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…bystanders came up and said to Peter, “You really are one of them as well, since even the way you talk gives you away.” Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the Man!”

After Jesus' arrest Peter would not associate with Him. He followed Jesus at a distance. When people accused him of being one of Jesus' disciples, he denied it and started cursing and swearing. However, less than two months later, a drastic change took place with Peter and the others.

After Jesus had risen from the dead & ascended to heaven we find His disciples praying together, hidden and afraid. Acts 2 states that there was a mighty rushing wind and verse 14 says that Peter began preaching to people in the streets of Jerusalem. He preached all the way to verse 41 where we are told that 3000 people came to Jesus.

Peter went from not wanting to admit to knowing Jesus to preaching to thousands of people about Him... with boldness!! What caused Peter's change? A new workout, a motivational speaker, a self-help book, Peter’s human commitment? Nope. None of those…

".... they were all filled with the Holy Spirit...."

-Acts 2:4

There is the answer!! Peter, along with the other disciples, were filled with the Holy Spirit and had an encounter with God. That is how the change happened... and it started with prayer.

Your best efforts will never really get the job done. It's the power of God's presence in a person's life that will change things. Yes, put the effort into it, but please don't leave God out and try to change yourself. Let God do it; He wants to. Turn to Jesus, connect with God and His word and ask Him to control your life from now on. Things will change.

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord..."

-Zechariah 4:6

Jim Albin - Senior Pastor

First Baptist - Wortham, Texas