Stop Disqualifying Yourself

As I was reading my devotional this morning I found myself in the 16th chapter of Mark. I have read this chapter many times but one verse stands out to me today. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James want to the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body. They find the stone rolled away and a young man sitting there and he gives them a message that Jesus has risen just as he said he would. Then, the next part is what struck me this morning. Verse 7 says to "go and tell his disciples and Peter..." Admittedly, I have overlooked this part because I was so excited about what happens next but this is where I want to spend a moment of time.

How many times do we disqualify ourselves because of a past mistake or outright failure? As we ready the scripture previously in the crucifixion story, Peter is told he would deny Christ 3 times. He does it almost unexpectedly and realizes what he has done. Peter then counts himself as unworthy to be called a disciple. This is the same Peter that was ready to fight for Christ and was told to put away the sword. This is the same Peter that loved Jesus and was sent by Jesus. This was the same Peter that had enough courage to step out of the boat and walk on water to get to Jesus in the first place but doubted and fell beneath the waves. Now, he discredits himself as a disciple.

We do the same thing in our lives almost daily. We will face conflict and we will make mistakes. We must remember that Just as Jesus Christ reached down and took Peter by the hand and escorted him back to the safety of the boat Jesus is telling us that we are still worthy because of the price he paid for us. There is no doubt that Peter felt like a failure and that now he was going to have to answer for his over confidence, but God was trying to illustrate something here that we miss out on.

Jesus did die for the disciples but he also died for the ones who felt unworthy to be one. You may find yourself in that today. No matter what you do to be good you end up making a mess out of the situation. You try to serve God and end up sinning and making mistakes that in your mind would disqualify you from God's grace. He is telling you today just as he was telling those who believe and those who feel as though they failed, "I am going ahead of you" Jesus is still calling and still leading you wherever you are and all you need to do is look, listen, and obey.

So you failed. Success is measured on the amount of failures you stand on. I wish I could say I came up with that true nugget of wisdom but John Maxwell beat me to it. But, it applies right where you are. You will either be defined by your failures or you will defy them. What will your choice be today? Stand with truth and recognize Jesus Christ is right there with you waiting for you to simply speak to him. Repent of your failures and mistakes and walk in the grace and mercy of God.

No Luck Required

Most of us have heard people say "I was lucky" or "good luck". It is a pretty common saying. Not to long ago I was actually listening to a group of people talk about the certainty of heaven and one of them said "with God's help and a little luck we'll make it". I chuckled and got a strange look from the group of people. I looked at them and said I don't need luck to know for certain that I will be in heaven when my time here is done. Jesus Christ is a sure thing not a random series of events acted upon by an outside force.

I don't want to sound arrogant or self-righteous. I get what the guy was saying but it started a thought in my head. How many people feel like their relationship with God or it's failure hinges on one mess up or failure. To have that sort  of view is so against what we read in scripture about the character and nature of God. Look at the disciples. Peter outright denied Jesus just like he was told he was going to do. Paul was constantly in rebuke and teaching mode but was quick to speak of God's mercy.

I have always said I don't believe in luck. I think random things happen and people benefit from them or are effected negatively by them. What seems so foreign to me is that when it works for us, we call it luck. When it fails for us we call it fate or life. When does the Lord actually get credit for doing special things for his people. The question then becomes, what about those random things that just seem to happen? Every good and perfect thing comes from above. So, if you nail that last second 3 pt shot thank God for it. If you miss it just roll with it and don't blame God for your lack of aim. If you win that election thank God for it. If you lose, thank God for the opportunity that is coming because he has great things planned for you.

No offense to Saint Patrick or slighting the four leaf clover, but luck is not required to walk with certainty with Jesus Christ. It is a simple matter of your heart. If you accept his free gift to you, salvation is there. His grace and mercy are with you every step of the way. From now until eternity he is there guiding you and loving you.

Happy Saint Patricks Day