Hi again! I sure hope you're doing well today. Did you read yesterday's discussion? What an awesome thing it is to be able to look at Jesus and KNOW that He's someone we can trust completely to follow. If you don't already KNOW that... just follow. One step at a time and you'll see. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Have you spent time in prayer today? If not... please go ahead and do it. Let's make sure that [Jesus is leading] our study today!

Let's dive back into the fish-scented morning on which Peter first came face to face with His Savior. Please read John 1:42. We're going to start with a few simple words again today. “Jesus looked at him.” Another version says “Jesus looked intently at Peter.” John's record uses the Greek word (emblepo) which describes “a piercing gaze that looks a person through and through.” So. Is that a good thought to you... or not?

Why is it so hard sometimes to make each of our steps follow the only One we declare to be entirely trustworthy? How was Peter able to simply lay down his life's work and follow? [How can we claim a word like “RESOLVED”... and mean it?] Whether we like it or not, and whether we acknowledge it or not... yes. Jesus sees right into our deepest parts. Good and bad. All of it. But His mind, His ways, and His thoughts are higher than ours! Thank goodness!!! Why is that we allow our determination of Jesus lie in our estimation of ourselves? He sees far beyond. Jesus didn't just stop and look at one thing about Simon. He saw all of Him. He saw beyond today. He looked deeper than the past. He saw who Simon would become. Will you choose to base your steps on YOUR perspective... or His?

Here are two things you need to see today:

Jesus said “Come. [Follow me.] And I WILL make you fishers of men.” He revealed a plan that was yet to unfold. Sure. He knew Peter had no idea where to begin at the moment. Jesus was more than ok with that. He knew more about Peter than Peter knew about Himself.

“Your name is Simon. But you will be Peter...”

Jesus didn't say... you're Simon... but you should be...

He didn't say right now I expect you to be....

He said right now. You are Simon. FOLLOW ME.

Do you know what else I find amazing? Simon didn't actually become Peter... until after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus walked, talked, laughed, and was the closest of friends... with SIMON. And through this friendship.. through a journey of Simon single-mindedly following Jesus...Simon became Peter.

Who are you today? Who were you before? And where are you going today?

(Follow!!! Say... I'm going to Follow!!! :)

Check this out....

Luke 22:61 is a striking verse. Simon had just denied his dearest friend for the third time. Verse 61 says “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” The word for [looked] is the SAME word form used when Jesus looked at Peter for the first time. Was this a look of condemnation? I don't think so. The love of Jesus wasn't based on the love He received. You see... Jesus was resolved. He was resolved out of His great love for Simon... and He would lead His scared, wavering friend through as He had done before. Jesus already knew Simon was going to deny Him... they'd already discussed it! Jesus already knew who Simon would soon be. He was looking through the human nature... and saying “follow me.” Maybe... just maybe... The Savior was remembering the first moment that He saw His fisherman friend and say, “You are Simon... but you will be called Peter.” Forgiveness. Love. Purpose. And Leading. “Come. Follow me.”

So. How can we claim a word like resolved and focus it on our relationship with Jesus? The beginning is understanding that He sees you... He loves you through and through... and His resolve is set... on you. Maybe we aren't strong enough to be entirely Resolved and never waver. Maybe it's the love and Resolve of Jesus Himself... that leads us to the prize in the first place.

For Today: Please read Psalm 16 and Hebrews 12:1-3

For Discussion: What are some of the ways you have been a witness to the [RESOLVE] of Jesus? Through Scripture, testimony, and personal experience. We were privileged to read some of these yesterday... what a blessing! I'm LOVING this chance to get to know you... and our Savior more this way! Have a wonderful day!