Could It Be So Simple?

Warriors Arise: August 25th, 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.

The picture from yesterday's blog/prayer strategy has been on my mind, working me over all day. My husband is the one who faithfully reads through my blogs and gets a picture to go with it. He generally wants my approval. When he showed me this one, "That's perfect! Exactly what I was seeing in my mind."

Today, as the picture continued to flash through my mind I was bothered. I ask for you to indulge me a little as I share what was working through me. The view of the picture is from the boat. And Jesus is not only standing on the shore looking at those in the boat but what else do you remember about the picture?

Jesus is standing alone.

Ponder that picture for a moment. I love knowing Jesus will hear my prayers and answer one way or another with a plan, like He did for Mary at the tomb. My faith is strengthened when He comes to me, knowing I need to be in His presence, like the men on the road to Emmaus. I see the value He places on my life when He singles me out and comes like He did for Thomas. I enjoy the comfort of knowing when I take a detour, then return to what is the way of life, that He stands on the shore watching me.

We do not know how long Jesus stood on the shore and watched them. But when morning came they would now have the chance to see Jesus, to know He was watching them maybe even watching over them. Yes, He allowed them to struggle all night with nothing to show for their effort and decision; but when the night was over, He was standing on the shore.

My heart won't let go of some things my mind is trying to deal with. I see this detour, self-fulfilled desire to return to the past, correlating with man's sinful nature wanting to return to before people knew Jesus.

• Knowing the disciples are not where Jesus said to meet Him, as shared in a previous blog, Matthew 28:16.

• Knowing the disciples stayed up all night, dedicated to their personal fulfillment.

• Knowing Jesus is not in the boat with them nor is He walking on the water to them is troubling.

I guess I am wondering how many of us, the called, children of the Most High God are headed to the mountain where Jesus told us to meet Him and how many have decided to return to our sinful nature? When you are given the choice, the freedom to choose, what do you choose? I just wonder, are you making your decisions based on God's desire or your own desire?

I remember back to the first time I cussed. It was one word but everybody's head turned. Why? Because I had always been one who told people to stop cussing, to keep it to themselves. They could do it at home but not around me. I was firm about my stand on this. But one day, I don't even know what I was upset about. What I remember is the look on their faces, the chatter throughout the day as those present told those who weren't. It was that big of a deal. I remember the looks of those who now looked upon me as being just like them. No longer was I the Christian they looked up to. All because of one cuss word!

I remember seeking God and His forgiveness. I remember being tormented that I misrepresented Him and lost my witness to some. It was awful. It hadn't even made me feel better. I had thought people cussed because it makes them feel better; they get all the ugly out of their system through their words. I realized it just made things worse. You feel like you have to cuss more because it didn't resolve anything. What a joke! A lie straight from the pit of hell. Because most cussing will lead to taking the name of our Lord in vain. What baffles me the most about people cussing, using the Lord's name to make their point, to make them powerful, demanding people to listen to them is that they generally are calling on a power and authority they haven't used to benefit the expansion of God's kingdom. How backwards is that? We say, God has not power and doesn't give us authority yet when we cuss, using the Lord's name, His very name demands people to listen and gives weight to what we are saying.

When I cussed that one word, I had followed others on to the boat, trying their way of life and how they fix their frustration. But it only brought more frustration to my life. Jesus not only watched me get on the boat, but He heard what I said. Thankfully, it for me, as a Child of God, it was only a detour. One I chose to take, because I didn't want to take the path God put before me.

When we return to our old way of life and Jesus has to watch us struggle to be a success in something we weren't even supposed to be a part of. I guess, I am wondering how many Christians are doing the same thing right now? How many are jumping on the boat, deviating from God's plan of where He has told them to go?

The upcoming election is not about Trump or Biden. This election is about where Jesus has told us to meet Him.

One of the many reasons I embrace homeschooling is so my children know Biblical history and American History. The disciples would one day lay down their lives for the advancement of God's kingdom on earth. The Pilgrims laid down their lives to worship God in Spirit and truth living according to His Word, in a land God would be put first.

