“The heavens will not be filled with those who never made mistakes but with those who recognized that they were off course and corrected their ways to get back in the light of gospel truth.” ― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

In the second chapter of the book of Acts, we read about the event that marked the Holy Spirit’s descend after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven. Jerusalem was brimming with people from all over Israel and beyond, including the 12 disciples, Jesus’ mother Mary, Jesus’ brothers, and about 120 followers of Christ. They gathered together to celebrate Pentecost.

The term Pentecost in the original Greek means “fiftieth,” and it refers to the Jewish festival, also known as the “Feast of Weeks,” celebrated on the 50th day after Passover.

Jesus’ disciples and followers had been waiting for the promised “Helper,” the Spirit of God whom Jesus promised to send after his ascension to heaven.

The narrative in the chapter is dramatic. The verb used in the original text at the beginning of the chapter carries a connotation of fulfillment of prophecy.

According to the well-known account, as the people were all gathered in one place, a “mighty rushing wind” and “tongues of fire” descended over Christ’s followers. They began speaking in other tongues, “as the Spirit was giving them utterance,” which in the Christian tradition is a representation of the fulfillment of Christ’s references in the gospels that He would baptize His followers with the Holy Spirit.

The scene caused consternation to those present, especially to foreigners who could perfectly understand the message since the Galileans started miraculously speaking in their tongues. Others mocked Christ’s followers, declaring that they were “full of sweet wine.”

But as confusion and amazement grabbed the hearts of the audience, an unlikely figure stood up.

Peter. The disciple who had denied Christ three times on the day the Master was arrested and tried. The tempestuous follower who, filled with uncontrolled rage, amputated the ear of a soldier who came to take his Master to the Sanhedrim trial. The man who walked on water, only to start drowning with unbelief.

Intrepid, unrestrained, wavering Peter stands up at Pentecost and delivers a sermon so filled with God’s power, so bold and challenging, that, at the end of his speech, Scriptures say that 3,000 people put their trust in Christ and were baptized.

I love this story, especially as I think about Peter before the resurrection. Perhaps it is because I can relate to his Type A personality. Or maybe it is because Peter’s transparency and weaknesses make him more relatable than most disciples.

Peter is indeed the perfect example of brokenness and failure in the life of faith, followed by the redemptive transformation that forgiveness can bring. As he stands tall, shouting, quoting prophecies filled with God’s power at Pentecost, his passion and steady zeal for the Savior is not skin-deep. He is a changed man.

Peter is indeed the perfect example of brokenness and failure in the life of faith, followed by the redemptive transformation that forgiveness can bring. @AJC #TuesdayMotivation #Pentecost #forgiveness
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Peter did not allow his failures to define him. He did not let his betrayal become the end of his story. Unlike Judas, who did not even seek Christ’s forgiveness and ended up taking his own life, Peter was the first recipient of God’s redeeming grace. Instead of dwelling on his past, Peter accepted God’s forgiveness, changed his life course, and was used to light the fire that started the church that revolutionized the world’s history.

Peter accepted God’s forgiveness, changed his life course, and was used to light the fire that started the church that revolutionized the world’s history. His story gives me pause. @AJC #TuesdayMotivation #Pentecost #forgiveness
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Peter’s story gives me pause.

I wonder how many people remain caught up in the snares of their past mistakes, trapped in a mindset that does not allow change. As Peter before Christ’s resurrection, they waver between believing and fearing, trusting and doubting, simply because they do not let God’s love, forgiveness, and grace take hold of their weaknesses and transform them.

Peter did not anchor his heart in his past. Instead, he allowed Jesus’ forgiveness to revolutionize his thinking and his actions. God’s love and redemption severed the chains that kept Peter from becoming everything God designed him to be.

God’s love and redemption sever the chains that keep you from becoming everything God designed you to be. @AJC #TuesdayMotivation #Pentecost #forgiveness
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Judas allowed his mistakes to destroy his life. He sought neither forgiveness nor redemption.

