Podcasts about like peter

There are moments in our walk with God when the light seems to fade. We stumble, not because the presence of God has left us, but because something has come between us and the Light.In this week's Monday Meditations, we explore the quiet eclipse — the subtle ways fear, shame, and failure drift between our hearts and the face of Christ. Like Peter in the courtyard or David on the rooftop, we sometimes forget the light we've seen in times when shadows fall.But the light has not gone out. It is only hidden for a moment — and even there, God is praying, restoring, and calling us back.If you've felt distant, overwhelmed, or unworthy — this episode is for you. Let's rediscover the true Light that never stops shining, even in the valley of shadow.We hope that you enjoy this episode. God bless you and Go Rise Up!Shop PROCLAIM's latest drop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.proclaim365.com/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join BIBLEin365 and read the entire Bible with us in a year: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.proclaim365.com/biblein365⁠⁠⁠

Today, Pastor Dustin kicks off our SummerFest series with a deep dive into the story of Peter stepping out in faith to walk on water. Like Peter, we're called to reflect honestly, reclaim our God-given purpose, and respond boldly by taking our next step toward Jesus, even in the face of life's storms. Website: https://journeychristian.com New Here? https://journeychristian.com/new Need Prayer? https://journeychristian.com/prayer  Next Steps: https://journeychristian.com/nextsteps  Instagram: https://instagram.com/fljourneychurch Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fljourneychurch

We continue our series on ‘Bringing your friends and family to Jesus' by looking at how God moved in an unexpected way in one man's home. When God works, he works fast (Isaiah 60:22).    Acts 10 is where the life changing and world changing good news of Jesus moves from the world of Jewish believers to Gentile or non-Jewish believers, when Christianity broke out from being a sub-culture of Judaism to becoming a world faith. Acts 10 is the tipping point where everything changed in the growth and momentum of the church. And it all starts because of one man and takes place in his home.    This chapter begins by detailing the spiritual hunger of a wealthy military man called Cornelius. He was a Roman centurion, whose responsibilities were more like those of a modern army captain. It ends with him and all his network of family and friends transformed totally by the Holy Spirit and the disciples somewhat shell-shocked by all that had taken place so quickly.    The apostle Peter, who was used so decisively in all that transpired, was at first in ignorance of the spiritual search of Cornelius, in much the same way many Christians today fail to realise what spiritual hunger exists in millions of people outside of church contact, including those closest to us – our neighbours, family and friends. We see from this story how we too can see an outpouring of the Holy Spirit with your family and friends.1. Live right (Acts 10:1-2; Job 1:8; Genesis 6:9). 2. Listen to God (Acts 10:2,4-6,9,19-20; James 5:16 AMP; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2)3. Follow the Leading of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:1-23,34-35; Mark 7:19; Acts 16:9) 4. Let the Holy Spirit work (Acts 10:19-23,27,44-48; 2 Corinthians 6:2) Apply  1. Live right (Acts 10:1-2). It says that Cornelius was a God-fearing man who gave generously to the poor and was doing his best to raise his family in the same righteous ways. Instead of making excuses or hiding behind Roman culture or his military career, Cornelius chose to live right and to live a God-centred lifestyle. God always sees and honours when you live right (Job 1:8; Genesis 6:9). Your faithfulness, your devotion to Him, your generous giving all please Him and are seen by Him and prepare an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit can work. However, living right alone is not enough.   2. Listen to God. Both the Roman centurion Cornelius and the apostle Peter were men of prayer. They did not just pray occasionally. They lived a prayer lifestyle (Acts 10:2,9). And that is significant. For when righteous - or right-living - people pray, then great things happen (James 5:16 AMP). It is no use just praying if you are not living right. But when righteous people get serious about prayer, great things happen. The teaching on prayer in the Bible is not on haphazard prayer but continual prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2). To Cornelius, God not only told him his prayers had been answered and his faithful lifestyle noted. He also told him specifically that Peter was the man he needed to meet, who he was staying with, and how to find the house (Acts 10:4-6)! He told Peter three men were looking for him and he had better go and meet them (Acts 10:19-20). Both men had a vision from God, and both had to listen to it. If you are serious about seeing an outpouring of the Holy Spirit with your family and friends, will you give yourself to prayer and to praying specifically for each of them? Make no mistake. God always listens when righteous people pray. But God also speaks, and we must listen to Him. Prayer is a two-way conversation, and we can miss so much if we simply download what we want to say and then go off in a rush. If you will take time to pray and really listen to God, in one way or another through a vision, the Holy Spirit within you, and of course always the Scriptures, He will stir you to move out of your comfort zone into new territory.    3. Follow the Leading of the Holy Spirit. At every age and stage of life and ministry we each must decide whether or not to take a step of faith to see what lies on the other side of a door that God may be opening up to you. In this story, God was up to something, and both Peter and Cornelius had to pay attention and respond. God was working supernaturally: He spoke to both Cornelius and Peter through visions (Acts 10:1-16). The visions were specific and detailed. God was at work. God was working simultaneously (Acts 10:17-23). Without either of them knowing it, God was putting people together from very different backgrounds who had never even heard of each other. And you may not see what God is doing and all the ways He is at work in your life and in the lives of your friends and family, but you can be sure that God is working in them for your good. Just go where the Holy Spirit is leading you. It was the apostle Peter, the committed disciple, who needed to change rather than Cornelius. Peter was locked into his own tradition and upbringing more than he realised. And he needed unlocking pretty quickly. When Peter was told to kill and eat the animals he saw in the vision, he resisted (Acts 10:14-15). As a good Jewish boy Peter would have been steeped in Old Testament teaching that certain foods were unfit for eating and prohibited. But Jesus had declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19). Jesus abolished distinction between clean and unclean food and clean and unclean people. Peter knew in his head that the kingdom of God was not about special rules and religious practices, yet he instinctively responded in a traditional way. To follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, he had to quickly lose his old ideas and prejudices, which thankfully he did (Acts 10:34-35). When Peter changed, everything changed and it opened a way for many to come to know Jesus personally. Change starts in the church, not in the world. In each one of us. Like Peter you must really follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, which means you may need to think and act differently towards others if you're going to reach people you haven't reached before and see things you haven't seen before. The big question that we all face, and which Peter faced, is whether we are going to be fixed and stuck in our old ways or flexible and obedient in following the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must be sensitive to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit so that you know His leading and direction. Maybe He's been leading you to share encouragement with someone or to invite them into your home or life group - don't miss the opportunity. God is setting us up more than we know, but we must be spiritually awake to step in and share our faith with them. God wants us to be quick to respond to what He is saying and doing. The responsiveness of Paul was key to the gospel coming to mainland Europe (Acts 16:9). We too must go where God is leading us, whether it is down the street, across the corridor in the office, 30 miles like Peter to Cornelius, or across the world. God has gone ahead of you.    4. Let the Holy Spirit work. Cornelius decided to send a group to meet a man that he had never met before who was staying at an address he had only just learned of. And Peter decided to welcome this group and go with them to the home of Cornelius (Acts 10:19-23). Neither Cornelius nor Peter knew all that was about to unfold but from the moment that they decided to act in faith and obedience and to let the Holy Spirit work, they opened a greater door for change than they could have ever imagined. And the same thing will happen for you when you decide to let the Holy Spirit work. Stop playing safe. Launch out into the new. When Cornelius took the risk of contacting Peter and Peter stepped out to go where he had never gone before, everything moved to another level. There was a new group of people to minister to, family and friends of Cornelius, who were hungry for God (Acts 10:27). Today so many people groups, so many families, so many in your neighbourhood and circle of influence are far more open to the good news of the gospel than you may know. And they will be more willing to listen to you than you may imagine. And in our story there was also a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Peter's sermon on the good news of Jesus was cut short for the Holy Spirit moved (Acts 10:44-48). It says that all of Cornelius's family and friends gathered at his house experienced an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit. From this moment the Christian church accelerated in new ways. Today great things can happen in your personal life, in your family life and ministry when you live right and listen to God, following the leading of the Holy Spirit and let Him work. As you get out of your comfort zone to obey His call, you can be confident you will see an outpouring of the Holy Spirit with your family and friends (2 Corinthians 6:2). 

