Thursday Devo

Read Luke 22:54-62. Can you imagine the shame you would feel. We all have denied Christ in some way. We let a dirty joke go on without saying something. We had an opportunity to pray for someone but we thought they would think us weird. We had a chance to stand up for our faith but intimidation and fear won out. 

Peter though, had it worse. He was Jesus' right hand man and he had made many claims about what he was going to do for God. V. 61 says, "the Lord looked at Peter." Wow - that would have been unbearable. But what were Jesus' eyes saying? It is interesting to think back to the fact that Jesus' predicted this betrayal but didn't push Peter away. He just told him it would happen.

The Lord knows our hearts and he knows as he said on the cross - "forgive them - THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO!" Thank you Lord for grace. From here on it will probably be harder for Peter to forgive himself than anything else.

I have noticed in ministry and life that it doesn't seem God really uses anyone until they have really come to terms w/ the condition of their heart. Hopefully we don't have to fall like Peter to discover the corruption in our hearts - but many times we do. The key is - what will we do when we discover we are wretched? Will we run to his amazing grace or make excuses?

1) Is there any place in your life right now where you're intimidated to stand up for God?

2) How can you be fearless for Jesus and yet compassionate to others?

prayer

Lord your grace is amazing - it has saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but know I'm found  - was blind but now I see. Lord unveil my eyes to the true condition of my heart so I don't betray you like Peter. Show me before the time of great testing.