Today's Devotion Tuesday, June 24, 2003 "He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?" (Matthew 16:15) Today's Thought Think about it . . . who do YOU say that He is? Simon Peter had the perfect answer . . . one that had been revealed to him by the Father in heaven . . . the only TRUE answer. In these last days we're hearing more and more about God and religion. People everywhere are searching for inner peace . . . but, unfortunately, many (if not most) are seeking on their own terms, creating a "god" that fits their personal mold and their individual lifestyle, meeting their immediate need for "peace". They say all the right things, the use the correct terminology, and they even appear religious and morally correct, but they fail to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. As Christians, we recognize these individuals and feel sorry for them because they have been caught in a delusion. But, all too often we are found guilty of doing much the same things that we accuse them of doing, but in a much more subtle way. We hide our secret sins, we make excuses for our behavior, we justify our unholy lifestyles, and the list goes on. We need to make a decision. We cannot serve Him half-way; we cannot live a pseudo-Christian lifestyle. The question that Jesus posed to Simon Peter is the same question He is asking us today . . . "Who do you say that I am?" Of course, we will answer "correctly" . . . but does our lifestyle bear witness to our confession? Take some time today and ask God to reveal areas where you have not allowed Him to have full control . . . surrender to Him completely! Only then will you be able to answer the question as Simon Peter did without hesitation . . . "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God". Remember, He's either Lord of all, or He's not Lord at all! Today's Prayer Father, there are indeed areas of my life that have not been totally surrendered to you. I have truly fallen short of Your glory. I want so much to be wholly Yours . . . totally and completely! I want to be able to declare You as Lord of my WHOLE life. I want to please You in all I do, all I say, in my lifestyle, in my behavior and attitudes. Help me, Father, to totally surrender to You so You will be glorified in my life today and every day! Lord, I love You and I want You more than anything! Amen! Have a blessed day! Jan Ross jan@... "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17) ~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~ "Sha'alu Shalom Yerushalayim" (Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem) Psalm 122:6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----