Alive Again
Day 1:
From Knowledge to Faith
Devotional
Have you ever known something to be true, but struggled to believe it in your heart? Many of us can relate to Martha in the story of Lazarus. She knew Jesus could perform miracles, yet when faced with her brother's death, doubt crept in. It's one thing to know about God's power intellectually; it's another to trust Him completely when everything seems hopeless. The gap between head knowledge and heart belief is where our faith journey often takes place. Today, consider what truths about God you know, but might be struggling to fully believe. Remember, God understands this struggle and meets us exactly where we are.
Bible Verse
"'Yes, Lord,' she replied, 'I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.'" - John 11:27
Reflection Question
What truth about God do you know intellectually but find challenging to believe with your whole heart, especially in difficult circumstances?
Quote
Knowing what the Bible says and believing what the Bible says are two different things.
Prayer
Lord, help me bridge the gap between what I know about You and what I believe in my heart. Transform my intellectual understanding into deep, unshakeable faith. Give me the courage to trust You completely, even when circumstances seem impossible. Amen.
Day 2:
Divine Timing
Devotional
We live in an instant society where waiting feels like punishment. We want immediate solutions, quick fixes, and instant results. But God's timing often differs from our preferred schedule. He sees beyond our immediate needs to our ultimate good. When we're anxious for answers, He might be preparing something far better than we could imagine. Just as Jesus delayed going to Lazarus, sometimes God's apparent 'delays' are actually part of His perfect plan. His timing isn't just about the destination; it's about who we become in the process.
Bible Verse
"On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days." - John 11:17
Reflection Question
What situation in your life requires patient trust in God's timing rather than demanding immediate results?
Quote
Sometimes we want God to microwave it. And he says, no, I need to marinate it because what I'm making for you is better than what you can get at the drive through.
Prayer
Father, help me trust Your timing even when it differs from my own. Give me patience to wait for Your best rather than settling for quick fixes. Thank You for working all things together for my good. Amen.
Day 3:
Worship in the Waiting
Devotional
True worship isn't just a response to favorable circumstances - it's a declaration of who God is, regardless of our situation. When life feels overwhelming, worship becomes our anchor. It shifts our focus from our problems to God's presence, from our limitations to His limitless power. Even in seasons of waiting or loss, we can choose to worship. This isn't about denying our pain; it's about acknowledging that God remains worthy of praise despite our circumstances. Through worship, we position ourselves to experience His presence and power in profound ways.
Bible Verse
"When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled." - John 11:33
Reflection Question
How can you intentionally choose worship today, especially in areas where you're struggling to see God at work?
Quote
Our worship is not based on our current circumstance. Our worship is based on who he is.
Prayer
God, help me worship You not because of my circumstances, but because of who You are. Let my praise rise above my problems. Thank You for being worthy of worship in every season. Amen.
Day 4:
Removing the Stones
Devotional
Before Jesus raised Lazarus, He commanded the people to roll away the stone. God often invites us to participate in our miracle by taking action steps of faith. These 'stones' might represent barriers we've placed between ourselves and God - fear, unforgiveness, pride, or past hurts. While God has the power to do everything Himself, He often asks us to participate by removing these obstacles. This partnership with God isn't about earning His help; it's about preparing our hearts to receive what He wants to do.
Bible Verse
"'Take away the stone,' he said. 'But, Lord,' said Martha, the sister of the dead man, 'by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.'" - John 11:39
Reflection Question
What 'stone' might God be asking you to roll away to allow His resurrection power to work in your life?
Quote
God will do the impossible, but he invites us to do the possible.
Prayer
Lord, give me courage to remove any barriers that block Your work in my life. Help me recognize and address these obstacles, trusting that You're ready to work miracles when I take steps of faith. Amen.
Day 5:
Freedom for Others
Devotional
After Lazarus was raised, Jesus commanded others to "loose him and let him go." This reminds us that our spiritual journey isn't just about personal freedom - it's about helping others experience freedom too. Some people will try to keep us bound to our past, but others will help unleash us into our future. We have the privilege and responsibility to be people who help others walk in their newfound freedom, encouraging rather than restricting their growth in Christ.
Bible Verse
"Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.'" - John 11:44
Reflection Question
How can you help someone else experience the freedom Christ offers, rather than keeping them bound to their past?
Quote
Don't hang out with people that are going to wrap you up in grave clothes. Hang out with people that's going to loose you and let you go.
Prayer
Father, make me someone who helps others walk in freedom. Show me how to encourage and support those around me as they grow in their faith. Help me be a source of liberation rather than limitation. Amen.
