Even Now

This morning during my quiet time I was reading in John 11....it is about Jesus raising Lazarus. I was led to this particular portion of Scripture through reading Mark Batterson's book, "The Circle Maker." This ended up being one of those moments when God spoke a message so clearly to my heart and to my soul that I got up from my chair a different person than I was when I sat down (Disclaimer...God's Word is always changing me, it's just there are some days when it is a lightning strike kind of change).

So, here is the story of Lazarus: Lazarus, along with his sisters Mary and Martha, were dear friends of Jesus. Jesus got word that Lazarus was sick but didn't go to him immediately. He stayed where he was for several more days. He eventually made his way to Lazarus, but by the time he got there it was too late. Lazarus was dead. Not just recently dead, but in the grave dead for four days. When Mary and Martha found out that Jesus had arrived Mary stayed where she was, but Martha ran to meet him.

Here is verse 21: Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. Understandable that Martha would react this way. It is the next verse that is so amazing...

But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask" (verse 22)

EVEN NOW

Martha's faith is amazing to me. I want that kind of Martha faith. The kind of faith that believes Jesus can still act even though her brother is dead. Most of us would stop at the first part of what she said...I know there are many times I have. We come to a dead end and say, "Lord if you had only been here________. We mess up or we miss an opportunity. We put a period. The end. Don't bother to pray anymore. It is over. It is finished. Nothing's going to change. Nothing will ever get better. 

But I wonder how many times we put a period when God would put a comma. Can we be so bold to put a comma? To keep praying and believing even when the outcome seems impossible? 

I think of all the times in my life that I have messed up. So many regrets I have about

... raising my children

...choices I have made

...times I have been complacent instead of bold

...times I had opportunities to share Jesus with someone and I chose not to

...financial decisions I have made that I am still paying for

This list could go on and on and on, but I chose to stop it. I chose to believe that "even now" God will act and will give me (with Jesus as my High Priest and Mediator) whatever I ask. 

Even now I believe that Jesus will save my children and use their lives for His glory. 

Even now I believe that Jesus will redeem the choices I have made to accomplish His work in me so He can fulfill His purpose through me. 

Even now I believe that Jesus will grow me into a bold warrior for Him and help me take a stand. 

Even now I believe that Jesus will give me daily opportunities to share the gospel.

Even now I believe that Jesus will give me wisdom to make better financial decisions.

What situations are you facing now that you could choose to have faith to put a comma instead of a period? 

EVEN NOW....