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Passion plus...
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart...' Deuteronomy 6:5
There's an interesting sequence of events leading up to Peter's denial of Christ. First, Jesus warned Simon Peter that he was a target: '"...Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail..."' (Luke 22:31-32 NIV).
Next we read that when the guards had arrested Jesus, Peter '...followed at a distance' (Luke 22:54 NIV). Later that same night Peter, the man who swore he'd die for Jesus, denied knowing Him. Then the cockerel crowed, Peter realised what he'd done, and he '...went outside and wept bitterly' (Luke 22:55-62 NIV). Can you see the three steps?
1) you don't pay attention to the warnings about the enemy's attack
2) you allow situations to get between you and Jesus; you start to follow 'at a distance'
3) you end up denying Jesus by your words or actions. It's a classic process that happens to lots of people, so don't say, 'That will never happen to me.' That's what Peter said! Instead make sure you stay on your guard, and stay passionate.
That red-hot fire inside you to make Jesus known is like your fuel for the race. Lewis Hamilton wouldn't win many Grand Prix races without fuel, but he also has to stay focused too, as every lap contains new dangers. So there's the Word 4u 2day, keep your passion alive and stay focused, then you'll withstand any attacks.
written by Bob Gass
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart...' Deuteronomy 6:5
There's an interesting sequence of events leading up to Peter's denial of Christ. First, Jesus warned Simon Peter that he was a target: '"...Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail..."' (Luke 22:31-32 NIV).
Next we read that when the guards had arrested Jesus, Peter '...followed at a distance' (Luke 22:54 NIV). Later that same night Peter, the man who swore he'd die for Jesus, denied knowing Him. Then the cockerel crowed, Peter realised what he'd done, and he '...went outside and wept bitterly' (Luke 22:55-62 NIV). Can you see the three steps?
1) you don't pay attention to the warnings about the enemy's attack
2) you allow situations to get between you and Jesus; you start to follow 'at a distance'
3) you end up denying Jesus by your words or actions. It's a classic process that happens to lots of people, so don't say, 'That will never happen to me.' That's what Peter said! Instead make sure you stay on your guard, and stay passionate.
That red-hot fire inside you to make Jesus known is like your fuel for the race. Lewis Hamilton wouldn't win many Grand Prix races without fuel, but he also has to stay focused too, as every lap contains new dangers. So there's the Word 4u 2day, keep your passion alive and stay focused, then you'll withstand any attacks.
written by Bob Gass
