Matthew 26:33-34, 74-75, "Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.' ‘Truly I tell you,' Jesus answered, ‘this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.' ...Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, ‘I don't know the man!' Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken... and he went outside and wept bitterly."

Think

Reaction, Rejection, and Regret You know that feeling you get when you're going down the steepest part of the park's tallest roller coaster? Suddenly, your stomach goes from your torso to your throat you and ask yourself, "What have I done?" Now think of a time you made a sizeable mistake and felt that same sense of regret – especially once you realized you couldn't take it back. Imagine how Peter must have felt when he realized what he'd just done to Jesus. Or, maybe you don't have to imagine it. Maybe you know that feeling firsthand. You see, what Peter did, we do also. Because we're all human, we are bound to miss the mark and disobey God. Each time this happens, we are rejecting God and who he is. We may not have any control over what comes our way, and we might even feel as if we're constantly battling gravity as we try to navigate through life's twists and turns. But, we do have complete control over the way we react and respond to situations and temptations. As Christ-followers, speaking up about Jesus is important, but choosing to live a life that reflects Jesus' presence and character is also important!

Act

Put yourself in Peter's shoes and ask yourself how you would have responded when the people standing around the fire asked him if he was one of Jesus' followers. Are you proud to be a Christian? Are you willing to stand firm when everyone around you denies who Christ is?

Pray

God, thank you for forgiving me every time I mess up and turn away from you. Help me turn from sin and transform my heart. Guide me to reflect you more and more. It's in your name I pray, Amen.