WBC Daily Devotions Jan. 24-28, 2011

Ordinary People Living Extraordinary Lives
Daily Devotionals for January 24-28

We are entering the third week of our message series entitled, "Living Extra-Ordinary Lives." The first week, Dr. Lon Allison's message drew our attention to the "bottom line" of our faith--the Good News of Jesus Christ and how His perfect life, atoning death, and power-filled resurrection, make it possible for every person on planet earth to enter into a personal relationship with God.

The second week we explored two things that "flavor the Gospel" with tangible reality: (1) the generosity of His followers, and (2) miracles. This final week we will look at the person of Peter and how God used him, an ordinary man, to accomplish extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God.

We thank Marie Allison, WBC's Director of Evangelism and Connect Ministry for preparing this week's devotionals.

MONDAY, JANUARY 24

Acts 2-4 is full of excitement and the Apostle Peter is at the center of it. With that in mind we will be using Peter as a focal point for our devotions this week. Let's summarize some of the things we've learned about Peter:

Peter proclaimed the Gospel after Pentecost, and three thousand people became believers. (Acts 2:14-40)
His boldness resulted in people living differently. (Acts 2:42-47)Peter healed a lame beggar. (Acts 3:1-10
He preached the Gospel a second time and thousands more were saved. (Acts 3:11-26 and 4:4)

That is quite a list of accomplishments. It would be easy to think that Peter was a "winner." One of those rare kids in school who got straight A's, was good at sports, had the girls calling him for dates, and was voted "most likely to succeed." A guy who entered adult life, became a follower of Christ, and had victory in all he did for God.

Today's scripture reading, however, gives us an interesting twist on the story. We will be reading Acts 4:13-20 in preparation for Dr. Lon Allison's sermon, Sunday January 29.

13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16"What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.

In this passage Peter is described by onlookers as "ordinary." The Encarta Dictionary tells us that means, "not remarkable or special in any way." He was normal, just like you and me, but he did amazing things. This shouldn't surprise us. It is the biblical pattern God delights in: using the humble, the sinful, the poor, the weak, those without power to move his plan of redemption forward.

Do any of those words describe the way you see yourself? If the answer is yes than you are the type of person God is looking for. God wants to use ordinary people to do His extraordinary work.

So the question isn't, "Does God want to use you?" The question is, "Will you let him?"

How do you respond?

Lord,
I feel so ordinary. I can't imagine that You could use me to do amazing things like Peter did. In spite of how I feel, Lord, I tell you that I am willing. I give myself to You today.
Amen

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25

Today we are reading Acts 4:13-20.

The religious leaders said Peter was ordinary, but they also made another observation about him: He was courageous. The leaders noted that in spite of the threat of being arrested--maybe even killed--Peter spoke out for Jesus. He had the ability to face danger and difficulty without being overcome by fear.

We can imagine that Peter was fearful when he began to proclaim the Gospel to the crowds who gathered, as recorded in Acts 2:24 and Acts 3:11. He may have thought twice before he spoke. He probably bolstered himself with a deep breath. His voice may have quivered a bit in the beginning. As he was speaking he might have wondered if people were getting what he was saying.

Courage means doesn't mean we don't have fear. It means we don't let it control us. Are we afraid to speak up for Jesus? That is okay, because like Peter, we can do it anyway! And like Peter we will see results.

Lord,
I see myself in Peter. I get nervous when I sense that I may have an opportunity to share You with someone. Please give me courage. Please help me to get the words out. Thank You that when I am brave, like Peter, will see people come to know You.
Amen

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26

There is a wonderful backstory to Peter's valor. It is the story of how an ordinary person becomes extraordinary. The story has three parts: (1) Peter followed Jesus, (2) Peter failed Jesus, and (3) Peter was decommissioned by Jesus.

We will spend one day on each aspect of Peter's journey with Christ, today reading from Luke 5:1-11.

1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon [Peter], and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon [Peter], "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."

5Simon [Peter] answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Peter was exhausted. He was at the end of his fishing rope. He had tried everything to get a good catch and now he was ready to call it quits. Then Jesus gave him instructions, Peter, out of respect obeyed. He put the nets down in deep water and to his great surprise they filled up with so many fish that the boat began to sink. It was a fisherman's miracle and it proved to Peter that Jesus was superhuman. He was the Messiah Peter had been waiting for.

Peter came to the Lord just like we do. He recognized Christ as Lord, he confessed his sinfulness, and he followed Jesus.

Peter knew what a joy it was to bring in nets heavy with fish. Now Jesus tells him as a follower of His, he will get to do a different type of fishing. He will get to fish for men [people]. He will get to see people come into God's kingdom.

As followers of Christ He has called us to experience the same joy. We get to be fishers of men.

Dear Lord,
Peter's story has reminded me of my own story of salvation. Thank You for showing Yourself to me and letting me know You are real. Thank You that I responded by recognizing my need for a Savior. I am happy to be a follower of yours. I am excited to be called a fisher of men.
Amen

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27

We saw yesterday that Peter followed Jesus. Today, we move forward to the next part of Peter's story: he failed Jesus.

We are reading Luke 22:54-62. At this point Jesus has just been arrested.

54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him."

57But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.

58A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them."

"Man, I am not!" Peter replied.

59About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."

60Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.

If you read the passage slowly, your heart is breaking right now. Peter loved Jesus, he believed Him to be the Messiah, but in a moment of fear, he was weak. He was disloyal. He denied Christ.

Peter knew the consequences of what he had done. Some time before this event Christ had said, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory" (Luke 9:26a).

After Peter's denial his heart was filled with remorse and he wept bitterly.

We may not outwardly deny Christ as Peter did, but we may deny Him in another way. We may not give witness for Him at all. Fortunately, like Peter we can admit our weakness and ask for forgiveness. We can emerge from failure stronger, more courageous, and more fruitful than we were before.

Lord,
I confess that sometimes I don't identify myself as a follower of Yours. I don't give a verbal witness of Your love. I ask You to forgive me for this sin. I repent from it Lord. I pray that I would give a sensitive and loving witness to all who come across my path.
Amen

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28

Today we are reading, John 21:15-17.

15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

17The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."

After Jesus' arrest, just before His crucifixion, a fearful Peter denied Christ three times. In this passage we see the resurrected Christ asking Peter three times, "Do you love me?" The symbolism is clear, for every time Peter denied Christ, he is now given the opportunity to affirm his love for Him.

And this is the forgiving nature of God. We can get off course, we can fail, but God forgives and restores. He uses our failures to make us stronger, braver and more resolute than before.

Like us, Peter was not always courageous in his witness. He grew that way over time.

We can become like the ordinary Peter, who did extra-ordinary works for God. We can act with courage in spite of our fears, and we too can become prolific fishers of men and caretakers of the sheep.

Dear Lord,
Thank you that You are not a God who leaves us in sorrow. You are a God Who restores. Today I hear You asking me, "Do you love me?" and I respond, "Yes, Lord You know that I love You." I hear You saying, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" and I say Lord, "I will follow You and be a fisher of men." I hear you saying, "Feed my sheep." I am responding Lord, "I will feed Your sheep."
Amen