GOD’S WORD FOR DECEMBER 26

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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FROM REGRET TO RESTORATION

(Read Luke 22:31-62)

Thirty years later (after his denial of Christ), Peter would write, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by our brethren who are in the world.” (1Peter 5:8-9).

The devil seeks to destroy our witness for Christ.  In the unseen world there is constant conflict; there is a battle in which we are involved.

In temptation four personalities are involved:  Satan, Christ, angels, and of course we find ourselves in the middle of the conflict.  Lewis Sperry Chafer, the founder of Dallas Seminary, used to say, “A secret sin on earth is an open scandal in heaven.”  Satan accuses us;  Christ prays for us;  the angels observe God’s love and justice exercised on our behalf.

WHAT WE THINK IS CLASSIFIED INFORMATION ON EARTH IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN IN HEAVEN.

Every Christian goes through this sifting process.  For some it may be illness, the loss of a job,  or a failed relationship.  But for many it is temptation, the constant inner struggles of the soul where our allegiance to Christ is tested.  Satan not only has tempted us, but likely has made meticulous plans for our downfall.  Like a snake, he is coiled, waiting to strike at any appropriate time.  He magnifies the power of temptation, trying to get us to follow the easy path;  he wants our lives to discredit Christ.

We can imagine Christ saying to us as He did to Peter, “Satan has asked permission, and it has been granted, that you might be tested.  When the temptation is over, I pray that your faith will not fail.  When you have turned back, strengthen your brethren (brothers and sisters in Christ).  Learn from your failures and keep going.”

We have a faithful Friend who represents us in heaven after we are saved.   Christ is our High Priest who stands in our stead before God the Father, “for we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15).  Christ not only died for us, today He lives for us.  He is on our side in the struggle, fully aware of Satan’s strength and strategy.

OF COURSE HE IS ABLE TO PICK US UP IF WE FALL!

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1 Thessalonians 5:24

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

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Psalm 37:24

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

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James 1:2-3

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith.

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Psalm 56:13

For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?

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Jeremiah 11:20

But, O Lord of hosts, You who judge righteously, Testing the mind and the heart,….

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Psalm 57:6

They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen.

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James 1:12

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

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1 Peter 1:6

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

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Psalm 145:14

The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.

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