He screamed and he kept screaming until he could scream no more. Then he fell off a cliff into the abyss of broken souls. The force of his crash could have moved the earth. Fragments lay around him—the new and hideous replacements of his former self. Shame replaced love. Cowardice replaced faith. Fear drove out Hope to make room for the mocking predator. Worst of all, he saw his destiny plunge into a black hole of regret.
This is the day after Jesus died.
To survive, Peter became a robot. He went fishing. It’s what he was programmed to do. Peter went through the motions. Avoiding feeling, suppressing every emotion.
The difference between Peter and Judas Iscariot is razor thin. The same fever of despair and regret raged in both of them. It drove Judas to suicide. Why didn’t Peter do what the other traitor did? It was because Jesus prayed for him.
Satan told Peter a lie. Peter not only believed that lie, he now embodied it. And, it is the same lie that Satan is telling America right now—the lie that all the good and important things are gone forever.
Whenever those who hate God and America try to enforce a change, they call it ‘THE NEW NORMAL.’ They sold us on ‘THE NEW NORMAL’ of abortion, same sex marriage, and godless education. Their biggest excuse for seizing control was the coronavirus. Something to remember: ‘the new normal’ is always nothing other than the old abnormal, it is just disguised.
Memories tortured Peter. He tried to fight it with all his might, it was impossible not to relive those days. Two mistakes haunted him the most. Thinking he could save Jesus, he swung it at the head of the high priest’s servant, Malchus, who, fortunately had moved just in time, losing only an ear. But his greatest horror was his discovery that he was a coward. He denied Jesus three times. The rooster was still crowing in his spirit.
And, it is the same lie that Satan is telling America right now—the lie that all the good and important things are gone forever.
Peter is haunted by the day he met Jesus. He was minding his own business when Jesus interrupted his entire life. Fishing all night and caught nothing. His hands are red and sore. Every muscle ached. He had nothing to show for a brutal night out on the water.
Then the strange Teacher said, “Let your nets down again for a catch.” Peter half-heartedly did as he was asked, and the catch was so enormous it terrified him. He begged Jesus to keep His distance, “I am a sinful man!” Peter cried. Instead of leaving Jesus spoke the eternal words “follow me and I will make you a fisher of men.” That was Peter’s destiny. That became he identity and reason for living. It is his destiny.
But Peter is now convinced—after his failure and denial—it is too late. He believes his destiny is lost forever. You must get that or lose the impact I what I will say next.
It’s dawn on Resurrection Sunday. Peter couldn’t know that at that very moment, an angel was talking about him. Mark 16:7, “But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that (Jesus) is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told to you.” The angel added the words “and Peter.” Why? Because God knew Peter would have disqualified himself if the invitation was “for disciples only.”
The angel added the words “and Peter.” Why? Because God knew Peter would have disqualified himself if the invitation was “for disciples only.”
Peter demanded: “Are you certain the angel said my name?!” “Yes, the words were, “Tell the disciples, and Peter.”” At that moment, Peter rose from the dead. He knew he was not rejected. He knew the unmatched glory of a second chance.
Satan did all he could to destroy Peter. He knew this man would shake the gates of hell. The first shaking came on the Day of Pentecost. Wind and Fire transformed Peter.
The coward, who had denied his Lord three times is restored. Jesus appeared to Peter, giving him three new chances to affirm his love. Jesus even provided a charcoal fire. It was by a charcoal fire that Peter failed. Peter is utterly transformed. He is now a lion carrying a devastating witness. He roared, “This is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel!”
He is now a lion carrying a devastating witness. He roared, “This is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel!”
In the days after Jesus died, evil exerted a crushing blow on the entire city. All the Christians hid in their homes behind locked doors, and it’s like that today. Satan wishes to crush our hopes and dreams. Evil men would sell us the lie that we must adapt to a grim, cold, and dark lesser vision of America, the church, and our futures.
Those who are marked by God are unstoppable. When the doors reopen for America, God will fully restore our destiny.
But there is one miracle that remains to be explored. Cutting off Malchus’ ear haunted Peter. But there was more to it than just healing an ear. Because, my friend, that night Jesus healed more than an ear—knowing the future, Jesus knew Peter must not be sitting on death row on the day of Pentecost. Jesus prayed “permit even this” and reattached the ear, in order to protect Peter’s destiny.
He is also guarding yours.
Wow! Praise God this word is so anointed and so powerful!!!
Amen!
AMEN!!!
I so often appreciate your Spirit-empowered, “down-to-earth”, and practical analysis & application of Scripture; and this blog is just one example of that . . . You could/should be one of the writers &/or advisors for “The Chosen” series!
Awesome!! Thank you
Brilliant and Powerful! Thank you!
Amen
Great word Mario, never seen it from that perspective!
He is Risen!
Wow. What a vision to hang on to. Thank you, Mario.
