Strengthen your brothers, feed my lambs and take care of my sheep
31“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”-Luke 22:31-32
John 21:15-19New International Version (NIV)
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Dude. These verses have recently stuck with me. First, on Thanksgiving morning, I read them. I read them regarding the importance of eating with others and how relationships are built on the breaking of bread. And since then, I kid you not, they have come up daily. I love the way that Jesus first says, feed my lambs. He then follows that up with Take care of my sheep. And ends it with Feed my sheep. We all know that lambs are baby sheep. And sheep are more mature. After reading a couple of commentaries, I see the comparison of lambs and sheep to Christians. Jesus is clearly mapping out Peter's calling.
You know, Jesus has also given us our callings in life. Love the Lord your God with all of your heart. ALL of your heart. Surrender your heart and life to Him. He has great plans for our lives. Surrender everything for His anything. His anything is greater and more amazing than anything we could ever dream of or imagine.
And, love your neighbor more than you love yourself. Who is your neighbor. Your neighbor might literally live next door. Your neighbor may be the woman in line behind you at the grocery store. Your neighbor may be your co-worker. Your neighbor may be the stranger walking down the street. Your neighbor may be the orphan in Africa. But Jesus walked the earth as the perfect example of how we should be living. He showed love for all. He did not show love for any reason but to lead and point others to the Father.
Sometimes we get in our own way of God's plan. Sometimes we are too tired or to engrossed in ourselves to see or hear God's plan for us. When we can truly get out of the way and surrender, we will see God everywhere. His fingerprints will be on every interaction, every step, every sunset and sunrise.
Advent season starts today. I'm really excited that my family and I have decided to do an intentional and selfless act every day during the advent season. Really, this is how every day and moment should be lived. But for some reason my selfish self gets in the way constantly. Maybe this advent season will continue long after December 25th.
Father, thank you so much for Peter. Thank you that through the bible I have learned that I am not the only dummy that says things without speaking. I am not the only sinful woman. I am not alone in my selfish desires. And Father, thank you so much for loving me anyways. Thank you for not seeing the flaws that I tend to focus on, but your beautiful princess. Father, I pray that you will help me move out of the way, so that there will be more of you and less of me. I love you so much. I want to show you that I love you. I want when you ask me if I love you...I want to smile proudly and look you in the eyes and say yes! You know I love you! I do not want to look down and say yes. And I am about to start showing you. Father, I love you so much! Help me to remain surrendered. And father, thank you so much for loving me!
Love,
Your Princess
John 21:15-19New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Reinstates Peter
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Dude. These verses have recently stuck with me. First, on Thanksgiving morning, I read them. I read them regarding the importance of eating with others and how relationships are built on the breaking of bread. And since then, I kid you not, they have come up daily. I love the way that Jesus first says, feed my lambs. He then follows that up with Take care of my sheep. And ends it with Feed my sheep. We all know that lambs are baby sheep. And sheep are more mature. After reading a couple of commentaries, I see the comparison of lambs and sheep to Christians. Jesus is clearly mapping out Peter's calling.
You know, Jesus has also given us our callings in life. Love the Lord your God with all of your heart. ALL of your heart. Surrender your heart and life to Him. He has great plans for our lives. Surrender everything for His anything. His anything is greater and more amazing than anything we could ever dream of or imagine.
And, love your neighbor more than you love yourself. Who is your neighbor. Your neighbor might literally live next door. Your neighbor may be the woman in line behind you at the grocery store. Your neighbor may be your co-worker. Your neighbor may be the stranger walking down the street. Your neighbor may be the orphan in Africa. But Jesus walked the earth as the perfect example of how we should be living. He showed love for all. He did not show love for any reason but to lead and point others to the Father.
Sometimes we get in our own way of God's plan. Sometimes we are too tired or to engrossed in ourselves to see or hear God's plan for us. When we can truly get out of the way and surrender, we will see God everywhere. His fingerprints will be on every interaction, every step, every sunset and sunrise.
Advent season starts today. I'm really excited that my family and I have decided to do an intentional and selfless act every day during the advent season. Really, this is how every day and moment should be lived. But for some reason my selfish self gets in the way constantly. Maybe this advent season will continue long after December 25th.
Father, thank you so much for Peter. Thank you that through the bible I have learned that I am not the only dummy that says things without speaking. I am not the only sinful woman. I am not alone in my selfish desires. And Father, thank you so much for loving me anyways. Thank you for not seeing the flaws that I tend to focus on, but your beautiful princess. Father, I pray that you will help me move out of the way, so that there will be more of you and less of me. I love you so much. I want to show you that I love you. I want when you ask me if I love you...I want to smile proudly and look you in the eyes and say yes! You know I love you! I do not want to look down and say yes. And I am about to start showing you. Father, I love you so much! Help me to remain surrendered. And father, thank you so much for loving me!
Love,
Your Princess
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