Now What?

Warriors Arise: July 8th, 2020

Once we know the truth, there is a responsibility attached to it. The question to ask, "Now what?" What are you going to do with what you now know as truth?

After Jesus walked out the grave, He revealed Himself to different people. We see several of these people went and told the disciples. Jesus has already left Jerusalem. We know He went as far as Emmaus, 7 miles away, on the day of His resurrection. We also know the angel gave a message to the three women to give to His disciples and Peter. The message told them He would meet them in Galilee. But they weren't moving!

Jesus returned to Jerusalem, in the midst of His disciples as the two men shared all He taught them on their walk to Emmaus. Jesus said, "Peace to you." Then revealed His hand, and feet, proclaiming, "It is I, Myself." He says He is not a spirit and asks for some food. Once the disciples have allowed their minds to comprehend, receive the truth that He is alive, Jesus begins to teach them. Now that He has taught them what the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms say about His death and resurrection He continues to help them have understanding. Now what are they to do?

John 20:21-23 (NKJV) So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Jesus gives instructions:

• Peace to You! - Live in peace, keep your mind from vain imagination, keep your heart from being anxious.

• As the Father has sent Me, I also send you. - Remember, God first sent Me to demonstrate His love to the people, moved with compassion, and teaching the truth of the Word of God. Now I send you.

• Jesus breathed on them - this was not the first time. When Jesus sent them out He breathed on them they went out and did the same miracle He did.

• Receive the Holy Spirit - when we receive the Holy Spirit we receive the love, compassion, and power of God.

• If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. - the lesson from the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do". Jesus who had been beaten beyond recognition, given a false trial, lied about, whipped with the cat of nine tails, had a crown of thorns beaten onto His head, humiliated when they took His clothing before He hung on the cross, and then priests mocked Him as He hung on the cross. REMEMBER to forgive others of their sin so they can know the freedom of Christ.

If the disciples are wanting to know, "Now what?" Jesus is pretty clear. Keep your mind and heart at peace, secure in Christ Jesus. Whether you are a gifted evangelist or not, we are to be moved with compassion for all people and pray they would receive the message of the Truth, that Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind. They must receive the breath of God and do the miraculous. Receive the Holy Spirit and be empowered by God. Forgive others, take chains off of them and you will notice your chains are gone.

Father, at times I can struggle with, "now what." I don't know what to do but I know I need to do something. I receive Your peace, the only peace that surpasses all understanding. I will not embrace fear or anxiety. I bind fear and anxiety in the name of Jesus. I loose faith in Your ability to keep me safe and get me through physically, mentally, and spiritually in Jesus name. I ask for boldness to be able to be sent by Jesus as Jesus was sent by You. I ask for courage to receive Your breath of life, abundant life, miraculous life. I ask to be given God-opportunites to pray for the sick to be healed, the lame to walk, deaf to hear, and the blind to see. Your Word says we have freely received and we are to freely give to others. The miraculous is only dependent upon me, as I am a conduit of Your power. I seek You and ask on behalf of the people in need of Your wondrous love. I receive Your breath of abundant life in Jesus' name. Thank You Jesus for giving us the Holy Spirit. I need the Holy Spirit to have Your love for people. I want to know how to respond to defuse the anger in others. I need the Holy Spirit to be moved with compassion. I want to see the needs of others, deep in their heart, where the wound began and festered. I ask for be moved with compassion to apply Your healing touch to their deepest wounds. I ask for the Holy Spirit to use me to release power over the devil and his demons. I pray for the freedom of people who are believing lies. I ask for their minds to be renewed by Your Word. I ask to walk in forgiveness and release forgiveness to others. Your desire has always been to see Your people free, without being bound by the wrongs others have done to them. Come Father and minister life to Your people 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.