so many, many other Christians who had been walking with Him far longer than I had been at the time. Surely, I must have misunderstood Him. But He kept persisting in spite of all my efforts to remind Him of all the facts I’ve just stated.

Finally, one day He had me turn to 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (AMP),

As for myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom;
2 For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified.
3 And I was in (passed into a state of) weakness and fear (dread) and great trembling [after I had come] among you.
4 And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them],
5 So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.

Can you believe this is Paul talking here? Neither could I at the time, but he’s recounting for the Corinthians this very moment in Acts 18. I could definitely relate to all Paul was feeling at that moment. Can you? 

Has there ever been a time when God called you to step out of your comfort zone and take a new step of faith? Perhaps even now, for I can assure you, teaching women was not the last step of faith He’s called me to take over the past 30 years. 


It seems, just as soon as I grow comfortable on the step I’m on, The Lord calls me to take another step! My faith over the years has been stretched in multiple ways, and as a result, my faith has grown and matured. To best sum up all I have learned through these times is; faith is tested and proved through our action.  James said as much in James 2:17, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”.

So where in your life can you see God stretching your faith?  Have you recently taken a new step; venturing out into the unknown? Or is He calling you to take one? If so, I, as well as Paul, want to encourage you to take that step! I can promise you, you’ll not regret it.

I may have hesitated in the past, but I’ve never regretted any step I’ve taken, for the Lord is always there ready to bless incredibly!!

Believe

"What must I do to be saved?" {Acts 15:22 - 17:34}

12:30 AM

Image result for Acts 16:31

We’ve all heard stories of a very healthy person who spent their lifetime committed to eating right, exercising and living right, only to go to the doctor one day and discover she only has weeks to live.  None of us are guaranteed of being alive tomorrow. 

John Grisham said that when he was in law school, he got a call from one of his best friends in college.  They got together for lunch, and the friend told Grisham that he had terminal cancer.  Grisham was stunned.  He asked, “What do you do when you realize that you are about to die?

The friend replied, “It’s real simple.  You get things right with God, and you spend as much time with those you love as you can.  Then you settle up with everybody else.”  That friend’s death at age 25 left a lasting impression on Gresham (Christianity Today [10/3/94], p.16.

So this question is an urgent one, because apart from Jesus Christ, we are all lost, and because we are all just a breath away from eternity.

But salvation is God’s doing, not our doing.  When Paul says, ‘you shall be saved’,  it means that no one can save herself by any amount of effort.  No one can pile up enough good deeds to tip the scale in their favor.  Paul didn’t tell the jailer that he would have to keep the Ten Commandments and reform his life before he could be saved.  We can’t save ourselves.  But God will save everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus.


The numerous biblical pictures of people who are apart from God show us how impossible it is to save ourselves. We are dead in our sins (Eph. 2:1-3). We are spiritually blind (2 Cor. 4:4). We have natural minds that cannot perceive spiritual truth apart from God’s Spirit revealing it to us (1 Cor. 2:14). We are enslaved to sin, unable to free ourselves unless the Son of God frees us (John 8:34-36) We have spiritual leprosy and only Jesus can cleanse us. God alone can save a person from his sins. (Bible.org)



When the jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?”  Paul did not answer with something to do, but rather with someone to believe in.  Believing is not a matter of human effort, but rather of ceasing from our efforts and relying on God alone.  Paul said, “When people work, their wages are not a gift.  Workers earn what they receive.  But people are declared right because of their faith, not because of their work.”  (Romans 4:4-5)  Saving faith is a matter of ceasing from my own efforts to save myself, and trusting in Jesus Christ to save me.

Believing in Jesus Christ for salvation is a lot like flying on a plane.  We could watch the crews servicing the plane and check the maintenance records.  We could interview the pilots and make sure they know what they are doing.  But that won’t get us to where we want to go.  Instead, we have to commit our lives to those planes.  We must commit our eternal destiny to the Lord Jesus as our only hope.  We must rely on Him to bridge the gap between us, a sinner, and God as absolutely holy.

Saving faith relies on Christ alone.  Can you imagine getting on board a plane and walking into the cockpit and telling the pilot that you’d like to help fly the plane?  I doubt they would appreciate your offer.  All you need to do is get on board and know that you will reach your destination.  Trusting in Jesus is all that we need to do to be saved.



