He knows.  He understands.  He cares. He has been there.

http://youtu.be/fX20vnf5hH4 - I have been there - Mark Shultz


A few years ago, our women's group at church prepared a little photo album of all the members.  One of the things that was included was our favorite bible verse.  Now, for me, that is a very difficult question.  My favorite verse changes depending on my circumstances.  There are so many precious words of encouragement and wisdom in God's Word, it's hard to pick just one and say "This is my favorite!"  But finally, I settled on this passage from John:

John 11:35 NLT
 Then Jesus wept.

Jesus wept - Most people remember John 11:35 as the shortest verse in the Bible, but to me it's so much more. I see a tenderhearted, loving friend who hurts when His friends hurt.
Jesus knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead.  He knew Mary and Martha would be rejoicing in just a few moments.  But for that moment, He felt their sadness and hopelessness.  He felt what they felt.  And Jesus wept with them.

As Christians, we too should sympathize with others in their afflictions.

Romans 12:15 NLT
"Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep." John shared with us the tender heart of  Jesus.  This same Jesus wept over Jerusalem.  His heart was full of compassion and love for a city full of people who were dying in their sins, and yet still they were unwilling to accept His Gift of Salvation.  He longed to gather them to Himself as a hen gathers her chicks.

Luke 13:24-25
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 35 And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”


Jesus made a way for us to come to Him and be saved.  Some refused to connect the message of Salvation to our Lord and Savior.  He felt a great sadness that there were those who would not accept Him and be saved.  But for us who believe, He understand everything we go through.  He has compassion when  we feel betrayed by friend.  He knows how that feels.  He's been there.  He knows how it feels to be rejected for no good reason.  He's been there.  He knows what it's like to feel alone.  He's been there. 

He understands everything we go through and He has great compassion towards us.

Remember when Stephen was being stoned and just before he died, Stephen looked up to the heavens and listen to what he saw:

Acts 7:54-56
The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 56 And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

Stephen saw Jesus the Christ, the Son of Almighty God, and He was not sitting calmly on a throne next to His Father.  He was standing.  Jesus knew what Stephen was going through, didn't He?  He had been there.  And in my heart, I believe that Jesus was standing in honor of Stephen with a heart full of compassion as He witnessed the brutal stoning of His precious one.  I imagine Stephen looking into the eyes of Jesus seeing strength and encouragement - I bet he was almost able to hear Jesus say: "Stephen, I'm with you always!  Don't be afraid. You're coming Home! I'm right here."
 
Hebrews 4:15
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.I'm including  some notes from various commentaries on my favorite verse!  John 11:35 maybe short but it is powerful.  It feels my heart with gratitude and love towards a Savior who cares so deeply when we hurt that He weeps.
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Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Jesus wept - The least verse in the Bible, yet inferior to none. Some of the ruthless ancients, improperly styled fathers of the Church, thought that weeping was a degradation of the character of Christ; and therefore, according to the testimony of Epiphanius, Anchorat. c. 13, razed out of the Gospel of St. Luke the place (Luke 19:41) where Christ is said to have wept over Jerusalem.

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Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Jesus wept. As he was going along to the grave, see John 11:28; as he was meditating upon the state of his friend Lazarus, the distress his two sisters were in, and the greater damnation that would befall the Jews then present, who, notwithstanding the miracle, would not believe in him. This shows him to be truly and really man, subject to like passions, only without sin.

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Vincent's Word Studies

Wept (ἐδάκρυσεν)

A different verb from that in John 11:31. From δάκρυ, tear, and meaning to shed tears, to weep silently. Only here in the New Testament. Κλαίω, to weep audibly, is once used of our Lord in Luke 19:41. "The very Gospel in which the deity of Jesus is most clearly asserted, is also that which makes us best acquainted with the profoundly human side of His life" (Godet). How far such a conception of deity is removed from the pagan ideal, may be seen by even a superficial study of the classics. Homer's gods and goddesses weep and bellow when wounded, but are not touched with the feeling of human infirmity (see on John 3:16). "The gods," says Gladstone, "while they dispense afflictions upon earth, which are neither sweetened by love, nor elevated by a distinct disciplinary purpose, take care to keep themselves beyond all touch of grief or care."

