Just Share It: Joey Krol

                                                                           Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                                           everyday is a journey.




o mine are these new fruitings rich,
The simple to the common brings;
I keep the youth of souls who pitch
Their joy in this old heart of things;
Full lasting is the song, though he
The singer passes; lasting too
,For souls not lent in usury,
The rapture of the forward view.
George Meredith.

I couldn't help, but share my own son's blogpost. It maybe one he wrote for Easter, but the message is one we all need to hear. Who hasn't messed up and wished they could rectify the situation? Often, we hold ourselves hostage to our pasts, because we cannot forgive ourselves even though Jesus already has. The message is one of hope. No matter what our situation may have been, we can begin anew in the love and grace and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus. I hope you enjoy. 

It’s possible to feel so low and filled with so much shame and guilt…that we feel that we are beyond the love, grace and reach of God.  But Easter reminds us that isn’t true.    

Let me introduce you to the Apostle Peter.  He was a disciple of Jesus.  He followed Him everywhere.  Peter sat at the same table as Jesus at the last supper.  What an honor!  He told Jesus that we would go to prison and would even DIE for Him.  (Luke 22:33)

After Jesus was betrayed and arrested, the disciples ran away out of fear.   But…Peter was spotted.  Matthew 26  gives us the account: “Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about."…

We read this took place three different times.  After the third time, he realized he denied his Savior and wept bitterly.  Peter did something he thought he would never do.  Have you ever done something you thought you would NEVER do?  Ever get to a place in your life and thought “I never thought I would end up here…”?

Peter couldn’t believe he denied the king of kings….the Beginning and the End…the Hope for all eternity.  

I’m sure he felt a million times worse after Jesus had died. I bet he thought to himself, “I didn’t even have a chance to say I was sorry”.  He probably had unresolved guilt and shame between Friday and early Sunday morning.  

Many of us are living in a Saturday situation with pain from our Friday.  But be reminded of Sunday. 

On Sunday morning the two Marys went out to visit Jesus’ tomb.  “But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.” “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter."

Did you catch that?  God specifically sent an angel to go tell the Disciples….AND PETER.  The wonderful news of the empty tomb wasn’t just for the righteous…but for the mess-ups and the screw-ups.  

It was like God saying: 

• Peter, I know you messed up…but I still want you.
• I still love you, Peter. 
• You can’t go hiding from me Peter….I still have plans for you. 
• Don’t you dare hang your head low, Peter…I’m still going to use you.  

AND PETER.  Two words changed his life.  

And that wonderful news is for you, too.  Come on home.  His arms are wide open waiting for you.  There is no sin outside His grace.  He loves you.  1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”


Dr. Krol is the Pastor at Galilee Baptist Church in Decatur, IL and is the author of the devotional book "At The King's Feet", available now.