God Of My Second Chance | Mark 16:7

Our reflections lead to a powerful exploration of second chances and God’s love, highlighting how Peter’s story illustrates the redemptive grace available to us all. This Morning Inspiration reminds us that failure does not define our future; it is merely a stepping stone toward testimony and growth. 

- Morning reflections and prayer to center ourselves 
- Introduction of the topic: God of My Second Chance 
- Examination of Peter’s journey from denial to redemption 
- Discussion on God’s orchestration and the hidden blessings we often overlook 
- A reminder of overcoming the barriers that fear and doubt create 
- Encouragement to embrace second chances as part of our faith journey 

Thank you for tuning in!

Intro and outro created by Joe Anderson Jr. via Truflava Productions

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Transcript

Morning Reflections and Prayer

Speaker 1 0:00

And we hope everyone is doing well on this Wednesday morning , praying that God allowed you to rest , and prayerfully , prayerfully , as you start this morning . You'll start it out with God's grace and mercy upon you . All right , getting through some of the minor technical issues , but we're all good there . I hope you can hear me clearly , all right . Welcome to all those joining us on our various platforms , whether on YouTube , our channel or even Facebook . Good to see you once again this morning . All right , I tell you , let's get started with prayer . Let's get started with prayer this morning . Let us thank God for everything he does . Heavenly Father , we thank you , we glorify you , we bless your holy and righteous name . Thank you for being the one that loves us so much that sometimes we don't recognize just how much you do love us and how much mercy and compassion you have for us . So this morning , dearly Father , we just appeal to you to hear our prayer , to hear our cry , but also come see about us and let us cast our cares upon you . Thank you for being so merciful all the time , lord , and we thank you for loving us , and we love you too . What's in Christ Jesus' name ? We pray , amen , amen . Going to check a few things in chat . Make sure we are good . All right , the pastor has made me the host , all right .

Speaker 1 1:56

Well , good morning once again , and this morning

Topic Introduction: God of My Second Chance

Speaker 1 2:00

I want to be able to speak from my morning inspiration , from the topic of God , of my second chance , god of my second chance . I'll be coming from Mark 16 , verse 7 , from the New Living Translation translation , and I also will refer to Mark 16 , verse 6 , and one other additional scripture to tie this all in . The scripture reads as such Mark 16 , verse 7 , now go and tell his disciples , including Peter , that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee . You will see him there , just as he told you before he died . So the question I ask is have you ever asked God , have you asked God to give second chances to those who have failed him and to those who have made some mistakes ? Can what I have done been so bad that I'm not able to get a much-needed second chance , a fresh start , a breakthrough ? Far too often we look at what we did wrong in life more than what God wants for us beyond our mistakes . It's very easy sometimes to look at the life through our own lens and say , man , I messed up , god , I made this mistake , I made a bad decision . I made some bad choices along the way , and you can certainly feel as though you failed God and that you don't deserve a second chance . But I want to let you know , just from the scripture that we're going into , that God is a God of our second chances . In this particular case , god gave Peter a second chance , even though he did not ask for it . Peter didn't ask for a second chance when he made the mistakes that he made in denying Christ , but because God loves us so much , he can give us another chance .

Speaker 1 4:10

While working behind the scenes , peter was the one who said to Jesus I'm your most reliable disciple . He was confident in his relationship with Jesus Christ . He was confident in his position with Jesus Christ . He was a very confident , braggadocious , strong-willed man , and we all have bragged on our connection to Christ until some real pressure comes . Have you ever been hit with something so hard that you begin to question your own faith and wonder , man , am I really really following Christ as I should , or did the pressure get so hard that it made you doubt your relationship ?

Speaker 1 4:50

When the pressure mounted , he and other disciples fled the scene . Peter not only fled . He also went into the I don't know Jesus mode . I don't know that man when he was encountered and was asked and inquired about . That's the man that knew Jesus . And they asked him don't you know him ? And Jesus clearly indicated that Peter was going to fail in that area . But he denied him . And you want to talk about a strange prophetic moment ? Jesus told him look here , partner , before the sun rises and an old rooster sitting on that fence crows . You will deny me three times .

Speaker 1 5:31

At that point it troubled us that he wept bitterly . Sometimes we weep bitterly in life behind closed doors , when people don't see some of the mistakes we made , and we often hide our pain , which is normal Sometimes you will . You know , I've been through some things , experienced some things , and there are some things that I have been hurt over that I didn't want my wife to see that I shed some tears over some painful things . But the fact remains is sometimes we do weep when we come to the understanding that , hey , I made an awful mistake . Now Peter ran into a barrier of intense fear . The reality is , if they are going to crucify the Son of God , what does that mean for me , a disciple and a follower . He was a witness to what they were going to do to Jesus Christ . He lived the story of witnessing what happened to Jesus and at that time that fear was a legitimate barrier .

