Cautious Confidence

Cautious Confidence

John 13: ³⁶ Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?”

Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”

³⁷ Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”

³⁸ Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

============

“I will never do that again” I said in haste. I was so relieved to be out of the bad situation, so I exclaimed how I would “never” get back into the same problem. Maybe a day or so passed and I found myself tiptoeing around the thing that got me in trouble in the first place.

• There have been times when I was over confident in my ability to stay away from sin.
• There have been times when I was over confident in my ability to follow what GOD says I should be doing.
• There have been times when I just knew I would never sin again and be perfect for the rest of my life.

Peter was perplexed by JESUS’s words of leaving. “Where are YOU going LORD?” Peter inquired. JESUS had already explained that HE was going to die and be raised, so HE said “You will, in fact, follow ME, but not now.”  Peter in his zeal said “I am willing to lay down my life for YOU.” JESUS said “You will deny ME.”

• GOD wants me to be confident in HIS abilities, not mine.
• GOD wants me to understand that my Spirit is willing but my flesh is weak.
• GOD wants me to know there will be times when I will do what I do not want to do and other times when I will do what HE wants me to do.

Being excited about GOD is great. I mean HE cares for me and is the most powerful being there is. Siding with HIM can give me confidence that HE can resolve any situation I can get in. But my confidence needs to be proceeded with caution. I should also know that I am still a sinner who fights temptation daily. My confidence is in GOD’s forgiveness when I am weak.

• Do you have a lot of self-confidence?
• Do you like to control the situation because of your lack of confidence in others?
• Will you place less confidence in your abilities and more confidence in GOD’s love for you?

Disassociation

Luke 22: ⁵⁴ Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. ⁵⁵ And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. ⁵⁶ A servant-girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, ‘This man was with him.’

⁵⁷ But he denied it. ‘Woman, I don’t know him,’ he said.

⁵⁸ A little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’

‘Man, I am not!’ Peter replied.

⁵⁹ About an hour later another asserted, ‘Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.’

⁶⁰ Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the cock crowed. ⁶¹ The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times.’ ⁶² And he went outside and wept bitterly.

============

Wanting to be part of the organization, I went along with the idea of shoplifting some pants. I had no money and this certain pants was a requirement. I was used as a distraction while the others loaded up on our “uniform.” Later, while walking back to our apartment, I was stopped and questioned. “Were you with them?” “No” I replied in a bold faced lie.

• There were times when I lied to save my hide.
• There were times when I disassociated myself from others in order to stay out of “trouble.”
• There were times when I went with the immediate thought, never considering what would happen next.

Bold impetuous Peter, who showed strong faith, denied any association with JESUS. He did this three times only feet away from HIM where JESUS could see and hear him. Peter was reminded of JESUS’s prediction when the rooster crowed. He had officially renounced any association with GOD.

• JESUS wants me to tell people that I am associated with HIM.
• JESUS wants me to shine my light before all humans in order to bring people to HIM.
• JESUS wants me to put HIS life ahead of mine in order to bring those around me to HIM.

Protecting my association with GOD is important to HIM. HE said “For whoever is ashamed of ME and MY words, of him the SON of Man will be ashamed when HE comes in HIS own glory, and in HIS FATHER’s, and of the holy angels.”

It takes practice to not go along with the crowd and to say “yes” to what GOD wants me to do. Usually it means not sinning this time and to help someone in need. Instead of a vacation, maybe GOD wants me to go serve for a change. The world would call me crazy, but GOD loves my attempt to relate to HIM.

• Are there areas of your life in which you have disassociated yourself from GOD?
• Do you go along with the complaining, lustful, power hungry crowd?
• Would GOD say you are telling people about HIM regularly?

Requests

Luke 22: ³¹ ‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. ³² But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’

³³ But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’

³⁴ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.’

============

Fueled by controlled anger, I figured that I would go above the person and talk to their boss. I mean the behavior needed to stop. Little did I know that the boss was in on the behavior and the consequences fell back on me.

• There were times when I wanted to accuse people.
• There were times when I wanted to tell on people to a higher authority.
• There were times when I wanted to go to someone in charge and get them on “my” side against “that” person.