Faith

Words by Roxanna~ Faith: Love and Freedom

1:22 PM



In early February 1974 I was facing the biggest decision of my life. I was convinced through reading the New Testament that Jesus really was the Son of God. But I did not want to be a Christian as I feared that I would lose my freedom. The last things that I associated with faith were love and freedom. In fact, the opposite was the case. I associated faith with losing my freedom. I thought that God would want me to stop doing all the things that were fun and that I enjoyed.
 
For many people today, freedom and love are the last things in the world that they associate with faith. In fact, I have discovered over the last 40 years, and as we see in today’s passages, that true faith leads to freedom and love. Love, faith and freedom are inextricably entwined.

Blessings,
Roxanna

Acts

Answering God’s Call {Acts 13:1-15:21

11:43 PM



While the church in Antioch was worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit called for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart for the task of spreading the Gospel. “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work for which I have called them.” (vs. 13:2). In that moment, the two men found their lives purpose; to spread the Good News throughout the lands. So what about us? What is the calling and purpose God has for our lives? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if one day we checked our phone to find a message from God listing step by step exactly what it is He wants us to do? But that’s not how God works. Although some of us may have a Barnabas and Saul experience knowing immediately and without doubt what their purpose is, others of us spend years seeking God’s calling. 

Whenever I would hear people talk about how they found God’s purpose for their lives, I couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous. I didn’t understand why God made their paths straight and clear while mine remained crooked and murky. Did they have some special phone line to Heaven that I didn’t? Why were they part of the “it” crowd while I remained on the outside looking in? I was so caught up in finding out what God had planned for me, that I forgot what His calling is truly about. It isn’t what I can do for God, but rather what God can do both for me and through me for others. For as He Himself says He, “saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”

In his book entitled, “Do You Feel Called By God?”, Michael Bennett says that God gives all of us the same fundamental calling. First, “we are called to be genuine disciples of Christ as our Lord”. “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20) Second, “we are called to be holy and to grow in Christ-likeness.” “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:24)

In searching for God’s calling what I found is what He wants most of all, is a close personal relationship with me, and with you. He desires hearts that earnestly seek His will above all else. Those who eagerly spend time daily with Him and in His Word. When our focus is on Him, our hearts and ears open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit who guides us in God’s direction. I’ve learned that instead of concerning myself with the plan God has for me, I need instead be ready and willing to go wherever He leads. To be like David whom God called, “A man after my heart, who will do all My will.” (vs. 13:22)


 Answering God’s call means submitting every area of your life to God and being obedient to the direction of His leading. And when we follow Him the Lord promises, I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go.” (Ps. 32:8) So let go and let God lead you. Answer His call, serve where you are, and know that there is no greater calling then bringing  glory to His name! 

God has a purpose, 
He had a plan
before our lives 
even began.

He knows all things, 
for our own good
will work out as 
He said they would.

But, we must love, 
God and His ways
we must have a heart 
that yields and obeys.

We need to know, 
what is God’s will
we need to wait 
and to be still.

God has a purpose, 
but, it’s up to us
to heed the calling
 of faith and trust!
                                   
                              .........Deborah Ann




calling

SoulSearching Sunday~God Of Second Chances

12:00 AM

Sunday, October 28, 2018


Week Forty-three...

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We hope that you will find this time soul satisfying!

Our reading this week was John 18 - Acts 12...

 1. In what relationship would you love to have a second chance. Ask Jesus to provide that opportunity for you. Thank God for giving you many second chances.

 Once more He asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “LORD, you know everything. You know I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)

 2. How often do you pray? What kind of results do you expect? Consider the greatness and the power of God. Ask Him to move mightily on the earth and bring many to salvation, as He did in the days of the early church.

 They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. (Acts 1:14)

 3. When have you sensed God calling you to a specific ministry? How did you respond? What were the results? Where do you sense Him directing you today?
As for Philip, an angel of the LORD said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (Acts 8:26)




Cheese. Recipes. Lisa Moore

Chicken and Rice Stuffed Peppers

7:00 AM


Chicken and Rice Stuffed Peppers

2 chicken breasts 
1 tsp. teaspoon cumin
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
4 bell peppers your choice of color
2 cups Mexican rice
shredded chicken breast (drained from crockpot juices)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can black beans rinsed and drained

Add chicken to the bottom of the slow cooker, sprinkle seasonings on top and then cover with diced tomatoes. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours. Shred chicken and allow it to remain in sauce. Bring a large pot of water to boil.  While you are waiting for the water to boil, rinse peppers, slice off the tops and hollow out the insides, be sure to remove any seeds and the white part inside. When water is boiling, put the peppers and tops in and allow to cook for about 5 minutes until peppers are tender.  Remove from water and set aside to cool.  Mix the cooked rice, shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and black beans together in a large bowl.  Fill each pepper with the chicken and rice mixture and top with extra cheese, if desired. Replace pepper top back on top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and pepper is done to desired tenderness.  






