Larry Lilly's Journal When You Have Returned to Me Vol 19 Issue 9/17
Captain John Scott with Joyce & Larry
When You Have Returned to Me.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
32 "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, GK pote epistrepsas A.T. Robertson), strengthen your brethren." (Bolding mine).
33 But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."
34 Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me." (NKJV)
With emphasis on verse 32B. Jesus made a promise to his faithful disciples of a grand place in the coming Kingdom of Christ. This privilege involves close fellowship around the table of the Inner Circle with Him in Glory. He directs a word of comfort to Peter which is phenomenal though Peter failed to grasp the full import. What Jesus said to Peter should give great comfort to those of us who at some point act un-saintly.
Jesus assured Peter that Satan would desire to defeat him, note that Satan had to ask for permission to do this! Learn that your trials must cross God’s desk first as in the case of Job! Also, that you are being prayed for by Jesus Christ! Jesus told three truths to Peter, thus showing He is omniscient, all knowing, and loves despite His knowledge of our weakness. The old song No Not One, has it, “Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide till the day is done. There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, No not one! No, not one.”
Not only is Jesus foretelling Peter’s weakness, thus giving ample assurance that He loves Peter and us. That His love transcends our human conception of love, which is wholly performance based. Peter’s weakness and thus ours, does not relegate us to the back room, but our place at the table is reserved for us, a place of familial fellowship and service upon our return!
Notice Peter’s threefold denial of “knowing Him” is addressed. This immediately following Peter’s adamant statement that he would go with Him even unto prison and death. Peter meant this vociferous claim at the time made, but when the “sifting came” he waffled. Four times.
Following Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, Peter is found in the upper room, when Jesus appeared and all seems well in Peter’s life. A few verses later Peter is again agitated, sifted, and he announces he is returning to fishing for fish instead of men. In the thinking of many, it’s over for Peter! Yet Christ so designed his schedule that Peter would have the meeting on the seashore so graphically described in John 21: Three times Christ gently leads Peter to understand that the life of true servants of His must be captivated with the kind of love that Jesus has for them and that they (we) must have as we follow Him.
Notice in John 21:15-17 that Jesus Christ restores Peter with the phrases concerning “providing care for the sheep of Christ.” Feed my sheep is the completion of Peter’s restoration. Exactly as Jesus had said in Luke 22:32, “When you have returned to me, strengthen your brethren.”
Over the years I have been amazed at how like Peter, people, including me, are. Full of concrete resolution one minute and shortly afterward, our courageous spirit takes flight and we become cowards, afraid of the worldly consequences of faith. We tell ourselves that the situation demands a very quiet/silent faith, in effect standing along with Peter by the fire in Pilate’s Judgement Hall.
As to Peter’s restoration consider that he was used greatly in “strengthening his brethren” as demonstrated in his magnificent sermon Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost. His insightful statement in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than man.” His courage in the face of prison and death imparted boldness to his brethren.
In addition, Peter’s restoration brought a higher level than just the promise in Luke 22. Peter became the Key person in reaching the Gentiles. Dr. John McCormick often taught the passage in Hebrews 2:5-18, the key being vs 5, “As the brethren of Christ, we who are now as rulers with Christ, simply means He, bypassed angels to lift us higher.”
The wonders of so great salvation are so fantastic that Peter writes in 1Peter 1:12, “To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into.”
Peter and all who know Jesus are known of Him, and He is not ashamed to call us His brethren, Hebrews 2:11 “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,” We should never be ashamed of ones whom Jesus Christ calls little brother, even if little brother demonstrates a terrible weakness as did Peter.
On more than one occasion I have looked to heaven and my despair vanished when heaven via God’s word, whispered, I know little brother, I am praying for you as I did for Peter!
Remember the words of the angel to the disciples at the empty tomb: Mark 16:7 "But go, tell His disciples--and Peter--that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." Even in Peter’s time of despair, Jesus was concerned about him. LML.
****
In all the little things of life,
Thyself, Lord, may I see;
In little and great alike
Reveal Thy love to me.
So shall my undivided life
To Thee, my God be given;
And all this earthly course below
Be one dear path to heaven. Horatio Bonar.
