February 6, 2026

FAILURE IS NOT FINAL

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter replied, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then feed my lambs,’ Jesus told him.”

John 21:15 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

Peter’s story is a rollercoaster of bold declarations and crushing defeats. He was the disciple who swore he would die for Jesus, only to deny he even knew Him three times in the dark of night. After the crucifixion, Peter lived in the wreckage of his own failure.

In his despair, Peter decided to go back to what he knew: fishing. But after a night of catching nothing, a voice from the shore changed everything.

The Mirror of Grace

Jesus met Peter right where his journey began. Just as He had done three years earlier, Jesus performed a miracle of a massive catch. Peter realized it was the Lord, dove into the water, and swam to shore.

After breakfast, Jesus asked Peter the same question three times: “Do you love me?” 

* Three Denials: Peter had rejected Jesus three times by a charcoal fire.

• Three Affirmations: Jesus allowed Peter to declare his love three times by another charcoal fire.

Jesus wasn't trying to shame Peter; He was digging out the roots of Peter’s guilt to make room for a new calling.

No Second-Class Restoration

The question, "Do you love me more than these?" was a challenge. Peter had to decide if he loved his old life, his old comforts, and his own safety more than his calling. When Peter surrendered, Jesus didn't put him on "probation." He didn't restore him to a "second tier" level of ministry.

He reinstated him fully.

It would be easy to remember Peter only as the man who failed. But because of Jesus’ restorative love:

• The man who cowered in the courtyard became the man who preached in Acts 2, leading 3,000 to Christ.

• The man who denied the Truth became the man who stood up to deception in the early church (Acts 5).

• The man who fled the cross became a man so anointed that people laid the sick in the streets just so his shadow might touch them (Acts 5:15).

The Power of the Broken Vessel

God often does His most powerful work through broken vessels. Why? Because a restored life is a walking billboard for the grace of God. If you feel like your failures have disqualified you, look at Peter. Your "stump" is exactly where God wants to grow a "new branch".

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, I thank You that Your grace is bigger than my greatest failure. Thank You that You don't just forgive me—You restore and reinstate me. I give You my past mistakes and ask You to use my life to demonstrate Your perfect mercy. I am ready to feed Your lambs. Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”