Oak Grove Baptist Church

From The Heart 

by Brother Kyle

John 1:41 “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah.’”

When he was born, his parents gave him the common name: Simon. In Hebrew, his name means “hearing” or “listening.”

In the Greek, Simon meant “flat-nosed.”

Simon grew up to be a fisherman, but also was an impulsive man.

He was as one would say, “he acted or spoke before he thought.”

He often spoke carelessly before he thought about the impact of his words would have upon people.

But when Jesus met Simon, Simon left his fishing nets to follow Jesus and became a fisher of men.

Jesus saw potential in Simon for the kingdom. Old Flat Nose became Peter the rock. Peter became the spokesman for the disciples.

Coming to Jesus not only changed Simon to Peter, but it gave him a new direction for his life. Peter was one of the first disciples to affirm that Jesus was the Son of God.

We begin a new year with anticipation of what will happen. Some good and some bad, but we can determine with the Lord’s guidance how we will live our lives. We have been called to live for Jesus and to share Jesus with everyone we encounter.

I pray that the Lord would make you a stronger witness to each individual you encounter this year. I pray that your love and knowledge of the Lord would deepen through prayer, bible study, and service.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26.