Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

FRIDAY JUNE 19


FAILURE IS NOT FATAL

READ:
John 6:69
____________________________________________________________________________________
You are the Christ,
the Son of the
living God.
____________________________________________________________________________________

Prime Minister Winston Churchill knew how to bolster the spirits of the British people during World War 2. On June 18, 1940, he told a frightened populace, "Hitler knows that he will have to break us...or lose the war...Let us therefore brace...and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire [lasts] for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour!'

We would all like to be remembered for our "finest hour." Perhaps the apostle Peter's finest hour was when he proclaimed, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God" (JOHN 6:69). Sometimes, however, we let our failures define us. After Peter repeatedly denied that he knew Jesus, he went out and wept bitterly (MATT. 26:75; JOHN 18).

Like Peter, we all fall short__in our relationships, in our struggle with sin, in our faithfulness to God. But "failure is not fatal," as Churchill also said. Thankfully, this is true in our spiritual life. Jesus forgave the repentant Peter for his failure (JOHN 21) and used him to preach and lead many to the Savior.

Failure is not fatal. God lovingly restores those who turn back to Him.

** Dear Father, thank You for Your forgiveness.
Thank You that Your mercy and grace are given freely through the
shed blood of Your Son, Jesus.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
When God forgives, He removes the sin and restores the soul.

***************************Today's Bible Reading __ John 18:15-27*****************************
15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another
disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest,
and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.

16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other
disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and
spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.

17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, "You
are not also one of this Man's disciples, are you?"

He said, "I am not."

18 Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals
stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And
Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

19 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and
His doctrine.

20 Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always
taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews
always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you
ask Me? ask those who have heard Me what I said to them.
indeed they know what I said."...

24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they
said to him, "You are not also one of His disciples, are you?"

He denied it and said, "I am not!"

26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him
whose ear Peter cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden
with Him?" 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a
rooster crowed.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The story of Peter's denial of Christ is found in
each of the four gospel records (MATT. 26: MARK 14: LUKE 22; JOHN 18). Of
these records, Mark's account bears particular interest since scholars
believe it is the record of Peter's memories of his time with Jesus. If
so, then in Mark's gospel Peter recounts the story of his denials as a
personal testimony of his failure.