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 Prince

The Prince

“Now no one in Israel was as handsome as Absalom. From head to foot, he was the perfect specimen of a man.”

I Samuel 14: 25

Prince Absalom brushed his luscious locks of wavy thick hair and arrayed himself in his royal clothing. He then hailed his royal chariot and the fifty men that ran before him and made his way to the city gate.

He was so cool! He was so grand. He was everyone’s dream boy. And the people swooned when in his presence.

“Oh, Absalom Absalom, what a guy…what a man...what a prince! Ooh Ah, Ooh Ah!”
All day long they would pass his way and if they had a question or a problem Absalom was there to give an answer—one they wanted to hear.  

“It’s not right. I ought to be king. Everyone loves me! Father has really made a

mess of things in Israel. Besides I’m young, Father is getting old, and… I look…

                                                             like a king.”

So the battle lines were drawn and a prideful son took up arms again his own father.

But look how Absalom met his end.

 Absalom rode speedily on his mule through the thick forest from his enemy.

Suddenly he ran under a thickly boughed oak tree and the rest of the story

                         is unreal!

“He cut his hair only once a year, and then only because it was too heavy"

  

“My hair! It’s caught in the tree. What to do? Help! Come back, mule,

I’m hanging by my hair!”

But he had already been spied by the enemy and three swiftly thrown darts pierced his heart. It was over! Absalom, the pompous, physically perfect prince—was dead. The king was a father—deeply grieved.

Great people give glory to God, not themselves. Absalom is remembered for his pride. 
Greatness? This is not the way!

Dear Lord, Search me and see if there is any wicked way in me. Thank you and change my heart. I want to be great…for You!

The Beast - Great People Give God Glory

The Beast

“and boasted, ’Look at this, Babylon the great! And I built it all by myself, a royal palace adequate to display my honor and glory!’"

Daniel 4:30 (MSG)

A once mighty monarch sat in the wilderness. He had long since gone wildly insane and become like a beast in the field.

As he ate the tender grass alongside the oxen, tears streaked his once regal face and he shrieked, “Oh my God, what have you done to me?

Look at my hands, Lord. My nails are like birds’ claws. My hair

has grown like eagles’ feathers. I loathe this grass and the dew wets my body each day.”

Cries pounded his broken soul. “I have become a beast. My kingdom is stripped away just as Daniel said. I paraded through my palace… was in awe of my grandeur. I…was the great

Nebuchadnezzar!

My pride has repulsed you. Now I am judged. Is there yet hope for me, God? Will you hear my plea, see my heart?  I have sinned against you. You…are God. Only you…are to be worshiped.”

And the great king fell on his face before God while sobs wracked his body. What happened next is not a fairy tale but the Word of the living unchangeable God!

“And I, Nebuchadnezzar, the once mighty king of Babylon had my mind restored

and my hands became once more virile and strong. My hair was transformed and glistened in the sun. And I rose up and worshiped the one true King and my kingdom was returned to me.”

Today you will find King Nebuchadnezzar somewhere around the throne of God

He will be worshiping the King whose kingdom has no end!

Dear Lord, I bow my knee to you. Use me for Your glory. I surrender. Thank you!

I Think I'll Go Eat Worms - Great Peoplel Give God Glory

                                 I Think I'll Go Eat Worms

“They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man. Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”

Acts 12:23

King Herod primped in front of his favorite mirror while his servants arrayed him in royal silvery garments that glistened in the sun. “Oh, yeah, I’m the king. I’m the man.

And what do these rebellious nations think they can do to me? Sure they want peace… they want my resources. I'll give a  speech... that will bring their surrender."

Properly arrayed, properly situated on his throne, the pompous king strutted toward his podium. I’m good at making speeches. People always marvel. Brilliant, that’s what they say—brilliant!

So King Herod opened his mouth and it happened just as he planned.

The crowd listened with intensity and exclaimed in unison. “This is the voice of a god, not of a man." (Acts 12:23) 

As King Herod soaked in their praise, the angel of the Lord, struck him,down... worms ate his body... and he died! Can you believe that? Well as disgusting as it is...it really happened!

God had gifted this king to speak but the king thought the gift was his own. He didn’t need God. Why would he? He was born with a golden tongue. He was a natural.

No generation remembers King Herod with affection. He was a blustering windpipe enthralled with his position, his power, and his regalia!

Had the Almighty written him off without a chance to change? No, God doesn't operate that way.Herod had killed James the apostle, attempted to kill Peter another apostle of Jesus, and seen the miracles...all without a change of heart. 

In the end, a man, who refused to glorify God, a man thirsty for his own glory...died in shame.