Stephen's Gate

 

A weekly devotion to help build Christian character in the lives of individuals seeking God.

 

 

April 12, 2013

 "A LAZARUS MOMENT"
 
John 11:11: Then he said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up." NLT

  

We all have times in our lives when we need a Lazarus moment. What's a Lazarus moment? Something in your life that appears to be dead that's not intended to remain dead. There is something that needs to be brought back to life or revived. For some of you it may be a situation or circumstance in your life that appears dead and needs to be resurrected from the dead. For others, it may be that the vision you once had, has died. Whatever it is I believe the Lord wants to breathe life back into the dead parts of your life.

 

Lazarus had died but it was not the Lord's intention that he remains dead. John 11:4 says: "But when Jesus heard about it he said, "Lazarus's sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this." He was dead for four days before He raised him from the dead. I don't know what you're facing right now that seems dead, but it's not the Lord's intention that it remains dead. I hear the Lord saying: "Your vision (or passion, or health, or whatever fits for you) has fallen asleep, but now, I will go and wake it up."

 

As I write this I have a strong sense that some of you reading this need your vision and passion revived. Remember the passion you once had? Remember the vision you once had? It was not the Lord's intention that it dies and remain dead. He's saying, "Now I will go and wake it up."

 

John 11:38-44 reads: Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." 40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."

 

Maybe your situation has been dead for so long, it has a stench to it but the stone is being rolled back and the Lord is crying with a loud voice, "Vision, come forth", "Passion, come forth", "Health, come forth".

Lazarus came out of that grave bound with grave clothes until Jesus commanded; "Loose him, and let him go." You too, will come out of your grave, you may still be bound with grave clothes but the Lord will command, "Loose him, and let him go."

 

Now is the time for your Lazarus moment, are you ready? There is too much for you to do. Dead situations are about to be made alive. The Lord is saying, whatever is dead in your life, "Now, I will go and wake it up!"

  
Stephen Young

 

Stephen's Gate is a weekly devotion that purposes to encourage people to live the victorious life God has called them to. Stephen grew up in a Christian home and was raised in Church. As a young boy he was very shy and never wanted to be the center of attention, however, he always had the desire to preach and minister to others. God called him into ministry in his late twenties and he has enjoyed every minute of it. Stephen previously served as Assistant Pastor in Fort Fairfield, Maine. God has since called him and his family to Georgia where they will get involved in ministry in whatever way they are directed. Stephen is an ordained minister under Celebration Center. He has been married to his wife Kristen for 9 years and has two beautiful girls, Abigail and Sydney.

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By Kristen Young 
In this novel, 45 Minutes, you will be taken on a compelling journey of Anthony Michaels' life, which is oddly typical until he faces an encounter with eternity. See yourself through the eyes of the characters as you read about painful life lessons, true forgiveness, answered prayers and the love of God that conquers all.
  
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