forgiveness – BibleJournal.net

Deuteronomy 32

Today’s reading is Deuteronomy 32 where we read the Song of Moses. In this song, Moses gives a strong witness to the power and glory of God.

Earlier, God told Moses in Numbers 20:12 that he would not enter the Promised Land. Moses can even see it here from Mount Nebo, but after 40 years of faithfully leading the Israelites, God’s people, through the desert…he will not enter. Why? Moses disobeyed God. Earlier in Numbers 20, God specifically instructed Moses to speak and water would come out of a rock Meribah Kadesh when they were suffering from thirst. Instead, Moses struck the rock twice. Does this seem a little harsh to you after the faithful serving and leading Moses has done that just because he struck the rock versus speaking to it, he will not get to enter the Promised Land? If I’m truthful, it does to me. Let us remember though that God is just. As far as we are told in the Bible, Moses did not complain about his fate and that he would not enter the Promised Land. He doesn’t say, “But God, what about all the other ways I obeyed and things I’ve done to serve you?” He understood God is loving, and He is also just. How did Moses react? He wrote a song we read here in this chapter to glorify God. He gives a warning to the people is in Deuteronomy 32:46 to make sure they teach God’s word and law to their children.

Moses gives us a great example to live by. We may not like what God allows to happen in our lives or the outcomes. Not only does Moses not show animosity towards God for God’s decision to not allow him to enter the Promised Land, but Moses even still continues to serve and lead for God. He continues to glorify God and be a witness to future generations.

Thankfully for us, God is just…and He is also loving. Yes, even one sin should separate us from God and keep us from entering the eternal “promise land” of Heaven. But, God sent us a Savior in Jesus who took the punishment that should have been ours and died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins (Isaiah 53:5). Three days later He was raised on Easter. Because He lives, we will live too and enter the eternal “promised land” of Heaven.

Heavy

Today’s reading is Psalm 32.

Most of us reading this Psalm have hopefully never been in a situation where we were trapped and the walls were caving in on top of us or that we carried something so heavy on our backs that we literally collapsed due to the weight while it lied on top of us. As I read Psalm 32 though, that is the picture I kept getting for what sin does to us. When we hold on to the guilt of our wrongdoings, the weight is too much to bear. It’s debilitating.

Psalm 32:3 reads…

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

In contrast, Psalm 32:12 says…

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,

and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

This can only happen because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Isaiah 53:5 reads…

But He was pierced for our transgressions; He crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

The heaviest weight we can ever imagine, every past and future sin of mankind and every past and future sin that you and I have committed and will commit, was put on Him. The weight and burden was so heavy and painful that just even thinking about it caused Jesus to sweat blood in the garden (Luke 22:44). He knowingly and willing went to the cross for you and for me and took that pain so we could be forgiven. All we have to do is to admit our sin and ask for his forgiveness.

I acknowledge my sin to you,

and I did not cover my iniquity;

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”

and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Psalm 32:5

If we read on, Psalm 32 says by confessing our sin God is “a hiding place” and He “preserves me from trouble.” Unlike Satan who whispers that you are terrible and that you aren’t deserving and can’t be forgiven, Psalm 32:7b says about God, “you surround me with shouts of deliverance.”

Satan whispers many sorrows, but with confession and trust in Him, God shouts, “you are free!!!”

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

I couldn’t help but think of one of my favorite songs which was released in the last few years.

Check it out.

https://youtu.be/ouNDkd7pFVA?si=1CbKcYiARuzh3niU

The Unlovable

Today’s reading is Luke 15 where Jesus tells 3 parables about loving the undeserving and the lost. He tells these stories after hearing the Pharisees and scribes grumble about spending time with “sinners.” These 3 stories are probably familiar to most of us: the parable of the lost sheep leaving the 99 for 1, the parable of the lost coin where the woman searches her house for 1 even though she has 9 others, and finally the story of the prodigal son coming home and asking for forgiveness after leaving to live a reckless life.

