Thursday, December 1, 2011

Bible Scripture Reading for Thursday 1 December 2011

Today's Blog Title: "Life Is Assured In Jesus"
Today's Scripture Reading: John 11:1-57
Today's Key Verse: John 11:25-26 "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?"

Jesus was very close to a family living in Bethany, near Jerusalem.  When Lazarus became sick, his sisters (Mary and Martha) sent an urgent message to Jesus.  Its easy to pray when we or a loved one first becomes sick.  We believe firmly that Jesus does love us.  The problem comes when there seem to be no response from God.  We will see in this chapter that the events reported not only display Christ's power, but helps us realize how to deal with those painful delays in answers to prayer that trouble us so often.

When Jesus gets the new about Lazarus He delays two more days at where He was at. God's purpose of this delay was to Glorify His Son, and to cause the disciples to grow.  Had Jesus immediately rushed to Lazarus's bedside and healed Him, Lazarus would not have died and Jesus would not have been able to manifest His glory by raising Lazarus.  God's timing to accomplish His purpose is perfect.  The disciples were skeptical.  In their minds, for Jesus to go to Judea would mean death.

When Jesus arrived Lazarus was dead.  Jesus spoke to the sisters of Himself as the "Resurrection and the Life," a reality they acknowledged that would happen in their brothers future resurrection, but Jesus intended to raise Him now.   Jesus was not glad that Lazarus was dead.  He was glad for the opportunity the disciples would soon see an amazing miracle.  The disciples had already believed, but each new trail offered an opportunity for there faith to grow. 

In verse 25, "He wept", is the shortest verse in the Bible, and is one of the most important.  Wept simply means "shed tears".  Jesus did not weep in hopeless grief like the others.  He knew what He was about to do , but His compassion for the pain of Mary and Martha moved Him to tears.  we as Christians need to realize that if Jesus delays His answering our prayers, its not because He's unconcerned.  He shares our suffering and our pain.  He wept's both for us and with us.

Jesus had the stone rolled away from the front of the tomb.  Martha says to Jesus, that there will be a smell since He has been dead for four days, but Jesus tells her, "Did I not tell you that if you believe you would see the glory of God?"  Jesus calls out in a loud voice, "Lazarus come forth".  Lazarus comes out of the grave and Jesus tell them to unbind him and let him go.  The loud cry of Jesus was either the result of strong emotion or that the multitude might hear.  It is interesting to point out that if Jesus had not called Lazarus by name when He commanded him to come forth, all the graves would have emptied at His command.  Raising Lazarus from the dead is the seventh sign of Jesus' messiahship, the greatest miracle of all, giving life back to the dead. 

This story is one of the most moving of Gospel stories about Jesus, for it showed the depth of affection and trust that existed between Him and His Friends.  Never make the mistake of limiting Jesus power to act in your present.  Neither time, nor apparent impossibility can restrict our Lord's ability to meet our deepest needs.

Today's Hymn: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

Hark! The heard angels sing, "Glory to the new born King, peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful all Ye nations rise, join the triumph in the skies; with the angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new born King!"

Heaven Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, how wonderful that we as Christians serve the Resurrection and the Life.  How we are thankful for Your compassion and undying love for us Your children.  Thank you Jesus that You are the Resurrection for our loved ones who have died in You and that you are the Life for those who believe and have not yet died.  May we as Christians get the message out that in order to have this eternal life, one must place his or her faith and trust in Jesus. who is the Christ, the Son of God, who came into this world to bring eternal life to those who believe.
                                                                                                          Amen
"Today's Biblical Truth: "Christ is the resurrection for those who believe and are physically dead."

Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Today's Bible Verse from Ephesians 6:12.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today.  Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pray also for God's Blessings on the Nation of Israel.  Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T",  GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN".

"Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty." Psalm 104:1

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi 

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