"The gods ordain

The lot of man to suffer, while themselves

free from care."

"Iliad," xxiv., 525.

So Diana, when appealed to by the wretched Hippolytus for sympathy, replies:

"I see thy love, but must not shed a tear."

Euripides, "Hippolytes," 1396.

The Roman satirist unconsciously bears witness to the profound truthfulness and beauty of this picture of the weeping Savior, in the words: "Nature confesses that she gives the tenderest of hearts to the human race by giving them tears: this is the best part of our sensations" (Juvenal, "Satire" xv., 131-133).


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Wesley's Notes

11:35 Jesus wept - Out of sympathy with those who were in tears all around him, as well as from a deep sense of the misery sin had brought upon human nature.

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

35. Jesus wept-This beautifully conveys the sublime brevity of the two original words; else "shed tears" might have better conveyed the difference between the word here used and that twice employed in John 11:33, and there properly rendered "weeping," denoting the loud wail for the dead, while that of Jesus consisted of silent tears. Is it for nothing that the Evangelist, some sixty years after it occurred, holds up to all ages with such touching brevity the sublime spectacle of the Son of God in tears? What a seal of His perfect oneness with us in the most redeeming feature of our stricken humanity! But was there nothing in those tears beyond sorrow for human suffering and death? Could these effects move Him without suggesting the cause? Who can doubt that in His ear every feature of the scene proclaimed that stern law of the Kingdom, "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), and that this element in His visible emotion underlay all the rest?

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Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

11:33-46 Christ's tender sympathy with these afflicted friends, appeared by the troubles of his spirit. In all the afflictions of believers he is afflicted. His concern for them was shown by his kind inquiry after the remains of his deceased friend. Being found in fashion as a man, he acts in the way and manner of the sons of men. It was shown by his tears. He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Tears of compassion resemble those of Christ. But Christ never approved that sensibility of which many are proud, while they weep at mere tales of distress, but are hardened to real woe. He sets us an example to withdraw from scenes of giddy mirth, that we may comfort the afflicted. And we have not a High Priest who cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities. It is a good step toward raising a soul to spiritual life, when the stone is taken away, when prejudices are removed, and got over, and way is made for the word to enter the heart. If we take Christ's word, and rely on his power and faithfulness, we shall see the glory of God, and be happy in the sight. Our Lord Jesus has taught us, by his own example, to call God Father, in prayer, and to draw nigh to him as children to a father, with humble reverence, yet with holy boldness. He openly made this address to God, with uplifted eyes and loud voice, that they might be convinced the Father had sent him as his beloved Son into the world. He could have raised Lazarus by the silent exertion of his power and will, and the unseen working of the Spirit of life; but he did it by a loud call. This was a figure of the gospel call, by which dead souls are brought out of the grave of sin: and of the sound of the archangel's trumpet at the last day, with which all that sleep in the dust shall be awakened, and summoned before the great tribunal. The grave of sin and this world, is no place for those whom Christ has quickened; they must come forth. Lazarus was thoroughly revived, and returned not only to life, but to health. The sinner cannot quicken his own soul, but he is to use the means of grace; the believer cannot sanctify himself, but he is to lay aside every weight and hindrance. We cannot convert our relatives and friends, but we should instruct, warn, and invite them.




