Receiving the love

It's been a while! All is well, there is much to do before I leave in August and now I'm at 85% of my monthly support =) Thank you L.ord! (By the way, I've been back from Mexico for a while now) In the midst of all the prepping I have learned much... since I last considered John 21 a few months ago I just can't stop thinking about it... I know it needs to linger there for quite a while if the H.ly Sp1r1t keeps bringing it to my mind so let me tell you about it since studies show that when you teach about it/talk about it one retains the material better =)

In this chapter Je5u5 asks Peter if he loves Him three times and in front of all his buddies! This is all after Peter denied Je5u5 three times in chapter 18. How horrible Peter must have felt after that horrible night! What a wound!

Well, Peter had been chosen to become a great leader for the early ch.rch and he needed some restoration before the great task at hand and that's what takes place in John 21. I can see it play out, Je5u5 with his beautiful loving intentions and Peter with his soul in the gutter. So He asked him three times if he loves Him more than these (the other disciples). The first time, Je5u5 uses the highest form of love, agapao, to ask the question. Peter responds yes using the lesser word for love, a lesser love: phileo. By the third time Je5u5 asks he uses phileo instead of agapao as he previously used... "do you phileo me..."

Why would He do that? Peter obviously knew that he couldn't love as well as he thought he could after that night (he’s not perfect), regardless Je5u5 accepted that phileo love, that lesser love. He just wants our love, no matter how small, weak, and imperfect it might be, He wants it and takes whatever you can give! Come as you are to Him! He does the heart surgery needed with His perfect love… Je5u5 took the time to restore, redeem, confirm and honor Peter. He is so kind. You all remember what happened with Peter after that?! Check out the book of Acts and beyond =) Go.d is good. His way is perfect!

Then the H.ol.y Sp1r1t brought something to my attention: Are you accepting other people's love for you regardless of the imperfection of their love? Wow, I had to think about that... how many times have I just expected others to just change before I can meet them where they are? Before I can receive/accept their love? Yep, He's been doing some heart surgery for a while now. And I thank Him for His truth and the living Word that transforms!

*** I thank the Lord for using BSF to open up more of my understanding....