Shalom, welcome to October 9^th


><//>--------------------Thought for the Day

Am I willing to be bored sometimes at church meetings. Am I willing to listen to much repetition of Messiah's principles? Am I willing to hear the same thing over and over again? Am I willing to listen to a long blow-by-blow personal story, because it might help some new believer? Am I willing to sit quietly and listen to long-winded members go into every detail of their past? Am I willing to take it, because it is doing them good to get it off their chest? My feelings are not too important. The good of Christ comes first, even if it is not always comfortable for me.

Have I learned to take it?


><//>--------------------Meditation for the Day

Love Me More

Yes, I would draw you closer and closer to Me by bonds of Love. The Love of the sinner for the Savior, of the rescued for the Rescuer, of the sheep for the Loving Shepherd, of the child for its Father.

   So many ties of Love there are to bind you to Me.

   Each experience in your life of Joy, and sorrow, of difficulty or success, of hardship or ease, of danger or safety, each makes its own particular demand upon Me. Each serves to answer the prayer: “Make me love Thee more and more.”


><//>--------------------Prayer for the Day

Father, we pray that we may welcome the bonds of true fellowship. We pray that we may be brought closer to unity with God and other people. Amen.


A Disciple's Reflections:  A Betrayal of Our Witness

"Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."  A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep."  He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"  Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."  Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep." John 21:15-17

Beloved, let us take a look at Peter's behavior during Jesus' Passion.  While we may see some of his traits in us, let us also take note of the Grace Jesus has for him and for us as well.  We also see how well the Lord knows each of us and what we will do even before we do it.

Peter's betrayal of Jesus is a study in subtle savagery. Jesus already knew. In front of all of the disciples, he predicted that Peter would falter before He did so. Peter, with classic hotheaded defensiveness, swore his allegiance. And yet, even as Jesus was bravely facing his accusers, Peter wilted before the glances of servant girls gathered around a fire.

I have done some truly stupid things in my life. Things that were hurtful to others. Things that I can't take back. I still remember the friends that I rejected and the girls I've wronged.  I remember the mean things I did to my family and the times that I lied to my parents. Sometimes I think the deepest pain runs through the victimizer rather than the victim. The victim knows their pain came from the outside; the victimizer has to live with the awareness of the flaws in his or her character and the consequences of poor behavior.

These verses from John where Jesus asks Peter if he loves him are usually spiritualized and allegorized. Peter becomes a symbol of the church called to carry on the ministry of Jesus. But what do they say if we see them as Jesus rebuilding the character of a fallen friend?  I really appreciate this perspective being one so in need of restoration.  Oh Lord, do I seriously need restoration.

It could very well be that the other disciples had no idea what Peter had done in that outer courtyard. But Peter knew. It had to have crushed him. He, after all, was a leader among leaders. He should have known better. But even more, he should have done better. But he didn't. When the going got tough, he left, he ran.

A deep churning of conflicting emotions drove Peter to dive off that fishing boat and swim to shore. Excited to see Jesus and yet sickened at the thought of facing him yet again. Facing the one who knew the darkness in Peter's heart. Jesus, sensitive to the shameful emptiness in the proud heart of strong Peter.

So what does Jesus do to help Peter pick up the pieces and move ahead with his life? Does he scold Peter for being a naughty boy? Does he blow it off as if "its no big deal"? Does he practice a little psychology, "I hear you saying that you feel shame and having betrayed me"? No, this is what he does:

First, he opens the door to a new relationship. By asking if Peter loves him Jesus makes himself vulnerable to be rejected again. That is the definition of forgiveness – to expose oneself again to the one who has wronged us.

Second, he helps Peter see how he will rebuild his life. Peter will feel better by becoming a better person. He will best be served by being a servant. He will be fed by feeding others. He will experience the depth of Jesus' forgiveness by carrying that forgiveness to others. Jesus doesn't invite Peter to learn a lesson from his betrayal; he invites him to be a lesson.  Truly we see here that God surely does use all things for the good, even the worst things we dare to see in ourselves.

So it is with each of us, beloved.  We can fully taste the forgiveness, the love, and the mercy of God only when we offer the very same to others who have trespassed against us, or even our values.  Yes, we must commit to give to others what we each have been so freely given by the Lord.  Can we all say, "Amen"?

Let us pray: Gracious Lord, like Peter we have betrayed you through our selfishness, our self-centeredness and our failure to live up to our calling. We trust that you meet our sin with your forgiving love. Today help us to see the people with whom we interact as sheep and lambs we have been called to love – and through our caring, rebuild us from the inside out. In Jesus' name. Amen.


We, Too, Have Died  

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
– Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Now this is deep theology! Once it is understood and embraced, it will set us free. Freedom from insecurities, freedom from depression and discouragement, freedom from sadness and grief, freedom from sin and guilt. A new freedom that comes from a recreated life that only God's forgiveness and power can provide. The gist is that our old lives are crucified with Christ (who loved us and gave himself for us) when we accept Him as Savior and He begins to reside within our hearts. Then, and only then, can we begin to live our lives by faith and not by sight. Trusting God to care for us at all times and in all things. And He is faithful to do so. My prayer for us today is that we will live a transformed life, seeking the Lord's good, pleasing and perfect will.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."
– Romans 12:2 (NIV)

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Please have a blessed day, be hopeful, be encouraged, and know you are not alone.

“God Calling” compiled by A. J. Russell.
"Twenty-Four Hours A Day" Hazelton – adapted.
Kerry Nelson writes Betrayal to Witness.– adapted
Greg Candelaria writes We, too, Hare Died.
Barry Gray writes A Disciple’s Reflections