LAZARUS
Today’s Reading: John 11
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
These are tombs of the sons of Hezir found in the Kidron Valley between the Mount of Olives and the Old City walls of Jerusalem. Hezir was one of the priests in the time of King David listed in 1 Chronicles 24:15.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live…”
It’s natural to fear death as it remains filled with the unknown. Nevertheless, we can say with Job, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25). People everywhere are filled with despair when they contemplate their death because they think of it as the final reality. Jesus exploded that myth and opened the doors for us to see the triumph, the joy, the celebration that is ours through believing in Him. This is the message that our dying world needs to hear. To move forward into the Church and to discover where we come into the resurrection picture, please read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, thank You for weeping over the loss of Lazarus. You are there for me when I mourn. Please give me grace to live with the secure knowledge that I need not fear death. Please enable me to weep with those who weep, bringing to all the comfort with which I am comforted. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve spoken the words of our key verse at many graves. Without fail, I think on those occasions, “This could be the moment of Christ’s return,” as is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. After Norma-Jean and I sold her birthplace farm, we wanted to take all of our children and grandchildren to visit my family roots. To do this, we rented a bus (it had the seats around the sides rather than behind each other). What a great time of family fellowship we had as we visited significant sites from my childhood. One stop we made was at the cemetery in the little village of Elgin, Ontario, where we visited the graves of my ancestors on my father’s side, right back to my great-great-grandmother. Of course, I had stories about them all. Then I did something which shocked my children and grandchildren. You may think this was morbid, but I wanted to make the point that we need not fear death. I laid down on the spot where, if Jesus does not come first, my body will be buried. I could not help but notice some shocked looks on faces around me. Then, those looks gave way to laughter. We rejoiced in our faith that this will not be my final state. Norma-Jean’s plot is beside mine. She informed everyone that she believes Jesus will return before she needs it. She made it clear that she does not intend to use that plot! She often says, “I’m looking for the ‘upper-taker,’ not the undertaker!”
Yours for life in this world and in the world to come,
David
I have/had a close friend who ‘s ill is /was a christian died , and saw Lee 20yrs ago
I heard this in church Sunday pray for me I don’t know why all these feelings in me
are coming up now
I like Norma Jean is looking for the upper taker.
Have a blessed day all.
Thank you all for your prayers for my daughter, husband and myself.
The insurance have come up in their offer, and we are waiting more information before deciding if we will accept or not.
It is so good to have prayers, thank you again. God Bless you all. Mary
Read your blog and links and now it seems a mystery but someday faith will be sight and it will be glorious. Lord, help us to keep our eyes on the goal of eternal life with Jesus. Amen. Enjoy your family stories David; thank you for sharing with us. Praying for you Mary Stewart that God will intervene for you and your daughter and come into agreement with Sah’s prayer for you. God bless you saints!
Amen Norma Jean I like that too that we are looking for the upper Taker and not the Undertaker thank you very much Norma Jean for that comment God bless you
Amen Marilyn…I too read all the scriptures…what an encouragement!!! I too am looking for the “upperttaker” and not the “undertaker” . Always appreciate your personal stories David, thank you!
Good to hear your insurance came through Mary, I pray it is the right amount needed.
As always, your photo is so vivid and intricate; thank you Reynold!
Looking forward to your appearance tomorrow on 100 Huntley with Lorna Dueck.
Shalom,
Graham.
Hello fellow bloggers, I would appreciate any prayers from you. I am now receiving once a week chemotherapy for cancer. The problem is the side effects especially the fatigue lasts most of the week and then I am back at it. Any encouragement would be appreciated.
I am also looking forward to David’s appearance on Huntley Street tomorrow.
Amen
we are praying for you Pam, we pray God will remove all the cancer cells from your body, you will be completely healed!
Please post your prayer tomorrow also!
a suggestion: perhaps try and find others in the same situation and maybe you can meet once a week, or every 2 weeks and talk about your treatments, encourage one another, if you have a church please let them know and ask for their prayers also…….
here is something that may sound corny, however, mix together some all spice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, (about a teaspoon of each spice) and put it in your coffee, or on ice cream, it is called the Pumpkin Spice! It tastes good, it’s a warm spice, give it a try, can’t hurt, keep believing in the healing power of God! Do not give up! Remember that God has said He will never leave us nor forsake us!
Tons of hugs going your way! Please post tomorrow also, and keep us posted, God loves you unconditionaly……
Amen
Like Norma-Jean’s comment about not needing a plot, waiting for the “Upper taker” and not the “Under taker” – Amen!!!
Food for Thought? Many years ago, our Spiritual leader, questioned us as to why we thought Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus when He, Jesus, knew He was just about to resurrect Lazarus…our leader told us that Jesus wept because of the unbelief of the people around there…which makes perfect sense, because Jesus was even scolded…”if you had been here…” yet he waited 4 more days before going to Lazarus’ tomb…I believe it grieved Jesus’ heart of their unbelief that indeed He is the Resurrection and the Life…Lord, help our unbelief…