DO YOU LOVE ME?

(Recipe: Dilly Zucchini Dip)

As I contemplated what to write this week, several different Scriptures crossed my mind. I was most challenged by the following thought.

In John 21:15-19, Jesus asks Peter three questions. What was Jesus really asking Peter, and why would he need to ask what seemed to be the same question three different times? May I offer these suggestions to you?

1. Jesus asked Peter in John 21:15 - “Simon, son of John, do you LOVE me more than these?” This was a personal question. Jesus was testing Peter to see inside his heart. How great was his love to Jesus. He loved his friends, but what about Jesus? Jesus was looking for full devotion from Peter. He wanted the full extent of his love. He wanted Peter to love him more than anything or anyone else. How deep is your love for Jesus? Do you love him more than anything or anyone else in your life?

2. Jesus asked again in verse 16 - “Simon son of John, do you truly love ME?” Peter, how deep is your love to me? Will you step out of your comfort zone for me? Are you willing to die for me? Will you fight for me?” If Jesus asked us this question, how deep is our love for Jesus? To what extent are we willing to give our all for Jesus because we deeply love Him? Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone for the sake of telling others about Jesus?

3. Once more Jesus looks at Peter and asks - “Simon son of John, do YOU love me?” Peter, am I the most important person in your life? If you had no one else, would I be enough? Do you love me enough to trust me to lead you? I know how the other disciples feel about me, but what about you Peter? How do you really feel about me? I long for your love, Peter."

If Jesus were to ask us this question, how would we answer? Is Jesus all we need in life? If he were my only friend in this life, would that be enough? Even when things are not going as I want them to go, am I willing to trust the leadership of Jesus in my life? Am I willing to follow even when things don’t make sense, just because I love Jesus?

Peter’s answer to these questions was simply, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus’ response to Peter was this, “Feed My Sheep. Go, Peter – win lost sheep to me. That is my request. Feed them. Pray with them. Tell them how they can find complete satisfaction in knowing me. Give your life for the sheep. Step out of your comfort zone and tell others about me. Then I will know that you truly love me.”

Jesus asks this of us as well. “Child of God, if you love Me, feed My Sheep. Win the lost to me. Follow me, no matter where I might lead you, or to whom. Be willing to give your life for others if it will mean they will come to know Me. Prove to me now much you love me.”

1 John 3:16 tells us, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (NIV)

THE MESSAGE says it this way, “This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves.”

Do you love Jesus? Feed His Sheep.

Dilly Zucchini Dip

1 cup finely shredded zucchini, squeezed dry

1 cup (4 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

¾ cup mayonnaise

½ cup chopped walnuts

1 tsp. lemon juice

½ tsp. dill weed

¼ tsp. pepper

Assorted vegetables

In a bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled. Serve with vegetables. Makes 2 cups.

SHOUT TO THE LORD!

(Recipe: Apricot-Pineapple Jell-O Salad)

“Way to go!! Come on guys, one more out!!” The pitch was thrown, a swing, and miss, and just like that the ballgame was over. Hands were lifted high. Cheers were heard. Laughter was mounting, and a team was jumping. Oh what fun to be on the winning team.

This was my experience this week as I enjoyed watching my 12-year old grandson play in a baseball tournament. I thought nothing of yelling and screaming and giving high-fives each time these guys won their game, and they won four in two days.

I thought about this on the way home from the tournament. All the screaming and yelling that went on for a bunch of boys running bases and catching balls. No matter what the sporting event, fans go crazy with their cheering and yelling as their favorite team ends up being the victor. Why don’t we show this much enthusiasm as we worship the King of Kings? Why don’t we do a little cheering and shouting because our King has been victorious? I wonder what would happen if we “fans” would begin a victors chant during a worship service? After all, isn’t Jesus worth getting excited about? He was victorious over death and the grave. He was victorious over sin. I have eternal life because of Him. A little bit of enthusiasm please!!!!

Scripture commands that we do a little shouting – yet we do not. To “shout” means – “loud cry: a loud call or cry.” Listen to what these verses in Scripture tell us.

Psalm 47:1- Come, everyone! Clap your hands!

Shout to God with joyful praise!

Ps 95:1 - Come, let us sing to the Lord!

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Ps 98:4 - Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

When was the last time you heard jubilant shouting to God? When was the last time you heard people break into clapping as they applauded God? Doesn’t happen very often, and yet it should. I must admit, this morning in worship I heard a very loud and excited “amen” during the preaching – twice!!! I wanted to shout right along with them – yet I didn’t.

I have been challenged to rethink my enthusiasm. If I can get excited over a meaningless baseball game and not be embarrassed to yell and cheer for the winning team, and lift my hands high in victory, why shouldn’t I yell and cheer with excitement knowing I serve a victorious Savior. I should. We should. God help us to be able to add a little more enthusiasm to our worship of the King of Kings.

APRICOT-PINEAPPLE JELL-O SALAD

1 6-oz. box Apricot or Orange Jell-O

2 cups boiling water

1 20-oz. can DRAINED crushed pineapple (reserve juice)

1 8-oz. cream cheese

1 15-oz. can apricots, drained and chop apricots

½ cup walnuts

1 8-oz. tub Cool Whip

Dissolve Jell-o in boiling water. Add drained pineapple to Jell-o. Set aside.

Beat cream cheese and pineapple juice until smooth. Stir into Jell-o.

Chill partially. Stir several times as it is setting.

Stir in apricots and nuts. Fold in Cool Whip. Pour into a 13 x 9 pan. Sprinkle with additional chopped nuts (if desired). Chill until set.