Father God, I'm so very thankful that You have given us a compassionate High Priest in Son, Jesus.  He knows and understands when we hurt or struggle.  His heart is full of love and tenderness - compassion.  His mercies are new every morning.  Thank You for Your precious Gift of a loving Savior.  No amount of "good deeds" could every pay back the enormous debt I owe.  Help me to give the only thing  I can - a life lived for You.  Thank You for forgiving me when I fail every single day.  Thank You for lifting me back up each time.  I love You. Be glorified in my life, however that needs to look.  Your Will be done.  In the precious Name of Jesus the Christ, my Savior and my Lord.  Amen.

http://youtu.be/fuAxzEuzNGg - Love them like Jesus - Casting Crowns

The Blessing of being Realhttp://youtu.be/hGr8as7pPBE - Give Me Your Eyes - Brandon Heath

“And Jesus, when he came out, saw many people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:34

Doesn't this verse just touch your heart? Our Savior, the Son of God, has great compassion for the hurting and the lost. "He saw many people and was moved with compassion towards them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd". Do I see what Jesus saw when I walk into a room, or when I'm shopping at the mall, when I'm at work or school, or sitting in church? Do I have compassion when I walk among the lost in my community? Or do I walk right past without giving them a second thought?

People are hurting, but they don't trust others enough to open up. We're consumed with looking good on the outside; and we hide who we really are. We put on our masks and only show the world what we think will be "acceptable". And why do we play these games? We do it so that people will like us and respect us, and maybe, just maybe they will be our "friend". How many of us truly let others see who we really are - on the inside?

Being transparent is scary. It means no more secrets. No more lies. No more pretending. That's not easy for most of us. We are afraid that if our friends knew the truth, they wouldn't be our friends anymore.

How truthful are you when you go out into the world?

If you and I aren't always truthful about what's really going on in our lives and the struggles we're facing, don't you think that there are lots of people just like us who look good on the outside but on the inside they are falling apart?

We are isolating ourselves from people who just might surprise us and be more than willing to come along side offering encouragement and understanding. And even worse, when we don't open up and share our struggles, we may miss opportunities to help someone else who is going through the same thing we've already gone through and survived. When we are transparent and real, we open the doors for others to be transparent, too.

Galatians 6:1-3 
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

1. If I see a fellow believer overcome by sin, Jesus says to gently
and humbly to try and help that person find his way back.

2. When I try to help someone who is struggling, I must be on guard less I
fall into the same sin.

3. Jesus wants me to help others who are burdened - to come along side
and help them to get through the struggle.

4. And if God puts someone on my path who needs help, I should never
think I'm too busy or too important to stop and help, however I can.

This is the law of Christ. He taught his disciples to help others, whether it was a physical need or a spiritual need. And we are to be His Hands and Feet.

Don't underestimate the people around you. You may just be surprised at how much they care and how willing they are to help. You might just find out that they need some encouragement, too. And when we help each other, we become the true Body of Christ.

Holy Father, give me Your eyes for the hurting and suffering around me. Help me to really see each person you put in my life every day, whether it's the cashier at the grocery store or man who cut me off in traffic. Let me see those crossings of paths as opportunities to be Jesus to a hurting world. Lord Jesus, You were never too busy to help others. You were never too tired. Please forgive me when I think what I have to do this day is more important than taking a few minutes to encourage a friend who is suffering. Lord, teach me to listen, really listen not just to the words someone says, but to the unspoken words, the body language that clearly shows pain. Lord I realize that I may not be the one to help every friend who is struggling in silence. Not everyone will be able to open up to me, but Lord, help me at least give them the option by letting people know I care.


I've got a long way to go, Lord. I need You to prompt me to put myself out there so that others won't see me as someone who has never struggled. I want people to know that I have struggled and You've gotten me through every time. I will be Your witness. You are so faithful. I love You Lord. May my life reflect Your goodness and kindness and compassion to everyone you put in my life. It's in Your precious Name, Jesus, that I ask these things. Amen.

One more thing.  Be careful with your words.  Not everyone around you is transparent.  When you tell a demeaning joke or make a disparaging comment about someone or some group of people - that's not kind.  And you never know if the person standing right next to you may be offended by your careless words.  
 
