The very key to survival in life is allowing the Spirit of God to work, from the inside out. We have enough folk going around well dressed on the outside, but not looking too good on the inside. We need the spirit of God, the Holy Spirit to fill us from the inside out. When God is working from the inside out, there’s something that causes us to want to follow him. We want to be around him, we desire more of him. We might not be able to explain it, we might not even recognize it for what it is, but we just know that something on the inside is moving on the outside.
Jesus told Peter, thou art the rock, and upon this rock I will build my church. Further study of rock, helps us understand the gender inference in the Greek of the word rock. Peter or Petros which means a fragment of stone chipped from the rock-face; the second word is Petra-- the rock itself.
After his connection with Jesus, Simon became Peter which became Petros or fragment of stone chipped from the rock face or whole stone itself. In other words, from the inside out, Peter comes to have rock like character. He begins to grow into the likeness of Christ. He has some flaws, he has some hang-ups.
Just like us, Peter had a ways to go, but at least the spirit of God began working on the inside moving to the outside.
Just like us, Peter, was hot-hearted and hot-headed. Didn’t think before he spoke, told people exactly what he thought without thinking about it. He didn’t understand that even though he was hanging out with Jesus, he wasn’t holding on to Jesus.
Just like us, Peter was impetuous.
Just like us, Peter was impatient.
Just like us, Peter doubted.
Just like us, Peter denied.
Just like us Peter, got another chance.
Every encounter with Jesus, is another opportunity to allow the spirit of God to work from the inside out.
Just like Peter, some of us are having encounters with Jesus, so that his spirit can work from the inside out.
The bible tells us in luke 5, after fishing all night, Peter and the other fishermen hadn’t caught anything.
They had come in to shore, and were cleaning their nets.
Jesus said, now I want you to go out into the deep and let down your nets, and you will catch many fish.
Peter, just like us, said “but master, we worked hard all night, and didn’t catch a thing, but if you say so, we’ll try again.
The bible says that they did like the Lord said do. And this time, their nets were so full they began to tear. Their nets were so full they had to shout for help from their partners in the other boat. When Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said,
Oh Lord, please leave me- I’m too much of a sinner to be around you. But Jesus said to Simon, don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people.
Jesus held on to Peter.
Peter denied him, Jesus held on.
Peter doubted on the stormy sea, Jesus held on.
Jesus is holding on to you and me.
He desires to fill us with his Spirit and watch the change from the inside out.
Scripture of the Day: "In the last days, God said, I will pour out my spirit upon all people. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.” - Acts 2:17
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