FOOD FOR THOUGHT
NEW BOOK COMING SOON
IS YOUR HOPE DEAD?
“…they TOOK away the STONE from the PLACE “WHERE”
the DEAD was laid…”
(John 11:39-41 KJV).
*
I am writing this book because of the MANY
who have lost their HOPE, somewhere, along the way. It is my PRAY that God will take you BACK to the PLACE
where you BURIED your HOPE so you can RETRIEVE it and RUN ON to the FINISH Line.
“…loose
him and let him go (run on)…”
(John 11:44 KJV).
The trials and
tribulations or “…this sickness…” was
NOT supposed to cause the DEATH of HOPE, but it was for the “…glory of God…” (John 11:4 KJV). “…This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory
of God…” (John 11:4 KJV). “…Lazarus’s
sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God…”
(John 11:4 NLT).
Several things happened before God’s glory
was manifested: Jesus’ purposeful delay; returning to the place where the DEAD
is buried; rolling aside the stone of the tomb of the DEAD; listening to Jesus’
prayer; and finally, seeing the glory of God by witnessing the DEAD restored to
LIFE. Also, one last thing; removing the grave clothes.
“Let us not become weary in doing
good…” (Galatians 6:9 NIV).
DELAY: “…When he heard,
therefore that he (Lazarus) was SICK, he
abode two days in the same place where he was…” (John 11:6 KJV).
GOING BACK TO THE PLACE WHERE THE DEAD IS BURIED. “…and said ‘Where have ye laid him?’”
(John 11:34 KJV).
ROLLING AWAY THE STONE. “…They took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid…”
(John 11:41KJV). “…So they rolled the stone aside…” (John
11:41 NLT).
THE NECESSARY PRAYER. “…men ought ALWAYS to pray and NOT faint…” (Luke 18:1 KJV). “…Jesus
lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of
the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent
me…” (John 11:41-42 KJV).
THE REMINDER. “…Jesus
saith unto her, Said I not unto thee,
that, if thou wouldest believe, thou
shouldest see the glory of God?”
(John 11:40 KJV).
FINALLY, THE GLORY OF GOD. “…when he thus had spoken
(prayed), he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was
dead came forth…” (John 11:42-43 KJV).
REMOVING THE GRAVE CLOTHES. “…the dead man[‘s]…. hands and feet … [were]
… bound in graveclothes …Jesus told
them, “Unwrap him
and let him go!”
(John 11:44 NLT).
The 11th chapter of John is not
simply about the physical death of Lazarus, but it is about DEATH period and
how DEATH does NOT have the final SAY. “…Jesus
said…I am the resurrection and I am the LIFE…..” (John 11:25
KJV).
TIME, EVENTS, and EXPERIENCES will influence
you to think DEATH has won “…Jesus
said…I am the resurrection...” (John 11:25 KJV). Jesus
will ASK you: “…where have ye laid him?...” (John 11: 34 KJV). “…they TOOK away the STONE from the PLACE “WHERE”
the DEAD was laid…”
(John 11:39-41 KJV).
HOPE starts to DIE when
Jesus seems DELAYED. “…When he heard, therefore that he (Lazarus) was SICK, he abode two days in the same place where
he was…” (John 11:6 KJV).
Delay simply means to slow down a time of arrival, or put off, or stop
moving toward a destination for a while, or linger, or prolong, or tarry. “…My Lord delayeth his
coming…”
(Luke 12:45 KJV).
The problem with delay happens when someone is waiting for your
arrival. Delay can cause disappointment, on the part, of the people waiting for
the one who is delayed, especially if it seems to be a matter of life or death.
Delay can turn seconds into minutes; minutes into hours; hours
into days; days into weeks; weeks into months; and months into years. Delay is
the BIGGEST killers of HOPE.
Delay requires waiting. “…For the vision [is] yet FOR AN APPOINTED TIME, but at
the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, WAIT FOR IT; because IT WILL SURELY COME,
it will not tarry….” (Habakkuk
2:3 KJV).
“… They that
WAIT UPON the LORD shall
renew [their] strength…” (Isaiah 40:31 KJV). “…WAIT ON the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall
strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I say, on the LORD…” (Psalms 27:14 KJV).
“…The LORD [is] good unto them that WAIT FOR HIM…”
(Lamentations 3:25 KJV). “…THOUGH IT TARRY, WAIT FOR IT….”
(Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).
YOUR HOPE CRIES OUT DURING GOD”S DELAY. “…How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long
will You hide Your face from me?” (Psalms 13:1 NASB.
“…Since
I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my
deliverer; Do not delay, O my God…
(Psalms 40:17 NASB).
“…I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried:
mine eyes fail while I wait for my God…” (Psalms 69:3 KJV).
Delay causes you to go through unexpected events and experiences
before you SEE the manifestation of God’s glory. Martha and Mary experienced
Lazarus’ sickness, death, and funeral. “…Lazarus is
dead…”
(John 11:14 KJV).
