HOPE: ROLL AWAY THE OBSTACLES IN YOUR WAY!!!

                  

NEW BOOK COMING SOON

CHAPTER 9: HOPE: REMOVE THE STONE

“…Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”  So they removed the stone..…” (John 11:39-41 NASB).

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 Jesus told the by-standers to remove the stone. “…TAKE ye away the STONE …” (John 11:39-41 KJV). What CAN be done in human strength God leaves to UP TO YOU. “...They TOOK away the STONE from the PLACE “WHERE” the DEAD was laid…” (John 11:39-41 KJV).

What CAN ONLY be done in supernatural strength or POWER is entrusted to Jesus, the WORD. “…[Jesus]…cried in a loud voice….Lazarus, come forth…he that was dead came forth…” (John 11:42-43 KJV).

“…TAKE ye away the STONE …” (John 11:39-41 KJV). A stone was often used to MARK a memorial event. A memorial event, such as a funeral, uses a headstone to commemorate the occasion.

After the funeral, most people have no reason to exhume a loved one’s body. “...They TOOK away the STONE from the PLACE “WHERE” the DEAD was laid…” (John 11:39-41 KJV).

However, Jesus requested the removal of STONE. “…TAKE ye away the STONE …” (John 11:39-41 KJV).

When a person dies, it is traditional to have a memorial event such as a funeral. The death of HOPE, however, was NOT meant to be a memorial event. “...They TOOK away the STONE from the PLACE …” (John 11:39-41 KJV).

Removing the stone can be symbolic to opening the casket. Opening the casket is exposing that which is dead. “…TAKE ye away the STONE …” (John 11:39-41 KJV).

After a while, that which is dead begins to decompose. Its original features start to fade, change, or stink.  “… by this time he stinketh…” (John 11:39 KJV).

HOPES and DREAMS deferred eventually begin to decompose to the point they completely alter, fade, waver, or die altogether. “…Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life…” (Proverbs 13:12 NASB). “…Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around…” (Proverbs 13:12 MSG).

HOPES and DREAMS are so vivid and colorful, in the beginning, but delayed gratification, disappointments, and long stretches of time KILLS, STEALS and DESTROYS them. .“…The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10 KJV).

Suddenly, Jesus urges, moves, or inspires YOU to remove the STONE and OPEN the casket where you’ve placed your hopes and dreams. “… the PLACE “WHERE” the DEAD was laid…” (John 11:39-41 KJV).

There is also a BIGGER picture he is trying to REVEAL to you! “…Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" (John 11:40 KJV).

Like Lazarus, DEAD hopes and dreams have been buried so long, they have decomposed in the heart and they stink!  “…he stinketh: for he hath been dead for four days. …” (John 11:39 KJV). “…when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in The grave four days already…” (John 11;17 KJV).

You became sick of your deferred hopes and dreams a LONG time ago. “…How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” (Psalms 13:1 NASB).  “…Hope deferred makes the heart sick,…” (Proverbs 13:12 NASB). “…Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick…” (Proverbs 13:12 MSG).

Nonetheless, “…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). YET“…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV).

For some, a LONG delay has become the same as death. Once something or someone is DEAD; those in mourning make an attempt to move on and began to do new things. "…"Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you." (Isaiah 42:9 NASB). "…Behold, I will do something new…” (Isaiah 43:19-20 NASB).  

DEATH changes or transforms, forever, what was once familiar, especially for those still living. There is usually NO HOPE for restoral or revival of that which has DIED. “…I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along “unfamiliar” paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them…” (Isaiah 42:16 NIV).

YET“…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV). People grow TIRED and WEARY from waiting.

The bible says: “… 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).

 “….LET US NOT GROW WEARY while doing good, for in DUE SEASON we shall reap if we do not lose heart…” (Galatians 6:9 KJV).

At the command of Jesus or at the command of God’s Word; GO BACK to“… the PLACE “WHERE” the DEAD was laid…” (John 11:39-41 KJV). AND “…TAKE ye away the STONE …” (John 11:39-41 KJV).

When you take away the stone or open the casket of that which is dead; in your humanity, what would you expect to SEE?

When you look back, over time, at DEAD hopes and dreams, what do you SEE?

