Day 4

The very fact that Peter answers this way tells me that he had considered walking away. But nothing appealed or offered what Jesus teaching could. Peter was a real man and considered the opinion of the majority. But he also considered the consequences of following the majority. Many people look to whatever the majority believes. For example, what their peers think or whatever the latest polls indicate; but consider the words of Jesus in describing the end of the majority - Mt 7:1314. If Peter followed the majority in Noah's day, he would have perished in the flood. If he had followed the majority in Joshua's day, he would have perished in the wilderness. Many people today are simply following the majority. What about you? As you consider your options about how closely to follow Jesus, how prevalent is the majority in your thinking?

Day 5
Peter had made the necessary connection between the words of Jesus and Jesus Himself. To receive Christ is to receive His Word. To receive His Word is to receive Him! They are always taken together! Because Peter had placed his faith in Jesus and in His Word, Peter was made the partaker of two great possessions. These two possessions allowed Peter to make an absolute commitment of his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Those two possessions are: 1. Faith - ("we believe") An inward conviction that Jesus is Who He claims to be. 2. Experience - ("and are sure") A changed life, a full heart and a new desire and direction in life are all to potent to be ignored. Have you truly accepted and become partaker of both of these possessions? If not, what is holding you back? The difficulties of His teaching; the absence of His presence; the majority that walks away?

Volume 2

Number 24

ENGAGED
June 12June 18

John 6:68
But Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Day 1
When Jesus talked about giving eternal life to those who ate His flesh and drank His blood, those concepts were so spiritual; some listeners felt Jesus had to be a nut case. Nothing made sense. Some just had to walk away. They liked all of Jesus words about Gods love and tender care for them. They liked Jesus healing of people and feeding thousands, but they could not accept these spiritual words. They didnt want to listen anymore. As they walked away, we read in verses 67-69, Jesus said therefore to the twelve, You do not want to go away also, do you? Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God. And that is our question. Lord, to whom shall we go? Jesus spiritual statements were impossible to understand. Even though Peter could not understand those words, there was plenty else he did understand. All of Jesus miracles, His clear understanding of the Scriptures and daily walk with God, pointed to the fact that He had to be the Holy One of God. Jesus was like what the Old Testament prophesied about. No one else was capable of doing all that Jesus did. No one else was able to be so righteous in everything He did. No one else was able to make such good common sense out of the Scriptures like Jesus did. Almost as if He was the author (haha). But there are times when what we do know outweighs what we cannot figure out. This is such a case. Peter could not figure Jesus out completely but knew enough to remain faithful. Consider your life: are there things that only God can do? Do you trust your own ability or are you completely trusting in His? Begin praying today that God will reveal Himself in your life, in ways that only He can receive credit

Day 2
What were we made for? Whats the greatest thing we can aim for in this life? To know God. What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, contentment, life and happiness, than anything else? Knowledge of God. Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories, glory in this, that he understands and knows me (Jeremiah 9:23-24). One of the greatest truths of the Christian faith is that we can know the living God. Our knowledge of God is not simply limited to knowing something about God, but we can know God personally. The essence of Christianity, and what makes it distinct from Judaism and other religions, is the knowledge of God as our Father. Jesus makes it possible for each of us to personally know God as our Father. To see Jesus is to see what God is like. In Jesus we see the perfect love of God a God who cares intensely and who yearns over men and women, loving them to the point of laying down his life for them upon the Cross. Jesus is the revelation of God a God who loves us completely, unconditionally and perfectly.

Day 3
For me anyway, my feelings on spiritual dryness, borne of periods of doubt, are this: sometimes it might be hard to believe its true; but its impossible to believe its not true. Such is my faith at times. I sometimes find myself in dark places of despair, but even in those times when believing is hard; it is impossible not to believe. Find someone you trust and tell them your difficulties of belief (if any)