Warriors Arise: September 3, 2020
John 21:4-5 (NKJV) But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”
The Scripture clearly states they did not know who was asking. They didn't recognize Him by His posture, His voice nor His words. (Who would call grown men children?) They can't say yes because they didn't have any food nor had they caught any fish to prepare as food.
Today's prayer strategy reminds me of another passage in the Bible. It is one that keeps me in check, active in my faith and works in me to demonstrate my faith.
James 2:14-24 (NKJV) What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
When Jesus asks the disciples, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” Part of me comes under conviction to at least check myself. It causes me to search myself and ask God to search me.
Psalms 139:23-24 (NKJV) Search me, O God, and know my heart;Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
John 21:5 reminds me of the time when Jesus goes to the fig tree and cannot find any fruit.
Matthew 21:18-22 (NKJV) Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?” 21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Jesus can come at any time and ask us for fruit. He has given us all we need to be fruitful. God, in Genesis chapter one, commands us to be fruitful. Jesus taught us how to live our lives fruitful, having something to offer those in need.
When Jesus comes, I do not want to be found with my faith in the same place as the last time He visited. Faith grows. The Bible says each of us is given a measure of faith. As we apply our faith in God to the adversities we face, our faith grows. If we do not apply our faith to the adversities, then our faith for a period of time will be stagnate but eventually deplete. Faith needs to be activated to maintain and grow. Faith is not necessarily depleted but it is hidden, it becomes dormant and a dormant volcano eventually is called extinct.
Thankfully, God is all about resurrecting the dead and He can resurrect one's faith. I believe Jesus knew they didn't have any food but just the fact that He asked makes me take a moment to sit before the Lord and let Him search me, my heart and mind. Do I have food to offer You?
Maybe God is searching for someone who is demonstrating faith and applying it to what He has called them to do. I can look at my good and have a blindspot to areas I do not want to address, forgive, or obey His leading. So, I present myself to God and let Him search me.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NKJV) “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
I want to keep a clean slate before God. I am not perfect, but I am willing to put myself up on the operating table and let Him take out what is not doing me any good.
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
God's ways are always the very best He has for each one of us. I do not want to stand in the way of God's best for my life. Not just for me, but so I have something to offer Him when He comes to visit, when he asks, "Do you have any food?"
Father, I ask for You to come and minister Your amazing abundant life to every part of me. I ask for You to cleanse my mind from the lies of the enemy and those who relish in them. I ask for You to purity by heart from selfish desires. I ask for You to strengthen my body with the joy of the Lord. I pray You would come an search me. I hope You will not find Yourself in want. I pray there would be fruit in my life, food for You to eat and be satisfied. I ask for areas where my faith has gone stagnate for You to resurrect my faith. I ask for You to open my eyes to see where I can minister to those in need. I want to continue for my faith to grow and to work doing what You are doing. I want to reach those You are reaching. I enjoy Your presence and meeting with You daily. Many times I am wait for You to speak to me. I do not want my day to be so strung out that I have nothing to offer You. I ask for You to come and fellowship with me. I pray I would not work in vain or against what You would have for me to do. I ask for fruit to grow in my life that I have something to offer my King 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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