Leftovers--what a boring, digestive thought, especially after the BIG Easter ham dinner last week! There's ham and potato casserole, ham and bean soup, ham and egg omelet, ham and cheese sandwiches--GREEN eggs and ham, ALMOST (Dr Seuss would love it!), and by now, you are ham-hogged out! Well, it's time to change the menu, and this week it's fish--fried fish--by the Master Chef Himself.
You know, it's easy for me to visualize Jesus touching, healing, blessing people--but somehow, Jesus COOKING for people really tickles me. I think of my Lord actually making breakfast for His friends, as my husband makes "pecan waffles" for me on Sunday mornings (honest!)--and it's so FUN! But Jesus really did do a fish fry for His friends--and I think it was probably the most delicious fish they'd ever eaten, don't you? Let's go to the Well by boat today--for we are tagging along with the disciples, rowing to shore after a miracle fish catch--and maybe we'll get a taste of this fabulous fish too!
But wait a minute...there's a frantic swimmer with us today...his name is Peter, and he's not waiting. He jumps in the water and swims to shore, cause HE just heard WHO is making breakfast--could it be? JESUS making breakfast for His betrayer? You'd better believe it, Peter--for you are forgiven bigtime! Come along with us and see!
A Helping Word...or
Two!
Love F orgives!
Peter, fear not! Your Lord knows what you've done, but He forgives you. That's called real love, you know! Now it's up to you to accept that forgiveness. Will you, Peter?
Love I nvites!
Peter, swim on! For you are invited to join your Lord for breakfast. He not only loves you, He includes you--as though you are the greatest, most perfect saint that ever walked the earth. And you are, Peter--through His blood and by His grace--so swim on! It's going to be GOOD!
Love S enses!
But...does He know how I feel? I am embarrassed, humiliated, ashamed deep inside where no one sees. I've failed my Lord terribly....
Peter, He knows. He senses everything you feel. He waits to wipe away those shameful tears. He KNOWS you and He loves you still. You must believe it, Peter...
Love H eals!
But...does He know how it hurts? My heart is shattered--I broke the trust of my Lord. I betrayed my Lord when He needed me most. It hurts to know I disappointed Him.. I remember the look in His eyes--I can't erase that awful memory....
But Peter, see Him now! There's only love in those eyes. He's ready to heal your heart, Peter. Are you ready to receive it?
Well, Lord, I'm coming. I'm swimming as fast as I can. And I'm glad to know You've forgiven me...But Lord, do You know what You're doing? I'm not perfect. I open my mouth and my foot enters. Time and time again, I blow it. Lord, how can You be patient with me over and over again?.......
Peter...your Lord is a patient, understanding Lord. He knows your nature and your personality. He created you exactly as you are, and He's going help you "tone" down that "foot-in-mouth" feeling. But not TOO much--for someday, you will BOLDLY proclaim, without fear, His message. He will bear and forbear with you, Peter...but right now, He wants you to be patient with yourself. Can you do that--for Him?
Love R estores!
Ah....I've reached shore and wow, is Jesus a great cook! I must say this is the best fried fish I've ever tasted--sure beats that fast food place down the street! But Lord, wait a minute...there's something You want to ASK me? Oh, no...my heart is pounding...I'm afraid.......
Peter, don't be afraid...Your Lord is about to restore you. The three times He questions you represent the three times you betrayed Him. Just let Him see your heart and your love for Him. For you are about to be drawn to His loving arms, accepted, received, loved, and commissioned to go with the gospel to your world. Don't be afraid, Peter....Just answer the question!
Love "YAHOOS!"
I DID IT...I DID IT! I answered the questions. I got it RIGHT this time--let's party, people (someone told me that's what YAHOO means!) Jesus is ALIVE and I am forgiven and all is right with the world....
EXCEPT for some of those people from Peggie's devotional tagging along with me. Some of them have done the SAME thing I did - and they are wondering, Is it true? Can I be forgiven.? Can I be restored? Can I minister once again? Yes, YES, a THOUSAND TIMES yes--there is cleansing and forgiveness and restoration at this fish fry for all! Accept it, just as I did, and be set FREE!.....Now come enjoy the fish while it's hot! It's party time!
My imagination has run a little wild today--but you get the point. Just as Peter received a wonderful restoration from a horrible wretched wrong, you too can be forgiven and free. Whatever you've done, however you've failed, there's LOVE--lots of it--waiting for you at the Fish Fry today. Come get it--the fish may be delicious, but the freedom you will feel will far exceed the fish even Jesus prepares! Won't you receive it today?
...and that's just a thought or two--from my heart to yours!
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 KJV)."
"Lord, I have failed You and I need forgiveness. Like Peter, I come to You, for to whom else can I go? Forgive me, cleanse me, restore me, and I will take up my cross and follow You, by Your grace, as long as I live. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
I'm blessed with a wonderful "virtual web family," many close friends who not only help to keep me sane and smiling, but write wonderful devotionals. Enjoy their spiritual insights--and their sites as well!
Celebrating God's goodness . . .. . . 15 million and counting!
Note: Counter keeps a running total of "page views" for the
entire site. --It jogs around the world and around the clock--to find
YOU!
This Christian home has been visited a zillion times
since December 26, 1995! Well, not quite, but there HAS been a houseful--and
STILL room for one more--YOU! The Christian Counter scans the entire site--and there's plenty of chocolate for everyone--so enjoy!
Most of the music playing at Peggie's Place originates from Songs of Praise.
Visit their great Web site to hear beautiful tunes by many talented artists. CDs are available.
Please note: Peggie's Place is a member of the Gospel.com community, formerly known as Gospel Communications Network. At that time, my site was also known as "peggiesplace.gospelcom.net" or "gospelcom.net/peggiesplace" - those "gospelcom.net" addresses no longer work. Please update any of those old bookmarks to peggiesplace.com. See "Lost 'n Found: A Redirect at Peggie's Place" for more detail.
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Please note that while I strongly adhere to major tenets of the
evangelical Christian faith, I may not personally agree with every specific doctrinal belief set forth in other
Christian pages. I do want to provide a diversity of links and resource material
for the entire Body of Christ to enjoy, and trust you will view it as such.
A safety tip: Internet links and material may include other links and/or material which do not reflect my Christian views or yours. Please choose wisely and use with discretion! And if you find an ugly spider hiding in a dark corner,
you may smash it with a broom from my BROOM
CLOSET--I hate offensive stuff too!
"'Twas the Night before Easter!" - popular parody at Peggie's Place! . . . More Easter resources
A Hurting
Word...
