And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 (ESV) Reflection Peter was still in the midst of a radical transition when Jesus told him that he was going to play an incredibly large part in the church that was going to be established. Here was a former fisherman who turned into a disciple who was then being told that he was going to become a church leader. His journey was remarkable to say the least. He had begun by … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: The End Result
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Scholar’s Compass: Walking on Water
He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. - Matthew 14:29 (ESV) Reflection Peter had been a fisherman prior to becoming a disciple of Jesus, so he was probably pretty confident that water was not meant to be walked on. He knew that people sank when they got out of the boat, especially in the middle of storms. However, despite all of that prior knowledge, he had been transformed by Jesus Christ. He understood that just as he had been called by Jesus earlier in his … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: Walking on Water
Scholar’s Compass: Trusting God through the Transition
. . . and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." - Luke 5:10 (ESV) Reflection Peter seemed to be destined to be a fisherman. It was the family business after all. He was working with his brothers, and they were at least doing enough business to stay in business rather than having to work for someone else. However, everything changed in an instant as an unheard-of teacher came and informed Peter … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: Trusting God through the Transition
Devotions: Beatitudes (7) —God’s Peace Corps
You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. -- Matthew 5:9, The Message Perhaps no other saying from Jesus needs attention as this one in our very dangerous and destructive world. World and area events point to the need for "peacemaking." What is a peacemaker? Can the ordinary believer be a peacemaker? The answer, says Jesus, is a resounding YES! The church group to which I belong actually has … [Read more...] about Devotions: Beatitudes (7) —God’s Peace Corps
Devotions: Beatitudes (6) —Pure in Heart
You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. -- Matthew 5:8 (The Message) Notice that God does NOT say, "Blessed are the perfect." Purity of heart, that is, the inner life, is not the same thing as perfection. This beatitude is for normal people who mess up, who fail, who sin, who don't have it together, who think less of themselves than they should. "Purity" means those who seek and serve God in accordance with the truth in his Word and in … [Read more...] about Devotions: Beatitudes (6) —Pure in Heart