Pastor Neil will continue the - From Death To Life Sermon Series with the next message titled: "Do You Love Me?" from John 21:15-17 If we demonstrate our love for God in our obedience to his commands, then it seems appropriate to apply this same question to ourselves, “Do you love me?” This question provides opportunities for both conviction in reflection as well as hope in redemption. How does our identity as loved and redeemed by God reflect our response to love him in return? Loving God correctly requires wholehearted and uncompromising devotion to him and his commands, without reservation or dissection. Like Peter, we need regular reminders of God's provision and our dependence on him for all things. Just like Peter, even in our stumbling denials and sin, Jesus loves us and provides an opportunity for restoration of relationship and commissioning for the use of our gifts in service. God's love is assured, but sometimes we need to hear ourselves say it aloud to remind ourselves that we love God and are called for a purpose, even if it is through the redemptive fire of suffering and restoration.

Send us a textLast week, we were reminded that even when the storms of life seem overwhelming—when the winds are howling, the waves are crashing, and it feels like we're sinking—Jesus is near.Like Peter on the water, we may step out in faith only to feel fear when the storm rages. But even when our faith wavers, His hand is there to catch us. Hebrews 7:25 reminds us that Jesus is always interceding for us—He's praying for you even now.

Following Jesus often means surrendering our expectations, especially when God's plan includes hardship or pain. Like Peter, we may resist what doesn't make sense to us—but sincere intentions aren't the same as spiritual insight. True faith chooses obedience even when the path includes a cross, trusting that God's will always leads to greater fruitfulness.

This Sunday, Pastor Suzy Silk continued our sermon series through the Book of Acts, The Fifth Act, with a teaching on how Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, healed a lame man and faced the persecution from religious leaders by continuing to boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus as Lord. Like Peter and John, we are called us to prioritize being with Jesus, and from this place, boldly proclaim the Gospel wherever we go—not because of our qualifications, but because of God's power.

This one is so worth 7 ¾ minutes of your time.The Lord is in the restoration business.If Peter is not beyond saving from this situation, none of us are. But, this could have been the last time we heard from Peter. It was not.Like Peter, DON'T let your betrayal be the last time we hear from you. Good plug to subscribe for more tomorrow.https://youtu.be/Dp_ey7vQ6lk

Mountain top experiences are great. But what happens when you hit rock bottom? Like Peter in Matthew 26:69-75 after he denied Jesus three times. Are there lessons we can learn from Peter's lowest point? Henson draws from Peter's rock bottom experience and shares implications for all disciples of Jesus Christ.

