INSPIRATION...
Lift Every Voice
Lift every voice in Inspiration is your opportunity to use your voice to speak healing, peace and the love of GOD into someone's life. Here you have a forum to chase away the insecurities and fears of others through your own demonstrations of the faithfulness of GOD. Write a prayer, a poem, a short story, or a motivational word.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR RESURRECTION?
In John chapter 11 of the Holy Bible, we are told about a man named Lazarus, a good friend of Jesus, who became very ill while Jesus was away. Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha sent word for him to come right away. After hearing the news, Jesus waited an additional 2 days so that the purpose of God could be fulfilled.
When He arrived at the village where the sisters were, He was accused of being too late since Lazarus had now been dead 4 days and his body was starting to decay. Martha expressed her view that had Jesus not stayed away so long, He could have saved her brother. Jesus said,“your brother will rise again,” and Martha naturally thought that He meant a future eternal resurrection. Then Jesus said: “I Am the resurrection and the life.”
Jesus’ victory over death is the most important fact in Christianity. We believe, that we are guaranteed our own rise into eternal life. However, His statement is “I Am the resurrection” today; not some time relegated in the future. What does this mean? It means that in this present life the believer receives three gifts relative to the resurrection illustrated by the story of Lazarus.
The first gift of the resurrection is life. When Jesus approached the tomb he gave instructions to have the stone rolled away. Facing the tomb He shouted “Lazarus come out!” and Lazarus came forth. God not only raises the believer from the dead but He raises you from dead situations. He imparts life where life is missing. Jesus stands outside of the tomb of our dead circumstances and calls each one of us by name. Although conditions of life may be difficult God’s grace is sufficient. There are times we notice His delay. Maybe He’s waiting for faith to grow, waiting for you to come closer, to study more, pray more, do more, rely on Him more; to build relationship with Him. Often we stay in the grave due to our double-mindedness, our wavering faith, disobedience or lack of intimacy with the Father. Remember that He says, “I Am the resurrection.” He is saying whatever is causing you pain or sorrow I have the cure . He offers the gift of a new life. Why cling to death?
The second gift of the resurrection is liberty. When Christ gave the command to come out, Lazarus stepped out of the tomb. He was bound by his hands and feet with linen strips and his face was wrapped with cloth. Although he had received life, Lazarus continued to wear garments of death. He needed to be set free. Jesus gave the order to unbind him.
How many people professing Jesus Christ as Lord, still carry around old dead lifestyles and other dead things? Jesus can unwrap whatever has been holding you hostage. He can get rid of the things that entangle you. You’ve made poor decisions and wrong choices and the result has been captivity. If you’re tired of being bound and having everything else control you, through His Word, give God control. The good news of the resurrection is:
TODAY IS THE DAY OF YOUR LIBERATION. Christ has come to release you to be all that God has created you be.
The final gift of the resurrection is love. After Lazarus’resurrection,there was opportunity for fellowship with Jesus. Spending time with the Savior reinforces His love for you and your love for Him. Intimacy brings about a new life in Christ and there’s a renewed sense of excitement, more pep in your step and the fruit of the Spirit becomes evident. We experience joy, peace, love, patience, gentleness, forgiveness, faithfulness and self-restraint in our lives all because of the One who says, “I am the resurrection.” Like Lazarus, we are resurrected for God’s purpose. Are you ready for your resurrection?
Satan is doing everything he can to delay the realization of God’s Kingdom. When we receive the restoration and renewal of a resurrected life we must demonstrate it through our interactions with other people. Jesus said look around and see that the plentiful harvest needs workers and to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Living according to God’s will, diligently seeking Him and fulfilling His purpose to save one more soul for Jesus becomes most important. We all must start somewhere.
TODAY IS YOUR RESURRECTION
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