Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Repetition, Repetition, Repetition



“So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, ‘Do you love Me more than these?’  He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’  He said to him, ‘Tend My lambs.’

“He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’  He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’  He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’

“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’  Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’  And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’  Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’

“’Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished, but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.’  Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.” John 21:15-18

You may not realise this, but there are no superlatives in the Bible, because the language did not accommodate this form of speech.  Superlatives, to remind you are adjectives or adverbs that exaggerate to express an extreme or unsurpassed level of extent of something. 

To express how important something is, the Bible uses repetition.  For example, when you see, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you’ that is important to note.  When you see, ‘Truly, truly, truly, I say to you’, it means pay attention because what I’m about to share with you is very, very, very important. 

Jesus used this way of teaching to ensure people would remember something important.  In fact, we continue to use repetition today in designing learning experiences to help make a lesson ‘sticky’ and memorable. 

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who still prays for you each morning.  Darlene

PS: Please send your prayer updates.  Find my statement of faith by clicking or cut and paste this link into your Web browser:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com   You can find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for “WeakDay Devotion.”  (Also, there is a “Google Blogger” App you can download to read them on your phone.)

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
·        Pray for any new strangers in your church – Easter brings individuals into the church who need a warm and encouraging welcome.  Please pray for courage and love.
·        Paul –Has not had paying work since 2010.  Please pray for his ongoing resilience and that the Lord would allow him to be successful with a role.  I know the Lord is watching over him because of your prayers.  Most of all, pray his heart melts enough for the Truth to touch him where it hurts.  Pray for my wisdom and patience as he continues to stay here.
·        USA – that the Lord would demonstrate His power in an unexpected and uniting way during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone.
·        Sergio – lost his job and is now looking again.  He was recently diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes.  Was living with his brother, but has been asked to move out, leaving him homeless.  
·        Toron – finishing his high school studies needs your prayers for continued strength, focus and confidence, especially with maths.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

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