TODAY IS DAY 23 JESUS BRINGS LAZARUS BACK TO LIFE
Readings John 11
Today's miracle is about the resurrection of Lazarus who used to be good friend to Jesus with Martha and Mary.
It came to pass that Lazarus fell sick at the point of death. Martha and Mary his sisters called Jesus to come and heal him but Jesus didn't come at their expected time.
As a matter of fact, Lazarus died and was buried without any confirmation from Jesus whether he would come or not.
Four days later after all hope was gone because Lazarus was buried and was already stinking, Jesus shows up to bring Lazarus back to life.
POINT 1 HOW LONG MUST I WAIT?
LET US PRAY
Father, I praise you because you never lie and never delay. I praise you because you are ever dependable and always reliable. I praise you because your silence is not your absence. I praise you because your time is always the best. I therefore pray and ask that by your Spirit you will help me to always trust you and always wait confidently on you in the name of Jesus Christ.
POINT 2 NO SHORTCUT IN THE PROCESS OF WAITING
From Scriptures, it is clear that people who chose to use shortcuts instead of waiting on God put themselves in many unnecessary troubles, sorrows and misfortunes.
- Abraham and Sara failed to wait on God for Isaac. Instead, they used their shortcut to get Ishmael who caused them so many sorrows and is still causing sorrows till date.(Read Genesis 16:1-8)
- The people of Israel failed to wait for Moses to come down from the mountain. Instead, they made for themselves a golden calf which caused massive death among the people. (Read Exodus 32)
- The king Saul failed to wait for the prophet to come to offer the sacrifice. Instead, he used shortcut and stepped into an office that was not his. As a matter of fact, he lost his kingdom until death.(Read 1 Samuel 10)
It is written in Proverbs 10:22 "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."
LET US PRAY
Father, I understand today by your Word that shortcuts create more problems than they solve. I understand today that shortcuts never bless but add sorrow upon sorrow in life. I understand today that shortcuts are more costly than waiting. I therefore pray that you grant and bless me with a calm, cool, quiet, and waiting heart so that I will never ever use again shortcuts in my life in the Name of Jesus Christ.
POINT 3 WAITING IS NOT WASTING BUT UPGRADING
Waiting will be a waste if you are idle. It will be a blessing if you take advantage of it to work on your personal growth and upgrading in some specific areas of your life.
The reason why Jesus did not come at the expected time was because he wanted to upgrade the faith of Martha, Mary and Lazarus in 3 ways :
- In their relationship with Jesus : They knew Jesus as their friend but Jesus came to reveal to them that he was more than a mere friend but was God's sent (Read John 11:11 and John 11:41-42)
- In their knowledge of Jesus' power : They knew Jesus was able to heal but Jesus came to reveal to them that he was not only the healer but the Resurrection and Life (Read John 11:25)
- In their understanding of Jesus' love : They knew Jesus as a man full of love but they never knew that Jesus' love was so deep that he could handle even the stench of a decomposing dead body buried four days ago (Read John 11:39-40)
Questions/ Are you idle? Do you work on your personal growth in the knowledge of Christ?
LET US PRAY
It is written in 2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen."
Father, I refuse to be idle and waste my waiting time. I therefore pray and I ask that by your grace you will cause me to labour so that I may grow and upgrade my relationship with you, my knowledge of your power and my understanding of your love.
POINT 4 BEFORE LAZARUS COMES OUT OF THE GRAVE THANKSGIVING MUST GO UP TO HEAVEN
Before Jesus could call forth Lazarus out of the grave, he did one thing: he thanked the Father and said, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 11:41)
Question/ Do you have a thankful heart? Are you a thankful man/woman? In the midst of the stench you go through in life, are you thankful? As you expect your Lazarus to come out of the grave, are your eyes up to the Lord for thanksgiving?
LET US PRAY
It is written in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Father, with a thankful heart I come to give thanks to you in everything you allow me to go through in my life, in my relationship, in my marriage, in my finances, in my place of work, in my children ....
POINT 5 THERE IS POWER IN THE VOICE OF GOD
It is written in John 11:43-44 "Jesus cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."
If God created everything by his Word, then everything created by God has ears. Otherwise, nothing could have come into existence.
This miracle is a clear sign that JESUS IS GOD
From Scriptures, it is clear that:
- Birds hear God (Isaiah 46:11)
- Fishes hear God (Jonas 2:10-11)
- Sea and wind hear God (Luke 8:24)
- Mountains hear God (Matthew 21:21)
- Dead hear God (John 11:43-44)
- Everything living or existing in the universe hear God (Psalm 29)
- Even bones hear God (Ezekiel 37:4)
LET US PRAY
Father, I believe your voice is powerful and full of majesty.
- Your voice can move mountain. Move this mountain on my way today.
- Your voice can bring back to life. Bring back to life this dead situation today.
- Your voice can bring to existence what has never existed before. Create a new thing in my life today.
- Your voice can speak to the fish to release Jonas. Release my Jonas today.
- Your voice can silence raging wind. Silence the storms of my life today. ..
IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST !
JESUS IS LORD !
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Pastor T.D. KASUKU K.K.
The Word Of Life Church International
Nairobi/Kenya
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