In this chapter, we read about the progression of our Lord’s last days on earth, when He talked to His disciples, warned them of upcoming betrayal and in particular predicted Peter’s denial. My brother, my sister, before you, many Christians fell or dropped the Lord, only because they presumed they were stronger spiritually than they truly were. Here the Bible shows us the disciples, who walked physically with the Lord for three years, day and night… promising Him this: “But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same” (verse 31)… Yes, you may be saying this every day… Don’t presume of your strength. The Bible says, it’s not by might, it’s not by power, it’s by the Holy Spirit. Yes, it is so easy to SAY we are devoted to Christ, but our claims are meaningful only when they are tested in the crucible of persecution. My friend, how strong is your faith? It is strong enough to stand up under intense trial? Imagine you lost everything you have right now like Job, will you remain faithful to God? The sad truth about many Christians is that they are filled with boastfulness and human resolve more than they are with the Holy Spirit, and therefore they discount their vulnerability to pride, greed, indifference and even a strong will for doing things for the Lord! Yet, before trials, they are also easily those who doubt, cry, and forget about the Almighty God just like the disciples, who a few hours after vowing never to disown Jesus, desert Him. The Bible says: “Then everyone deserted him and fled” (verse 50). You see, a strong will is not enough. So what do you need to be spiritually strong? To start with, you first need to know your spiritual state? You can’t be spiritually strong without being filled by the Holy Spirit. How do we know that? A few chapter later, after praying and waiting patiently on the Spirit of God as Jesus had promised, the disciples now were no longer afraid to stand up and preach about Christ with boldness on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36)… only forty days after they all ran away from God! My friend, the Bible says: “be filled with the Spirit”. Today, desire the filling of the Spirit of God more than trusting men or your abilities, your money or your accomplishments… within the next forty days, let the Spirit of God transform your weaknesses into strength, your fears into courage, your sickness into healing, your needs into abundance in Jesus’ name! Stay blessed in Jesus’ name. [facebook] [retweet]