Satan requested permission to manipulate Peter into denying his faith in JESUS. Peter responded to JESUS that he would never do such a thing. JESUS knew Peter would deny HIM three times before the rooster crowed. He would fail.

• GOD wants me to choose between complaining about people or praying for them.
• GOD wants me to choose whether I will join in on the complaining or be part of HIS solution.
• GOD wants me to choose poisonous word or pure words.

Accusing is something Satan does day and night before the throne. He complains in a wild torrent of rage to GOD and requests to test GOD’s children’s faith. In many instances, I fail. BUT GOD took care of that and picks me up to “strengthen my brothers and sisters.”

GOD wants me to think differently. HE wants me to stop acting like Satan by accusing “that” person before the throne. Others may complain about me, BUT GOD wants me to pray for their abundant salvation so things will go well for me.

• What requests are you putting before the throne?
• Are you complaining about someone or are you asking GOD for your forgiveness and theirs?
• Will you request more grace to fit in your life so you can “strengthen” people from Satan’s attacks?

Pressure to Deny

Mark 14: ⁶⁶ Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. ⁶⁷ And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.”

⁶⁸ But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.

⁶⁹ And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” ⁷⁰ But he denied it again.

And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”

⁷¹ Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”

⁷² A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

============

Crash, bang, slam were the noises the heavy sleds made as they tumbled off the shelves. I wanted to see one of them and all of them tumbled down. “Were you in that section of the store” was the question posed to me. “I don’t know” was the best answer I could give. I mean was I in trouble?

• There were times when I did not want to face consequence.
• There were times when I denied the truth so I could get out of trouble.
• There were times when I did not want to admit I was the cause of the trouble.

Peter faced a life or death situation. If He told the truth about being with JESUS, he would be captured, tortured and killed. He did what most would do, try to save himself by lying. Unfortunately, I would have done the same.

• JESUS wants me to mature to the point where I will not deny HIM.
• JESUS wants me to grow up so I will not forsake HIS ways.
• JESUS wants me to understand that following HIM means I will be ridiculed by HIS creation.

There are no front page stories about people who dedicate themselves to CHRIST. Even if there is not a word of judgment spoken, people find ways to look at innocent followers of GOD in a bad light.

I get lumped into political “Christians” simply by not doing what others are doing. If I say “I will never drink again”, people look at me as if I had a drinking problem that must have gotten out of control instead of saying “Wow, you are dedicating yourself to GOD.”  JESUS values what I do for HIM and does not want me to be ashamed of HIM so HE will not be ashamed of me.

• Is society pressuring you to hide your relationship with CHRIST?
• Do you feel pressure to act like everyone else so you will fit in?
• Can you stop trying to fit in and listen to GOD who made you for HIS purpose today?

Empty Belongings

Matthew 26: ³¹ Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

³³ Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

³⁴ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

============

“You want to go bowling with us?” was the question posed to me. “Sure!” was my answer and it felt great to be asked. “You want to go drinking with us?” was the question. I had never drunk anything stronger than a cola before so I said “Sure!” I mean it was just to have a little fun. “You want to try this?” “This” being a drug… “No thanks, but maybe I’ll stay and have some sex later” was my thought.

• There were times I wanted to just belong.
• There were times I wanted to simply be with the crowd.
• There were times when I was so lonely that I would hang out with the group I knew was wrong.

Denying my principles was pretty easy to do when I wanted to belong. No one had to know I was trying to follow GOD at that moment. Besides, we are all sinners anyway right? “I deserve to do a little sin right?” Wrong!

• GOD knows I will sin but doesn’t want me to deny HIM in the process.
• GOD knows I will stray but doesn’t want me to pretend I don’t belong to HIM.
• GOD knows I will crave what the world has to offer but doesn’t want me to want the world so bad that I would leave HIM.

Peter was told he would deny JESUS. “What?” Peter exclaimed! No way! JESUS knew that Peter wanted to save himself more than follow HIM. HE knew Peter would follow the crowd at a crucial time versus following GOD. I have done the same. BUT GOD forgives me and I am grateful!

• Are you lonely?
• Do you have a strong desire to belong even to the point where you will deny your relationship with GOD?
• Will you seek GOD today instead of hiding behind the crowd?