Here's the test.  Would you tell the joke or even laugh at a joke that made fun of someone who suffered from a mental illness if you knew that your best friend's brother or sister suffered terribly with mental issues?  Probably not.  Well, just remember, people aren't always transparent.  Your best friend's loved one may be struggling with something you just joked about.  Maybe your best friend even struggles with the challenge you find so funny, and he/she doesn't share his/her pain with you because you make jokes that make you seem unsympathetic and insensitive.   Be kind with your words.  Lift others up.  Don't hurt anyone with careless words.
 
Colossians 4:6, NIV. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, . . . so that you may know how to answer everyone.”


http://youtu.be/0xtiY1M0780 - Stained Glass Masquerade - Casting Crowns

http://youtu.be/O7bD02ZmTqk - All of Creation - Mercy Me

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

I confess.

I am a Creationist!   Yep.  One of those ignorant religious nuts
who blindly believes everything written in the Bible.  That's me!

Actually, I am appalled by the number of people who don't believe every single word.  For me it's just so clear that His Word has proven accurate and true time after time, even after such incredible scrutiny by not only the scientific world but also by supposedly "intelligent" men and women whose single purpose seems to be trying to disprove that God is God.

A few years ago I found a great website called "Answers in Genesis" which was created by Ken Hamm.
He has a whole team of Creation Scientists who see science as supportive of the Creation story as told in the Bible.  These scientists have no trouble believing that God created the universe in 6 days.  Yes, that's what I said SIX days!  Not "thousand year days", six 24-hour days.  And they have the science to back up their beliefs.

You see, each of us start with a foundational belief.  For an atheist, that foundational belief is:

"There is no God.  The world came into existence all by accident - no design - it just happened."

For a believer, the foundational belief is:

"Almighty God created the universe with intentional design and purpose.  There is definitely a Designer and the Designer is GOD!"

The foundational belief you begin with will color everything you learn.  For the atheist, every scientific discovery that points to a designer is discredited or tweaked in such a way that the atheist can maintain his foundational belief.  Of course, to be fair, the same is true of a Creationist.

The difference:  Creationists have not had to "change" their original premise. Every scientific discovery points to a Divine Creator!  Every discover points to the validity of God's written Word. Consider these points:

By comparing the manuscript support for the Bible with manuscript support for other ancient documents and books, it becomes overwhelmingly clear that no other ancient piece of literature can stand up to the Bible. Manuscript support for the Bible is unparalleled!


There are more [New Testament] manuscripts copied with greater accuracy and earlier dating than for any secular classic from antiquity. (over 24,000 partial and complete manuscript copies!)

Rene Pache adds, "The historical books of antiquity have a documentation infinitely less solid."


Dr. Benjamin Warfield concludes, "If we compare the present state of the text of the New Testament with that of no matter what other ancient work, we must...declare it marvelously exact."


Norman Geisler makes several key observations for our consideration:

No other book is even a close second to the Bible on either the number or early dating of the copies. The average secular work from antiquity survives on only a handful of manuscripts; the New Testament boasts thousands.

The average gap between the original composition and the earliest copy is over 1,000 years for other books.


The New Testament, however, has a fragment within one generation from its original composition, whole books within about 100 years from the time of the autograph [original manuscript], most of the New Testament in less than 200 years, and the entire New Testament within 250 years from the date of its completion.


The degree of accuracy of the copies is greater for the New Testament than for other books that can be compared. Most books do not survive with enough manuscripts that make comparison possible.


From this documentary evidence, then, it is clear that the New Testament writings are superior to comparable ancient writings. "The records for the New Testament are vastly more abundant, clearly more ancient, and considerably more accurate in their text."

                     (The above information is from "Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries".)


It's interesting to note that of all books of antiquity, the Bible is the most scrutinized and challenged. Forty men over a period of 1500 years tell the same story of an incredible God who created the world and everything in it.  And that great God, that amazing Creator, loves us enough to sacrifice His own Son.  Everything in His Word points to the same God.  The Bible is the inspired Word of God himself.  No one has ever been able to disprove this Truth.  No one ever will be able to do that.

