Simon Peter

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. 2Pet.1:1

I read this verse this week, actually listened to it being read to me from my bible App on my cell phone.  But the verse jump out at me and touch my heart and mind.

It’s almost like a review of the Apostle Peter’s life. First, the bible says here, “Simon”. My mind’s vision went back to the apostle’s life before he met Christ. Simon the fisherman, he was that common man with a common trade, all of a man and all so human.  Yet the Good Lord chose Simon.  (He could choose you too)

Second, “Peter” from the Greek word “Petras” which means stone or pebble, the Lord would need a stone or rock to cornerstone his disciples, the twelve’s leader and many time spokesman was Peter. He would prove to be a good one, although he was up and down, he’s a great type of a Christian and what a Christian could be for the Lord.

Thirdly, “a servant” for it was that part of his life when he began to follow Christ after the call from the Lord; Jesus said I will make you fishers of men, literally “catchers of men”. At the time when Simon Peter started following the Lord in service and in studying for the Lord would teach these men His words, His ways and His wisdom. Yes a great time of Peter’s life. I cannot fail to mentioned servant as meaning  “bond- slave or bond servant ” as it is almost a given idea  here and has its place, but for me, he became that student servant, learning and leaning on the Lord. (well, much could be said here)

Then fourthly, “an apostle of Jesus Christ”, the word apostle means one sent with a message. But Peter had a mission and a mandate too. In the Book of Acts, Dr. Luke tells of the events of disciple, now apostle Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, as his source and power, going out and preaching on the Day of Pentecost, healing and helping those on this path, Acts 1-11 speaks of Peter and 12- 28 speaks of the apostle Paul.

Peter would later write First and Second Peter and these writing we find in the bible today. 

And so that first statement in 2 Peter 1:1 serves as a short outline of the Apostle Peter’s life, as least, that’s what came to my heart and mind.  How does God’s word touch you?? How does it move you??

As Jesus called Simon Peter, a common man with a common plan, and HE, Jesus is calling you today.  Will answer the call of salvation ?? What will you say ?? How will you answer??

The bible says for whosoever shall call in the name of the Lord shall be saved, for with the heart, man believes and with mouth confession is made to others, you MUST be born again!!
RevDan
(just thinking, we see his past, present, path and plight)
 

But Thomas

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. John 20:24

And from this experience, which the Apostle wrote about, we get the phrase "Doubting Thomas" are you a doubting Thomas ??

Well, in this verse we see His person, His position and His problem.

Thomas the person, called and chosen by Jesus.  Part of the Jesus' group of men, disciples (learners). He was not with them when Jesus came by, when the Resurrected Savior, came by, wow!!

Oh be careful little eyes what you see, Oh, careful little feet where you go, Oh heed the warning and do not miss seeing the Lord !!

BUT THOMAS !! To me it tells it all. His name means twin, and certainly you would not want to be a twin to this action. Do not be a part of doubt, division and disappointment. Follow ye God and stay with Him.

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

But Thomas made it right !! and praise-the-Lord for that, he said My Lord and my God.

You too, can say my Lord and my God. The bible says for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For with the heart man believes and with mouth confession is made unto salvation, so call on Him today.

God bless you,
RevDan

God working in you

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Phil. 1:6

I heard this verse quoted the other day and God spoke to my heart and mind . . . . .

God wants to finish the work that He started in you.  I really believe this.  After you are saved God begins a work in you and use uses many ways to perform it.  First, the Holy Spirit moves and speaks to your heart.  Much the same way He moved on you for salvation. This why it's so important to be saved first, become a child of God, one of His children, and then He works from there.

Secondly, it uses the scriptures.  That learning tool, also the mirror that we can us to correct ourselves. The Old Testament, the Law of God, the Ten commandments can be used on us for salvation and sanctification. But a very big part of your will reading the word and words of God.

Then there will be situations, life experiences, that will come into your life for God to use and to direct you.  There's reason for some things  happen in you life and you should seek God prayerfully and read His word.

But are YOU allowing God to WORK in your life ??

Some of you may have gotten saved and things have gone well, but God leading you and working on you is a distant idea now.  While others of you are interested in God working in you but you have not made the first step.

