He Sees You Too

Today’s Reading – Luke 21 & 22

And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. (Luke 21:61 & 62)

I have often felt sorry for Peter. For over 2000 years we have read over and over again this account of Peter denying the Lord Jesus. Some preachers have been very hard on him, especially because of his bold assertion that he could never do such a thing. The part of the story that really grips me, however, is when after Peter had denied for the third time, exactly as the Lord had told him, the Lord then turned away from all that was happening to him, and made eye contact with Peter. I don’t think Peter even fully realized what he had done until the Lord looked at him. Can you imagine how Peter must have felt.

The Lord sees us too, just as he had looked upon Peter. He sees you and me as we deny him, and when we sin against him. Somehow I don’t think we fully realize that fact. God’s omnipresent eyes are everywhere. He doesn’t miss a thing. I believe if we could come to that realization, we would be less likely to sin against Him. He sees, He knows. We are not hiding anything from Him. And it grieves Him. We know from the passage that Peter was grieved, but what is not recorded was the Lord’s grief. I would be willing to bet that the Lord was more upset about what was going on with Peter at that time, than he was with His own situation. The next time that temptation to sin knocks at your door, picture the eyes of Christ watching you.

Do You Love Me?

Today’s Passages – John 20 – 21 (Second Milers also read –Psalms 66 – 70; Proverbs 14) He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord,…

November 14, 2012

In "Thoughts from John"

He Looks Upon Us Too

November 4, 2011

In "Thoughts from Luke"

Let’s Go Fishing

Today's Passages - Luke 4 - 5; Proverbs 27 (Second Milers also read - Psalms 126 - 130 "And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men." - (Luke 5:10)…

October 27, 2011

In "Thoughts from Luke"

Phil Erickson

Pastor Phil Erickson has been the pastor of Jersey Shore Baptist Church since January of 2002. Having grown up in Ocean County, Pastor Phil has always had a burden for the south Jersey area. After graduating from Bible College in Longview, Texas, he and his family moved to Galloway Township with the vision of digging in and serving the Lord and the people of Atlantic County. Pastor Phil and Cindy Erickson have been married since 1985. They have four children and ten grandchildren. Their oldest son, Phil Jr. and his wife Katelyn are serving the Lord in Egg Harbor Twp., NJ. Their oldest daughter, Melissa, is married to Wesley Clayton who is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in New Mexico. Samantha, their third child, is married to Justin Mears and they are both serving the Lord at the church in Galloway. Hannah, the youngest, is married to Lucas McCollum, and they are also serving here in Galloway. In preparation for ministry, the Lord led him through a variety of educational experiences that have equipped him to serve the Lord and His people. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgian Court University, a Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Theology from Texas Independent Baptist Seminary (formerly Texas Baptist College), a Master of Religious Education in Bible from West Coast Baptist College, and a Master of Biblical Studies from The Crown College. More recently, he completed a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counseling and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Veritas Baptist College. He is thankful for these opportunities to study God’s Word more deeply, and counts it a privilege to use whatever knowledge the Lord has given him for the building up of His church. In addition to pastoring, the Lord has given Phil the wonderful privilege of teaching as an adjunct professor at Vision Baptist College in Berlin, NJ and Veritas Baptist College.