Here's one of the many archaeological discoveries which points to the truth of the Bible.  Read the story in Genesis describing the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Then read the "discovery" below.  If you're a believer, I think you'll see God's hand in the demise of Sodom.  But a sceptic will try to rationalize the findings so that God isn't given the glory.

Remember how beautiful and fertile Sodom and Gomorrah was before it's destruction.  When his uncle Abraham gave Lot the first choice of where to settle his family, Lot chose this valley because it was perfect.

Genesis 13:10

Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)



Genesis 19
12 Meanwhile, the angels questioned Lot. “Do you have any other relatives here in the city?” they asked. “Get them out of this place—your sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone else. 13 For we are about to destroy this city completely. The outcry against this place is so great it has reached the Lord, and he has sent us to destroy it.”


14 So Lot rushed out to tell his daughters’ fiancés, “Quick, get out of the city! The Lord is about to destroy it.” But the young men thought he was only joking.

15 At dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. “Hurry,” they said to Lot. “Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!”

16 When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful. 17 When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”

18 “Oh no, my lord!” Lot begged. 19 “You have been so gracious to me and saved my life, and you have shown such great kindness. But I cannot go to the mountains. Disaster would catch up to me there, and I would soon die. 20 See, there is a small village nearby. Please let me go there instead; don’t you see how small it is? Then my life will be saved.”


21 “All right,” the angel said, “I will grant your request. I will not destroy the little village. 22 But hurry! Escape to it, for I can do nothing until you arrive there.” (This explains why that village was known as Zoar, which means “little place.”)


23 Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon. 24 Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. 25 He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation. 26 But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.


27 Abraham got up early that morning and hurried out to the place where he had stood in the Lord’s presence. 28 He looked out across the plain toward Sodom and Gomorrah and watched as columns of smoke rose from the cities like smoke from a furnace.


29 But God had listened to Abraham’s request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain.


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Wednesday, December 07, 2011Sodom and Gomorrah Excavated


By far the most interesting session at the recent Society of Biblical Literature Congress in San Francisco was one I wandered into by chance. I am always curious about what is going on in biblical archeology, so one afternoon I decided to skip the dozen or so sessions dedicated to Bakhtinian Decontextualization of Identity Construction in Persian Yehud (I had to tear myself away) and go hear about the excavations at a certain site called "Tall-el-Hammam." I had no idea what I was in for. After about five minutes into the session, I realized that the archeological team assigned to this dig was convinced that they had found the biblical Sodom and Gomorrah. After another half-hour, it seemed they had most of the participants convinced as well. The sites fit the geographical and temporal context into which Sodom and Gomorrah are placed in the biblical texts. The cities at the site were suddenly and completely wiped out in the Late Bronze Age, which makes a reasonably good fit with the biblical accounts of Abraham and Lot. The entire presentation was very convincing, but never once did they deal with the "elephant in the room": what caused the sites to be suddenly abandoned? As soon as the session was over, I was the first to raise my hand. "Did you find any arrow heads? Signs of invasion? What happened to them?" The lead archaeologist paused for a moment. "I didn't want to go there," he said. Another pause. "I'm preparing material for publication." Pause. "All I want to say 'on camera' is, they appear to have been wiped out in a 'heat event'."

A "heat event"!? What?!

"If you want to know more, I'll talk after the session off the record."

I wish I could divulge what he said to a small group of us clustered around the podium after the session was over, but it would break confidence. We'll have to wait for the official peer-reviewed publications
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~This article is from www.thesacredpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Sacred Page is a blog written by three Catholic Ph.D.s who are professors of Scripture and Theology: Michael Barber, Brant Pitre and John Bergsma. Here you can also find podcasts of "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber."


