The Daily Dose

Give it up

If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” John 11:48

Have you ever been afraid of losing?  Losing something important or precious to you?  Losing your job or home or even a position you currently hold?  These thoughts can be daunting and even intimidating if you allow yourself to dwell on them too long.

In today’s reading, the Pharisees of Jesus’ day were afraid of losing.  They were afraid of losing their position of authority with the Hebrew people and their nation to the romans.  It seemed that even though they were under the oppressive rule of the Roman government they were happy to continue on, just as they were.  They were able to keep the Jewish people in line with their rules and policies about who could and could not come to worship or be a part of the council.  Now that Jesus was on the scene, they were afraid of losing control, not that they had it to begin with, but in their thinking, they were allowed to conduct business as usual with Roman oversite and that seemed good to them.  So good, in fact that they were willing to offer Jesus up to pay the penalty simply because He worked many signs and wonders.  Jesus came to set the people free from the sin of the world, but the religions leaders of His day could only see what was happening to them in that day. 

Sounds familiar right?  Just like many people are today, happy to live in their own little world without looking at the bigger picture.  Sure, there are a lot of opportunities to reach out and pray with others that are hurting and lost without a Savior, but that would require to step out of the comforts and safety of not doing anything and instead reaching out like Jesus did.  You can try to mind your own business and not help this hurting world, but that is not what we are called to.  Our job as the family of God is to take notice and offer help when you see that lost and dying person on your way.

The biggest problem, I believe is that people are afraid of losing. Losing time, losing money or even losing their respect and reputation. Many people and I would dare say most are afraid that if they reach out to help someone they do not even know, they will be taken advantage of or even worse looked down on by their sphere of influence because of the association with an undesirable person.

Don’t be that person that is afraid of what others will think if you open your heart to love the unlovable, Don’t worry about losing face or even recourses if you give to others. Give your love and help freely to all and when you do, no one will ever be able to take advantage of you because you were the one who decided to give first. Love the world around you like Jesus did and don’t worry about what you may be giving up. He will make sure that all you need is added to you.

Today I want to encourage you to take a look at the world around you.  Pay attention to the people who are lost and have no clue they could face eternity at any moment.  Don’t turn a blind eye when you see the depressed and anxious person in your part of the world because it may make you look uncool if you reach out.  Give up on posting your irritations and frustrations about the sinful acts that are sure to be seen in the world. Instead help them know the One who gave it all to rescue them from the deceptions of His enemy.  Pray for others with the love of God that has been put into your heart. And remember, you will never lose if you give up your pride first.

Today’s Scripture Reading: John 11:45-57

45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 

46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 

47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 

48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”

49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 

50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” 

51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 

52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

53 Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. 

54 Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.

55 And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 

56 Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that He will not come to the feast?” 

57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.

Wow! It has been a couple weeks since the “Daily Dose” has been sent out. Thank you all for your patience as I took some time to regroup and consider my heart and passion for writing. I am so thankful for the time I had to examine where I am and where I am going with all that God has called me and is calling me to. I hope you all will continue to follow and pray with me in the coming months as the Lord shows us what He is working on at this time.

Some will, some won’t

But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.  John 11:46

Can you imagine this?  If you were someone that was there the day that Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, how could you not believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah.  There were some there that day that had heard the stories, but never encountered Jesus in person.  There were some that believed in Him that day because of this great sigh.  There were those who were not sure even though they had seen some of the signs before that day, but now they truly believed.

Then there were people there that day that witnessed Lazarus getting up and walking out of a tomb, but instead of believing or even considering that they saw a miracle, they ran to the Pharisee’s to tell on Jesus.  They completely missed out on the fact that there was a great miracle done that day and conspired with the Jews to silence Jesus.  They didn’t care about the people that Jesus was helping and saving.  They only cared about putting their selves in a good position with the religious people of “power.”

It is the same way today.  There are people in our own country who come to services each week to hear about the love of God and to encounter Him in a personal way.  Every day, there are people somewhere that are receiving and growing in the Lord.  People that are hungry to have more of Him working and living in their lives, but sadly there are also those who go into services each week to see what they can find wrong with the speaker or with the overall experience.  Some would even search the internet for the latest scandal in the church or even the most current video of twisted words or an edited clip.

