Warriors Arise: April 23rd, 2020
"Peter arose and ran to the tom
b; and stooping down, he saw the line cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened" (Luke 24:12).
If you were in Peter's sandles that day, what would you be thinking about? Peter departed, marveling to himself at what had happened. What had happened in the tomb? What had happened to the stone that sealed the tomb? What had happened to the angel the women had seen and heard? What had happened to the body?
WHAT HAD HAPPENED!
"...marveling to himself at what had happened." Marveling means to be filled with wonder or astonishment. If we were in Peter's shoes, we might say, "I can't believe this" or "this is unbelievable". It doesn't mean that it didn't happen; it just means that your mind is having a hard time wrapping around the facts in front of you. Your mind starts trying to put all the pieces on place. Peter's mind was being overtaken with a miracle he didn't witness. Not only "when you return, strength your brethren", as we discussed in an earlier prayer strategy; but now, Peter was in the same situation as people who had heard of the miraculous things Jesus had done and chose to believe...or not to believe. Peter was not present for this miracle. He didn't hear the angel, only the women did. Would he believe, as so many others who had come to Jesus during his life on earth and brought loved ones to be healed and delivered from demons? Peter was now experiencing believing without seeing.
My heart aches for people who cannot receive the testimony of God moving in someone's life, unless they were there to witness the miracle or unless God did the same miracle for them. There is greater power for those who believe without seeing. Those who will embrace what Jesus promised, stand on the promise, not waver, but believe God.
I did a Bible study years ago. Matter-of-fact I did the same Bible study 3 times! The first time I was in class, the second I taught it and the third I was in a couples group Bible study. I needed that Bible study. People thought I was a little ridiculous for going through it three times, but until I could wrap my mind around the truths pulled out in the Bible study; I needed to go through it again. The Bible study had a video and began with everyone in class staying these 5 points together:
1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do
3. I am who God says I am
4. I can do all things through Christ who strengths me.
5. God's Word is alive and active in me.
I had to make my mind wrap around each one of these truths. When I listen to Beth Moore teach this and diligently work through each week's study, my faith was challenged. I wasn't sure if I liked my faith being challenged. I wasn't sure if I really believed God like I thought I had. I wasn't sure if I even really knew God. I knew Jesus as my Lord and Savior but I didn't "know" God, His ways, His love, His power, His deliverance... etc. Even though I had done a daily devotional from 7th grade on, I didn't know if I really "knew" God. If I didn't really know God then how could I trust Him? How would I believe what I heard Him say? I had a lot to learn about God. It was well worth going through the Believing God Bible study three times. I didn't want to just say the 5 points, I wanted them to be a part of my way of thinking, my belief about God and who I am.
Warriors we are faced with a terrible disease attacking people all over our world. In the Bible God says, "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89). We pray because God is the one who has the final say. We pray because God is who He says He is. We pray because God can do what God says He can do. We pray because we are who God says we are. We pray because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We pray because God's Word is alive and active in each one of us.
Father, I marvel at Your ways. You trust us with releasing Your kingdom here on earth. You trust us to activate and release Your love to people. I need You to come and strengthen me. I need Your love to guide and protect me. I need the Holy Spirit to give counsel. Jesus, Your blood is enough to heal us. I ask in the name of Jesus and by the blood You spilled, for the coronavirus to die. I ask for each person sick with this disease to call out to Jesus in their time of desperation and know that You are Lord. I ask for Your kingdom of healing to come in the name of Jesus.
Father, I marvel at your ways. I want to know You in such a way that I can recognize You as You move in my life and the lives of those around me. Jesus did only what He saw the Father doing. I want to see You at work, extending Your love. I ask for my mind to believe the fullness of who You are. I ask for my mind to declare Your good works. I ask for Your love to be demonstrated in the lives of those infected by the coronavirus. I ask for Your love to protect those who are facing other illnesses, who have to have their immune system's suppressed for other treatments. I ask for You to protect them and heal them in Jesus' name. I ask for protection for all those working in hospitals. I am so thankful for our military medics who have set up treatment stations in the most infected areas of our nation. I ask for protection for our military against the coronavirus. You are Lord and there is none like You. You hear our prayers and You answer them. Because we honor You for Who You are and know Your love does not run short in Jesus' name we pray 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.