What Motivates You?

Warriors Arise: September 28, 2020

John 21:7-11 (NKJV) 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. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.

Simon Peter was no wimp. This man heard it was the Lord, he puts on his outer garment and plunges into the sea and swims to shore. We have talked about in a previous Warrior's Arise, how heavy his outer garment would have been and that two hundred cubits may not be far in a boat but it would be 91.2 yards! He swam almost the length of a football field minus the end zones with his long flowing outer garment. It would have been extremely heavy no matter it if was linen or wool. Keep in mind their outer garments hung down to the ground.

We do not know if he made it before the boat or the boat made it first since they did not load the net with the fish onto the boat. Maybe they made it at the same time. They come ashore, Jesus has already prepared breakfast and then asks them to bring some of the fish they caught. Then John makes a point to tell us, Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.

Simon Peter must have felt like the Hulk. Four words and Simon Peter is invincible, "It is the Lord". The man is unstoppable. He swims fully clothed, 91.2 yards in sea water and then drags the net to land! The very net the rest of the disciples could not get into the boat, Peter drags onto the land. John goes on to tell us the net was full of large fish. If you still aren't impressed, he tells us there were one hundred and fifty-three. If you still aren't impressed John emphasizes how unusual this is by saying, although there are so many, the net was not broken. There were so many fish one would have thought the net would have broken but it didn't and then one man, Simon Peter, who will do anything the Lord asks of him, drags the net with all the fish to shore! That is some kind of motivation!

What was Peter's motivation to do these things? How could Peter have had this kind of strength? He seemed to be operating on a whole new level.

Before Jesus died on the cross, Peter did not understand redemption. Jesus could teach and give parables giving Peter and the disciples knowledge, but it wasn't until Peter denied knowing Christ three times that he understood his need for redemption. When we sin, especially having sinned in a way that has let someone down or caused someone who looked up to us, to question all that we have said or done for them, there is a reckoning inside of us.

Peter's motivation is love from a desperate heart. He needs to know he is forgiven for denying that he knew Jesus three times. He wants to be the first one to see Jesus. He abandons the disciples in the boat and swims to shore. Jesus wants to see the fish we pulled in; he goes and gets them all. He pulls the net up onto the shore and counts the fish. Nothing is holding Peter back. He is on full throttle to see, to be with Jesus. He knows he needs to be forgiven. He knows when Jesus took on the sin of the world, He took on Peter's three denials as well. Peter is trying to understand the gift of the grace of God through the forgiveness given by the shedding of the blood of Jesus. When Jesus speaks, Peter is generally the first to respond. He doesn't need to be told twice. He truly loves the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind, and with all his strength. He is desperate to understand the power of forgiveness, making a relationship right again. He wants understand if he and Jesus will have a solid relationship again. Will Jesus call on him to do the ministry?

What motivates you to walk in the calling for which you were called? What motivates you to serve in church? What motivates you to reach the lost, the unsaved? What motivates you to position yourself before the Lord, so you can receive His instruction?

Father, there are times when I serve because I want You to know my love for You. I want You to know You can count on me. There are times I have served because I needed to be forgiven but didn't know the power of forgiveness. I served as if I was trying to prove my love and faithfulness to You. You look into my heart and You already know. The forgiveness You offer is beyond what I can comprehend. The best service I give to You is from my heart of love. From the position of love, I will be faithful, excellent, and fulfilled. I do not need the praise of others for what I do out of my love for You. Thank you for loving me, Your forgiveness is beyond measure. I ask for You to send Your Holy Spirit out among the people. I pray the people across America and round the world will open their heart to You. I pray each would repent for taking matters into their own hands and hurting others. I pray they would understand the power of forgiveness. You will redeem them from their sin and restore their life according to Your plan. I pray for Christians to be bold in their attitude, serving You wholeheartedly. I ask for You to make Yourself known in each person's life and a reckoning of Your love to motivate each one to embrace You, Your ways, and Your calling upon their life 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.