Good afternoon and welcome!
I’m not going to present my interpretation of Bear Creek Bible Church’s sermon today, but instead, I want to tell you about a mistake I made the other day, and the lesson I learned from it. I hope that’s ok, because really, it sort of ties in anyway.
I failed a test. Yep. Do you realize that God is testing us all the time? I’m sure I fail a lot of times, but for some reason, probably pride, this one still gnaws at me.
Remember how I told you we were invited to a friend’s cabana for dinner on Christmas Eve? Well, Harm asked us to go around the table and tell everyone what Christmas means to them. I said “being with family”. Not horrible, right?
When Jean’s turn came and she said, Well first it’s about the birth of Jesus…and then I knew I’d failed.
In my defense, I assumed that was implied.
I should have said it anyway. How could I, a student of the Bible, have missed the obvious answer? I felt so ashamed.
It was even worse because after my answer he asked, “Is that all?” My mind actually went blank. I was caught like a deer in the headlights.
Later I mumbled, “that’s what I should have said” and then we continued with dinner. I felt like such a failure.
NOW I KNOW HOW PETER FELT.
Not a denial of the Lord, actually, and asked for forgiveness immediately, but I still felt terrible.
Now, I’m not going to say that all six of us at the table are saints or anything, and Harm is the same as you and me. I don’t know if he is even a believer. But you see, I could have let him know by my answer that I am. I knew the answer but failed to say it.
That is why we must seek wisdom and learn from it. We must not only listen, but do!
I am forgiven though, I know that. Every day is another chance for us to seek the wisdom we hunger for. Every day I spend in the word, I’m starting out on the right path. I have not stopped since I started, and I won’t stop now.
If God forgave Peter, and we all know He did, he can forgive us. Have faith. Be steadfast in it. We aren’t perfect. We all make mistakes. Maybe me admitting mine will help me move past it and learn from it.
And all God’s people say, ‘Amen’.
Thank you for being here, being my support system, and keeping me accountable. Please have a safe and happy New Year!
Until next Sunday, bye and have a blessed day.
Twisted Trunk Travels 
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