This is Where I Heard Jesus for the First Time

Warrior's Arise: August 8th, 2020

John 21:1-3 (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."

Do you remember where you were when you heard Jesus for the first time? Do you remember what you were doing?

Did you ever pass by that place and remember Jesus speaking to you?

Did you return to that place and hope that Jesus would speak to you again?

If you went to church camp and God spoke to you, most likely, there is an expectation the next time you go to camp God will speak to you again. You want the place to be exactly as it was, so that you can recreate the experience, hoping God will speak to you again.

In my pre-teen years I road my bike around town to work out my frustration on the road. It was refreshing to get out and see the clouds, people walking or at the parks, and my speed creating a wind. I enjoyed looking at the trees and seeing the leaves change. I wanted to be distracted from what was rolling around in my mind. One time I was riding and it seemed the faster I road, the faster my mind churned over whatever had been causing me a lot of stress. I remember riding up the dreaded hill to the golf course. Generally I didn't care to go to that side of town because of the hill. It would take a lot of energy and I didn't want to have to get off my bike and walk the rest of the way up. That was not fun. But this day in particular I faced the hill. Once I reached the top I turned to go down the road leading to the golf course. As I went down the road I saw a weeping willow tree with its branches hanging, so low they were touching the ground. I found myself looking to see if anyone was playing the hole and then I dashed across the fareway with my bike. I went through the branches and hid under its canopy. There I rested. There, God enveloped me in His love. That wasn't the first time I had felt the presence of God, but it was one of the most powerful times.

I called out to God. I needed His help. I was frustrated and I didn't want to be angry; but I couldn't control it. I needed His help. It was there, God met me. It was my place to meet with Him. My time with Him under the branches of the Willow tree was so real, I returned there a number of times over the years.

Did I have to go there to meet God? No. God is with me all the time. But going there was getting me in position, not God. Because I expected to meet with God; I prepared my ears to hear, my mind to receive and my heart to be moved by what God would share. This is also when I learned to tell God everything. He can handle it. Yes, He already knew but when I would speak it out loud to Him, it would stop rolling around in my head. I would stop rehearsing the pain. The frustration and the anger would dissipate when I shared my hurt with Him.

I learned I could have this God experience any time, any place. I just had to position myself; my ears to hear, my mind to be open, and my heart to receive. I had to be real about the problem and open to hear what God would say. It never fails. When I take the time to share with God from the deepest point of my pain, frustration, or concern, He would meet me. Because I was so real in sharing the depth of the situation; I had emptied myself of any hold to it and God could speak directly to the problem. He loved me in such a way that when He corrected me, I could receive it. I would vow to do better, to be better, to follow His plan. It was a learning process to implement His ways and respond the way He had told me. But each time I tried, it got easier to walk in His ways.

The first time Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John, to follow Him, they were fishing.

Matthew 4:18-22 (NKJV) And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

They may have been walking past the place where they fished with their fathers. They may have been remembering Jesus calling them to follow Him and wanted that experience again. We really don't know. But Peter decides he is going fishing and the rest of the disciples go with him. I wonder if Peter was trying to recreate the first time Jesus called him to come follow Him?

I wonder if he really wanted the other disciples to join him. There are times when we need to meet with God by ourselves. We need to talk freely, without anyone listening. We need to be able to be vulnerable and share everything that is going on in our heart and mind. Do you know when you need to be by yourself with God? When was the last time you purposely positioned yourself to be with God, vulnerable and honest with what consumes your mind? This is healthy for you mentally, physically, and spiritually. It is a time when you shut the door to outside distractions, you are not positioned to study the Word or bellow out your worship. It is a time for presenting to God all the thoughts that seem to never stop turning over in your mind, the concerns of your heart and the frustrations of circumstances in life.

When was the last time you intentionally positioned yourself to meet with God to release frustrations to God? I encourage your to plan a set time to do this in the next three days. Create the time, clear your schedule of the piddly things you know you don't really have to do now.

Father, I need to meet with You. The devil keeps stirring the pot of division, causing people to pick sides and hate those who do not choose the side they have chosen. I do not want to walk into the trap he has set. I want to be able to hear what others are saying without being irritated or bothered. I want to be able to discern the lies being shared. The real facts are so hidden with lies the only way people will be able to know the truth is if they meet with You. I ask for You to come and draw people into Your presence. I pray people would be willing to follow You, share with You, be vulnerable with You, and receive from You. I know You desire to meet with each person; but they have a choice. I pray they would choose to follow You. I pray they would rid themselves of the frustrations and anger they feel. I pray they would release it all to You so the enemy cannot stoke the fire of division, resentment, and blame. I ask for You to intervene and meet with each one. I pray for unity, based on Truth. I pray for forgiveness to be given to those who have caused personal harm. I pray for people to embrace responsibility, take ownership of the things they have done to cause harm and apathy, the things they didn't do that have directed their path. I ask for You to restore our body to complete health. I ask for You to speak to our minds, will and emotions and bring them under the leading of the Holy Spirit. We will not yield our souls to be directed by the things of this world. I ask for You to fill to overflowing the Spirit inside of me with Your love, compassion, and peace 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.