Central Truth

Be careful when you think you’re standing firm!

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Reflections

As I read this passage, I’m overwhelmed by God’s mercy. Peter in his pride and zeal is determined that he will never deny Christ. And what happens? He denies Christ. How many times have I proclaimed boldly that I will give up a sin only to turn to the very thing I denied. I can understand how Peter must’ve felt. My biggest sin is trying to conquer the sin in my life on my own. I always fail.

Here’s the good news. Peter, when he started relying on Christ, became a man who proclaimed the gospel boldly, raised the dead, and was the first to preach to the Gentiles. God’s mercy was all over his life! In the last year, God has shown me a similar grace, taking my brokenness and not only putting the pieces back together, but using my story to inspire others.

About a year and a half ago, I was interning for I Am Second (www.iamsecond.com, a testimony-based website). I was supposed to be working from home one day, but my laptop was being a weird, so I ended up going into the office. (Gas was $4/gallon, and I was in college. I was not a happy camper!) There was a scheduled filming that morning, but the woman who was supposed to be filmed was a no-show. They filmed my testimony instead. Now my story of trying to do it on my own has been viewed by 100,000+ people. I hear regularly about the way that God is using His story of grace in my life to bless others. Despite my failures, He made me a part of His plan! What incredible mercy and lovingkindness!

My encouragement to you is this: Acknowledge constantly that it will only be through the Lord that you will be able to do any good work. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Titus 2:11-14) Rely on the Lord’s strength instead of your own to do the right thing. (2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) God’s grace will cover you and empower you to do incredible things for the Kingdom!

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Discussion Questions

1. Is there anything in your life that you’ve proclaimed in word but aren’t living out in deed and truth?

2. Are you allowing God to use you, or is there sin (either past or present) in your life that you’re letting hold you back?

3. Where in your life are you relying on your own strength as opposed to God’s?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Who did Jesus say was going to desert Him? 

2. The 12 disciples were Jesus’ best friends, his community group. Have you ever been deserted by your friends?

3. How can you trust Jesus, who understands how you feel, to help you in these hard circumstances?

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