Just Doesn’t Fit

Matthew 10: ³² “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

============

It felt great being baptized in front of the entire church. I acknowledge my declaration of following JESUS in front of a group of those who believed as well. Years later I was asked to become one of the leaders who would spread GOD’s word at a corporation. “What about the people who worship other gods or no GOD, who work for me?” I thought to myself.  I declined.

• I have reasoned my way out of speaking about CHRIST.
• I have thought about the consequences of speaking about CHRIST and chose to go away from HIM.
• I have hidden my relationship with CHRIST so I could “get ahead.”

Foolishly I thought “I” was the one who got me to where I was. I thought it was my wit, drive and determination and I did not want to jeopardize all that I had built up by upsetting those in power. BUT GOD wanted me to act different.

• GOD wants me to acknowledge HIM wherever I am.
• GOD wants me to declare HIS righteousness in front of people, not just in my head.
• GOD wants me to open my mouth and say to others “GOD is my LORD and SAVIOR.”

Trying to fit in caused me to douse my flame for GOD. I mean if I shined HIS light too much then I could be labeled a religious fanatic and lose my job. I lost my job anyway! What a waste. GOD wants me to carry HIM throughout the day.

I don’t mean that I stop important meetings to force people to pray at work. I mean I should go into work ready to share GOD’s great news to those HE sends me. Fitting in is not the quest, finding and feeding sheep is.

• Are you hiding your relationship with GOD in front of people?
• Have you passed up major opportunities to show your relationship with HIM in order to flaunt your wealth?
• Can you stop hiding who you are supposed to be and tell people about CHRIST today?

They just don’t understand

Acts 25: ¹⁸ When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. ¹⁹ Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. ²⁰ I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.

============

“Shocked” was the look many people gave me when I told them I was going on my first missions trip. “Why now?”, “why you?”, “don’t we have enough problems here?” were only a few of the questions I got as I discussed my plans. Funny, these questions were from people who claimed to follow CHRIST.

• It seems like there are times GOD has me do some unusual things that benefit the kingdom.
• It seems like there are times GOD directs me to do things people don’t understand that benefits the kingdom.
• It seems like there are times GOD leads me to places I would never go but it benefits the kingdom.

GOD desires that no one will perish and HE wants anyone who is willing to go out and spread HIS message of love, grace and mercy. HE wants me to be open to going to my neighbors, my city, other states and even other countries if HE tells me to.  This openness is the beginning of compassion for “all” humans not just the ones I would choose.

Many people will question the timing, method or reason for me serving GOD.  It seems like each time I have gone on a trip, money was an issue or some event was in conflict or some other reason was a better option. Even writing down a daily devotional is questioned as people ask “why do you do that?” or “why make yourself look bad?” There is a harsh reality to relaying HIS message that must be coupled with “love.”

• GOD’s message will remain strange to those who are not seeking HIM but I must try anyway.
• GOD’s method will be doubted by those whose faith is small but I must have faith anyway.
• GOD’s timing will seem inconvenient to people but I must accept HIS timing and HIS plan.

Paul tried to explain JESUS’ resurrection to people who could care less. They treated him like some religious fanatic and he was ostracized. GOD desires HIS simple message of love to be given even though people may not receive it.

• Are you trying to live for GOD and people do not understand what you are doing?
• Are people confused by your decision to serve GOD more and more?
• Can you stay the course while delivering HIS message with love, compassion and grace?

GOD knows

Acts 7: ³³ “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. ³⁴ I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’

============

On the way back to school I was pulled over for speeding and received a hefty ticket. A month later on the way to court, I was driving the speed limit when a car sped past me yet I was pulled over and given a ticket!

With two tickets under my belt and having barely enough money to pay rent and school I hoped to save up to pay the second ticket which caused a lapse in the fine. Now I owed more! “LORD where are YOU?” I screamed.

• There are times when GOD seems to have disappeared.
• There are times when GOD seems so far away.
• There are times when GOD seems like HE isn’t listening or doesn’t care.

When the pressures of life come crashing at my door I sometimes cave in and just want peace. It makes me want to be silent about the goodness of GOD and slink back in a hole. BUT GOD says something different!

• No matter how difficult the situation may seem GOD is there with a plan of salvation.
• No matter how tough the going gets GOD is there to fight my battles.
• No matter how bleak the situation looks GOD is there to give me peace.

Moses knew he was chosen for something but wasn’t quite ready for what GOD had in store for him. GOD had to take him through the desert otherwise known as “difficult times” to prepare him for true leadership. GOD does the same with me. HE has and is taking me through difficult times to show me HE is in control.

My tiny wisdom and tenacity are useless in difficult situations, BUT GOD’s plans are marvelous and HE is building my faith to follow HIS ways.

• Are you trying hard to fix your situation?
• Are you trying hard to fix “that” person?
• Won’t you let the person or situation go and watch GOD work HIS plan?
• Can look at “letting go” as not giving up rather you are yielding to GOD and not seeking credit?

Peer pressure got to me!

Luke 23: ²² For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

 ²³ But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate decided to grant their demand. ²⁵ He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

============

It felt great being on my own for the first time. I could do with my body or someone else’s body, what I wanted to. When I got around the crowd, I could be the life of the party.  My language changed from holier than thou to holy . My peers egged me on.  I was the “man” or so I thought.

• Each time I choose my sinful life over JESUS I lose.
• Each time I downplay my relationship with JESUS HE does the same to me.
• Each time I stand for “nothing” I’m actually standing against what JESUS says.

Pilate could care less about JESUS as he saw HIM as only a mere man. I guess sometimes I do the same.  Oh yes I know HE is GOD and HE died for my sins, but I treat HIM like HE isn’t quite in charge of my life rather I am. 

With bad plans in hand I go about trying to please myself or others not once considering what GOD wants.  When I even think I’m not going to get my way, my nerves get on edge and sin ensues.

• Choosing JESUS over peer pressure isn’t easy but it’s the right thing to do.
• Choosing JESUS over peer pressure actually makes me make some hard choices about my current behavior.
• Choosing JESUS over peer pressure seems to never look easy but has always benefit me and those around me who I feared.

Killing an innocent man to protect his wealthy lifestyle and power is definitely a bad decision, BUT GOD looks at my life and says my sins are equal if not worse than Pilates because I know better.

• Are you afraid to audibly say JESUS’ name to “certain” people?
• Do your peers enjoy your sin?
• Will your peers get punished for the sin you commit?
• Will you get punished for the sin you commit?
• Does GOD punish anyone or is HE just a big pushover?
• Does GOD’s love for me have room for me to ignore HIM or even go against HIM?

Denial of GOD only makes it worse.

Luke 22: ⁵⁹ About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

 ⁶⁰ Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹ 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.” ⁶² And he went outside and wept bitterly.

============

“Come on let’s go out to the bar” was the beginning of a weekend of bad decisions. I would just have a few drinks, flirt a little, dance a little and release some of the cares I had from the week.

That phone number along with my pounding head would once again keep me from going to church. I mean GOD will understand the need to release my anxiety by having a little fun right?

• It’s amazing how much I deny GOD’s words on a daily basis.
• Many times I don’t believe GOD would do anything to any human.
• Sometimes I think it’s crazy to believe in demons.
• Other times I question the existence of Hell and the possibility of me going there.
• Still other times I dare GOD to sequester consequences on the sin I’ve just committed.

Invisible, inaudible and only words and feelings describing HIM make GOD look like a fable to me sometimes. Then that thing would happen. A difficult situation that requires HIS mighty power would somehow pop into my life at the wrong time. “GOD I need YOU” I would cry out!

• You would think GOD would say, “But you sinned when you knew better”, but HE doesn’t.
• You would think GOD would say, “You should have thought of that before you got yourself in this mess”, but HE doesn’t.
• You would think GOD would say, “You flat out denied me and chose sin to solve your problems”, But HE doesn’t.

Why doesn’t HE say these things about me? It’s GOD’s loving nature that pursues me even when I try to go my own way. I deny HIM, HE pursues me trying to get me to see that my sinful plan won’t work. Only HIS plans have a future so I can’t deny HIS words, existence or JESUS’ position as GOD the SON.

• Are you denying GOD by the sin you are planning?
• Did you deny GOD last night?
• Which part of the Bible don’t you believe?
• Are some of the miracles far-fetched to you?
• Won’t you stop trying to figure GOD out with your mind and add faith to your heart?