Sheep . . . not cattle

Sheep . . . not cattle

John 10:27

MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE; [those who hear, listen to, believe in, follow, and obey Jesus Christ]

and I KNOW THEM, [personally have knowledge of their wants, their dangers, and their characters, as to result in a deep interest in their welfare]

and THEY FOLLOW ME. [they go where My Spirit and providence lead them and yield themselves to My guidance, and seek to be led by Me]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, we believe it’s safe to say that most of us KNOW YOU; but the real question here is - do YOU KNOW US? We want to be Your sheep that YOU KNOW US PERSONALLY and CALL US BY NAME. And, by the way, thank You for LEADING US AS SHEEP and NOT DRIVING US AS CATTLE!

My heart KNOWS

My heart KNOWS

Jn. 20:29

[After Jesus’ resurrection He appeared to His disciples]

Jesus said to him, [Thomas]

Because you HAVE SEEN Me, [have literally had to look on My body to see the proofs that I am the same Saviour that was crucified]

do you now believe? [trust and have faith]

Blessed [happy and to be envied] are those who have NEVER SEEN Me [yet are fully convinced of My resurrection without the evidence of literally seeing Me]

and yet have believed. [don’t turn away from Me, trust and continue to rely on Me]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, the most perplexing and unnatural thing for us as humans to do is to LIVE BY FAITH . . .  that complete confidence and trust to embrace, accept and rely on Your Word’s testimony of truth to lead and guide us every step of the way . . . . but, it is imperative that we do so . . . . for if we are faithless, we are also Christless and graceless, hopeless and joyless. Increase our faith!

Think you need a crystal ball?

Think you need a crystal ball?

Daniel 2:27b-28a

Daniel answered in the presence of the king, [boldly, and without fear]

Cannot YOUR WISE MEN, [your own able men, aided by your own gods]

SOOTHSAYERS [who cut up creatures, and looked into their entrails and by them made their judgment of events]

ENCHANTERS [persons who decide or determine the fates or destiny of men from the place of the stars at one's birth]

MAGICIANS, [your sacred scribes who act as interpreters of omens]

or ASTROLOGERS [who cut and divide the heavens into parts and by them divide or determine future things as to what shall happen to a person]

[cannot they] show to the king the mysterious secret things which the king has demanded [? ? ? ?]

BUT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO REVEALS mysteries, [ONE GOD and to him alone belong the revelation of secret things]

AND HE HAS MADE KNOWN to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, may we lay aside all high opinions our own wisdom in thinking we know those things that are only divinely revealed by You. AND help us to recognize the insufficiency and inability of any other who says they can reveal to us those things. There is only One who can do that for us . . . . You, the one God who is in heaven! We will look to You alone for our answers.

HIGH praises in low times

HIGH praises in low times

Ps. 149:6

Let the HIGH PRAISES of God be in their mouth [greater in number, quality, intensity, and/or cost]

and a TWO-EDEGED SWORD in their hands.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, while we are well aware that we are engaged in warfare with the world, the flesh, and the devil and must keep our weapon of the sword [of the spirit which is the Word of God] in our hands; help us to not lose sight that we’re carrying out and executing HIGH and lofty objectives and purposes of You, the Most HIGH God that’s worthy of HIGH praise even in our low times.

Know your armor

Know your armor

I Sam. 17:38-39

Then KING SAUL provided David with his armor;

he put a bronze helmet on his head and armed him with a coat of mail.

And David girded his sword over SAUL’S armor.

Then he tried to go, but could not, for he had not proved them. [had no skill or experience in the handling of that kind of heavy armor]

And David said to Saul, I cannot go with these, because I am not used to them.

And David took them off.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, this is what made David such a dangerous man to his enemies – he didn’t care what the King wanted or how impressive the armor was – he knew all he needed was what You had equipped him that was unique to his strengths and abilities. So, jerk our chain when we begin to admire the talents or strengths of others and seek to imitate them and become someone we are not.

