DCLM HIGHER EVERYDAY 16 January 2022 — Fallen? Do not stay down
DCLM Higher Everyday 16 January 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Fallen? Do not stay down
TOPIC: FALLEN? DO NOT STAY DOWN
TEXT: MARK 14:66-72
62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
MEMORY VERSE: “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief” (PROVERBS 24:16).
Life is a struggle. It throws curveballs at you, humbles you and attempts to break you down. Many fail at this point. Few bounce back on their feet and stand strong, while others remain fallen. Apostle Peter was confronted with such a situation in his life time – he betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ as foretold and fell. Did he stay down? No!
Many students are faced with academic and spiritual situations that tests their stand and faith. Some do rise above these problems and become conquerors; others fail to rise above sins and Satan’s strategies, and remain down. Peter fell, but he did not stay down. He realised his mistake, repented and rose to continue with his Christian journey and made remarkable progress and exploits thereafter.
If you have fallen or backslidden, bounce back like Peter, and the Lord will receive you in Jesus’ name. Sin brings downfall, but repentance brings divine forgiveness and uplift. It is hard to beat a person that never gives up. Put your trust in the Lord, rely completely on His promises, and abide continually in Him.
QUOTE: He did not stay down.
CHALLENGE: Stay strong in the Lord.
PRAYER: Lord, hold my hands lest I fall.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