Jesus specifically ends the story of the lost sheep by saying in Luke 7:15, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Does this mean God loves those who lead a reckless life more than those who try to lead a Godly life? No. And we are all sinners in need of a Savior in Jesus. He’s just underscoring that God is different than us and our human nature. Think about the people who are your good friends and who you love. Most of them are probably people who are “lovable.” They have similar interests to you, they care about you and what’s going on in your life, and they probably love you back. Again, Jesus is helping those who think they are way past the point of anyone ever being able to love them or forgive them know God will forgive them if they repent, and different than the rest of the world, He still loves them unconditionally before they even come back to Him.

I love the part in the prodigal son parable in Luke 15:20 where it says, “…But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion and embraced him and kissed him.” His father was looking for him just waiting for him to come back. Our Father in Heaven is looking and waiting for us to come back. And the other fascinating thing about this verse, the father feels compassion, embraces his son, and kisses him BEFORE the son says he’s sorry and asks for forgiveness.

Are you reading this and feel your life is too far gone to go back to God or feel there is something you’ve done that can’t be forgiven? I pray that in reading this you’ll realize you’re never too far gone for God.

And for all of us Christ followers, we are called to be more like Jesus (Ephesians 5:1-2). Who can you love this week that is unlovable? Yes, it could be someone you meet that has fallen on hard times or made some bad decisions. But don’t overlook that it also might be someone that is really close to you..a spouse, parent, son or daughter, aunt or uncle, cousin, or friend who’s hurt you or made bad decisions. Pray on it. Ask God to reveal to you who you are supposed to love this week that can ultimately draw that person closer to Him.

He Is

Today’s reading is Colossians 1.

The last few weeks has been tough for most in our country. We’ve seen multiple school shootings yet again, an innocent Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska who was trying to escape war in the US stabbed and killed, more shootings in the inner cities that happen so frequently the individual names (only numbers usually and unfortunately) make the national news, and of course the murder of Charlie Kirk.

These events have caused heavy hearts and some unity, but yet still more division too with some judging others about how they should be just as, or more upset, about X event as Y event.

If you are reading this as a Christ follower…please pray that we stop this. ALL these heinous events are terrible and evil coming from Satan. We must stop judging other Christians and calling them hypocrites because they do more or post more or call to action for change on one topic, but don’t on another you are passionate about. This is EXACTLY what Satan wants. He wants to break the church and God’s people from within through division.

Maybe this is a poor analogy, but it’s one that just came to mind to me. Many of us have organizations/charities that we give to or volunteer with. There are certain things that tug on your heart that you feel called to give or help with. Do we judge other Christians because they give or volunteer with one cause which is still good, but not the one that you feel passionate about that is also good? I hope not.

I realize there are also more complex topics that one Christian would call an atrocity and the other might think it is actually good. My one prayer is that we discuss these topics with other Christ followers… and not just lash out on social media calling the other hypocrites. That will not solve anything. I’m not saying be silent… I’m saying let’s seek to understand in a one on one or a different setting. There’s probably some good and some wrong in your thinking and probably some good and some wrong in the other’s thinking. But having a real talk and conversations about these topics and finding commonality in Jesus and His love is where we come together and create unity in Him instead of more division like Satan wants.

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

Colossians 1:15-20

If we look at those who cheered the death of Charlie Kirk who are very far from Jesus all the way to those who mourned deeply over his death to those who believe his killing was wrong, but yet vehemently disagreed with his position on many topics… the only way we find hope and healing and unity is through Jesus.

We are ALL sinners separated from God because of our sin in need of a Savior. Verse 20 tells us through Him we can find reconciliation and unity. It tells us His blood is the only thing that can bring us peace and save us from our sin.

He is the only way we all find hope and healing in our individual hearts and together despite our differences.

This song by Crowder and the title of this post He Is has been what I have felt God laying on my heart this week.

My prayer is that it will impact others and again that we can find hope and healing in Him together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9s7GogPKCg&list=RDy9s7GogPKCg&start_radio=1

Love Like Jesus

Today’s readings are Proverbs 24-25, Psalm 41, and 1 Thessalonians 2.

Do you have enemies? I think most of us would likely say we don’t. When I think of an enemy, I usually think of someone who is really out to get me and maybe even is trying to cause me physical harm. However, some may say yes. Possibly it is an ex-significant other or spouse who is really making it difficult to move on and may even to be trying to keep new relationships from happening or trying to strain relationships with your children. Maybe it’s someone who is telling untrue things about you to others which could prevent you from a promotion at work or again is straining other relationships.

