Consider Peter

Consider Peter --

Have you ever felt like your failure disqualified you from God's service and purpose for you?  Like one minute you're "in" and the next you are "out" -- forever?

Peter surely did. The record says he "wept bitterly" when he realized how he had himself betrayed his best Friend and Savior!

He went from swearing loyalty 'no matter what' to denying Him! A devastating collapse (Matthew 26:69-75).

Have you experienced something like that? (I have.)

A mistake so painful that you replay it in your mind over and over, re-condemning yourself and shuddering in self-hatred.

But Jesus shows us that a single event -- no matter the gravity -- is not the end of the story!

What if your greatest regret could become your greatest testimony?

When Jesus rose, He didn't ignore and avoid Peter. He searched him out. He didn't chastise him. He didn't ask, "Will I ever be able to trust you again? Or, "Why , Peter, did you do that?"

No. Jesus recreated the scene of Peter's failure, a charcoal fire, and made it a moment of divine, gracious healing. Because Jesus doesn't just forgive our sins, He transforms the whole event -- for our good and His glory.

Would your life change if you knew Christ wanted to restore you? Not punish you or replace you in His Kingdom plan?

Read again John 21.

Are you ready to let Jesus turn your setback into a comeback?

Resurrection isn't just a gift -- it's a promise. And that promise is that your story isn't over. And today is the first day of the rest of your life!