The point is, people are the same today as they were 2000 years ago and even since the beginning of time.  There are people that want to be rescued and there are people who truly want to know God more and seek Him diligently despite the imperfections of flawed humans that would minister.  There are also still people today that want to catch people in a mistake or especially a sin to destroy a ministry or testimony.  Our part is to be the people that love others and encourage them along in the walk with God where ever they may be at the current moment.  Even if they haven’t met Him personally yet, we are to be the ones who offer up that word and act of love to bring them closer.

Today I want to encourage you to be that child of God that is watching closely for those who are hurting and needing the love of God.  Reach out to people in your day that need a word of encouragement or a helping hand.  Be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever you are and take time for people as He demonstrated when He walked in this world.  Don’t be like the people who watched to find fault and accuse Him to the media of that day, instead be a vessel of honor fit for service in the Kingdom of God right here in the world around you. You are the one who can make a difference where you are. Ask the Holy Spirit today to fill your heart with His love and get rid of any thoughts that criticize, condemn or complain about others trying to do their part.

Today’s scripture reading: John 11:45-47

45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 

46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 

47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.

Be loosed

“And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”      John 11:44

Lazarus raised from the dead!  This is one of the last miracles Jesus did before He went to the cross. One of the reasons He did it at this timing, I believe was so that His disciples would know that death is not the end.  This was the message that Jesus was born to tell.  He came to earth and healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and cast the demons out.  All were part of His ministry and mission in the world.  He came to be the example to the New Testament believer and to unveil the new covenant God would reveal through Him. It was only a little over a week after Lazarus was raised that Jesus went to the cross to pay the debt of all sin for all time.  He entered into that covenant with God the Father in our place because we could never (in our fallen condition) fulfill the righteous requirement of that covenant.

Most people think Jesus came to earth so that He could make lost people found, or broken people whole, or sick people well.  But that just isn’t the case. He didn’t come to find lost people, He came to give life to people who were spiritually dead.  Ephesians 2:1 says, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”  Lazarus’ resurrection was the perfect picture of what Jesus was here to do.  He called Lazarus out of the grave, then He told those around Him to loose him and set him free.  That’s what He does for us when we receive His salvation.  He raises us up out of our grave of sin and corruption, then He calls the body of believers (the church) to help people get loosed from the bondage of sin.

Today I want to encourage you if you haven’t already received the resurrection life that is in Christ Jesus, answer His call today.  Run out of that grave and get yourself around others that can help get you free from the bonds that hold you.  If you have received the new life in Christ, help loose the bonds of sin of others around you.  You have been called out of your grave to help spread that resurrection life. Live your life in this world to the fullest by accepting His great love and salvation and walk out of that grave in His grace and freedom.

Today’s scripture reading:  John 11:38-44           

38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 

39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 

42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 

43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 

44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

Know God

And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me.  John 11:41-42 

There are many things God has made known to us about Himself, things that we can depend on and believe for sure about Him because He reveals them in His Word.  In today’s verse, Jesus said that His Father in heaven heard Him when He talked to Him and He knew God always heard Him.  What a wonderful thing to know that our heavenly Father hears us when we talk to Him and we can know He always hears us.  Sometimes I wonder if I am just talking to myself or is God really able to hear me when I am talking to Him?  Well, I don’t have to wonder anymore because now I know He does.  I know it because Jesus said He does.

I John 5:13 says, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”  This is a verse that I cling to for assurance of my salvation.  It says I can know that I have eternal life.  If I ever have any doubtful feelings or thoughts concerning my salvation, I always go back to this verse and remember that I can know it and I do because Jesus is my LORD!!

There are many other “knows” in God’s Word that we can learn about God.  Ephesians 5:17 says we can know God’s will, John 8:32 says we can know the truth of God, and 1 Timothy 6:17 tells us that we know God gives us richly all things to enjoy. These and many other scriptures are available to us so that we can know the character of our loving Father and also so that we can have a closer relationship with Him and believe that His Word is true.

Today I want to encourage you to begin to search out all the things God’s Word tells us that we can know about Him Start a running list and every time you discover something new that isn’t on your list, add it and think about if you already knew that about God or not.  Then put your list up against the things you think you believe and know about God and decide if you are believing God to the fullest or just in little bits.  We have a great and awesome God and Father that we often don’t think big enough of.  Today begin to know God more and keep growing and increasing in the knowledge of Him! (Colossians 1:10) Asl you do, your faith and trust in Him will grow also.

