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Day 11: John 11/Psalm 24
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Saturday March 6, 2004
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Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And Lazarus came out,
bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told
them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
John 11:43-44 (New Living Translation)
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Bringing
Hope to Life
These are the final verses of the amazing story of Jesus raising Lazarus
from the dead. In all versions of this story, there is simply a “space”
between verses 43 and 44. We read this story and it flows quickly from
“Lazarus, come out!” to “And Lazarus came out...” But for the mourners
gathered around the tomb, that “space” would have been immense. They
had already begun mourning. They had already begun the process of
accepting the loss of their friend and brother. However, in that brief
moment between verses 43 and 44, while they stared at the darkness of
the cave, they were billowing with something they had already let go
of… hope. Could Jesus really be that powerful? Could he really do
something that everyone knew was impossible? Then the darkness of the
cave was disrupted. And Lazarus came out.
False hope is the
expectation that “chance” will alter what seems to be impossible. Real
hope is trusting in the promises and the power of Christ to alter what
seems to be impossible. Have you given up on reconciling your
relationship with a friend? With a family member? Have you given up on
the possibility of having a vibrant, trusting marriage? Have you given
up on your desire to be a powerful agent of change for His Kingdom?
Look one more time into the darkness of the cave. Give Jesus a chance
to bring life into something that you believe is dead. Allow Jesus to
bring real hope back to life.
Today’s
prayer:
Father,
I trust in your power. I trust in your ability to do that which I think
is impossible. I invite you to revitalize my hope in relationships and
situations that you still plan to redeem.
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Memory Verse of the Week:
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6 (New International Version)
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For a complete listing
of all the previous devotionals in this "50 Day Experience," click here.
To read the chapter or psalm of the day online, click on one of the
following links:
o
John
11
o
Psalm
24
Allan Fuller, fuller@cincyvineyard.com,
Director of Celebration at VCC
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