Warriors Arise: October 14, 2020
John 21:15-17 (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.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Let's piggyback on yesterday's Warrior's Arise. When those two events line up my mind is blown away and I was in awe of God's amazing love. God loves each and every one of us so fully, that when we sin He makes a way for us to be made clean. He cleans us not just on the outside but the inside, our mind, will and emotions. When we sin we have said, " I want to do this." Our mind said, "Go ahead, no one is stopping you." Our emotions said, "I think it will be fun. You will be happy."
When Jesus asked Simon three times, "Simon...do you love me" it didn't cancel what he had done, denying being a disciple of Jesus. It gave Simon the opportunity to choose differently now. Simon had made the choice, an act of his will, to deny being one of Jesus' disciples.
When Jesus asked Simon a second time, "Simon...do you love me" it didn't erase what he had said; he was with Jesus. It gave Simon the opportunity to use his mind, engage what was true and speak the truth. Simon was a Galilean, and one of Jesus' disciples. Simon responded to Jesus with his mind fully engaged and he chose to love Jesus.
When Jesus asked Simon for the third time, "Simon...do you love me?" Scripture tells us Peter was grieved. Peter needed to answer the question one more time to face his emotions. He had answered the servant, denying he was a disciple of Jesus even though he was a Galilean, and denied being in the garden. He was afraid. Every one of us at some point are afraid and have told a lie. Why do we tell a lie, because we are afraid truth will get us in trouble or in Peter's case get him killed. It took Peter answering, "Simon...do you love me?" three times to reach his emotions, the core where the lie had begun. Peter was afraid, fear is a powerful emotion. Rather than facing his fear he caved to the emotion and lied. But Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to state from his emotions and love conquers fears. Peter is free from the guilt and shame of his sin.
Sometimes the same question has to be asked until the core is reached. At the core, the weed can be plucked and a new seed of hope can be planted in its place. When we receive the redemption Jesus offers, hope grows inside of us and our faith is empowered.
Listen for the Father to speak to you. His desire is to have you and I free from all guilt and shame. Yes, we have the responsibility to confess our sin, to repent wholeheartedly; but once we have repented then we are to receive His forgiveness. Listen as He asks you, "__________, do you love me?" He may ask several times in a row or several days in a row. Answer every time, express why you love Him. He asks because He knows how deep He has to go remove the weed, the lie and plant hope with the truth.
Father, You know how to restore Your people. Just like Jesus had plans to meet with His disciples after His resurrection, You also have plans to meet with us. Jesus knew they were going to scatter. He knew Peter was going to deny Him, but that didn't change what Jesus said before hand. Jesus knew they would abandon Him and still He wanted to make sure they knew He would be where He said to meet Him. There are so many people who have been trapped with guilt and shame, not knowing how to return to You. I ask for You to come and minister Your life to each one. I pray You would pursue them with Your love and bring wholeness to their mind, will, and emotions. Some have carried the guilt and shame for so long they are physically affected by it. I ask for healing in their bodies in the mighty name of Jesus. I pray You would fill them with Your love and free them from the prison of guilt and shame. Our country has been in such turmoil in the last several months. You continue to hear our prayers. We believe Your love never fails. We call upon Your love to heal those infected with COVID-19 and others facing disease. We call upon Your love to meet with those who are causing havoc in our cities. We pray for You to reach to the very core of their being and minister to their hurt and remove the lie so they can function with Your truth. We pray for those in government to make decisions based on Your Word and godly character. We pray for the lies to be cancelled and the truth to be made known and lived. We pray for those who have lost have their businesses, that they would find relief and believe again for what You would have them to do. We pray for Your wisdom to direct those who have lost their jobs to know where to go in order to get a job better than what they had before. I ask for the mind, will and emotions of Your people to receive the truth and for each person to declare their love for You. I pray for You to remove the weeds of lies and plant hope inside of Your people. Come and restore our land in Jesus's 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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