Rev. Ray and Pat Amos

“Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” Mark 14:72

“You are those who have stood by me in my trials….’Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of 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.” Luke 22:28-32

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

The disciples had stood by Jesus in his trials, and now, he would surely stand by them in their troubles. Can Christ say that we are standing by him? 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 back up is.

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 you (say your name here) that your faith may not fail.” When we reach up from our fallen state, we find His faithful hands reaching down.

NEVER SAY NEVER! We are deceiving ourselves if we think that we are beyond sin and failure. Let us understand that Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves; and that he still loves us. Listen for the sound of the rooster crowing. The first crow is to say, “You have sinned,” but the next one says, “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.

“Even when it hurts
Even when it’s hard
Even when it all just falls apart
I will run to you
Because I know that you are
Lover of my soul, healer of my scars
You steady my heart
You steady my heart”

Grace and Peace, Rev Ray