Wednesday, May 15, 2013

What If I Stumble?

What If I Stumble?

    “Peter replied, ‘Man, I don't know what you're talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him:
‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’
And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

Luke 22:60-62 NIV


   
    “Never, Lord! Never will I desert you. Even if everyone else does, I won’t.
 I’m your man.”

    Those were the words spoken by Peter before the handcuffs were slapped on Jesus and He was dragged away. Jesus knew. He knew that Peter would fail. He knew this disciple, whose feet He’d washed, would run like fire and ditch Him for his own selfish reasons. Three times, Peter swore “@#&*, I don’t know this Jesus!” Fleeing from the courtyard and the accusing faces, Peter crumbled to the ground and sobbed. He could never take back his words. How could he ever face Jesus again?

     But Jesus had a plan. “Do you love Me, Peter? Are you sure you do? I’ll ask again.
     Do you love Me?—Then feed my sheep.”

    Three times, the Lord cancelled Peter’s sin. Three times, He gave direction. Three times, a new beginning was offered. All Peter had to do was say yes. And he did. Peter became a powerful leader in the early church. His very shadow brought healing. He didn’t stay stuck in his failure. He was forgiven and moved forward. The scripture below was written by Peter. Take it from one who knew!


“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
 Acts 3:19 NIV
   

      Dear Lord,
        Forgive me for ________________. I will follow You.



Review by Macy-
"We all make mistakes. But God forgives us. He does not hold a grudge on us when we mess up. We sin all the time, but it helps us grow in our faith."

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

What If People Hate Me?




Day Three - What If People Hate Me?


“’Here comes that dreamer!’ they exclaimed. ‘Come on, let's kill him...We can tell our father that a wild animal has eaten him.
Then we'll see what becomes of all his dreams!’"
Genesis 37:19-20 (NLT)

***Don't miss Hannah's review before posting your own comment!

   
    Joseph: You wouldn’t believe the dreams God gave me. I saw your wheat sheaves bowing to mine. I saw the moon, sun and eleven stars bow also. And don’t you love the coat Father gave me?

    Brothers: You’re not our boss. You’re just a little boy. You’ll never amount to anything. Bow down to you? Never!

    Misunderstood by Jacob, his father, and rejected by his brothers, Joseph was sold into slavery and taken to a far off land—Egypt.  The jealous brothers lied to Jacob, their father.  “Oh Dad, doesn’t this bloody coat belong to Joseph?” For the next seventeen years, Jacob cried himself to sleep. 

    But Joseph’s dreams did come true. His brothers bowed, Joseph forgave, and the nation of Israel was saved. How could it be? God was with Joseph and Joseph honored God.

    This is the key. He never forgot his God-given dreams. He could have gotten even; he could have gotten mad at God. But Joseph let God take care of him. In the far off land of Egypt, God lifted Joseph to unbelievable majestic power. Did God take care of him? Oh…yeah!

    You have dreams and hopes. They are from God. Don’t hang out with those who jeer at your dream. Hang with the people who believe in God and believe in you!

“So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth
more than a million canaries.”
Matthew 10:31 (MSG)
       
        Dear Lord, I choose to believe that Your plans for me are greater than I know. What the bullies say won’t change Your mind. I won’t change mine either.       


Review by Hannah- 
"A great example of what Satan is trying to do to us every day just happened recently. My friend, who is in ninth grade, told me that she wants to graduate high school a year early. She said she is willing to take online courses over the summer and during the school year. When my other friends heard about it, they laughed and looked at her like she was crazy. No one thinks she can do it, but that just gave her more determination. I know my friend has the capability, but she's got to give it all she's got. I'm confident in my friend and with God on her side, I believe she will graduate with flying colors."