Peter

MYSTERIOUS STRANGER STILL WANTS US TO GO FARTHER!

(July 31, 2024) Robert McQuillan shares ‘post Calvary’ thoughts…  

Ever recall Luke 24:28-29, those two interesting but often overlooked verses? Let me remind you of the scenario…

Two disciples were so disheartened and discouraged when they began their Emmaus road journey but had been greatly encouraged by a mysterious stranger who seemed to know everything. And they hadn’t recognised Him as the risen Christ!

Now on approaching the village this mysterious stranger had ‘… continued on as if He were going farther’ (porrhotero…  a greater distance).

And they strongly urged Him not to travel on but to ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ Over versions tell they constrained Him… (parabiazomia… to force contrary to one’s wishes, to compel).

Where was Jesus going to go on to share good news about His messianic reality, His resurrection and His power over death? Perhaps Jappa, where He hadn’t been before?

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MOVING ON IN GOD – ATTRACTIONS AND DISTRACTIONS

(June 25, 2023) Angeline Selvakumari encourages us to be attracted, not distracted.

Joshua chapter one marks the beginning of a new season the freed Israelites. Following Moses’ death, Joshua was ordained his successor – but had he big shoes to fit!

One cannot imagine what must have gone through his mind, even though he had been mentored by Moses.

Although Israel’s great leader had ordained him to carry the leadership baton (Deuteronomy 34:9), God repeatedly reminded Joshua to be bold, strong, courageous (Joshua 1:6-7), that ‘As I was with Moses, so I will be with you’ (v5).

Embrace your 2023 ‘big shoes’! 
Today God is encouraging some of us into a new season of our lives. Yes, the old is good, and we must embrace whatever God’s new season, new ministry, may be.

I highlight some words from Joshua 1:2 – ‘Moses… is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them…’

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PENTECOSTAL PETER

(June 1, 2017) Brian Bell shares a meaningful meditation on the apostle Peter…

When you consider the experiences of Peter’s life from the day Jesus called Peter to follow him, then those experiences – which include presumptuous behaviour and speech rebuke by Jesus, and his denial of the Lord – they would not have pointed to him being the carrier of the powerful Acts 2 Day of Pentecost message for which he is best known.

Personally I draw great encouragement from Peter, for I know I am – at least – as imperfect as Peter, yet the Lord is prepared to use even me!

So, while it is true that aspects of Peter’s life before Pentecost may be less than impressive, it did not prevent the Lord from recommissioning and enabling Peter through the Holy Spirit – what an encouragement is that for every Christian!

Peter – an encouragement for every follower
Luke who penned the book of Acts makes specific reference to Peter’s ‘Pentecost’ message and writes of several of his ministry experiences that flowed on from that day. And while we don’t read of a repetition of the ‘Pentecost day’ experience, we can however see how the Lord clearly led Peter and he became an outstanding preacher, a leader with a pastoral heart in the early church. It is very clear that Peter was a changed follower of Jesus from that day! (more…)