Are You For REAL?

Warriors Arise: June 30th, 2020

Luke 24:32-35 (NKJV) And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

There are times when life happens and we have been dealt a difficult hand to play. The followers of Jesus Christ didn't understand what had happened even though Jesus tried to tell them. I, personally, can't judge the disciples, because there are too many times I realized after-the-fact, that God tried to tell me what was going to happen and I denied it in some fashion. After it happened, I remembered God tried to prepare me.

The eleven disciples were devastated. They didn't have answers. Many were coming to them to get answers, but they didn't have any answers. They were still trying to figure it out for themselves. They were "working out" their salvation with fear and trembling.

From their perspective, they had always been in-the-know. They didn't have to take anything Jesus said on faith, because they saw Jesus operate in the miraculous all the time, right in front of them, including them, and sending them out to do the miraculous. There are a number of times Jesus would speak to the crowds in riddles and parables and then speak to His disciples plainly. Others would walk away pondering what Jesus said, they got private tutoring. If they wanted to know more, they had the teacher with them.

When I married my husband he pastored youth. I would sit among the youth with my Bible and take notes. When we got home I would ask him questions. If I didn't understand something, I would get clarity. He would point me to more verses and we would take the lesson deeper at home. This still happens today. I learn more because I ask, listen, and learn. The disciples had the same opportunity with Jesus.

I remember the first time I was to speak at a women't retreat. I was scare to death! I was assigned a topic I was not familiar with. God and I had many conversations about what I was going to teach. I went to the retreat leader and asked to teach something I was familiar with. She wouldn't let me get out of it. It was an area I needed to grow but not only that, I needed to know God in this area of my life. I needed to know Scriptures and allow God to develop this area in my life. Thankfully, I had weeks to prepare. It was like a bootcamp in my spiritual growth. As I spent time with God, in the Word, I could talk it over with Scott and get further Scriptures to read and apply. But when it came time for the retreat, it was me and God. My safety net of having my husband with me wasn't there. It was a women's retreat! He wasn't even in the crowd. He wasn't going to hear me or give me visual affirmation, or verbal feedback when it was over. My safety net was gone. I was walking the tightrope on my own.

But God, He was with me. I remember to this day what I taught on, the examples God had given to relay the message, and the application of the Word. It was a life-changing experience for me. Because I was put in the position of speaking, I pressed into my relationship with God to know what was needed to represent Him and His ways at this retreat. I knew I wouldn't have Scott with me. I couldn't turn to him for support before going up to speak. I had to turn to God and receive His hand upon me, His support and His encouragement.

These two men stood before the eleven disciples. They were mustering up courage to share. They knew the disciples were struggling with what the women had shared early that morning. How can Jesus be alive? If He is alive why didn't He come to us? We are His favorite? Remember all the times the disciples were arguing over who was Jesus' favorite? They certainly thought the eleven, the ones He shared His last passover meal with, were His favorites. And now Jesus has appeared to Mary, these two men from Emmaus, and someone named Simon.

Humbling to say the least. These two men came to the disciples sharing everything Jesus had said to them, the things Jesus had taught them about Moses and the prophets while walking with them to Emmaus. They shared these thing with the eleven, probably because the same things Jesus taught them from Moses and the prophets was in regard to Jesus' crucifixion and bringing resurrection life to humans. They shared about the prophets and how it was necessary for Jesus to fulfill all Scripture. These two men were sharing all Jesus had said because they wanted to eleven to believe. They ended with the breaking of bread. This is when they realized it was Jesus! They wanted their testimony to ignite the faith of the eleven.

Our testimony is the opportunity for God to use what He has done in our life to encourage others to believe the same for themselves. When we share how God speaks to us, for those who have ears to hear, it will encourage them to listen to what God is saying to them. When we share how God intervened when there was no way, for those who have ears to hear, they have a chance for their faith to grow as they believe in their own situation. When we share how God guided us or gave us wisdom or mended relationships, if they have ears to hear, they will seek God for His guidance, wisdom and restoration in relationships. Our testimony is supposed to come with power for those who open their ears to hear and respond in faith. What God has done for one, He can do for another. He intervenes in different ways and the outcomes are different but He gets us through and sets our feet on solid ground when we follow Him.

God is for real. Jesus is for real. The Holy Spirit is for real, just as our testimony of their intervention in our lives is for real.

Father, I ask for You to come. I pray we would remember all You have done for each one of us. I ask for people to remember Your love in a time when they were not loving. I ask for people to remember how You protected them even when they didn't ask for Your help. I ask for people to remember how You provided for them when they didn't seek Your provision. I ask for people to remember how to got them out of a difficult situation even if they didn't ask for Your help. I pray You would open their eyes to look back and see Your involvement in their lives. I pray each one would see Your love, hand of protection and provision, and how You positioned them away from the trouble. I pray each one would begin to testify of all You have done in their lives. I pray each person will take a position of being a life-giver to others by testifying of specific ways You have intervened in their lives. I ask for those sharing to have courage. I pray for those hearing to receive the testimony and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. You are faithful and You give us boldness to step out of our comfort zone. I ask for You to position us to share of Your lovingkingness. I pray for people to recognize You, how You have been in their lives and desired to bring them through the difficult things they have faced. I ask for You to open up doors for each one of us to testify of 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. 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.