JAMES 2:1-9

My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person with shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Sit here, please," while you say to the poor one, "Stand there," or "Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom that he promised to those who love him? But you dishonored the poor. Are not the rich oppressing you? And do they themselves not haul you off to court? Is it not they who blaspheme the noble name that was invoked over you? However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

MARK 8:27-33

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets." And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply, "You are the Christ." Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

Today, Peter professed, “You are the Christ.” It is profession not taught by man because man by himself cannot reach this realization. His reply sets him apart from the rest of the apostles, because he confessed Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God.

Crowds that were following Christ could not grasp his identity. Many followed him to be healed, to be fed, a would-be king who will solve the problem of oppression. Just as the disciples were confronted with this question, we, too, are asked to give an answer.

How do we perceive Christ? He can be a friend, healer, provider and many more. Can we confess Jesus Christ as Messiah and the Son of God personally? Have we experienced being freed from a powerful grip that we cannot overcome? Have we experienced the forgiveness of sins and his continued love for us no matter how grave was our sin? Search for this Christ so that we, too, shall be blessed like Peter.

View: Prayer Requests

Back to Top

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

Best Viewed with Internet Explorer on 800 x 600 Resolution