Organizing the Inside – Day 284 Beyond Regrets

June 13, 2012 at 3:00 pm · Filed under Encouragement, Inspiration, Love, Relationship, Wisdom, Women's Ministry and tagged: Divine grace, Jesus, Lord, Power, Savior, Witnessing

36Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.” 37“But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.” 38Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me. John 13:36-38 (NLT)

Peter’s denial of Christ was very public. At one time Peter thought he was ready to stand boldly and show his love and commitment to Jesus. Yet Jesus saw beyond Peter’s zeal and foretold him that he was indeed not ready to die for Him. In fact Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him. The guilt and shame that Peter felt must have been almost overwhelming when he finally realized what he had done. I’m sure this was a difficult and humbling experience for him.

Sometimes Christians are so full of zeal, but their enthusiasm is misdirected.
For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Romans 10:2 (NIV) I love street witnessing. So excited about the Lord; I was just beginning to understand the power that was at work within me. After going through weeks of prayer and training, we saw many folks saved and delivered as we witnessed on the streets week after week. All the excitement and readiness was leading up to one of our biggest nights, Halloween. We knew that in certain neighborhoods the people would be out and not only that, they would be happy to answer the door! This night was different in that two others were with me. Usually we went out in teams of two. Prayed up, in full armor and ready to go, we approached one home and an elderly woman answered the door. We began to share the good news, but the blank stare she gave was a clear indication she had no idea what we were saying.

Not knowing what to do next.
We stood at the door baffled that God had left us so ill-equipped.  The two who were with me looked at each other and shook their heads as to say, “I’ve got nothing” and I knew eventually they’d look at me. With only seconds to decide I stood there shaking in my sneakers. You see, there was an unfamiliar anointing upon me that flowed from my belly to my vocal cords and onto my tongue. I knew that the Lord had given me the words to speak to this woman in her native tongue. I wanted so desperately to tell her how Jesus died for her and about God’s love. Yet in that very moment I said nothing. I shook my head and hunched my shoulders to the others as to say, “beats me.” We stood there for a few more moments, waiting for God to provide and He did. I felt as though my tongue was about to fly right out of my mouth and the powerful force stirring within me made it difficult to maintain my composure. Yet, I did not open my mouth. The thoughts of what will they think, and why did God choose me, and what if I sound crazy, came all at once as I stood there on the porch that Halloween night and denied Christ.

Is He Lord and Savior?
As we walked away my witnessing partners were bewildered that God did not provide. Only I knew the truth. The river of power soon began to subside and was replaced by the absolute worst feeling of sadness and shame. As we made our way down the sidewalk to the next house God reminded me of His love for me, of His forgiveness. The hope that I was so anxiously wanting to share with all the trick-or-treaters or anyone else willing to listen, was now the exact hope I needed most. Unlike Peter’s public denial, my guilt was private and no one else knew. Peter grew to love Christ more and went on to do great things as one of the founding fathers of the early church.  For me, that night in my humbled state I discovered something new about being a Christian. Jesus didn’t want to be my Savior only; He wanted to be my Lord. Over those next weeks, as God restored my confidence I had a new appreciation for God’s forgiveness and my relationship with Him.

As your love for Christ grows, your zeal will be according to knowledge.
As your desire for Him deepens, as you spend more time in His presence, your heart will soon discover He is more than just your Savior; He must also be Lord. Whether we get off the throne, and allow Christ to take His place as Lord of our lives or not, Jesus is Lord! 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10, 11 (KJV)

Years later, I wondered what happened to the elderly woman who answered the door that night. The part I left out was that, during the time we were standing there wondering what to do next, she left the door and came back with her bible. It was in Spanish and she began to speak to us in Spanish with the brightest smile as she held her bible close. Somehow, we understood she knew the Lord. Of course none of us could understand a word she said and she didn’t understand us either. That night was one of those experiences you have with the Lord that changes you forever. Jesus foreknew and yet He still chose me anyway.

God knows we are going to fall short.
Even Peter denied him three times, but he went on to do so much for the Lord. God’s grace gives us the power and confidence to keep going. His grace is all we need to overcome our past mistakes. You can still move forward and do wonderful things for God, because Christ’s blood flows freely. His grace is quite capable of supplying you and me with the power we need to continue in Him. If Peter had denied the Lord five times instead of three, God’s grace would have been available just the same. It’s plenty enough to free, cover and empower you, me and the entire world. Therefore today, we are moving beyond regrets, beyond fear and beyond ourselves as we enter into that place where Christ is not only our Savior, but He is Lord.

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