Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, She, Volume 1

Martha, Part 3

adapted from: She, volume 1, p 35-36

Read: John 11:25-57

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, 26 and the one who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She replied,“Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who comes into the world.

John 11:25-26

I love this part of Martha’s story. Remember, Martha had just bared her heart and grief to Jesus, saying, “…”if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” However, she also went on to speak her faith as well, “But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will grant You.”

Friends, don’t miss this. Jesus, knowing that Martha is grieving her brother’s death, has encouraged her that her brother will rise again (v23), and then He uses the opportunity to share the Gospel message with her – telling her:

Jesus doesn’t stop there, though. He follows the statements up with one powerful question:

  • “Do you believe this?”

Her answer was not only the best she could have given, but it revealed even more of her heart and attitude toward Jesus, as she acknowledged that she not only believed in Him but also knew Him as the Lord (ultimate authority) and Messiah (Christ, the Son of God). – This presses me to ask anyone reading this post: Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and that – if you believe in Him – you will live, even if you die?

Every aspect of our walk with the Lord is based on our answer to this question.

She, Volume 1, p 35

If you’re wondering how you or anyone can possibly believe the promise of Jesus – consider then the love and actions of God: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Dear reader, do you believe these TRUTHS?

The More We Know

The study guide points out another enlightening and important detail about Martha and her response to Jesus’ words to her … “She went to tell Mary.”

 And when she had said this, Martha went and called her sister Mary, saying privately, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”

John 11:28

Oh sweet friends, may our faith cause us to want to introduce someone else to Jesus.

Reflection/Application
  • What are you asking the Lord to do for you? (Phil 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7)
  • Do you believe He is able to do it? (Ephesians 3:20-21; Ps 118:13-14)
  • Who do you need to tell about Jesus? (Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15)

… See my hands and look at my feet
It’s okay if it’s hard to believe
I have faith you will do greater things
It’s my time to go but before I leave

… Go tell the world about me
I was dead but now I live
I’ve gotta go now for a little while
But goodbye is not the end

… Don’t forget the things that I taught you
I’ve conquered death and I hold the keys
Where I go you will go too, someday
But there’s much to do here before you leave

… Go tell the world about me
I was dead but now I live
I’ve gotta go now for a little while
But goodbye is not the

… End of the journey, the end of the road
My spirit is with you wherever you go
You have a purpose and I have a plan
I’ll make you this promise
I’ll come back again but until then

… Go tell the world about me
I was dead but now I live
I’ve gotta go now for a little while
But goodbye is not the end

… go tell them about me
(Go tell the world) I’ve gotta go
(Go tell the world) for a little while
But goodbye is not the end

Source: Musixmatch

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Beginning to Forever, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Thanksgiving

The Promised Rescue

Based on the Love God Greatly Study, From the Beginning to Forever/w5d5

Read: John 20:1-9 and Matthew 28:16-20/SOAP: Matthew 28:19-20

So the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16-20 NET or NKJV

Hey friends, today is the first day of November, which means Thanksgiving is just around the corner, with Christmas quickly following – BUT Easter is the highlight of today’s devotion and the main event of our FAITH – for great is the victory that overcame our sin! If you’re still journeying with me in this study, you won’t want to miss the beautiful and encouraging words from the Love God Greatly team that I’m sharing with you today.

“The Saturday of Easter weekend was one of the darkest days of human history. But then Sunday morning came. As the sun rose, the ground shook, and the stone that kept the tomb closed rolled back. Jesus had risen! The grave could not hold Him. Sin and death were defeated forever, winning our salvation. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest news ever. No longer do we have to stay in our sins or live without hope. Salvation and freedom are found through faith in Jesus. The rescue that was promised in Genesis 3:15 had been accomplished.” -From the Beginning to Forever, p163

Sisters, if you are not all kinds of excited and shouting hallelujah, please read that quote again – because it is the greatest message of hope there has ever been or ever will be! As believers, not only is it our hope in life and death, but we have been given the incredible task and privilege of sharing it with the world around us. Which, as today’s journal entry points out, “is not a commandment that we can opt in or out. It is one we are all meant to obey.”

Friends, please do not let this commandment unnerve you. It can be daunting for sure, but remember – when we share this message, we share the hope of eternal life with a lost and dying world.

What is our message of hope? JESUS LIVES!

Or, as the songwriter, Melody Green, wrote:

*There Is a Redeemer lyrics © Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publ., Birdwing Music, Ears To Hear Music, Ewi Incorporated

May this be our first of many things to give thanks for in the days and weeks to come.🦋

Join me on Monday for the final week of this journey.💕

Dearest Reader, if you do not know Jesus, the hope of the promised rescue, I would love to introduce Him to you. You can start with the link, Know These Truths, and/or contact me at mryelnb@aol.com or m.black@lmbc.org