Simon the fisherman was reckless, vacillating, and often thoughtless.  His friends could probably think of some apt nicknames for him, but I doubt any of them came close to what Jesus called him: Peter, which means ‘Rock.’  What greater evidence could there be that Jesus accepted Simon as he was but also had a vision for the man he’d become?  And what an amazing transformation took place in that burly fisherman!

Most men can readily identify with Simon Peter.  His intentions were usually good, but he was impetuous in speech and impulsive in action.  When Jesus revealed that His divine mission would involve a painful death, Peter rashly told Jesus to stop talking that way.  At the last supper he brazenly objected to Jesus washing his feet.  When Jesus was arrested, he cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant.  And we all know how he denied knowing Jesus three times. [Read more…]

Never underestimate the power of the familiar. It has kept countless people from change, even when change would save their lives. The familiar may be unhealthy, but at least we know it. We relate to it. And we’re all too prone to cling to familiar territory.

When that familiar territory is sexual activity, it becomes perversely dear to us. Even though we admit it’s wrong, we also come to see it as an old friend. It’s reliable, and it works. It eases our pain and temporarily satisfies us. To repent of habitual sexual behavior is like abandoning a trustworthy buddy.

Compare this to drug addiction. A person doesn’t just fall into it. Somewhere along the line they discover satisfaction through a chemical. It temporarily eases pain, helps them forget troubles, and provides comfort. It is an anesthetic, deadening anxieties like a nurturing parent. Of course there are other ways to deal with problems, but the drug is familiar and has a good track record. Why give up something that works?

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Even men who don’t want to be like their fathers often turn out to be amazingly similar in their behaviors and personalities.  Through the power of God and hard personal choices, however, it’s possible to break out of an ongoing spiral of sin and dysfunction.

Take Josiah, for example.  Josiah was a young king who chose to stand against a virtual tidal wave of disobedience fostered by his grandfather, Manasseh, and his father, Amon.  Breaking from this downward spiral was particularly difficult since Josiah had little knowledge to guide his actions.  The Scriptures containing God’s laws had been lost for years.  But when the high priest discovered the Book of the Law in the Temple, young Josiah immediately initiated spiritual renewal for himself and his people. [Read more…]

When you experience unfairness in life, the examples of the prophet Daniel and his three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will give you encouragement and direction. Despite their lives of obedience, Daniel and his friends weren’t protected from God’s judgment on their nation, Judah. Innocence doesn’t automatically protect you from tragedy. But you do have the assurance that God is concerned about what you’re doing, and He will honor your faithfulness and obedience.

Daniel and his friends sought to live according to God’s plan, but they found that others opposed their efforts. This led initially to great danger, but ultimately a great victory. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had to walk through a fiery furnace because they obeyed God. Only the ropes that bound them were burned by the fire. [Read more…]

Innocent bystanders often get hurt by the mistakes and poor decisions of others.  Disasters happen that haunt us for life even though we have no direct responsibility for the events that take place.  Often the best way to handle these things is to accept them and to make the best of the situation.

Daniel and his friends were innocent bystanders.  They suffered a lifelong exile to Babylon because of their country’s prolonged disobedience to God.   But they didn’t let their misfortune destroy their relationship with God.  With courage and faith, they faced the realities of exile and lived successful lives.  Their lives offer us insight into how to deal with tragedy.

After being taken from Jerusalem to Babylon, Daniel and his three friends were trained for service in the Babylonian government.  Their captors often demanded that they do things that stood in opposition to God.  To protect their relationship with God, Daniel and his friends set clear boundaries for their behavior.  They followed God’s plan for their lives, despite its conflict with the command of their captors.  And God protected these faithful men from the foreign laws and unstable tyrants they lived under.

Although Daniel and his friends were exiled to Babylon for the sins of their ancestors, they didn’t use that as an excuse for continued failure.  Instead, they trusted God to redeem their lives, and they were determined to live according to God’s precepts and teachings. You can do the same.