Are you one of His?

The Conversation...

Father God, thank you for waking up us today.
Thank you for allowing us to see another day.
Father God, I ask that you will continue to watch over us.
Father God, allow us to have the strength to get through the day.
Father God, continue to be the one over our lives that we ask for help.
I ask that you will continue to help us get through school and work for those who work Father God.
Father God , show us and let us know that you are here in Jesus name Amen.

The Affirmation...

I decree and declare that I will not deny Him, because He loves me more that His own life.
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So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32-33

The Resources...The Word...

Are You or Aren’t You?
Bible Reading: Mark 14:66-72
“That man is definitely one of them!” Peter denied it again. Mark 14:69-70

WHEN THE JEWISH LEADERS put Jesus on trial for claiming to be God’s Son, a few yards away in the courtyard another trial-an unofficial one-was going on.

Only a few hours earlier Peter had boldly told ‘Jesus, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will” (Mark 14:29). But as Jesus faced the Sanhedrin, Peter hud­dled in the shadows near a fire outside, hoping to learn the fate of Jesus.

At Peter’s “trial” three witnesses spoke up about his connection to Jesus: “You were one of those with Jesus”; “That man is definitely one of them”; “You must be one of them” (Mark 14:67, 69-70). Three times Peter denied he followed Jesus: “I don’t know what you’re talking about”; “Peter denied it again”; “I swear by God, I don’t know this man you’re talking about” (Mark 14:68-71). Then a rooster’s crow reminded Peter that Jesus had predicted this denial the night before. Peter was shat­tered with grief “and he broke down and cried” (Mark 14:72).

Know it or not, your identity as a believer in Christ is called into question almost daily. A friend of yours messes up and needs a Christian friend to pray and give bib­lical advice-Do you say anything? A representative of a cult wants you to take their literature-Do you share Jesus? Or a group of Christians at your school wants you to join them in sponsoring a Christian band at a campus outreach-Do you let yourself be spotted as part of the group?

As a committed Christian, you will step forward and be Christ’s representative in each situation no matter what it costs you. But if you just follow a religion-the same way you might belong to a political party-then you might, like Peter, avoid any Christian activity that inconveniences or threatens you.

Peter, of course, was rescued from the despair he felt after he betrayed Jesus. Af­ter Jesus rose from the dead, he sought out Peter to encourage him (see John 21: 15­-19). And after the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost, Peter was a new guy with a new identity. He wasn’t just a companion of Christ. He was one with Christ because Christ’s Spirit lived in him. Peter’s boldness on the Day of Pentecost (see Acts 2) is a clue to how his devotion had radically deepened.

Identifying with Christ can make that huge difference in you too-whether you’re counseling a friend, confronting a cult member, or taking part in an outreach rally. If you’re empowered by the Holy Spirit and someone puts your faith on trial, you won’t stand a chance of being acquitted.

REFLECT: Answer this pointed question: If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

PRAY: Lord, I face situations almost every day that tempt me to shrink from admitting I know you. Make me fearless and bold.

© 2016 Josh McDowell Ministry. All rights reserved. No part of these Materials may be changed in any way or reproduced in any form without written permission from Josh McDowell Ministry, 2001 West Plano Parkway, Suite 2400, Plano, TX 75075. www.Josh.org.+1 972 907 1000. Used by Permission.

The Sound...