I was recently reading the story of the Life of Peter, when it prompted the some things I had faced and even questioned myself about. "Oh, but by theGrace of God go I, Lord." Most of my life, Never did I think I was capable of weakness of heart and faith. But, the First mistake... never say NEVER. Right? Pride, religious spirits, we must guard what we say about others and what we even say about ourselves. When I read about Peter's life, the Lord knew ahead of time that Peter was going to deny him three times. This shows me God's mercy and grace when He made immediate provision for those three denials that Peter faced. Jesus forewarned Peter that he was going to do this. Jesus knew he was fearful of loosing his life. Peter, one of the great disciples saw miracle after miracle, yet he still was weak when faced with a possible LIFE or DEATH question? Not just once, but THREE TIMES!

This also gives us great hope and realizing the extent of God's mercy and grace in our lives.

How many of us walk in fear with FAR less "death threatening" events daily? We know that we walk in FEAR instead of FAITH when we look at the spiritual roots of our diseases that we carry. Some of us carry them around like "Medals of Honor"... Telling everyone we know WHAT WE HAVE.

In our social settings we share. "Yes, I am Ms. or Mr. ABC, I work at the local Mart. I attend The EVERY Corner Church, been there for many years. I have been a Christian a long time and I have "a bad heart, low thyroid, diabetes, arthritis". (YOU fill in the blank.) Almost every social gathering, we say these words over ourselves to others as if it is a proclamation and identity. Knowingly or unknowingly, that is what we do. We come into agreement with this disease with our words and now it is "US" as much as our name and what we do for a living.

It is just not God's will for us to be sick in the first place. Please click below to read further.

Maybe this example will help you Recognize it better. It reminds me of how I heard an alcoholic anoymous meeting goes. (I am not making light or fun of this at all) The introduction they say sounds like this. "Hi, I am so and so and I am an

alcoholic"... but we say the same thing everyday with a disease, any disease.

So why are we so proud enough to label ourselves these diseases as if they are Us? Because we still have not accepted and learned how to appropriate what God has done for us at the cross. I am restating all this because I know we all need to be reminded. When symptoms try to spring up, Whip out the word of God that has been given to you to stand on and fight with. Recognize it when it comes up and Repent and Renounce and cast it out. Thank the Lord for your healing. Tell the enemy, “I will not accept those symptoms and I am FREE and Healed, Blessed and not cursed cause the word of God says that I am. That He healed ALL of our diseases, not just some of them, in Jesus Name!” Amen.

We know Peter was in fear, but we too are walking in FEAR. Well, Aren't you? Check your diseases. What are they rooted in?

Do the homework and get rid of it! Instead of letting the enemy have us, our life and our pocketbook. Declare War back on him and take back your land. “To be FOREWARNED is to be FOREARMED”.

 1.) Jesus foresaw and forewarned Peter about the temptation..He knows the test and trials we are going to face. He is the God who knows the End from the beginning. The Alpha and the Omega. He has sent the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all Truth and to reveal things to come (John 16:13). As we daily spend time with the Lord in prayer, bible study, and worship, our spirit will keenly discern Good and Evil and be sensitive to the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit.

We will be equipped with the Word of the Lord and empowered by the Spirit of the Lord to overcome whatever comes our way. Jesus forewarned Peter in order to forearm him. We can see the ploy and schemes of the enemy and RESIST and win.

2.)Jesus prayed Peter "through" not "out of" his trial. Many times we find ourselves in a difficult situation such as a health issue, a financial crises or a relationship problem. We want the Lord to remove the situation from us, or to remove us from the situation. There are times when the Lord will deliver us "out of" our trials. There are also times when the Lord has actually ordained the trial, and we must "go through" it. Look at the life of Esther, Joseph, Abraham, David. So many of God’s people had to go through the trial but look at blessing on the other side of them. Now I know God does NOT put disease on us, nor does He want us sick. But the education of A More Excellent Way teaches us how to discern what sins in our generations or personally that we are participating with that is making us sick.

He is in developing the character and maturity of Christ in us. His goal is to see the character of His Son formed in us. In order to be an Overcomer we must have something to overcome, and before we can have a Testimony we must have a test. . But if we remain strong in faith and do not waiver we have a sure promise of His deliverance. (Psalm 34:19).

3.) Jesus focused on Peter's FAITH not his failure or his fears. Jesus knew that Peter would deny him three times. He also knew that Peter's faith would fail, because of his fear of death. To counteract the effects of Peter's fear Jesus prayed for him to be strengthened in his faith. We focus and become consumed with the problem that we are unable to see the Answer. Running to this modality and the next rather than running to the LORD for our Answer. We have the answer already!

Jesus looked beyond Peter's failure and saw his restoration. Jesus saw Peter through the eyes of faith that works by love. He understood who Peter would become not just who he was. Jesus was motivated by the compassion of God to make intercession for Peter. Jesus was confident that the grace of God which began the good work in Peter would also complete the work in Peter. That is what he is doing for me and you. Ever making intercession for us until His return. Doesn’t that give you such hope in your future?

4.) Jesus knew that Peter's experience would empower him. Many times in life we learn more from our mistakes than we do from our successes. They may be painful and hard to take, but sometimes they are just what we need. Remember, Peter was the one who boasted that he was different from the other disciples. They might deny the Lord but he was ready to die for Jesus.

Peter could not see his pride, self-righteousness. But Jesus did and so did the Devil. Jesus knew that these character issues would have to be dealt with in Peter. It was the only way that he could become the leader he was called to be. Through the experience Peter was humbled and broken, but later he was lifted and restored. As a result Peter was able to minister with humility and compassion to those who might be weak in their faith.

“The 8 th R”…. RESTORE others. Amen? Don’t let PRIDE stand in your way for having EVERYthing God has for you. We are always learning more of the Lord. The older I get in Him, the less I feel I know it seems sometimes. There is so much more that our Lord has for us if we will just take time to be with Him first.

The ultimate goal of Journey2Wholeness is to make sure you are restored in order to go and restore others. The work of Luke 4:18, Isaiah 61, Isaiah 58. We are the restorer of the paths to dwell in.

Peter went on to be mightily used by the Lord and at the end of his life he was martyred for his faith. He overcame his fear of death and ultimately was able to lay his life down for the cause of Christ. When I find myself feeling that fear trying to come on me in any hard situation. I take faith and encouragement from these words that Peter wrote.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.1 Peter 5:10-11

Yes, he is restoring us all. Don’t loose the faith, don’t let the enemy steal your hope, your healing and your calling. He knows what his end is. But yours is glorious. Don’t ever forget, Jeremiah 29:11.

Blessings and Standing with you,

Deborah Massey