DRAWING NEAR
MAY 6
Gaining Spiritual Stability
The twelve apostles included "Simon, who is called Peter" (Matt.
10:2).
The first disciple Matthew's gospel names is "Simon, who is called
Peter" (Matt. 10:2). He was a fisherman by trade but Jesus called him
to be a fisher of men. John 1:40-42 records their first encounter:
"One of the two who heard John [the Baptist] speak, and followed Him,
was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He found first his own brother
Simon, and . . . brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said,
'You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas' (which
translated means Peter)."
"Peter" means "stone." "Cephas" is its Aramaic equivalent. By nature
Simon tended to be impulsive and vacillating. Apparently Jesus named
him Peter as a reminder of his future role in the church, which would
require spiritual strength and stability. Whenever Peter acted like a
man of strength, Jesus called him by his new name. When he sinned,
Jesus called him by his old name (e.g., John 21:15-17). In the gospel
of John, Peter is called "Simon Peter" seventeen times. Perhaps John
knew Peter so well he realized he was always drifting somewhere
between sinful Simon and spiritual Peter.
For the next few days we will see how Jesus worked with Peter to
transform him into a true spiritual rock. It was an amazing
transformation, but not unlike what He desires to do in every
believer's life.
You might not have the same personality as Peter, but the Lord wants
you to be a spiritual rock just the same. Peter himself wrote, "You
also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a
holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5). That occurs as you "grow in the
grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet.
3:18). Make that your continual aim.
Suggestions for Prayer:
List the areas of your Christian walk that are inconsistent or
vacillating. Make them a matter of earnest prayer, asking God for
wisdom and grace as you begin to strengthen them.
For Further Study:
First Peter was written to Christians in danger of severe
persecution. Read that epistle, noting the keys to spiritual
stability that Peter gives.
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
John 21:15-17 (NKJV)
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of Jonah, 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."
16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you
love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He
said to him, "Tend My sheep."
17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love
Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you
love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know
that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
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NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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