The Call & Confession
The Bible speaks of an incredible man of God who began a relationship with Jesus. His early years as a Christian were filled with miserable failures, shame, guilt, and remorse. But he never gave up, and his life ended as a powerful testimony to us of HOPE, VISION, and PURPOSE, all to the Glory of our Savior.
The best way to learn is to open the Word of God and learn from others’ mistakes. Over the next several days, we will take a close look at four stages in Peter’s life. Nothing brings truth into our lives like learning from the lessons of others whom God has called. Those who confess faith in Jesus, who have been sanctified in life by truth, restored from failures, and finally given a vision and purpose.
Simon Peter — The Call: He was a fisherman who lifted huge nets of fish from the sea onto a fishing boat. He probably was tanned and muscular due to his daily work. Peter tended to do things in the heat of the moment. He was impulsive, uncomfortable with silence, and would speak up when others hesitated, and this got him into a good bit of trouble. We know from Scripture that he often spoke when he should have been listening. I have been there/done that!
Simon Peter heard the call, “Come and follow me,” and he immediately quit his fishing job and followed.
I found this quite thought-provoking and wondered if he hated his job and was sick of fishing. I wondered if he had a wife and kids and how he would pay his bills. Did he look at Jesus as the opportunity to get out of a life he was unhappy with? Lots of things came to mind, but as I read the life of this amazing man, I learned so much. He was impulsive by nature, and so you would expect that he would jump out of the boat without thinking. When the Word was presented to Peter, he heard it and immediately began to follow.
The Confession: Matthew 16:13-17 — The time lapse between the Call and Confession of Simon Peter is instrumental here.
Simon Peter heard the call and then walked with Jesus through many lessons on anger, lust, divorce, loving one's enemies, giving to those in need, and many miracles and healings.
But there came a point where Jesus looked deep into Simon Peter’s eyes and said, “Who do you think I am?” Simon Peter confessed, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied to his confession, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man but by my father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it.”
Simon Peter was now Peter, a new man.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Many people hear the call to repent. They study the Word of God for years, but they never seek His forgiveness and proclaim Him as Lord in their lives. Religion is kept in the thoughts, but a relationship with Jesus involves confession from the heart. God’s regenerative work is done from the inside, and only God can do this work in us.
PRAYER
Lord, give us eyes to see and ears to hear the truths of Your Word. Not only with knowledge in our minds, but living that knowledge out in our day-to-day lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Pam Clarke is the retired Founder of Enduring Faith Ministries, Inc., a nonprofit organization that helped transition men and women inside and outside of prisons through the teaching of God’s Word. This ministry took her and her husband, Ron, into prisons in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland for approximately 12 years.
Pan is currently President and Owner of PGC Practice Management, Inc., a 31-year-old Delaware Corporation that manages mental health practices and provides medical billing and bookkeeping services to a number of doctors' offices in Delaware.
Her favorite thing is being a wife to Ron for 42 years, a Mom to Doug and Michelle, and a Grandmom to eight beautiful grandchildren, with a ninth on the way.
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.