Gospel

Scripture Saturday~The Gospel

12:00 AM

Saturday, October 27, 2018


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is Romans 1:16...

 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (NIV)

 Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!

Acts

Choosing your battles wisely {Acts 5:17-7:60}

3:32 AM




Acts 6:2-4 English Standard Version (ESV)
 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

This Bible passage teaches us that it's not wise to be involved in everything that is going on around us. Instead, we should select our activities cautiously so we can remain calm and steady in life.
As the early church was increasing in size, so were its needs.
One of the greatest needs was to organize the food distribution to the needy. The apostles chose to focus on preaching, so they left others to run the food distribution program. Each person in a church has a vital role to play in the life of the church.
I believe those in a leadership position in church should never find themselves overwhelmed by responsibilities beyond their callings or skills, but should determine their God-given abilities and priorities and ask or assign others to help.
Another important thing to notice from this portion of Scripture is the requirements for the men who were to handle the food program: they needed to be full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom.
People who work closely with others should have these qualities. On the other hand the apostles' priorities were correct. They did not neglect the ministry of the Word because of the administrative operations.


“Choose your battles wisely. After all, life isn't measured by how many times you stood up to fight. It's not winning battles that makes you happy, but it's how many times you turned away and chose to look into a better direction. Life is too short to spend it on warring. Fight only the most, most, most important ones, let the rest go.” 
― C. JoyBell C.



Acts 6:2-4 gives us an example of wisdom. The apostles recognized their need for help in order for their priorities to keep in line and their true assignment to be fulfilled.

God provides for whatever He assigns to us. He will make sure we have all the people we need to help us, but it is not their fault if we will not rely on them. I mean, why would God ask us to do something, to only sit and watch us be frustrated and miserable because the burden is too much? God meets all of our needs including the people we need to work with.

It depends on us to be guided by His Spirit and discern the battles that belong to us and the ones we need to let go. For the sake of our calling and purpose and also for the sake of our peace.

May the Lord guide us with His wisdom in order to discern as well, may He give us the humility to reach out for help when we need to.

Have a lovely blessed weekend,

Love from Botswana

Angie

Acts 3

Transformed and Empowered (Acts 3:1 - 5:16)

10:50 PM


Many of us resign ourselves to not expect much from God. We settle ourselves into a routine based on the limitations of the circumstances that are familiar to us. We don’t look for God to bring something new, or uplifting, or miraculous. 
“And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.” (3:2)
This lame man had obviously resigned himself to his fate and was totally dependent on others. He may have been placed at the Beautiful Gate but he was most likely a man who felt on the fringes of society, in fact the ugly part of society. He had expectations- that people would give him alms out of pity. He did not, however, expect that life could offer more. He probably didn’t think he would ever be able to have true inclusion and acceptance. Perhaps he wasn’t used to being “truly seen” as a valuable person and perhaps that is why Peter said “ Look at us” (3:4)
That is the Christian experience. We are “seen” as valuable because of who we are called to be in Christ. It was in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that Peter and John healed this man. “And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” (3:8) 
This man had settled for handouts but God wanted to give him so much more. How wonderful that he used what God blessed him with to glorify God. He was grateful to enter the temple where he had not been able to go before and to celebrate with praise. How do we react to the blessings that we receive? Do we use those blessings to praise and glorify God?  Do we appreciate that we are truly seen, no matter how limited we may be in our circumstances, and valued for who God wants to transform us to be in Christ?
Speaking of transformation, the once fear laden, cowering disciples are now walking boldly in the midst of crowds and proclaiming the risen Jesus as the Son of God. Through their testimony, 5,000 believed that day. When arrested by the religious leaders, Peter was empowered to speak boldly by the power of the Holy Spirit. “let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” (4:10-12)

Although the religious leaders didn’t like what Peter proclaimed, they were, however greatly affected by the change they recognized in these former companions of Jesus. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”(4:13). God wants us to have expectations beyond our limitations.
God wants to transform us and empower us so that we can glorify Him and boldly proclaim Him to a world that desperately needs His saving grace.  Not all may receive this grace, and in fact, they may choose to reject and persecute the proclaimer. The apostles prayed for boldness in the face of opposition and we should do that too. God wants to equip us to trust Him even when we face such challenges and He wants to bless us and astonish us beyond our expectations. 