John 6:1-15,After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. One morning last week it occurred to me, in a fresh way, that God's mercy to me has always been deliberate. Whatever good God has ever given to me, he meant it. He meant to give it to me. It was on purpose. And that's true for all of us.The only kind of kindness we ever receive from God is purposeful kindness. This means there's not a single blessing in our lives that is arbitrary or whimsical — and that goes for everything big and small — from a cup of coffee to a roof over our heads, from a good parking spot in a crowded lot to a dinner table crowded with children. Every good thing in our lives is from the hand of God on purpose. Purposeful kindness. And when we get this truth in our heads, we start to see it everywhere. It's all over the place in John Chapter 6 in this story of Jesus feeding the five thousand — which, by the way, this miracle is unique because it's the only miracle of Jesus that is recorded in all four Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each tell this story because it was monumental for the early church. Through this miracle Jesus is shining brightly as the fulfillment of Old Testament hope, and in the Gospel of John especially, the main message that John wants us to get is that Jesus is greater than Moses. Jesus has already said in Chapter 5, verse 46 that Moses wrote about him, and now we're going to see how he surpasses Moses. That's the narrative strategy going on here, but I don't want us to be too fixed on the narrative strategy that we miss the wonder of Jesus's heart in this story — his purposeful kindness is on display. And that's our focus. I want to show you the purposeful kindness of Jesus in three ways. Here's the first:1. Jesus is a patient provider. Let's start in verse 1 and notice that it opens with a new setting (and it's all important information) … Jesus is back in Galilee (where he's from) and there's a “large crowd” of people following him. That phrase “large crowd” is used twice, and we learn later that it's large as in likely over ten thousand people. Now why was this large crowd following Jesus? Verse 2 says it's because they've seen his signs. We already know from Chapter 4 that the Galileans really loved the signs, and so here they are again coming to see more. Important InfoThen verse 3 says that Jesus went up on the mountain — John doesn't tell us what mountain because it doesn't really matter — we just need to know that Jesus was on a mountain. And this is important because it's an allusion to Moses. It's what we could call a ‘Moses-wink.' (John gives us several little clues in this story to remind us of Moses; you could call them Moses breadcrumbs, but we're gonna call them “Moses-winks.”)The most famous mountain in the Hebrew Bible is Mount Sinai where Moses received God's Law — we know a big part of Moses's ministry was on a mountain, and then the other big part of Moses's ministry was, of course, leading the Exodus — which by the way, verse 4 tells us it's Passover. Passover is the annual feast in Jewish life that remembers Moses leading the exodus (so verses 3 and 4 have back-to-back Moses-winks).Jesus is on a mountain, during Passover — and there's a large number of people following him — and look what Jesus does in verse 5. The text says he lifted up his eyes.This could just be the basic information of what he did, except that earlier in Chapter 4, verse 35 Jesus commanded his disciples, “Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” Jesus was telling them: Recognize the work of God in the world and join in! And that's exactly what Jesus is doing here! He's about to work the work of God! So there's a drumroll. We're on the the edge of our seats.But then he asks one of his disciples a question.Humorous IronyHe has twelve disciples, but this time he's talking to Philip, who was from that area, and he asks him, verse 5:“Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”And I think there's meant to be humor in this question. Because the question, at face-value, is crazy. There are thousands of people here, Jesus, what do you mean buy bread? In fact, everybody look at verse 6 for a minute. This is one I really need you to see, verse 6. Everybody, verse 6. This is John the narrator talking — Verse 6:“[Jesus] said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.”So this means the question in verse 5 seems so absurd that in verse 6 John as the narrator has to chime in and explain to us that Jesus is up to something. John is saying: Hang on and watch this. And at this point, I think the main thing that separates this story from a modern-day sitcom is a laugh track. Now we're gonna try something we've never tried before. Do y'all think we could make our own laugh track? …Now I'm gonna read this dialogue and when I point at y'all, laugh together. We're gonna make a live laugh track. Because there's humorous irony going on in this story and it'll make sense to you. You're gonna see it. Here we go:Jesus, looking at thousands of people, says: “Hey Philip, where are we gonna buy bread so that these people can eat?” [laugh track]Philip: “16,000 dollars worth of bread would not be enough for each person to get a bite!” [laugh track]Andrew: “I gotta kid here whose got five loaves and two fish.” [laugh track]See, this is a sitcom! It's a situation-comedy.And then Jesus says, “Have the people sit down” — which instantly takes this scene from comedy to He's gonna really do it. He's gonna feed these people. And we'll get there in a minute, but the first thing that stands out here is that Jesus is even taking the time to have this dialogue with his disciples.He Takes Care of ItVerse 6 tells us that he knew what he was going to do; so he could have just done it, but instead he chooses to involve his disciples. He chooses to slow the whole thing down to double his giving — because not only is he gonna give food to this crowd, but now he's gonna give a lesson to his disciples. And this takes amazing patience. And every parent in this room gets this. …I'm at home and I've got to fix a broken cabinet door, so I've got my wood-glue and some screws and a clamp and my drill — I'm ready to go — and then one of my dear children walks in and says, “Hey, Dad, can I help?” And in that moment I've got to decide: Do I wanna make this go twice as long and be twice as stressful?You bakers in the room know what I'm talking about. Sometimes you just wanna make a batch of cookies … and then sometimes you want your five-year-old to help. It all depends on your patience level.Look at how patient Jesus is here! I'm guessing Philip failed this test. A better response would have been to answer Jesus's question with another question. Philip should've said: “Jesus, you can do all things, would you feed them?”See Andrew gets a little closer (maybe he remembers Jesus turning the water to wine), but neither of these disciples get it exactly right. And notice that Jesus doesn't rebuke them. He doesn't shake his head in frustration. He just takes care of it.One day we're gonna find out how many times Jesus has done this for us — how many times we've not had it right but Jesus was our patient provider.There's a prayer of thanksgiving I pray often that goes:Jesus, thank you for the blessings in my life I was neither capable of achieving nor wise enough to ask for