John 11 - 3.18.26

Scripture 

When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it (John 11:4)

Observation

Jesus was close friends with Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary. Lazarus fell sick when Jesus was away. His sisters sent word to Jesus. When He heard the news, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Instead of leaving immediately to see Lazarus, Jesus proceeded to stay two more days where He was, and Lazarus died of his sickness.

His sisters were obviously devastated. They must have felt betrayed that Jesus did not show up on time. But Jesus deeply cared and grieved with the sisters. The shortest verse in the Bible is recorded in this passage, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).

Four days after the death and burial, Jesus stood outside the tomb and prayed to the Father, and called the dead man by name. Lazarus walked out alive out of the tomb. Raising Lazarus from the dead, glorified Jesus as the Son of God.

Application

Sometimes our prayers are not answered at the time that we expect. Sometimes the answer we receive for our prayers is a "no.” The disappointment can be devastating.

We have to trust our God that He knows what is best for us. He is the one who has the keys of David. He is the one who not only opens the doors, but also closes the doors (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:11). When the Lord does not give us something which we desperately wanted, we need to trust our Father's wisdom. Our times are in His hands (Ps 31:15). We need to trust that He will make all things beautiful in His time (Ecc 3:11). No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless (Ps 84:11).

We need to trust that He will reveal Himself in the delay and in the answer, to His glory, because He is faithful. James exhorts us to be patient for God’s time and season in our life, like a farmer waits for the land to yield crop patiently waiting for autumn and spring rain (James 5:7).

Prayer

Father, I thank you because you love me. I thank you because my life is not my own (1 Cor 6:19), but Yours.. Help me to trust you in the valleys as much as I trust you in the mountains of my life. Help me to trust you through the disappointments of delayed answers to prayers. Thank you because nothing happens in my life without you allowing it (Lam 3:37). Nobody can have power over my life, unless it was given from above (John 19:11), as there is no authority except that which You have established (Romans 13:1). I trust you. I thank you because my life is in your hands. My times are in your hands (Ps 31:15). No good thing will you withhold from me because I walk uprightly (Ps 84:11). You will make all things work together for good for me, because I love you and I am called according to your purpose (Rom 8:28). I pray that my life will be for your glory, and that the Son of God will be glorified through my life (John 11:4). In Jesus’s name. Amen

- Asha Chacko George

Psalm 25 - 3.17.26

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm 25:4-5‍ ‍

“Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths.  Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”

OBSERVATION:  In this prayer, David reminded us that if we are to grow and mature in the Lord, we must have humility, reverence for God, and expectation of Him.

David was suffering under a great deal of stress.  His enemies were coming against him, and even his own son, Absalom, had rebelled against him!  God had already graciously forgiven David of his past sins as he wept with godly sorrow.  David had discovered God’s heart of compassion, and the forgiveness he received caused him to have a deep trust in God. 

As David remembered all that God had done for him in the past, he remembered to depend on Him once again in prayer. David kept his eyes on the Lord as he acknowledged his great need of Him. 

APPLICATION:  Have you noticed that it’s generally in our times of trouble and overwhelming stress that we recognize our need for the Lord. When we go to Him in prayer, we are showing that we depend on Him, and that we trust Him.  How important it is to pray that God will make His ways known to us, and that He will guide us and teach us His truth.

Another important thing we should pray is for God to help us WAIT!  I know, no one likes to wait, but it’s in the waiting process that God helps us to grow, mature and depend on Him.  And when our prayers are answered, our trust in Him is deepened! 

PRAYER:  Thank You Lord for turning to us, and being gracious to us when You hear our prayers.  Thank You for coming to our aid and supporting us when we feel alone, stressed out, overwhelmed, and troubled. Thank You for guarding us, delivering us, and for inviting us to take refuge in You. Even though we would rather avoid the trials, I thank You that most of our valuable spiritual lessons are learned in the midst of trials.  I thank You that You always bring us through each one! I pray we will be quick to turn to You in prayer, and that we will trust You, no matter how long we have to wait.  I’m reminded that many times the reason our prayers aren’t answered immediately is because You’re helping us to grow and mature while we wait.  And then…when You know we’re ready, our prayers are answered, as we’ve learned to put our hope in You.  Amen

- Robin Orefice

John 9 - 3.16.26

S -  John 9:5-  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

O - This scripture reminds us of the grace Jesus has for us!  Without him we see the worst views of our society and only through Him we are gifted the light He provides.  What we see in people and situations, tends to be on the negative interpretation.  The disciples and the Pharisees viewed the healing of this man as a sin, whereas Jesus saw this as a way to be the light for this man to open his eyes regardless of his parents or his sins.  This scripture purely shows our ability to have full vision and not see it unless we have a relationship with Jesus.

A -  I  will make a conscious decision to view situations for what He (God) says it is and to continually seek the light, (His words) while being in the midst of worldly darkness. Be the example of His words by staying engaged and having intent for caring for others.

P -  Lord, I pray to not let legalism creep in and create blindness.  Knowing every situation that we have should incorporate your teaching. Amen

- Brian Moen