From Knowledge to Faith
Devotional
Have you ever known something to be true, but struggled to believe it in your heart? Many of us can relate to Martha in the story of Lazarus. She knew Jesus could perform miracles, yet when faced with her brother's death, doubt crept in. It's one thing to know about God's power intellectually; it's another to trust Him completely when everything seems hopeless. The gap between head knowledge and heart belief is where our faith journey often takes place. Today, consider what truths about God you know, but might be struggling to fully believe. Remember, God understands this struggle and meets us exactly where we are.
Bible Verse
"'Yes, Lord,' she replied, 'I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.'" - John 11:27
Reflection Question
What truth about God do you know intellectually but find challenging to believe with your whole heart, especially in difficult circumstances?
Quote
Knowing what the Bible says and believing what the Bible says are two different things.
Prayer
Lord, help me bridge the gap between what I know about You and what I believe in my heart. Transform my intellectual understanding into deep, unshakeable faith. Give me the courage to trust You completely, even when circumstances seem impossible. Amen.
Day 2:
Divine Timing
Devotional
We live in an instant society where waiting feels like punishment. We want immediate solutions, quick fixes, and instant results. But God's timing often differs from our preferred schedule. He sees beyond our immediate needs to our ultimate good. When we're anxious for answers, He might be preparing something far better than we could imagine. Just as Jesus delayed going to Lazarus, sometimes God's apparent 'delays' are actually part of His perfect plan. His timing isn't just about the destination; it's about who we become in the process.
Bible Verse
"On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days." - John 11:17
Reflection Question
What situation in your life requires patient trust in God's timing rather than demanding immediate results?
Quote
Sometimes we want God to microwave it. And he says, no, I need to marinate it because what I'm making for you is better than what you can get at the drive through.
Prayer
Father, help me trust Your timing even when it differs from my own. Give me patience to wait for Your best rather than settling for quick fixes. Thank You for working all things together for my good. Amen.
Day 3:
Worship in the Waiting
Devotional
True worship isn't just a response to favorable circumstances - it's a declaration of who God is, regardless of our situation. When life feels overwhelming, worship becomes our anchor. It shifts our focus from our problems to God's presence, from our limitations to His limitless power. Even in seasons of waiting or loss, we can choose to worship. This isn't about denying our pain; it's about acknowledging that God remains worthy of praise despite our circumstances. Through worship, we position ourselves to experience His presence and power in profound ways.
Bible Verse
"When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled." - John 11:33
Reflection Question
How can you intentionally choose worship today, especially in areas where you're struggling to see God at work?
Quote
Our worship is not based on our current circumstance. Our worship is based on who he is.
Prayer
God, help me worship You not because of my circumstances, but because of who You are. Let my praise rise above my problems. Thank You for being worthy of worship in every season. Amen.
Day 4:
Removing the Stones
Devotional
Before Jesus raised Lazarus, He commanded the people to roll away the stone. God often invites us to participate in our miracle by taking action steps of faith. These 'stones' might represent barriers we've placed between ourselves and God - fear, unforgiveness, pride, or past hurts. While God has the power to do everything Himself, He often asks us to participate by removing these obstacles. This partnership with God isn't about earning His help; it's about preparing our hearts to receive what He wants to do.
Bible Verse
"'Take away the stone,' he said. 'But, Lord,' said Martha, the sister of the dead man, 'by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.'" - John 11:39
Reflection Question
What 'stone' might God be asking you to roll away to allow His resurrection power to work in your life?
Quote
God will do the impossible, but he invites us to do the possible.
Prayer
Lord, give me courage to remove any barriers that block Your work in my life. Help me recognize and address these obstacles, trusting that You're ready to work miracles when I take steps of faith. Amen.
Day 5:
Freedom for Others
Devotional
After Lazarus was raised, Jesus commanded others to "loose him and let him go." This reminds us that our spiritual journey isn't just about personal freedom - it's about helping others experience freedom too. Some people will try to keep us bound to our past, but others will help unleash us into our future. We have the privilege and responsibility to be people who help others walk in their newfound freedom, encouraging rather than restricting their growth in Christ.
Bible Verse
"Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.'" - John 11:44
Reflection Question
How can you help someone else experience the freedom Christ offers, rather than keeping them bound to their past?
Quote
Don't hang out with people that are going to wrap you up in grave clothes. Hang out with people that's going to loose you and let you go.
Prayer
Father, make me someone who helps others walk in freedom. Show me how to encourage and support those around me as they grow in their faith. Help me be a source of liberation rather than limitation. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2025
Categories
no categories
No Comments