FAILURE

"Peter replied, 'Man, I don't know what you're talking about!' Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 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.' And he went outside and wept bitterly." Luke 22:60-62

This is one of those stories where I can not only visualize everything happening, but I can also FEEL that sick feeling of failure that Peter must have felt. There is no doubt that Jesus knew Peter loved him. (In John 21:17, Peter responds to Jesus' question, "Do you love me?" with "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.") I can relate to that feeling of failure all too well. I have also experienced God's compassionate, all-knowing presence in the midst of my sin, making me want to run in shame and weep bitterly. Yet it is "what I do next," that makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Judas also wept bitterly when he realized what he had done. He chose to end his life while Peter went on to become the awesome apostle that boldly preached the gospel, healed people in the name of Jesus and even stood in front of the Sanhedrin fearlessly. What made the difference?

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, and THAT made all the difference in the world.

Jesus, you know that I love you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so that even when I feel like I have failed you, my whole life will be a witness to your goodness, mercy, love and power...to the ends of the earth.

KINGDOM OF GOD

"The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU." Luke 17:20

I am always on the lookout for God. I am drawn to people who are close to him and I purposefully go to places and events that I think his Holy Spirit will "show-up." Without realizing it, I have been on a constant hunt for the next "tent revival" experience. It was a PROFOUND moment when I read this verse and something seemed to sink in: The Kingdom of God is IN ME. I AM the dwelling place of GOD! Suddenly, verses that I've read a million times seem to come alive:

"I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives within me and the life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

"For we are the temple of the living God." 2 Cor.6:16

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price."
1 Cor.6:19

Lord, help me to truly soak in this mega-revelation!