Called in our Weakness (Matthew 5:10)

At our meeting for August, Minister Cheryl Pumphrey spoke a timely message on persecution by using examples from Peter and Paul.  The scripture references are:  Acts 9:1-20, Psalms 30, Rev. 5:11-14 and John 21:1-19.  The thoughts that spoke to my heart were the statement about Peter falling on his knees and saying to Jesus, "Go away.  I am a sinful man".  I am sure I have felt like saying this many times but God is so merciful that He looks beyond my faults and sees  my need.  As Peter met Jesus after His resurrection over a charcoal fire, He remembered another charcoal fire where he denied Jesus three times.  Jesus called him back three times at this charcoal fire telling Peter to "feed my sheep".  He did not call Peter or Paul because they were pure but because of who HE is!  WE are to proclaim the good news of God.  We can't boast of our success but only boast of our weakness and the strength of Jesus Christ.  God used Peter the Denier and Paul the Persecutor and He can use you and me.     Thank you Cheryl for such a thougtht provoking message.   

More on the Beatitudes

We have been to the prison every month since March when I posted last time but I have failed to post these lessons individually.  We will go back in August and I plan to start each month again.  In the meantime, I will summarize the last few months.  In April, we discussed Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled."  Cheryl Pumphrey discussed this verse and made me want so much more of God in my life.   In May there was a discussion of Matthew 5:7 by Renee Nichols.  "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy."  I definitely need mercy in my life so I want to be sure I show mercy to the people I meet.   Cheryl taught in June about Matthew 5:8,  "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."  I was challenged to examine my motives in what I do to make sure I have a pure heart.   Jacque Phillips talked about Matthew 5: 9 in July.  "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God."  What a previledge to be called a "son" or "daughter" of God.  I so much want to be a peacemaker and never stir up strife.