by Shannon Tillman | Apr 23, 2026 | Bible Study, Theology, Thoughts
The moment probably replayed in his head. The segment in time had been divinely orchestrated to cut to the core of his soul. If it had been merely an acquaintance, the meeting would have been embarrassing, even painful. But this was his best friend. The agony of the encounter would never be forgotten. The event began in a moment of fear and confusion which led to hasty words.
Luke 22:54-57
Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.
Jesus had been arrested only a few hours earlier. Frightened, the disciples had all abandoned Him in the garden. Peter picked up small pieces of courage and decided to follow at a distance. This could be costly. As a follower of Jesus, he could be arrested and suffer the same fate. Peter took the risk and entered the courtyard of the high priest. He hoped to just mingle by the fire, not taking the risk of conversation. The servant girl’s accusation startled him. Peter answered with a denial of knowing Jesus. His heart surely pounded while the words tumbled out with fear. He thought the discussion would end there, but more followed.
Luke 22:58
A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied.
Imagine being pointed out again in a crowd that could easily turn hostile. He was in the courtyard of the high priest, the main orchestrator of the events leading to the arrest of Jesus. Peter was seated amongst temple workers who would willingly turn him in. Once again, Peter denied knowing Jesus. Peter, the one devoted to Jesus so much that he risked his life to be in the courtyard, proceeded to tell the people that he was not one of the followers of Jesus.
Peter’s denial took place outside in the courtyard. Inside the house, the terrible mistreatment of Jesus was underway.
Matthew 26:67-68
Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
The angry religious leaders beat Jesus. Blood flowed from the cuts and bruises on His body, on His face. His clothes were stained with blood. There were many men in the room; they all seemed to want an opportunity to spit and hit Jesus. Their mocking words matched their abusive behavior. After brutalizing Jesus, He was tied up and led away to face another fake trial. The guards brought Him outside, where Peter was still waiting, where Peter faced another conversation.
Luke 22:59-61b
About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.
The bloody, bruised face of Jesus looked at Peter. Jesus supernaturally knew that Peter was in the courtyard, for Peter had come after Jesus had been brought to trial. But Jesus knew where Peter was and what he had been doing, what he had been saying. In fact, Jesus had already told Peter what would happen hours earlier.
Luke 22:31-34
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of 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.”
Jesus knew before the denial happened and Jesus knew when the denial happened. God, in His sovereignty, allowed Jesus to walk by Peter at the exact moment of the third denial. Jesus did not say a word to the disciple, only looked at him. The face Peter had seen only hours earlier now had been marred by the brutal beating given by the religious leaders. The blood, the bruises, however, did not hide the eyes that looked straight at Peter.
Luke 22:61b-62
Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Jesus looked at Peter; Peter’s eyes filled with tears. Jesus left for the next trial; Peter left for a solitary place to weep. Imagine the thoughts that raced through Peter’s head. He remembered the prophesy from Jesus earlier in the night, warning about the denials to come. Peter had foolishly responded that he would never deny Jesus, would even die for Jesus. Peter replayed the conversations from around the fire, the words of denial spoken aloud. Then, Peter, pictured again the beaten face of Jesus looking beyond the crowd, just to him. The pain, the shame overwhelmed Peter. His words felt like the end and he would have to live with the regret the rest of his life.
Three days later, another word was spoken to a group of women who came to the tomb of Jesus. The word was given to an angel who had a specific message for Peter.
Mark 16:6-7
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Notice the words: “and Peter”.
Peter may have denied Jesus, but Jesus did not deny Peter. No matter what Peter had done, he was still included in what Jesus had already planned to do. Peter saw the bruised face of Jesus, but then he heard the message of Jesus that he would see Him again. Jesus will not look as He did, for now He would be in His resurrected body. Peter will not speak like he did, for now he would encounter the resurrected Christ. Everything had changed.
Our past does not stop the Lord’s plan in and through us. Before we sin, God already knew what we would do. The calling on our lives remain the same. For another prophecy, besides the one about his denial, had been given to Peter. As Peter acknowledged Jesus as Messiah, Jesus acknowledged Peter as a future leader of the church.
Matthew 16:16-18
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
This prophecy began to be fulfilled on the day of Pentecost; following the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus to heaven. The one who denied Jesus in a small group, boldly preached to a large crowd.
