Author: astherainandsnow

“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the Lord his God be with him.”’”

“‘Let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.’

“Then rose up the heads of the fathers’ houses.., and the priests and Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem. And all who were about them aided them with vessels of silver, gold, goods, beasts, and costly wares, besides all that was freely offered. Cyrus the king also brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods.” 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-7

What God had spoken, He orchestrated. True to His word, He moved the heart of a heathen king to move His exiled people back to their land to rebuild His house. Male, female, singers, servants, priests, post keepers. The king was called to release the exiles, and each Israelite was called to contribute. His stirring was deliberate, timely, and effectual. (Ezra 2:64-70)

God stirs with a mighty hand. As His people, we need be sure we’re listening and ready to move at His prompting. He may use us to rule, to go, to give toward a cause. He might move us to start a new work, or build in a specific way. Always He will accomplish His purposes, and we are blessed to be part if we heed His stirring.

Where and how has God called me to serve? What dampens my willingness and generosity? When I’m moved by His Spirit, how readily and joyfully do I respond?

“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.” ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1874)

Father, stir me ever, only, all for Thee.

“Stephen said: ‘Hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham… and said, “Go out from your land and kindred into the land I will show you.” ⁴ Then he went out… and lived in Haran. After his father died, God removed him into this land in which you are now living. Yet he gave him no inheritance in it,.. but promised it as a possession to his offspring.., though he had no child. His offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave and afflict them four hundred years… “and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place…” 

“’The patriarchs… sold [Joseph] into Egypt; but God… gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh… who made him ruler over Egypt… 

“The people increased and multiplied until… another king… dealt shrewdly with our race… At this time Moses was born…

“‘[God said to Moses], “I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. I will send you to Egypt.”

“'[Moses] led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea…

“’Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, [and] brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations.'” Acts 7:2-7,9-10,17-20a,34,36,44-45

Tracing God’s promises from the beginning, Stephen told His story as one large unfolding. Weaving what had been carefully passed down through the ages into what was then occurring, this faithful servant boldly testified to the Lord’s hand and redemptive plan from patriarchs to present. For all his spirit-filled faithfulness, Stephen was stoned, but not without a powerful, lasting witness that offered eternal comfort. (Acts 6:7-10; Acts 7:51-53,58-60)

It takes intention to know God’s promises and attention to trace His activity. As incessant disrupter, the enemy of our souls works to blind us to grace and high purpose, and instead instills us with angst and anger. Depending on what we absorb and how we process present occurrences, we’ll either find holy delight or feel horrible doom. Taking significant time on our knees- eyes closed, devices away-helps us see present circumstances, personally and world-wide, with large vision and heavenly wisdom. How might the Lord, through prayer and His word, eradicate worry and awaken faith and hope in present circumstances?

How tuned in am I to the wondrous weaving of God’s promises in my day? What opportunities do I take in catastrophes, cultural movements, and interruptions, to point to Christ? Am I so entangled in present press, stress, and buzz that I cannot recognize providential connections and wonder at God’s bigger picture and outcomes? Tracing God’s hand enhances understanding of His eternal purposes, energizes praise, emboldens witness, and brings our souls home to Him. (Acts 10:38-43)

When did we last thank God for how He’s met us, redeemed struggles, or answered prayer? Where is He stitching truths of Himself into difficult times? How will we encourage others similarly suffering to hope?

“Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth;
shelters thee under his wings, yea so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’re have been
granted in what he ordaineth?” ~Joachim Neander (1680)

Lord, keep me attuned to watch Your hand, weave your promises through all that transpires, and faithfully witness to Your grace and glory.

“I gathered them to the river that runs to Ahava, and there we camped three days… Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, ‘The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.’  So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

“Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests: Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their kinsmen with them. And I weighed out to them the silver and the gold and the vessels, the offering for the house of our God that the king and his counselors and his lords and all Israel there present had offered…  And I said to them, ‘You are holy to the Lord, and the vessels are holy, and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to the Lord, the God of your fathers…’ 

“Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way.” Ezra 8:15,21-25,28,31

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen… And without faith it is impossible to please him.” Hebrews 11:1,6

The Lord God had already proven His providence and protection to Ezra by Cyrus’s allowance and provision for their return to Jerusalem. Ezra lived and breathed working faithfully for the One who’d faithfully led him. So when the time came to transport great and valuable offerings with the returning exiles, Ezra modeled for them all complete dependence on their invisible God over security of a worldly king. To live by faith was to act with confidence under His care. (Ezra 1:1-4; 6:6-12; 9:9)

Sometimes we depend on elected representatives as though they alone can solve societal ills and are able to support and protect us. Sometimes we amass material resources to prepare for whatever comes and secure our self-sufficiency. What difference in spiritual attitude would it take to approach the Lord first, in every challenge, and seek how to trust and honor Him best as we make decisions? How can we live more robustly by faith?