A round of applause, please

A round of applause, please

Matt. 6:1

Take care [watch yourself!]

not to do your good deeds [acts of righteousness - charitableness, fasting, prayer] publicly or before men,

in order [with the intention] to be seen by them; [making a display of your righteousness]

otherwise you will have no reward [reserved for and awaiting you] from your Father Who is in heaven.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, the true measure of our success in any part of our life is if - after You have judged it and approved it - You applaud us. Waiting and looking for applause from other people leaves us worried and anxious and will cause us to live in stress because it is fickle and fleeting. You are our only audience and we seek Your applause alone.

Something in common

Something in common

I Jn. 1:3
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, [first-hand information and experience]

so that you also may have fellowship with us. [united by shared common interests, goals, experiences, views and trust]

And our fellowship [united by shared common interests, goals, experiences, views and trust] is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
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Pray the Word:
Lord, our desire is to increase our fellowship with You . . . .  to have our lives changed dramatically by having all things in common with you . . . Teach us how to share in the same feelings, views, aims, and joys You have and to have the love for the same truth, the desire for the same objectives, and be engaged in the same work. We want to experience the richness of this fellowship where everything we have is made available to You and everything that You have is made available to us.

GOOD. . .ness!

GOOD. . .ness!

Neh. 13: 31b

O my God, [have mercy on me]

remember me [when You think upon me . . .  grant me favor]

for good. [as I have done good to others, so do good to me]
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Pray the Word:
Lord, we don’t offer our GOOD deeds to You as a substitute for salvation, nor do we look for recognition or reward from anyone for any GOOD deeds we’ve ever been able to do.  We only ask for Your mercy and favor that You will do GOOD to us, as we have done GOOD to others. 

Won’t stoop to your level

Won’t stoop to your level

[Nehemiah’s antagonists realized they couldn’t use deadly force to stop him, so they resorted to deceitful scheming under the pretense of being ‘friends’. Four times they sent invitations to him to join them and each time he replied. . . . .]

Neh. 6:3b

I am carrying on a great work [of God]

and CANNOT COME DOWN. [stoop to your level and pay attention to your underhanded schemes]

Why should the work [of God] stop while I leave it [lose control, mentally or physically, putting a stop to the work]
and come down to you?

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Pray the Word:Lord, we ask for keen spiritual awareness and discernment to not stoop to the level of those who,  under the pretense of being our friend or ally, are only being used as a pawn by Satan to divert us away from the great work You have called us to do.

But as for you . . . . .

But as for you . . . . .

[Nehemiah encountered vigorous opposition when his enemies heard that the walls of Jerusalem were going to be rebuilt. He was laughed to scorn at the audaciousness of his vision and was intensely hated and considered to be worthless, inferior, and undeserving of respect.]

Neh. 2:20

Then answered I them, [with much spirit and boldness, not at all intimidated by their mocking or threats]

The God of heaven will prosper us [He alone will give us success!]

We his servants will start rebuilding, [in spite of all opposition, difficulties, and discouragements]

but as for you, [those in opposition who are mocking and discouraging us]

you have no share [any claim or right] in Jerusalem.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, when we know that we are in Your will, we can face our opposition with boldness and confidence and say, ‘But as for you . . . . . . you have no right or power over me – I can be what God wants me to be and I will accomplish what He has given me to do through my life!’

More than enough

More than enough

[After Nehemiah had spoken honestly to the King regarding his SADNESS and SORROW, he then boldly made his request for an indefinite ‘leave of absence’ to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls; with secure travel and diplomatic status plus special supplies that only the king's authority could provide. . . . and the King had granted it all, then, unexpectedly, the King added this . . . .]

Neh. 2:9b

Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.

[wasn’t asked to, didn’t have to – but wanted him to have more than enough support]

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Pray the Word:
Lord, teach us how to come in humble honesty before Your Throne of Grace and boldly ask our petition. .  . . yet, keep us open and aware of the different ways You are unexpectedly looking out and providing for us. We believe You are wanting us to have more than enough of Your power and provision to help in our every situation.

