It's been a while. My computer had broken and had to be sent to for repair. Subsequently it was lost enroute to the repair center. Weeks of back and forth with the repair company ensued and I ended up with a new computer since that old one has apparently been thrown into the atmosphere somewhere never to be seen again.
Something that is on my heart this morning is "new life." Acts 2:24 But God released Him from the horrors of death and raised Him back to life, for death could not keep Him in its grip.
What feels dead in your life? A job, a marriage, other relationship, your walk with God, your heart? Jesus conquered death. Physical death. Those who call Him Lord and Savior will be raised again to new life when they close their eyes to this world for the last time. But He also has brings life to our lives right now. John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. Other translations call this "abundant life." John 1:4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. Jesus gives life...now and for eternity.
Sometimes I think we forget this. Sometimes I think it's easier not to grab hold and walk in this life Jesus brings. It's easier to stay in our pits, our messes, our deadness than to walk out of our prisons and into the freedom Jesus offers. Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is from Ezekiel 37:1-4
37 The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. 2 He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. 3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” 4 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! 6 I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” 7 So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. 8 Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’” 10 So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army. 11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’ 12 Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord. 14 I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!’”
Did you notice this is a process? Did you notice that Ezekiel had a part to play in this? God gave him an assignment. What is God asking you to do to work with Him to bring new life to you dead zones? Ezekiel could have said, "No Lord, those bones can never come back to life." and walked away in sad hopelessness. But instead he opted to believe and act. And he saw life breathed into the deadest of valleys. The Lord longs for our "dry bones" to live again. He longs to breathe life into even the deadest situations. Should we not line our wills up with His and watch our valleys of dry bones and live!
Lord, let our dry bones live again! Bring us back to life! Forgive us for doubting. Forgive us for wallowing. Forgive our laziness, our stubbornness, our unbelief. Forgive us that we feel more comfortable in our pits than grabbing the hand you offer. So often I myself don't want to put the work in or do my part. It's easier to just complain and feel sorry for myself, blame others, even You. I repent of those attitudes this morning and ask You to correct me every time I fall into those traps. Lord, strengthen each of us to speak to our dry bones and walk in newness of life that You give. Help us to "Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 We know the battle belongs to You, Lord, and victory is Yours, but let us do our part as You lead. Create in us the desire to come out of the grave and live, give us the strength and fortitude to obey Your commands. And let us go past our feelings and unbelief to the victory You plan for us. We thank You that You desire us to be free and living abundant lives to Your glory and for Your service. To You be the glory. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.
Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
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