Warriors Arise: October 18, 202
John 21:18-19 (NKJV) Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
Think about all that is happening in right now for Simon. Jesus keeps asking him, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" Jesus asks the same question three times and each time Simon responds. Jesus gives him a command, "Feed My lambs, tend My sheep, and feed My sheep." Each time Simon responds to Jesus' question. He is being freed from his guilt and shame of denying Christ the night before the crucifixion.
Guilt and shame are extremely power tools of the enemy to paralyze us from continuing forward with what God has planned for our lives. Jesus wants Simon to be free, because God has more for him to do.
We allow the enemy to trick us to believe that if we sin we are inadequate to serve God. The enemy lies to us, securing us in chains of guilt and shame for our sin. But when we confess our sin to God, receive His forgiveness, declare our love for Him, He puts us right back into the game. He wants us to continue in His plan to fulfill our destiny.
After Peter is released from guilt and shame, Jesus shares with Simon his day will come when he will die and his death will glorify God, but his time to die he'd not come. When Jesus tells Simon this, it is like the last chain of the enemy's imprisonment was broken. The enemy heaps on condemnation when we sin. Most of the condemnation is false information. Simon loved God, he honored Jesus. Simon didn't deny knowing Jesus three times, because he didn't love Jesus. Jesus exposed the lie, Simon loved the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his mind. The enemy had lost. Simon was a great friend to Jesus, but God would not allow Simon's love for Him to get in the way of His plan of redemption for all people. Simon loved God intensely and followed Jesus with immense passion. God would not let Simon's intensity or passion get in the way of His plan. No one, not the enemy's hate for Jesus nor Simon's love for God to get in the way of His plan of redemption for all mankind. Simon had told Jesus it was not His time to die, "No, Jesus it is not so." Simon didn't understand what Jesus had to do. But now, Simon has seen why Jesus had to die, why he needed a Savior. Simon's sin did not disqualify him from the plans God had for him.
Two very powerful words, "Follow Me". Once again this is said not as a question but as a command statement. In teaching elementary Elementary English for 16 years, I have taught the difference between a telling sentence, exclamatory sentence, interrogative sentence, and declarative sentence.
Telling sentence: gives the reader information and ends in a period.
Exclamatory sentence: shows strong feeling and/or excitement and ends with an exclamation point.
Interrogative sentence: asks a question, it wants information and ends in a question mark.
Declarative sentence: gives a command and ends with a period. One is not yelling, they are stating the command.
When Jesus said to Simon, "Follow Me", He is not giving him information He is giving him a command. When I want one of the kids to clear the table. I don't yell at them. I simply state what I want them to do. Generally, I give a series of commands, "Selah, clear the table of all the food. Josiah, put the leftovers in the containers and put them in the refrigerator. Charis, put the potholders away. Lydia, wipe the table when they are done." I didn't yell at them but it was a declarative sentences, commands.
What is peculiar about what Jesus is saying to Simon, "Follow Me"? Why is Jesus having to declare this again. Remember, this isn't the first time Jesus has said this to Simon. Do you remember the first?
Matthew 4:18-20 (NKJV) And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
It isn't peculiar, is its familiar. Jesus asked Peter to follow Him before and he responded immediately, leaving his nets and following Him. Now, Jesus commanded Peter again, "Follow Me". Jesus still wants Peter. Jesus gives us the same two powerful words, "Follow Me".
Father, I bind the lies of the enemy that keep me and other in chains of despair and the prison of hopelessness. I release the truth of Your redeeming power of forgiveness and restorative power to activate my calling, as well as that of others. I pray for each person to quickly receive Your forgiveness and remove the chains that keep them from living the destiny you have called them to fulfill. I ask for You to raise up Your people to reach those around them with the love of God. I pray Americans would come together under Your truth. I pray for Your kingdom advancement to come to America at this time to restore the people and rebuild what the enemy has taken from them. I ask for You to guide each one, declare to them, "Follow Me." I pray each one would have a knowledge that You are opening up opportunities for each one to serve You in their calling and rebuild what has been taken from them. I ask for You to guide and direct Your people. I ask for each one to rise and follow You 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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