Peter....let me tell you who you REALLY are
Jesus laid out for Peter his future.....in ONE sentence......And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. (Matthew 16)
If only it were that easy to know the GREAT things that lie ahead-------and step effortlessly right into your destiny.
We are here----for such a time as THIS. Each of us have a purpose to fulfill.
There is something unique about YOU that God needs to advance His Kingdom.
(For I know the plans I have for you.....Jeremiah 29:11) When God created you He knew EXACTLY what He was creating you for.....your steps were ordered from the beginning.
Peter has quite a calling. Jesus called Peter a ROCK. And also prophesied that He would build His church upon that rock....a church so expansive with energy that Hell could not prevail against it! Wow now that's a promising future!!!!!!!!
......................the devil might as well pack it up. That's a pretty definite promise. NOTHING could stop Peter. No weapon formed against him will prosper. Satan and all his demonic forces were no match for what God was going to do through Peter.
If you look ahead though.....it didn't come without opposition.
In Luke 22 Jesus says to Peter "Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain,
But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren."
Not only THAT----but THEN Jesus tells him that when faced with an opportunity to he will deny he even KNEW Jesus.
Peter has walked with Jesus throughout his ministry. He's formed an intimate relationship with Jesus. He's seen the miracles and heard Him preach. Peter is shocked that Jesus would say such a thing....."Not ME Lord! I could NEVER..............."
We all know that when he was confronted and denied He knew Jesus.
If you can imagine how Peter felt in that moment.
Here's what I want to point out to you though.
I've heard this story a million times. Hearing it as a child my response was always SHOCK. "PETER denied Jesus after walking so intimately with him?"
But if you look at the bigger picture and step back and see it through GOD'S eyes......Peter has a destiny and a purpose that HE IS GOING TO FULFILL. So what?.......... he failed.
But if you look at the bigger picture and step back and see it through GOD'S eyes......Peter has a destiny and a purpose that HE IS GOING TO FULFILL. So what?.......... he failed.
There's grace for that.
And if he would have let it----it could have become the end of him. He could have gotten discouraged, felt sorry for himself and just watched it all happen from the sidelines instead of playing his part in the building of the church.
(The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. What He purposed to do WILL STAND. And He will sustain us and KEEP us and if need be PICK US BACK UP again when we have fallen and bring it all to a *FLOURISHING FINISH* and accomplish all He wants to do in our lives.)
But there is an enemy who wants to frustrate the plans of God.
And if we're not careful to see the bigger picture.....when satan sets out to frustrate our dreams? We can become discouraged and hopeless and forget that THERE IS A GREATER PURPOSE AND REASON FOR WHY WE ARE HERE................and we need to put all our hope in the Truth that God will keep us and sustain us.
God has things for us to do.
The setbacks should not keep us from them......but propel us FORWARD.....more determined.....*SET YOUR FACE LIKE FLINT*. And when the enemy tries to frustrate you and discourage you.....dig your feet into the ground, grit your teeth and refuse to be shaken. STAND YOUR GROUND! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and Keep a Kingdom focus!
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