On the other hand, Peter humbly acknowledged his inadequacy, repented from his mistakes and therefore received the gift of a changed life – a purpose-filled life.

God never meant for our mistakes to define us. May we learn from them, change the course that leads us to them, and accept that God has a better plan. And as we stand tall at the brink of this new revelation, God will fill us with the power to do exceedingly more than we can even imagine.

God never meant for our mistakes to define us. May we learn from them, change the course that leads us to them, and accept that God has a better plan. @AJC #TuesdayMotivation #Pentecost #forgiveness
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This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, February 13, 2021. Click HERE to see it on the AJC’s website.

The post Past Mistakes Should Not Define Our Future {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

The multitude that welcomed Him less than one week before joins those who seek to kill Him in Jerusalem’s swarming streets.

Some are confused. Others, angry. Many are scared. After all, powerful soldiers surround the King of Peace. Their intimidating presence tower over the unarmed Jews. And Joseph ben Caiaphas – the High Priest, the very leader who should embrace the long-awaited Messiah, leads the accusations against the Nazarene.

Those who followed Him throughout Galilee and Judea are baffled.

“I don’t understand. Why doesn’t He do something?”

“Didn’t He come to set us free?”

Amongst the crowd that witnessed the Sanhedrin’s trial of Jesus, we find Peter, cowardly hiding in the group. He follows the procession to Annas’ house, Caiaphas’ father-in-law, who held the position as High Priest before him, and then to Caiaphas’ courtyard, where the Sanhedrin meets before daybreak. The meeting is as unlawful as it is a farce. Nightly sessions of the Jewish highest court are prohibited. But they are in a hurry to sentence the One they have pronounced guilty long before this day.

Peter watches the scene from a distance. Mixing with the crowd, he is recognized as one of Jesus’ followers three different times.

And every time, he denies Christ.

When that third denial occurs, a fresh memory flashed through his mind.

 “Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:60-62

Many sermons have been written about Peter’s denial and Jesus’ forgiveness after the resurrection. The apostle’s denial of Christ is indeed a sobering reminder of the fragility of our faith in face of hostility, trials, or unbearable pain.

It is as easy to judge Peter as it is to chastise ourselves when our faith fails. But the truth is – Peter witnessed the Lord’s seemingly defeat the same way we face our trials: by allowing the overwhelming circumstances to overshadow what he had seen in the past and heard from the Lord.

Peter witnessed the Lord’s seemingly defeat the same way we face our trials: he allowed the overwhelming circumstances to overshadow what he had seen in the past. #Mondaythoughts #MondayDevotionals #FaithFailures
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Three times did Jesus tell them that He had to die and that He would rise again: Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:22-23 and Matthew 20:17-19 (See also records of these same incidents written by other disciples in Mark 8:31-37 and Luke 9:22-25.)

And three times, Peter fixed his eyes on the terrors of the moment, instead of the miracles He had experienced for three years… and the promise that Jesus made that He would rise again.

Peter’s faith failure was no match for God’s perfect grace. For every denial, Jesus’ forgiveness, love and mercy covered Peter, foreseeing the day when he would finally and completely surrender to His Savior.

There’s so much to say about this beloved apostle. Born Shimon ben Yonah (Simon son of Jonah – John 21:15), Peter was the first man God used to bring multitudes to the saving knowledge of Christ at Pentecost. Long before his faltering faith and denial, Jesus called him “Petros” (Greek: rock or stone) – a declaration of his destiny.

Peter’s wavering faith when walking on water and fearful heart while denying the Savior made way to rock-solid faith after seeing the resurrected Christ.

Peter’s wavering faith when walking on water and fearful heart while denying the Savior made way to rock-solid faith after seeing the resurrected Christ.#Mondaythoughts #MondayDevotionals #FaithFailures
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We stand in a much better viewpoint than Peter.

When we understand the disciples’ historical and spiritual background, we must conclude that, in essence, we are in a better position to trust God than they were in those days.

