John 11:1-45
There are times in life when we have a Lazarus experience.Situations come into our lives that don't look like they're going to turn out okay.We run and tell Jesus,like we should,but instead of Him coming right away to take care of the problem,He waits until it seems like it is too late.God always handles our situations in the way that will bring Him glory and be best for all involved.
The disciples didn't understand this.They thought Jesus stayed away in order to protect Himself from the Jews.However,the Jews couldn't touch Jesus until it was His time and He let them.
Martha and Mary didn't understand this either.They felt like God had forsaken them by coming,after their brother was already dead.Indeed this looked like the end until the resurrection at the last day.However,they didn't really grasp who Jesus is,that He is the resurrection.
Many times we're like the disciples,Martha and Mary.We claim to be God's followers,but then when our circumstances seem to have died-beyond hope,at least in this life-,we feel like God has forsaken us and we don't see Him for who He is.Some people,sadly,have quit believing in God when this happens.They disbelieve right when they need to believe the most,and as a result,miss out on seeing the glory of God.Just think if Martha had gone on disbelieving,Lazarus might still be in the ground.But because she had the faith to let them roll the stone away,God was able to restore life to Lazarus.
So many times we bury and roll the stone over the grave of our Lazarus experiences,when we have lost all hope and esp.disbelieve.God doesn't want our Lazarus experiences to be buried.Instead He wants to bring life to them.However,we have to keep believing in God and holding on to the hope found in Him,even if our Lazarus is dead.God will restore life to every Lazarus in our life in His perfect timing and way.
"Be strong and of good courage,do not fear nor be afraid of them;for the LORD your God,He is the One who goes with you.He will not leave you nor forsake you."Deuteronomy 31:6
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,to those who are the called according to His purpose."Romans 8:28
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Remember and Repent
2 Peter 3:1-18
Peter ends his second epistle with an exhortation to remember.So many times we as a people forget,whether by accident or on purpose.I've often wondered at times how we as a nation have wandered so far away from God.Can't we remember all the good God has done for us? What did He do to fail us and cause us to treat Him like He and His followers are the enemy?God loves us.All that I can think of that has come from Him has been good.So why are so many people against Him?
Peter gives the answer to these questions in verses 3-6.We are so carried away with our lusts-what we want that is wrong-that we willfully forget about God,His Word,goodness,and past judgments and punishments on sin.To remember Him and these things will convict us,make us realize we need to repent and change our ways.Most people don't want to feel conviction.Another thing they don't want-I think as much as they don't want conviction-is having to truly repent-not just saying they are sorry,but allowing God to change them and their ways.
Though the question I wonder about is,Is it worth it to forget? In this passage,Peter gives a description of the judgment and punshment that is to come for the ungodly and the earth.Other places in Scripture also describe this judgment and punishment.It's going to be worse than anything you or I ever experienced on earth.Though I think the worse part will be separated from God for all eternity.No more chances to remember and repent.God loves all of us so much that He doesn't want to see that happen.That's why he is being so longsuffering toward us.He wants all of us to come to repentance.However,it is our choice.All that He could do He has done.It is up to us to remember and repent.
Though it is not just the sinner and backslider that needs to do some remembering,but also we as Christians.God may not convict us and show us that we need to repent too,but by remembering we are able to be stedfast and not led away with the error of the wicked.
"Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,before the difficult days come,and the years draw near when you say,"I have no pleasure in them."
"Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,and the spirit will return to God who gave it."
Ecclesiastes 12:1,7
Peter ends his second epistle with an exhortation to remember.So many times we as a people forget,whether by accident or on purpose.I've often wondered at times how we as a nation have wandered so far away from God.Can't we remember all the good God has done for us? What did He do to fail us and cause us to treat Him like He and His followers are the enemy?God loves us.All that I can think of that has come from Him has been good.So why are so many people against Him?
Peter gives the answer to these questions in verses 3-6.We are so carried away with our lusts-what we want that is wrong-that we willfully forget about God,His Word,goodness,and past judgments and punishments on sin.To remember Him and these things will convict us,make us realize we need to repent and change our ways.Most people don't want to feel conviction.Another thing they don't want-I think as much as they don't want conviction-is having to truly repent-not just saying they are sorry,but allowing God to change them and their ways.
Though the question I wonder about is,Is it worth it to forget? In this passage,Peter gives a description of the judgment and punshment that is to come for the ungodly and the earth.Other places in Scripture also describe this judgment and punishment.It's going to be worse than anything you or I ever experienced on earth.Though I think the worse part will be separated from God for all eternity.No more chances to remember and repent.God loves all of us so much that He doesn't want to see that happen.That's why he is being so longsuffering toward us.He wants all of us to come to repentance.However,it is our choice.All that He could do He has done.It is up to us to remember and repent.
Though it is not just the sinner and backslider that needs to do some remembering,but also we as Christians.God may not convict us and show us that we need to repent too,but by remembering we are able to be stedfast and not led away with the error of the wicked.
"Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,before the difficult days come,and the years draw near when you say,"I have no pleasure in them."
"Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,and the spirit will return to God who gave it."
Ecclesiastes 12:1,7
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