Still Want Me, Jesus?...But I Have Sinned!

Still Want Me, Jesus?...But I Have Sinned!

 “Deny you three times…before the rooster crows? Never, Jesus! I ‘m here for you!”

And as Jesus was handcuffed and taken away, Peter fled in fear. He ran to the palace where Jesus would be put on trial.

Soon Jesus would be hung on a rugged cross and die a wretched, death. Soon the preachers would mock Him, the Son of God, as He died to forgive their sins. Soon Satan, the prince of darkness, would lift his goblet of wine and celebrate the death of his arch enemy.

But before the first nail pierced the hand of the Savior, Peter, the devoted disciple, denied ever knowing Him.

He stood with others, warming himself at the fire pit.

“I know who you are! You walked with this Jesus of

Nazareth.”

“Are you out of your mind, crazy? I don’t know that man.”

That’s once!

“You belong to Jesus. I can tell by the way you talk.”

“Shut up, woman. This Jesus is a stranger to me.”

That’s twice!

“I’ve seen you with Jesus!”

Fury registered on Peter’s face. “I don’t know this Jesus #$@&%*!”

That’s thrice!

And the rooster crowed. Peter remembered the words of Jesus. Running from the crowd he fell on his face in the dirt of the

earth—and wept—bitterly.

But God knew. He knew Peter would tell

the world about Jesus. Peter had fallen—needed to change. And when Jesus arose from the dead Peter turned to Jesus and asked forgiveness.  Read Peter’s words below.

"Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you”

Acts 3:19

That’s what Peter did. He humbled himself. And God who is rich in mercy picked him up and wiped away all of Peter’s tears!

Dear Lord, I humble myself before You. I have sinned in this _______________. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love You so!

The Test - Great People Give God Glory

Week Five - Great People Give God Glory

The Test

Maria winced at her dreadful score on the state board college entrance exam. She didn’t make the mark. Her score was too low. I’m a failure…a

looser…definitely dumb…not smart.

Her only hope was--no one would ever know!

Maria's classmates in the accelerated section were riding high. This select group was quite impressed with their off the chart scores.

Relief hit Maria when the bell sounded for the last period of the day. Soon she could go home and escape prying minds. Soon she could collapse on her own bed and cry, be left alone. Her home was always a refuge.

But it didn’t happen that way. Things took a dovetail when one of the admired and rather smug leaders of the class piped up. “Mr. Clark, can we take a tally of everyone’s scores and see what our average is on the state exam?”

He was full of pride for his own soaring score and to Maria's horror all were in favor and Mr. Clark willingly complied. After all, they were the accelerated group—the elite of the high school graduating class!

Maria's heart filled with terror. What can I do? How do I escape this great embarrassment?

“Mr. Clark, may I be excused to the restroom?”

A nod of his head gave the needed permission. And Maria walked out.

Relief flooded her soul. Now to remain long enough to evade inquiring minds. Maria returned as the students were leaving—heading homeward. Sigh. It's over. I escaped. Almost home!

“Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness:

 but a faithful man who can find ?”

Proverbs 20:6

A young girl was terrorized by her seeming failure. A girl with promise was a target for Satan’s demise. And actions of prideful classmates were contemptible in the sight of their Creator.

Theirs was not a record heaven could applaud. They were young, immature. Hopefully they would learn that self- seeking is the antitheses of greatness.
P. S. Four years later, Maria took hold of God's plan for her life and  graduated from a reputable university. The Lord looked on this humble one and enabled her to reach her dream.  

"For though the LORD is high, yet he looks after the lowly; But the proud, he knows from afar."

Psalm 138:6