Acts 2:14, 36, 41
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say… “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Peter, the one who denied Jesus, became the bold proclaimer of Jesus, just as Jesus had prophesied. Jesus saw Peter in his failure, but He also saw Peter’s future success in serving God’s kingdom. Your past, whatever that piece of your life that you are so ashamed of, does not define your future ministry. The Lord saw your failure, the same failure He went to the cross for to provide forgiveness. Now, the resurrected Jesus reminds us of our call just as He reminded Peter of his call which remained intact even after the darkest moment of his life. Just like Jesus said, “…and Peter”, He also says our names, too. Everything has changed.
by Shannon Tillman | Apr 16, 2026 | Blog, Theology, Thoughts
As soon as I saw the name of the road, I knew I could never live in a house on that street. The street’s name was the same one from a painful relationship in the past. As soon as I saw the name, floods of negative memories filled my mind. Just the name was enough to ruin my day. While that name conjured up bad emotions, there are other names I hear that bring a smile. The name is attached to a person, to a relationship, to a trust that never wavered. A name can remind us of faithful friendships or unfaithful choices. There is power in the memories associated with a name.
Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
The words convicted me as I read them, for I realized that I fail to believe these words. There are areas in my life where I do not fully trust the Lord, but there are other areas where my confidence seems complete. Where my trust breaks down is the evidence of a lack of knowing a certain name or aspect of the Lord.
The names of God reveal His attributes. The Lord is too massive to be described in only one way. Thus, the many names revealed in the Word of God show us His character. Some of the names are more familiar than others: Lord, Provider, Comforter, Shepherd, Creator, and so much more. He is the perfection of every good attribute, mighty and tender, holy and merciful, set apart and near. He is truly wonderful.
And yet, I doubt. There are times I struggle. The lack of faith points to what I do not know about God. For example, I wrestle with His timing in answering prayer. Why not today? Why the delay? My questions point to the part of God I do not trust: El Elyon, the Most High God. He is above time, above the situations, above my opinions. He is orchestrating events around the world, surely He can see and handle my problems. But I hurt. And I do not know if He will ever answer, if He cares, if He sees me. I do not know, really know by experience, El Elyon.
I do know Him, however, as Jehovah Jireh, the Providing God. I have seen Him work financial miracles in my life. I trust Him, I know His name, I stand firm in what has been revealed, what I have experienced. I have sought Him, as the Psalmist wrote, and the Lord did not forsake me.
Today, I recommend a heart evaluation. Where do you trust God, where have you experienced Him, where do you know His Name? Celebrate that relationship you have with the divine. Consider as well the areas of struggle and doubt. What name of God have you not yet experienced? Press in there, just as I did this week. I know we will learn His Name in that area as well. He will not forsake us. We can trust Him. We can know His Name. When we hear His Name, we will smile as one who knows.
by Shannon Tillman | Dec 4, 2025 | Bible Study, Blog, Theology, Thoughts
I did not want to pray again. It felt ineffective. Years of prayer but no answers. The enemy taunted me.
“God will not answer your prayer. The promises in His Word are not for you. The words were taken out of context. You just want them to apply because you are so desperate in your situation.”
The lies kept coming. I felt weary. It had been so long. I think some of my friends tired of hearing the same prayer requests. Yet, a list of names in the Bible roused me to pray again. These names were of King David’s mighty warriors. One of these soldiers jumped off the page and encouraged me to stand firm.
2 Samuel 23:9
Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated…
The Israelite soldiers turned to run. They were being defeated by the enemy. Lives were on the line. The people of Israel would be impacted. However, one man stood between an invading army and the people of the land he loved.
2 Samuel 23:10a
…but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword.
While the rest of the soldiers retreated, Eleazar stood his ground. He was not assured a victory; he could have been killed at any moment. However, he chose to keep fighting although his fellow soldiers left him and the enemy outnumbered him. As enemy after enemy came upon him, Eleazar struck each one down. The physical toll was evident; his hand fused to the sword. Despite the impact on his body, he would not give up.
There are times when we will stand alone. The people we thought would be with us during difficult times leave. We feel deserted as we face a spiritual enemy that is larger than us. We, too, can choose to flee, to take cover, to protect ourselves. We can decide to take the easier route, what everyone else is doing, and hide.
Or we can stand alone.
Ephesians 6:10-13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
The enemy comes against us. We can pretend we are not in a spiritual battle, only to be destroyed. We can run from the spiritual battle, only to the harm of ourselves or others. We can talk about the battle amongst ourselves, how difficult it is, only to convince each other to stop fighting. Or we can stand. And in our stand, we must fight. We, like Eleazar, have a sword.
Ephesian 6:17a,c
Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Word of God is our weapon. The enemy will come with lies, deceit, doubt, manipulation, difficult circumstances, and anything else in his arsenal. We fight back with the Word of God. Each attack of the enemy is struck down. It takes time; it is hard work; it seems impossible. But we must hold onto the word until it has fused into us. And there we will stand victorious as the enemy lays defeated at our feet. The victory is not ours, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
2 Samuel 23:10b
The Lord brought about a great victory that day.
Eleazar knew a miracle had taken place that day. Because Eleazar stood, even stood alone against an army, victory was achieved. God does not need a crowd, but just one person willing to stand firm, willing to obey the King’s command to fight and to keep on fighting until the enemy is defeated.
Eleazar stood alone, but God’s victory belonged to everyone.
2 Samuel 23:10c
The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.
The troops returned, not to help in the fight but to help with the plunder. Because Eleazar stood his ground, others benefited from the victory. You may be alone in the battle you face, but others will experience the benefits of victory because of you.
Do not stop fighting. Do not stop praying. Do not stop wielding the word of God in your circumstances. The enemy is relentless, but he will be defeated. Stand firm and soon we will see the victory of the Lord.
by Kevin Tillman | Nov 6, 2025 | Bible Study, Theology, Thoughts
We live in a world that is full of chaos. Noise, distractions and uncertainty are always present. Deep down, however, our hearts are longing for something more. We don’t need more information, we need revelation. This starts with a better understanding of who God is. The more we truly know Him, the more everything else in this world will make sense.
Throughout the Bible, there is a threefold revelation of the. character of God. This revelation reveals His heart, and also His desire to be in relationship with His creation. God wants us to experience His Presence, be transformed by His Purity, and then walk in His Power.
God’s Presence: He is With Us
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
One of the most incredible truths in God’s Word is that He is not far away. From the moment that He walked with Adam in the Garden of Eden to the moment Jesus promised, “I am with you always”, God has revealed His heart. He desires to dwell with His people.
This isn’t just a Sunday morning or Wednesday night experience. It’s a daily awareness of the nearness of God. In the quiet moments and in the middle of the chaos, in the highs and lows, His Presence is constant, and it’s our peace.
I think of a child that’s afraid of the dark. The lights come on, but it’s not the light that alleviates the fear, it’s the presence of the parent that walked in. the presence of someone that love and trust makes all of the difference.
God’s Purity: He is Holy
Isaiah 6:3
“Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of armies; the whole earth is full of His glory.”
When Isaiah encountered God’s holiness, he wasn’t simply impressed, he was wrecked. God’s purity exposes what is impure in us, not to condemn us, but to cleanse us. Holiness isn’t God’s demand to keep us at a distance. It’s His invitation to draw us closer by being transformed.
God’s purity reminds us that He isn’t just some bigger version of us. No, He is altogether different. He is perfect in every way. He is full of light, and when that light shines into our lives it reveals not only what’s hidden, but also what is broken.
Think about sunlight shining through a window. That beam of light doesn’t create dust, but it definitely exposes it. It shows what is already there. That’s the way that God’s light works in our lives. There is dust in our lives that needs to be cleaned, but we may never even see it without the light shining in.
God’s Power: He is Able
Ephesians 3:20
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”
We often think of God’s power in relationship to the miracles, especially the big ones. The Red Sea parting, the blind seeing, the dead being raised. Obviously these are definitely outpourings of God’s power. But, His power is just as real in the unseen things. Think about the strength to forgive some that’s hurt you. Think about the courage to keep going. Think about the grace to change and grow from the inside out.
This same power that raise Jesus from the grave lives inside of every believer. The power of God isn’t something we have to strive for, it’s SOMEONE we walk with daily.
God’s Presence comforts us. God’s Purity refines us. God’s Power strengthens us. God’s Presence reminds us that we are never alone. God’s Purity reminds us that we’re never beyond redemption. God’s Power reminds us that we are never out of hope’s reach.
The same God that is with you, also works in you, and moves through you.
by Shannon Tillman | Sep 25, 2025 | Bible Study, Theology, Thoughts
Years ago, a fellow staff member called me to chat. I had been in a great mood before the phone call. However, by the end of the conversation all of life seemed bleak. She had one negative thing to say after another about every situation: work, health, relationships, everything. I was drained by the end after listening to her complaining to me for over an hour.
While I fell apart with just one person’s gripe session, poor Moses had to listen to millions of negative voices rising up against their situation and against him.
Exodus 15:22-23
Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.)
These people faced life-threatening circumstances. This is a serious matter. There is no water. It had been three days. Children kept telling their parents, “I’m thirsty.” Imagine their fear. If water was not found soon, people could die. Finally, in the distance, they saw water. Picture their joy of coming close to what seemed like an answer. Hope was renewed. They rushed onward, with dry mouths and parched lips, eagerly anticipating a refreshing drink. Yet, their hopes were dashed as they took a sip. The water was bitter, harmful, undrinkable. What they thought was an answer just added to the problem.
How do we respond to difficult situations? What do we do when our hopes are crushed? There is a choice to make. The people decided to complain.
Exodus 15:24
So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
Imagine millions of people grumbling. If my heart was disturbed by one negative phone call, how would a murmuring crowd impact Moses? It would be easy to join in and become a part of the complaints. Yet, in the midst of all this grumbling, he took a different approach.
Exodus 15:25a
Then Moses cried out to the Lord…
The people complained; Moses cried out to God. Millions of people focused on their circumstances. Moses focused on the only One who could help with the problem. Moses called on the Lord to intervene. God gave Moses a creative solution.
Exodus 15:25b
…and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.
Millions of people stood around and complained. One man prayed and received an answer that helped millions. That is the power of crying out to God compared to complaining about circumstances.
Each difficult situation brings a choice. Will I complain or cry out? Maybe the Lord will reveal to us creative solutions that will help others as well if we choose to cry out to Him.
by Shannon Tillman | Sep 18, 2025 | Bible Study, Theology, Thoughts
Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France competitive bike race seven consecutive years, from 1998 to 2005. Due to the grueling nature of this race, speculations arose that he may have used performance-enhancing drugs. Armstrong denied the allegations for years. An investigation, however, concluded that he had been doping throughout his biking career. Finally, in 2013, Armstrong admitted to the drug use. His awards were stripped from him and he was punished with a lifetime ban of involvement in professional sports.
Everything can be lost in a moment by our own sinful choices. Even future generations can be impacted. The nation of Israel experienced consequences from their sins. Children from eleven out of the twelve tribes of Israel were impacted by their forefathers’ idolatry for over a thousand years.
The nation of Israel had been miraculously rescued from Egypt by the hand of God. The Lord brought them to Mount Sinai in order to meet with them, to establish a covenant with them.
Exodus 19:5-6
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
If the nation would obey God, all of them would be a kingdom of priests. The priesthood was for everyone. What a privilege granted to them! However, the honor was soon to be stripped away from the nation. They chose to worship a golden idol shaped like a calf, instead of the Lord.
Exodus 19:19
When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain.
The covenant between the people and God was broken. Their idolatry, their sin, their breaking of the rules led to drastic consequences.
Exodus 32:25-28
Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him. Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.’” The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died.
Only one tribe of Israel responded to Moses call of being “for the Lord”. The Levites came to Moses and were given the gruesome task of killing idol worshippers. They chose to do what was right in a wrong situation. Because of their choice, they received a blessing.
Exodus 32:29
Then Moses said, “You have been set apart to the Lord today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day.”
The rest of the tribes had the priesthood stripped from them. Only the Levites and their descendants were able to keep the position of their priesthood.
Numbers 3:5-7, 11-13
The Lord said to Moses, “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the tent of meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle…The Lord also said to Moses, “I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine, for all the firstborn are mine.
The Levites replaced the firstborn of every tribe. What was meant for every tribe was given to the Levites instead. The other tribes had this honor stripped from them and their children.
However, a miraculous turn around takes place after the death and resurrection of Jesus. He became the lasting High Priest on our behalf.
Hebrews 6:20a
where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever…
Jesus from the tribe of Judah, not Levi, is now the High Priest. What Judah lost with the golden calf was regained by Jesus at the cross. Jesus, the First Born son, implements the regaining of the priesthood for all believers. It is not reserved for a few but the office of priesthood is open to all.
1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
We received the priesthood back! We are now the priests of God. Think of the honor the Lord has given you through Jesus. You are not “just saved”; you are chosen to be in the royal priesthood. This is beyond just being a serving priest but being bestowed with royal lineage as well! We have been set apart to be holy. Together, believers from all over the world, through all of history make up a new nation of people that are the special possession of God Himself! That is a reason to give a shout of praise! This honor of priesthood is for the privilege of serving Jesus, the one who suffered to grant us this sacred office.
Revelation 1:5-6
…and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
I do not know what you thought when you looked at the mirror this morning, but it should be “I am a royal priest of God”. We will be celebrating the One who gave us this honor not only on earth but heaven as well. One future song is recorded in the book of Revelation honoring what Jesus has done and what Jesus will do.
Revelation 5:9-10
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
Everyone is called to the priesthood. This is not for a special few. Your past does not disqualify you. Your age is not a factor. Your excuses have no place. You are the royal priest of the Lord, serving under the High Priest of Jesus. It is time to step up into the fullness of your holy calling.
