“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”
Psalm 139:1-4 (NIV)
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“The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’” John 21:17 (NIV)
Peter denied his Saviour three times the night of the betrayal. So after the resurrection Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Jesus’ resurrection appearances prior to this one show Peter having been present three times (Luke 24:34; John 20:19-25; John 20:26-31).
We know nothing of what was discussed by the Lord to Peter when Jesus visited Peter alone the day of the resurrection (Luke 24:34). We marvel at how gracious our Lord was to His humiliated disciple to meet with him one on one. Peter’s denial was public but the restoration was private. Can you stay away from the One you have offended when He shows such love and mercy? If you need restoration He patiently waits for you to return to the One Who died and rose again for you.
Continue reading 'Jesus Knows Everything'»
“…I no longer live but Christ lives in me.”
Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
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The Christian message has a variety of unusual expressions to describe the walk of faith. Paul stated earlier in the verse that he was crucified with Christ. That sounds fearful to those who do not have a knowledge of the biblical message.
For those who practice believer’s baptism, when the candidate is totally immersed in the baptismal waters, the ceremony is viewed as a funeral service. They understand the meaning of baptism to be first a physical portrayal of a spiritual funeral service. This is why the person is “buried” or put totally under the water.
Then the person is immediately raised up out of the water and that is symbolic of a resurrection. So the person being baptised wants those who witness the baptismal ceremony to understand they are “crucified with Christ”. They seek to state by their actions that their old way of life is gone.
Continue reading 'The Living Dead'»
“…we were harassed at every turn-
conflicts on the outside, fears within.”
2 Corinthians 7:5 (NIV)
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A fine young preacher friend of mine emailed me a link to what is a most fascinating article that deals with afflictions in the ministry.
This is not the first occasion when my friend has helped me in my work as a minister of Jesus Christ. He and I have had spirited debates on various things concerning Scripture and how to understand the message written for our comfort and instruction.
The article my friend referred me to addresses numerous comments by the apostle Paul on his suffering as a preacher. My understanding of how much Paul discussed about his personal suffering was enlarged as a result of reading the article.
Continue reading 'Had Any Good Fights Lately?'»
“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly,
and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
Luke 22:44 (NIV)
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In my many years of dealing with people in adversity, I have seen that to suffer is exhausting work. People in pain—physical or emotional—often fall asleep exhausted at night, and during their waking hours find that their energy level is very low. Such is the hard work of suffering.
The disciples of our Lord were in Gethsemane with Jesus and it was late at night. They were tired from the long day just passed. Jesus had dropped off eight of the apostles near the Garden entrance and went further in with Peter, James and John.
It is recorded in Mark 14:33-34 that Jesus began to be dreadfully troubled and distressed as He was alone with these three men. Mark 14:40 tells us that they did not know what to say to Jesus concerning His terrible agony that they witnessed. Instead of helping Jesus, they fell asleep several times.
Continue reading 'Suffering is hard work'»
“…unless you are converted and become like children,
you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3 (NIV)
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All of us have been children at one time. However, as adults, we often need little children around us to remember what life was like then. As we watch how children behave we can see in them a faith that is complete and beautiful.
In western society we see that little children do not tend to worry about where their food or clothes will come from. Small children simply trust that their parents will see to their needs. They are far too busy playing to bother about food and shelter.
The faith of a child is full and robust. They are absolutely certain that mommy and daddy will take care of them and so there is no need for them to be concerned. Doubts about their parents’ ability to make provision has no place in their thinking. They unconsciously accept the fact they have needs they cannot meet and pass the work on to their parents.
Continue reading 'How Can Bad Things Be Good?'»
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