but which you sent anyway. Thank you for the particular mercies you've bestowed on me and for all the ways you've been patient with me — for the ways you've helped me change and break bad habits and patterns of thought, heart attitude, and practice; and for the ways you've protected me from the fuller consequences of my own blindness.He's so patient with us. He just takes care of it. One way the purposeful kindness of Jesus is on display is that he is the patient provider.2. Jesus is a generous host. In verse 10, Jesus tells the disciples to have all the people sit down, and there are five thousand men. Now if you add the women and children it would at least double the number (that's where the 10,000 number comes from; some scholars estimate 20,000 total) — either way, this is a lot more people than one paper-bag lunch can serve. That is the most obvious thing going on here. Again, it's comically obvious.But Jesus took that little lunch, he gave thanks to his Father, and in verse 11 “he distributed [the lunch] to those who were seated.” And he didn't ration out the food, but he gave everyone as much bread and fish as they wanted, verse 12, and they all got full.And then he told his disciples to gather up all the leftovers, which ended up being twelve baskets — so they ended with more food than they had when they started; and each of the twelve disciples had his own basket to carry. Which means each disciple would've had a tangible reminder of what Jesus does with basically nothing but a willing heart. (By the way, that's our only hope in ministry — our hope is that Jesus does it this way, and that he's the one who gives us a willing heart.)Putting on a FeastNow I want to draw special attention to two details Jesus does here. The first is that Jesus distributed the bread. Now I don't think this means he himself gave a slice of bread to each person individually — the disciples helped him spread it — but the point is that Jesus was hands-on in this experience and none of it was required.There was a crowd and they were hungry, and all he had to do was just say something. He could've just said “Hunger, be gone.” Jesus has the power to just speak and instantly make the empty stomachs not feel empty. He could have just said the word, but he didn't do it that way.Also, he could have just limited everyone to a slice of bread — just tear off a piece — but instead it's Take all you want! Which means Jesus is putting on a feast here — this whole thing is about more than solving hunger. That's not the point. The point is that Jesus is showing himself to be a generous host. (So he's kinda like Moses with the manna, except that he's greater!)He makes this wide open space his dining room. The ground these people are standing on, which John tells us was lush with grass, becomes banquette seating.Last week, our younger kids, at their school, did a production of Beauty and the Beast. And my favorite scene of the play, by far, is when Belle is in the castle and the staff invite her to dinner, and the kids altogether sang maybe the greatest Disney song of all time, Be Our Guest. It starts:Be our guest, be our guestPut our service to the testTie your napkin ‘round your neck, chérieAnd we provide the restLook, that's what is happening here, except the “we” is an “I.” Jesus is hosting all of these people as his guests. And it's to everyone's surprise.The disciples apparently didn't even think about Jesus doing this. Nobody in this crowd expected this — they were looking for signs, yes, but they couldn't have guessed this. And that's what makes it even more amazing! This is the part that puts Jesus over the top as a generous host. It's that none of these people deserved this. Jesus knows they're not really seeking him. He will say later in verse 26 that the only reason these people are sticking with him is for the free food. And look, he knows all of that now! He knows that on the frontside and yet still, look what he does!He not only gives to those who can't repay him; he gives to those who don't even want to repay him.I feel like if I were there, I'd say: Jesus, your strategy here is all wrong (and I know because I'm a church planter). See, what you win them with, you win them to. Jesus, you're making shallow followers here. You're just meeting their felt-needs and creating a positive experience — at least make the parking bad.Jesus knows all of the pitfalls here, and he does it anyway. Why? … Because he's generous. Because he loves people. Because he wants somebody in that crowd to know he's generous and loves people — because he wants us to know. What if the purposeful kindness of Jesus on display in John 6 is actually for us who are reading this story two thousand years later?Let us marvel at how Jesus is a generous host. And let's learn from him.3. Jesus is loyal to his Father's will. The conclusion to this miracle is the response of the crowd in verses 14–15, which was not humble worship, but ignorant zeal. They recognize, first, because of this miracle, that Jesus is the prophet promised in Deuteronomy 18:15. That's when Moses himself said,The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen.This is not a Moses-wink, this is a straight up Moses-spotlight. Jesus is that ‘prophet like Moses.' Moses wrote of him, and he's greater than Moses. The crowd is 100% correct in their assessment of Jesus in verse 14. But it goes sideways in verse 15 because they wanted to take Jesus by force and make him king. This means that these 5,000 men are a mob-in-the-making, but they're not against Jesus, they want to ‘promote' him. And that's exactly why Jesus gets out of there. But why?! They wanna make him king, Jesus is a king, why doesn't he go along with this?Jesus walks away from thousands of ‘loyalists' because he is loyal to his Father's will, and the path to the throne prepared by his Father requires a cross. That's the reason why. Jesus is the Prophet. Jesus is the King. And Jesus is also the Lamb, and soon enough the will of his Father is gonna lead him to Jerusalem, as one theologian puts it, “not to wield the spear and bring the judgment, but to receive the spear thrust and bear the judgment.” See, Jesus's ascendancy to glory won't come through popularity and prestige, but through suffering and sacrifice. Which he endured for us.Do you see, his loyalty to his Father's will is our salvation? That's what he's after. That's why the Father has sent him.He will be crucified in our place, slain for our sins, taking the punishment we deserved. Jesus will die and be raised to live forever so that we can too.Jesus says, verse 40:“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”Church, it is good news that Jesus is loyal to the will of his Father. It's good news that he does not buckle to the demands of our ignorant desires.Because if we were there, we would have wanted to make him king too. Like Peter, we would have deterred him from the cross. But he went there anyway even as we stood in his way, because he follows his Father's will, not ours, on purpose. This is grace unmeasured, love untold! This is the purposeful kindness of Jesus to us!Jesus is a patient provider. Jesus is a generous host.Jesus is loyal to his Father's will.And that's what brings us to the table. The TableWhat can we do but just thank him? This morning let's marvel at the glory of Jesus. That's my invitation to you now.