Why is it so hard for intelligent people to accept that God is the Creator of all things?  Why is it so hard to accept what God has told us through inspired writers? 
 
I choose to believe and accept that His Word is true.  
 
Prove me wrong if you can. 
 
http://youtu.be/vJdWdZv-uRA - Everlasting God - Chris Tomlin

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you like wheat."

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
                                                           2 Corinthians 12:9

http://youtu.be/yvgvYFxW_QM - I'll take you back - Jeremy Camp

Luke 22:31-34
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”
But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”


Peter was one of Jesus' closest friends while on earth.  He was bold and quick to defend the faith.  But Jesus knew what was coming.  Peter would be tempted, and he would fall.  I read some commentaries about this passage.  I never really paid much attention to that fact that Jesus called Peter by his given name "Simon".  Some think that this was deliberate.  "Peter" means rock, indicating solid and steadfastness.  Jesus knew "Simon" would not stand strong for the temptation that was coming, so He called him by his given name.  But notice that Jesus repeated the name:  "Simon, Simon".  Again, generally, when we see a name repeated, a sincere earnestness and love towards the person being addressed.  We see it in Exodus 3:4 the LORD God calling out to Moses with strong familiarity and affection:  "And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I."
We see the same thing in Genesis 22:11:  But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.”

Just like with Abraham and Moses, Jesus wanted to get Peter's attention because what He was about to say was critical.  He wanted Peter to know that HE would take Peter back - even when after his denial that was coming.  Jesus also wanted "Simon" to remember that he was vulnerable to Satan's attack, but the important think to remember was that "Peter" would rise up after that horrible denial to strengthen the others.

I found it interested that many bible translations recognize that the "you" above is plural - not singular.  Which seems to indicate that Jesus was warning Peter that  more than one of the apostles/disciples would be tempted.  And that when Peter turned back to Him, he was to help the others by strengthening their faith.  This plural "you" fits since almost all of the others did turn away, leaving Jesus alone to face the crucifixion.

Why did God allow Satan to "sift them like wheat"?  HE is in control and He has power over the Enemy.  We see here and in Job, that Satan cannot "sift" anyone without God's permission, so why would HE allow this to happen ever?  But especially at this critical time when Jesus needed his friends, didn't HE?

Over the years, I've heard many people testify to the power of enduring through struggles.  Though the struggles are never fun, an amazing thing happens. Those who endure, those who keep their eyes on Christ, trusting in Him, come through those difficult times stronger and more deeply reliant on Jesus.  Their faith is made stronger and that makes them powerful witnesses.  Others see their faith and are drawn to the One who gives them  unexplainable Strength.  That is part of God's purpose and plan for each of us - to be a light that reflects Jesus to the lost so that they can come to know Him. 

The story of Peter denying Jesus is hard to read.  It hurts me for Peter.  It hurts me for Jesus. I think for Peter, nothing would have been worse than turning his back on His Friend.  The guilt and shame of that moment could have destroyed him.  I'm certain that Satan used that moment in time to attack Peter throughout his life.  Nothing else would have discouraged him and made him feel more worthless that that denial.  But Jesus gave him something to hold to.  He threw Peter a life line of hope and love.  "When you have repented and turn to me again" - that one sentence had such purpose.  Jesus is saying "Simon, Simon, I know how you're going to feel but do not let Satan win this battle.  You will get through this.  And when you do, you must help the others to be strong.  Don't let them give up!"

After Peter denied Jesus, after the crucifixion and resurrection, Peter goes back to fishing.  I can just imagine how depressed and discouraged he must have felt.  He had been the leader of the apostles - strong in his faith, willing to die with Jesus if he had to, but then...

Now, Jesus has shown Himself to the disciples.  They know without a doubt He is the Messiah.  But they go fishing!  Jesus has some serious work for them to do, and so He appears once again.  Watch how he turns to Simon Peter.

John 21
Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened.  Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.


Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.  The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.  Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

Three times Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Do you love me?"   Three times. 