Honestly?

Honestly?

Neh. 2: 2-3

So the king said to me, Why do you look sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.

Then I was very much afraid. [highly unacceptable to appear in the royal presence with any signs of sorrow]

And I said to the king, Let the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchers, lies waste, and its fortified gates are consumed by fire?
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Pray the Word:
Lord, if we are truly concerned about rebuilding parts of our life and/or the purpose of our life, help us to face honestly our situation and make an honest assessment about what it means to trust and depend on You for all that we need so that we can be freed to be what You want us to be.

Who’s ‘got your back’?

Who’s ‘got your back’?

Neh. 1:4

When I heard this,

[the grim condition of his hometown, Jerusalem, the great City of God  – unfinished repair of the temple and homes; walls and gates allowed to remain in shattered ruins, leaving them in a defenseless state.]

I sat down [dejected]

and wept [involuntary tears]
and mourned for days [inconsolable grief]

and fasted [stepped away from the world and all its entanglements in order to spend time with God]

and prayed [constantly appealing and listening]

before the God of heaven, [to God alone, in secret, not openly]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, when we need some answers because the burden is heavy and the direction is not obvious  . . .  the place to start is to talk to You . . . and You alone! When we entrust our concerns to You, the mind is set at liberty; it feels satisfaction and composure, and difficulties vanish. You alone give an unexplained peace that no one or nothing else can give. You alone watch out and take care of things that are in our blind spot, leaving us to be able to focus on what’s in front of us – YOU’VE ‘GOT our back’!

The wrecking ball of progress

The wrecking ball of progress

Nehemiah 1:3

And they said unto me,

The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction [great physical or mental distress] and reproach: [feel ashamed or embarrassed]

the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, [no longer any ability left to resist destructive attacks – left defenseless]

and its gates [the ways in and out]

have been burned with fire. [a method of psychological warfare used to stir up fear and chaos that there is no way out]
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Pray the Word:
Lord, in that time when we feel hopeless . . . . fearful that we are now defenseless against the undo distress we are experiencing and there is no way out - You let the wrecking ball take down our walls in order for our life to be rebuilt even stronger. Knowing this, I give to You all that is in ruins and ask that You lead me in paths of healing and usefulness to rebuild me into the person You want me.

Don’t you ‘get it’?

Don’t you ‘get it’?

Job 19:25-26

I KNOW [am certain] THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES, [I know that He is Eternal who is about to deliver me]

and that IN THE END He will stand upon the earth. [however long Job was to suffer, however prolonged his calamities were, and were likely to be, be had the utmost confidence that God would at length, or at some future time, come forth to vindicate him]
And THOUGH this body be destroyed [wastes away],

YET in my flesh I WILL SEE GOD; [He would not always be left overwhelmed in this manner with calamities and reproaches]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, we admit that we are slow sometimes and it takes us awhile to GET IT! . . . .  But . . .  we gradually come to realize You in fact are working out a great and mighty purpose in us when life’s perplexities tumbles in, leaving us confused, exhausted and feeling a bit hopeless that it will all work itself out. Help me to accept what You have in store for me as the SPHERE OF INFLUENCE in which I am to live to the glory of God.

Help - the mountain’s are falling! !

Help - the mountain’s are falling! !

Job 14:18-19

But AS A MOUNTAIN, if it falls, crumbles to nothing [hope of rising again gone forever]

and as the rock is removed out of its place, [shaken from its foundation]

as water wears away the stones [worn away by  continuous resistance]

and as floods wash away the soil of the earth, [hope of seeds to reproduce swept away]

So You [O Lord] destroy the hope of man. [what is life? we ultimately die]

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Pray the Word:
Lord,  we, too, can sink into utter despondency as Job when our patience, constancy, firmness, and beliefs of life are worn out by long continued trials and disappointments. But You are wanting us to understand that LIVING FOR TODAY IS NOT WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT! This is not why human existence is given to us; this life is but the school time, a time of PREPARATION TO GET READY FOR THE REAL LIFE THAT LIES AHEAD of us in eternity! Help us to stay focused . . .

