Every Day with Jesus (33 page)

John 21:6

This wasn’t the first time Jesus performed this miracle. When He first called these disciples to follow Him, He did the same thing. They had been fishing all night and had no fish. There was no logical reason why casting the net one more time on either side of the boat would make any difference. But in obedience they did it anyway. On both occasions they caught a multitude of fish!

There are many parallels between the miraculous catch of fish and our lives. Most people basically do the same things. They try to be productive and raise good families, but there’s a world of difference between doing it in our own strength and doing it in the Word of the Lord.

These disciples were in the same place, using the same net, but the difference was the interjection of God’s Word mixed with their faith in it and obedience to it. The difference between acting on God’s Word and doing our own thing isn’t in the action itself but in our heart attitude.

You may have done everything you know to do without receiving the results you desire, but have you stepped out in obedience to God’s Word? What does the Lord have to say to you about your situation? Find out. Then obey it and expect miraculous results.

November 17: The Most Important Question

John 21:15-17

When they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

John 21:15

This was one of the very last times Jesus was with His disciples before He ascended to the Father. The whole plan of God was just hours away from being committed into the hands of these men. Everything Jesus had accomplished and was yet to accomplish would soon be committed into their trust. What a profound moment!

What would the Lord deem the most important thing to say to these disciples? What last-minute instructions would He give? Surprisingly, the Lord questioned Peter about his love. Three times Peter denied that he had known Him. Now, three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him.

The most important issue for all of us is our love for the Lord. Everything else revolves around this issue. It’s easy to get so busy serving the Lord that we don’t have any time to fellowship with Him. Ultimately, this leads to emptiness, frustration, and ineffectiveness.

Prior to his denial, Peter loved Jesus enough to be willing to fight to the death for Him. (Luke 22:33; John 18:10.) But it’s easier to fight than it is to suffer. Peter didn’t love the Lord more than himself. That’s why He asked Peter if he loved Him more than these. Peter had denied Him because he valued the opinion of people more than he loved Jesus.

Do you love Jesus more than anything or anyone? Like Peter, Jesus is asking you that question today so that you can be sure you love Him more than anyone or anything else in your life. His love for you and your love for Him is what will see you through any situation.

November 18: Mind Your Own Business!

John 21:18-24

Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

John 21:22

In verse eighteen, Jesus told Peter that he would glorify Him in his death as a martyr. It’s impossible to know the exact effect this had on Peter. No doubt, it was profound. But one thing is obvious—it caused Peter to wonder what would happen to John.

One of the critical mistakes we often make is to examine what God has called us to do in the light of what others are called to do. This isn’t wise. Jesus wisely told Peter to mind his own business. What would happen to John shouldn’t have affected Peter.

Early church tradition says that John was boiled in oil but miraculously didn’t die. He was then banished to the isle of Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation and eventually died a natural death. How would this knowledge have affected Peter? Would it have made him bitter? Would he have thought it unfair for him to die a martyr’s death while John escaped the same? Who knows?

Comparing ourselves with others isn’t smart. (2 Cor. 10:12.) Like water, we tend to seek the lowest level. Comparing ourselves with others often makes us compromise God’s best for us or feel condemned because we haven’t reached someone else’s “stature.” We don’t need those comparisons. What we need to do is just keep our eyes on the Lord and fulfill His will for our lives.

Your life shouldn’t be a race with others but a race to be more and more like Jesus every day. True happiness and a sense of fulfillment are found in focusing on what He has called you to do and doing it with all your heart.

November 19: God Is Good

John 21:25

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

John 21:25

Every detail of every man’s life who has ever walked on the earth has not impacted the world as much as the few recorded details of Jesus’ life. Jesus was not just a man; He was God manifest in the flesh. (1 Tim. 3:16.)

In Acts 10:38, Peter gave a brief yet descriptive summary of the life and ministry of Jesus. He was anointed with power and with the Holy Ghost. He used this power to do good, not evil. This is one of the main characteristics of God and is one of the easiest ways to discern what is from God and what is from the devil. God is a good God and the devil is a bad devil. If it’s bad, it’s from the devil; if it’s good, it’s from God.

Tragedy can come from three sources: God, Satan, and natural law. God’s wrath rests upon unbelievers only. (Rom. 1:18.) Believers will never experience His wrath. (Rom. 5:9.) New Testament believers are exempt from the punitive judgment of God since Jesus bore it for them.

As for natural law, as mankind violates the laws of God, in both a natural and moral sense, they will reap what they sow. If a person drives recklessly and kills themselves and others, it is not God or the devil that killed them. They violated natural law and thus paid the price. Unfortunately, the devil often steps in to accuse God of being behind all tragedy. But our God is a good God. James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift comes from Him.

It is incorrect to believe that God controls everything and has some redemptive purpose in tragedies. This type of thinking will lead you to ignore the devil and give him a free hand to destroy your life. It will also cause you not to use wisdom concerning natural laws. You will think nothing can happen unless God wills it. But today you will decide to either walk in the Spirit by the Word or to go your own way. It will be a lot easier to go with God when you know how good He is.