Three denials followed by three strong professions of love.  How perfect.

Jesus used Peter to spread the Good News to the Jews and some Gentiles.  He used Peter to encourage and teach and admonish the other apostles and followers.  Peter was a strong, steadfast rock.  He understood where his strength came from, and it wasn't form "Simon".  It was from His Savior, Jesus the Christ.  Without that time of struggle, without the temptation, Peter may have never known where the source of his strength. 
The denials humbled him and caused him to rely completely on Jesus from that day forward. 

LORD God, I don't like the struggles, but I do want a faith like Peter's.  I want to be a rock for Jesus, steadfast, unmovable in my faith.  I want to be Your witness to others.  You've give me the most wonderful gift of all, Salvation in Jesus' Name.  I want everyone I know to have that Gift, to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.  Help me to see the struggles as  a Divine refining process that You will use to strengthen me, a tool You can use to help me keep my eyes on Jesus.  I don't like to suffer or hurt, or watch family and friends hurt, and I know as much as I hate it, You hate it even more, because You love them even more than I do.  So I put all my trust in You and Your perfect plan.  Use me, mold me into the person I need to be so that You, Lord, will be lifted up in my life.  In the precious Name of Jesus I pray these things. Amen.


http://youtu.be/t6awdZ1cekk - Refiner's Fire - Hillsong

God is the answer... always.

I guess the busyness of the season is getting to me. I didn't feel so great today and rather than go to church, I decided my best plan was to stay home and "fellowship" with God alone. Sometimes, I just really feel the need to do that and it always makes me feel better.

http://youtu.be/gkLh-D-esxQ - All I need is You - Hillsong United
My regular bible was in the other room so I picked up another one I had handy by the bed.  As I opened up the cover, I found a sheet I had folded and saved.  The heading was The Answer is God.   That caught my attention so I read the page.  This is from Streams in the Desert:

The Answer is God

"For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?" (Rom. 3:3).

" I think that I can trace every scrap of sorrow in my life to simple unbelief. How could I be anything but quite happy if I believed always that all the past is forgiven, and all the present furnished with power, and all the future bright with hope because of the same abiding facts which do not change with my mood, do not stumble because I totter and stagger at the promise through unbelief, but stand firm and clear with their peaks of pearl cleaving the air of Eternity, and the bases of their hills rooted unfathomably in the Rock of God. Mont Blanc does not become a phantom or a mist because a climber grows dizzy on its side." --James Smetham


Is it any wonder that, when we stagger at any promise of God through unbelief, we do not receive it? Not that faith merits an answer, or in any way earns it, or works it out; but God has made believing a condition of receiving, and the Giver has a sovereign right to choose His own terms of gift.
--Rev. Samuel Hart


Unbelief says, "How can such and such things be?" It is full of "hows"; but faith has one great answer to the ten thousand "hows," and that answer is GOD ! --C. H. M.

No praying man or woman accomplishes so much with so little expenditure of time as when he or she is praying.


If there should arise, it has been said--and the words are surely true to the thought of our Lord Jesus Christ in all His teaching on prayer--if there should arise ONE UTTERLY BELIEVING MAN, the history of the world might be changed.

Will YOU not be that one in the providence and guidance of God our Father? --A. E. McAdam


Prayer without faith degenerates into objectless routine, or soulless hypocrisy. Prayer with faith brings Omnipotence to back our petitions. Better not pray unless and until your whole being responds to the efficacy of your supplication. When the true prayer is breathed, earth and heaven, the past and the future, say Amen. And Christ prayed such prayers. --P. C. M.

Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except

that which lies outside the will of God.

"Had we the faith to see God in everything as it meets us day by day, every chapter of life’s history would be a new story of the romance of heavenly love in its magical power to transform darkness into light, difficulty into triumph, sorrow into joy, and the earthly into the heavenly."  A. B. Simpson

These quotes really lifted me up.  I was reminded of God's omnipotence and the fact that His Spirit lives in me giving me great power if I'm willing to give Him control.  If when I stagger in disbelief, His Spirit does not falter nor fall.  But do I really believe?

