Time for Cake

Warriors Arise: September 21, 2020

John 21:3-8 (NKJV) 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. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” 6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.

I am still picturing this scene. Peter is swimming. He must be a pretty good swimmer because I wonder how he made it to shore before the boat. The other disciples came in the little boat, sure they were dragging the net of fish but they would have ores to row. Maybe they tried with all their might, this way and that way, to get the multitude of fish into the boat. Maybe there were so many, they couldn't get the net in the boat. All the while, Peter is swimming to shore.

Since Peter is swimming to shore we have three trained fishermen left in the boat with the remaining disciples. Since they couldn't get the fish in the boat they have two options. They can either let out the net and let some of the fish go until the net is light enough to lift into the boat or they can rig a way to fasten the net to the side of the boat as they row to shore. Keep in mind, they wanted to see Jesus too and Jesus had a way of showing up for a moment and then He was gone. Also, they don't want to mismanage the miracle Jesus gave them. They don't want to let the fish go, so they must come up with a way to receive the fullness of the miracle of the fish in their net and see Jesus before He leaves again. They wanted their cake and to eat it too!

Most of us would be the same way. We are frugal and prudent. When we have been given a gift, we aren't going to throw it away. God gives good gifts. He continues to do miracles in each of our lives. Some of them as simple as what Jesus did for the disciples. There were no fish and now they have more than they can pull into the boat. Sometimes we don't realize the miracle God has given us.

• Have you ever found money you didn't realize you had?

• Have you ever needed to get ahold of someone, but you thought that it was totally the wrong time, they wouldn't be available?

• Have you ever been stuck in traffic, knowing this is going to take forever to get through, only to have it open up within 5 minutes?

• Have you ever need someone to stop and help you but you knew if you were in their situation you wouldn't stop for them and then a moment later you are overwhelmed that someone stopped to help you?

• Have you ever need advice from your most trusted friend but you knew they wouldn't be available and then they call you?

• Have you needed provision of any kind and then through someone you didn't even think about that provision was given?

• Have you ever needed information you didn't have and then somehow you knew what to do?

• Have you ever needed a ride and someone offered?

• Have you ever fretted over an answer, how you were going to handle something and then the right words flowed from your mouth?

You may not consider any of these miracle level actions but these would be things that I would look to heaven and say, "God, You did that! Thank you!" These things count as a miracle in my book. Did the disciples really need the fish? Maybe, but probably not. Maybe they needed it so they would have traveling money.

Jesus worked a miracle for the disciples. They had been working all night with no results, not one fish for their efforts. Most people will read this passage and not consider this a miracle. This is why I challenge you to ask God to open Your eyes so you can see where He is working in your life, where He has done miracles on your behalf. I think it is a pretty big deal that what they couldn't accomplish all night long, Jesus spoke a word. And then what they desired they had as much as they could handle. They were going to leave the fish behind. They had received a miracle. They had their cake and were going to eat it too.

Father, I ask for you to open my eyes so I can see the miracles You have gifted my life. My standard for miracles is pretty high. This is why, unless it is what I consider to be a necessary God-involved miracle, then it isn't one. But I was wrong. I want to recognize where You have intervened in my day; where you have gotten me through traffic jams, given the answer to what I couldn't work out on my own, brought help when I needed it, provided for me when I didn't even know there was going to be a need. There are so many times You extend Your love for me and I don't even realize it is You. Forgive me Father. I ask for You to make me more aware of the ways You love me, the miracles You bring in my life. You are good and I am extremely thankful! I want to show my gratitude. If I don't know it is You then I won't give you the thanks You are due. I pray You would open the eyes of each American, I pray they would see how You have protected so many from the coronavirus. I pray they would see how You have protected them from the violence. I pray they would see You have provided for them during this time of uncertainty. I pray they would see how You have offered peace, provision, and protection. I pray they would see how You have directed their path and kept them safe. I ask for You to open our eyes and see the miracles You have done in our lives. I pray we would be thankful for the miracle and hold on to it 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.