In The Know But Did Not Know

Read John 11. Notice the change in information that Jesus gave the disciples.

After Jesus said this, he told his disciples, “Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, and I’m going to Bethany to wake him.” His disciples said to him, “Lord, if he’s sleeping, he’ll get well.” Jesus meant that Lazarus was dead, but the disciples thought Jesus meant that Lazarus was only sleeping. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, but I’m glad that I wasn’t there so that you can grow in faith. Let’s go to Lazarus.” (John 11:11-15 GW)

1. "Our friend ... I'm going." Jesus wanted the revelation of who He is to lead them to the Truth, not the circumstances.

Lazarus was dead. Jesus said sleeping. Why He did this is not spelled out, but given Thomas' comment in verse 16...

Thomas, who was called Didymus, said to the rest of the disciples, “Let’s go so that we, too, can die with Jesus.” (John 11:16 GW)

One reason was probably to protect a doubter's faith, by putting the Truth of the situation in who Jesus is and not in the circumstances. Revelation would have come to Thomas along the way if Jesus had not had to speak plainly, the difference would have been that the revelation would have come through the eyes of faith that saw Jesus "wake the sleeper" before.

2. The disciples had always followed Jesus because of who He is, but now Jesus was inviting them to a deeper walk with Him. "Our friend, Lazarus" The invitation was to share in the compassion that was compelling Jesus to "go to Lazarus".

3. After telling them plainly, "Lazarus has died." Jesus still compelled their action to Lazarus. Not to a city, not to follow Him, but to someone in need, "Let's go to Lazarus." 

John challenges me.
Do I know the character and faithfulness of Jesus enough to be in the know even when I have limited information?
Do I have faith in Him in such a way that I know the One who called me is faithful?
Do I believe that God is good? (Thomas took all he was hearing from Jesus and believed Him, but one thing Thomas forgot in the equation of his conclusion...God is good, all the time.)

Psalm 73:26
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God is so Faithful!

God is so faithful! God is so faithful! God is so faithful!

If you know this then just reading it resonates deep within, but if you have not known Him in His faithfulness before or lately, read the first line again and loud, because your circumstances do not negate this truth.

I just spent last weekend dropping my daughter off in Quincy, MA at college. Her classes are now underway and I am constantly pondering in my heart the weekend, the last year, and the last 18 years for that matter. And the conclusion of the matter is...

God is so faithful!

From the verse that has somehow made its way to may heart, viewing, hearing or even scripting every day for the last week. Phil 1:6

"I'm convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus."

To the anchors, which of course are full of meaning appearing everywhere even being the theme for my daughters dorm hall complete with her door doning a big blue anchor with Emily's name written across the top.

These are just glimpses of the peaking behind the veil that God is giving to me during another bittersweet transition this year. 

The only thing that I want for my daughter is what my dad wanted for me. To know (down to the depths of my being, shaking my head, overwhelmed with gratitude) that...

God is so faithful! God is so faithful! God is so faithful!

James 3:18, 

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Choose

2 Corinthians 5:7 ^"For we live by believing and not by seeing." (NLT)
2 Corinthians 5:7 ^"For we live by faith, not by sight." (NIV)

Jesus, Peace in the midst of anything. It is important to choose to live by faith or by sight, but it is more important to make sure that the One in whom you put your faith in is indeed worthy. Jesus is faithful and true, He will never leave you or forsake you. Jesus, I choose You, because You chose me first.

James 3:18,
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Eternally Faithful

     You will receive a double measure of wealth instead of your shame. You will sing about your wealth instead of being disgraced. That is why you will have a double measure of wealth in your land. You will have everlasting joy. 

     I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people’s work. I will make an everlasting promise to them. 

     Then their offspring will be known among the nations and their descendants among the people. Everyone who sees them will recognize that they are the descendants whom the Lord has blessed. 

     I will find joy in the Lord. I will delight in my God. He has dressed me in the clothes of salvation. He has wrapped me in the robe of righteousness like a bridegroom with a priest’s turban, like a bride with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:7-10 GW)

God has never and will never forsaken the righteous, those whom He has called as His own. God, my Father is faithful. Praise be to His Name! You, O God, are faithful to a thousand generations. Your eye is on the sparrow and I know You watch over Your own.

James 3:18,

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You have Promised.

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:26-30)

 Father, Thank you for your strong arm that has worked salvation for us. I am humbled by what You have done for and through the scrappy lump of clay I handed to You on the day we met. Miraculous, indeed! You are Faithful, You are True... and You have promised that in the midst of chaos and distraction that those whose minds are stayed on You, those that love You will know that Your eye is on the sparrow and not only do You see me, but Your Hand works all things for the good of those who love You. You have promised and it will be done. In the Name of the One called Faithful and True, Amen.

James 4:14,
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God is Able, God is Faithful

Lifted up
He defeated the grave
Raised to life
Our God is able
In His name
We overcome
For the Lord
Our God is able

              ---"God is Able" by Hillsong

God is Great, God is Good is from a prayer I was taught as a child. Two amazing truths that when put together have a power and holy, personal promise of the Character of God in our lives... He is Able, He is Faithful. I can not imagine being told that and it not bringing me right into the throne room of God, or better yet bringing the awareness of His Presence into my reality.  The realizing of His Presence or His Power has everything to do with my vision and perspective.

Father,
I thank You that you are who You are, Able and Faithful. I thank You for answer to prayer. I thank you for all of those in my life that remind me and encourage me to keep my eyes on Jesus. For my church family, who with prayers and messages of encouragement surround me with hope. For my family and friends, who not only put up with me, but support me - Your mercies, O God, are truly new every morning and with every greeting of one of Your saints. Thank You, Thank You, I am so grateful. Amen.

James 4:14,
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