[Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.] ~ Matthew 26:33-35
And he would have too!
[Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, (Peter) reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.] ~ Matthew 26:50-51 (John 18:10)
But the test of his loyalty did not come when he was ready for it. It came after a long and dark night. He was surely tired and distraught from all that was going on...
[Read Matthew 26:57-75]
Sound familiar? How many times have you made a promise to God about something and then failed to deliver?
Perhaps its a re-occuring problem? You have a weakness in your life where you stumble again and again, and you are so tired of falling. You have said, "This is the LAST time!", and then fell again... Times like those, we don't feel so different from Peter;
[Then Peter remembered....And he went outside and wept bitterly.] ~ v.75
But there is hope... the Bible teaches us many things:
- God's grace is sufficient for us [2Corinthians 12:9]
- Our weakness is part of God's Sovereign will [2Corinthians 12:10]
- Our weakness is not an excuse to keep sinning [Romans 6:1-2]
So do not lose heart; if you are willing, God can use you.
[Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."] ~ 1Corinthians 1:26-31
Monday, April 14, 2008
Here's To The Girls!
Have you ever a watched Boy-vs-Girl challenge? Chances are, you have! Well I have learned something when it comes to challenges; girls rock!
Now before all my boys, bros, chums and amigos out there start to show some ego, take a moment to think about something: When are you most sparked to take on a challenge? When its just you and another guy, or when there's a girl around? We are wired in a way that we man-up when girls are around! And this doesn't just apply to silly challenges (and board games lol) it applies to all areas of life!
Now I don't know about you, but when I take an honest look at myself, I realize that I am weak and broken; useless on my own. But even with God at my side, there is still a part of me that simply makes me stronger around girls. When I am weakened by Satan's attacks or I am not relying on God to get me through something, God puts one of His daughters in my path to challenge me. Sometimes its as simple as a close friend doing her best to honor God with her life. Or sometimes God sends girls that are close to me to tell me how it is and gimme a look of disappointment. Both of these set off that instinct in me that says, "What!? Are you gonna let a girl beat you??"
Guys, we need this kind of encouragement/challenge! God knew we did!
"The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him....Then the Lord God made a woman..."~Genesis 2:18,22
What was that? Man needs help? From what, a monkey?? No; man needs help from women! We are in a race of endurance to the Throne of God, men and women alike, and we need all the help we can get! Guys, don't be a baby when a girl flies by you on the track; run harder than before and show her who your Master is! Girls, don't waste your time checking out the boys on the track; keep your hearts focused on God and His Will for your life! To all of us, God knows your faults and your weaknesses; He knows your need for a spouse to compliment you and encourage you. If you believe that then keep running towards God and know that He will bring you someone that will run alongside of you and help you when you fall.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." ~Hebrews 12:1-3
"I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."~1 Corinthians 9:23-25
Ready, Set, Go!
Now before all my boys, bros, chums and amigos out there start to show some ego, take a moment to think about something: When are you most sparked to take on a challenge? When its just you and another guy, or when there's a girl around? We are wired in a way that we man-up when girls are around! And this doesn't just apply to silly challenges (and board games lol) it applies to all areas of life!
Now I don't know about you, but when I take an honest look at myself, I realize that I am weak and broken; useless on my own. But even with God at my side, there is still a part of me that simply makes me stronger around girls. When I am weakened by Satan's attacks or I am not relying on God to get me through something, God puts one of His daughters in my path to challenge me. Sometimes its as simple as a close friend doing her best to honor God with her life. Or sometimes God sends girls that are close to me to tell me how it is and gimme a look of disappointment. Both of these set off that instinct in me that says, "What!? Are you gonna let a girl beat you??"
Guys, we need this kind of encouragement/challenge! God knew we did!
"The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him....Then the Lord God made a woman..."~Genesis 2:18,22
What was that? Man needs help? From what, a monkey?? No; man needs help from women! We are in a race of endurance to the Throne of God, men and women alike, and we need all the help we can get! Guys, don't be a baby when a girl flies by you on the track; run harder than before and show her who your Master is! Girls, don't waste your time checking out the boys on the track; keep your hearts focused on God and His Will for your life! To all of us, God knows your faults and your weaknesses; He knows your need for a spouse to compliment you and encourage you. If you believe that then keep running towards God and know that He will bring you someone that will run alongside of you and help you when you fall.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." ~Hebrews 12:1-3
"I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."~1 Corinthians 9:23-25
Ready, Set, Go!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