Today’s scripture reading: John 11:38-44      

38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 

39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 

42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 

43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 

44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

He feels our pain

Jesus wept.  John 11:35

I remember when I first learned about this verse when I was very young.  I was told it was the shortest verse in the bible and the easiest to memorize.  Of coursed I learned it right away but didn’t know its context or significance.  Now that I am a little older and have read it in context many times, the scripture takes on a whole new meaning to me.  At first it seemed strange to me that something seemingly so insignificant would be in the bible. First of all, I didn’t understand why He was weeping and secondly, I just thought it was because everyone does at some point in life.  Now, of course, I understand it so much more clearly as I am sure most of you do too.  Here is what I see now.

When Jesus finally got to where His friends Martha, Mary and Lazarus lived, Lazarus had already died.  Many people were at the house to comfort and mourn with his sisters.  When Jesus got close to the house, Martha went out to meet Him.  She talked to Jesus about her brother’s passing and Jesus comforted her right where she was in her faith and in her grief.  He told Martha that her brother would be raised up and gave her hope and encouragement for the future.

Then He called for Mary.  When Mary came to Him, she was clearly more distressed.  The passage says that when Jesus saw her weeping He groaned and was troubled.  His approach to comforting Mary was right where she was.  He actually felt her pain and in doing so, He began to weep.  So much so that those who were there watching made note of His weeping.  He didn’t just wipe a tear or two away, He was actually crying with Mary as He comforted her.

As I think about His compassion and the love that He had for Mary and Martha, I am encouraged to know that He loves me in the same way.  He meets me right where I am when I turn to Him with my suffering and pain or grief, He feels what I am feeling. 

Hebrews 4:15-16 says it this way: For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  He understands what we are going through on a day-to-day basis because He already went through those things.  He has already felt the hurts and pains that we will go through in our lifetime and He has already seen the extent of damage those traumas can cause.  So He comforts us when we go to Him.  In fact, the passage in Hebrews says we should go boldly to Him just like Martha and Mary did.  They didn’t crawl out to Him in shame and condemnation, they ran to Him for answers and resolution to their problem.  He was there for them even though they had to wait for a couple days for Him to show up.  He met them, He mourned with them and then He comforted them.  After that, He brought life into the situation and new hope.

Today I want to encourage you that He will do the same for us in whatever we are facing right now.  Let us go boldly to His throne in our times of trouble and even in our times of peace.  Stay close to Him and let His throne be the first place you run to when problems come.  Don’t try to fix it on your own and don’t try to go through everything alone.  Run to Jesus with your prayers with your concerns and even with your tears.  Even if it takes a day or two, He will show up and He will meet you there and pick you up. He will walk with you through your pain and heal all the broken pieces along the way.  The result will be new life in the situation and hope for a great future.

Today’s scripture reading: John 11:28-37

28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” 

29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 

30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 

31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”

32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 

34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”

35 Jesus wept. 

36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”

God calls the foolish

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  1 Corinthians 1:20

Twenty years ago, God put writing in my heart.  I tried a little at that time, but it was the opposite of good.  Now, I write a daily message of encouragement.  I enjoy it very much, but I have no training and had no childhood dreams of writing.  I have no aspiration to be a bestselling author and I don’t expect to become a well-known novelist.  I do, however, have dreams of helping and encouraging others.  My heart is to see people avoid traps I have fallen into.  My mission is to lead as many people as possible that I can influence to discover their life of significance and purpose.  I’m starting late in life, and I hope some will answer their call much earlier through this mission.

Here’s the point:  God calls me to write at this point in my life, so I do.  There are many who are more qualified and many more available.  Some use their gift of writing to become well known and famous, never considering using their God given ability for the Kingdom of God.  Others consider it, but put it off until a later time because of much more pressing issues in their day-to-day living.  There are only a few who will take the time to answer the invitation God is calling them to right now.  Here’s the thing:  God doesn’t always call the qualified, but He does always qualify the called!  It is more about being willing to answer that call.

Today’s text says that God had makes the wisdom of the world into foolishness and that the world sees God’s wisdom as foolishness.  So here’s the question for you:  what is in your heart to do?  What have you been putting off?  What ideas do you dismiss and find to be foolish to pursue because it is beyond you?  Each one of us have something, something we can do right now that will lead to the next open door.  It doesn’t matter if you are educated in that area or not, God will get you there if He has put it inside of you.  The solution is to submit that idea and desire to the LORD and let Him lead you through the process.

