Devotion's by Deborah

Devotion 11-30-23 Luke 22:32 - "but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus told Peter that Peter was going to be tempted. "Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat."(verse 31). "The rooster will not crow today until you have denied Me three times."(verse 34) Peter did deny Jesus; but, Peter's faith did not fail. Peter returned to the group of grieving disciples and Peter did later strengthened them. Jesus knew and Jesus prayed. That ought to significantly encourage you. Life will "sift" us. The difficulties come flooding in; how we respond is the issue. Peter did deny Christ; he did say he did not know Him. But then Peter repented and was restored. We may have literally or figuratively denied Jesus; but, if we repent, we will be restored. Satan would like to convince us we are totally done for and hopeless. That is one of his lies. Hope rests in our relationship with Jesus. Hope and faith rest on Jesus' love. His love took Him to the cross. His power to overcome the sin and death raised Him back to life. Jesus has all authority given to Him. He prays for all who are His. Hebrews 7:25- "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." Jesus prays. The Holy Spirit, third person of the God-head, actively living in all who are Jesus', also prays. Romans 8:26- "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." We, who are His, are covered in prayer. Live life in that knowledge and glorify God!