Then seizing him [Jesus], they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.  And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.  A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

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 22:54-60

Have you ever made a promise and failed to keep it? Let another down? Swore you would never do something and then did that very thing you swore you'd never do?

If so, have you received the gift of a second chance? Do you know the power of being forgiven? If only Peter could have known then, how his story would be shared throughout history. His story that would bless and encourage millions who have failed in one way or another, that there is a gospel of second chances. 

Peter suffered the brokenness of sin, shame and guilt. The Lord had warned him, and even in Peter's determination, he had managed to fail Jesus anyway. Seeing Jesus look his way the moment he failed, must have crushed Peter's heart. 

 I have had moments like that. Moments when you realize that you've dishonored the Lord and let Him down. It could be something as simple as promising to spend time with Him each morning, in His word and in prayer, but I rolled over again for a few more minutes of precious sleep. 

I believe Peter's story of denying His Savior is our great reminder that our failures don't determine our future with our Lord. 

God can take those times we've fallen short and failed Him and make something good come from them. 

Notice this passage in Mark 16, 

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”-Mk 16:5-7

Did you catch it? I must have read this passage hundreds of times, but didn't see this until recently. Look again at the command the angel gives to the women after Jesus has risen. 

But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” (v.7 emphasis mine) 

I never noticed before that the angel singles out Peter, rather than simply telling them to go tell the disciples. It's as if he is saying, "go tell the disciples and especially Peter...". It seems that all of heaven had watched Peter fall and fail to keep his promise to Jesus. And now all of heaven wanted to help Peter get back up. Or had Jesus specifically told the angel to mention Peter? Either way, Peter's relationship with Jesus needed to be restored. But that doesn’t apply just to Peter. I believe we all are important. We all matter to Jesus, and He wants to make sure our relationship with Him is blameless and untarnished.

While our failures are not part of His plan for us, He can take our failures, slip-ups, sins and shortcomings, and restore us back into His plan. 

Don't ever give up! Even though Peter was ready to, all of heaven was ready to help. Just as they are for each of us! Let your sin break your heart as it breaks your Savior, and then come back and openly confess it to the Lord and be restored. He will bless you and use you to bless others once you return to Him.

Blessings, 

Sue

Friday March 12^th-Dorcas- Acts 9:36-42

Rich in acts of kindness and charity!

Dorcas was a disciple and a seamstress and she did not keep things to herself.  Not only did she enjoy making clothes for the widows and the saints but also encouraged them.  Her love and kindness made them feel loved and cherished and it showed by her actions.  When she died they were so wrought, and when they heard Peter was nearby they sent for him, trusting that he would heal her.  He did! 

Lord, You know how much I love to give to Your people and especially to the widows.  It brings me great joy to be able to help them, and encourage them and it is only because You have given me the gift of service and the talent to sew clothes.  As I am making these clothes I pray for them.  It always bring me such great pleasure to be part of their lives.  I don’t remember much of that day that I was very sick.  When I awoke and saw Peter I was so happy to see him.  He had been praying for me and when I heard him call my name to rise up, I sat up and he extended his hand to me. It is through the power of prayer and faith in You that though I had died, You made me alive again.  My greatest joy is in knowing that it became known all throughout Joppa and that many came to believe in You, Jesus.  It is my joy to serve You. 

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Lyn

“Dorcas, arise.” As Dorcas opened her eyes, the room slowly came into focus. Looking around, she saw the apostle Peter kneeling beside her. Quickly she sat up in bed and tried to make sense of her surroundings. "Where am I? Where is my Lord? Why have I been taken from Him?", Dorcas asked with a tremor in her voice. Peter gently took her hand in his and replied, "My dear sister, God has performed a mighty miracle through you."

Still confused, all Dorcas knew at that moment was the pain she felt at having to leave paradise and her Savior's side. "Dorcas", Peter said softly. "I know the agony of being separated from our beloved Lord Jesus. I too long for nothing more than to be at His side once again. But your work here on this earth is not finished. And God will use your life as a great testimony through which many will be saved." Not finding much comfort in Peter's words, through tears Dorcas asked, "Why me?" 

"Listen", Peter replied. And as Dorcas turned her head to the door, she heard a great many wailings and cries of sorrow. "Those are for you.", Peter continued. "For me?", asked a surprised Dorcas. Peter went on to tell of how he was ministering in the nearby town of Lydda when he was approached by two disciples urging him to quickly go to Joppa. For their beloved disciple Dorcas had died from a sickness, leaving many broken hearted. And on the way, they had shared with Peter stories of the many abounding deeds of kindness and charity Dorcas selflessly performed. They sang praises of her love and care for orphans and widows, and of her devotion to the Lord.

 "See for yourself", said Peter, as he motioned with his arm around the room. Dorcas looked and saw piles of tunics and other garments strewn over the furniture. "What are these?", she asked the apostle. "These are the evidence of your faith and love for others.", replied Peter. "the widows who brought them wanted me to see the great care you put in every stitch." Dorcas was deeply moved by the womens devotion. She hadn’t before realized all of those she had touched. And even though her heart still felt the chill of disappointment, it was beginning to warm from the outpouring of love.

"Are you ready?", Peter asked "It's time to show the people the mighty love, mercy, and hand of God at work." "I am!", answered Dorcas. And she got out bed, took Peter's arm, and let him lead her out to the many people gathered in prayer and anticipation. At her appearance, shouts first of disbelief, and then joy grew so loud, they spilled out into the street. People rushed up to hug her, and many fell to their knees praising God. Tears of joy and sounds of laughter now turned the once solemn house into a place of jubilation, and many stayed long into the night worshiping and celebrating.

Peter left Dorcas and went to stay with his friend Simon. But often he would return to check on her. For she had become a local celebrity, and many came from miles around to see the "living miracle" and to hear her story. Yet she still remained humble, and Peter was filled with joy as he watched her pick right up where she left off in her work for God's kingdom. For Dorcas often told of God's great love in not only in saving her, but saving us all through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. And in her heart she longed for the day when she would once again return to her Master and hear Him say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

(Dorcas reminds me of the apostle Paul who in Philippians 1:23 says, “I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” I too often cry out, “Maranatha, come quickly Lord Jesus!” But if Dorcas has shown me anything, it’s the importance of continuing God’s work until the day He calls us home. How about you? Are sitting idly by, until the Lord’s return? Or are you using each precious day He gives you to glorify Him and work for His kingdom?)