Today I want to encourage you to set time aside to do the things that God has put in your heart that He is prompting you toward.  Maybe it is writing, maybe it’s speaking and teaching.  It could be some form of art or coaching.  Or maybe it is reaching out to the next generation.  Whatever it is, surrender it to your Father today.  He will guide you and equip you to complete the things He has put in your heart, and He will take you through the doors required to be effective in your calling.  “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-27

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Resurrection Life

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. John 11:25

Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha were friends of Jesus.  It seems that they had been friends for many years.  When Lazarus became ill, his sisters sent word to Jesus.  I’m sure they had heard of the miraculous healings that He had been doing and thought for sure He would rush to them to heal Lazarus before it was too late.  Within a few short days, Lazarus died, and Jesus still hadn’t come to help them.  Not only were the girls disappointed, but they were also now without hope.   They were pretty sure that it was too late for Jesus to do anything but comfort them if and when He did come.  Finally, Jesus got there and Martha ran out to meet Him.  She seems to be a bit accusatory in saying: if you had been here our brother would still be alive, but then she softened her tone to make the request if there is anything that can be done, even now, please do it.

This is when Jesus says this famous verse that is used most of the time without the rest of the story.  He told Martha, “I am the resurrections and the life.  If anyone believes in Me, though he may die, he will live.”

It is true that Jesus is the resurrection and the life and anyone who believes in Him will have eternal life beyond this world.  When we are born into this world, we have physical life, but we are spiritually dead.  Jesus came to give us life on the inside.  Spiritual life.  When Jesus said I am the resurrection and life, He was talking to the people of that day, but He was also talking to all people since that day.  Jesus didn’t come to find and save lost people; He came to raise up dead ones.  We were dead, but we receive resurrection life when we believed in Him.  Now we are alive!  Even though one day we will die and leave this world, our spirit will live for all eternity with Him at His Home and ours.  Glory to God!

Today I want to encourage you to receive His resurrection life!  If you have never invited Jesus into your life to receive spiritual life through Him, do that today.  You can invite Him in by simply opening your heart’s door and asking Him to come in and occupy the throne of your life.  Pray this prayer today, from your heart and Jesus will come in and save you.  You will be raised up from your dead sinful ways.  Make Jesus your Lord and Savior and you will never be separated from Him again.

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: John 11:17-27

17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 

18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 

19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 

21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 

22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 

26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Focus on the purpose

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. John 11:9

Have you ever worried about something bad happening before it actually does?  How about being fearful for future events, but then when the time came you found out there was never anything to be afraid of?  I sure have, many times.  Times like when I was going on a trip or starting a new job.  Of course, there were times when my concerns were a little more intense when family was going through a trial and I wasn’t sure how things were going to turn out.

In today’s reading, Jesus’ disciples were concerned about going to Bethany where Jesus’ friends lived because the last time they were there, the Jews wanted to stone Jesus.  The disciples were nervous for Jesus’ life, and also for their own.  Jesus, of course had the perfect answer for them and talked about the light of day being better than the darkness (which I’m still not sure I understand).  He doesn’t really explain his analogy, but He does tell them, we need to go to do something good and not worry about what could happen when we get there.  The disciples did concede and go with Jesus despite their fears and concerns.

The answer Jesus gave to His disciples on that day is the same He would give to us today.  When the opportunity comes to go help someone in need, especially when it is friends or family, we should not be worried about what bad things could happen.  When keeping your eyes and prayer on the reason for going, you will eliminate the fear of why you shouldn’t go.  When Jesus and His disciples showed up in Bethany, there is never a mention about the fears that they had ahead of time.  Their focus was turned to the great work and miracle that Jesus went there to do.

Today I want to encourage you in whatever you do in life not to worry about what could happen in the future.  Walk step by step with the Holy Spirit and He will lead you to the right place at the right time.   Even if you have to wait for a bit before going to help someone in need, He will get you there at just the right time to do His great works.  Don’t let yourself imagine what might happen if you don’t get there in time or who might be upset with you. Instead, focus on the purpose you are going and pray for His grace and power to flow through you along the way and when you get there.

Today’s scripture reading: John 11: 8-16

8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 

10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 

11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 

13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.

