I seriously doubt, if we are honest, there isn’t a one of us who at one time or another hasn’t failed. If you are like me it is, “Seriously? Again?” If there is one thing we all have in common it isn’t hair, heights, teeth, clothing, or anything tangible.
All of us have failed at something. A job. A business. A marriage. A career. A sport. The list seems endless doesn’t it?
Pick a person in the Bible who represents failure and I suspect many will choose the one I will be speaking about this Sunday. Matthew 5. Luke 9. Matthew 16. Matthew 26. If you guessed those Scriptures were about Peter you would be right.
Epic fail. Colossal fail. Especially that last one. Talk about betrayal Judas comes to mind. Talk about denial/failure Peter comes to mind.
But talk restoration and he should also come to mind. That, after all, is what John 21 is all about. Three times Jesus asked him if he loved Him, with the last being an echo of Peter’s own answers to the first two. Three denials. Three questions. Life & ministry restored.
After all, there is a second chance after failure. Peter is an example. Thanks for your prayers Sunday.
********************************************
May I ask a special prayer from you this weekend? A local church has about blown apart. We are supposed to have some of the folks visiting Sunday. I don’t mind being a haven for people to get their hearts and minds together, but I am not interested in growing OVCF by “sheep stealing.” Please pray for a right attitude for me and the healing of a breach in the wall for the other church. Thanks.
No argument here!
Praying for you and the entire church and the hearts of all concerned.
Thanks Floyd. Your prayers were needed and, I believe, answered.
We hit on the same theme today, Bill, in our blog posts. God IS the God of second chances (and third and fourth and . . .)
And I will pray for you for this coming Sunday. It sounds like quite a challenge, but God will see you through!
Blessings!
I read but don’t comment on the weekends Martha, but you are right: we did hit on the same theme. Thanks for the prayers.
From David:
Bill,
Is this message a coincidence? I think not! I have been digging in old files of my life and wondering how to purge them. Then you write this. Can only be God at work in my life. Amazing!
Thank you!
Hi Bill! I find the life of Peter to be a real comfort. Jesus chose him especially, knowing that he was flawed. But the potential was there. I hope God will always show me my potential so that I won’t get mired in the failure.
I’m so sorry about that other church. Sigh. We are all human beings, and tend to prove it every day. Don’t allow yourself to worry. People will make choices that you have no control over. Just love all of them as Jesus does. You can’t lose doing that.
Blessings,
Ceil
Agreed on Peter. i see some of my in him that’s for sure. The other church is a sad issue. We did have some visitors. I just hope they find a place to heal.
Sorry I didn’t read this before Sunday, but I pray that all went well, and I will pray for future Sundays because I’m guessing this will be more than a one-Sunday issue. If the wounded come to you, I know you’ll provide a safe place for them to receive God’s love. And if the offenders come to you, I’m sure God will give you wisdom in seeing that they are probably wounded in their own way as well…. Yes, we’ve all failed and will continue to. So thankful for grace! Blessings to you in your ministry to God’s people, Bill.
it is never too late to pray for me Lisa! 🙂 I’m praying it will be safe place to come, if for only a short time.