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DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Tuesday, August 27, 2019
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May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥
Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Author unknown)
Today’s scripture reading:
[When we need extraordinary help, He offers extraordinary resources.]
As their brother grew very sick, Mary and Martha turned to Jesus for help. They believed in His ability to help because they had seen His miracles. We, too, know of Jesus’ miracles, both from Scripture and through changed lives we have seen. When we need extraordinary help, Jesus offers extraordinary resources. We should not hesitate to ask Him for assistance. (NLT)
John 11:1-15 – A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. This is the Mary who poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, the one you love is very sick.”
But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God. I, the Son of God, will receive glory from this.” Although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days and did not go to them. Finally after two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”
But his disciples objected. “Teacher,” they said, “only a few days ago the Jewish leaders in Judea were trying to kill you. Are you going there again?”
Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. As long as it is light, people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. Only at night is there danger of stumbling because there is no light.” Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”
The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, that means he is getting better!” They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was having a good night’s rest, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.
Then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And for your sake, I am glad I wasn’t there, because this will give you another opportunity to believe in me. Come, let’s go see him.”
Quoted verse: Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” — John 11:40 (NIV)
“Story” – Tola Babalola (Lagos, Nigeria) titled her story “GOD CARES;” here is a portion of Tola’s story:
“I had been crying out to God asking for a particular door to open for me, and when the door did not open I grew depressed and doubtful. I began to feel that God did not care about me.
“I wonder if Mary and Martha felt the same way in today’s reading. . . . However, as soon as Jesus got the message that Lazarus was sick, he already had a plan for good, even though things seemed to be getting worse.
“This passage of scripture reminds me that God also loves me, hears me when I call out, and is ready with an answer. God is able to fulfill the purpose for my life in God’s own time. All I am required to do is to keep believing.”
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY – Even when a door has closed, God is with me.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for working all things to your glory. When life seems out of control, help us to trust you. We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.
Prayer Focus: THOSE WHO FEEL GOD ISN’T LISTENING
To read the rest of the story in The Upper Room, click on the following link: http://devotional.upperroom.org/
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