Do you believe in Jesus’ ability to raise the dead?

 29 May 26

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One


Readings:

1 Chronicles 26

1 Chronicles 27

John 11:18-46


Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again” (John 11:23).


Do you believe in Jesus’ ability to raise the dead?


Job suffers much. Yet he trusts in God’s ability to raise the dead. He shares, “And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:26). Mary also believes in the future resurrection of the dead; however, Jesus has an immediate resurrection in mind. He assures 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 never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). Friend, do you believe this? Moreover, Paul stresses the importance of the saints’ resurrection. Based upon this truth, he pens, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).


Employment Point: Believe on Jesus’ promise and power to raise the dead.

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Reflections

The number of men that was assigned as gate keepers, treasurers are quite a huge number. Even for the army division, there was enough to rotate one division of 24,000 men to take care of one month once a year. But because David wanted to count, the Lord’s wrath burned against Israel.


It seems to be telling us that David should have trusted the Lord to provide and His promise. There was in fact no need to count his people. It was as if he did not believe that there will enough for assignment.


“So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭41‬-‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  • we should know that our Father always hear us, just like how Jesus said the Father always hear him. Do we have the confidence that it is truly so?


Nobody has the power to raise the dead accept the Lord. Whatever other gods in the world, they say the same thing. Just do good and be good and you will receive what you reap. But here in Christ Jesus, we already know that we are all sinners and just by our works alone cannot save us-that is the judgement where we will have to face eternal fire if we are not saved. Or eternal life that we don’t have to face death anymore.

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Untroubled Relationships 

BY OSWALD CHAMBERS

May 29


In a that day you will ask in My name…for the Father Himself loves you… —John 16:26-27


“In that day you will ask in My name…,” that is, in My nature. Not “You will use My name as some magic word,” but— “You will be so intimate with Me that you will be one with Me.” “That day” is not a day in the next life, but a day meant for here and now. “…for the Father Himself loves you…”— the Father’s love is evidence that our union with Jesus is complete and absolute. Our Lord does not mean that our lives will be free from external difficulties and uncertainties, but that just as He knew the Father’s heart and mind, we too can be lifted by Him into heavenly places through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that He can reveal the teachings of God to us.


“…whatever you ask the Father in My name…” (John 16:23). “That day” is a day of peace and an untroubled relationship between God and His saint. Just as Jesus stood unblemished and pure in the presence of His Father, we too by the mighty power and effectiveness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit can be lifted into that relationship— “…that they may be one just as We are one…” (John 17:22).


“…He will give you” (John 16:23). Jesus said that because of His name God will recognize and respond to our prayers. What a great challenge and invitation— to pray in His name! Through the resurrection and ascension power of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit He has sent, we can be lifted into such a relationship. Once in that wonderful position, having been placed there by Jesus Christ, we can pray to God in Jesus’ name— in His nature. This is a gift granted to us through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said, “…whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” The sovereign character of Jesus Christ is tested and proved by His own statements.


2 Chronicles 7-9; John 11:1-29


WISDOM FROM OSWALD

The Bible does not thrill; the Bible nourishes. Give time to the reading of the Bible and the recreating effect is as real as that of fresh air physically. 

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Reflections

This reminds us on how we speak to the Lord. Would we think that the Lord only exists in churches or do we truly believe that our Lord is with us? Do we also believe that the Lord hears our every prayer and speak to Him as such?


Here Oswald is saying that our relationship with our heavenly father a.k.a our Abba Father is really quite similar to the relationship between the earthly father and child. One where the child feels truly secured and protected. One where the child knows where to run to in times of trouble or even in times of rejoicing. It is also one where the child knows who to look for if he/she wants to have a heart to heart talk. There should be no element of fear. At least not in the fearful sense but rather one that is of reverence, respect and love.


The problem with us, is that we sometimes reverse this whole situation. We go to friends, relatives, and never go to the Lord. We fear everyone and everything but we don’t fear the Lord. We find security in power and monetary terms but failed to realise these are all like mist in the vapour. We had forgotten where we should place our focus and ended up feeling stressed up, and burnt out.


A life as such is not meant to be. The Lord will never expect us to toil in such a manner. We know His yoke is easy and His burden is light. We are supposed to seek Him and discern the real things we ought to be doing, rather than take on everything that comes our way. Sometimes, a season is already over but we are the one who refuses to let go. It’s just like a child who is supposed to be wean from his pacifier at 7 years old but refuses to let go. You may think this is funny but we are sometimes, these kind of funny people…


Let’s pray:


Father, thank You that we can call You Abba Father and that You allow us to have an intimate relationship with You, even closer than that of our earthly fathers. Thank You for this love that comforts us and brings us so much peace. May You continue to hold our hands and bring us to higher places. Help us to be able to follow Your ways and not overdo on the things You had never called us to do. Thank You Abba Father. I. Jesus’s name we ask and pray. Amen 🙏🏻 

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