AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Tuesday – May 18, 2021, Sivan 7, 5781
GLORIFY GOD – FOLLOW ME
Greetings dear and precious saints and non-saints and welcome back to The Three Minute Word blog. As you are well aware we are very near the end of this wonderful Book of John. Please take a moment and share this and all of these teachings as widely as possible to extend our reach of the Truth. The section of Scripture we will be tackling today is very interesting.
First let’s look at another topic, really a topic continued from last week. Is God, the Word of God, really first place in each of our lives? Or, is He and the Word first as it is convenient for our flesh (carnal nature)? Did Jesus model what putting God first looks like? Certainly, He did! Why do we think different rules apply to us? Again, is the following Scripture one to be taken very seriously and implemented in our lives to the fullness of our understanding?
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Does anyone reading this have any confusion as to what the command of the Master is? Are there times when putting Him and the Word first this will require some level of sacrifice? Will we ever sacrifice for the Kingdom without reward now and later?
Mark 10:29-30 (KJV)
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Do we practice this as Jesus did or only as it is convenient?
Matthew 12:46-50 (KJV)
46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Jesus is ministering; He is in the middle of teaching repentance and the Kingdom of God when His natural family present themselves. Is Jesus putting natural before spiritual here or spiritual before natural? What about me, what about you? Now, let’s briefly turn our attention to our primary text from the Book of John and read it aloud, yes, out loud.
John 21:18-20 (KJV)
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
According to Church history/tradition the Apostle Peter died by crucifixion. At His request he was crucified upside down believing that He was not worthy of dying in the same way as Jesus. I have seen it said that our text today foretells that death. I for one do not see that. It seems clear to me that God intended for the Apostle Peter to grow old and die a natural death in his old age just as Church history records for the Apostle John. Peter apparently short circuited that plan. Yes, we can short circuit the plans of God in our lives. We are not called to die physically for the Lord but to die to self. It shows the goodness of God, brings glory to God, when we live out the full number of our days according to Scripture. Jesus told Peter “follow me” not to a cross but by doing the works He did and the greater works. Likewise, we are to follow Jesus doing His commands and showing the glory, the goodness, of God into a very old age. Like Jesus, no man, no demon, is to take our life but when our race is run, we are to lay it down to have a triumphant entry into Heaven.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here tomorrow.
2 Chronicles 20:20 b (KJV)
20 … Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
Until our next publication, as your Bible Teacher and a Prophetic Voice in your life I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it, believe it, and speak over yourself and your family by faith in Jesus’ name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
PRAYERS AND QUESTIONS – please, anytime you have an issue that you want me, this ministry to pray for you, a person you love or a situation contact me. Accordingly, if you should have a question about the Bible, please do not hesitate to ask it.
PARTNERSHIP AND GIVING – Those of you who are not Partners of this Ministry and you find this ministry to be of value to you and perhaps others with whom you share it, we ask you to consider becoming Partners. A Partner is one who prays for the Ministry on a regular basis and contributes to the Ministry on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, annually). Thank you and may the Lord be pleased with your decision.
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
BLOG: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/awakearisetriumphministries
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PastorDavidWood
MAILING ADDRESS: 10 Village Green Circle, Oakland, Maine 04963
MY BOOKS: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org/shop/
