Thursday, April 26th, 2018

On any given day in the news, someone’s name and reputation is being dragged through the mud – sometimes for just cause and other times not. It is a powerful reminder that until Jesus comes again, in this world there will always be temptations, consequences, trials, and strife. God has a plan for each of us and knows each and every one of the days we will live. He knows both our good days and bad days and the decisions we will make within them. But He is faithful to us, full well knowing that we will not always be faithful to Him! At the Last Supper, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fall. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Simon Peter replies incredulously, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” But Jesus replied knowingly, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” Isn’t it incredible that even knowing that one of his most devoted disciples would deny him in his time of need, Jesus still designated Peter as the strengthener of his brothers’, and all mankind’s, faith? We all have made decisions in our past that were not in keeping with Christ’s word, and for many of us, those decisions still haunt us. We think, “I want to share my faith more publicly, but what if people call me a hypocrite because they know what I have done?” That thought is directly from Satan’s lips seeking to sift you as wheat. Jesus knows your days, nights, and every moment of your life and He still has faith in you. Today, take a step of faith and share Jesus with someone who needs to know Him and his incredible love.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” – Luke 22: 31-34 NIV