This seems to be a reversal of positions from the time when Jesus had dinner with the sisters at their home in Bethany. There, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet while Martha tended to the cooking and serving. Clearly, Jesus’ comment about the one thing necessary resonated with Martha. Now, in her deep grief over the death of her brother Lazarus, she goes out to meet Jesus, struggling to understand his delay in arriving at their home.
Her seeming reproach and Jesus’ response evoke a profound expression of trust from Martha: “Whatever you ask of God, God will give you” (v. 22). She then utters this amazing profession of faith in Jesus as the resurrection and the life: “I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world” (v. 27).
- Sr. Chris Koellhoffer, I.H.M.
Sharing with you, “ DAY TWENTY-SEVEN “Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth' …” *** READ “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14-25 “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” Revelation 21:1-2 *** REFLECT Life in this world is a wonderful gift, yet clear signs indicate something has gone wrong. Wars and wickedness destroy us. Whirlwinds of nature and ravages of disease bring death. Human relationships challenge us. Can the world ever change? Revelation 20 and 21 remind us that God has a perfect plan to set all wrongs right. In Revelation 19:1–20:10, we see the heavens open as Jesus returns, begins His millennial reign, and judges Satan. Now two momentous events remain: the last (great white throne) judgment and the establishment of the new heaven and the new earth. In our study this year, we will learn more about each of these. Today, as we focus on Revelation 21:1-2, we find hope in the assurance that Jesus will keep His promise from Revelation 3:5. “The One Who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before MyFather and His angels.” God’s plan has always been for His people to be at home with Him in a world free from the devastation of sin. While Jerusalem was the city where Jesus was accused, convicted, and taken outside its walls to die, in the new heaven and the new earth, Jerusalem becomes a renewed earthly city—a dwelling place for those Jesus died to save. *** PRAY Revelation gives us hope for the future, but what about today? When we struggle with the brokenness around us, we find hope in God’s transformation of individual lives through Jesus Christ. This new creation in human hearts foreshadows God’s coming transformation of the universe. Today ask God to renew your faith and continue to transform your heart. Whether you have been a Christian for three days or 30 years, God continues to work in every one of us when we seek Him.”
*** Listen to Jesus’ response to the news of Lazarus being sick in John 11:3-6, “So the sisters sent a message to Jesus. “Lord,” they told Him, “the one you love is sick.” When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory. God’s Son will receive glory because of it.” Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So after He heard Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for two more days.” *** Jesus’ delay was on purpose: He didn’t rush over but stayed for 2 more days! Jesus delay was for purpose: God’s Son will receive glory! *** I am in awe with the truth in John 11:23-25, “Jesus said to her (Martha), “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again. This will happen when people are raised from the dead on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even if they die!” ******* Martha knew the ultimate truth that Lazarus would be raised from the dead on the last day because he believed in Jesus, the Messiah - the Son of God as Martha did! But she missed her brother wanting him to stay alive much longer! *** So it is with us when our loved ones are sick on their death beds…we are sad and praying for Jesus to heal them so we continue to be with them and love them! *** Sometimes we lose sight of the ultimate truth of eternal life because of our selfish desire to have more time with our loved ones! I keep telling my loved ones to remember this, “my best days on earth cannot never compare with the worst day (not in heaven’s dictionary) in heaven, so please celebrate with me when I die because nothing I mean nothing can compare with being with Jesus face to face!” *** Listen to how Paul described his desire (mine too :-) for heaven in Philippians 1:22-23, “Suppose I go on living in my body. Then I will be able to carry on my work. It will bear a lot of fruit. But what should I choose? I don’t know! I can’t decide between the two. I long to leave this world and be with Christ. That is better by far!” ******* Romans 14:7-9, “We don’t live for ourselves only. And we don’t die for ourselves only. If we live, we live to honor the Lord. If we die, we die to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and came back to life. He did this to become the Lord of both the dead and the living!” *** When (and not if)) I am on my death bed, please pray that I get to see Jesus face to face ASAP and don’t pray for my earthly healing because my true healing is in heaven ✝️ I cannot wait ♥️ *** BTW, guess what happened to Lazarus after Jesus raised him from his grave on earth…yes, he died! Yet he lives ✝️ *** The ultimate truth in John 11:25-26, “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even if they die. And whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” ******* How about you?!?!?!
10000 reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman https://youtu.be/DXDGE_lRI0E?si=aHfEC2STDEeM37YS
Thank you Sister Chris for another beautiful reflection. If we are able to let go of our worries and trust in Our Lord Jesus, we’ll be able to do more than we thought we could do. Jesus I love you, Jesus I trust you. Please have mercy on me a sinner. Please forgive my unbelief.
Sr. Chris thank you for your words and reminder. It's so very hard when it feels like the world is falling in around you to remember Jesus is still there with us. Blessings to all the LFF especially those with extra needs these days. May we all go out and spread the love of God through all the world.
My daughter Amy is scheduled today to have knee reconstruction surgery,please keep her in your prayers. Thank you all.
Please let us know how it went!!!I know God was with her!
Praying for a successful surgery for Amy and calmness for you, mom. By now she is recovering well.
Prayers for a successful surgery going out to Amy today. Following Ken’s advice as a recipient of 2 knee replacements myself, Physical Therapy is very important. Almost equally important as the surgery itself. Blessings to both of you.
Margaret, may the Lord keep Amy, in his loving arms and you too. Blessings, Rita.
Margaret I am praying for you and your daughter right now. I had two knees replaced. Tell her follow her physical therapy instructions and she will recover. Ken
Prayers for Amy and those doing the surgery.
When Lazarus died his sisters sent word to Jesus. They had seen and heard of the many miracles he had done and so they waited for him to do a miracle for his dear friends. But Jesus was delayed in coming and didn’t arrive until days after Lazarus had been buried. When he did, each of the sisters in turn said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” They knew that he could have kept their brother alive and in their anguish and grief, they poured out their hearts to him. Eventually Jesus did restore Lazarus to life, teaching the sisters what we also have learned: His answer to our prayerful petitions is yes, no or not yet.
Yes indeed Lord....keep me strong, and faithful and trusting in You....all the days of my life.
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Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence, war and environmental destruction – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.