March #jammed: Grace Revealed.

Day 87: It’s fresh.

“ A man came, sent from God, whose name was John.” John 1:6

“Mom, can I have a mint?” My daughter held out her hand expectantly, trusting I had some peppermints stashed away as I always do. Did you know peppermint can ease a sour stomach and calm heartburn just as efficiently as it disguises  coffee breath? Heaven forbid anyone every catch a whiff of that …what ever would they think?

“You are not responsible for your reputation anyway. God is!” Joyce Meyers, The Approval Fix.

What people think of us has very little to do with what we do, and everything to do with who we are. God already knows us, and todays verses from the Gospel of John tell a story of expected friendship. Starting with John the Baptist. “Sent from God.” And, oh, was he. On a mission, and extremely odd, but he obediently did his job.

“Again the next day John was standing there with two of his disciples. Gazing at Jesus as he walked by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ” John 1:35-37

“John’s two disciples followed Jesus.” John, in fulfilling his calling from God, lit the spark of these two …

“Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is translated Christ).  Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. John 1:40-41

Imagine the scene. Andrew came running in to share his discovery with his brother. That alone tells us that they were not only brothers, but friends. He told him first. He “found” him, and then “brought” him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, the son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).” John 1:42

Do you think Peter was doubting already? In what may be a little foreshadowing to the rooster incident, before Peter even says a word, Jesus calls him by name. Nips his doubt in the butt first things first. Jesus knows every one of us before we walk this earth. He knows our tendencies and faults, and lovingly …and I believe quite often sarcastically …puts His arm around our aloof stubbornness and embraces us fully. What a breath of fresh air, Jesus is. 

Father, Praise You for Peter, and the lessons we learn from his life. Thank You for Jesus, and the kind and comforting way He guides us along without seeking to change the uniqueness You knit in us. Forgive us for doubting, for like Peter, we do it all the time. Bless us with strong hearts and strong faith that seek You everyday. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace! 

#greatgrace17

Happy Breath freshening,

Megs

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