Friday the 5th

John 1: 40

⁴⁰Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. ⁴¹The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). ⁴²And he brought him to Jesus.   Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter^[j]).

 

I was talking with a friend about yesterday’s scripture that I had selected, and among many things, we talked about how with the Lord in your life anything really is possible, and how Peter met Christ. That got me to thinking (which can be a dangerous thing sometimes) Yes, the Lord uses us to accomplish amazing things in His name, there is no limit to His greatness…..so that begs the question, well why am I not famous, why am I not preaching in front of thousands of people, or why has God not used me in such a way that I can see the impact I have made……..whenever that question is asked I always think of Andrew, or as I and most people remember him……Peter’s brother. While Andrew did go out and accomplish great things after the earthly death of Christ (He brought the gospel to the Ukraine, and is their patron saint for one), the single most important thing he did, and what he is known for in the Bible, he brought his brother Simon to meet Christ. You see, while we all might strive to do great things in our life to advance the kingdom of the Lord, often it is the things we don’t put much thought into that can have the greatest impact. Andrew brought Simon Peter to Christ, something he put no thought into. We would all do the same thing ….but look at the impact it had on Christianity, look at the relationship that developed between Christ, and Peter, without Andrew bringing his brother, things would have been very different. That is the role that many of us play, for some it might be the greatest thing they accomplish…..I could think of worse things to be known for than bringing someone to meet Christ…..So often we miss the opportunity given to us, because we are so focused on what we think we are supposed to be doing. All the while all the Lord really needs us to do is bring our brother. It is the little things, the off the cuff comment, the missed chance to witness, the poor treatment of an unknown person, these things are the missed opportunities for God. You might never be known to the world, that might not be your role, perhaps the single most important thing you do for Christ could be something as simple as raising your children up in the Word. Maybe it is a chance encounter that brings someone to Christ, we just never know what God has placed in our path. That is why it is all important. When you think God is not using you, when you think you have not accomplished anything, when you feel like you are unimportant….think of Andrew. History might not record your name, but know it is etched into the heart of the Lord. You might not think twice about helping someone out, or encouraging someone, or doing any number of things that you do everyday, but take notice of them all, they all matter. It might just be that one little thing is your part to play in this huge production we call life!

 

 

God Bless,

Brian Thetford

The New Covenant Church

www.thenewcovenantchurch.com

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