Speaker 1 6:32

And , whether you know it or not , fear is a legitimate barrier to life . It can lock you down and paralyze you , cause you to keep from moving forward , lock you dead in your tracks . Many of us have had the obstacles in our life on many occasions . I don't believe it's intentional . I don't believe it's intentional that we lock up or paralyze at a barrier . Sometimes , when we're in that predicament and our faith is being tested , we often make the decision that we think is best . At that moment we use our logic . Maybe we didn't use enough faith , but we use our logic and say this is about as good as it's going to get , or this is a decision that I need to make right now . In the moment , it may not be the best decision , but the fact remains is you made a choice ? But I want to bring some clarity to that .

Speaker 1 7:31

If you look at Mark 16 , verse 6 , it sets the stage for a second chance , and Peter was not aware of it . Six of this scripture from Mark 16, . But the angel said don't be alarmed . You're looking for Jesus of Nazareth , who was crucified . He isn't here . He is risen from the dead . Look , this is where they laid his body . So sometimes in life , other people are in the right place to hear from God and they do what is heard Right . They were responding to the angel . The women were in the right place to hear the angel , were looking to prepare Jesus's body . At that moment they could have been fearful themselves , yet they were given specific instructions that led them to go find the disciples and Peter .

Speaker 1 8:26

What are you saying , reverend Johnson ? God can orchestrate things in your life indirectly , without your knowledge , and still accomplish his will in your life . So that's why you got to be thankful for some intercessors , some praying grandmothers , some praying grandfathers , praying mothers , praying fathers , praying brothers and sisters . While you're sitting there dealing with the issue right at hand because that's what you have gravitated to God has aligned it and orchestrated behind the scenes for some prayer and some supplication be made on your behalf or some actions to take place that'll get you right back on the right path .

Speaker 1 9:08

I love how God orchestrates . Have you ever seen God do something in your life and you didn't know what was coming and all of a sudden it just shifted your perspective . You felt your strength come . You felt your faith get better , all because something you were worried about , fear of or was blocking you , suddenly what isn't what you thought it was . But somewhere behind the scenes God was doing his work . And yeah , I admit we love to know everything God does in his business . But sometimes I don't want to know . I just want to know that as long as I know he cares , it's going to be all right . But the best thing is when he orchestrates behind the scenes and then all of a sudden orchestrates behind the scenes and then all of a sudden your life has shifted . I want to go to why it's important that when God is orchestrating things in your life , he still works behind the scenes . In John 21 , verses 15 through 17, . God still wants to accomplish the will in your life . God still wants to accomplish the wheel in your life .

Speaker 1 10:09

When Jesus was able to speak to Peter in these scriptures after breakfast , jesus asked Simon , peter , simon's son of John . Then feed my lambs , jesus told him . Jesus repeated the question Simon's son of John , do you love me ? Yes , lord . Peter said you know I love you . Then take care of my sheep , jesus said A third time . He asked him Simon , son of John , do you love me ? Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time . He said Lord , you know everything , you know that I love you . And then Jesus said feed my sheep .

Speaker 1 10:57

See , yes , it is extremely possible that you can love Jesus and still fail him . I think we look at our failures more than our faith . Look at our failures more than our faith . Peter loved Jesus . I really and truly believe he really was in love with Jesus , didn't intend to fall in love with him , but he fell in love with him .

Speaker 1 11:18

But sometimes in life we can love somebody and still hurt them , and in this case , we can fail God and still love him . It's just at the moment . We made a bad choice and a bad decision . So you have to ask yourself what is a second chance ? What is a second chance ? A second chance is reaffirmation . It is the compassion of Christ that gave Peter another chance to truly get it right . That needed second chance gave Peter the opportunity to be the chief spokesperson the day of Pentecost , and many of us are at the barrier of a second chance that , when given an opportunity , the thing you feared , that was a hindrance , is no longer in the way in our mind or in our thoughts .

Speaker 1 12:13

Yeah , we're dealing with barriers and the reality is that some of those barriers are buried deep in our mind and in our thoughts that , whatever mistake I made , whatever decision I made , whatever choice I made , we give it more weight . We give it more weight faith . We give it more weight than our love . And here's what the Holy Spirit just shared with me we give the weight of our failures more power than the redeeming love of Christ . We give our shortcomings more strength than it needs . And the Holy Spirit is saying your faith is greater than that . And to couple with that , whenever we have failed Him , whenever we have feared Him , whenever brought us to the place where we have an obstacle of fear or doubt or failure , we wrestle with the fact that we don't believe that we're forgiven . And , trust me , that is one of those barriers that stands in a lot of our lives .

