Let Jesus be the Next Word You Speak!

 
 
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Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him. So he told Jesus, “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.”Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep.   I tell you for certain that when you were a young man, you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will hold out your hands. Then others will wrap your belt around you and lead you where you don't want to go.”  Jesus said this to tell how Peter would die and bring honor to God. Then he said to Peter, “Follow me!”

John 21:17-19

Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times, and Jesus, after His resurrection asked Peter three times if he loved Him.

How many times have you denied knowing Jesus? When I am afraid to confess the Name of Jesus because it is risky or hard and maybe even dangerous to do so, then I am like Peter denying Him!

Proclaiming your faith in Jesus when everyone applauds is of little real value. Standing before a congregation of believers and loudly proclaiming that "Jesus is Lord" can simply feed my own pride and even arrogance. But standing before the gates of Hell and confessing that I know and love Jesus Christ is where the reality of my faith is clearly seen by everyone!

Don't search for the easy place to confess that you know Jesus. Look for the place to speak His Name that is hard! Of course, it is true that proclaiming your faith in the face of those who follow Satan can cost you your life on this earth.  But refusing to confess the Name of Jesus can cost you much more than life itself!

Today, be ready for the Name of Jesus to be the next word out of your mouth at any moment. Instead of looking for a "safe and appropriate" time to speak His Name, say "Jesus" when it is not safe, and maybe even not "appropriate." For when is it ever "inappropriate" to utter the Name of the One who created you and everything that there is?

"Lord Jesus, give me the courage today to speak Your Name no matter how risky or dangerous it might be. And may You be praised forever. Amen."