John

If It Is Of God, You Will Not Stop It

If It Is Of God, You Will Not Stop It

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Have you ever felt as if God has directed you to do something … but the world around you is standing against you? Has that kind of opposition ever discouraged you from doing what you know God has directed you to do?

Jesus encountered opposition at almost every turn throughout the three years of His earthly ministry, as did His disciples. It should therefore come as no surprise that the same will be true for us. So, what do we do when we encounter that opposition? It would be good for us to take a reminder from Peter and John.

In the days following Pentecost, Peter and John (as well as the other apostles) boldly proclaimed the Good News of Jesus. Many who heard came to faith, but many more rejected the Good News. Most notable in their rejection was the religious establishment. They, in turn, did everything they could to dissuade the apostles. They threatened them – and when that didn’t work, they arrested, imprisoned and flogged them. But still, Peter and John would not be put off….

In the Shadow of Peter

In the Shadow of Peter

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Whose shadow did you grow up under? Was it an older sibling? Was it a parent? Was it someone you looked up to and hoped to reflect? Everyone has been touched by someone’s shadow at some point in their life … even the brightest stars! And each of us casts a shadow of our own. A question to consider is what kind of shadow are we casting? There was one apostle of Jesus who grew up under the immense shadow of another but still learned how to cast his own – and it was pretty impressive.

Andrew was significantly younger than his brother, Simon. Together, they had grown up in Bethsaida on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. Andrew had always lived his life in the shadow of his big brother. He was often referred to as Andrew, the brother of Simon. But that fact never seemed to bother him. He loved, respected and looked up to his brother.

Zebedee - The Fisherman

Zebedee - The Fisherman

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NOTE: Did you ever feel like God was at work in everyone’s life … except yours? Did it ever seem to you that everyone around you was being called to new and exciting opportunities … but somehow you were being left behind? Or, if you are a parent, have you ever had to release your family to the Lord, entrusting them to His care, as they embarked on a journey that would lead them away from you?

If so, you can relate to Zebedee. This week’s post is another one of my fictional eyewitness accounts. i pray Zebedee’s story speaks to those same feelings in your own life.

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My name is Zebedee, and I grew up here in Bethsaida along the Sea of Galilee. I believe that even a bad day on my fishing boat is better than any day on dry land – but don’t tell my wife! Though, truth be told, she knows me better than I know myself. Salome (not to be confused with Mary’s childhood friend who has the same name) and I have now been married for thirty-three years. Though she grew up as a merchant’s daughter, she quickly learned what it was like to be a fisherman’s wife, and she never complained. I am a truly blessed man because of her….