Have you ever given a lot of thought to something you were going to do that would have a serious effect on someone else?

When Jesus selected the twelve apostles he changed their lives forever. Jesus spent all night praying to God before he made the fateful selection. The new apostles were possibly thrilled, ecstatic, and overjoyed. It must’ve been extremely difficult to announce the decision knowing what was going to happen to his closest friends. According to tradition, ten of the apostles were executed. John was exiled to an island for a portion of his life. Judas committed suicide.

The next time you’re facing a fateful decision remember it helps to pray – Jesus did!

Luke 6:12 In those days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called his disciples to himself; and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles. [The Comprehensive New Testament]

Will you stand or fall?

Everyone knows that it’s a good idea to build a house on rock and a bad idea to build a house on sand. Wouldn’t it be an excellent idea to build your house on an indestructible rock? Jesus has the power of an indestructible life. If you want to be indestructible build your life on the words of Jesus.

Hope to see you still standing on the Rock after the turmoil of this world has ceased!

Text citations below from The Comprehensive New Testament

Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. 27 And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Hebrews 7:16 who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of carnal requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.

God has a plan for you!

Peter proved in the garden of Gethsemane that he was courageous against an armed group when he had a sword in his hand. But that wasn’t the type of courage that God planned for Peter. God’s plan was for one of the most courageous men who ever lived to conquer the greatest empire the world has ever known – completely unarmed. According to traditional sources, Peter went to Rome and started the Christian church in that city. Peter had been charged by Jesus to feed the flock of the church and Jesus had indicated to Peter that he would be executed in the future. Peter was known for healing the sick and the church that Peter founded fed the poor in the city of Rome. Peter was eventually executed as Jesus had prophesied by the pagan Roman authorities who thought they could defeat Peter’s efforts by killing him. Eventually, through the popularity of the church’s hospitals and charitable activities including feeding the poor - Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

One unarmed man who followed the plan of God was able to peacefully conquer the Roman Empire. Imagine what God may have planned for you!

Text citations below from The Comprehensive New Testament

John 18:10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?”

John 21:17 ...Peter was grieved because the third time he said to him, “Do you like me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I like you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” 19 This he said to show by what death he would glorify God. And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”

 

The Rapture

Many people are familiar with Jesus' reference to the rapture in the gospels. Did you know that Moses also made a statement about the rapture in the Old Testament?