“Thankfulness brings us closer to God.”
Mrs. Margaret Leighton, Carrnforth, UK.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
32 "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, GK pote epistrepsas A.T. Robertson), strengthen your brethren." (Bolding mine).
33 But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."
34 Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me." (NKJV)
With emphasis on verse 32B. Jesus made a promise to his faithful disciples of a grand place in the coming Kingdom of Christ. This privilege involves close fellowship around the table of the Inner Circle with Him in Glory. He directs a word of comfort to Peter which is phenomenal though Peter failed to grasp the full import. What Jesus said to Peter should give great comfort to those of us who at some point act un-saintly.
Jesus assured Peter that Satan would desire to defeat him, note that Satan had to ask for permission to do this! Learn that your trials must cross God’s desk first as in the case of Job! Also, that you are being prayed for by Jesus Christ! Jesus told three truths to Peter, thus showing He is omniscient, all knowing, and loves despite His knowledge of our weakness. The old song No Not One, has it, “Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide till the day is done. There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, No not one! No, not one.”
Not only is Jesus foretelling Peter’s weakness, thus giving ample assurance that He loves Peter and us. That His love transcends our human conception of love, which is wholly performance based. Peter’s weakness and thus ours, does not relegate us to the back room, but our place at the table is reserved for us, a place of familial fellowship and service upon our return!
Notice Peter’s threefold denial of “knowing Him” is addressed. This immediately following Peter’s adamant statement that he would go with Him even unto prison and death. Peter meant this vociferous claim at the time made, but when the “sifting came” he waffled. Four times.
Following Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, Peter is found in the upper room, when Jesus appeared and all seems well in Peter’s life. A few verses later Peter is again agitated, sifted, and he announces he is returning to fishing for fish instead of men. In the thinking of many, it’s over for Peter! Yet Christ so designed his schedule that Peter would have the meeting on the seashore so graphically described in John 21: Three times Christ gently leads Peter to understand that the life of true servants of His must be captivated with the kind of love that Jesus has for them and that they (we) must have as we follow Him.
Notice in John 21:15-17 that Jesus Christ restores Peter with the phrases concerning “providing care for the sheep of Christ.” Feed my sheep is the completion of Peter’s restoration. Exactly as Jesus had said in Luke 22:32, “When you have returned to me, strengthen your brethren.”
Over the years I have been amazed at how like Peter, people, including me, are. Full of concrete resolution one minute and shortly afterward, our courageous spirit takes flight and we become cowards, afraid of the worldly consequences of faith. We tell ourselves that the situation demands a very quiet/silent faith, in effect standing along with Peter by the fire in Pilate’s Judgement Hall.
As to Peter’s restoration consider that he was used greatly in “strengthening his brethren” as demonstrated in his magnificent sermon Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost. His insightful statement in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than man.” His courage in the face of prison and death imparted boldness to his brethren.
In addition, Peter’s restoration brought a higher level than just the promise in Luke 22. Peter became the Key person in reaching the Gentiles. Dr. John McCormick often taught the passage in Hebrews 2:5-18, the key being vs 5, “As the brethren of Christ, we who are now as rulers with Christ, simply means He, bypassed angels to lift us higher.”
The wonders of so great salvation are so fantastic that Peter writes in 1Peter 1:12, “To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into.”
Peter and all who know Jesus are known of Him, and He is not ashamed to call us His brethren, Hebrews 2:11 “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,” We should never be ashamed of ones whom Jesus Christ calls little brother, even if little brother demonstrates a terrible weakness as did Peter.
On more than one occasion I have looked to heaven and my despair vanished when heaven via God’s word, whispered, I know little brother, I am praying for you as I did for Peter!
Remember the words of the angel to the disciples at the empty tomb: Mark 16:7 "But go, tell His disciples--and Peter--that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." Even in Peter’s time of despair, Jesus was concerned about him. LML.
****
In all the little things of life,
Thyself, Lord, may I see;
In little and great alike
Reveal Thy love to me.