“…He could have called ten thousand Angels, to destroy the world and set him free… but he died alone, for you and me…”
Amen! God restore all our vigor and make our lives roar with the gospel of Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!
Oh what a powerful message, Brother! It hits sooo very close to my heart, my very soul!
So ready for LIVING PROOF, Tyler,Texas!!!
As always, blessings for your obedience!
Awesome ! Thank You Brother! A Blessed Resurrection Celebration to you and your precious family!
Powerful word! God’s love for us is amazing. I believe Americans will come back to living and serving God. As the church awakens and becomes powerful in prayer and obedience to God, God will do it!Praise His holy name!
Great message
Dear Pastor Mario,
Thank you for this wonderful post. It is life giving to this 82 years young follower of King Jesus!
Awesome message Mario! Thank You!
Hallelujah! Thank you Brother Mario! Your blogs and Fire Power broadcasts are so eye-opening and empowering; so full of truth in a society filled with lies and intentional disinformation! God Bless you and Pastor Todd and your wonderful ministry! Your stand of faith in the face of opposition is a beacon of hope and strength to America and the world. Thank you, thank you Brother Mario! Blessings and Love from Ardy (a praying, singing Gramma) from the northwoods of Wisconsin. Rock on My Brother Friend!
Praise the Lord my Jesus!!
Amen praise the Lord for the 2nd Charcoal Fire for Peter! The 2nd chance when we have failed the Lord! Thankful for His forgiveness and the of His resurrection power!!!
I am amazed how God moved in Peter’s life to bring about his destiny. Peter’s life is such a witness to me in how God loved Peter so much that He could arrange each step for Peter to see his destiny and follow it.
God is going to move with the remnant, whosoever will. Through my own personal relationship with God l hear the Holy Spirit speaking plans that he is fulfilling and those that are yet before us. Question: Would you pray about bringing your tent to Parkersburg W.Va? I believe the MOV is ready for latter day outpouring. Thank you.
There is still so much wrong in America with so many of its citizens just evil. And there are so many rogue judges. The last thing they are is just. And to me, I think that the EU will give us the antichrist. I pray, and I pray, and I pray. God save us all! Amen!
Thank you for this message
Glory to Jesus!!
Mario, the things you bring out are always so astounding and heart touching. I knew all these things happened to Peter, but had paid no attention to the “permit even this” or the fact that Jesus knew exactly what Peter needed to overcome his denying the Lord. You made it so real. Your email should give hope to all who read it. It brought me to tears….happy tears, I might add!
Also, your recent movie, “Living Proof”, was awesome. Wish you would have a tent meeting somewhere here in Alabama, preferably Huntsville or even Southern Tn.
Thank you Mario. I could sense Holy Spirit’s confirmation as I read this message. What an encouragement to all as we have been confident in our own strength & failed. Peter’s example gives us hope for restoration.
Amen 🙏🏻✝️♥️
Thank you Mario. I could sense Holy Spirit’s confirmation as I read this message. What an encouragement to all as we have been confident in our own strength & failed. Peter’s example gives us hope for restoration.
Thank you Mario. I could sense Holy Spirit’s confirmation as I read this message. What an encouragement to all as we have been confident in our own strength & failed. Peter’s example gives us hope for restoration.
Praise the Lord that He is our identity and protects our destiny as shown in this blog.
So be it our beloved Lord and Savior.
BTW: I woke up the other morning and thought…”Easter Ham! How Jewish is that?”
Excellent. Thank the Lord God Almighty, our Savior Jesus, for His Resurrection power.
Amazing message! Thank you so much for sharing this
Thank you for this good word! Jesus is Victor!
Mario we needed to read this. As sinful people we are always condemn ing ourselves Peter and Paul even President Trump we’re examples of imperfect humans we marvel at our Lord’s love for all of us. There is no one like Jesus Hallelujah
HALLELUJAH!!!
This is a beautiful explanation I’d never heard before. Thank you so much and PLEASE pray for my son, Nathan, that he will return to his first love, and wife, Melody, and 4 children. Thank you
Love this❣️Such awesome and powerful words! Praise be to Our Lord!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Thank you Mario for all the work you do. I sensed the Holy Spirit while reading this blog. Your explanation on “Tell the disciples, and Peter” registered in me (God directed angelic expression so discouragement doesn’t overtake us.) We are never rejected. Indeed God has plans for us. He is always working behind the scenes
Love this eye opening message of failure and restoration !!
Powerful analogy! Thank God for his transformative love!
So good, brother!
I love this so much!! Thank You, King Jesus!!
May He reveal my destiny! Am walking in His path May I see, as encouragement, a bigger picture
Thank you for your deep insight Mario Murillo. I’ve been thinking about Peter!
Good Word!
I love that message Mario, that was Christ in you the hope
of glory, the hope that does not disappoint putting courage
into His body, thank you
BEAUTIFUL, and so relatable, thank you Mario