Christianity Oasis Forum

by **Godzchild** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:45 am

Lesson one: Jesus knows how you feel. At Lazarus' funeral, 'Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"' (John 11:35-36). This story proves we serve a God who can not only raise the dead, but can 'sympathise with us' (Hebrews 4:15). So if you're grieving today turn to God and allow Him to comfort you.

[b]Lesson two: Jesus can give you back what life's taken from you. He can 'restore to you the years' that life has stolen (See Joel 2:25). Claim that promise; take it to the place where you've lost so much, and ask God to replace and renew. Martha said, 'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You' (John 11:21-22). Instead of saying 'if only,' pray 'even now I know.' It's not too late, God can move on your behalf.

Lesson three: Jesus can set you free. 'He cried...'Lazarus, come forth!' And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes...Jesus said...'Loose him, and let him go'' (John 11:43-44). God's Word is greater than the thing that has bound, limited or enslaved you. Even though your mind doesn't fully comprehend it, let your spirit respond to God.

Pray with the Psalmist, 'Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it' (Psalm 119:34-35). When you pray such a prayer your faith will grow, and the circumstances that seem impossible will be changed by God.
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by **Godzchild** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:35 pm

"'That the Son of God may be glorified through it.'"
John 11:4
Here are three more lessons from Lazarus:

1) God has a bigger and better plan in mind. Lazarus was four days dead when Jesus arrived. When the Lord waits, it's for two reasons: a) That He may be glorified. The Pharisees believed that your spirit left your corpse on the fourth day after you died. So if Jesus had intervened earlier they'd have said, 'He wasn't really dead.' Hence He told His disciples, 'This sickness is ...for the glory of God' (John 11:4). It's in looking back that we clearly see God's hand at work b) That our faith may be strengthened. Jesus said, 'I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe' (John 11:15).

In life, crises come and go. Your next crisis will be different from your last one, but the thing that must remain strong is your faith.

2) God will ask you to remove the hindrances and deal with the stench. 'Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.' Martha...said to Him, 'Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days'' (John 11:38-39). Are you praying for an answer in one area, while God's telling you to take away the stone and deal with a 'stench' buried in another? Surrender, you can't win! When your heart's right with God your prayers will be answered.

3) God wants to make you a living testimony. Everywhere Lazarus went, without even speaking a word, his life declared that Jesus is Lord. And the same should be true of you. God has saved and raised you up to be a testimony to His grace and goodness.