For whom the cock crows

As I pondered upon how Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.” (LUKE 22:60, NIV), I noted how Peter was cursing and swearing out his third denial of Christ, the cock crowed right on cue, as Jesus had predicted. Yet, for Peter, it was a cruel awakening to the horror and hell of his sin.

Truly, Peter’s failures are recorded in the Bible, not that we might excuse ourselves, but that we might examine ourselves. His fall brilliantly mirrors our own infirmity (JOHN CALVIN). Let those who have never been faint-hearted and who have always demonstrated their civil courage cast the first stone (F. BOVON) as they mentioned their points inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text.

Indeed, Martin Luther famously pointed out the relationship between the Word and the conscience, saying, ‘My conscience is captive to the Word of God, I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand…’ as he mentioned this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text. Truly, righteousness and godly character are the results of allowing the conscience to do its God-given work in us. And, the Christian conscience fears God and loves him enough to do away with even the faintest suggestions of sin. It sets the alarm going whenever the will of the person strays from God’s will (BISHOP EMERITUS ROBERT SOLOMON ADAPTED) as he mentioned this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text.

Hence, this encourages you & me to let our conscience speaks we cultivate a Word-shaped conscience to be within us, just as the apostle Paul, “Be a person of clear conscience, desiring to act honourably in all things (HEBREWS 13:18, NIV).

Today, I confess and repent if I’ve ever…
• Doubted God, envied others, felt ungrateful for his blessings?
• Loved anyone or anything more than you love God?
• Brushed aside the Spirit’s promptings and conviction of sin?
• Used the Lord’s name in vain to manipulate others and get your way?
• Pretended to be more spiritual than you really are?
• Resented correction by your parents or leaders?
• Boasted about yourself and exaggerated your own abilities?
• Minimized your mistakes and magnified those of others?
• Deliberately lied to save face?
• Cheated your employer of an honest day’s work?
• Defrauded your employees of wages or bonuses or rewards?
• Deliberately said or did things behind others to tarnish their reputation?
• Lost self-control, got angry with others, and called them names?
• Neglected your aging or ailing parents?
• Bullied your spouse and humiliated him or her in private or in public?
• Ignored your children’s craving for your presence and attention?
• Caused tensions and fights at home?
• Disobeyed your parents and broke their hearts?
• Walked away from someone in need?
• Harboured unkind thoughts about others?
• Secretly took pleasure in someone’s mishap?
• Divulged confidential information and betrayed trust?
• Refused to forgive others or apologize for your mistakes?
• Advised someone to have an abortion?
• Looked lustfully at another person?
• Dressed immodestly to attract attention and entice others?
• Engaged in impure acts with yourself or another?
• Viewed pornography?

Have you ever with one of these points above?

Profile Background:

Jeremy Koh is a graduate with a disability from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (formerly the Spastic Children Association, 1987–1997). He holds certifications in Microsoft Office Skills and completed the HR Administrator program (CHRA) through the Human Capital Singapore–SGEnable Collaboration of Partnership (HCS HR PowerBank, 7th Dec 2021–3rd June 2022). Over the years, Jeremy has taken on various roles, including Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant, Connector at ServeHope Pte Ltd, and a member of the GrowthBeans Team at Savior–Asia Consulting Pte Ltd. He also worked as a KeyGuard Specialist at (these)abilites Pte Ltd, overseeing all KeyGuard operations at World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch) for 10 months. Additionally, Jeremy served as an Executive Assistant at Vision Strategy Storytelling for three months (Aug–Oct 2017). He founded the Project Stories for LIFE initiative (currently suspended), which is affiliated with Youth Corps Singapore, and has previously been involved with the Special Needs Cluster. As a disability advocate, Jeremy continues to actively represent the disabled community in public. Jeremy also volunteers as an Event Planner at KALEORA LTD, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people/youths with the financial knowledge and skills they need to thrive before facing life's challenges.

Prayer Response to this featured article:
Jesus, help us to have a Word-shaped conscience within us.

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 25th July 2019)