|
TREASURE HUNT
Come Forth- Part II
The Excavation
“….He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, Come forth!” (John 11:43)
“…..Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22), are a few of the many gifts and treasures that the Holy Spirit has placed deep down on the inside of our hearts. But, just as we discussed last month, sometimes the “dirt, rock, and debris” of life can bury our gifts under mounds and mounds of “heaviness”, not allowing us to reach our treasures and live life to the fullest. So what do we do? How can we breakthrough this hardship and walk into what God has for us? Let the excavation begin!
In John 11:38-44, there is a story of one of the most powerful excavations written in the Bible. It is the raising of one of Jesus’ most “treasured” friends, Lazarus. As I read through this scripture, I stumbled upon some very valuable tools that we can use as we move towards our dreams.
1.Remove all things that hinder you from reaching your goals - John 11:38-39 says, “Then Jesus again groaning in Himself came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone!” In order for you gift to come forth, the first thing that needs to be done is to take away anything or anyone that may stand in the way of your gift. Understand that this may not be easy. In Bible times, tomb stones were known to weigh anywhere from 1 – 2 tons, making it very difficult for anyone to move alone. Likewise, the weight of life’s circumstances can be so overpowering to us that we, too, have difficulty moving forward. Remember, God has provided help for you to dig out of your situation. Physicians, counselors, and pastors are a few of the natural means that God has given to us. In addition, get into the presence of God and ask him to show you what it is in your life that is keeping you down. Then ask him to show you how to remove it.
2. Don’t give up, even if people have given up on you- John 11:39 (amp) says, “Martha, the sister of the dead man, exclaimed, But Lord, by this time he is decaying and throws off an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days.” Martha thought it was useless for Christ to try to save someone that has been dead in his situation for such a long time. Remember, as you continue to make progress and move toward your goals, you will have much opposition--even from family and friends. But don’t give up, even though others will give up on you.
3. Believe that you can do it! - John 11:40 “Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?”
The road will be rough and your circumstances may look bleak, but trust in God, and believe that He will bring you forward. “Mark 9:23 says that, “…all things are possible to him who believes.”
Next month, join me as I continue to give you the tools you will need to excavate the gifting that God has placed inside of you. Luv ya!
Pam Robinson
De Novo Ministries
|
