"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME?

"
by Charlyne Steinkamp

Friday, April 26, 2019

"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said,

"We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but

that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood

on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He

called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they

answered.

He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will

find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in

because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus

loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard

him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him

(for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other

disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they

were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they

landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and

some bread. John 21:3-9

Jesus has risen. He has appeared now a third time to His disciples

by the sea of Tiberias. Simon Peter told several disciples that he

was going out to fish, not that he was forsaking his commitment to

Christ, but fishing was a necessity for these men as they still had

to provide food for their families. Unfortunately, they caught

nothing after fishing all night.

Can you imagine how defeated the disciples must have felt after

not catching any fish? Jesus told them to throw their net on the

right side of the boat. These were experienced fishermen and a

stranger had the boldness to tell them to throw their net on the

right side of the boat, saying, "You will find some." But there was

something about this man…it was Jesus! Do you remember this is

how Jesus called Simon Peter, James and John, the sons of

Zebedee, as His disciples three years before? Luke 5:1-11

Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was

full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the

disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.

Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same

with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his

disciples after he was raised from the dead. John 21:10-14

Stop right now and ask the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes

and soften your heart to receive His message for you personally

today.

 The disciples obeyed their Lord. Look at how the Lord

blessed them for their obedience. May you learn that your

life would be so much easier if you will ask the Holy Spirit

daily to be with you, guiding you, directing your every step,

showing you which way to go. Seek the Lord for His wisdom,

knowledge, understanding and discernment.

If you are having a bad time right now, you need to ask the Holy

Spirit to keep you on the right path every day, knowing that the

Lord is right there beside you. Talk to the Lord throughout your

day. Do you recognize or hear the soft voice of the Lord when He

is speaking to you? Just listen!

  How much do you really love the Lord? I ask that today,

because I believe that your Lord is asking you today, "Do you

truly love me? Never give up on your marriage! Stand firm in

the Word and proclaim My truths and stand up for the

sanctity of marriage wherever you are."

What would your answer be? What would you do? Today, examine

your heart if you are willing to love and obey your Lord in spite of

your present marriage circumstances!

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon

son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he

said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again

Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He

answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take

care of my sheep." 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." John 21:15-17

  Do you think it was a coincidence that Jesus asked Peter

three times, "Do you truly love me?" Remember, Peter had

denied knowing Jesus three times before He was crucified,

so Jesus was questioning Peter's commitment and devotion.

There are two Greek words for "love" used in the above scripture.

The first "agapao" means an intelligent and purposeful love,

primarily of mind and will. It is an unselfish love, ready to serve.

The second, "phileo," involves warm personal affection of the

emotions, a feeling of love, tender affection.

 Here was Jesus asking him, "Do you truly love me more than

these?" Have you ever rejected or denied your Lord? You may

be thinking, "I would never disown my Lord!" I believe that

you and I have disowned our Lord more times than we want to

admit.

I disowned my Lord, when I did not go to Him asking Him for His

divine intervention with my marriage problems. I went to everyone

else asking for their opinions and advice. I then did what they said,

instead of seeking my Lord's perfect will.

  Are you listening to the Holy Spirit today? Is He asking you,

"How much do you love me?" I know that your Lord God wants

you to love Him more than your spouse, your children, your

grandchildren, your career, money, possessions and

restoration of your marriage.

God is a jealous God. The Lord wants to be first in your life. He

wants you to grow in the Lord, radiating the power of the Holy

Spirit in your life. The Lord wants to heal you of your wounded,

bleeding, broken heart.

 "Do you truly love me?" Is your love conditional upon what you

want the Lord to do for you? What is your answer? Think

about it and pray, asking the Lord to reveal the truth about

your own heart.

 Will you start "feeding other sheep" around you who need to

hear the Lord's message of love, hope, salvation, deliverance

and marriage restoration? The Lord will equip you each day

for what He wants you to do. Will you allow the Lord to use

you today in spite of what is happening in your marriage or in

your spouse's life?

Allow the Holy Spirit to heal and restore your life today. You don't

have to wait for your spouse to come home to begin. Follow the

Lord and serve Him now!

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon

son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he

said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." John

21:15

God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you! You

are loved! Now go share God's amazing love every day to others

around you!

God bless,

Charlyne Steinkamp