November 20: How to Baptize

Matthew 28:19

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 28:19

Jesus commanded us to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, yet there is no recorded instance where the believers did so. Instead, the instances of baptism that are recorded in the book of Acts show people being baptized in the name of Jesus only. Because of this noticeable difference, doctrines have arisen that teach there is no Trinity, and that unless water baptism is administered in the name of Jesus only, a person cannot be saved. This is a false teaching that has led many people astray.

Water baptism is an outward witness of the inner change that has already taken place in our spirits at the new birth. In Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius and his friends were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues, proving that they were already born again before they were baptized in water.

The harmony between the commission of Jesus and the practice of the early church is simple. When we baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, we are baptizing them in the name of Jesus because “in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9). Therefore, baptizing in the name of either the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, or in the name of Jesus, is correct as long as Colossians 2:9 is understood.

This is just one example where the Word of God will always agree with itself. Sometimes we just haven’t studied it enough. Today, if you have any questions about something in the Word that seems to present a contradiction, just study it out. Get with your pastor—he will be thrilled you asked! The Word always explains itself.

November 21: Use Your Delegated Authority

Mark 16:18

They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Mark 16:18

This either means we have supernatural protection if we pick up a snake, or it is symbolic of God’s protection when we encounter the devil. Since the other four signs in this list are literal, it is most probable that this means physically picking up snakes. The apostle Paul experienced this supernatural protection from a viper when he was shipwrecked on the island of Melita. (Acts 28:3-5.) However, this is the only recorded example of this type of protection in the New Testament.

There is no record of the disciples picking up snakes just to prove they were believers. That would be tempting God. (Luke 4:9-12.) This, as well as drinking any deadly thing, is a promise that if we pick up snakes accidentally or are forced into that position because of our stand for Christ, we can believe for supernatural protection.

The power that is now working in believers is the same power that worked in Christ to raise Him from the dead. Everything we have as believers in Christ comes from our union with Him. Therefore, what is true of Him is true of us too. We have come to share in His throne (Eph. 2:6), which means we partake of the authority that His throne represents and exercise divine power and dominion on this earth.

There is no place in the New Testament that tells you to ask God to do something about the devil. Instead, you are told to do something about the devil. This is because you have been delegated His authority over the works of the enemy. Let the eyes of your understanding be enlightened to His exceeding power toward you. (Eph. 1:18,19.) Today, take authority over the devil, and walk in victory!

November 22: Speaking With Tongues Is for Today

Mark 16:17-20

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Mark 16:20

The Lord confirmed the preaching of His Word with miracles. If Jesus and the first century Christians needed the Word confirmed with the miraculous (Heb. 2:4), then we do too. There is no Scripture that says these miraculous signs have passed away.

Some people have interpreted “that which is perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10 to be the complete Bible. This has led them to believe that the gifts of the Spirit have ceased. Although God’s Word is perfect (Ps. 19:7), it is not the perfect thing Paul is referring to here. 1 Corinthians 13:8 does say that tongues shall cease, but it will not happen until “that which is perfect is come.”

In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul says, “when that which is perfect is come, we shall see face to face.” This speaks of seeing the Lord face-to-face instead of vaguely, as through a dark glass, as it is now. Some might argue that this is speaking in a symbolic sense, instead of literally face-to-face. But the next comparison in this verse says that then, “when that which is perfect is come,” we shall know all things even as we are also known. There is no other way to interpret this, except as a description of when we will stand before the Lord after this life. Then we will be face-to-face and know all things even as also we are known.

Verse eight says that at the time prophecies fail and tongues cease, knowledge will vanish away. This is talking about the next life, or the new heavens and earth because one of the signs of the end times is that knowledge shall increase. (Dan. 12:4.) So the “that which is perfect” Paul speaks of cannot be the Bible. It has to be either our glorified body or Jesus at His second coming. Either way, tongues and prophecy will remain until that time.

Jesus said that you would cast out demons, heal the sick, speak with new tongues, and signs and wonders would follow you. That means you have a very exciting life to lead today!

November 23: Experience Produces Hope

Romans 5:3-5

And patience, experience; and experience, hope.

Romans 5:4

There was a time in my life when I believed God could miraculously supply my need because that’s what His Word promised (Phil. 4:19)—even though I had never yet experienced such provision. However, the day came when I not only believed it, but my faith actually produced tangible results. I experienced what I believed.

That did something for me. I can’t say it made me believe because I was already believing. If I hadn’t believed, I wouldn’t have received. (James 1:5-7.) However, it strengthened my faith by giving me new hope. Before, my hope was that it could happen. Afterwards, my hope became that it would happen again and again. After seeing His provision many times, I’ve come to expect that God will always provide. Experiencing God’s supply has generated new hope in my heart.

In the heart of someone who has consistently experienced God faithfulness, there abides a strength and depth of hope that a novice can’t understand or appreciate. A person who has already built a home has a confidence and security that a first-time builder can’t understand. They may be able to duplicate the performance of the seasoned builder or even exceed it, but experience gives the veteran a definite edge.

There are no shortcuts to experience, but as the old saying goes: “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Put God’s Word to the test today, and begin enjoying the wonderful benefits of increased hope.

November 24: The Power of Memory