Day 30

Be Still:  Dear Father, so often we deny You in our words and deeds.  Forgive us, we pray.  In Jesus’ name, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen

Be Strengthened:  Matthew 26:69-75

⁶⁹Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.

⁷⁰But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

⁷¹Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."

⁷²He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"

⁷³After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."

⁷⁴Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!"  Immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Be Stretched:  The more Peter denied, the worse his words became, ending with him calling down curses on himself.  Have you noticed that the further into a lie you get, the harder it is to stop?  Have you ever known you might get yourself into trouble, and then you do the exact thing you vowed you would not do?  Take heart.  Confess to our loving Father your tendency to fall into sin.  Ask for His help to avoid temptation.