Where have we counted on government officials or policies as our framework and guardian? On what props of finances, shelter, insurance policies, or preparedness plans do we depend? In what situations do we rely solely on our own smarts and grit to make things happen? Are we prone to implement our varied efforts stubbornly and independently, apart from the Lord and His sovereign care? We magnify His grace and goodness by trusting Him over the ways of man. When we tell of His supernatural undergirding and provision, others are invigorated to test it also and find Him faithful.

Lord God, teach me to trust You and Your all-sufficiency so others see You magnified and receiving the honor and glory You deserve.

“It shall come to pass in the latter days
    that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
    and it shall be lifted up above the hills;
and peoples shall flow to it,
   and many nations shall come, and say:
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
    and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
    and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between many peoples,
    and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away…
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
    neither shall they learn war anymore;
but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree,
    and no one shall make them afraid…
All the peoples walk
    each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God
    forever and ever.

“In that day,.. the Lord will reign…
    from this time forth and forevermore.

“And you, O tower of the flock,
    hill of the daughter of Zion,
to you shall it come,
    the former dominion shall come,
    kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem...
There you shall be rescued;
    there the Lord will redeem you
    from the hand of your enemies.”

“I will cut off the cities of your land
    and throw down all your strongholds;
and I will cut off sorceries from your hand,
    and you shall have no more tellers of fortunes;
I will cut off your carved images
    and your pillars from among you,
you shall bow down no more
    to the work of your hands…
And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance
    on the nations that did not obey.” Micah 4:1-8,10b; 5:11-15

The anticipation for God’s people of their Messiah held a melody through the generations. Always a looking, always a longing, for the promised One who would banish evil and unite His people. Justice would be served, Jehovah exalted.

There is something about the vision of rising heights before us, the thrill of a steep climb, the anticipated broader perspective from the vista ahead that lifts our souls. To ascend to an unknown sparks the spirit, and to have a palpable sense of what is to come fills hope with substance. God’s promises are to be believed and rejoiced in as certain. They give strength to our striving and delight in our waiting because that are backed by our Lord’s trustworthiness and love.

In these doldrum days we can forget the latter days. We can focus on the here before us and lost sight of the magnificent there and then. But the scriptures are replete with descriptions of the resolutions and glories to come, opening to us a wide vista that can make a difference now. In uncertainty, we hope for God’s established kingdom, under injustice we rejoice in judgment to come. In war and drought we look to peace and plenty, in temptation, to the abolishment of idols. Will we go to and gaze from God’s mountain of promise? How will our love and worship for Him increase as we expect full redemption?

Father, fix my hope in Thee, and help me daily anticipate Your highest glory.

“The elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia; and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

“And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel… 

“On the fourteenth day of the first month, the returned exiles kept the Passover. The priests and the Levites had purified themselves together… And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God.” Ezra 6:14-17,19-20,22

The rebuilding of God’s temple was a monumental task. Exiles had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon laden with goods, and persevered through great emotion and in spite of political adversaries. As they worked toward completion they gave the Lord God thanks, for He had provided and protected and granted them unexpected favor. When the temple was finished and dedicated, praise and sacrifice and celebration abounded with joy for all God had done. (Ezra 1:2-11; 3:3-6,10-13; 4:1-6,23-24; 6:6-12)

It takes a dependent, expectant, grateful heart to see God’s hand in our successes. In the grump and grind of competition, tension, and opposition, we can be wired to keep gritty, keep pushing, keep on, relying on personal drive, inner strength, and a honed knack for persuasion. Because of our narrow horizontal focus, we fail to see God’s providential hand and graces afforded, His moving of the heathen’s mind and ordering of circumstances to bring about only-God results. We don’t look to Him for help and miss out, by subconscious choice, on beholding His majestic involvement in our affairs.

