This series, "Simon Says" reviews the teachings of Peter, formerly called Simon. Peter was one of the most important disciples of Jesus. Like us, Peter wasn't perfect. He was the first to declare Jesus the Messiah, yet Peter was the first to deny Jesus before the crucifixion. His old name, Simon, translates to "reed", as in a reed easily blown by the wind. His new name, Peter, means rock.

1 Peter 1 tells us there is an "inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade" waiting in heaven for us. Pastor Justin told the story of a Portuguese aristocrat who had no family with whom to leave his inheritance. The aristocrat randomly selected 70 names from the Lisbon telephone directory to receive his fortune. When the aristocrat died thirteen years later, the 70 people were contacted about their inheritance from a man they never knew or met. The people were shocked or in disbelief.

This story is similar to what God has done for us, but God specifically selected and named us on purpose, not on a whim. Peter was writing to people who were experiencing hardship, wondering if God was good. Peter challenged the people of God to faithful obedience during troubled times.

In Luke 5, Jesus is crowded by followers and He steps onto Simon's boat and asks to set away from shore a short distance. Simon was out all night and caught nothing. Jesus taught the crowd, and when He was done, He asked Simon to set out into deeper water and cast their nets for a catch. Simon was tired and frustrated, but did it anyway.

What you see as trouble, God sees as training.

1 Peter 1:6-7 says your faith must be tested, just like gold must be tested by fire. Trouble is what qualifies you to be more than a conquerer. Once you've been tested, you can be trusted.

Simon was a professional fisherman. Jesus, a rabbi, asking him to go back out into deep water to cast nets again seemed like a ridiculous request, but Simon obeyed. There was so much fish caught that nearby fishermen were needed to help. If God can do that with catching fish, how much more can he do with your current trouble?

You don't have to understand completely to obey fully.

Peter reminds us in 1 Peter that what the Church is facing must be put in perspective. God has made perfect promises and written you into his will. Knowing this, do you need full understanding to obey his commands?

Because of his word, I will.

God's word is perfect. His promises do not fail. Knowing His promises, why would you not follow his requests? When we set out in God's direction, we are on the right path. God knows your name, your worries, dreams, desires, pain, and tears. Because God keeps his word, I will.