I was reading my bible and my eyes were getting blurry - I just couldn't seem to read because the letters were melting into one another.  I was reading about the power of the Holy Spirit.  He was there in the beginning - Genesis 1:2 - "the Spirit of God" hovered over the face of the waters".   The Spirit of God has been with Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, ... Peter, Paul and all the apostles.  When the Spirit of God was with these people, nothing was impossible.  Do I believe that?

I read the story of when the king of Aram was coming to kill Elisha.  He and his army had infiltrated Dothan where Elisha and his servant were staying.  Elisha's servant was terribly afraid and didn't see any way out of the mess. He knew they were surrounded by the enemy.  Then Elisha prayed that God would open the eyes of his servant so that he could see the unseen warriors sent by God.

Seeing the unseen


2 Kings 6

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.



“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”


And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.


Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.

After they entered the city, Elisha said, “LORD, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the LORD opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.

When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”

“Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”  So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

The servant's eyes were opened and then he could see that those with him and Elisha were greater than those with the Enemy. Can't you just imagine?  The servant looked out the window and all of a sudden, he sees thousands of warrior angels ready to protect them.   God does that for me, too.  I may not be able to see the hedge of protection that God provides, but I know it's there always!  If I could just hold on to that thought.  With the Power of God on my side, what can man do to me?  What then shall I fear?

As I continued to read about how God gave Elisha victory over his enemy, I realized that there I sat, struggling to read the blurry words on the page - wanting desperately to see so that I could put those powerful words in my heart, was I not believing that God could help me?  Why in the world was I not asking God to help me see the words clearly?

So...  I stopped and I prayed.  Please Lord, You know how precious Your Word is to me.  I want to be able to read this passage clearly so that I can soak up the great truths of Your protection, Your provision and Your faithfulness.  I love this story of Elisha and the servant.  I can almost see the mountain side covered with Your mighty warriors!  I believe You sent Your warrior angels to protect Elisha.  And I believe You do that for me every day, too.  So I'm asking that You help me see the words on this page clearly, no more blurry lines, no more tired eyes from straining to make out a word.  Lord, I believe You want me to read Your word and I believe You have the power to help me see clearly so that I can read what You have provided for me.

I raised my head, afraid to look at the page of my bible.  Honestly, I guess I didn't believe that God would help me see the page better.  Finally, I got up my courage and looked down.  It wasn't drastic, but the words weren't so blurry any more.  Okay.  It's better.  I think it really is.  Maybe a little...

But then my eye was drawn to the back inside flap of my bible cover.  I saw a plastic sheet.  I looked closer and then remembering what it was, I reached for it and drew it out.  Then I laughed out loud.

God does have a sense of humor.  It was a plastic magnifying sheet that I had forgotten was even in my bible.  God answered my prayer!  I put the sheet over the page I was reading and the words were magnified.  I was able to read every word clearly.  Thank You, Father!  You are the greatest!

Maybe I shouldn't have prayed just for clear words.
Maybe I should have prayed for my vision to be 20/20! 

The answer might not have been exactly what I expected.  But God answered and He made it possible for me to read His Word easily - no more blurs.

LORD God, Creator of the Universe, All Powerful, All Knowing and Loving Father, I am thrilled at how You answer even my prayers spoken with little faith!  Thank You for showing Yourself to me in little and big ways.  I try to be strong in my faith, but sometimes I forget You move mountains!  You created with great intricacy and detailed design the whole Universe.  Why do I doubt that You will make a way for me to read Your Word?  Once again, You've given me just what I asked for.  Wow!  What if I really believed Your promises?  I love You and I'm so thankful that You loved me enough to send Your Son to save me.  Thank You so much!  And Father, please help my unbelief. In Jesus' Name.  Amen.