[Discoveries] 09-01-08 Big Idea #1 -- Mark 14:29

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." -- Mark 14:29*/

One day when I was quite discouraged, I was pouring out my complaints to 
the Lord. In response, I sensed that He wanted me to write down the ten 
most important ideas that I want to communicate to my world before I 
die. I hope these aren't just ideas that Dwight dreamed up, but rather 
scripturally valid principles that the Lord has been teaching me and has 
been using to change my life and the lives of many other people.

Here's the first one: You and I are in the same boat: We both need God.

Years ago, I went off to Bible college as a naive 17-year-old who 
believed he would find perfection in the form of teachers, staff and 
students at this Christian institution. I was mistaken, of course. The 
people around me were about as perfect as I was: not very. Nobody 
explained to me that Christian leaders are made out of clay. Of course, 
in those days, it was a little more difficult because vulnerability and 
authenticity among leaders was not in style. They were the "authority" 
and if I challenged them I was "sinning" and "in rebellion." So, I kept 
my rebellion inside where it turned to bitterness. When I shared my 
heart with others, most often I was rebuked for my bad attitude.

For a young man with no mentors and no real understanding of what was 
going on, this was very confusing. Three decades later, I see all kinds 
of dynamics that I didn't see then. Yes, I was sinning. Yes, I was 
selectively interpreting what was going on around me and seeing it 
through the grid of deeply embedded lies that I believed. Yes, there 
were problems with the leadership style. And, yes, all of this could 
have easily been prevented.

In our passage today, Peter is bragging about his loyalty to Jesus. He 
made the same mistake that most of us make sooner or later. He was 
mistaking the treasure for the clay pot that holds the treasure.

Fortunately for Peter (and for us), God was kind enough to help him 
distinguish the difference. Peter's loyalty was not his asset. His 
Savior was his asset. And he was about to discover that there is a world 
of difference.

Some people have a track record of faithfulness and credibility. But on 
one level we are all the same -- from Billy Graham and Mother Theresa 
(or whoever you want to substitute) all the way to the most vile sinner 
-- we all need Jesus. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. In our absolute 
neediness, our total dependence, we stand side by side, no different 
from one another.

And in our place of neediness we will find strength from Him who meets 
every need.

Be encouraged!
Dwight


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