restoration

A Little Talk

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment 
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Feed my lambs. 
John 21:15 ESV

One old gospel song has a line that says, “Let us have a little talk with Jesus” And when people mention prayer usually we usually start thinking of what we will say in that little talk. But usually, what we really need to do is to let Jesus talk first! In today’s verse, Jesus is telling Peter something He had been trying to say for years. Bur Peter had been so busy talking that Jesus just couldn’t get Him to listen. One time Peter even boasted that He was more faithful than any of the other disciples.

At this Peter exclaimed, “Even if everyone should lose his faith in you, I never will!”
Matthew 26:33 Phillips New Testament

But that same night Peter denied even knowing Jesus three times. If you were Jesus, what would you do? What Jesus did was to come and have a little talk with Peter. Though we might criticize Peter, deep down inside we know that we have all failed just as badly or even worse. But the good news is that Jesus still comes and asks for us start walking with Him again, and He asks the question, “Do you love Me?” Then, when He has our full attention, He gently but firmly commands, “Then go feed My lambs!”

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Maybe – Just Maybe!

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments 
Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. Acts 15:37-38 ESV

Sometimes I wonder, how after going on such an incredible missionary journey together, that Barnabas and Paul, could have such a falling out over Mark going home to Jerusalem. Of course, we will not know for sure until we meet in glory, but maybe – just maybe, the reason is just a few pages back, where we find the gospel of Mark. You see, tradition tells us that Mark wrote HIs account from what he had learned from the Apostle Peter. Any idea where Peter was living? Yup, you guessed it: Jerusalem! Secondly, who was one of those who got to spend plenty of time with Paul in Mark’s absence? Oh yes: That would be Luke, the author of the book of Acts from which we are reading, along with the gospel that bears his name. I am pretty sure Paul didn’t think Mark’s departure was God’s plan…but it was! And maybe – just maybe – in that same way, God has a plan that we don’t approve of for the people around us. But I love that this story didn’t end there. Instead, just a few years later, Paul begins writing his final letter, and guess who is He is asking for? Yes, believe it or not, He wants to see Mark!

Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 
2 Timothy 4:11 ESV

Sush a story of restoration and grace, maybe – just maybe, will encourage you today about severed friendships, broken relationships, and trusts betrayed. Because God sees to the end of our stories, and He chooses for each of us, the chapters we must write!

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Peace After the Storm

/ pastorpete51 / 7 Comments

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV

Last week we talked about having God’s peace in the storm. But we also need peace after a storm has passed. When things are calm and quiet we find the damage that the storm has left behind. Here in Florida today that means assessing damage, reopening roads so supplies can get in and beginning the very long road towards rebuilding.

Divorce, disability and death just to name a few of our spiritual storms also leave behind a wake of destruction. In those long weeks, months and years as we are being rebuilt, God will never leave us alone, but will join us in the work of restoration. If that is you this morning, listen carefully to the verse of this new rendering of a wonderful old hymn. “When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay!” In that moment when our hearts fail us. When we survey the devastation after the storm, we can rest assured that the Carpenter of Galilee will take up His tools and rebuild us again according to His perfect blueprint!