What is your posture towards these people when you see them? What are you thinking when you see their social media posts about their life, their family, and their successes? At a minimum you are likely not cheering them on to victories in their life and maybe even are ok with seeing them stumble a little bit. If you are like me, grace and forgiveness is difficult to those who have hurt you and pulling for them to succeed is an even higher bar that is very challenging for me to get to..and maybe even I’m ok with the ball not bouncing their way in full transparency.

The book of Proverbs is very clear though on the posture and behavior we should have towards our enemies…

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,

and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,

lest the Lord see it and be displeased,

and turn away his anger from him.”

Proverbs 24:17

This verse says God’s anger turns away from that person when you rejoice in their stumbling and although it doesn’t explicitly state God’s anger turns to you…one can almost infer that. Jesus explicitly warns in Matthew 7:3-5 that it is wrong to find a speck in someone else’s eye because you are ignoring the plank in yours. In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus also talks about a Pharisee who said he was glad he was not like other sinners, including the tax collector near him. The last verse, Luke 18:14 says, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” How can I love my enemies more? I can start by noticing the grime and yuck of my sin and the grace and forgiveness Jesus has given me when I don’t deserve it.

The next chapter in Proverbs has another verse about our enemies which says we shouldn’t stop at giving them grace and forgiveness.

“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,

and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

for your will heap burning coals on his head,

and the Lord will reward you.”

Proverbs 25:21-22

Blessing someone who has wronged me is another level of grace and forgiveness which can seem nearly impossible for me to get to. As I reflect though, isn’t that what Jesus did for me?

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

The Story

Today’s reading is Joshua 5-8, Psalm 14, and Luke 15.

Despite the fact that I like to think that I’m a “good person” (and I have to believe most are like me and think they are), I know I sin if not through actions or word, through thought, probably ever hour of every day. Sin is not in God’s nature whatsoever. It is exactly the opposite of His being and who He is. Today’s readings are a humbling reminder of what God thinks about sin, and yet also a reminder of his grace and love. It is also a reminder of how pleasing it is to Him when we show faith and trust in Him and turn back to Him after we fall away. Obeying Him does not mean immediate gratification like a dog shaking and getting a treat, but a continued path living a life of filled with intentional sin and disobeying Him will surely lead to destruction. And turning back to Him will lead to grace, forgiveness, and ultimate victory through eternal life no matter how far we have fallen away.

Early on in today’s readings we are reminded that God freed the Israelites from slavery and kept His word to lead them to the Promised Land. But, we also learn in Joshua 5:6 He let them wander in the desert for 40 years and did not let the generation He freed go into the Promised Land (including Moses who God thought highly enough to have attend Jesus’ transfiguration in Matthew 17) because “they did not obey the voice of the Lord.” Yet, we see it is pleasing to the Lord and He “rolled away the reproach of Egypt” when the next generation obeys His instructions to Joshua that all the men be circumcised (Joshua 5:9). They keep the Passover, God sends a commander of His army to speak to Joshua (Joshua 5:14), and God instructs Joshua in Joshua 6 how he and his army are to march around Jericho for 6 days quietly and on the 7th day they are to march around the city 7 times. On the 7^th time of the 7^th day, they are to blow the horns and shout and the walls of Jericho would fall down before God would give them victory in battle. The Israelites could have said to Joshua, “yeah right…these walls are just going to fall when we blow our horn and yell…give me a break?!” However, this time they obeyed, and God gave them victory. What great faith and belief they showed! As promised in Joshua 6, the only family God protects in Jericho is Rahab’s because she helped the Israelite spies in Joshua 2.

As we read on in Joshua 7, we see going against God’s word leads to a path of destruction. God gave specific instructions in the conquering of Jericho that the gold and devoted things be given to the Lord (Joshua 6:18-19). But Achan took some for himself and hid it which was displeasing to God resulting in him being stoned and thus the Lord let Israel first be defeated at Ai before later giving them victory (Joshua 8). We read later in Joshua 8 where Israel turns back to God by building an altar to Him on Mount Ebal just as Moses commanded be done. Joshua honored God by also writing the law of Moses on the stones (Joshua 8:32) and by reading all the words of the law, every single one, to all the people of Israel (Joshua 8:35) which was no doubt pleasing to God.