In this moving homily on one of his favourite Gospel passages, Fr. Michael reflects on Peter's journey from control to surrender. Through the Risen Christ's tender questions—“Do you love me?”—Peter is restored and made ready for the Cross he once feared. Fr. Michael draws us into Peter's humanity and invites us to follow Christ not according to our plans, but with open hands, even when love takes us where we do not want to go.

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comJohn 13 Jesus gathers with His twelve Apostles for a Passover meal just hours before He is arrested. He begins by washing the feet of each of the men. Peter is reluctant to allow this, but Jesus insists. Jesus teaches them that the service of others is at the center of His kingdom. Jesus then tells them that one of His own will betray Him. No one knows that He is referring to Judas Iscariot. Satan fills Judas' heart, and he flees. Jesus then explains that His time of departure and glorification has come. He tells them the most important thing they can do is to love each other. Peter insists on going with Jesus, but he is told that He is not ready and that he will deny Jesus that very night.  This is the night in which Jesus would be betrayed and arrested, and yet His focus is on teaching His disciples to care for one another. By washing their feet and later teaching them about the crucial need for love, He is demonstrating what makes His kingdom strong in the face of any trial. In our shared walk, there will be betrayers who give in to this world. There will be ignorance, like the Apostles who had no idea who would betray Jesus. There will be disappointment, like Peter's predicted denial of Jesus. God's people can remain united and strong if we sacrificially serve, deeply love, and tirelessly support one another. That is the kingdom of believers Jesus died to establish.   Great Father, we praise Your glorified Son, and we lament that He was subjected to betrayal, suffering, and death on our behalf. We know He now rules in glory because of His incredible sacrifice. It endears us to Him to see Him washing feet and teaching love in the moments before His arrest. Help us to have a spirit like His. Teach us how to serve one another so that the world may know us by our love. Like Peter, we often fall short due to a lack of understanding and pride. Forgive us and help us to grow together.    Thought Questions: -       Jesus said disciples “ought to wash one another's feet.” What should that look like in your life and relationship with Christians?  -       Judas was so crafty that no one, except Jesus, knew of his sins.  If only Jesus knows of your sins, is that enough reason to repent? -       Peter wanted to die with Jesus, but he was not yet ready. How are you developing the kind of faith that would give your life for Jesus?    

Episode SummaryIn this very special episode, Bobby Bosler shares an exciting announcement and a deeply personal journey of faith. Speaking from Matthew 14, he draws parallels between Peter's step out of the boat and the major life change God has led him and his family into — accepting the call to pastor Fellowship Baptist Church in Fairmont, West Virginia. Bobby testifies to God's guidance through uncertainty, showing how surrender and obedience open the door for God's miraculous provision and peace.Topics DiscussedStepping out in faith when God's leading feels impossibleThe story behind the call to pastor Fellowship Baptist ChurchHow God uses closed doors and lack of peace to redirect our stepsWrestling with calling, gifting, and identity in ministryEncouragement to follow God's call even when it requires major life changesKey TakeawaysGod's leading often requires taking a step into the impossible. Like Peter walking on water, faith demands stepping out based on God's command, not on visible certainty.Closed doors are part of God's guidance. The lack of peace about repairing or replacing the trailer was God's way of preparing the Bosler family for a completely new direction.Gifting doesn't limit God's calling. Even as an evangelist, Bobby discovered that God could use him to pastor and shepherd a local church, showing that God's calling often stretches us beyond our assumptions.Obedience leads to peace. When Bobby and his wife yielded to the possibility of pastoring, God flooded their hearts with undeniable peace and clarity.A big step of faith inspires others. Just like Peter's step inspired worship in the boat, your obedience can ripple out to encourage others to trust and follow Christ. If you've been encouraged by this podcast, please take the time to give us a five-star rating and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the Thee Generation for others. For more faith inspiring resources and information about joining Thee Generation, please visit theegeneration.org.