14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 

15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

For God’s glory

When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:4

Recently, the entire world came out of a pandemic.  It was a terrible disease and sadly, many people died from it.  As individuals, everyone did what they could to not contract the disease.  We washed our hands frequently, wore face masks and maintained a recommended distance from other people.  Still, many got it just the same.  After the first two years, our guard was let down and even though the plague was still out there, a lot less people died.   Then last year, I went away on a trip to a convention where I was around a lot of people and flew in an airplane.  When I got back home, you guessed it . . . I came down with the symptoms and because of my work, I had to test to determine that I was indeed infected.  My head hurt and I was tired, but my symptoms were mild.  Most of all I was annoyed that I could not live life as I normally did.  By the 3^rd day, I was feeling pretty bad.  I had a big weekend coming and had a lot to do to get ready for it.  I had asked the Lord to heal my body, but had felt no relief up to that point.  So when I got up that morning, my body hurt like it had never hurt before.  Every joint and muscle was so sore like I had been beaten up the day before.  I was only up a short while when I told my husband. I have to go lay back down.  When I did, I called out to God again.  This time, I did not ask for healing though, I asked for strength.  I said, “Holy Spirit, please give me the strength I need today to get the things done that I need to do.”  I felt myself slipping back into sleep and in that very instant, I felt pain leaving my body.  I literally felt it leave.  It was like strength came back to every connection point inside of me.  I sat up and felt completely normal with not pain or symptom left.  I am convinced it was a miracle!

In today’s reading, Jesus’ good friend, Lazarus was sick.  When Jesus heard about it, He emphatically said “that sickness was not unto death, but for the glory of God.”  He followed that statement by clarifying that it was not the sickness that was for God’s glory, but that through the work that Jesus was going to do, God would receive all the glory.  That is exactly what happened.  It didn’t look good for Lazarus, and even when it looked like all hope was lost, God still showed up and did a miracle.  Lazarus was not only healed, but he was also raised from the dead.  Glory to God!

What if we began to approach every set back, sickness and struggle with the mentality that this circumstance is not here to kill me, but it is here so that God can be glorified through my life and through my victory?  What if we made a conscience effort to recognize that God is on our side and is going to bring me through to victory what ever we are facing so that He is seen by the world and glorified through our life?  It would, at minimum empower us to view problems in a new light and give hope each time we face something that He is going to bring us through it for His glory.

Today, I want to encourage you that if you are going through a fight in your life right now that you call out to your Father in heaven.  Just as Lazarus’ sisters called for Jesus to come and heal him up, call out to Him for hope and help.  It may not come immediately.  Even Jesus waited for two days before He started traveling to the family at Bethany, but He did go to them, and He will come to rescue you, too.  Call on Him today and let God be given the glory for every victory you experience in your day to day living.

Today’s scripture reading: John 11:1-7

1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 

2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 

3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 

6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 

7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”

Enriched in everything

“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were ENRICHED in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,”  1 Corinthians 1:4-7

Have you ever felt like you were being ineffective in your witness for Christ Jesus?  Have you ever been in a position that no matter what you thought to say just didn’t seem like it would be enough to bring someone to the truth of God’s love?  What about the feeling of not being gifted enough to touch and influence the lives around you?  

According to the key verse today, God’s grace on you will enrich your life in the areas of speaking, knowing and being gifted to share His message of salvation and reveal Jesus to those around you.  My favorite part of this passage is the word “enriched”.  For some reason every time I hear the word enriched, I think of enriching uranium.  I know it’s an extremely random and strange thought, but my understanding of enriching uranium in the context of nuclear power is to bring it to its fullest strength or potential.  The process is taking something from a useless or inactive state and bringing it to a useful form to its greatest potency.  So, to be enriched in all utterance (speech) and knowledge in Him would be to increase to full strength or our greatest effectiveness.

It is not only God’s grace that produces this enrichment in your life.  If you continue reading the following verses, you will find that coming into agreement in speech and getting rid of contention with those you fellowship and worship with brings this enrichment of a greater speaking ability and knowledge of God’s goodness.  It also brings your gifts together with others to grow them to their greatest fruitfulness in God’s kingdom progress. 

Well, in the process of enriching uranium, components are added to develop uranium to become an armor-penetrating weapon.  The passage we are reading today is talking about how God’s people are one body and that we cannot function properly or powerfully without each other.  Therefore, adding God’s gifts to His body of believers and agreeing with each other, we become an armor-penetrating weapon to defeat the enemy and rescue the wounded.

Today I want to encourage you to begin enriching your speech and knowledge of God by adding God’s grace and His goodness to your everyday activity.  Start by receiving His grace so that you are not lacking in any gift needed to be a blessing to others.  Ask God to make plain the opportunities in front of you to use the gifts He has given you.  Then, position yourself in the body of Christ to do your part so that God’s work can be brought to its fullest potential.  In doing this you will accomplish your life’s mission.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 1:4-17

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,

5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,

6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,

7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.

12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,

15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.

16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other.

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.