I love the parallels of our verses each day from the Old Testament, including the Psalms, and the New Testament. Psalm 14 speaks of the corruption of man God sees as He looks down and sin which displeases Him (Psalm 14:2-3), yet promises Jesus’ coming to give salvation in Psalm 14:7. Then, we read in Luke 15 where Jesus tells how God seeks out sinners to give them a chance to repent and turn to Him through the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and of course the amazing story of grace in the story of the prodigal son.

Think of some of your favorite movies and books. What is a common theme in most all of them, especially the ones that really tug on your heart strings? Most all have a story of redemption from someone who has either done wrong in the past or just didn’t have things go their way for a while. Why do you think those stories get to us, and why do we love them so much? Maybe that’s because it’s our story. It’s the story God has laid on all of our hearts because we are all part of God’s story and plan to save us from our sin (Romans 5:8) when we turn to Him. And while we read today how much God hates sin, we see in Luke 15 how much more joy He has when a sinner turns to Him for grace and forgiveness. Do you remember Rahab, the prostitute we mentioned earlier who decided to turn from her sinful ways and help the Israelites? She was not only spared in the destruction of Jericho, but ultimately became part of the bloodline of Jesus (Matthew 1:5)!

Please watch this short video from Spread Truth and pray for God to lay on your heart someone who needs to hear it and know God’s love and that they are part of His greater Story.

https://youtu.be/f0gfIvN9zv4

Here is the children’s version as well.

https://youtu.be/XbrsAF2_BOk

A New Creation

Today’s reading is Genesis 35-37, Psalm 12, and Mark 14.

In Genesis 35:1, God tells Jacob to go make an altar to him in Bethel. Jacob obeys and invites his family and others with them to come along, as well as instructs them to put away their foreign gods and purify themselves and their clothes. They did as he instructed going to Bethel, and Jacob built the altar. God then tells Jacob in Genesis 35:10 he has a new name, Israel.

Throughout Scripture we have seen God also give others a new name when they commit to following Him. Simon became Peter which in original language was Cephas meaning rock. Abram becomes Abraham in Genesis 17. Saul also become Paul when he committed to following Jesus after years of persecuting Christians.

I believe God did this and included these real stories in the Bible for us to read still today because it signifies when we commit to following Him the old us has gone away, and we are a new creation saved through His blood.

Does this mean we will not make mistakes and fall into sin again? No, we will mess up again. We know Peter denied knowing Jesus out of fear, even when he knew Jesus was the Messiah and after all he had seen Jesus do and all Jesus had done for him. Abraham lied out of fear for his life saying Sarah was his sister instead of trusting God’s protection. We can also infer Paul might have been misguided in his disagreement with Barnabas which led to them splitting ways in Acts and although we don’t know the specific sins, Paul himself says in Romans 7:14-15 and Roman 7:19 that he falls into sin and does the exact things he does not want to do.

However, he still says in 2 Corinthians 5:17…

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.”

Despite their mistakes even after becoming a new creation, God did big things with them. Jacob, now Israel, was the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. Abram, now Abraham, was the father of many nations. Simon, now Peter, became one of the founders of the church in spreading the Gospel. Saul, now Paul, spread the Gospel across and around the Mediterranean and wrote nearly half the New Testament.

Through the good and bad, God will do big things with and through you for His Kingdom when you become a new creation through committing to following Him.

Have you committed to letting Jesus be the Lord and leader of your life or do you need to recommit? If you want to, pray the following prayer…

Lord, thank for the unconditional love you showed by dying on the cross to forgive me from my sin. I believe that because you rose on Easter, I will also live with you in Heaven someday. I commit to living my life while still here on Earth for you. I ask that you watch over me, guiding and protecting me from Satan. Help me see myself the way you see me, as a new creation, righteous and holy where my sin is washed white as snow through your blood. I love you. Amen.