Adding insult to insult

Adding insult to insult

[A scorching rebuke and heartless, unfounded accusation from one of Job’s ‘friends’ being said to a man who God Himself characterized as blameless, upright, perfect, just, shuns evil, and is full of integrity .]
Job 11: 14-15
IF you put away the sin that is in your hand
AND IF you allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
 
THEN you will lift up your face without shame,
THEN you will stand firm and without fear.
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Pray the Word:
Lord, how do we PRESENT HOPE to those who are suffering or in difficult circumstances? Do we seek to offer them Jesus' compassion of ‘rejoicing with those who rejoice, and weeping with those who weep’? ----  or do we thoughtlessly throw out merciless theological theories of severe, trite cliché’s made without compassion? Help us to understand more the compassion of Your heart and how to extend that to others.

If only there were someone . . . .

 If only there were someone . . . .

Job 9:33

IF ONLY THERE WERE SOMEONE to arbitrate between us, [mediate the terrible gulf between man and God that must be bridged by another party]

TO LAY HIS HAND UPON US BOTH. [who understands us both and brings us together]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, we wonder if we really comprehend the magnitude of the DAY of GRACE we’re living in; in that, unlike Job, who lived before You provided that SOMEONE to mediate between You and man, he cried out in anguish for such a One who had the authority to stand before you and bring to Your attention the issues that were causing him pain and distress of life. Since the Cross, we now have that SOMEONE who knows, sees and understands . . . JESUS CHRIST . . . Who is at the right-hand of God as our mediator interceding on our behalf!

Well . . . shut my mouth

Well . . . shut my mouth

Job 3: 1
[After feeling himself the subject of continual suffering, being in heaviness through manifold temptation, his friends being silent offering no support, and there being no prospect of relief]

AFTER THIS, [a lengthy time]

JOB OPENED HIS MOUTH [implying great deliberation and gravity to speak regarding a grave and important matter]

AND CURESED HIS DAY [the day he was born].
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Pray the Word:
Lord, as with Job, we can also hit a low place when life is not pleasant. It’s at that time it seems to make us question if there’s really a purpose to our life and a reason to care anymore. Though we can't always see the reasoning for our unexplained troubles,  and when it looks absolutely useless to keep on living our life with intention – Help us, Lord, to comprehend that our life still has a great deal of meaning and purpose  because we can be assured that You are at work for us through it all and our latter end will be better than our beginning ------ if we keep our faith and trust You!

When life turns sour

When life turns sour

Job 2: 10

But he [Job] said to her,

You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. [thoughtless. Irrational, irreverent]

What? SHALL WE ACCEPT ONLY GOOD AT THE HAND OF GOD?

and SHALL WE NOT ALSO ACCEPT MISFORTUNE and what is of a bad nature?

In spite of all this, Job did not sin with his lips. [said nothing by any hasty or derogatory expression to reflect upon God]
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Pray the Word:
Lord, we take the joy and pleasure of the the pleasant things of life with gladness and gratitude, but, too often, if You allow something in our life that is difficult, we abandon that gratitude and begin to blame You because life is suddenly different than we thought it would be. Please strengthen our faith in You, that we can accept from Your hand both good and evil. Thank You that Your purposes for us, though sometimes painful, will always turn out for our good.

That’s the way he operates

That’s the way he operates


Job 2: 4-6

Then SATAN ANSWERED THE LORD, SKIN FOR SKIN!
Yes, all that a man has will he give for his life.

But stretch out your hand and STRIKE HIS FLESH AND BONE, [attack the whole person - body, soul, and spirit]

and he will surely curse you to your face.

The Lord said to Satan, Very well, then, he is in your hands;

BUT YOU MUST SPARE HIS LIFE.