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”

1 Chronicles 16:8-11 

Acts

What was The New Testament Church Like? {Acts 1-2}

12:00 AM



I’m honored to be given the opportunity to introduce you to the Book of Acts! I think a better title could be the Acts of the Holy Spirit! It's been perfectly placed in the Bible; just after the four Gospels, for here we get to compare Jesus’ disciples and followers before and after the Holy Spirit comes, and the differences are amazing!

I loved how Jim Cyjmbala describes the change in his book, Spirit Rising: Tapping Into the Power of the Holy Spirit:
“The early church…was made up of simple men and women. The leaders were former fishermen and tax collectors who fled in fear when Jesus was arrested and needed them most. They weren’t courageous and faithful. In fact, they lacked faith and courage. They were the least likely to be put in charge of any Christian enterprise. Yet, after the events in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit is poured out, those same nobodies were suddenly transformed. With courage and faith, they turned their community, and eventually the world, upside down (p27).

I wrote a post a few weeks ago about, The God of Small Beginnings and here once more The Lord is proving He doesn’t need great men and women to build His church, only ones who love Him and are willing to surrender to His leading.”

Jesus tells them as much in Act 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” And throughout this book we will see God’s Spirit working in and among His followers!

Today and tomorrow we will be given a glimpse of just what God’s New Testament church looked like, and get to compare it to the churches today, or more specifically the church body you are part of today.

In Acts 2:41-47 we can find seven key elements of God’s new body of believers that all church bodies should possess still,

 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” 

Baptism: “Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”(v.2:41) The church was growing quickly! Imagine if your church gained 3000 members in one week! What would you do? Would you be ready to welcome them and help them start growing their newly found faith? The New Testament church didn’t worry about a building for they met in intimate groups in one another’s homes and in the outer courts of the temple. And together they...

Worshiped (vs. 2:46-47)
True worship was reflected in the priority they placed on who God was in their lives and where He was placed on their list of priorities. True worship was a matter of their heart, expressed through a lifestyle of holiness, and was evident through their devotion...

To the Apostles’ Teaching because it meant something to them personally they were constantly seeking to learn more of this new way of living, for it possessed the power to transform their lives and others.

To Prayer: corporate and individual prayers, for these were desperate times and the persecution was fierce. The needs went far beyond what they were able to do in their own strength, which drew them to depend on God for everything.

To Fellowship: “All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” They quickly became like family and their possessions stopped being looked at as mine and yours, but ours.

To the Lord's Supper: Everyone brought food and shared it.They broke bread together, following their Master's instructions to remember His death and resurrection (Luke 22:7-38).  We're not sure if they celebrated the Lord's Supper every time they met, but we do know it was very common.

To Evangelism: Because they
·        worship God with sincere hearts
·        lived in real community with each other
·        prioritized their own spiritual growth
·        and managed and shared their resources to minister to Body of Christ
They effectively reached the lost with the Gospel. Their love, joy, peace…(the fruits of God’s Spirit) were evident to others around them and it became contagious!
What amazes me is even though their lives were in danger, they didn’t hunker down in fear, but actually prayed for boldness to speak the Word of God (Acts 4:23-31), and that's truly the evidence of the Holy Spirit's power within them.




follow

Trust and Follow the Lord {John 20-21}

12:30 AM


Tuesday, October 23, 2018


A friend and I used to always compare how our personalities were “planners”.  We were good at knowing what was going to happen when and where.  After a couple of years, I had to admit to her that I was actually a “wanna be planner”.  I told her that it seems that everything I plan seems to backfire.  It seems that the older I get the more I realize that my husband’s favorite phrase, ‘make a plan, and see God laugh’, is so true. 

These final two chapters in John help us to remember that we can trust and follow the Lord for how and where we serve Him, without being concerned about how He uses others.

