Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."... "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same. -- Matthew 26:33-36

Peter was so certain in his mind that he would be true to Jesus, and hearing Jesus' prophetic words that he would deny him three times in one night must have sounded preposterous.  But we will find him at the end of this chapter weeping bitterly over the fact that what Jesus had predicted had come to pass.  How is it that we, like Peter, can so often be so sure of the hypothetical?  The idea of being a steadfast Jesus follower is a worthy one.  The idea of being disciplined in our faith by incorporating scripture and prayer every day seems easy enough.  But why is it that, like Peter, we fall off shortly after we begin things with such good intention?  When we are serious about doing something, whatever it is, we will find a way to do it.  We will make the time, find the resources, guard and protect it as an important part of every day.  When we permanently change the routine and processes in our lives to make it happen, we will find success.  It's not enough to just be the same person doing the same things and try to squeeze something new in.  We must let go of one thing to let another in.  Peter will deny Jesus because he is scared.  He isn't quite ready to go the distance because he likes his life the way it is and wants to keep it.  It won't always be this way for Peter.  This event will change him forever.

Readings:  Exodus 29:1-30:10; Matthew 26:14-46; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 8:14-26

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" -- Matthew 25:37-40

How can we serve God?  Serve each other.  How can we show our love to Christ?  Love each other.  Suffering people went to Jesus for healing and restoration.  The hungry multitudes were fed by him.  The possessed, addicted, and afflicted were saved by him.  We are the hands and feet of Christ.  Let's continue to search for and find ways to be the miracle worker he was and ease the suffering of this world.  Whenever you do that for the least among us, you do it for him.  Look around your world today and see what change you can make for God's sake.

Readings:  Exodus 28:1-43; Matthew 25:31-26:13; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 8:12-13

"HIs master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" -- Matthew 25:23

In an age and culture that is so materially driven, we often fall into the trap of valuing the worth of ourselves and others according to our achievements, our treasures, and our stations in life.  We are a driven people who seek power and influence.  However, many desire to have the appearance of having power and influence rather than the responsibility and accountability that comes with true power.  To effect change for God, we all have been given responsibility and oversight-- stewardship if you will-- of the resources and talents that God has entrusted to us.  As we manage and employ these well in his service, our responsibility and accountability will naturally broaden, along with the power and influence that comes with being faced with the moral and ethical decisions that come with deciding how to us those resources.  If you really want power and influence, look at what you have-- your time, your energy, your gifts and talents, and all the material resources in your care-- and manage them well and in line with God's will.  That's where you'll find true power and influence.

Readings:  Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11

"Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." -- Psalm 30:1-12

Guilt is one of the most spiritually debilitating things to which one can hang on.  While a hurting conscience might drive one to repentance, to live in the guilt does nobody any good.  The Psalmist seemed to have a handle on this.  If you sin-- if you offend God-- if you hurt others-- then yes, you will know God's anger.  But his anger passes.  So when you sin, when you mess up, own up to it and repair the relational damage that comes from it.  Make amends with the person you've hurt and repent for what you have done.  Pray earnestly and sincerely, and after changing your ways, receive the healing forgiveness you need.  Then get over it and move on to a new day to do the work God would have you do!  

Readings:  Exodus 23:14-25:40; Matthew 24:29:51; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 7:24-27

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed." -- Matthew 24:4-6

There has been speculation that because the Mayan calendar ends in 2012, that the world follows suit.  It's  fascinating how such a buzz was created over the possibility that then end could be near.  Countless false prophets through the ages have made predictions on the day that Christ would return, and their success rate of their predictions:  zero percent!   No one knows when or how it will come, or even it will come at all in the way we imagine it.  The point for us is to live recognizing that life is short, and that the end comes too soon for each of us.  When time is limited, it has a way of becoming more valuable.  Make wise use of it.  Worrying about it only wastes it.

Readings:  Exodus 21:22-23:13; Matthew 24:1-28; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 7:6-23

"... keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart." -- Proverbs 7:1-3

Today, we have another section for memorization.  The writer of this Proverb impresses upon us the importance of writing these words and commands on the "tablets of our hearts".  Yesterday, we spoke of the law that God would have us know and live by: love-- love God, love others.  In the Old Testament readings today, we're presented with the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20).  They are:

1.  You shall have no other gods before me.
2.  You shall not make for yourself an idol int eht form of anything in heaven above or on earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them...
3.  You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God...
4.  Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy...
5.  Honor you father and your mother...
6.  You shall not murder
7.  You shall not commit adultery
8.  You shall not steal
9.  You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor
10.  You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor

Now... if you obey the Law (love God & others), would you be in a place to break the others?  Most likely not.

Readings:  Exodus 19:16- 21:21; Matthew 23:13-39; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 7:1-5

"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." -- Matthew 22:37-40

This is one for memorizing.  In fact, this one little paragraph contains the essence of the Old Testament law in it.  In the Old Testament, there are 613 laws.   If you were a child in those days studying your Hebrew Scriptures, you would devote yourself to memorizing those 613 laws.  If you were to apprentice as a rabbi, you'd take on the "yoke" of your rabbi (his set of interpretations of the law), and set about preparing to teach them.  It was a life-long endeavor.  Jesus comes along, and makes it easy for all of us to be his students.  Most people when they read this, leave the last sentence out or skip over it, because they don't understand it.  This is Jesus' yoke:  one law in two parts.  Love God, love each other.  If you do this, you are doing the will of God and are being obedient.  All of the 613 laws are contained within.  Love God.  Love each other.   Simple, right?  While it's easy to remember, it still takes at least a lifetime to master.

Readings:  Exodus 17:8- 19:15; Matthew 22:34- 23:12; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 6:27-35