When Your Rooster Crows

Sharon JaynesForgiveness, Living Free, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For 178 Comments

I sat on my back porch, wrapped in my fuzzy worn robe—the one that’s twenty years old that I just can’t seem to get rid of. The birch trees waved “good morning,” and the newly planted gerbera daisies stretched their faces to the sun…just a bit higher than the day before. Then I heard him. The rooster.

ER-er-ER-er-ERRRR. I’m not sure where he lives, but it’s within earshot.

ER-er-ER-er-ERRRR. I thought of Peter. I thought of me. I thought of you.

You know the story. At the dinner table, on the night before Jesus went to the cross, he said to Peter:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me” (Luke 22:31-34).

A few hours later, Peter did just that. Denied that he even knew Jesus. Three times. And then the rooster crowed. ER-er-ER-er ERRRR.

“And he went outside and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62). He cried and cried and cried.

(I’ve messed up big time and cried and cried and cried before. Have you?)

The next morning, the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered his failure.

And the next, and the next, and the next.

With every squawk of the bird. A fresh reminder. First thing in the morning. Have you ever been there? I have. I have failed. And I have remembered…the rooster crowed. And even though I had asked for forgiveness, and I knew that God HAD forgiven me, the rooster crowed in my heart, and I remembered my failure anew.

What did Jesus have to say about Peter’s failure? Three strikes, you’re out? Not hardly.

After His resurrection, Jesus pulled Peter aside and asked him one question in three different ways.

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

Again, Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

A third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Each time Peter answered that he loved Jesus. Each time Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep or lambs.

Jesus removed the shroud of shame hanging from Peter’s guilt weary shoulders and called him to get back to the ministry.

God’s forgiveness is always complete, total, and comprehensive. “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]” (1 John 1:9 AMPC).

However, the accuser continues to crow—reminding us of our past sins and failures. He tries to drown out the song of grace with the caw of shame. He crows. We remember. Perhaps even weep with Peter behind the wall.

You know what I’ve decided? Rooster makes a fine meal. Let’s wring the rooster’s neck and cook him up once and for all. Don’t let the enemy accuse you of what God has already forgiven you of. Don’t let the enemy fool you into thinking that the cross wasn’t enough.

I wonder what went through Peter’s mind the next time he heard the rooster crow. I think he smiled and thought of God’s amazing grace. That’s what I’m going to do tomorrow on my back porch when I hear that rooster crow.

If you believe that you are forgiven and free from condemnation, leave a comment and say…”I’m forgiven and free!”

Jesus, thank You for forgiving me totally and completely. Help me to not listen when the devil tries to make me feel guilty and ashamed. I’m standing on the truth that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…and that includes me. In Your Name, Amen.

Digging Deeper

Today’s devotion was taken from my book, Take Hold of the Faith you Long For: Let Go, Move Forward, Live Bold. A mediocre, mundane faith is not what you were made for! In Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, I reveal the most common reasons we get stuck in our Christian faith, living less than what we had hoped. I show you how to break free of all that holds you back, move forward with all that God promises, and live the adventurous faith of bold believing. It’s time to TAKE HOLD of all that Jesus has already taken hold of for you and placed in you! Includes a Bible Study guide in the back.

 

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Comments 178

    4. Jesus, thank You for forgiving me totally and completely. Help me to not listen when the devil tries to make me feel guilty and ashamed. I’m standing on the truth that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…and that includes me. In Your Name, I’m forgiven and free in the mighty name of Jesus Amen.

      Reply

  7. Amen! I have a t-shirt with a Rooster on it- ”remember the rooster” , but also don’t forget that Jesus died for our sins and our sins are forgiven!❤️🙌

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  29. This was also a good reminder to not be the crow. Finding forgiveness and heal after divorce is a hard balance. While I am thankful to not be in that destructive relationship anymore, I need to remember that I am not anyone else’s judge or jury. God is in charge of that. I am in charge of me and my reactions.

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  31. Love this !! Sweet reminder of God’s love and forgiveness towards mankind. Thank you Sharon for this wonderful word today!!

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  32. Thanks for that, Im a pastor who needed that. Oh, that God would work the amazing Grace that only he can in me. Thanks Vernon

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  33. Reminder to Self: I am forgiven and I am free! Freedom from guilt, condemnation, and shame. Free to live and be who God created me to be. Praise the Lord! ☀️

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    1. Just because Jesus forgave me and paid the ultimate price, just for me, today I am free! Yes, free indeed. Hallelujah! Thank You, Lord for redemption.

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  36. Yes, I am forgiven and free, thank you Jesus! This post was a wonderful reminder and so beautifully written. I have a rooster who crows at random hours of the day. Sometimes when he sees me going to the garden he will start crowing, I will start smiling and saying “thank you Jesus I am forgiven and free”. May your days be blessed and fruitful!

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  39. I’m forgiven and free! Praise the Lord! My prayer is to be free of this chronic pain in my body! I have been tortured with it for far too many years! I am at the point that I am just existing and I want to be free to freely serve God. I’m 59 and this all started from an auto accident when I was 22.
    Thank you for your prayers💞
    Blessings to you,

    Michelle Cochran

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  42. “(I’ve messed up big time and cried and cried and cried before. Have you?)”