It seems like Peter wanted to know what was going to happen to John after Jesus had told Peter to “take care of My sheep”.  Aren’t we all a little curious about what is going to happen in our lives?  This is the second time this fall that I’ve had a conversation with one of my adult children about not worrying so much about their lives.  They seem to want to know everything that is going to happen to them.  Or why their personalities are like they are.  Actually, it’s the third time I’ve had a similar conversation.  Even my dad, now that he’s a single man, has confessed to me that he’s waking up every night worrying about his life now that my mom is gone.

We don’t know whether Peter asked out of curiosity or concern for John or the need to compare himself with John.  But whatever his reason, Jesus in effect replies, “It’s none of your business what I do with John.  Your business is to follow ME!”

Jesus is the Lord of every person and He has authority to determine how each one serves Him.  Jesus bluntly tells Peter, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?  You follow me.”  Jesus determined how Peter would serve Him and when and how Peter would die.  He did the same for John.  He does the same for all who follow Him.  Paul tells us in Romans 12:1 to take our everyday, ordinary life – sleeping, eating, going to work or school, and place it before God as an offering.  We cannot know God’s will until we have first yielded totally to Him, being willing to do whatever He wants us to do with our lives.

The Lord uses the different personalities of each person for His purpose and glory.  Peter and John had very different personalities, but God used them both.  Peter was a natural leader.  He often spoke when he should have held his tongue and thought more carefully before he opened his mouth.  At the Transfiguration, he felt the need to say something, so he suggested building three tabernacles, only to have God say in Luke 9:35, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him”  When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, Peter was the one to protest.  He was a man of action, again, often without thinking carefully first, he whacked off Malchus’ ear without considering that the Roman soldiers could have easily have taken off his head.

John on the other hand, was more reflective and introverted.  Granted, at first Jesus called him and his brother James the sons of thunder (Mark 3:17), but he often referred to himself, as he does in our reading today, as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”  He was close to Jesus in a quieter manner than Peter.  We see these two men’s personalities when they went to the empty tomb.  John stood outside, but Peter brushed by him and went inside.  John saw the grave cloths laying there and believed, but Peter went away wondering what he had seen.  Then, when the risen Jesus provided the miraculous catch of fish, John was the first to recognize Him, but Peter suddenly jumped in the water to get to the shore first.  So they were very different men, but God was pleased to use both men in His service.

God sanctifies our personalities, knocking off the rough edges as we mature in Christ.  He doesn’t change our basic bent.  Introverts grow into godly introverts, extroverts grow into godly extroverts, and both are okay!  Before Paul met Christ, he was a zealous man of purpose, persecuting the church.  After he met Christ, he was a zealous man of purpose, boldly preaching the gospel, even after he had been stoned and imprisoned.  Paul’s dedicated zeal caused him to reject Barnabas’ desire of giving Mark a second chance.  But later Paul mellowed and said that Mark was of use to him for service (2 Timothy 4:11).  So you see, you don’t have to deny your personality to serve the Lord, but you do have to allow Him to build the fruit of the Spirit into your personality as you grow in Him.

We definitely can learn from those who are different than we are, but it is not worthy to compare our lives to theirs.  After the Lord told Peter that he would die a martyr’s death, Peter asked about John, “What about this man?”  It seems the Lord just says to Peter, “It’s none of your business.  Just follow ME!”


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As I was preparing for this post, I looked back at my notes and I’d like to share them with you all.

Peter was big and bold, always eager to get out there and do things.  Yet, he was quick to forget and deny all he actually knew.

At this point in our reading, the disciples have seen the risen Lord 3 times!

Peter is asked 3 times to feed, take care of, feed.  And yet Peter would die a horrible death.  Being led to “Follow Me” we have to die over and over to ourselves.

I have wanted to see changes in people’s lives, but it hasn’t happened.  We are commanded to go and do as Jesus did.  Take off our outer garments and wash the feet of others.  Think of just one person whom you’ve struggled with; (old boss, former neighbor, a child, brother or sister).  Now, take off your pants and shirt and put on your bathrobe.  Get a tub of water and wash cloth and towel.  Get your favorite soap, you know, the one that makes you feel soft and good.  Now wash their feet.  Don’t’ get up because your next door neighbor is setting next to her.  And now your husband.  Your children.  And that woman who sized you up at the store.  You are here on this earth to follow Jesus and you don’t get to get up until you have washed the feet of everyone He has given you.

That’s what I’ve come to realize.  God wants me to serve a lot of people and it’s not always going to be the way I had planned.

Just like Peter, we may be “natural born” leaders, but we are called to feed and take care and feed Jesus’ sheep.