Rev. Ray and Pat Amos

Luke 22:28-34

“You are those who have stood by me in my trials….’Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

“Do not judge me by my successes. Judge me by how many times I fell down, and got back up again.” -Nelson Mandela

There is nothing in our past that can keep us from having a glorious future. Are we willing to place our past (good and bad) in the hands of our ever present Savior?

The text begins with the acknowledgment that the disciples had stood by Jesus in his trials, and he would surely stand by them in their troubles. The scripture points out that we will have times of failure. When they come, this is a good passage to remember. If someone who is strong and confident like Peter can deny Jesus, then what are we capable of?

Telling Peter that he would fall is not Gospel; but telling him that he would get up is. By the mercy and grace of God, he would be a stronger disciple after going through the difficult time. God would have each of us to know that there is another chance. You and I may fail, but our faith doesn’t have to. “But I have prayed for (your name) that your faith may not fail.” When we reach up from our fallen state, we find His faithful hands reaching down.

Here are some lessons from today’s scripture: NEVER SAY NEVER! We are deceiving ourselves if we think that we are beyond sin and failure. (Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.) Let us understand that Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves; and that he still loves us. Listen for the crowing of the rooster. The first crow is to say, “You have sinned,” but the next one say’s, “Rise up in the Name of Jesus!” It is in the depth of our sin that we begin to realize the height of God’s love.

Grace and Peace, Rev Ray (3/11/2019)

“Link to YouTube Video – Lean on Me Brother”