[in God’s hand is all of life and it is He alone who determines the length of life for everyone.]
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Pray the Word:
Lord, we are better able to hold fast our faith in confidence when we UNDERSTAND HOW SATAN OPERATES    àmanipulates us to think he can go as far as to take our life by attacking us in BODY [physically], SOUL [mentally & emotionally] and SPIRIT [shaking the very foundations of faith, trust & confidence in God].ß    But knowing the strategy of our enemy and his limitations will allow us to stay firm in our trust in Your perfect will and timeless wisdom; securely guarded and guided by Your love.

Looking for the troubled

Looking for the troubled

Lk. 19: 10

For the SON OF MAN [Christ Himself]

is come TO SEEK [looking to find you]

and TO SAVE [by giving His own life]

that which WAS LOST. [lost your way, feeling deserted, in a state of ruin]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, when we are troubled on every side and can’t seem to find our way to You because of the oppression of a stressful and discouraging situation we’re living in that seems to have no end . . . . . and we know that just trying to be more religious or spiritual is not the answer . . . . . . .  we are reminded in our blinding despair that YOU ARE LOOKING FOR US and WILL FIND US! ! !  . . . . and will make certain that we have every opportunity to grow to our greatest extent possible and will bring us to our highest potential.

Fighting flies with a sword

Fighting flies with a sword

Rom. 5: 6

WHILE WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH [weak and powerless to help ourselves],

IN DUE TIME [at the right time] CHRIST DIES for [in behalf of] the ungodly.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, even after the time we gave our lives to You, there have been occurrences when we have experienced Satan smothering our mind with hideous thoughts of doubt and unbelief in You and in ourselves – in an effort to STRIP US OF OUR STRENGTH by telling us that we must still be ‘ungodly’ and Christ died in vain. These hideous thoughts are not our own, but are injections of the devil, for which he is responsible, and not us. Fighting against these accusations by trying to master our own thoughts when they are set on by the devil is like trying to FIGHT A SWARM OF FLIES WITH A SWORD. So . . . . help us in the times when we’re without strength [weak and powerless to help ourselves], to cast the anchor of our faith in You - Who sees through the devil’s lies and sees us held by the nail-scarred hands of Your Holy Son.

Invitation to fine dining

Invitation to fine dining

 

Jn.21: 12-13
[This is Jesus appearing to the disciples just after His crucifixion & resurrection. These guys are discouraged and have horrible feelings of failure they haven't fully dealt with yet.  They have pulled back spiritually, with feelings of personal failure, shattered dreams and expectations.]

Jesus said unto them, COME AND DINE. [move toward me and break your fast]

And none of the disciples ventured or dared ask him, Who are you? because they well knew that it was the Lord.

THEN JESUS CAME, and took the bread, and gave it to them, and so also with the fish.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, thank You for the STANDING INVITATION to COME AND DINE.  You offer us a place where we are given nourishment and fellowship after a time of despair and depression. A place to find restoration when we have failed or were fearful. A place of new energy after life’s disappointments and disillusionments. A place where hope bursts in our soul again!

But you promised . . . . . .

But you promised . . . . . .

II Cor. 1: 20

For ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD [pardon of sin, support in temptation and trial, guidance in perplexity, peace in life, and eternal glory beyond the grave]

[are fulfilled] IN HIM [Jesus Christ]

[and] ARE YEA, [He will be faithful to His Word]

and IN HIM AMEN, [pledged to be true, faithful and certain]

unto the glory of God by us.

[His promises and unchangeable faithfulness are shown through our lives which result in glory and praise to Him as a God of respect and trueness]
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Pray the Word:
Lord, have I been guilty of ‘twisting Your arm’ by trying to stretch Your promises past what You actually promised so that I can get what I want – like a spoiled child who wants his way? Because of the fact that there’s  no fickleness or uncertainty with You andYou will not abandon Your children  . . . . . I pray for strength of mind and spirit to live in the trust that You are looking out for my best interest and will be faithful to Your Word [YEA] and to Your oath of promise to me [AMEN].

