Purpose! Newsletter - August 2025

1Peter 1:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

I set out to share concerning this writing from Peter the Apostle, but as I pondered that idea I looked closer at the beginning of this epistle and considered just the first word. It is the name of the author, and I felt I could not go forward unless I gave a little historical context concerning this very enigmatic man. Familiar as I am with his beginnings in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I mentally traced his progress to this point where he has become a communicator with the church at large and I saw the powerful work of God in a man, once a rough fisherman, to now an elder apostle taking the time to write this letter to the church, that the one he had walked with in person for three years, had built as He had promised. And it was upon the confession of Peter that he did so.

Now to clarify, Peter is not the first Pope. In contradiction to the recently named pope, who is claimed to be Peter’s successor, there is no Biblical basis for this teaching after Peter, nor does he himself allude to that in his writings. As a matter of fact the only one he refers to as being a leader in the church is the Apostle Paul, speaking of his deep wisdom and writings, in 2 Peter 3:15,16. And he definitively does not speak of a line of succession nor of any office that might be construed as the later established popery of the Roman Catholic church. Peter is simply but importantly, an Apostle of Jesus Christ.

Let us consider the lesson now.

Peter is prolifically mentioned throughout the Gospels most so in John where his name shows up 32 times. In Matthew he is mentioned 23 times, he appears 19 times in Mark, and in Like 20 times. Besides that he is also called Simon in a few other scriptures. Needless to say he plays a significant part in the ministry of Jesus. Whenever other of the disciples are listed with him, he is always named first. Pretty important guy I would say. To learn a little more about the Apostle we are going to look at a couple of his honorable mentions and listen to him speak. Our words reveal a great deal about us.

Let us look at the first audible spoken by Peter in the first Gospel, that of Matthew.

²⁶ And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

²⁷ But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

²⁸ And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

²⁹ And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

³⁰ But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Matthew 14:26-30.

In this one account we hear Peter twice.

Initially it sounds like a word of faith. Peter believes he can walk upon the water like Jesus. No not really. If it be you, is a word of doubt. Jesus has already declared it is he. Peter’s doubtful heart is about to be revealed. Peter seems bold to step out of the boat. He seemingly climbs out in full confidence that it is Jesus who has granted him his wish. He is on his way to Jesus.

But when he saw. Later Paul would unveil the secret of success in approaching Jesus. For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor. 5:7).  Peter’s sight diminished his faith.

Henry Ford said, Obstacles are what you see when you lose sight of the goal. In like manner fear is what you feel when you take your eyes off of Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 tells us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. The boisterous winds of life must not cancel the faith that buoys us up in our walk with Jesus. Stay focused friend. And even if your faith falters you have the fallback of calling on the Lord. Lord, save me. ³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him. You are going to make it through the storm.

But Peter learned something about himself that day. Jesus unveiled his heart.

As Jesus caught Peter he said to him: O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? V.31b.

Time to self-assess. How is your faith in Jesus? Have we precipitously stepped out of the boat only to become afraid and begin to sink? Don’t drown in your little faith and doubt. Call unto Jesus. As the song writer said, Ask the Savior to help you, and he will carry you through.

³² And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

And then develop your faith for future needs.

Surprisingly, Jesus deals with Peter’s faith even until the end. Let us read another episode in Luke 22.

³¹ And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

³² But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

³³ And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

³⁴ And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

In an almost parenthetical insert in Jesus’ last gathering with his disciples, also known as the Last Supper, Jesus directs his attention to Peter and addresses a final failure of faith.

Jesus speaks a prophetic word to Peter. Satan has targeted you Peter. I have prayed for you that amid the attack your faith prevails and you will recover. Boldly again Peter declares his to death allegiance to Jesus. Jesus reveals the nature of the Satanic attack and the certainty of Peter’s failure. Three times Peter, you will deny me. And Peter did as Jesus said he would do. He faltered in faith and spoke as a man of no faith in the Lord. He denied knowing Jesus three times in one fear-filled night. As at the boat episode he allowed fear to rule; fear of the mob about to crucify his Lord, fear for his own life. Once again he fell prey to fear.

Beware of fear. It will cause you to fail. It will blind you to the power of God. It will cause you to doubt the truth that you know. It will torment you in the night and disrupt your peace in the light of day. You will indeed see obstacles in the way. You will think of death and not healing. Fear is a hard taskmaster.

³² But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Yes, Peter would fail, but Jesus also spoke of a recovery. A recovery so perfect he would be able to help others.

