puricare chronicles: SIFTED - Satan’s desire to sift those who would spread the gospel and lead others has not abated. He knows the destruction it causes in the lives of those influenced by the one who falls. The “ripple effect” may last for years, and many weaker brothers and sisters may never recover. But take heart! The One who prayed for Peter “ever liveth to make intercession for (us).” Just as God answered Christ’s intercessory prayer for Peter, so He will answer Christ’s intercessory prayer for us. - “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31,32). In the evening, just before His betrayal, capture, torture, and trial, Christ turned to Simon with these final words, encouraging Him to remain strong. Of course, Peter boldly proclaimed that He would never deny Christ, but Christ knew better. Actually, our text is quite forceful. Christ claimed that Satan has “begged earnestly” (literal translation of “desired”), not just for Peter, but for all the disciples, as seen in the plural pronoun “you,” to “sift you as wheat.” Satan knew (as he still knows) that the fall of Christian leaders causes many others to fall, and if all of the disciples could be made to abandon the faith the gospel could not be spread. Christ turned specifically to Peter, however, and even though He knew Peter would fall, Christ informed him that he had been prayed for, that his “faith fail not.”

Sunday, April 18, 2021

SIFTED - Satan’s desire to sift those who would spread the gospel and lead others has not abated. He knows the destruction it causes in the lives of those influenced by the one who falls. The “ripple effect” may last for years, and many weaker brothers and sisters may never recover. But take heart! The One who prayed for Peter “ever liveth to make intercession for (us).” Just as God answered Christ’s intercessory prayer for Peter, so He will answer Christ’s intercessory prayer for us. - “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31,32). In the evening, just before His betrayal, capture, torture, and trial, Christ turned to Simon with these final words, encouraging Him to remain strong. Of course, Peter boldly proclaimed that He would never deny Christ, but Christ knew better. Actually, our text is quite forceful. Christ claimed that Satan has “begged earnestly” (literal translation of “desired”), not just for Peter, but for all the disciples, as seen in the plural pronoun “you,” to “sift you as wheat.” Satan knew (as he still knows) that the fall of Christian leaders causes many others to fall, and if all of the disciples could be made to abandon the faith the gospel could not be spread. Christ turned specifically to Peter, however, and even though He knew Peter would fall, Christ informed him that he had been prayed for, that his “faith fail not.”

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Sifted

Satan’s desire to sift those who would spread the gospel and lead others has not abated. He knows the destruction it causes in the lives of those influenced by the one who falls. The “ripple effect” may last for years, and many weaker brothers and sisters may never recover. But take heart! The One who prayed for Peter “ever liveth to make intercession for (us).” Just as God answered Christ’s intercessory prayer for Peter, so He will answer Christ’s intercessory prayer for us.

BY JOHN D. MORRIS, PH.D.

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31,32).

In the evening, just before His betrayal, capture, torture, and trial, Christ turned to Simon with these final words, encouraging Him to remain strong. Of course, Peter boldly proclaimed that He would never deny Christ, but Christ knew better (verses 33,34).

Actually, our text is quite forceful.

Christ claimed that Satan has “begged earnestly” (literal translation of “desired”), not just for Peter, but for all the disciples, as seen in the plural pronoun “you,” to “sift you as wheat.”

Satan knew (as he still knows) that the fall of Christian leaders causes many others to fall, and if all of the disciples could be made to abandon the faith the gospel could not be spread.

Christ turned specifically to Peter, however, and even though He knew Peter would fall, Christ informed him that he had been prayed for, that his “faith fail not.”

Indeed, Peter did turn around, once he saw the risen Lord, and became a leader in the fledgling church in Jerusalem, as well as a missionary.

Through the witness of Peter and those he strengthened, the gospel has come to us.

Satan’s desire to sift those who would spread the gospel and lead others has not abated.

He knows the destruction it causes in the lives of those influenced by the one who falls.

The “ripple effect” may last for years, and many weaker brothers and sisters may never recover.

But take heart!

The One who prayed for Peter “ever liveth to make intercession for (us)” (Hebrews 7:25; see also John 17:6–26).

Just as God answered Christ’s intercessory prayer for Peter, so He will answer Christ’s intercessory prayer for us.

The Institute for Creation Research (ICR) wants people to know that God’s Word can be trusted in everything it speaks about—from how and why we were made, to how the universe was formed, to how we can know God and receive all He has planned for us.

After 50 years of ministry, ICR remains a leader in scientific research within the context of biblical creation. Founded by Dr. Henry Morris in 1970, ICR exists to conduct scientific research within the realms of origins and Earth history, and then to educate the public both formally and informally through professional training programs, through conferences and seminars around the country, and through books, magazines, and media presentations. Click here for more information about ICR founder Henry M. Morris.

https://www.icr.org/article/20284/