Now That Is Peculiar

Warriors Arise: September 30, 2020

John 21:12 (NKJV) Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord.

Why do you think John felt the need to say, Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord? It seems so peculiar, even out of place. It seems like it should have been a non-issue since we knew it was the Lord when John told Peter, while he was still in the boat, "It is the Lord."

• Maybe Jesus looked different in His glorified state so they were still getting used to identifying Him. Kind of like someone who has plastic surgery. You have known them all of their life one way and then their nose is different and you are trying not to stare while you get used to their new look.

• Scripture says Jesus was beaten beyond recognition. Maybe as they saw Jesus struggling to get up to Golgotha their mind was horrified by what they saw and now He is standing before them perfect, without flaw or mark from the 39 lashes of the cat of nine tails or the crown of thorns that made nail-like holes in His head, when the soldiers had beaten it onto His head. Yet, now, Jesus stands before them completely healed of those things that made Him unrecognizable just two weeks ago.

• Maybe there wasn't doubt in their hearts but their minds were still struggling. This just couldn't be possible but their heart was telling them, This is the Lord.

John 21:12 (NKJV) Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord.

I guess this peculiar statement rings in us today. Even when the Lord comes, instigates a miracle, provides for our desires and needs, we still have reservations regarding who He is. We know it is the Lord but there is something inside of us that holds back. Why do we hold back, when we know it is the Lord? This is a question you must personally answer, meditate before the Lord, allow Him to show you the reason why you resist embracing Him...the fullness of Who He is...what He has done for you.

There are so many that miss the miraculous things God has done in their lives because of the one thing they thought, He should have done but didn't, or that He didn't do it their way. God is God. Don't miss out on what God has done and is doing because He didn't do the one thing you think He should have done. He is not a child to be told want to do. He is not a genie in a bottle you call out when you need another one of your wishes answered. And He is not yours to give an ultimatum. This is peculiar to me. Christians will pledge their loyalty, their trust, and their service only when God is doing what they want Him to do. If He doesn't, then they stop serving, stop tithing, stop trusting and stop honoring God as God. They might even go as far as to think: "He doesn't love them. He doesn't value them." Thinking that what they have to offer He doesn't want. This is ultimately a form of manipulation. The Bible calls manipulation witchcraft and it is clear that witchcraft is demonic. When we entertain the thoughts we are unloved by God, undervalued by God, that what we have to offer He doesn't want or because He did not answer our prayer the way we think He should have; we are operating in the sin of witchcraft.

The decisions God makes are not ours to dictate. His love toward us is beyond our comprehension; amazing that He does listen to us. He is your God; therefore, we can boldly approach His throne and make our request known, but the decision is His and His alone. We are given a place next to Him in the heavenly realm where we can see from His perspective, be free from the muck and the mire, and release His power into a situation.

Father, I don't know why I hold back when You come. I don't know why I sit down when You say to go. I don't know why I resist when You want to give me understanding. I do not know why I reason in my own mind instead of embracing Your wisdom. I ask for myself and all Christians to throw off the weights that hold each one of us back. I ask for myself and all Christians to move forward with You when You say go. i ask for myself and all Christians to desire understanding and truth. I ask for myself and all Christians to embrace Your wisdom. I trust You. In a time where lies are prevalent I ask for the truth to be made known. I pray people would seek out the truth and desire to live by the truth. I bind up the enemy's hand of contention and tell it to go in Jesus name. I loose unity in righteousness upon all people. I pray for the cure for COVID-19 to be found and released for all. I pray for those who are fighting other illnesses and disease to be strengthened by Your Word, filled with Your peace, and walk in Your joy. I pray for the children and teens who have been taken into the sex traffic ring to be found and set free. I ask for Your love to surround them. I ask for You to restore them to their family. I pray for all those who are living in fear tonight to know Your presence and trust You to keep them safe. I pray those who have lost jobs to find better jobs, increased benefit packages and 401Ks. I pray for those who lost their businesses to hear Jesus say, "Come and eat". I pray they would sit down with Jesus and receive insight in what they re to do next. I ask for divine direction for each one. I ask for you to establish each one in a new business that prospers more than their former business. I pray for You protect the innocent, those who cannot protect themselves. I pray for those in nursing homes to be visited by You. Where no family can enter to give them human contact I ask for each one to have contact from You, Your arms wrapped around them and bring them security and love. I pray for the babies, they depend on us to defend them. I ask for Your compassion to flow upon their mothers and they would not kill their baby but make it easier for their baby to be adopted. We need You to intervene. We have made a mess of things. But we know You can restore all that has been lost. I ask for those who have the say to hear from You and make decision according to Your will 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.