If you are like me and you are a follower of Christ, there may have been some time (or many times!) in the past 3 years that you’ve hoped Jesus would come back already because this world seems to be getting crazier and crazier by the minute! I’ve definitely said “Jesus come and get us!” much more since 2020 than probably ever before. 

“Where are you Jesus? Take us home!”

In John 11:21 Martha longed for Jesus to come so that her brother Lazarus wouldn’t die. Have you ever wondered where God was in your life or a particular situation? Perhaps you’ve dealt with grief and loss, relationship issues, financial struggles, or battling obstacles in your health.

In John 11:14-15 we see that Jesus delayed coming to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus so that others (specifically the disciples) may believe. 

I recently heard this thought: 
Your actions, results and success (basically your life) are shaped by 2 things: 

1. What you believe about God, and 

2. What you believe about yourself.

It took some time to wrap my brain around this simple but profound thought. 
So let me ask you, what do you believe about yourself? What do you believe about God? 

Jesus tell’s Martha that her brother will rise again. (vs.23)  She replied: (vs. 24) “I know he will rise again in the resurrection.” And then… Jesus drops the mic drop of all mic drops!
(vs.25) “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Now… You may be thinking— ok— but Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life… and HE was with THEM. He isn’t in the flesh with us right now, so we just have to wait until heaven. Yes, it would have been amazing to have Jesus with us in the flesh! One day we will see HIM face to face!

(I Corinthians 13:12) But, Jesus says in John 16:7 it’s good for us that He goes away, so we can have the Helper, the Holy Spirit of truth who will guide us into all truth. (John 16:12-13)

He says wait— you will always have the Spirit if I go away—and this is better for you!

When we are faced with trials here, we have to remember that we are not alone. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us! 

Do you know the power of the Spirit? Jump over from John, and read Acts! 

• Thousands believed because of the Power of the Holy Spirit
• People were healed, evil spirits were cast out, 
• Acts 13 (and several instances) powerful words of boldness were given to the apostles at just the right time, there was even some teleporting and prison breakouts! 

How do we have that kind of faith? And how do we believe? And how do we get that power from the Holy Spirit? 

What were they doing in Acts? The recurring theme in the gospels: “Repent and believe”, but in Acts over and over again you will see that they were in constant prayer, worshipping, fasting, fellowshipping, and learning more about the teachings of Jesus from the apostles. 

Do you long for the Power of God in your life? He has given us everything we need for this life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) Do you believe it? 

Question: What do you believe about God and about yourself in the current battles you are facing? 
Growing Deeper: Read Acts 2:42-45 

One Action Step: What is one of the spiritual disciplines from Acts 2:42 that you will focus on this week?

 
Scripture Plunge: John 11:1-44; Acts 1-2

Written by Lacy Rae Griffin

First Published on JodiAiken.com

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