The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in John 21:15,
"'Simon son of John, do you love me [Jesus] more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' he [Peter] said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.'"
Earlier, before Jesus' crucifixion, when Jesus was arrested, Peter denied knowing him three times. Here, the Lord reinstates Peter in a three-fold approach. Each of the three follow the same formula: if "you love me" then to do this... Peter was to fulfill his calling by the Lord to pastor or shepherd Jesus' disciples because... because of things so wonderful about the Lord that prompted Peter's great love for him.
This axiom is found throughout the Scriptures. We, today, are approached with it is well. Just as Peter was approached by Jesus to do something in light of his love and appreciation of the Lord, we are as well. As Paul wrote to the Romans, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1. In this passage, as Paul is focused on the mercy of God, something for which we must acknowledge as one of the greatest of causes for our appreciation, we are asked to no longer conform to the sinful ways of the world, but to be transformed through the renewing of our minds.
Here is another example, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13. This follows the same pattern: In light of the Lord's wonderful forgiveness, do this....
Another example is seen in 2 Corinthians 7:1, "Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." In light of God's promises to us, do this...
There are several things to look at here. Certainly we can see that the appropriate and great motivation for us to do those things we know delights the heart of our Lord, should be the great and wonderful things we see in him. Because the Lord has done this or that, because of the Lord's character and nature, because of what the Lord has done for you, for me... these should be the spring board for our worship of him, our praise of him, and our service for him.
If we find ourselves struggling in following through on what we know the Lord has for us to do, it just may be that we have taken our eyes off the Lord, allowing our passion, our ardency for him to diminish. Our love and great appreciation for the Lord should be renewed every day! Yesterday's praise of him requires renewing today... as the psalmist says, "Sing to him a new song..." Psalm 33:3 and 96:1. "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him." Psalm 98:1. "I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David." Psalm 144:9-10a.
Listen to the psalmist in Psalm 149:1-5,
"Praise the Lord.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.
Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"'Simon son of John, do you love me [Jesus] more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' he [Peter] said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.'"
Earlier, before Jesus' crucifixion, when Jesus was arrested, Peter denied knowing him three times. Here, the Lord reinstates Peter in a three-fold approach. Each of the three follow the same formula: if "you love me" then to do this... Peter was to fulfill his calling by the Lord to pastor or shepherd Jesus' disciples because... because of things so wonderful about the Lord that prompted Peter's great love for him.
This axiom is found throughout the Scriptures. We, today, are approached with it is well. Just as Peter was approached by Jesus to do something in light of his love and appreciation of the Lord, we are as well. As Paul wrote to the Romans, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1. In this passage, as Paul is focused on the mercy of God, something for which we must acknowledge as one of the greatest of causes for our appreciation, we are asked to no longer conform to the sinful ways of the world, but to be transformed through the renewing of our minds.
Here is another example, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13. This follows the same pattern: In light of the Lord's wonderful forgiveness, do this....
Another example is seen in 2 Corinthians 7:1, "Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." In light of God's promises to us, do this...
There are several things to look at here. Certainly we can see that the appropriate and great motivation for us to do those things we know delights the heart of our Lord, should be the great and wonderful things we see in him. Because the Lord has done this or that, because of the Lord's character and nature, because of what the Lord has done for you, for me... these should be the spring board for our worship of him, our praise of him, and our service for him.
If we find ourselves struggling in following through on what we know the Lord has for us to do, it just may be that we have taken our eyes off the Lord, allowing our passion, our ardency for him to diminish. Our love and great appreciation for the Lord should be renewed every day! Yesterday's praise of him requires renewing today... as the psalmist says, "Sing to him a new song..." Psalm 33:3 and 96:1. "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him." Psalm 98:1. "I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David." Psalm 144:9-10a.
Listen to the psalmist in Psalm 149:1-5,
"Praise the Lord.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.
Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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