Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

When Jesus called Peter, the first thing he did was to give him a new name. Jesus said you will be called Cephas which means the rock (St. John 1:42). Now throughout the ages many churches have taken this to mean that Peter is the corner stone on which the church was built. Although he became the spokesperson for the disciples, in his writings, Peter himself tells us that the chief corner stone was in fact Jesus, who was rejected at first but became the head of the corner and upon who the whole of the body [the church] is built (1Peter 2:4-8).

In essence Peter is very much like a typical human being. He works hard, enjoys life and wants the best for his family. His life and ambitions are transformed by his introduction to Jesus by his younger brother Andrew. After this introduction we hear very little about the life and times of Andrew, but the pages of scripture are replete with reference to Peter and his faith and failings.

All of us want to be like Peter. We want to walk on water, speak the word of faith to a physically challenged man and see his life transformed. Preach to a crowd and see thousands come to faith. But we seldom remember that this same Peter was the one who, when confronted about his teacher, lied and swore and then ran away. This was the same guy who went back to doing what he knew best when his world came crashing down with the death of Jesus (St John 21). However we shall see as we dig deeper that this great man of faith had to overcome his fears to fulfil the purposes for which God had called him.

Today you too can overcome your fears and live above your failings so that you can do what God has called you to do.

Read 1Peter 2