The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Persuasion (not about the book) (09/01/11)
Reflections from a Tent

Lamp light flickers in the darkness of the night. Pen and parchment are before me. The Holy Spirit at my side, a constant companion since the Master ascended thirty years ago. Ah… what an exhilarating life, from the moment Jesus first spoke, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (1)

“Feed My sheep.” (2) Those gentle words now reverberate in my spirit and compel me to write what will most likely be my last letter. For the Lord Jesus Himself has made clear to me that the laying aside of this earthly dwelling, this tent, is imminent. My own survival is not so important now as I await my heavenly destiny; what burns in my heart is the Christians I will leave behind. I have preached and spoken many words to my brothers and sisters in Christ, but a letter, that has a sense of permanence, a legacy. So I take up my pen with hope that when I depart these things will be called to mind and strengthen the faithful. I pray they will be persuaded to continue on with our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So let me commence.

“Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (3)

There is much I want to share with this young church of our Lord. They must be convinced to become strong and grow in the knowledge of God and the virtues of Christ. I pray earnestly that through these words their faith will be strengthened.

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith, supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self control, and in your self control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, Christian love” (4)

As I continue, I pray, Lord, let these words give them hope and prompt them to persevere even in the midst of Nero’s persecutions.

“…for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble, for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” (5)

Now let me remind them of an important event, that I, along with John and James, were eyewitnesses to the Lord’s Majestic Glory as the Father said, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.”(6) I have trod many miles of dusty paths alongside the Master, witnessed His greatest miracles, heard His gentle voice teaching the riches of His eternal kingdom, and watched as He ascended to the right hand of the Father one glorious day! I know…I know. These things are a permanent part of my spirit. And I must impart what I know to the flock He has entrusted to me.

For there are many false prophets that will come and introduce destructive heresies and the truth will be maligned; many young believers are still so impressionable and easily swayed by such untruths. I pray that my brothers and sisters be reminded and encouraged by the great truths of our faith and this letter serve as
a warning against the exploitations and enticements of false prophets and teachers. Some even ask “Where is the promise of His coming?” I must remind the flock that He is coming again as He promised and not to be coaxed into doubt by such mockers.

Alas, I must finish with haste. I know not my fate from hour to hour, having been condemned for my faith to this Roman prison.

“…beloved…be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall away from your own steadfastness,
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (7)

Dawn is emerging as I pen my last words. A whirling wind extinguishes the candle light. O Holy Spirit, permeate this earth with the fragrance of Christ and infuse it with Your holy persuasion. Now Lord, I am ready to pack up this earthly tent and move on to my heavenly home!






Scripture References from NAS:
(1)Mathew 4:19 (2) John 21:17 (3)2 Peter 1:1
(4)2 Peter 1:5-7 (5)2 Peter 1: 10-11 (6)2 Peter 1:17
(7)2 Peter 3:17-18
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1117 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/09/11
This is an interesting take on the last few moments of Peter.

The scripture references helped me figure out who the MC was, but I wish you had gone more into his character. That's just my personal opinion but I think I might have been tempted to pull out my Bible and read his letters if there had been maybe just one or two scriptures and more about Peter himself.

You did a great job with the "other" definition of persuasion and that must have been quite difficult to capture. I think it's a fresh and intriguing ides. My personal preferences aside, this is a well-written piece with many great messages. Even though I believe I will see Jesus in Heaven, death is still a mystery that scares me and your words soothed those fears.
C D Swanson 
09/09/11
Nice job...This was a powerful message, and very well told. God Bless~
Linda Goergen
09/11/11
Always interesting to see and be reminded of the disciples’ faith and obsession to spread the truth of Christ until the very end. I personally thought your number references within the body of your work, to the scriptures listed below, was not necessary and a bit distracting but beyond that small thing I enjoyed the read!
Tom Parsons
09/12/11
I agree with some of the comments made here. I like this piece, but I would have preferred more about Peter as a man and his situation than merely quoting what the Spirit inspired him to write. Certainly even Peter must have had some apprehension as his death approached. Being beheaded is never something to be fully calm about, even when you know what joy lies beyond death.