Are You Ready?

Warriors Arise: August 28th, 2020

John 21:1-4 (NKJV) After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

Most of us have had tragedy and devastation hit. We weren't expecting it. It just came out of nowhere. I am talking about things that you can't control. But it is right there, staring you in the face. If you have removed the clutches of fear that come with a blindsided attack, what happened to make you free? How do you keep from letting it control you on a whim, whenever your mind remembers that devastation?

Even though Jesus told the disciples He would have to die for the sins of every person in the world, they just couldn't or wouldn't allow themselves to see it as a possibility, let alone a reality. Christians are not guaranteed a perfect life. Yet, so many want to deny this possibility. When tragedy happens they blame God for allowing it to happen.

Many of us on our way to get understanding, healing, and restoration from Jesus get sidetracked. It can seem too much. We are overwhelmed with the devastation and we can't see a way out. It is common for people to return home after such an event. It is common for people to change jobs, move, and even divorce. They don't make it to where Jesus told them to meet and seize what is right in front of them.

So much is shifting right in front of us today. The last 6 months have been devastating but then we have to deal with life's problems on top of the devastation. This is why I feel so passionate about Warriors Arise. In the midst of the battle, knowing God's love never fails and the enemy never contributes anything good to my life, I seek the Lord in prayer. I fight the battle where the battle really is. I fight against who is behind the cause of the devastation in my life and those around me. I'm a little testy with the the devil right now as I found out from a friend that my blog is not sending the prayer strategy out to people who subscribed. This has happened at least three times. I understand some people are stepping down from the call to battle, but it doesn't generally happen all at once. No one thought we would still be fighting the enemy for our freedom from COVID-19 today. But we are, and those who are willing to persevere will remain on the front lines battling the enemy for our freedom from this virus, the pandemic, rioting, domestic terrorism, and lies. Those who are not willing to give up but want to see the hand of God completely restore our land will continue to look to Him and declare His plan.

I am tired of this boat. We cannot do this on our own. We need Jesus. God doesn't want us to struggle any more on the boat. We do not have to fend for ourselves; we do not have to toil in a situation we weren't even supposed to be in in the first place. There is no comfort in returning to what had seemed good in our past, but now is no place for us now, on our way to meet Jesus.

• Are you ready to admit getting in the boat was not a good idea?

• Are you ready to admit you have toiled all night with nothing to show for it?

• Are you ready to admit the night is over?

• Are you ready to admit morning has now come?

• Are you ready to return to what God has for you?

My heart aches for those who have toiled with the same lies all night long and now want to continue when the light has come. How long will people remain in the lies of abandoning God and embracing things that bring kingdom destruction?

There is so much more going on than just the coronavirus, pandemic, rioting, the abuse toward our police, and the presidential election. I am ready to get back to loving people. Visiting who I care for. I am ready to be there for those who are fighting cancer, the loss of crops for the Iowa farmers, businesses closing and jobs lost, helping people, holding them up in prayer and making people a priority.

When the pandemic started, I took a job outside of the home, because we were unsure how long my husband's jobs would be affected. Today, Lydia looked over at me and said, "I'm so glad you are home again. I like having you around."

I missed my kids when I had to go to work. I got my kids back and now I want to pray for the restoration of all that was lost. I want every one to see that morning has come, the night is over. I want to see that what we thought would protect us and provide for us was an action we did but not the Lord. We are to return to the path, go to the mountain where Jesus said to meet Him. People are hurting and alone. People are afraid and unsafe. People are needing the night to be over and the new day to begin. Are you ready?

This new day is to return us to the point we left Jesus. We left the plans He gave us.

Father, I ask for You to reveal the night is over and morning has come. I ask for You to show us that we do not need to continue toiling over the past but to embrace what You have called us to do. I pray Your people will have eyes to see the dawn of a new day. I pray we will repent for trying to work matters out in our own hands instead of following Your plan. I pray Your people would be ready to come ashore and embrace You. I ask for You to minister to our hearts. I pray we would steady ourselves in Your amazing love. I ask for You to touch our minds that the lies will fall away and the truth will be revealed. I pray we would be about Your people again. I ask for Your lovingkindness to flow through Your people as we minister to those who are need support, encouragement, assistance - fellow believers, family and community. I ask for each one to be ready to be reinstated. The night has come to an end. The isolation is over and You have brought the dawn of a new day and I am ready 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.