What could be different in my sense of gratitude if I paused in my push to take on a heavenly perspective? How might my pride in accomplishments be dissolved in gratitude, my heart turned to humble awe at God’s intervention, provision, and care? If I learn the mindset that everything comes from Him, was made for Him, and all work should be done unto Him, how would the tenor of my attitude toward success and completion change? How would my praise to God increase? (1 Corinthians 4:7; Colossians 1:16; 3:23-24)

Determining that every work is for God and His glory enhances anticipation and fuels other-worldly motivation. We can expect supernatural insight and stamina, and practical supply. We can welcome opposition, knowing the Lord will be magnified as He shows His strong arm and leads us through. And our sense of thankfulness and richness of worship will be heightened as we experience God’s joy and blessing every step.

Lord, train me to approach and complete my work with You at the fore, so You receive all credit and praise.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus…

‘We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.’ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened… 

“When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, ‘Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,.. look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold  and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” Acts 4:13,20,-21,23-24,29-35

Holy Spirit boldness had taken Jesus’s disciples by storm, and spread with contagion to all who believed. Brave preaching and standing up to authorities begat boisterous praise and confident prayer. The power and glory of Jesus infected word and deed with magnanimous results. Mouths opened with the gospel, hearts with compassion and love. Fists unclenched to give generously, selfish restraint dissolved into open, grace-filled fellowship. None could deny the bold living instigated at Pentecost.

Consistent time with Jesus and being filled with His Spirit do much to form the inner man and outward expression of faith. The deeper we go with Him, the more surrendered we are to His Spirit, the bolder we will be in passion and practice. The Spirit of God makes remarkable the unremarkable, strong the weak, and courageous the timid. Works done under His sway have great sway with those who observe and marvel, and the gospel can spread.

In what areas am I shy or reluctant to act for my Lord? Where and with whom do I feel threatened and unsettled? Will I choose instead to consider what God can do, and ask Him to minister particular power so I can boldly speak to those who don’t understand, stand firm against questioning or opposition, and trust Him enough to risk giving of myself in lavish ways?

For whom might my boldness be an example that would compel faith and faithful living? How can the Spirit’s fire in me ignite praise and grace in another? What significant changes can bold faith make today?

Lord, fill me with praise and passion to live boldly for Your gospel and glory.

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world… (John bore witness about him, and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.”’) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

“The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples,  and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’  The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.” John 1:6-9,15-16,35-37

“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
    make his paths straight.’”

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:1-3,11

“You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

Conceived by God’s gracious help to a barren mother, sent from God at a particular time with specific purpose, John the Baptist took his role seriously, proclaiming and pointing to the Lord of light. He was a witness, a preacher, a voice, a preparer of Christ’s way. Deflecting attention, his sole purpose was to spotlight and magnify his Lord- the worthier, mightier One. (Luke 1:5-17,24-25)

Am I so captivated by Jesus? Do I live and breathe to make Him known? It is common to revolve our worlds around ourselves, working hard, accomplishing good things, and making sure our experiences are noticed and opinions are valued. But the Lord calls us to turn the spotlight to reflect the One who made us. He planted us where He expects us to serve and flourish for His sake and fame. (Acts 17:26-27)

Into what wilderness- work colleagues, neighbors, friends- has God sent me to proclaim and reveal the light of Jesus? What about my life cause others to seek out and follow Him? How boldly and faithfully do I exalt His greatness and grace? In what situations am I tempted to take credit myself, even subconsciously, drawing attention to my experiences or good works or successes? How can I begin to think and talk about myself less and spotlight the Lord more? How can I better hide behind His majestic superiority, so those around me will be drawn to love and honor and live for Him?

Lord, moment by moment, let there be less of me, more of Thee, to Your glory. (John 3:30)

“Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, ‘Rulers of the people and elders,.. let it be known… that by the name of Jesus Christ, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—this man is standing before you well. Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you… And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. They recognized that they had been with Jesus… They conferred with one another,.. ‘Let us warn them to speak no more in this name.^‘ So they… charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, ‘We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.'” Acts 4:8,10-13,15,17-20

Filled and ignited by the Holy Spirit, Peter addressed the curious, annoyed rulers with biting truth: It was by the name of Jesus, the One they’d crucified, that the lifelong lame beggar had been healed. He’d been raised from the dead. Him they’d rejected. In Him alone was salvation. There was no turning back for these disciples trained and transformed by Jesus. They could not help but proclaim the gospel, show forth God’s wonders, and make disciples. Their all-in devotion expressed itself in faithful obedience that became bold, holy compulsion. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 3:1-8)

While we’re constrained by certain parameters of necessity, we do what we choose to do. Driven by demands, pressures, or desire, mostly we speak and act of our own accord. We say we cannot help habitual reflexes, over-indulgence, usage of certain language, expressions of temper, anger, or weepy emotion. I’m wired this way. I can’t turn off the drive. This is who I am. What if every compulsion were infused with and directed by the Spirit of God?