Speaker 1 13:29

The Holy Spirit is saying whenever you have asked for forgiveness , know that it is forgiven and know that that barrier that you feel about yourself or something you did to someone else that you think is not forgiven the minute that you ask for that forgiveness , his grace and mercy applies greater than We've got to see beyond the failure and see the power of his forgiving love , his forgiving grace , his forgiving compassion . And no matter what that thought was that prevented you from thinking that you can't make it or you can't be forgiven , or that God can't forgive you and that you can't forgive yourself . Sometimes we got to be the less judgment of ourselves and understand that we need grace and mercy and forgiveness for anything . And if you don't believe that you can't be forgiven , then I want you to go back to God and talk to him for a moment and say Lord , why is it that I have this feeling that I'm not forgiven ? I want to give you comfort and assurance that he hears your voice , he hears your cry and he will forgive . Jesus is a barrier breaker . Maybe today is that day when you declare that this will no longer be my obstacle . I've stood here long enough looking at it and trying to figure it out , but now you know that on the other side of any barrier is Jesus Christ .

Peter's Story: Failures and Redemption

Speaker 1 15:00

Jesus offers more compassion to us in life than we could ever imagine .

Speaker 1 15:06

The obstacles often is how we look at ourselves and our failings and only see the failure . God sees opportunity to dust us off and give us some get-right . I love how Pastor always used that . Sometimes he just said God just got to give us some get-right , to get right , to get on the get-right path . Why ? Because he went ahead of us , because the destiny must be fulfilled and the failure is a testimony of his grace and mercy that gives a second chance , gives all of us a second chance . So the fact remains that when God gives us a second chance and we know for sure , as they say , sure enough , know for sure that he's given us a second chance , and we know for sure , as they say , sure enough , know for sure that he's given us a second chance , cleared us of the charges we placed in our mind it is a testimony . So your failure may be a failure in your sight , it may be a hindrance , but either way it goes , when God gives you a second chance , what he is saying is I'm going to turn your failures into a testimony because it won't be about you . It's going to be how God helped you to overcome through Jesus Christ . It's going to be his testimony that when you look at the obstacles and barriers and the failures and you went as far as you could go on your own strength . God steps in in such a way , says my child I'm ready to pull you over this barrier , this struggle , this pain point , and when you look back over your life you're going to get it in your heart and your mind . I thank God that he gave me a second chance . And now what I failed in is my testimony , because someone else needs to see and hear the glory of how God changed your life and gave you a second chance .

Speaker 1 16:51

God has to fulfill his destiny in your life . He has to , he wants to . We get hit with the distractions , we get hit with the detours in life and that happens . But either way it go , whatever God has purposed for your life , it has to be able to come to fruition . And what about that problem ? God will meet you right there where it is . And when God meets you right where it is and you're facing the obstacle and barrier of life , he said come on , let's cross this thing , because we got work to do . God's desire is to take you from where you are and to bring you to where he wants you to be . See where you are sometimes is the most confusing place sometimes in our faith . Because of God's love for us , he can look at you and say I still have the place I want you to go . I got that lined up for you . He just wants to bring you where you need to be .

Speaker 1 17:48

So when it feels like it is as low as it can get in your life and decisions and choices you've made seem fatal to you , don't give up . If you have failed , don't give up at the barrier and obstacle . Remember Peter . An obstacle , remember Peter , why ? Because God has not finished developing you and he will give you a second chance . We're still all under development , chosen City . We're still growing in this thing and I do believe , with the series that Pastor is bringing to us , that many of us are going to get to a place that we've long desired , but also a place where God has long desired for us to be and he is doing everything he can to pull us through and bring us through so that we can experience the joy of his love . So if you fail , let's fall forward . Let's fail forward . If you think you made a mistake . Remember Peter . If you think you can't get past the barrier , know that Jesus is on the other side and know that he's willing to bring you through because he's compassionate , he's full of mercy and he's full of love . All God wants us to do is look at what's in the way and find him so that he can bring you over Chosen City .

Speaker 1 19:11

My time is up and I thank you for yours . I hope and pray that somebody receives something from this , knowing that God does give second chances . And I hope and pray that as you go throughout your day you can reflect on the goodness of God and you can remember that you are forgiven , that you're loved and that failure is to become a testimony . So I thank you once again for your time . Let us pray . Heavenly Father , we give you the glory and we thank you . We truly are grateful that your compassion and your mercy is what we all need .

Speaker 1 19:52

And , lord , sometimes when we look at all the failures or mistakes in our life , sometimes we judge ourselves so cruelly . But we know this that on the cross you died for the very things that we considered failures . You died so that we could be redeemed . But , Lord , you're full of so much compassion and mercy that you don't see the failures . You see that muster seed of faith that we have . You see the dream and vision that you planted in our lives long before we were formed in our mother's womb . And because you believe that , god , it gives us courage to believe in you that we will see the work through to completion . It is by your grace and mercy that we have strength for today's journey .

Speaker 1 20:40

But , god , I do believe that you hold the bright future that we need . And in that bright future , lord , there is no failures . The bright future that we need , and in that bright future , lord , there is no failures . It's going to be a testimony . So touch someone's heart today to let them know it's going to be all right , it's going to be okay , and he will see you through it . He's going to bless you , he's going to change your life , he's going to give you the second chance you need for a breakthrough and a miracle . So , lord , bless this day mightily for all your children . It's in the mighty name of your son , jesus Christ . We pray Amen . Thank you all and have a great day .