Job experienced the
loss of family, wealth, and health. “One day when Job’s ….donkeys were grazing nearby …the Sabeans attacked and made off with them.…another messenger came
and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens
and burned up the sheep and …another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans
formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and …yet another messenger came and
said, “Your sons
and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from
the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead,
and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
(Job 1:13-20 NIV). . “…Satan….smote
Job with boils from the sole of his feet unto his crown…”
(Job 2:7 KJV).
Joseph
experienced mistreatment from his brothers, being thrown into an empty, dark
pit, and being sold as a slave. “…And
when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired
against him to slay him. And they said one to
another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him,
and cast him into some pit ... And it came to
pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of
his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty,
there was no water in it … Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen;
and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to
the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they
brought Joseph into Egypt…” (Genesis 37).
The Hebrew Boys experienced
controversy for standing up for their faith and being thrown into a fiery furnace.
“…Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury,
and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:
therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven
times more than it was wont to be heated. … Therefore because the king's commandment was
urgent, and the
furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that
took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace…”
(DANIEL 3).
Jesus experienced mistreatment,
dishonor, and physical abuse. “Then
Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of
thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And
said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands….Then came Jesus
forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto
them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him,
they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them,
Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. But they cried out, Away with him, away
with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your
King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he
him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away…”
(John 19:1-16 KJV).
However, after a DELAY,
they ALL saw the manifestation of the Glory of God. “…After you have suffered …
[or been delayed for]… a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen
you, and he will place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT).
“…After you have
suffered...[or been delayed]… a little while…”
(1 Peter 5:10 NLT). This verse
implies that there will be “a little
while” or a delay, but there will be an “after.” Delays, no matter how severe, are temporary and the bible
says, “…the suffering …[or delays]… of this present
time ARE NOT worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us…” (Romans 8:18 KJV).
“…For our light
affliction …[or delays], …which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory…” (2
Corinthians 4:17 KJV).
PROOF: “….Lazarus,
come forth. And he that was dead came
forth…” (John 11:42-43 KJV). GLORY to GOD!
PROOF: “…The Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: … So Job died, being
old, and FULL of days...” (Job 42:12-17 KJV). GLORY to GOD!
PROOF:
“Pharaoh sent for Joseph,
and he was quickly brought from the
dungeon. …“ You shall be in charge
of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with
respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”…So Pharaoh said to Joseph,
“I hereby put you in charge of the whole
land of Egypt.” … Thus he
put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt…”
(Genesis 41 NIV). GLORY to GOD!
PROOF: “…Nebuchadnezzar spake, and
said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego…. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon”
(Daniel 3 KJV). GLORY TO GOD!
PROOF: Jesus
is “highly exalted” with a “name which is above every name”
(Philippians 2:9). In addition,“…at .the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD
BOW, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; and
that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11 KJV). GLORY to GOD!
However,
Job, Joseph, Jesus, the Hebrew Boys, and Martha and Mary ALL had to live
through and experience a DELAY. “…After YOU have suffered …[or been
delayed]… a little while…” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT).
Delay is God’s
decision. Delay is about God’s love for you and NOT some kind of punishment.
Delay is NOT about God’s denial, condemnation, or deprivation of you or your
needs. Delay has a divine purpose. Delay is meant to be a holy and intimately
dependent experience with God. Delay is NOT about your will, but God’s will.
While DELAY makes
people focus on what is happening on the OUTSIDE, God is focusing on the HEART. “…The LORD looks at the
heart…”(1
Samuel 16:7 NASB).
God took Israel through the wilderness
(trials or tribulations) for forty years. One reason he did it was to “….know what was in [their]…heart…” (Deuteronomy 8:2 KJV).
Many believers claim to be God’s people,
yet have not truly turned or repented from MANY of their wicked ways. “…If My people which
are called by My name shall
humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways,…” (2
Chronicles 7:14 KJV).
“...God
sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the
heart…”(1
Samuel 16:7 NASB). God is looking at the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). “… From
within, out of the heart of
man,
proceed evil thoughts…these … come from within, and defile a person.”
(Mark 7:21-23 KJV). God KNOWS the heart “…is deceitful above
all things and desperately
wicked…who can know it [except God?]…”
(Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).
No matter how righteous or upstanding you
think you have become, God will loving remind you: “….There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV). Therefore, “…Do not think of yourself more
highly than you ought…”
(Romans 12:3 NIV).
Job forgot “….there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not?”
(Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). In addition, “… there is none good but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18 KJV).
Job had developed a
whether high opinion of his righteous self-image. God used Elihu to tell Job. Elihu
heard Job say, “…I am clean
without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me”
(Job 3:8-9 KJV). BUT, “…Elihu spake …, and said, Thinkest
thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?”
(Job 35:1-3 KJV).