For me, it's an eye opener, even in this part of my life and years in the ministry. I'm I allowing God to work in my life. For it's about  family.  Am I allowing God to work on me as a Husband?? God wants us to love our wives as Christ loved the church. see Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

And am I allowing God to work on me as a father.  Providing, patterning and praying for my son. You know we can get in the way or we choose another idea for life. But Praise God, it's still in my heart and mind to follow Him. But I have been saved, born again but what about you ??

Dear friend, salvation is always the first things. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then God can start a work in you and will perform it until Jesus' comes.  So only trust Him, only trust Him now, He will save you and keep you, PTL!!

May God bless you friend,
Rev Dan

Outstanding

Hello again everybody and especially blog followers. I heard a secular quote this week and God got my attention and moved on my heat and mind, . . . 

I heard the quote, (among people) " If I am going to stand out, I might as well be outstanding!!"

Well, I thought what a great statement and prospective !!

Secular speaking,  If you are a ball player and part of a team, you should want to stand out. As an employee of the company. you should want to stand out.

But how does one do this ?? "Be outstanding"

For a man, who is a Husband and a Father, stand out by being outstanding !! 

Be an outstanding Husband to your wife and be a outstanding Father to your children. (And be an outstanding employee to your employer, well just saying)  :-)

This a very hard task to do, but God promised us, as He promised the Apostle Paul, ' I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthened me) see Phil. 4;13 in the bible NT.


 Notice,
I stood out because I did an outstanding thing (in the past)
I stand out because I am doing a outstanding thing (in the present)
I stand out because I will be doing an outstanding thing ( the future)

You will need God's help and guidance.

 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psa. 25:4-5

God will cover ALL the bases if you just turn to Him.

Turn ye unto God and He will turn unto you.

But first, to stand out for God is to stand with God. Ye must be saved, born again. You must become a child of God. 

So pray call on God, believe by faith in His son Jesus. For with the heart man believes and with mouth confession is made unto salvation, for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord and shall be saved.

And then as you stand our for Him, you will be outstanding with HIM. - Amen !!

May God bless you,

Rev Dan

Paul's Desire

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. Rom. 10:1

It is was the desires of Paul’s heart that made him a great evangelist.  He knew what it was to be outside Christ.  To be dependent on one’s own righteousness rather than the righteousness of Christ.  To be a slave to the law rather than a son of grace.  He remembered who he had been and who many of his kindred still were.  His desire was for them to be saved
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It is the desire of our heart that will make us effective witnesses for Christ.  We know what it is to be lost.  To live under the condemnation of the law rather than being set free by grace.  To be called to repentance and to respond in faith.  We remember the joy of coming to Christ and know there are many who are still lost.

It should be our desire for them to be saved.
Rev DB

On my heart

While it’s on my heart

 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

In this part of my life, I have concluded these thoughts, based on the bible, God’s word, I am striving for three things.  

First, invest time in my personal relationship to God, as I am His son and He is my Heavenly Father.  I want to be right with Him.  I want Him to speak to me and that’s through His word.  And I want to speak to Him and that’s through my prayer and prayers

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Secondly, I want to minister to my family (the Home). As a man, I want to be a good husband to wife and a good Father to my son. And I want to support them, financially and spiritually. I want to provide for my home.

Thirdly, I want to serve God in promoting the gospel of salvation. Jesus said I am come to seek and the save that which is lost. Truly this is part of the Father’s business for He is not willing that any should perish but that ALL should come to repentance.

So moments with God, minister to the family and the message to the world !! Amen.

RevDan

Jesus' Mother

Then saith he to the disciple, “Behold thy mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.  John 19:27

Jesus went to the cross carrying the weight of the world.  At that moment he took upon himself every sin of the human race.  Darkness fell upon the earth.  God turned away from his Son.  Jesus was dying.  Yet, in that moment of torment, Jesus looked at John and told him to take care of his mother.
 
Jesus honored his mother from the cross.  To honor someone is to recognize their value and to act accordingly.   Because His mother was precious to Him, Jesus made sure she was not forgotten but would be provided for.  I

If Jesus could honor His mother from the cross, let us honor our mother on her special day.

Happy Mother’s Day!
Rev DB