And that is what Peter is doing with his pen as we read in his first epistle. No longer the faltering one, Peter is now able to call himself an apostle of Jesus Christ. He had indeed been converted. Hallelujah, We too can be converted from wimps to wonders. I know.

After one of the most devastating times of my life I moved to a place called Champions Gate. The entrance to that area is a sign that stretches over the road that says boldly Champions Gate. Driving under that gateway as I was moving there I heard God say, I will make a champion out of you here. I lived there seven years and when I came out I was a winner again. And I had Shirley by my side. More than a conqueror.

I speak of what I know. God will turn things and you around in a way that no one could imagine. He’ll do it again. What he’s done for others he will do for you.

The recipients of Peter’s letter are a persecuted bunch. Dispatched from their homeland by the Jesus haters. They have been displaced to five different regions because of their faith in Christ. Acts 8:3,4 says:

³ As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

⁴ Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.

Peter addresses them as the strangers, or foreigners, scattered throughout the area known today as Turkey. These folks needed a word from someone who knew what he was talking about. A man called Peter. -PJF-

And now a word from Pastor Shirley…

 How I Dress Matters

How we dress for church, work, school, and social functions have changed over the years. People are moving more and more to the “casual” side of things… perhaps even more casual than they ought.

We have been to churches where it looked as if people rolled out of bed and did not bother to change their clothes or brush their hair. We went to visit a church and the greeter was wearing wrinkled clothes and flipflops, holding a big gulp.

I have seen the same attire for people in their place of employment as well as social gatherings. The saying, “the clothes don’t make the man” has taken on new meaning.

Are we supposed to wear suits and ties, long dresses with matching hats and gloves everywhere we go? No.

Romans 12:1, ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

Presentation is everything. What you wear on the outside represents what has taken place and what is taking place on the inside. Every detail of your life, including what you put on your body, is to be holy and acceptable unto God. A bedridden ensemble displays a defeated and uncaring disposition. Not one of peace, joy, and victory that the love of God brings. -SAF-

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Go Thy Way

Sometime ago I did a daily devotional on the book of Daniel. It was eye opening and very informative. I read the last chapter and one verse stood out to me. It was not uncommon for Daniel to have a dream or a vision. It was not uncommon for him to have a supernatural encounter to make those dreams and visions clear to him. So many prophecies are made known, it seems like a never-ending flow.

Then in chapter 12, Daniel was told to seal the book. Things are beginning to wind down as Daniel sees one more thing. Daniel sees this vision and hears the words that are being said, but he does not understand. He asks for an explanation, but he gets this response instead, “And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Daniel 12:9

This is what stood out to me: when it is closed, it is closed. Most times I can accept things as it is and move along. Then there are times when I am beyond nosy and I want to know everything. I want to know who, what, when, where, how, the time, place, and everything in between. The Lord is gracious and he lets me know what I need to know, when I need to know it. The times that I push I get, “move along, you have what you need for now.” God wants us to trust him in all things, especially when we do not know the answers. We have what we need to know and the rest will be revealed when God is ready to reveal it. Go thy way. -SAF-

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On July 1, 2025, Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart went to his eternal reward. I was deeply saddened by the news but also grateful that I had been exposed to his powerful ministry many years ago and had continued to enjoy his ministry even until now.

I first heard Brother Swaggart in the early ‘70s while I was attending Miami Bible Institute, Miami FL. I worked at a Southern Bell Telephone Company office and at lunch I would go to a nearby park, sit in my car under a tree, eat my sandwich, and turn to a Christian Radio Station that broadcast the  daily Campmeeting Hour program with Brother Swaggart singing and teaching.

Having been raised in Pentecost and preparing for ministry in an Assembly of God School I was aware of the work of the Holy Spirit and the anointing. But it was brother Swaggart that brought this to life for me and made me desire the presence of the Lord in my ministry. His emphasis on the anointing, and the reality of it in his music and preaching, produced a desire for that, for I saw and felt the difference in his life. I sought the Lord more earnestly for the work of the Holy Spirit in my own life and ministry. Brother Swaggart’s Pentecostal emphasis drew me in and I wanted that. I believe the Lord heard my prayer and I have enjoyed the presence of God in singing, playing the piano, and ministering the Word for many years in many places of the world.

I thank God for allowing Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart to be instrumental in my life. I thank God for the anointing. Amen.

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Purpose! Ministries Inc.

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Pastors PJ and Shirley Flores

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