What did Jesus SEE in the corpse of Lazarus? What does he SEE of your DEAD hopes and dreams? “…, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" (John 11:40 KJV).

“…NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into [the human]… heart … the things which God HATH prepared for them that love him...” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV).

God calls Martha, Mary, the disciples, the Jews and YOU to pay ATTENTION to difference between his supernatural POWER and your limited human power. “…the things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “…. Is there any thing too hard for [God]…?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

Martha and Mary were convinced that Lazarus was DEAD for good. You are convinced that your HOPES and DREAMS are dead for good. Ezekiel may have been convinced that bones in the valley were DEAD permanently.

Thus, Lazarus is dead. Your hopes and dream long since dead. The dry bones in the valley are all dead. Yet the WORD of God makes a command: “…TAKE ye away the STONE …” (John 11:39-41 KJV). . “… “Prophesy (SPEAK) to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

What happen when they TOOK away the stone? “… He that was dead came forth…” (John 11:42-43 KJV).  “…the dead man[‘s]…. hands and feet … [were] … bound in graveclothes …Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” (John 11:44 NLT).

What happen when Ezekiel SPOKE to the dry bones? “…As I was prophesying (SPEAKING GOD’S WORD), there was a noise, a rattling sound, and THE BONES CAME TOGETHER, BONE TO BONE. I LOOKED, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. …and BREATH ENTERED THEM; they came to LIFE and STOOD UP on their feet—a vast army...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

What is God’s motive for DISPLAYING these MIRACLES? “….To the intent, you may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV). “… that they may believe that thou hast sent me…” (John 11:41-42 KJV). Therefore, “…believe the works…” (John 10:38 NIV).

A GREATER faith can be GAINED when FACED with impossible or “seemingly” DEAD situations and circumstances. “…TAKE ye away the STONE …” (John 11:39-41 KJV). . “…[SPEAK]… to these bones…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

Only God can OPEN DEAD and impossible “doors of faith.” “…God had …opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles…” (Acts 14:27 KJV). “…A certain woman named Lydia …heard us: whose heart the Lord opened…” (Acts 16:14 KJV). “…Praying … that God would open unto us a door of utterance…” (Colossians 4:3 KJV). “…bI have set before thee an open door…: (Revelation 3:8 KJV).

“…TAKE ye away the STONE …” (John 11:39-41 KJV). . “…[SPEAK]… to these bones…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV). “…I have opened a door for you …” (Revelation 3:8 NLT). Removing the stone, speaking to the bones, and going through the open door require resignation or submission to God’s TRUTH and God’s POWER.

Martha DID said, “…I KNOW that EVEN NOW, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God WILL give thee…” (John 11:22-23 KJV).

However, she ONLY had faith for the future resurrection. “……I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day…” (John 11:23-27 KJV).

Martha and Mary’s, level of faith, could not sustain his HEALTH. Martha and Mary’s, level of faith, could not STOP his DEATH. Martha and Mary’s, level of faith, could not prevent Jesus’ DELAY.

Listening to Jesus, the LIVING WORD of God is the WAY to exercise and increase faith “Jesus saith…I am the way…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…Faith cometh by HEARING… the word of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV).  “…MY WORD … SHALL NOT return unto me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH that which I please, and it SHALL PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

Exercising and increasing faith, by listening and hearing the WORD of God, becomes the EVIDENCE of things not SEEN in the natural. “…Now FAITH IS the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). AND “… BY FAITH we understand … that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen…” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

BY FAITH: “…the things which are impossible with men ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).  “….I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: IS THERE ANY THING TOO HARD FOR ME?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). “… [GOD]… IS ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or THINK…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).

“…HOW MUCH MORE DO I NEED TO SAY? It would take too long to recount THE STORIES OF FAITH of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.

BY FAITH these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death….” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

“…He that was dead came forth…” (John 11:42-43 KJV).

 “…Then you will know that I the Lord (the word) have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

Therefore, whoever you are, GO BACK to“… the PLACE “WHERE” the DEAD was laid…” (John 11:39-41 KJV). AND “…TAKE ye away the STONE …” (John 11:39-41 KJV).