S.O.A.P. for 03/10/2009 Denial

S: Mark 14:71+72
Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!" A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." And when he thought about it, he wept.

O: According to scripture, Peter indeed denied Christ 3 x's in a certain span of time, not long after having said He would die with Jesus! After having denied Him, Peter recalls Jesus' words and the pain and guilt of what he'd done became evident.

A: My App is this: How quick are we to condemn Peter and judge him for something that we do so easily, almost on a daily basis! What I notice here is that Peter is strong when in the presence of Christ, but weak when separated from Him. Much like us! When we are in the presence of God, in His Word, daily, abiding in His presence, how much easier it is to be joyful, loving, strong, and committed to walking in His Ways to glorify Him! At the same token, when we are NOT in the Word, NOT seeking Him, NOT wanting to be in His presence whenever we can, how easy it is now, intentionally or unintentionally, to deny Him by our thoughts, our words, and/or our deeds! We are just as guilty as Peter.

Peter is the prime example of seeing what happens to us when we fall away from His presence (reading, studying, journaling, praying) daily, and when we separate ourselves by feeding ourselves worldly pleasures and let the Evil One lead us astray, even in small ways. Are you inviting Him in as much as you should? Or are you inviting the things of this world to take up residence in your heart where Christ should be moving in? By not "following the rules" we, too, are denying our Lord and Savior, Our God, in small but very evident ways, for what is in us spills out into others around us, and most times, if it is worldly coming in, what's coming out is not loving.

When I feel angry by a sin I see, most often times it is because I have not addressed that sin in myself, and want to remove myself as far away from it as possible. Unfortunately, we must admit, that we ARE like the disciples that we are so quick to become angry with, because all of us have been guilty of denying Christ in vital areas of our lives.

Take an account of yesterday. Did you say something you wish you hadn't? Did you spend more time for yourself than for Him or someone you love? Did you go out of your way to do something "nice"? Let your life speak in ways that do not deny the One you've chosen as your Savior.

P: Loving, Merciful Father,
Please forgive your servant! Lord, I'm getting better, but I do recognize the difference in my behavior when I've not been in Your presence, and for that I'm truly sorry, and confess with my mouth this thing. I pray for Your forgiveness for behavior that is not befitting the "Bride of Christ". I DO love You and seek You and seek to walk in Your ways all of my days, so Lord, help me to commit to entering into Your presence daily, so that I may never be far enough from You to let my behavior reflect that.

Lord, hold me close, for it is never my purpose to deny You, but intentional or not, You still see it as sin and I must learn to focus on staying close to You. I must not falter! I've come so far, and there's still so far to go, but I notice and love the changes in myself, I feel You more and more! I pray that I never open a window for the Evil One to climb into the gap I've provided. I confess that I have been like Peter, Lord, but I also vow to grow beyond this, and in this lesson You've revealed to me, may I completely learn to abide in You, and You in me, that I may never deny You again! I'm sure I may still stumble, Lord, but just know that I will always try to get back on the right path that leads back to You.

In Jesus Name,
Amen.

I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved
*Natalie Grant*