Are you persevering through the process of this election, to meet Jesus on the mountain, are you still in Jerusalem behind closed doors denying God's direction, or have you turned to your own devices, source of security, and former way of life? Will this generation put God first before all others and all issues?

What do you think America would become if we removed the declaration in our Pledge of Allegiance of "under God"? Please let yourself think about this. Even though people say the Pledge of Allegiance and don't believe it, doesn't mean God isn't being glorified when they say it. Daniel, in the Old Testament served under 5 pagan kings, three of them declared to the people of their nation that Daniel's God is the God who made heaven and earth. We never know if these kings turned from all their other gods, but they declared Daniel's God was God. Would people say that about you? Veridee's God is God. (your name)'s God is God. The DNC voted to take "under God" out of the Pledge of Allegiance. Not only that, they actually said the revised Pledge of Allegiance should add "some day" to the end of it.

Are you okay with this?

What do you think America would become if China were to recall our loans as a nation? We are in debt as a nation and the DNC wants to spend more and more money, providing free education to college students. Many college students, who have been given this gift because their parents can pay for it, don't value what they are given. So why do we think giving a college education away free will benefit America? Look at the results of college educated liberal people: riots, domestic terrorism, and an unwillingness to build a community but to tear it down. No state or federal aid for students who want a private Christian education. Who are the people who willingly gave of their time to help clean up, restore and build? The Christians.

Are you okay with this?

How is it we can spend money protecting wildlife, the whales, seals, and birds and still finance murdering human babies? There is nothing godly about the murder of human babies. It is not that I don't care about animals, but the murder of human babies is wrong. There is nothing anyone can say to make it right or okay. The DNC delegates voted to not only to finance full term abortions but they would take care of the baby and allow the mother to have 48 hours to decided if she wanted the baby. Can't imagine the money made on the black market for baby organs who are to be healthy, breathing, thriving! Maybe the government will get a kickback.

Are you okay with this?

I could go on but this is enough. This should be enough for you to identify if you are a disciple still in Jerusalem. You make the choice to deny the truth and say He isn't alive. Or did you listen to someone else, follow their lead into what you thought would be fun, safe, satisfying? Did you get into the boat of personal satisfaction and self-fulfillment and forget about meeting Jesus on the mountain?

If you find that you are in Jerusalem, then get up and go to the mountain where Jesus told you to go. If you got into the boat of personal, instant satisfaction, letting someone else pay your bills and work for your dinner then get out of the boat, go to shore and continue to the mountain to meet Jesus.

Do not be deceived, the three issues mentioned above will not honor God in any way. Removing "under God" from our Pledge of Allegiance will lead to the destruction of our country. Giving a college education free without earning it through demonstrated responsibility is a pit that will never be satisfied. Spending money to murder babies is nothing less than pagan sacrifice.

The results of just these three issues being pushed by the DNC will affect your kids, grandkids and great grandchildren. Will they live in a free nation? Will they even be able to dream the American dream? Will they even be alive or murdered because you didn't think it would ever go that far?

Father, we, Your people who are called by Your name, need a wake up call. We need to be vigilant and take a stand against the enemy who is lulling us to sleep. I call for Your people to "Wake up!" We must take a stand and vote according to Your will and not our own agenda. I ask for You to come and bring the truth. I ask for Your people to know the truth and walk in it. I pray we would not hide from the truth. I pray we would comprehend what is at stake in this election. I pray for Christians government officials from town council people to state governors to the President of the United States to acknowledge You as the only God for our nation. I pray each one would declare the things of the Lord to be established in the decisions they are making. For those who are denying Your very existence, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, that they would be visited by You. I pray they know You are God and meet with You. For those who have tired to do things in their own strength, seeking self fullfillment, and security by their own hands to be tired toiling all night and see Jesus standing on the shore. I pray they would put away their own plans and return to the shore to be with Jesus. For those who have remained faithful, who are headed to the mountain to meet with Jesus I ask for You to give each one a sense of tenacity and fortitude to not be distracted by arguments with the ignorant. I ask for each one to lay hold of the plan You have given them. I ask for You to minister strength that will give them perseverance to pray for themselves and others to follow You in the name of Jesus 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.