Call me – here’s My number

Call me – here’s My number

 5-373-642-4333
[J ERE MIA H333]

Jer. 33: 3

CALL TO ME and I WILL ANSWER YOU

and show you great and mighty things, [inaccessible and hidden],

which you do not know [do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand].

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Pray the Word:

Lord, I will call you [stay in touch] more often . .  and when I call You, I’ll let You do more talking.

A ‘texting’ prayer

A ‘texting’ prayer

Ps. 12: 1a

hlp, LD!

TXT translation:

Help, Lord! [You alone can intervene and save me!]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, in actuality, it’s the FERVENCY AND THE  ATTITUDE OF OUR PRAYER  – not the length, frequency, eloquence, logic argument or spiritual lingo - that  reaches past the heavens to Your throne and gets Your ear. Hlp me 2get2 the pt qikr. <3<3<3 

Holes in our heart

Holes in our heart

 

Ps. 40: 2
He drew me up OUT OF A HORRIBLE PIT, [a prison of destruction]

OUT OF THE MIRY CLAY [muddy bottom of the pit where there’s no solid ground to stand]

and set my feet upon a rock, [where there was firm standing]

steadying [fixing] my steps [to safely walk as on solid ground]

and establishing my goings. [no danger of descending to the pit again or sinking in the muddy bottom]

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Pray the Word:
Lord, this is a powerful reminder of what You will do when we put our trust in You to HEAL THE HOLES IN OUR HEART ----- those leaky emotions, deep heartaches & unhappiness and unrecompensed feelings of rejection. . . . We do not want to awake each day with the same HOLES IN OUR HEART. We’ve found that ‘people’, ‘places’ or ‘things’ are powerless to heal the deepest places in our soul. . .  You are the only One who holds the keys to the answers and the healing of THE HOLES IN OUR HEART.

Never too late!

Never too late!

John 11: 39 - 44

Jesus said, TAKE AWAY THE STONE. Martha, the sister of the dead man [Lazarus], exclaimed, But Lord, by this time he [is decaying and] throws off an offensive odor, for HE HAS BEEN DEAD FOUR DAYS!

Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would SEE THE GLORY OF GOD?

SO THEY TOOK AWAY THE STONE. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

Yes, I know You always hear and listen to Me, but I have said this on account of and for the benefit of the people standing around, so that they may believe that You did send Me [that You have made Me Your Messenger].

When He had said this, HE SHOUTED WITH A LOUD VOICE, Lazarus, come out!

And OUT WALKED THE MAN WHO HAD BEEN DEAD, his hands and feet wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] napkin bound around his face. Jesus said to them, Free him of the burial wrappings and let him go.

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Pray the Word:

Lord, as I’m reminded of the words to this song – I renew my trust and confidence in You!

Right know you may be fighting a battle of fear
You've cried to the Lord 'I need You now!'
But He has not appeared.
My friend don't be discouraged
Cause He's still the same.
He'll be right here and He'll roll back your stone and He'll call out your name!

When He's four days late and all hope is gone
Lord we don't understand why You've waited so long.
But His way is God's way - it's not yours or mine
But isn't it great when He's four days late - He's still on time!

But men . . . . .

But men . . . . .

Ps. 9: 20

Put them in fear [put on strong restraints to make them realize their frail nature], O Lord,

that the nations may know themselves to be BUT MEN. [in their bold, daring, confidence in their own strength, and their belief that they could succeed on their own and, otherwise, think ourselves gods; understand themselves to be but miserable, frail, and dying men – mere mortals].

Selah [pause, mark well and take notice of that]!

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Pray the Word:

Lord, we’ve observed that crowns leave their wearers but men, degrees of prominent learning make their owners no more than men, courage and conquest cannot elevate the person after death to any higher level than that of BUT A MAN [mere mortal]. And, if all the wealth, wisdom, power and eloquence of every successful man were added together, it would still leave the possessor BUT A MAN [mere mortal]. May we ever remember this for fear that we should be put in strong restraints to make us realize our frail nature without You!