Job didn’t think his experiences were fair
or just, because he was such a righteous person. God, in his sovereignty, knew Job needed some DELAYS in his life.
God asked Job a question: “Have you
understood the expanse of the earth? Tell me [Job], if you know ALL this..” (Job
38:18 NIV). (Job 42:3).
Job loss sight of God’s
sovereignty and that his ways “…are past [our ability] to [find them] out…”
(Romans 11:33 KJV). AND “..Job replied “I have declared
that which I did not understand…” (Job 42).
Job had declared that, “…[his] righteousness [was].. more than
God's? … [and thought], …What
advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed
from my sin?” (Job 35:1-3 KJV).
Job judged, complained
about, and criticized God’s “sense of justice” or “fairness” in making, an
“already” righteous man, such as himself, go through such a harsh experience.
Do you agree with God’s
imposed “days
of adversity or delay” on Job? Are many of God’s people not judgmental
of God for their negative events and experiences? “… [Job thought], What advantage
will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my
sin?” (Job 35:1-3 KJV). However, “…Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before
a fall…” (Proverbs 16:18 KJV).
Job truly was blameless
and upright as God said, but he still needed to experience some delays. God
knew Job’s heart. God had already decided “…that all things [would] work together for good [for Job]… [because
Job loved God and was called]...according to his purpose …” (Romans
8:38 KJV).
God also knew, “….He that hath suffered (through DELAYS) in
the flesh hath ceased from sin…” (1 Peter 4:1 KJV).
Through his delays, Job
was further enlightened about God’s truth and gained a deeper respect for God’s
sovereignty. “Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.
You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
It is I—and I was
talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will
speak! I
have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I
have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and
I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance”
(Job 42:1-6 NLT).
Job teaches us
something about experiencing delays. “…Not [to]…think of yourself more highly than you ought…”
(Romans 12:3 NIV). NOT “why me?” but, “why not me?” “…Hath not the potter
power over the clay...?”
(Romans 9:20-21 KJV).
No matter how righteous
you THINK you have become, you have need for DELAYS.
“...O man,
who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that
formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay...?”
(Romans 9:20-21 KJV).
Job finally humbled
himself and repented. “…[God DELAYS his
coming] … for our profit, that we might be partakers (participants) of his holiness...”
(Hebrews 12:10 KJV). God is pleased when we become participants in his
holiness!!! “…be
holy, because I am holy…” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV).
During his DELAY Job
recognized the sin in his heart and confessed, “…I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance” (Job
42:1-6 NLT). As a result, “…the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning:
….After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons and his
sons’ sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old, and FULL of days...”
(Job 42:12-17 KJV). GLORY to God!
It’s a DELAY not DEATH.
Getting back to John
11, HOPE had already died when Jesus TOOK Martha and Mary BACK to the PLACE
where they BURIED it. “…the
PLACE “WHERE”
the DEAD was laid…”
(John 11:39-41 KJV).
“…Jesus
said…I am the resurrection and I am the LIFE…..” (John 11:25
KJV).
DEAD HOPE can be brought out of BURIAL
CHAMBERs with a pray of faith that God HEARs. “…Jesus looked up to heaven and
said, “Father, thank you
for hearing me. You always hear me, but I
said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they
will believe you sent me.” (John 11:41-42 NLT).
DEAD HOPE can be totally revived or
returned to LIFE by the COMMAND of the GOSPEL (which is JESUS, the LIVING Word).
“…Lazarus COME FORTH…he that was dead
came forth…” (John 11:43-43 KJV).
DEAD “HOPE” can be brought BACK to absolute
spiritual health and the GRAVE CLOTHES are removed. “…He that was DEAD came
forth, bound,
head and foot with graveclothes: and
his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them,
‘Loose him, and let him go.’” (John 11:44 KJV).
Grave clothes represent EVERYTHING that
your HOPE was bound or wrapped in such
as: doubt, disappointment, what you saw, what you heard, what you lived
through, what didn’t happen, what did happen, the enemies lies, the weapons the
enemy formed against you, and weariness.
It is easy to see how HOPE DIES,
especially with so many DELAYS, but God intends for you to make it to the
FINISH LINE. “…He will keep you strong
to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).
Go BACK and RETRIEVE your faith. God’s
knows you are weary, but don’t GIVE up! “Let us NOT become weary in doing
good, for at the PROPER TIME
WE WILL REAP A HARVEST if we
do not give up”…” (Galatians 6:9 NIV).
“…If
God is for us, who is
against us?
…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). …Jesus told them, “Unwrap …[your hope]… and let [it]… go!” (John 11:44 NLT).
“…Jesus saith unto them,
‘Loose him, and let him go [or let hope go]…..’”
(John 11:44 KJV).
Is your HOPE dead? Go BACK and RETRIEVE it JESUS NAME!!!
Godspeed,
Dr. Pensacola
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