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Posted by
Dion Todd February 4, 2017 -
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Devotional
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Simon Peter said to them, 'I'm going fishing.' They told him, 'We are also coming with you.' They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. John 21:3 WEB
Earlier that evening, Peter told Jesus: 'If I must die with you, I will not deny You' (Mark 14:31). Then that night, Peter cursed, swore and denied even knowing Jesus three times (Mark 14:71). Peter had failed the Lord Jesus and done the exact opposite of what he had promised Him. After weeping, sulking, and waiting a while, Peter returned to his old way of life and what he did before he met Jesus: fishing.
Peter's bluster was an example of typical human thinking. We make God big promises, fail to keep them, then feel like we are a failure and that God is mad at us. We go back to our old lifestyle like a sow to the mud. We begin to beat our ourselves up and tell ourselves 'I can't do this. I am no good at it. I gave it my best, and look at what that got me. I was better off before.'
We return to our old life, our old ways, and soon settle into a rut. See, when you fail in a performance-based relationship, it is hard to get back up. After you stumble in some act that you think is sinful, you tend to hide yourself from God like Adam. It has been that way for thousands of years. The enemy will climb on your back like you are a pony and ride you around constantly reminding you: 'God is mad at you! You are finished! He knows what you did! You better not go back to that church!' We hide in shame.
All of this is only a trick of satan to keep you beaten down, weak, powerless, and defeated. Proverbs 24:16 says that the righteous get up, even if they fall seven times. God is not mad at you when you fall. Our relationship with God is not about our performance, it is about love. He loves us, we love Him, and love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
As Peter was busy making promises, Jesus already knew that Peter would deny Him and said, 'When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers' (Luke 22:32). The angel in the tomb told the women who came there: 'Go tell His disciples'and Peter' (Mark 16:7). See Peter was not to be left out because of his failures. He was still a part of the family.
It is ok to fail, to fall, to stumble, to return to your old ways, but do not stay there. Get back up. Jesus restored Peter and He was never mad at him to begin with. Jesus understood what Peter went through because He was one of us (Hebrews 4:15). He understands. Just don't give up. You are going to make it, if you don't give up. The only one that can stop you from fulfilling your destiny, is you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for being there for me. Draw my heart to You, consume me Lord and fill me with Your presence. Lead me out of the darkness and help me to see Your path clearly. God have mercy on me, a sinner, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Help me to never give up when I feel like I can't withstand anymore. Amen.
Amen!!
Amen! God loves us so much!!
Amen. This verse in particular stood out to me 'When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers' (Luke 22:32. This is all part of Jesus' plan, that when we fall, even when we fall horribly, our testimony of our falling should be given to strengthen others, so that when they fall, they will remember that Jesus is still able to help them to return to strenthen their brothers.
Amen, Carol <3!
Amen!
quite interesting--hum, if ya know Him, you will expereince His all practicing this!
Great word! Praise God!
Draw my heart and mind to you Father. Lead me out of the darkness and to the path you have for my life. Amen!
Amen just what I needed this morning
Amen, Thank you Father for your forgiveness
I have been told the the devil does not attack someone who is not moving in the direction of God's Calling. On Wednesday, a local Pastor called me into his office. He said to me; "Last night God woke him at 3:00 am and said you need to ordain Jim Jarrell Sunday morning." Now I must say that is about the last thing I expected to hear. On Thursday morning I suddenly got sick and I have been in the house feeling bad ever since. I believe this illness is an attack from the devil and I will be at church Sunday morning and see this thing through. I for one, am not going to let the devil win!
That is excellent, Jim, meaning the ordination, of course, and not the illness :). That is certainly an attack, but I know you will make it and not let it hold you back! Praying for the works of the enemy to be defeated completely in this!
That is great Jim!
Amen! Thank you Pastor Dion for todays devotion. :-)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for being there for me. Draw my heart to You, consume me Lord and fill me with Your presence. Lead me out of the darkness and help me to see Your path clearly. God have mercy on me, a sinner, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen. <3
Amen! Pastors prayer, Heavenly Father, I thank you for being there for me. Draw my heart to you, consume me Lord fill me with your presence. Lead me out of the darkness help me to see your path clearly. God have mercy on me, a sinner, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray Amen!!
Amen, amen and amen Lord Jesus.
There is power in this prayer, and I felt it as I recited the wo0rds.Thanks for today's message, Pastor Dion!
Amen!! God is a Gracious God indeed.
Amen
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father, I thank You for being there for me. Draw my heart to You, consume me Lord and fill me with Your presence. Lead me out of the darkness and help me to see Your path clearly. God have mercy on me, a sinner, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Wowww! Tears! Written by the Father...through Pastor Dion... just for me. Thank you, Pastor Dion, for your consistent obedience!
He loves me & I love Him...That is good and fills my heart. Thank you!