Memories of Faithfulness

Scripture of the Day

Luke 22:62 ERV – “Then the Lord turned and looked into Peter’s eyes. And Peter remembered….”

Jamia’s Nugget

5 years ago, to the date, I attended a funeral of a woman who certainly feared the Lord, Mary Moore. Reflecting on her strength and faith during her times of illness have been truly inspiring. Since the closing of our former congregation in December 2018, she was always concerned with our faithfulness, even when she was in pain and suffering. When we would visit her in the hospital, one of the first things she always asked us was, “Where are we worshipping?” Remembering and honoring her today inspires ME to remember the LORD always…even when there are times it may feel like he’s not listening . The beauty of these memories is that I have learned so much more. Even if I don’t have a feeling of God’s presence, it doesn’t mean He is not there. I mean consider Job, Abraham, Elijah, even Peter during their times of despair. There were no “feelings” that indicated God was there, they just had to trust that HE IS.

Peter has to be one of my favs because his “keeping it real” attitude was certainly one I (and probably many others) can relate to. “Peter was an ordinary man that stepped in the same messes, made the same mistakes, and put his foot in his mouth in the same way many of us do. He was fiercely loyal and determined to follow Jesus. Yet, he struggled with fear, lost his focus, and faced a day when he allowed his fears to win. Perhaps, we can relate to Peter so well because we see the shadow of our own “impossibles” in his .” (Casandra Martin) Luckily, Peter showed us that his story didn’t end there! Glory be to God that “Peter remembered…the Lord” and the intimate relationship he had with Him. The Word, once planted in the s of men, is meant to do the same for us. When we reflect on it and REMEMBER as Peter did, Jesus will come to full bloom in our lives just like HE did in Peters.

Keep trusting and keep believing because the valleys were never meant to define God’s presence in our lives, His love for us does. He is there even when we believe He has abandoned us.