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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Wednesday, July 23, 2003 "Stone By Stone" |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, July 23, 2003 by Penny Risen
Grinning, sunburned, eager, with a gaze that -- for a teenager -- passed for spiritually renewed.
Torn, muddy, grimy -- jeans and t-shirts caked with some indescribable black goo.
A study in contrasts: My son and his clothes after his weeklong mission trip.
"I was breaking down old walls!" he replied to my puzzled looks at his laundry.
"Got to break them down before you build them up."
He and dozens of other teens had hammered, sawed, painted, tarred, busted up and reconstructed, side by side with adults who were bona fide master craftsmen. After days "rehabbing" houses for those less fortunate, the kids ate, laughed, rested and simply hung out -- with some evening devotions and prayer thrown in. The young man testified it indeed was "an awesome week." Proud of the results, he had the snapshots and calluses to prove it.
One of my strong son's jobs literally was to break down a foundation, stone by stone, then rebuild it even stronger. Doesn't each of us have to do this every day?
We need to recharge ourselves, rebuild self-esteem and confidence we've lost over the past 24 hours. We've made mistakes, betrayed trusts, said or done the wrong things: Sinned. And if we're fortunate enough to know God, we make an effort to rebuild ourselves spiritually with His help.
Peter, whose bold declaration of faith in Acts 4 sets the tone for Christ's new church on Earth, was building a ministry as well as rebuilding himself. In a few short years, this impulsive, energetic fisherman chosen by Jesus had turned from a follower into a man on a mission.
Jesus had taken measure of this man and found him worthy. Peter just had to prove it to himself.
His story as a disciple -- and a work in progress -- is an amazing one:
Peter was the one who saw Jesus walking on water during a storm and tried to join Him. But his faith wavered and Jesus had to pull him to safety.
Peter was the one Jesus called the "rock" on which He would build His church.
Peter was an awestruck witness to His transfiguration, when Jesus was called "The Beloved" from On High.
Peter was shouted down by Jesus: "Get behind me, Satan!" He'd suggested that Jesus be spared the sacrifice of suffering, death and resurrection for our salvation.
Peter was the one who angrily cut off a slave's ear with a sword during Jesus' capture in Gethsemane. He was rebuked by Jesus for his violent outburst.
During his master's persecution, Peter was the one who denied three times knowing Jesus. He cowered from his accusers, wept bitterly, and witnessed Jesus' crucifixion with anguish.
But it was God's divine plan to break it down in order to build it up.
This valued, very human missionary learned much:
The new Peter -- now Jesus had risen -- delivered a remarkable sermon on Pentecost after being filled with the Holy Spirit. He later converted the first Gentile to show God's impartiality.
The new Peter healed a cripple at the temple gate (Acts 3), and boldly declared to the elders it was by the power of Jesus Christ -- the capstone -- that this new foundation would stand.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, we need Your help to rebuild our lives stone by stone. When we are down, reach out to us like You did to Peter. Our mission is in Your hands, Your will be done. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry. Pastor Dave welcomes and appreciates feedback. pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org.