In Whom Do You Trust?

Today’s reading is Mark 14:32-72. In these verses we read through Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, his betrayal and arrest, and Him before the Council (Jewish religious leaders).

Life is hard. We go through many challenging times and situations here on Earth. I would venture to say some of the most difficult situations are when trust is broken and people let us down..especially those we are close to or look up to. I’ve stated this before, but it can’t be said enough, we are so blessed because we have a God who knows exactly what pain we are going through because He experienced it Himself. We read here about how stressed Jesus was knowing the pain and suffering He was about to go through on our behalf. And in the midst of getting ready to experience a punishment most of us can’t even fathom and will never have to go through, He also experienced the following within just a few hours…

His 3 best friends in James, John, and Peter letting him down by falling asleep, not keeping watch, and praying like He asked
Judas, one of his 12 disciples and closest friends, betraying Him and handing Him over to the religious leaders for money
His friends all leaving Him and fleeing the garden when He was arrested and needed their support most
The religious leaders He once likely looked up to as child or in His younger years now saying He was liar, physically striking him, and seeking to put him to death
Others bearing false witness against Him and telling untrue things about Him
As far as we know His only friend near Him while before the Council (all the others abandoned Him and were in hiding) was Peter who denied him not once, but three times

Let down, betrayed, abandoned, lied about, and alone…Jesus could have stopped it all, but He still went to the cross for each of them and for you and for me.

As tough as it is to realize and face when it occurs… our spouse, our parents, our kids, our pastors, our mentors, our best friend, leaders, and anyone we trust and hold in high regard will eventually let us down in one way, shape, or form breaking that trust. And..we will let them down, too. Despite the fact they may have let us down in a major way, we must try to move past and forgive because that is what Jesus did for you and for me. Romans 5:7-8 says, “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare to die—but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”

We must realize that Jesus is the only one who will never let us down and never break a promise. Some may say, “What has God ever done for me?” For those who are reading this who have had a really tough life or are facing a challenging situation right now…I’m sorry. You may feel like God has let you down and that is understandable. When we dig deeper though, how can we be mad at God for promises He never actually made? In fact, Jesus said the exact opposite.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

He doesn’t say we may have trouble in this life…He says we “will” have trouble! That is why He came. That is why He went to the cross. He did that for you and for me to forgive our sins and the sin of the world. And He kept the promise of overcoming sin and death (the world) when He rose from the dead on Easter this Sunday. He did this so we can have eternal life with Him in Heaven where there will be no more pain and crying and where we will experience a joy we can’t even imagine. He is the only one we can put our trust in that will never mess up and break it. He will never let you down. He is the most important relationship in your life. Have you given your heart and trust to Him?

Let Me Tell You About My Jesus…

Today’s reading is John 14:1-14.

Jesus said in these verses…

“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

John 14:9

“I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who is in me.”

John 14:10

“Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on the account of the works themselves.”

John 14:11

Jesus made it clear people should know who He was and who He was from and who He represented by the life He lived and His actions. I wish the same could be said about my life consistently.

I’ve heard it said that rules without a relationship is harassment. Sadly, many non-believers think the Bible and Christianity is just about following a bunch of rules. Does that attract them to following Christ and becoming a Christian? Look at the verses and quotes above from Jesus. If each quote from Jesus above were said by each Christian, and they could answer them in a similar fashion to Jesus in that their love and positive works were displayed daily in their actions..how many more people would be attracted to learning about the Gospel and would ultimately say yes to believing in Jesus? How true is the popular hymn, “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love?”

Our life should be lived in relationship with Jesus. Pastor and author Bill Hull says he wakes up each morning and asks, “Good morning Jesus..what are we going to do today?” How might asking ourselves that question change our actions and how we live our life which would attract non-believers? Imagine if we were in communication with Jesus all day and if He were our GPS for all actions and decisions. We should all reflect on this and ask the question…is Jesus guiding the big and small things in my day in life through communication with Him or do I just think about Him during specific prayer times, church, and small group/Bible study? I know more days than not I don’t think about or talk to Jesus throughout my day. He does not lead my thoughts, decisions, and actions throughout my day like He should.

