Simon (Jesus named him Peter) and Andrew, Peter's brother; James and John, Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew, Thomas, James (the son of Alphaeus), and Simon (called the Zealot), Judas (the son of James) and Judas Iscariot. This Judas was the one that gave Jesus to his enemies. (ERV)
Full Text
Key Thought
So often we forget that our Bible heroes were real people. They had names, but like many of us, their friends gave them nicknames. They had personal histories; so like many of us, their names are associated with those histories. They came from families, and some of them were known by their relationship with their parent or sibling. Unfortunately, one of them lived in such a way to forever stain his name. Who we are is based upon our idiosyncrasies, our heritage, and choices. The wonderful thing about Jesus, however, is that who we become does not have to be forever tied to those things. Jesus can take the good in our past and make us far better. Jesus can take the bad in our past and make us new and use those failures to be the beginning point of ministry. So before we place the apostles on a pedestal, let's remember that they were ordinary guys whose lives were changed by Jesus. If he can do that with them, he can surely do that with us!
Today's Prayer
Heavenly Father, the God who created me in my mother's womb, please continue your work of creation in me as I yield my heart to the leading of your Spirit. Don't leave me where I am, but make me into a vessel fit for service in your Kingdom and in honor to my King. In the name of Jesus, your royal Son and my King, I pray. Amen.
From this time on we don't think of any person like the world thinks of people. It is true that in the past we thought of Christ like the world thinks. But we don't think that way now. If any person is in Christ, then that person is made new. The old things have gone; everything is made new! All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between us and himself. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace {to tell people}. So we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is like God is calling to people through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God. Christ had no sin. But God made him become sin. God did this for us, so that in Christ we could become right with God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (ERV)
I thank God every time I remember you. And I always pray for all of you with joy. I thank God for the help you gave me while I told people the Good News. You helped from the first day you believed until now. God began doing good things with you. And God is continuing that work in you. God will finish that work in you when Jesus Christ comes again. I am sure of that. Philippians 1:3-6 (ERV)
At one time all these things were important to me. But I decided that those things are worth nothing because of Christ. Not only those things, but now I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Christ, I lost all those things {I thought were important}. And now I know that all those things are worthless trash. This allows me to have Christ. It allows me to be in Christ. In Christ I am right with God, and this being right does not come from my following the law. It comes from God through faith. God uses my faith in Christ to make me right with him. Philippians 3:7-9 (ERV)
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