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Sunday, March 8, 2009

Just Give me Jesus

I just love Peter. He is one of my favorite New Testament people. He was just so real. So open. So human. So Peter.

In John 21, when Jesus encounters some of the disciples at the Sea of Galilee, I love the way the events transpired. Peter just decides to go fishing and so the other disciples who were there decided to go with him. They got into the boat and the scripture tells us that they caught nothing that night. So, morning comes and Jesus was standing on the shore, but of course the disciples don’t realize that it was Him at this point. Jesus calls out to them “Children, have you any food?” They tell Him they don’t and so Jesus tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat and when they do, there are multitudes of fish in their net!

All of the sudden it dawns on John who it is on the shore. So, he says to Peter, “It is the Lord!” And what is Peter’s reaction? He just jumps into the water. Plunges right into the sea. He is so excited to see Jesus, that he didn’t even think about what he was doing. All he knew was that he had to get to Jesus. NOW!

Oh, man. We need to have that kind of excitement about Jesus. We need to develop hearts so hungry for the Word and so hungry for a relationship with Christ, that we would just jump right out of that boat into the water in a heartbeat! When the Lord draws near to us we need to be willing to get out of our boat and just jump into wherever Jesus is.

I could just feel Peter’s joy and elation and I want that kind of joy for Jesus! Peter didn’t let anyone or anything stand in his way. He wasn’t trying to impress anybody. He wasn’t trying to fit into a certain crowd. He was just being Peter. He was a “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” kind of man.

I am yearning for such an excitement and joy for my Savior. I want to have such a jumping in my spirit that I can’t contain it. I want to feel His Presence in my life so thick, that I can hardly bear it! I want to grow closer to Him each day. I just want Jesus.

Lord, thank you for your Word. Thank you that what was applicable back then, is still applicable now. Your Word is timeless. Your Word is Truth.

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth” John 17:17


Beth

12 comments:

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

Amen, Sister!! Just give me Jesus!

Great Post! Blessings!

~Beth

LisaShaw said...

Well said! Amen!

Praise the Lord my sister in Christ.

Kari Dana said...

Amen, amen, amen!!!

I feel the same way. Very well said.

May you be unbearably overcome by His LOVE today!!

:)

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

I want that excitement, too! I want to jump in with total abandon for myself. I'm not there yet, but I'm on the right path.

Love you!
Sonya

Yolanda said...

Oh, how I love this story. And how Jesus tells them specifically to tell Peter that He loves him when he rises from the dead.

Oh....what a heart beating for Christ.

Mistakes and all....

Lovingly,
Yolanda

petrii said...

Beth,
I love that particular passage over in John and the passage that follows as well.

I also love Peter, I can so identify with him, and I am also so encouraged by his life and what he went on to do.

Praying for you friend,
Dawn

nomore said...

I really like Peter too! The transparency of his life lived for Christ really shows ! An imperfect follower who follows a perfect Savior! I relate tho Peter's short comings so well, but I also relate to his joys and victories in Christ the same too!!!

great post!

Debbie said...

Hey Beth, From the best we know right now, no one recognized him, but he said a few words to the pastor then shot him. The shooter was in surgery himself yesterday, they are hoping he survives so they can maybe get some answers. It's a really scary situation, I'm just thankful no more were hurt. In Him, Debbie

Anonymous said...

Beth, YES! Just give me JESUS!
Peter was an open-book to the Lord and the Lord loves him greatly.
We are before the Lord as an open-book, but we need that abandonment of what others think & live our lives fully for the Lord as Peter did!
Blessings,
Miriam :)

Laurie said...

Amen! I want the same passion, too! At times it has felt snuffed out and my prayer becomes Lord restore the joy of my salvation!
Blessings to you today my friend and sister!

Brandy said...

I was just reading this story this morning in my quiet time. I have read it many times before but it gives me such hope and joy that I like to read it over and over. I think we can learn a lot from Peter. Thanks for sharing.

Brandy :)

TRUTH SHARER said...

He is MORE than ENOUGH and He is all I want or desire!

Choosing JOY,
Stephanie