Many other religions believe in multiple gods. They think Jesus is good guy and much like other gods. They don’t know the difference. Eventually they must know what Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the way, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” They must know there is only one way to eternal life through belief in Him. But holding up a sign on the street saying, “Repent, believe in Jesus, or you are going to Hell!” is not the way to do it. As we said earlier, rules without a relationship is harassment.

Let us reflect on how we can act and speak in a way that whoever has seen, heard, and known us also knows the Father and Jesus (John 14:9-11). Then, once we’ve established a relationship with others they will likely ask us more questions on why we act and speak the way we do or like the song says we can simply say..”Let me tell you about my Jesus…” Will we still mess up and make mistakes? Yes..we absolutely will and that sometimes opens an even bigger door to tell them about the free gift of His grace, His love, and His forgiveness which is also available to them.

Anne Wilson – My Jesus (Official Music Video) – YouTube

Champ to Chump…to Champ Again??

Today’s reading is Luke 9:18-27.

Here, in Luke 9:18-20, Peter correctly states the Jesus is the Christ when Jesus asks him who He is. I would imagine this was one of Peter’s prouder moments. Can you imagine Jesus basically saying to you, “You nailed it!” Have you ever had one of those spiritual mountaintop moments where you felt like you did the right thing? Maybe you spoke the Gospel or encouragement to someone who needed it, helped a homeless person, gave an amount more than normal to the church for a certain special offering or building project, or stood strong and avoided a temptation. However, we know it’s pretty easy in this world to go from champ to chump very quickly!

Peter experiences this when in both Mark 8 and Matthew 16 he tells Jesus that he cannot be crucified. Remember, Peter knows Jesus is Messiah. But, He and the other Jews incorrectly thought the Messiah would be an earthly king and save them from Roman impression. How many times do we think we know God’s plan, but His is different?! Jesus goes so far as to say to Peter, “Get behind me Satan..” in both Mark 8:33 and Matthew 16:23. Can you imagine Jesus saying that to you? We see again in Mark 14:30 Jesus foretells of Peter’s future mistake saying Peter will deny Him 3 times before the rooster crows twice to which Peter replies in Mark 14:31 he will not and will die with Jesus. We all know what happens!

Pastor Mike Baker spoke on this topic in his 1/16/2022 sermon at Eastview Christian Church. He asked the question, how do we proceed in life know the challenges and temptations which will come?

With humility (1 Corinthians 10:12)
With resistance (James 4:7)
With the Resurrection in Mind (John 16:1)

For more on this topic, check out his sermon here. https://youtu.be/kYrRXVt8-Ns

I specifically like all the ways he says we can face Satan with resistance. Jesus tells us in Luke 8:23-27 that we need to deny ourselves and take up our cross. However, most of us deny Jesus, rather than ourselves, in the following 3 ways Pastor Mike speaks of.

With our silence
With our lifestyle
With our Disassociation of God’s Church

However, Jesus still went to the cross for you and for me…even though He knew what we would do just like Peter. Despite Him knowing Peter’s failures, He told Peter he would build His church on Peter in Matthew 16:18.

Let me ask you a question, how can God use you despite your past..and even future…failures? What I love about Mark 14:30 telling of Peter’s failures and that he would deny Jesus is that Mark was telling the Gospel story through the eyes of Peter. Peter himself was telling of his failure. Why? He knew you and me would need to know God can still use us despite our failures and mistakes.

Are your past missteps holding you back? Or, have you moved on and God is using you, but have you told those mistakes to others who may need to hear your story so that they can themselves move past their own mistakes so God can in turn use them? I believe all of our entire stories are part of God’s plan and bigger story of His Gospel. There are no edits that should be removed from our story. Are we vulnerable enough like Peter to tell those to others to help them? The best leaders and coaches I’ve had are not the ones that seem perfect, but the ones who can relate to me because they have had the same challenges. We have all gone from champ to chump at one time or another like Peter. Let’s share our story with others as part of God’s greater Gospel story to impact them for His Kingdom. We can let them know God can still use them for big things. Most importantly, we can let them know we are all champs in the end and will spend eternity with Him in Heaven when we believe in Jesus and His forgiveness on the cross and Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:57).