How might our capabilities be used to spread His good news? How might daily living make an eternal difference? How might the Lord transform our mundane and ordinary into spiritually, everlastingly extraordinary? Would we ask to be filled with His spirit and that He direct our paths? (Proverbs 3:5-6; Ephesians 5:18)

What’s my primary passion? Are my energies directed Godward or self-ward?From what could it be said I cannot be held back, for what message can I not be squelched? (Philippians 1:21-25; Colossians 3:23)

“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.” ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1874)

Lord, define my daily living by attitudes and actions that cannot help but magnify Your gospel and glorify You.

“The serpent… said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?^‘ And the woman said, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees.., but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.^“‘ But the serpent said, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you’ll be like God, knowing good and evil.^‘ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and a delight to the eyes, and to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she gave some to her husband.., and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden… and hid themselves from [his] presence among the trees. But the Lord God called to the man.., ‘Where are you^?’ He said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid.^‘” He said.., ‘Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?^‘ The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.^‘ Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’” Genesis 3:1-13

God had created a magnificent Eden for Adam and Eve, and fashioned their senses to be able to enjoy it in every way. From color to texture to shape, from scent to taste to sound, their garden was a delightful, satisfying home. Until it wasn’t. Until the crafty deceiver cast doubt on God’s goodness and truth. His wily lies tangled Eve’s senses to lose their sensibility. Her questioning led to doubting led to disobeying the Lord God who’d provided her with all she needed. The eternal consequences serve as warning even as they made way for the only avenue to avoid them. (Genesis 3:14-24)

We love our senses and the pleasure they bring. We relish delights of the flesh, indulging in extravaganzas of food, frolic, song, beauty, affection. God fitted humanity with capacity to interact with all aspects of His creation and be fulfilled. But in enjoying worldly enticements, we’re often tempted to upend God’s order and yield to foreign influences that distort pure loves. Ignoring or eschewing consequences, we bite at immediate (vapid) gratification. Untamed senses lead to shame and blame only Jesus can remedy. (Ephesians 1:7)

Where do we intentionally or lazily indulge our flesh? What senses tend to trip us up the most? What entertainment or conversations open the way for corrupting what the Lord’s intended for good? Recognizing areas and situations of weakness, and setting firm direction and boundaries ahead of temptation, help keep senses in check.

What truths and standards of conduct have established a daily mindset and choices? What accountability with a spouse or friend do we maintain? How can we hone our sensibilities?

Lord, help me exercise every sense You’ve given to enjoy and bless Your creation, and so magnify Your excellencies.

“In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, ‘Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry… For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,
    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

“and

“‘Let another take his office.’

“‘So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,  beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.'”

“But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.'” Acts 1:15-17,20-22; 2:14-18

From immediate obedience to Jesus’s call through his weeping at the rooster’s crow, Peter exhibited a lively personality fraught with impetuosity and passion. This fallible man of contrasts, bold proclamations both for and against his Savior, earnestness and honesty, was trained by his Master and transformed by His Spirit. When Pentecost was announced he stepped up to lead, and once it occurred he stepped out to preach and minister in power. His was a life ever growing and being sanctified by a marvelous God and his willing cooperation. (Matthew 4:18-20; 16:15-16,22-23; 26:75; Acts 2:37-41; 3:6-7; 4:8-13)

The Lord has fashioned us with particular personalities and relational proclivities. We perceive the world and its Creator through eyes unique among those around us, and are distinct in the way we interact with challenges and people and assignments. Peter’s passionate untamed zeal called for some extra attention and bridling that resulted in bold and effective ministry that honored his Lord. (Matthew 17:1-8; 26:32-40; Luke 22:31-32)

What do I perceive as my greatest strengths? Do others close to me agree? In what situations can they become a great weakness? Would I ask the Lord to harness them in energy for Him and His purposes? What circumstances in my life is God using to hone the qualities He has given me for service to His kingdom?

Where do I want to be transformed and matured as His servant? How am I practicing my God-given gifts and personalities to develop them and minister to God’s people? How can I encourage and come alongside another to mutually grow in gracious expression and effective practice of His gifting?

Lord, please persist in sanctifying me so I might serve for others’ good and Your glory all my days.