So shall my undivided life
To Thee, my God be given;
And all this earthly course below
Be one dear path to heaven. Horatio Bonar.
“Thankfulness brings us closer to God.”
Mrs. Margaret Leighton, Carrnforth, UK.
The Book Worm's Corner Comments From Helpful Books Joyce Lilly
Joyce and Eva Kor, Holocaust Survivor
Close to The Flame A Passion For The Holy Spirit. Charles R. Swindoll. Word Publishing, 13 Chp, 270 pgs.
As the title suggests Chuck’s book, published in 1993 is textbook 101 treatise on the necessity and joy of walking with Jesus via the Holy Spirit. Larry was so absorbed with this book that he read it in less one day. He learned to speed read when JFK was President. As usual by the time I got to read it, just about every page had a turned down corner!
Chapter Two is titled, The Main Agenda of God’s Spirit: Transformation. If chapter one was the only chapter in the book, it would be worth whatever the cost. Note this statement on page 44 concerning Pentecost: “This experience completely revolutionized their lives. Those who had been troubled and fearful no longer struggled with those feelings. The once frightened, unsure, confused, timid men never again evidenced such inadequacies. From that time on they were bold in faith and confidant in their God. They were transformed.”
Room will not permit all the “worth quoting” material in one chapter, let alone the entire book. While not a novel Chuck has a page turner with this patiently worked out book.
Chapter Three is titled, “My sin…and The Things of the Spirit.” WOW!
Chapter Eight is great: “The Spirit and Our Emotions.” Double WOW!
Chapter Ten is tremendous: A Biblical Case For Healing. Sane, Balanced and Biblically Correct thoughts.
Chapter Thirteen : “Is That All There is To The Spirit’s Ministry.” You will laugh, and, yes, you will also need a hanky. Get a copy, read this book. JDL TgB
As the title suggests Chuck’s book, published in 1993 is textbook 101 treatise on the necessity and joy of walking with Jesus via the Holy Spirit. Larry was so absorbed with this book that he read it in less one day. He learned to speed read when JFK was President. As usual by the time I got to read it, just about every page had a turned down corner!
Chapter Two is titled, The Main Agenda of God’s Spirit: Transformation. If chapter one was the only chapter in the book, it would be worth whatever the cost. Note this statement on page 44 concerning Pentecost: “This experience completely revolutionized their lives. Those who had been troubled and fearful no longer struggled with those feelings. The once frightened, unsure, confused, timid men never again evidenced such inadequacies. From that time on they were bold in faith and confidant in their God. They were transformed.”
Room will not permit all the “worth quoting” material in one chapter, let alone the entire book. While not a novel Chuck has a page turner with this patiently worked out book.
Chapter Three is titled, “My sin…and The Things of the Spirit.” WOW!
Chapter Eight is great: “The Spirit and Our Emotions.” Double WOW!
Chapter Ten is tremendous: A Biblical Case For Healing. Sane, Balanced and Biblically Correct thoughts.
Chapter Thirteen : “Is That All There is To The Spirit’s Ministry.” You will laugh, and, yes, you will also need a hanky. Get a copy, read this book. JDL TgB
Letters & Comments
Dear Dr. Lilly,
Thank you for your kind words in your Journal. I pray that the Lord gives you a lot of “extra credit.” Among the pages of your life are blessings where me and mine. Barb and I send our love to you and Joyce. The church is doing well even though the attendance has been bouncing around with all the summer vacations. When the travelers return from their trips, we once again see them sitting in their regular spots. There are times when I pray for the church family that I will go from pew to pew. In my mind I see them there and thank God for our faithful church family. It is a privilege to pastor such faithful folks. I also pray for the places in the pews that are waiting for a visitor to find them, hopefully to added to the faithful number.
Editor’s Note: This note from Pastor Alan Farmer, pastor of a small rural church in Indiana moved my heart to a deeper thankfulness for the way Jesus weaves people into our life as well walk along the Journey. Alan and his wife of many years have been a blessing to me since they were teenagers. They are faithful in all meanings of the word. LML
Letter from another world:
Dear Brother Lilly,
Good News! My clemency hearing has been set! Please join me in prayer: For unprecedented favor with the parole board; and for our governor to grant me clemency.