For starters, their belief in the resurrection before Christ followed the Jewish dogma: Jews only believe in the resurrection at the end of the times, when all God’s saints will live again. They did not understand (until they saw the resurrected Christ) that Jesus was telling them that He would be alive, literally three days after His death.

Not to mention that we, unlike the disciples at the time of the crucifixion, have the Holy Spirit, who is our Advocate, Guide, Comforter, and who reveals “all truth.” (John 14:15-21) When our faith waivers, the Holy Spirit reminds us of the many times God has come to our rescue. He is there to help us recall His promises. He is there to strengthen us to endure each trial with the same confidence that made Peter walk on water, as long as He fixed his eyes on the Savior.

Is your heart failing you today, my friend?

Has bad news overtaken you with trembling and fear?

Are the raging winds threatening you to get your eyes off the Savior?

Just as Peter did not let his weak moments of faith define his final destiny, I pray you will surrender your unbelief, fears, and weaknesses at the feet of the risen Savior, receive His grace and take hold of your destiny.

Just as Peter did not let his weak moments of faith define his final destiny, I pray you will surrender your unbelief, fears, and weaknesses at the feet of the risen Savior.#Mondaythoughts #MondayDevotionals #FaithFailures
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Let the Holy Spirit – your Helper and Advocate – do His work in your heart. Let Him remind you of the countless times the Lord provided for you, healed your broken heart, and guided you through the storms.

Remember Peter. Don’t let a faith failure determine how you finish your journey.

God’s work in you has only just begun. He sees the person He has designed you to be: Weak on your own. Strong in Him.

Be still and know: God sees the person He has designed you to be. Weak on your own. Strong in Him.
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What are your current faith struggles and how can you find encouragement from Peter’s faith failures today? I would love to read your comments!

The post When Fear Overtakes Faith appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than Him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” Acts 4: 19-20 (NLT)

Pastor Terry Sartain of Charlotte, North Carolina has ministered to police officers and their families for the past seven years.  During this time, he has always closed his prayers “in the Name of Jesus”. He can’t do that anymore. The police department said that he can still pray, just not in the Name of Jesus. A Christian chaplain asked to pray is now prohibited to use the Name of the One whom he prays to.

These are just two examples in a growing list of news articles describing situations where people cannot mention or pray in Jesus’ Name. Christian students across the nation are constantly harassed for expressing their faith in the Name of Jesus. And as we watch our society warmly welcome followers of Buddha, Al-ah, Joseph Smith or whatever other false prophet this world has ever produced, I am troubled with the fact that other beliefs are free to express their choices, acclaimed and accepted by all facets of society, but Judeo-Christian values are ostracized and expressions of faith in Christ are even prohibited.

From Capitol Hill to school administrators, it seems as if most are open, accepting and understanding regarding various religions and cults. But, oh, the Name of Jesus!

That Name shuts the doors of society’s tolerance.

Although this not-so-veiled persecution is rampant nowadays, we should not be surprised. As we study the scenario around the fourth chapter of the book of Acts, we realize that the apostles themselves were asked not to use or preach in Jesus’ Name.

The early church suffered intense persecution because of the Name. Many early church leaders and followers were killed because of the Name, including most of the Apostles. Throughout history and even today, many Christians lost their lives because of the Name.

Really… What is it about this Name?

Here’s a good question:

If Jesus was just another prophet, why does the simple mention of His Name stirs up of our supposedly “tolerant” society? Behind the intolerance of Christianity, there is much more than what meets the eye.
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Beyond the Name

Jesus’ name means “Rescuer, Deliverer, Savior.” It was not a name given to Christ the child by Mary or Joseph. Rather, an angel told them what His Name should be – a Name chosen by the Father and filled with the meaning of His mission on earth (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21.)

