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Mark 1:35-39 (NKJV)
35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him.
37 When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You."
38 But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."
39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. Jesus sets the example for all believers to begin your day before the Lord in prayer and in a solitary place to avoid distractions. Every day we will deal with people (believers and non-believers) and people are a difficult job. Even when we are not dealing with people, we are dealing with some type of chaos in our lives or those around us. Even when things are going good for the moment, we know how fast things can change. No matter how good or bad things get - we need to be setting the priority of the day with our God. For in Him, we have peace, stability, love, grace, and reminder that through Jesus we have salvation. In other words, we have a lot of reasons to be before God in prayer. Letting Him love on us, reminding us that no matter what happens this day He will never leave us or forsake us. No matter who or what comes against you this day - our Heavenly Father is bigger and more powerful than any devil, storm or Goliath. Let Him remind you to be in Jesus this day and in His peace and protection. Go according to His plan and purpose for your life. Glorify Him and Share Him along your journey for the day! March 29, 2022 What does Lazarus, his sister Martha and Jesus have in common? In John 11, we read of the event concerning Lazarus, Martha, and Jesus. Jesus and His disciples were ministering else where when the message came from Martha in verse 4 "Lord, behold, he whom You loved is sick." The message meant in today's language "Lord, come quick our brother Lazarus is bad sick." We read as the event takes place that Jesus delays their departure for two more days and then returns to be with the family. When He arrives, He is met by Martha and she tells Him that Lazarus has died. She questioned Jesus "if you had only been there." In other words, my brother and your friend would not have died if you were here for you could have healed him. Martha was grieving her brother's death. She had faith as long as her brother was alive, but now her faith failed as he is dead. Yet! There stood Jesus. The great hymn comes to mind about this event that says "He was four days late, but right on time." Yes, we should all remember that in life or death our faith in Jesus must never change. Doubt is the work of the devil attempting to get you to look down at your own self, your own weaknesses and all the while you forget to look up or look within to your Savior Jesus. Even with Jesus there, Martha let her faith fail. We hear her tell Jesus "I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her "Your brother will rise again" for which she said to Him "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Lazarus is dead and in the tomb. Martha is grieving and faith is failing. Then there is Jesus! Jesus said to her "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall neer die. Do you believe this?" Martha so distraught hears Jesus' words and her faith stop sinking and begins to awaken. Can Jesus do what can't be done in this world? Can He bring my brother back to life from the dead? Jesus tells Martha to take Him to the tomb, and tells the men to roll the stone from the entrance. People gather to watch and then hear Jesus call out to the dead in the graves all around the world, but He calls out only one name. Jesus says "Lazarus, come forth." Jesus call him by name and death had to let go. So the people hear some sounds from the cave/tomb of Lazarus, and then there comes Lazarus. He is still wrapped in his death clothes like a mummy. Jesus commands that "he be loosed." Lazarus is alive and returned from the dead to his sisters. Martha is overjoyed for the return of her brother. There stands Jesus! Remember when Jesus told Martha "I am the resurrection and the life." Yes, He is!! And He proved it again a week later by His own death upon the Cross for our sins and His resurrection three days later. We sing "Up from the grave he arose." For when Jesus came out of His own tomb to the glory of God, He proved to them and us today. Jesus is alive! He is alive and all authority has been given to Him even over death. Conclusion: Today - there is you. Today - there is death. Today there is Jesus! If you do not have Jesus in your heart and life through your surrender of self to Him, then you are the walking dead. Then there is Jesus, who proved He has been all authority even over death. So the question is - do you wish to remain dead in your present life and one day awaken to God's holy judgment alone? Or, do you cry out to the one who can make you alive now and for all eternity? The only one who can free you from you sin debt and set you free for all eternity? Jesus cried out to Lazaras to come from the dead unto a new life. Jesus is calling for you today - will you hear Him and let Him save you to a new life with Him for all eternity? No one can make this choice for you. Don't hesitate for you are not promised tomorrow. There is you - there is death - there is Jesus! What will you do? |
Was it so even in the beginning? Did light and darkness divide the realm of time in the first day? Then little wonder is it if I have also changes in my circumstances from the sunshine of prosperity to the midnight of adversity. It will not always be the blaze of noon even in my soul concerns, I must expect at seasons to mourn the absence of my former joys, and seek my Beloved in the night. Nor am I alone in this, for all the Lord's beloved ones have had to sing the mingled song of judgment and of mercy, of trial and deliverance, of mourning and of delight. It is one of the arrangements of Divine providence that day and night shall not cease either in the spiritual or natural creation till we reach the land of which it is written, "there is no night there." What our heavenly Father ordains is wise and good.
What, then, my soul, is it best for thee to do? Learn first to be content with this divine order, and be willing, with Job, to receive evil from the hand of the Lord as well as good. Study next, to make the outgoings of the morning and the evening to rejoice. Praise the Lord for the sun of joy when it rises, and for the gloom of evening as it falls. There is beauty both in sunrise and sunset; sing of it, and glorify the Lord. Like the nightingale, pour forth thy notes at all hours. Believe that the night is as useful as the day. The dews of grace fall heavily in the night of sorrow. The stars of promise shine forth gloriously amid the darkness of grief. Continue thy service under all changes. If in the day thy watchword be labour, at night exchange it for watch. Every hour has its duty, do thou continue in thy calling as the Lord's servant until he shall suddenly appear in his glory. My soul, thine evening of old age and death is drawing near; dread it not, for it is part of the day; and the Lord has said, "I will cover him all the day long."