Devotionals by Stuart and Jill Briscoe
After breakfast Jesus said to 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. - John 21:15
Peter left his beloved blue, blue Sea of Galilee, his nets, his fish, and all that was dear to follow Jesus. But Peter left something more important than all of these things—his spirit of competition!
When he and Andrew had been business partners with the sons of Zebedee, there had always been a sense of competitiveness. James and John and old Zebedee had managed to do better than Peter and Andrew, but Peter knew fishing. What’s more, he had the physique. Look who pulled the net ashore with 153 fishes in it (John 21:11)!
But Jesus asked Peter for that competitive nature on the seashore. Breakfast had been eaten and Jesus asked, “Do you love me more than these [the other disciples]?” Peter had been sure he loved the Lord more than all the other disciples put together. Why, he had even told the Lord so in front of them! But after three denials, he had to humbly admit he had not beaten the others to it, in the matter of loving!
If we are to shepherd the Lord’s sheep together, there is no room for a spirit of competitiveness—the sort of spirit that says I am more loving or more capable than others. We need to cooperate in brotherly love if the sheep are to be fed. Do you need to give your competitive nature to Jesus?
For Further Study: John 21:1-15
Excerpted from The One Year Devotions for Women, Copyright ©2000 by Jill Briscoe. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
For more from Jill Briscoe, please visit TellingtheTruth.org.
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About Telling the Truth
Telling the Truth is an international broadcast and internet ministry that brings God's Word into the lives of people all over the world. Stuart and Jill Briscoe are the featured Bible teachers, encouraging and challenging listeners to study the Word of God and be drawn closer to Christ. Gifted with wisdom, discernment, and a bit of English humor, the Briscoe's bring God's Word to life. With distinctly different teaching styles, you'll be moved by the emotional appeal of Jill and the compelling logic of Stuart, as they boldly proclaim God's sovereignty, grace, and love.
About Stuart and Jill Briscoe
Stuart Briscoe was born in the north of England in 1930. After leaving school he embarked on a banking career, served in the Royal Marines during the Korean War, and at 17 years of age preached his first sermon. Stuart ministered on every continent, wrote more than 40 books, pastored a church for 30 years, and founded the media ministry Telling the Truth, which broadcasts daily worldwide. He was married to Jill for more than 59 years and had three children and 13 grandchildren. In August 2022, Stuart passed on to his heavenly home, but his legacy of witty, timeless teaching lives on through Telling the Truth.
Jill Briscoe was born in Liverpool England in 1935. Educated at Cambridge, she taught school for a number of years before marrying Stuart and raising their three children. In addition to sharing with her husband in ministry with Torchbearers and in pastoring a church in the United States for 30 years, Jill has written more than 40 books, traveled on every continent teaching and encouraging, served on the boards of Christianity Today and World Relief, and founded Just Between Us, a Christian magazine for women. Jill can be heard regularly on the worldwide media ministry called Telling the Truth. She is proud to be called “Nana” by 13 grandchildren.
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