Welcome back to Part 2 of our series of Trusting in the Lord
Again the prayer is you will grow in faith and be strengthened through encounters of His presence, and become a witness of how Sons and Daughters of the Father can live an abundant life in the midst of a world full of disruptions.
Our key passage, in another version
Proverbs 3:5-6 from The Message Translation
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He’s the one who will keep you on track”.
Last time we left off wondering will the words of Jesus, cause Peter to have a reality check? Will he have an aha moment of understanding?
Let’s pick up reading in Luke 22:60-62 were we see the answer that it seems not, Peter does not get what Jesus means yet.
Luke 22:60 (TPT)
But Peter was adamant. “Listen, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Don’t you understand? I don’t even know Him” While the words were still in his mouth, the rooster crowed.
Hmm, so when did Peter face the reality that he could not live up to the very words he spoke to Jesus about trusting Him with all his Heart? We see it in the very next verse
Luke 22:62 (TPT) At that moment, the Lord, who was being led through the courtyard by his captors, turned around and gazed at Peter. All at once Peter remembered the words Jesus had prophesied over him, “Before the rooster crows in the morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Peter burst into tears, ran off from the crowd, and wept bitterly.
So was this the end of Peter? No way! For Jesus had prophesied the outcome to this, and the reason for it, again in Luke 22:31-32 (TPT)
31 “Peter, my dear friend, listen to what I’m about to tell you. Satan has demanded to come and sift you like wheat and test your faith. But I have prayed for you, Peter, that you would stay faithful to me no matter what comes. Remember this: after you have turned back to me and have been restored, make it your life mission to strengthen the faith of your brothers.”
YET once again His words were not truly understand until they came to pass you can read about it in John 21:15-17 this is one of the best examples of Roman 2:4 …..it’s through His kindness that leads a man torepentance. Peter’s story ends as prophesied in John 21:18-19
“Peter, listen, when you were younger you made your own choices and you went where you pleased. But one day when you are old, others will tie you up and escort you where you would not choose to go—and you will spread out your arms.” (Jesus said this to Peter as a prophecy of what kind of death he would die, for the glory of God.) And then he said, “PETER, FOLLOW ME!”
The early church fathers are unanimous in claiming that Peter died in Rome, by crucifixion, during the persecution of Nero in AD 64. It was crucifixion upside down, which is testified too. Here we see a man who claimed he would believe and follow Jesus even when faced with death became that very man! This is what is truly meant by trusting in the Lord with all your heart! And this story proves that with His help, and being in relationship with Him, we can all make it…
The relationship between trust and love is a close one. Trust is the foundation for any relationship. … Because, if you don’t have trust it means you won’t feel secure that your partner will love you and be loyal to you.
This is true with our relationship with God, we need to be secure and firm that God will love us, and be loyal to us. This is the why that Love was the very thing Jesus addressed when sitting with Peter in John 21:15-17.
In essence Jesus said “do you Love Peter?” It’s also why Jesus broke all the commandments and the most important two…“’Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and with all your mind’ AND ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27 NIV)
Did you know for us to be able to Trust fully we need to start with a relationship with the Lord in Love? So we live each day fully trusting it must be lead from a relationship of Love with the Lord. These verse are a map to reaching this goal and fulfilling His commandments to Love Him and Love each other!
Challenge Time – It’s time to GET REAL with God and take a reality check
1. Time to be real with God! Are your ready for a reality check? Ask the Lord to show the measure you Trust Him! Write down what He shows you. (remember what he is reveals is not to condemn you but to equip you)
2. Now take these verses out of John 21:15 they are Jesus Restorative words:
2a)Do you burn with love for me (Jesus? Write down His answer.
Now allow Him to tell you what do to do next, as He did with Peter? Write it down.
2b Do you really Love me (Jesus)? Write down His answer
Now allow Him as He did With Peter to tell you what do to do next? Write it down
2c Now do you REALLY (say what you have answer you received in 2a & with) LOVE me that way Jesus?
Allow the Lord to show and lead you in the next steps for what He wants you to do.
Father thank You for Your Love! It’s Unconditional in every way! Help us to grow in strength in both Trust and Love relationship with You. In Jesus name. Amen
Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries
