Warriors Arise: October 8, 2020
John 21:15-18 (NKJV) So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
At the last supper with Jesus before He was taken to be crucified, Jesus told Peter, "Satan has asked to sift you but I have prayed for you. When you return, strengthen your brethren." It is a terrible thing to get caught in the enemy's trap. But what is even worse is if we remain in that trap. Jesus knew Peter was going to get trapped; but He wanted Peter to know that somehow from the pit of despair of his sin, Jesus was going to use him to strengthen his brethren. Your sin does not exclude you from your calling it enhances your calling. Because Peter sinned, he understood the need for grace from the Savior who would always welcome him back.
Peter did sin; there is no denying this. But he returned. He returned to his brethren; he made things right with Jesus. He knew what it was like to be lost in his sin and need a Savior. God is so incredibly faithful. His love is amazing. I stand in awe of His ways. And then I humble myself as I realize how much He has forgiven me and brought me through. God is amazing in His infamous love for each one of us.
God brings us through our sin and asks the question today, "Do you love me more than these?" We understand when they want to quit. We have seen it in ourselves. We know what it took for God to get through to us, to keep going. Therefore, we exhort, build up and disciple others; hence, "strengthen your brethren."
There is a certain commitment made when we declare we love someone. Commitment means responsibility. In order to fulfill our responsibility to the best of our ability, means we have to have the best possible attitude. It is easy to be committed to someone we love, honor, and revere. It is easy to love someone we know will always be with us, encourage us, and ready to teach us what we need to know. It is a natural response to express our love to someone who protect us, rescues us from the prison of sin and purifies us with His love.
Jesus is restoring Peter. Peter sinned, but then Peter returned to the disciples. Peter ran to the tomb to see Jesus or at least the body of Jesus. Peter was with the other disciples when Jesus appears in their midst. Peter, along with the rest of the disciples, waited with Thomas for Jesus to appear to him. Then Peter and the disciples headed to the mountain in Galilee where Jesus had told them to meet Him. Peter did return to strengthen his brethren. Not that he knew how yet, but he was gong where Jesus said He would be. Like in the past, Jesus would tell him the next thing to do. Peter knew the answer was in going where Jesus said He would meet with them. And the answer was, "Feed My lambs".
Feed can mean so many things but I am sure is would include 5 food groups:
Jesus is the Bread of Life. (John 6:48, Matthew 6:11, I Corinthians 11:26)
Jesus is the Living Water and we will never thirst again. (John 4:10)
God created each one of us in His image, wielding His authority over the things of the earth and the enemy. (Genesis 1:26-28, Romans 16:20, James 4:7)
The Holy Spirit is within each believer providing us with a healthy diet of fruit from Galatians 5:22-23. He also will guide, counsel, give wisdom, direction, discernment of spirits, and teach us.
The power of the Testimony. Remember what God has done in your life and share it with others. Your voice matters. Other need to know about God's love, but they also need to know what God has done in your life. Feed on the Word of God (discipleship) along with your testimony. People need to know God is still active today and there are those who will testify. (Acts 2:3-4 & 38-42)
Father, I ask for commitment to rise up in Your people. I pray for each one to have a hunger for the truth. I pray we would clean out of thoughts of the way we think life should be and ask You to direct us, lead us, and direct our path. I pray we would desire to learn of You and our words and actions line up with Your ways and character. I pray we would lay down our own way of thinking and align our decision with Your ways. When our decisions do not align with Your ways, I pray we have the courage to repent and make a change to what brings glory and honor to You. People all over the world need to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. They need to know You as loving, righteous in all of Your ways. They need to know the Holy Spirit, sent to help us. They need to know our testimony. I ask for You to come and give us boldness to share Jesus, Your love, and the Holy Spirit through our testimony of Your Word alive in us. I pray we would drink of the Living Water and eat of the Bread of Life for the nourishment we need to strengthen us to share our testimony and Your love in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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