Today's Political and Religious Climates Harden Hearts of Many “Believers” Who Turn Away from God - Jesus Followers Are to and Can Help Those with Hardening Hearts MESSAGE SUMMARY: No matter the hardness of a person's heart, who has walked away from God, they will respond to your initiatives that are based on your love and trust. However, so many of us Christians are so focused on doing their religious or spiritual things and keeping to their “busy” schedules that they do not have time to love and care for the needs of other – physical and/or spiritual. Is there anything you can do for someone with a calloused heart or who has walked away from God because they were not discipled? Yes, you must start by praying for them – asking God to move in their lives; asking God to intervene in their life situations; asking God to break up the hardness of their heart. Also, you must build a better personal relationship, with this person, through your trust and caring love. In Mathew 18:12-13, Jesus presents God's perspective regarding the pursuit of even one person that has walked away: “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."   TODAY'S PRAYER: Father, to you I acknowledge that I don't want to go the way of powerlessness and humility. Like Peter, I want to know what you are doing with those around me. I love you. Help me to trust you with this day, with tomorrow, and with my whole life. In Jesus' name, amen.        Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 92). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Compulsions. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Patience. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Acts 1:8; Romans 2:15-16; Psalms 47:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “He Is Risen: From Good Friday To Easter”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Brothers Whit and Gabe George grew up in church, but their journeys to truly following Jesus took different paths—both marked by pride, just in different forms. Both had to face the unsettling reality that pride, whether loud or quiet, keeps us from God. Like Peter, they had to be confronted with what was really inside of them—not to be condemned, but to be changed. Real transformation began when they stopped pointing outward and dared to ask, “Lord, is it me?” Only then did they begin to understand that faith isn't built on perfection—it's built on dependency. In this episode, Whit and Gabe share stories from their childhood, explore Peter's actions in Mark 14, and reflect on the painful and beautiful journey of discovering who you really are in light of Christ.   Show Notes: Listen to the Message:  What Storms Reveal About Your Foundation - https://youtu.be/1LapLZlhMys

Be sure to take the PRE-SERIES SURVEY here: https://bit.ly/UntroubledHeartBeforeJoin the conversation in our FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/Jesus' words in John 14—“Do not let your heart be troubled”—remind us that even in a broken world, peace is possible. The heart, described as our life's control center, can be weighed down by anxiety, fear, failure, and uncertainty, but Jesus offers a path to live above our circumstances. His strategy? Go to God, go to people, and go to action. This isn't about escaping reality in a cocoon; it's about facing life head-on with faith. Like Peter, we may stumble in hard places, but Jesus meets us there. The journey to an untroubled heart begins by stepping into trouble—with courage, honesty, and trust.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.John's new book STEPS is out! Check it out here: https://becomenew.com/steps/Want to work the steps with a friend or small group? Visit: DoTheSteps.com

Pastor Dustin continues the series Face to Face. Even when we fail big—morally, spiritually, or just plain mess up—Jesus meets us in our regret, restores our purpose, and calls us forward with grace. Like Peter, our flops don't define us—God's forgiveness does. No matter how far you've fallen, His grace is always greater. Website: https://journeychristian.com New Here? https://journeychristian.com/new Need Prayer? https://journeychristian.com/prayer  Next Steps: https://journeychristian.com/nextsteps  Instagram: https://instagram.com/fljourneychurch Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fljourneychurch

Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples – Fear to Faith – Acts 3 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this week's message, Pastor Donnell Wyche continued our Unfinished sermon series by exploring Peter's journey from fear to faith through the story in Acts 3. Picking up from last week's reflection on Peter's restoration by Jesus, Pastor Donnell highlighted how Peter's transformation continues as he and John move from hiding to boldly participating in the unfolding kingdom of God. As they head to the temple for prayer—an ordinary act on an ordinary day—they encounter a man asking for money. Peter's response, “Look at us,” begins a sacred interaction, not just of healing, but of seeing and being seen, rooted in the rhythms of daily faithfulness and the unexpected in-breaking of God's kingdom. Pastor Donnell emphasized that the miracle isn't the central point of the story—it's the movement toward faith that matters. Peter doesn't know for sure what will happen, but he reaches out anyway. This act of trust, however imperfect, invites the kingdom into reality. The healed man walks, leaps, and praises God, astonishing those around him. Peter seizes the moment to preach, anchoring the miracle in the larger redemptive story of Jesus. This is a new Peter—one no longer dominated by fear, but awake to the kingdom's presence, testifying boldly to the power of Jesus' name. His journey reminds us that faith often begins with a step, even when we're unsure of the outcome. Closing the sermon, Pastor Donnell invited us to embody the same movement from fear to faith. He asked what it might look like to truly see others through Christ's eyes—to respond with compassion, mercy, and open-handed generosity. Whether it's reaching out to someone in need, forgiving someone who's hurt us, or taking responsibility in difficult conversations, we are invited to be participants in God's unfolding story. Like Peter, we are unfinished, but we are being transformed. The resurrection of Jesus not only changed history—it changes us, turning shame into freedom and failure into faithfulness.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won't know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It's better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won’t know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It’s better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won't know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It's better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won’t know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It’s better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won't know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It's better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won’t know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It’s better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won't know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It's better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won’t know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It’s better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won't know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It's better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won’t know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It’s better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transfiguration is a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus, revealing his divine identity to his disciples in a dramatic way. Jesus, accompanied by Peter, James, and John, is transfigured on a mountain, shining with glory as he stands alongside Moses and Elijah. This moment marks a turning point in his journey toward the cross and challenges the disciples' expectations of who Jesus is. Like Peter, we often try to fit Jesus into our own understanding, but the Transfiguration reminds us that Jesus is not just another character in the story—he is the story. The invitation is to follow Jesus not on our terms, but on his, even when it challenges our assumptions.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won't know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It's better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won’t know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It’s better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won’t know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It’s better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won't know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It's better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.