Beloved, I cannot wait to become reconnected with family and society, as well as to become a part of some local church. I cannot wait to share! Prison, by necessity limits sharing as you know.
But, anyway, I cannot wait to make a major impact for Christ’s glory and honor. Over the last 21 years, God has been investing in and preparing me for His use, and the days are coming! I look forward to spending some time with you when I get out.
Peace and Love, C.M.
Jeremiah 32:27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”
Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”
Editor’s Note: Be sure that this Brother who came to Jesus while in prison, and now has theological degrees from State and Evangelical colleges and is on fire for Christ. I have known him for most of the time he has been prison, (21 years). He is a work of Amazing Grace. LML.
The pulse of prayer is praise.
The Heart of prayer is gratitude.
The voice of prayer is obedience
The Arm of prayer is service.
William Arthur Ward
“God never put anyone in a place too small to grow in!” Henrietta Mears.
Thank you for your kind words in your Journal. I pray that the Lord gives you a lot of “extra credit.” Among the pages of your life are blessings where me and mine. Barb and I send our love to you and Joyce. The church is doing well even though the attendance has been bouncing around with all the summer vacations. When the travelers return from their trips, we once again see them sitting in their regular spots. There are times when I pray for the church family that I will go from pew to pew. In my mind I see them there and thank God for our faithful church family. It is a privilege to pastor such faithful folks. I also pray for the places in the pews that are waiting for a visitor to find them, hopefully to added to the faithful number.
Editor’s Note: This note from Pastor Alan Farmer, pastor of a small rural church in Indiana moved my heart to a deeper thankfulness for the way Jesus weaves people into our life as well walk along the Journey. Alan and his wife of many years have been a blessing to me since they were teenagers. They are faithful in all meanings of the word. LML
Letter from another world:
Dear Brother Lilly,
Good News! My clemency hearing has been set! Please join me in prayer: For unprecedented favor with the parole board; and for our governor to grant me clemency.
Beloved, I cannot wait to become reconnected with family and society, as well as to become a part of some local church. I cannot wait to share! Prison, by necessity limits sharing as you know.
But, anyway, I cannot wait to make a major impact for Christ’s glory and honor. Over the last 21 years, God has been investing in and preparing me for His use, and the days are coming! I look forward to spending some time with you when I get out.
Peace and Love, C.M.
Jeremiah 32:27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”
Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”
Editor’s Note: Be sure that this Brother who came to Jesus while in prison, and now has theological degrees from State and Evangelical colleges and is on fire for Christ. I have known him for most of the time he has been prison, (21 years). He is a work of Amazing Grace. LML.
The pulse of prayer is praise.
The Heart of prayer is gratitude.
The voice of prayer is obedience
The Arm of prayer is service.
William Arthur Ward
“God never put anyone in a place too small to grow in!” Henrietta Mears.
Loved and Forgiven! Pastor Jim Scudder Jr.
Dr. Jim Scudder Jr.
Today's Devotional is by Jim Scudder Jr.
Jim Scudder Jr. is the senior pastor of the Quentin Road Bible Baptist Church, president of Dayspring Bible College, and host of In Grace TV and radio.
Loved and Forgiven July 18, 2017
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Curled up in the fetal position on the floor of a dirty, roach-infested prison, Rusty was awaiting execution as punishment for the woman he had murdered. He had been abused his entire life and had sought refuge in subway stations and public bathrooms. No one had ever seemed to care about Rusty...until Bob came along. Once the deputy chief of staff for the governor of South Carolina, Bob had been born again and had become a man with a heart for inmates. Although Bob would talk to Rusty every day, all he received was a blank stare. Day after day, Bob would share that Jesus loved Rusty and that He could have new life. Little by little, Rusty began to open up until one day he began to weep. That day, he decided to place his trust in Christ. When Bob returned to his cell the next day, he found a new man who was clean and had a cleaned cell.