    You bet I have, and do. I’m so glad for the story of Peter and the crowing rooster. It let’s us all know the consequences, but gentle mercy of God. There is always hope and mercy with our salvation through our precious Lord.
    Lovely morning devotional.

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  43. I’m forgiven and free!
    I’m so glad for the story of Peter and the crowing rooster. It let’s us all know the consequences, but gentle mercy of God. There is always hope and mercy with our salvation through our precious Lord.
    Lovely morning devotional.

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  44. Praise God, I am free and forgiven! Help me Lord, to remember this and not go down that path of guilt and shame over and over.
    Thank You Jesus, for your gift of salvation and forgiveness.
    I love You!

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  52. I am saved and truly forgiven of all my sins. My life and legacy and that of my family has changed forever. I am very thankful. I don’t deserve it.

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  54. I’m forgiven and free!!!
    Glory to God!!! 🙏
    Thank you for your encouraging words, your transparency and love.
    May you continue to be blessed, strengthened and use your gifts.

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  58. This one really hit home for me. I’ve got a rooster in my neighborhood that drives me crazy with his incessant crowing. I will now smile and be thankful for God’s amazing grace!

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  59. Amen, FREE and FORGIVEN! I am good with wringing the ROOSTER’S neck! Thank you Sharon, love your ministry so much! .
    “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’

    Blessings,

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  65. I was a prodigal daughter for many years. I know the feeling of tremendous failing and falling into a deep pit. I know the amazing grace of being forgiven and brought up out of that pit to serve Jesus. I now host two social media Making Disciples groups and have written over 20 Christian Inspirational and devotional books. Today I am not the same prodigal daughter, I am a forgiven , cherished and beloved daughter of God. I am still alive and serving Jesus at the young age of 70.

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  66. By faith and intellectually I AM FORGIVEN AND FREE! But that nasty crow cawing is what I still hear daily since my failure in January 12, 24. I had a dream early this morning that taunts my soul. Yet, I’m pushing through, moving forward in Christ, one step at a time. I’m thankful I have Abba, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to cling to. Greater is He that is in me. And because He has overcome the world, I too shall overcome; by the blood and the power of the precious lamb of God who covers a multitude of sins! Hallelujah!

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  67. Thank God, for his forgiveness. God’s word says without the shedding of blood. There would be no forgiveness of sins. Although it cost God everything to forgive me, I am happy and truly excited that when I fail, and I do every day that I can go to gods throne and plead the blood of Jesus to forgive me. Thank you Jesus, thank you God for loving me and the shed blood.

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  69. I am forgiven and free! I laughed out loud when I read “we need to wring its neck”. I was raised in farm country and I can remember my grandma wringing the neck of a chicken we would have for supper😆
    Great devo Sharon!

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  91. Been doubting and living in fear, shame, guilt and disgust for too long!
    God, in His infinte love, mercy and grace is freeing me and I am accepting it ALL today!
    I am also sharing Him with those He put in my path daily.
    Lord God, thank you for being such a gracious and loving God.
    I am not worthy, but You love me anyway!
    ALL GLORY BD TO YOU LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!

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  92. I am FORGIVEN AND FREE!!!! FREE FROM SIN, SHAME AND CONDEMNATION, INCLUDING SELF CONDEMNATION!!! All because of God’s amazing Grace through the sacrifice of my Jesus, my Lord and Savior, that was and is and always will be sufficient to cover ALL my sins- His Grace is sufficient- all the time!! Now I am set free to FORGIVE OTHERS!!! Including MYSELF!! PRAISE GOD!!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

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    1. Amen I am forgiven and free. This is the best blessing, you can ever have in life. Thanks for allowing us to give such great comments. About the great devotional story, of Jesus Christ. God bless you Sharon for sending great stories for us to have. May God to continue to send blessings over everyone on here. Many blessings.

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  93. I am forgiven and set free. Jesus has carried away all my shame, all my guilt. Jesus has won all the victories against even, sin and darkness . All my wins and victories of my life Jesus completed. I walk with Jesus, new person every morning in new mercy and grace

    Reply

  95. Forgiven..Thank you for your nailed scared hands, you died for us. Thank you for loving me so much that I may have life. How great is your faithfulness. I just want to say Thank you for loving me. I will cling to the Old Rugged Cross. Oh how I love Jesus because he first loved me. Forgiven. Amen

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    1. By HIS stripes I am healed! Forgiven!! And Free!!
      I was in a place where pain was overwhelming and I was trying to pray but could not. Suddenly an excruciating pain ripped through ny brain and the worst headace I could imagine gripped me and tears streamed down my face. So I just started laughing! And I said. “You evil one will Not get the best of me. All Good things come from GOD and He is in control – not you. He is my LORD and KING and nothing you can do to me will change that. Immediately the headache was gone. I still had some pain so I found a comedy on TV and laughed with Praise and Thanksgiving until I fell into a peaceful sleep. Trials will come but I am Forgiven and FRee. ❤️

      Reply

  99. Over the years there have been many words remembered from sermons, but this one has stuck with me for years:

    I am not perfect, just forgiven.

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  123. I have felt I was the chief of sinners many times when the enemy has bombarded me with reminders about the past, so I get it … and thank you for sharing this post! Thank God for His mercy, His love and His forgiveness. The more I serve Him, the more I love Him.

    Reply

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