Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Sometimes you just gotta...

August 4, 2010

Sometimes you just gotta share the things you read even if nobody sees in what you're seeing.  That's ok.  It's kind of like being excited about a new funky outfit that nobody else gives a rip about (or thinks is odd looking).  I'm still going to love it even if you don't.

I read this in "Streams in the Desert" this morning and it was encouraging to me.

Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me." (John 11:41)

The sequence of events in this passage seems strange and unusual.  Lazarus was still in his tomb, yet Jesus' thanksgiving preceded the miracle of raising him from the dead.  It seems that thanks would only have been lifted up once the great miracle had been accomplished and Lazarus had been restored to life.  But Jesus gave thanks for what He was about to receive.  His gratitude sprang forth before the blessing had arrived, in an expression of assurance that it was certainly on its way.  The song of victory was sung before the battle had been fought.  It was the Sower singing the song of harvest - it was thanksgiving before the miracle!

Who ever thinks of announcing a victory song as the army is just heading to the battlefield?  And where do we ever hear a song of gratitude and thanksgiving for an answer that has not yet been received?

Yet in this Scripture passage, there is nothing strange, forced, or unreasonable to the Master's sequence of praise before the miracle.  Praise is actually the most vital preparation to the working of miracles.  Miracles are performed through spiritual power, and our spiritual power is always in proportion to our faith.    John Henry Jowett

I am choosing to praise God and thank Jesus for the miracle of healing that has yet to occur.  If Jesus can bring to life a dead stinky Lazarus, He can CERTAINLY get rid of the cancer in my body.  And I for one believe He can!!

3 comments:

  1. Hi Angela,
    You don't know me -- my husband and I are friends of your parents and they are our children's "surrogate" grandparents here in Verrado. :) We really adore them both and so do our children!
    I try to keep up with your blog as much as possible. I became a blog fan of yours after Larry made his debut.
    I just want to say that I am amazed by your incredible strength, poise, fortitude and most of all, FAITH.
    We are praying for you!!
    Cheryl & Greg Peterson

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