Peter may have messed up more times than any other disciple, but he was also the most precocious follower of Jesus by any measure. As a fisherman, he knew something about fishing, but he learned the hard way how to be a fisher of men, just like the rest of Jesus' band of men. But, before it was over, Peter would demonstrate himself to be the most mature and respected disciple. We know this because he led the church at Jerusalem, the spiritual center of those calling themselves a Christian. Having failed Jesus more than once, he was now regarded as the highest authority among the disciples.

Few within the church doubted Peter's call to the ministry, for the Lord himself confirmed it on many occasions. But for those on the outside, all those who served "different" gods felt their diety was as real as this Jehovah of whom Peter and the others preached. Isn't it the same today? It doesn't matter what any one else thinks, even when a person's faith is in a clay statue, they can find faith to believe they are one of God's chosen people. They sternly resist the appeal of others, regardless of their credentials, to rethink their devotion to what is obviously nothing more than a man-made object of worship.

Peter's words should be an encouragement to Christians of all ages. No matter where you came from and how messed up your life has been to this point, faith in Jesus Christ makes you a part of the family of God. You're one of God's people, redeemed and forgiven, standing out and above all others who pledge allegiance to anyone or anything but Jehovah God.

This is a week we in the United States, celebrate with thanksgiving how God has blessed us as a nation and as a people. Citizens of this nation are not people of God by nature but have been blessed by God because of the faith and sacrifice of the earliest pilgrims and the people of God who followed. As Christian missionaries, the pilgrims came to America to find freedom to practice religion without persecution from the government. When they arrived, they preached wherever they went.

If you are a citizen of the US but not a Christian, you should thank God for blessings you enjoy that were actually directed at His people. If you really want to be blessed however, you'll bow before the Creator and confess faith in Jesus Christ. "For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." Col 1:16

Jesus should be the only object of this and any thanksgiving season.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Ez. 45:13-46:24 1 Pt. 1:14-2:10 Ps. 119:36-52 Pr. 28:11 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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