December 16 – Are You Warm Enough?

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, "You are not also one of His disciples, are you?" He denied it, and said, "I am not." One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?" Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed. John 18:25-27 

It’s winter here in Washington State where I live—and it is cold. Like Peter, if I were outside I’d like a fire to stand by and warm myself. I image that it wasn’t just the heat of the fire that warmed Peter. His words of denial warmed him. He probably wanted to take is cloak off and run through the dark night. Have you ever told a lie? Come on now, be honest with yourself. You have. Did you know that it is actually breaking one of the Ten Commandments to lie? You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16 NBC news recently reported that researchers in Spain have studied facial temperatures and feelings or emotions. They found that when people lied the temperature of their face around their nose and eyes actually increased. They called this the “Pinocchio effect”. I’ve experienced my face turning red when I’m embarrassed—you probably have, too. Well—that is what Peter was likely feeling, too. Hot from his lie. He knew Jesus—but he was afraid to admit it.  

Do you know Jesus, but are afraid to admit it? What are you afraid of…being rejected by your family and friends? Ridicule? Jesus told us…And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. Luke 12:8-9 Those are pretty strong words…deny and confess. To deny—to say something is not true. To confess—to make known. We certainly don’t want to be denied before God. I would hope that no one would want for God to know that they purposely don’t know and love Jesus. That is a quick ticket of condemnation to hell. Your relationship to Jesus is one of those things that you want to shout from the rooftops—to go tell it on the mountain—that Jesus Christ is LORD of your life. He is Lord of my life. 

I like to hike—in mountains or the desert. It is always good to have a nice straight path—you can walk faster and for me that means burning more calories which I need to do! It also means that I can see where I am going—no unexpected cliffs or snakes in my path. One verse that is encouraging to me that goes along with “confessing” Jesus before men is found in Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. May you cling to this verse today—spiritually feasting on it and making it your own promise from God. He will make your paths straight. You’ll be able to see what is ahead—no hidden turns and deceptive ways. 

Lord, guide us in our walk today with You that we would make the right choices and that You would make our path straight and true.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).