Day 34
Peter needed God’s revitalizing power in his life. Once he had declared boastfully, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away” (Matthew 26:33). Yet when things got crazy, Peter denied he even knew Jesus: “Then he began to curse and swear, ‘I do not know the man!’ and immediately a rooster crowed’” (Matthew 26:74). When the resurrected Jesus took a walk on the beach with Peter, He was asking Peter the same question He is asking each of you today, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15). Do you love Jesus more than you love anything or anyone else in your life?
LOVING JESUS
Loving Jesus is described in several different ways in the Bible. Here are a few examples…
“O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1).
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
“Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love” (Ephesians 6:24).
“and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20).
PRAY…
O God, our Father, give me and every member of our church family an all-consuming love for Your Son Jesus! You have faithfully demonstrated Your great love toward us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. Fill our hearts with deep devoted love for His saving grace, His presence with us through His Spirit, and His faithful intercession in heaven right now on our behalf. Make us radiant lovers of Your Son, I ask in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Sourced From State Convention of Baptists in Ohio | scbo.org