I was reading about Peter a few weeks ago. I found myself reading and re-reading those first five chapters in Acts. We always hear of his 'failures' .... cutting off the soldier's ear, denying Jesus and sometimes even him taking his eyes off Jesus when he walked on the water. As far as the last one goes, he DID walk ON the water.
You don't see that side of Peter here in Acts. You see a man who has stepped into his calling. He takes the stand for finding a God appointed replacement for Judas. He was in the upper room on the day of Pentecost and told the mockers, 'these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but he third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (Acts 2:15-21)
He goes walking with John into the temple and a lame man at the gate called out to them asking for money and Peter says, 'That's right look over here. Look at us!' (my version) And then replies, 'Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.' (Acts 3:6) He is boldly preaching. He confronts Ananias and Sapphira when they lie about how much their land sold for and then God's judgment fell. A Godly boldness and determination came to Peter. Acts 5:12-16 talks about signs and wonders done by the hands of the apostles. Verse 15 says, 'Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.' That is just some of Peter's story, you can read more.
I LOVE seeing what God made of Peter. You can see through the scripture how God molded him into a vessel of honor. Your life is only about your failures if you choose to stay in the failure. If we will go God's way and allow God full control, He will do the same with our lives. This life isn't as much about us as most of us would like .... it's about fulfilling God's will. It's preparation for eternal life.
He goes walking with John into the temple and a lame man at the gate called out to them asking for money and Peter says, 'That's right look over here. Look at us!' (my version) And then replies, 'Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.' (Acts 3:6) He is boldly preaching. He confronts Ananias and Sapphira when they lie about how much their land sold for and then God's judgment fell. A Godly boldness and determination came to Peter. Acts 5:12-16 talks about signs and wonders done by the hands of the apostles. Verse 15 says, 'Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.' That is just some of Peter's story, you can read more.
I LOVE seeing what God made of Peter. You can see through the scripture how God molded him into a vessel of honor. Your life is only about your failures if you choose to stay in the failure. If we will go God's way and allow God full control, He will do the same with our lives. This life isn't as much about us as most of us would like .... it's about fulfilling God's will. It's preparation for eternal life.
'Boldness is not reckless impulsiveness. Boldness requires courage to press on through our fears and do what we know is right.' -Life Application Study Bible
