What Glenn Writes

I am pleased to present, “What JoAnn Writes”:

For Pete’s Sake

By JoAnn Wegert

In Glenn’s recent blog (found here) he spoke about how Jesus’ influence on Peter’s life changed his demeanor and left a lasting impression on every part of his being. He explained how Peter went from a man who blatantly denied his friendship with Jesus to a man who boldly healed another man in Jesus’ name. I pondered the question of what hinders us as Christians from exhibiting the positive lasting impression Jesus came to leave on our life? Why do we find ourselves cowering around the fire ready to cry like Peter did “I don’t even know the man!” What resistance lies in the way of boldly making a miracle-size difference in the life of another? In our everyday walk through lives crowded schedules we may be taking several simple, but serious missteps.

We forget to remember:

1. We forget the fact that Jesus came to save. True salvation changes everything.

John 5:24 - “”I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”

2. We forget that we are totally different in the eyes of the Creator of heaven and earth. Jesus made an impression on Peter that changed his playing field. There was a day that Peter beckoned Jesus to have him miraculously walk on water. (Matt 14:29) Walk on water he did, until he forgot he was walking in the sight of the Creator, and in an instant saw only the waves pushed to and fro by the winds mighty power. Immediately he began to sink. When we forget who Jesus is to us; when we forgot who set the stars in place, and fills the earth with every good and perfect gift, we too, are left in the state of needing Jesus rescuing hand. We are left to wonder ourselves “Why did we doubt?”
3. We forget the reason Jesus called us to himself: Peter WALKED ON WATER ~ for a moment ~ , until he saw his move with human eyes. Peter hid in the crowds as his friend as Savior was about to be put to death. He feared for his own future, until he remembered WHO holds the future.

Once Peter got a hold of his purpose in God ’s greater plan for all eternity he began to LIVE OUT that which he had already possessed. The ability to heal the broken, the ability to speak before mighty men, and the ability to keep pressing on to live and share the wonders of the might Lord. God gives the strength we need to LIVE as the person He created us to be. I am no longer bound to live as the person my past says I am, or that habit has allowed me to become, or am doomed by the negative statements or judgments that says I can never be anything else. Like Peter, we are called to make a miracle-size difference in the lives of others. To do so we have to keep our eyes on Jesus, we have to purpose to BE who God says we are, not who we used to be, or who others say we are.

Philippians 1:6 - “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 2:20 -  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

It is my honor and privilege to share JoAnn’s article today; my thanks and appreciation to you, JoAnn.

If you have something you would like to add or if you would like to write as a guest blogger, please send your comments or article to me at glenn@sasscer.com, or mail them to me at PO Box 711, Elmore, Ohio 43416. If your article fits the theme, direction, and style for my blog, you may be the next guest blogger.

Glenn Sasscer

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