PETER TESTIFIES

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Hi all,

Simon-Peter:  Of all the 12 apostles, the all-time favourite is surely this man. All of us have seen in the man the reflection of ourselves. Big, bold, friendly, fearful, passionate, vocal, loud; here was a man who was convinced that the Lord was finished with him. How could the Lord possibly forgive him for denying he knew Him? It was bad enough being told in advance that it was going to happen. Then after the resurrection of Jesus, we observe Jesus’ concern for Peter. Look at what is recorded in Mark’s Gospel. The gospel is said to have been “overseen” by Peter himself. Look at the words. ⁶ The angel said, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid His body. ⁷ Now go and tell His disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there, just as He told you before He died." Mark 16:6-7 NLT Go and tell His Disciples “including Peter”. The Lord knew exactly how Peter was feeling. He knows how you and I are feeling. He cares!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 16 January 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	Peter Testifies
One of the greatest proofs of the existence of God is personal testimony. Provided it is true and not a distortion of the truth, there is nothing that can be said or done to you to negate it. One of my favourite teachers when I was in Bible School was Dr Ken Stewart. I distinctly remember him teaching on the topic of personal testimony. He gave a classic example of what to say when questioned by non-believers. The two words are “I Believe”; very little can be done with such an answer. “You’re an idiot! God doesn’t exist! This is just your imagination! Don’t tell me that some old book is the Word of God!” What can be done against, “I believe!” How can this be changed? It cannot. How can people come against someone who says, “I’ve seen it; I believe it! Few of us understand the power of a personal testimony. In the book of Revelation we read the following: -11 They won the victory over him (Satan) because of the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life so much that they refused to give it up. Rev 12:11 GW Truthful personal testimony is irrefutable. One of the best known personal testimonies today is that of Rev John Newton. “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind but now I see.” He had been the captain of a slave ship. This great hymn is his personal testimony. We all know it. You have a testimony. So have I. I know what I was like before He found me. I know how much He has changed me. It is irrefutable. People may not believe me. But I’m in good company. They didn’t believe Jesus either! 2000 years later the issue is whether by what we do and what we and say, people can see Jesus. The world can smell a hypocrite as soon as they open their mouths. If we behave like the devil, and say we are followers of Jesus, they know it all too quickly. Poor old Peter was caught in this trap. The little lady knew he was a Galilean. But when he opened his mouth it all went down the tubes. I’m not criticising him. It’s true of us all. Never say you love Jesus if you don’t obey Him. The truth is if you don’t obey Him, you don’t love Him! Today’s meditation has been compiled as though Peter is addressing people. He is giving his personal testimony concerning what he had seen and knew of Jesus Christ. There are only two possibilities. It is either a pack of lies or it’s the truth. His audience must decide one way or the other. You cannot be neutral regarding personal testimony. You either believe it or not. The decision is yours. “Choose ye this day”. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			19 "So write down what you have seen. Write about what is happening now and what will happen later. Rev 1:19 NIrV 21 And why? Because it's not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God's Word. 2 Peter 1:21 MSG 3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 NLT 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is really I! Touch me and see. A ghost does not have a body or bones. But you can see that I do." 40 After he said that, he showed them his hands and feet. Luke 24:39-40 NIrV 35 The eyewitness to these things has presented an accurate report. He saw it himself and is telling the truth so that you, also, will believe. John 19:35 MSG 16 We weren't, you know, just wishing on a star when we laid the facts out before you regarding the powerful return of our Master, Jesus Christ. We were there for the preview! We saw it with our own eyes: 2 Peter 1:16 MSG 14 5 That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:2-5 ESV	High upon the mountain, we saw His glory shine! His person was transfigured, with light from the Divine. Three disciples saw it. James and John and me. Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Man from Galilee. Moses and Elijah spoke with Him that day. And then we heard the voice of God! There isn’t any way, That we could be mistaken. We didn’t see a ghost. We saw Him as the Master of the Angelic Host. For three years we were with Him. We heard Him prophesy. We heard Him speak the words of God and later saw Him die. When he was resurrected, we saw His flesh and bone. This isn’t just a fairy tale, concocted on our own. We know what He intended. We know what He revealed. The fellowship we have with Him can never be concealed. And I am an eye witness and I confirm these things! He wasn’t just a phantom that came to pull our strings! He let us see His hands and feet. The nail-prints were still there. He even let us touch Him. For in our deep despair, From knowing what had happened, kept us trembling with fear. And this is what He dealt with the moment He came near. My friends, I am not lying. We know He’s coming soon. For that is what He told us on that wondrous afternoon. And that is why I’m talking and telling you the truth. Indeed it surely happened when John was still a youth. But friends I’m getting older. My days are running short. It’s my responsibility that I give a report, Of all that we experienced. I’ve had it written down, So that you have the record, when I have left this town. I know He is Messiah. We saw it all come true. The many words the prophets spoke; they all came into view. You know I was the leader of the little band of men, Whom Jesus called to be with Him. These words I speak are “gen”. I was just a fisherman. Peter is the name, The Master thought that I should have. I’ll never be the same. Not after being with Him. He gave me life anew. And that is why I’m here today, to tell each one of you, To put your faith in Jesus; and trust Him with your soul. For He knows all about you; and wants to make you whole. Jim Strickland  Written 16th January 2012