Jer. 45-47; Ps. 105; John 21

  
JOHN 21: This chapter has always puzzled me. Why are the disciples fishing back in Galilee after having seen the resurrected Christ and being commissioned by Him? Then when they see Jesus how can they not recognize Him. “Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.” (John 21:4) After all, this isn’t the first time they have seen him after His death and resurrection. The first thing that always comes to my mind is, “shouldn’t they be out caring for the church?” Maybe they were taking a day off to go sports fishing. Ok, seriously my friends; Some day this might be clearer but for now we can clearly see Christ working in their lives. This starts with His provision to the disciples, “He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" “No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. (John 21:5-6) Jesus always meets us where we are at and takes us to the next level whether that is in provision or in spiritual development. He goes on to further affirm Peter and the call on his life even while seemingly challenging him three times.

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" (John 21:15-19)

God has a place for all of us in His ministry so I ask you these questions:

• What area of ministry has the Lord called you to?
• What is the gifting you see or others see in your life that He has given to you?
• How can you put those gifts to work in your church family?
• How can you get started?

See you all on the ministry field.

Blessings,
Pastor Jason



NEXT READING: Jer. 48,49; Ps. 67; 1 John 1

True Worship

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 5-6, John 12

Martha, Lazarus and Mary were all serving. Martha is serving people a meal; she must have had the gifts of hospitality and administration. Lazarus is eating dinner with Jesus and others and I am sure he was sharing his testimony and recounting being raised from the dead. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet. All of them are worshiping Jesus; all of them are serving in some way. “So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” Oftentimes we view worship as only what Mary was doing—being at the feet of Jesus. But if you look at the New Testament reference to what worship is you see that it is beyond just an act of adoration and dedication to the Lord; worship is that and more. Worship is serving others as we are doing it as unto the Lord. Now the story of Mary makes for much better press. Just visualizing this woman kneeling at the feet of Jesus, opening her precious perfume and washing His feet; giving what amounted to about one year’s wages—it’s breathtaking. However, Martha doing dishes, washing off tables, setting tables, scrapping plates, now that is not so pretty. Nevertheless, it is beautiful to the Lord. Every time we give a cup of water in His name, is a beautiful act of worship to Jesus. “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Mark 9:41 When our children were young and they would leave their stuff out I would say, “Hey, who do you think I am, your slave!?” One day the Lord spoke to me and the Holy Spirit convicted me when I said that and I heard, “Well, yes, yes, you are their slave, because you are there to serve them.” Understanding of course, I was their mom, but yes, I was there to serve them because that brings honor to Christ. So today, don’t get caught up in to thinking that worship is only being at the feet of Jesus—it is that (John 15) but it is more than that and we bring glory to Christ by serving others. Be blessed today in Him! “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:16-18

Next Reading: Jeremiah 7-9, John 13