We Are Loved Through Our Failures

Blog Layout

We Are Loved Through Our Failures

Andrea Lende • December 22, 2021

Luke 22:60-61

We Are Loved Through Our Failures

You can listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/We-Are-Loved-Through-Our-Failures-e1c2828

Luke 22:60-61

“But Peter said, Man, I do not know what you are talking about. And instantly, while he was still speaking the cock crowed.”

“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter recalled the Lord’s words, how He had told him, Before the cock crows today, you will deny Me thrice.”

Jesus was already in captivity when Peter denied knowing Him for the final time.

God shows us just how gracious He is through His Son.

Jesus simply turned and looked at Peter.

He still loved Peter even through his sin.

In verse thirty-one and thirty-two Jesus had said, “Simon, Simon (Peter), listen Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift you like grain. But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish our brethren.”

Jesus prayed for Peter before he sinned and after.

And He didn’t love him any less because of his sin.

In fact, He loved him through it.

The same is true for us.

He knows when we will fall short of His best for us.

He knows how we fall short.

And He knows who we will be afterwards.

Jesus knew Peter would build His church just as He knows how we will serve Him.

He will love us through our ups and downs while on our journey.

And He will strengthen us to do His will.

One key component in our passage is prayer.

Jesus prayed earnestly for Peter and the disciples.

He prayed earnestly in the Garden before He was apprehended.

And He told the disciples to be in prayer against temptation.

Today I choose earnest prayer over allowing my mind to wander and am so thankful the Lord loves me through this lifetime of ups and downs.

May you find Jesus is earnestly praying for you and is always loving you through the difficult times in your life.

Daily Prayer:

O Lord, my God, thank You for loving me so purely and so wonderfully. Just as You loved the disciples through their short comings and sins, You love me through mine. Your grace is abundant and ever flowing in my life. Father, forgive me for my sins. Forgive me for being impatient with You and with those I love here on earth. Forgive me for all the resentment I hold in my heart. Infuse in me an extra measure of patience, compassion, and love today, Father. Help me offer abundant grace to those around me. May Your generosity and gentleness reside in my heart and soul. Mold me and make me an instrument of Your peace. May Your peace reign in this chaotic world. May Your Light permeate the darkness. Thank You for these next few precious days of wonder and delight as we celebrate the birth of Your Son. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.

Answer: I AM the God Who sees, loves, and forgives My child, and My Spirit is within you.

Response: Undeserving of such grace and love, thank You, Lord.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

All Things New

By Andrea Lende • December 30, 2022

We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.

Using Words to Bless Others

By Andrea Lende • December 29, 2022

This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.

What Can We Give Up in the New Year?

By Andrea Lende • December 28, 2022

As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.

The Kingdom of God

By Andrea Lende • December 28, 2022

I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.

Strengthened With the Might of the Lord

By Andrea Lende • December 27, 2022

Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.

God Will Be Our Guide

By Andrea Lende • December 26, 2022

This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.

Unto Us A Child Is Born

By Andrea Lende • December 24, 2022

God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.

God's Divine Plan

By Andrea Lende • December 22, 2022

The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.

Restored to God's Favor

By Andrea Lende • December 21, 2022

What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.

This is a picture of red Christmas balls and the words Merry Christmas

God's Power

By Andrea Lende • December 20, 2022

Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.