Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Let’s hear and respond to God’s new assignment!

Today’s scripture, John 21:15-17 (NLT) shared…
[15] After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. [16] Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. [17] A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

Consider…
Today’s post, and honestly this week’s theme was inspired by one of my three most closest friends. As mentioned in other posts, Ken, Tony, and Greg are my three closest friends, similar to how James, John, and Peter were Jesus’ three closest disciples.

Two weeks ago I received a text that said “Well it is official! God is forever moving in my life. Thank you Lord for always having your hand on me.”

Greg announced that he will be ordained as an associate pastor tonight, New Years Eve. To God be the glory! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Greg’s love for God was evident from the beginning of our friendship. In fact, it’s our shared love for God that connected, and still connects us.

To better understand who Greg is to me, let me share the facts that he, Ken and I were

• roommates
• groomsmen in each other’s weddings
• godfather’s to each other’s children.

…Tony came later, but feels like he’s been there from the beginning, kind of like the Apostle Paul 😉.

I am truly thankful for all three of my bro-ends (closer than brothers, better than friends). That’s because our relationships resemble Colossians 3:14-17 (NLT)…
[14] Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. [16] Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. [17] And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Yeppers, those are the iron-men that God placed in my life to sharpen me as Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) describes…
[17] As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Hopefully, you’re getting a glimpse of just how special this treasured trio of Kingdom men are in my life.

So what does all of this have to do with your new assignment?

Well, in the last three months…

• Ken received and accepted his new Ephesians 5:25-26 husband assignment.
• Tony received and accepted his new Matthew 25:20-21 job promotion assignment
• And as mentioned earlier, Greg has received and accepted his new Mark 16:15 gospel sharing assignment.

In today’s scripture, we read Jesus’ restorative new assignment to Peter. Jesus’ assignment phrasing is transformational. Recall, Peter was in all of Jesus’ monumental moments, like…

• Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8)
• Gethsemane (Mark 14:33-34)
• Resurrection of Jarius’ daughter (Mark 5:37-42)
• Church foundation and formation declaration (Matthew 16:15-19)
• Water walking (Matthew 14:28-29)

Clearly, Peter was one of Christ’s most coveted confidants. Yet, we also know that Peter also denied Christ three times. (Matthew 26:69-75)

Peter is an example that no matter how close we have been, or are with Christ, we can still let Him down. That’s because although our Spirit is willing to stay committed and connected to Christ, our flesh is weak.

The Holy Spirit just showed me Gethsemane happened right after Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him, which Peter vehemently denied.

With that backdrop, look at these verses. Matthew 26:40-41 (NLT) says…
[40] Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? [41] Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

Subliminally, Jesus was saying Peter your denial will be a failure of the flesh not a shifting of the willing Spirit.

Recall, what Jesus told Peter before foretelling the denial. Luke 22:31-32 (NLT)…
[31] “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. [32] But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

Three subtilties jump out…

• Satan asked for permission to test Peter’s FLESH
• Jesus prayed for Peter’s FAITH
• Jesus said WHEN, not if, Peter returned

This shows us that God can choose people that He knows will fail Him in the short term but will ultimately glorify and honor Him in eternity.

Someone needs to know, that Jesus knew your FLESH would fail, so He prayed that your FAITH would remain, so that WHEN you repent and return you would strengthen others for Him.

It’s with this context that we should read today’s restorative new assignment that Jesus gave to Peter.

Notice Jesus first re-established Peter’s love connection three times. First they fellowshiped over breakfast, then they had the uncomfortable conversation. There’s a lesson there too, but we will stay on point. The same way Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, Jesus made him repeat that he loved Him three times.

God wants to change the narrative of you failing Him to reminding you of your love for Him.

Also notice, that Jesus gave Peter a new assignment to demonstrate his love. The Good Shepherd told His helping hand to physically tend to His sheep.

The Holy Spirit is teaching us through this exchange with Peter , that God wants us to demonstrate our love for Him by helping others. Therefore, whatever new assignment God gives you, remember to do it as a love offering to Him, for the benefit of others.

Circling back to Greg, when I asked him how he felt about his new assignment, he shared today’s song. The song encouraged me to understand that like Peter and Greg, we may not know what the Father is doing to us, but we should embrace it because we know it will glorify Him and edify others.

WOW, yet another good resolution, to glorify God and edify others in new ways that He assigns!

Bonus thought, if we view everything as an assignment from God, we will approach our work with the goal of pleasing the One who assigned it. 🤔

Today’s Song is…
I Like It (I Don’t Know What the Father is Doing to Me)

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)