Who is the most loyal person you've ever known? A parent? Spouse? Friend?Truthfully, we all crave loyalty. It gives us a sense of safety. We feel that if there is some loyalty in our world, it's like a warm blanket on a cold night. Life seems less scary.As we discuss the role of Jesus in our personal stories, it is good to remind ourselves often of ultimate loyalty. In turn, it encourages us to be loyal to that One person we can always count on. John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”Jesus gives us loyalty that cannot be broken. Are we willing to stay true to Him, as well? In other words, if life's road gets rough, do we stay on the path He has set for us? Like Peter, we tend to think nothing could pry us from Jesus, but our choices can do that. Then we regret being disloyal to Christ. Resolve to never let that happen to you. Keep His sacrifice for you in your mind and heart. That will help you stay true to Him when life isn't so great.He promised to never leave you. Tell Jesus that you love Him for that, and keep your eyes looking ahead to the eternity He has made for you.Let's pray. Lord, make us strong in our loyalty to our Savior. Then let that light shine for those who see us. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples – John 21 - Martha Balmer - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this sermon, Martha Balmer explores the transformation of the apostle Peter in John 21, highlighting how discipleship is a journey of becoming. After Peter's painful denial of Jesus, he fades into the background, wrestling with disillusionment and shame. But in the final chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus reappears to him—not to rebuke or dismiss, but to restore. Through the familiar scene of a miraculous catch of fish and a simple meal by the sea, Jesus invites Peter back into discipleship. This passage demonstrates that every experience—our failures, doubts, and missteps—is part of how Jesus forms us into his likeness. Peter's journey illustrates that discipleship is not about never failing, but about being willing to return to Jesus, again and again. His encounter with Jesus by the fire—mirroring the setting of his denial—becomes a moment of grace. Three times, Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” not to shame Peter, but to reaffirm his calling. In this exchange, Peter is not only forgiven but recommissioned, given the charge to “feed my sheep.” This transformation shows how Jesus meets us in our worst moments, offering not condemnation but a path forward. Martha closes by reminding us that we, too, are unfinished disciples, continually being shaped by Jesus. Like Peter, we may experience disillusionment with ourselves, but these moments are opportunities for deeper dependence on God's grace. Through scripture, prayer, and community, we are formed into people who reflect Christ—not through perfection, but through persistent faithfulness. As Peter learned, following Jesus is a lifelong journey, one that invites us to let go of false identities and embrace the truth of who we are in Christ.  

In this sermon, we explored Matthew 14:22-33 where Jesus walks on water, revealing why we don't have to live as captives to fear and anxiety. This passage reminds us that Jesus is with us, so we are never alone in the storm. It shows that Jesus cares for us, responding when we call on Him, and that He is sovereign, ruling over everything- even what we fear. Like Peter, we may struggle when we focus on the waves, but when we fix our eyes on Jesus and cry out in faith, He is ready to lift us up. No matter what we face, we can trust that He is present, He cares, and He is in control.

In this sermon, we explored Matthew 14:22-33 where Jesus walks on water, revealing why we don't have to live as captives to fear and anxiety. This passage reminds us that Jesus is with us, so we are never alone in the storm. It shows that Jesus cares for us, responding when we call on Him, and that He is sovereign, ruling over everything- even what we fear. Like Peter, we may struggle when we focus on the waves, but when we fix our eyes on Jesus and cry out in faith, He is ready to lift us up. No matter what we face, we can trust that He is present, He cares, and He is in control.

By Scott G Thouvenin - Could I be like Peter? Could you? Sometimes we just want to blend in – to not stand out. Peter tried to blend into the crowds when being singled out as follower of Jesus, to which he vehemently denied. In this instance, he did not want to be different. We are called out to be different. Would we

Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples – Matthew 26 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this sermon, Pastor Donnell Wyche explores Peter's bold declarations of loyalty to Jesus in Matthew 26, contrasted with his eventual denial. Peter, full of confidence, insists that even if everyone else falls away, he never will. Yet, when faced with fear and self-preservation, he denies Jesus three times. This moment reveals not just Peter's weakness, but the human tendency to overestimate our strength. Jesus, knowing Peter's failure in advance, had already made provision for his restoration, showing that our discipleship journey is not about never failing but about returning to Jesus, even in our weakest moments. Pastor Donnell emphasizes that Peter's story is not just about failure but transformation. His denial, followed by bitter weeping, marks the beginning of a deeper honesty with himself and his need for grace. Jesus had already been praying for Peter's restoration, demonstrating that God's grace is not contingent on our performance but is freely given, even in our failures. The lesson for us is clear: our overconfidence can blind us to our vulnerability, but Jesus calls us to embrace humility, to acknowledge our dependence on Him rather than our own strength. This sermon invites us to reflect on the gaps between our intentions and our actions, not with self-condemnation but with openness to God's transforming work. Like Peter, we are all unfinished, yet Jesus meets us in our weakness, offering restoration and purpose. Our failures are not final; they are invitations to deeper discipleship, where we learn to rely on God's grace rather than our own strength.

Who do you say Jesus is? Like Peter we can think we know the answer that Jesus is the Christ, but we so often get wrong what it means for Him to be the Christ and what it means for our lives! Focus on Jesus and who He says He is and everything else falls into place. Don't get distracted.

