Hope

The Rooster’s Crow

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72 ESV

While my wife and I were staying in a little farm town in Brazil we wondered if their roosters ever sleep! All through the night, the vira lata (stray dogs) and roosters seemed to be holding animal choir practice. Though at the time we thought it was funny, it also made me think of Peter and a Palestinian rooster long ago. Peter had sworn he would be faithful to death for Jesus, but Jesus knew better. He knew that Peter would fail, and loved him anyway. “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me.” Jesus had told him. But Peter couldn’t hear because He had convinced himself that he would follow no matter what. But Jesus knew Peter’s heart and He knows about ours as well.

It’s funny how we think of the roosters crowing when the sun comes up, but he actually stays awake all night watching out over his hens and alerting them, every time he hears a noise. While we were laughing about the animal choir, the rooster was just saying to his little flock, “Time to wake up! There is danger close by!” God is still sending roosters to remind us that we need to pray. The good news is that He will always hear, forgive and restore. Just like Peter, when he began to weep Jesus will turn, but not to condemn. He turns to let us know He is watching and is ready to forgive and restore. Is there a rooster crowing in your life? It’s time to wake up and pray!

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Until That Day!

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day 2 Timothy 1:12 KJV

In this letter, Paul wrote to his dearest friend on earth, Timothy, while He was facing almost certain execution. Paul had been in and out of prisons for years and was growing old and maybe a little worn out. The false teachers trying to manipulate the church for financial gain, as well as the hypocritical religious leaders trying to have him killed finally seemed to have him where they wanted him. Yet Paul was able to say with confidence that no matter what, he was not going to be ashamed. Why? Because He knows Jesus and trusts that Jesus will take care both of him and of the things that Paul had been working to do. Isn’t it interesting how a few years earlier in Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, he said that He wanted to know Christ more. Now it appears that God has granted Paul his desire, and he could say, “I’m not worried any more. Jesus has got this! He will take care of me and He will take care of the church when I am gone. He will bring everything to pass that he has promised and I can rest in Him. I know Him and I also know that the day is coming when He will come and make everything right!”

 One day each of us will also face the end of our life. Though right at this moment we may wish we knew Christ better, we can draw courage from today’s verse that if we trust Him completely then on that day He will help us to know Him just as Paul did. Jesus will take over and keep everything we have put in His hands and then He will take our hand and lead us until that day!

We used to sing the hymn with these words and though the melody is old fashioned, the words never go out of style. I pray each of you to know Him fully and to trust Jesus until that day! Have a blessed week.!

Days of Hope

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men. Mark 1:17

There is nothing that says hope quite like going fishing. We put some bait on a hook and cast it into the water and then wait just hoping for a bite. I loved the photo I used for the featured image today because it is of a Father teaching His son to fish. He doesn’t just sit on the beach and say, “Okay go for it!” No! Instead, He is right there behind him, holding the rod and showing Him everything he will need to learn to catch fish. That is what our Heavenly Father wants to do for every one of us when we answer His call to become fishers of men. He promises to stand by us and help us every step of the way! For those looking for a large print devotional for yourselves or for a loved one I have written the book 31 days of Hope. It is filled with personal stories of Hope especially for those in long term care or who are facing life altering challenges. Though originally released in 2017, this edition features many new devotionals that reflect world changing effects of the virus in all our lives. Here is the link for the Kindle version. This may be just what you need to give to someone else as an encouragement. You never know what a little hope can do!