Bob continued to visit Rusty regularly and pray with him. In fact, the two men became so close that Rusty began to call him "Pop." Rusty knew he had God's forgiveness but now also desired forgiveness from the family of the woman he had murdered. Thankfully, God had already done a work in that woman's family. Her brother had gotten saved and wrote a letter to Rusty offering him his forgiveness. Not long after, he and his wife came in to meet Rusty, and they embraced each other as family.
When the day came for Rusty's execution, Rusty asked for Pop to come in and read to him from the Bible. After listening for an hour, Rusty sat up from his cot and said, "All I have ever wanted was a home, and now I am going to get one." Although Rusty was executed shortly after, God had given him a new life the moment he put his faith in Jesus Christ, and immediately after his execution, Rusty entered His eternal home.
Consider for a moment how Rusty's life would have ended had Bob not been willing to reach out to him. There are countless people in this world like Rusty who feel unlovable. Rather than ignoring them, we need to understand that they matter to our Heavenly Father just as much as we do; they desperately need His love and forgiveness. No soul is without value in Heaven. Ask today for the Lord to place someone in your life who needs to hear of His love and mercy. Like Bob, you too can show an unlovable soul what it is to be loved and forgiven for the very first time.
You may sign up for Pastor Scudder’s free daily devotional here https://www.victoryingrace.org/media/devotionals-2
Jim Scudder Jr. is the senior pastor of the Quentin Road Bible Baptist Church, president of Dayspring Bible College, and host of In Grace TV and radio.
Loved and Forgiven July 18, 2017
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Curled up in the fetal position on the floor of a dirty, roach-infested prison, Rusty was awaiting execution as punishment for the woman he had murdered. He had been abused his entire life and had sought refuge in subway stations and public bathrooms. No one had ever seemed to care about Rusty...until Bob came along. Once the deputy chief of staff for the governor of South Carolina, Bob had been born again and had become a man with a heart for inmates. Although Bob would talk to Rusty every day, all he received was a blank stare. Day after day, Bob would share that Jesus loved Rusty and that He could have new life. Little by little, Rusty began to open up until one day he began to weep. That day, he decided to place his trust in Christ. When Bob returned to his cell the next day, he found a new man who was clean and had a cleaned cell.
Bob continued to visit Rusty regularly and pray with him. In fact, the two men became so close that Rusty began to call him "Pop." Rusty knew he had God's forgiveness but now also desired forgiveness from the family of the woman he had murdered. Thankfully, God had already done a work in that woman's family. Her brother had gotten saved and wrote a letter to Rusty offering him his forgiveness. Not long after, he and his wife came in to meet Rusty, and they embraced each other as family.
When the day came for Rusty's execution, Rusty asked for Pop to come in and read to him from the Bible. After listening for an hour, Rusty sat up from his cot and said, "All I have ever wanted was a home, and now I am going to get one." Although Rusty was executed shortly after, God had given him a new life the moment he put his faith in Jesus Christ, and immediately after his execution, Rusty entered His eternal home.
Consider for a moment how Rusty's life would have ended had Bob not been willing to reach out to him. There are countless people in this world like Rusty who feel unlovable. Rather than ignoring them, we need to understand that they matter to our Heavenly Father just as much as we do; they desperately need His love and forgiveness. No soul is without value in Heaven. Ask today for the Lord to place someone in your life who needs to hear of His love and mercy. Like Bob, you too can show an unlovable soul what it is to be loved and forgiven for the very first time.
You may sign up for Pastor Scudder’s free daily devotional here https://www.victoryingrace.org/media/devotionals-2
Friendly Reminder
If this ministry has blessed you, consider supporting our work online and in prisons. Thank you for your prayers and gifts! Together, we are making a difference for the work of Jesus Christ to the hurting people in this world.
You may send your offering to the address to the left of this block.
The Journal ministries are a work of faith and we trust the Lord each month to supply the financial needs as He moves His people to help. LML
If this ministry has blessed you, consider supporting our work online and in prisons. Thank you for your prayers and gifts! Together, we are making a difference for the work of Jesus Christ to the hurting people in this world.
You may send your offering to the address to the left of this block.
The Journal ministries are a work of faith and we trust the Lord each month to supply the financial needs as He moves His people to help. LML