Failure, Forgiveness, and a Fresh Start. Like Peter in Matthew 26, we will all fail in some way as followers of Jesus. But God is faithful and in Jesus we are offered forgiveness and a fresh start!

The Bible tells us to let God's Word dwell richly in our hearts (Col. 3:16), focus on what is true (Phil. 4:8), and keep our eyes set on eternity (2 Cor. 4:18).   Today's storyteller is going to beautifully remind you of the benefits that come from living out these verses.   Emily Holman, from our Tupelo, Mississippi community, shares her journey of strengthening her faith in God and trust in His Word as she walked through two of her life's most challenging and heartbreaking seasons. This powerful story will encourage you to develop deep roots in your faith and learn the importance of, in Emily's words, putting “oil in your lamp.”   IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: - When you find yourself in darkness and pain, you must speak God‘s truth - Like Peter walking on the water, you can do the impossible as long as you keep your eyes focused on Jesus. - With the help of God, suffering can turn to beauty.    Links:   Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the 10 Virgins   Listen to a similar story: Amy Grote- Ep. 20: “Healing Through Heartache- The Loss of A Child;   Kara Potts- Ep. 173: Suffering in Hope- A Mother's Story.   Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Emily and past storytellers.   Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including Amy's discussion with past storyteller Jessica Roberts (Jessica Roberts- Ep. 42: “Longing to Be Known”) on meaningful ways they honor and celebrate memories of their loved ones. Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series, including the newly released Discovering God in Stories of Faith!   Register for the local workshop being offered on April 9th in Birmingham: Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story   Our 4th Annual Stories of Hope Luncheon is on March 12th!  

We conclude our "Pursuing Jesus" series, focusing on discipleship as apprenticeship. Like Peter, we are invited to come, follow, and then be shown by Jesus how to live in His Kingdom. Apprenticeship is about living towards a future-orientation of who we are becoming, requires scaffolding and curiosity. It is ultimately for joining Jesus in His work of restoring all things, becoming fruitful for others and the world.

This week, Kevin takes us through Jesus' call for his followers to take up their cross and follow Him in Matthew 16:21-28. Like Peter, we are all challenged by the centrality of the cross. From church movements that decentralize the gospel to our own lack of trust in it, we often look to other things to be our main power source. Jesus' death on the cross is not only sufficient for us, but it empowers us to take up our own cross each day and live in the light of His resurrection.

In I Love You Lord, But… Part 1, Pastor Mike Stevens challenges believers to examine the "buts" that hinder full surrender to God. Many fear that saying "yes" to God means giving up comfort, control, or even moving to Africa! But Jesus' call to "Follow Me" is both a great challenge and an even greater promise. Through powerful scriptures like Matthew 10:38-39 and Luke 9:23-24, Pastor Mike reminds us that Jesus doesn't just take—He gives a new and improved life now and eternal life to come.The message also distinguishes between truly following Jesus and being burdened by toxic religion. Bad religion destroys, but Jesus leads to life! Like Peter, who jumped out of the boat too soon (John 21), we must learn to follow God's timing. In the end, God's expectations are not unreasonable—He calls us to trust Him, and whatever He asks will ultimately be worth it. If He does call you to Africa, you'll love Africa!

You gotta love Peter.  With one sentence from Jesus, He moves from "You will NEVER wash my feet" to "You should wash my feet and the rest of me NOW". Today we learn that dirty feet=dirty souls so a spiritual foot washing is 100% required. Like Peter, we might consider moving from NEVER to NOW. Thank you for being here for this beautiful story. May it be a blessing to you today and tomorrow if you subscribe. Perhaps the Lord will give each of us another day.https://youtu.be/1q0xc7PwL1k

Entrust Your Burdens to Jesus | Luke 5:1-11 Life is full of moments when we feel like Peter—exhausted, discouraged, and questioning why our efforts seem fruitless: “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!” (Luke 5:5). We echo Isaiah's lament: “Woe is me! I am a man of unclean lips!” (Isaiah 6:5). In these moments of doubt and despair, the temptation is to give up. We long to trust Jesus at His Word, to try again, but the results often seem worse than before. Yet, when all else fails, we cling to what never changes—the Word of the Lord and His gracious promises. Like Peter and Isaiah, we may hesitate to listen, but when we do, we find that Christ never fails us. He forgives, sanctifies, and restores. No matter how overwhelming our burdens, we hear His unshakable promise in the Divine Service:

Entrust Your Burdens to Jesus | Luke 5:1-11 Life is full of moments when we feel like Peter—exhausted, discouraged, and questioning why our efforts seem fruitless: “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!” (Luke 5:5). We echo Isaiah's lament: “Woe is me! I am a man of unclean lips!” (Isaiah 6:5). In these moments of doubt and despair, the temptation is to give up. We long to trust Jesus at His Word, to try again, but the results often seem worse than before. Yet, when all else fails, we cling to what never changes—the Word of the Lord and His gracious promises. Like Peter and Isaiah, we may hesitate to listen, but when we do, we find that Christ never fails us. He forgives, sanctifies, and restores. No matter how overwhelming our burdens, we hear His unshakable promise in the Divine Service:

No matter what you've done, God's mercy is greater. In this powerful reflection, Fr. Hollowell reminds us that our sins—no matter how grievous—are never insurmountable for God. Like Peter, who fell at Christ's feet in recognition of his own sinfulness, we are called to trust in God's grace rather than believe the lies that tell us we are unworthy.