Why The Name Cephas For Our Ministry?

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (John 1:41) I identified with being a stone because I felt like I was being walked on most of the time. As it turned out it meant a lot more.

There are Scriptures to the effect that we are lively stones which make up the living temple in which the Holy Spirit, God and Christ Jesus lives. It is the temple Jesus talked about that is built without hands through His resurrection. Peter's letter was written to encourage believers to endure persecution no matter what. "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious,: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner." (1 Peter 2:5-8)

Cephas was the new name Peter received from Jesus when he converted to Christ Jesus. I was one of those like Peter whom God gave to Satan to sift as wheat. Jesus said to Peter at one point when Peter wanted to take matters into his own hands: "Get thee behind me Satan."

Satan was on my butt since I was a kid and was hit with everything that he could throw at me. It was a difficult life totally opposite from I wanted it to be due to circumstances (out of my control because I am a woman). In the early seventieth I came to the end of my rope with everything and needed an instant healing or I would have died (not of suicide mind you). The healing came as soon as I called on God in my desparation to help me, but the real struggle was just beginning after that. That is when I came upon the name. I was an artist for seven years and witnessed with spiritual paintings but God wasn't done with me yet. It took another twenty years for God to turn it all around and use it for His Glory. He majors in teaching us patience and longsuffering. When you get to do what I'm doing it takes unending endurance and patience because of the various aspects of this kind of work.

This is the Apostle Paul speaking to us: 30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (1 Corinthians 15:30-31) This is what we have to learn to do. We have to gain control over our bodies by dying to our own desires otherwise the devil keeps drawing us in his direction. As long as we have needs that are selfish in any way, he draws us away.

This Scripture coming up is my stronghold in the Gospel - I pore out my energies into this area and it has kept me independent of people where my personal wellbeing is concerned.

In the Gospel men = women except where authority is concerned. In marriage only, the husband is in control. That is strictly for her protection. It shifts the whole responsibility to him which is merciful of God. Women have too much heart because they bear children and because of it are easier to influence.

The parable of the talents Matthew 25:14-30 keep me moving working out my own salvation in fear and trembling as Paul admonished in Philippians 2:12. You keep struggling till you stop breathing. We have to be in forward motion to keep ahead of the devil. Standing still is stagnation and eventual death. Watch this:

14 For [the kingdom of heaven is] as a man travelling into a far country, [who] called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents. 17 And likewise he that [had received] two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:14-30)

God uses everything that has ever happened to us sooner or later in His ministry. I was absolutely amazed when the time came, how He had prepared me for years to do what I am doing today. So don't be hesitant when the Holy Spirit beckons you to go here or there. Often it didn't make sense but in the end when the painting was completed it all made perfect sense. God is the architect of our lives. We have little to do with it.