Luke 22:29-42

"[After predicting Peter's denial of him,] Jesus asked [the disciples], "When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a..."

"Dear Beloved, Over the next several days, I will take you on a journey with My apostle, Simon Peter. Before his denial of even knowing Me, I warned....."

What can we learn from our own failures? Don't quit in the middle of failure, but understand it is part of the learning and growing process.

"[Jesus continued,] "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should...."

"Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you." But Jesus said, "Peter, let me tell you something. Before the....."

"Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, "Pray that you will not..."

I can't help but believe that every time Peter heard a rooster crow, he also remembered the Lord's words of affirmation and assurance. Phil Ware reminds us that Jesus affirmed Peter's value and his return to useful service BEFORE Peter's stumbling denials by the fire.

"[To the apostles, Jesus continued,] "You have stayed with me in my time of trial. And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the...."

"How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, he pleads for us; and when we are not praying, he....."

More than just celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, we should also celebrate the power of the Lord to forgive and restore us beyond our sinful stumbles. Phil Ware reminds us of a powerful truth that lies behind Pentecost Sunday and the failure of the apostles that Jesus didn't consider ultimate failure.

How remarkable that Jesus felt such fear. But how kind that he told us about it. Max Lucado reminds us that Jesus made all sorts of faces as he lived life much as we do, and because he has been where we are, even in the darkest of times, we can turn to him and find grace to help us in our times of need.

Can my life be characterized by my intentional time away from the noise to be with the Father? Jesus' life was framed by prayer, but do I find my "as usual" and "lonely places" moments in the presence of the Father in prayer?

"Dear Seeker of truth, For several days, I will continue talking to you about restoring Peter back to ministry after his three denials on the night of..."

"Dear Beloved, As we approach My crucifixion, I want you to think about the events of that ugly night that preceded My trip to Golgotha and My death....."

Jesus doesn't abandon us in our fire failure. Phil Ware reminds of three fires in the life of the apostle Peter and what they can mean for us.

Why would God lead us into temptation? Doesn't God want us victorious over temptation? Phil Ware and Andy Johnson help us look at our prayer for deliverance from temptation and the evil one.

Are you ready to have your life changed? Many events in our lives change us forever, our lives will never be the same as a result, and Jesus is one of those life-changing events.