The mere meaning of Jesus’ Name is filled with power. For those of us who have accepted God’s gift of salvation through Christ, His Name is the sweetest, for it opened Heaven’s door and filled the huge gap separating us from our Maker. But for those who deny God’s gift of salvation, it seems as if the meaning of Jesus’ Name would be pointless. And still, at the mention of His Name, they cringe.

Why is it so?

His Name Represents the Presence and the Righteousness of God

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 (NIT)

In this first chapter of John, the apostle refers to Jesus as the Word (Greek – Logos). He was present with God in the genesis of the world (Genesis 1:26.) The same verse in John 1 shows that Jesus and God are the same. Therefore, any time we evoke or speak His Name, we are evoking the presence of God Himself.

Moreover, His Name is full of the righteousness of God and as such, it exposes the wickedness of the world around us.

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:4-5

Jesus’ Name shines so brightly, that it drives away and exposes the work of darkness around us. The spiritual power of His Name makes the unrighteous uncomfortable, uneasy. Moreover, at His Name, demons flee (Matthew 8:16.) At His Name, the sick are healed and the lost find forgiveness and redemption.

His Name is indeed above any other Name that ever was or ever will be.

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.” Hebrews 1:3a (NASB)

It’s WAR!

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:11-13 (NASB)

Behind every person or regime that has ever persecuted the church… Behind everyone who welcomes cults and rejects Christ… Behind the surface of each one of these conflicts, there lays a much larger plan than any of us can grasp.

From Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and until today, the devil has used evil men to attempt to destroy the work of God. A demon-possessed Herod wanted to lay hands on baby Jesus and end God’s redemptive plan before it started. And in our background passage, the Jewish leaders, undoubtedly influenced by Satan, sought to extinguish the fire of the early church.

Our fight is not merely against those who rise against Christ and His church, but nevertheless we must realize that we are at war and never forget that we are soldiers in this war.

It is not by chance that Ephesians 6:12 is preceded by the verses describing the armor of God. We are at war and the Lord reminds us in these verses that we must put on the armor, stand up for what we believe and fight. Boldly fight. Just like Peter and John did. Not leaning on swords or spears, but on the protection that Almighty God gives His children, as we stand up for what we believe.

Are you a Mighty Soldier… or a Wimpy one?

Can you imagine where we would be had Peter and John succumbed to the Pharisees’ prohibition of mentioning the Name of Jesus?

Jesus died, resurrected, sent the Holy Spirit to fill the church with power from Heaven, then there comes a handful of Pharisees prohibiting the use of Jesus’ Name.

Imagine if Peter had said: “No problem. Let’s just be politically correct and not mention His Name.” He would have been a wimpy soldier instead of a mighty one. The fire that had come down from heaven at Pentecost would have been contained.

You and I may not ever have heard of our Savior.

But Peter and John Stood Tall

“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 16:18 (NASB)

Peter and John stand as powerful examples of how each one of us should respond to criticism against our Lord. Their position was bold and courageous. I am sure Peter remembered Jesus’ words, as He promised him that the gates of hell would not overpower His church.

And so, Peter and John took a stand:

“Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4.19-20

Just like you and me, Peter and John had experienced the power of God. They would not be silenced. They knew that God would be their protection against the powers of darkness. Therefore, filled with the Holy Spirit, they pledged to honor God regardless of what men might do. They knew that their God was above any ruler: “It is He who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.” Isaiah 40:23 (NASB).

So… here is a question we should ask ourselves today:

As the world closes in on us Christians, despising what we stand for and exalting their idols and lustful choices… where will we stand?

Will we become a mighty soldier of the Lord, putting on the full armor and standing boldly for His kingdom, even if we stand alone?

Or will we shrink into a weak, fruitless, double-minded and contaminated soldier?

Will you stand with me, my friend?

A little sparkle of light ends the complete darkness of a room. I pray you and I choose every day to shine as beacons of light wherever we go, and no matter the cost.

Count me in! I will not be silenced. I will proclaim the Name of Jesus, no matter the cost.
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The post JESUS – The War Against the Name appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.