Do you Dare to love like Christ?

 Today's meditation John chapter 11:1-10

1. There was a man named Lazarus In Bethany the town of Mary and Martha and he was sick. (V1)
 2. It was this Mary who anointed the feet of Jesus with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair. Lazarus was her brother. (V2)
3. Mary and Martha sent to  Jesus that Lazarus whom he loves was sick. (V3)
4. Jesus said that his sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God that CHRIST may be glorified in him. (V4)
5. Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus. (V5)
6. When Christ heard that Lazarus was sick he tarried in the place he was and abided there for another two days. (V6)
7. Then Christ said that they ought to go to judèa again. (V7)
 8. The disciples said to him how he can go there again to the Jews who tried to stone him. (V8)
9. Jesus said there are twelve hours in a day. If a man walks in the day he stumbles not because he sees the light of the world. (V9)
10. But the man stumbles in the night as there is no light in him. (V10)

 Life applications:

When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
John:11:4

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
John:11:5

The amazing Love of Christ:

In this meditation, God opened my eyes to see a glimpse of the amazing Love of Christ.

1. The love of Christ comprehends the big picture:

When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
John:11:4

The love of Christ was deeper to analyse the issue in the light of God and comprehend what God wanted to do in that particular situation.

Dear Child of God... do we see the hand of God in our difficult situations? Are we able to trust in God in seeing the big picture as Christ did.?

 Let us ask for more of the love of Christ in us that we will be able to love him and trust him more in overwhelming situations in ourselves and in others.

2. Love of Christ is tough:


When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
John:11:6

The Love of Christ is tough enough not to be shaken by any emotional outbursts.

the love of Christ sees physical things spiritually by-passing all emotions.

Jesus tarried and spent another two days in the place where he stayed, that God's will be accomplished in Lazarus.

Dear Child of God,
Do you feel God does not have compassion on you and is tough as you cry out to him day and night?

Cheer up! This waiting is also a part of the big plan. This is also a characteristic of the great love and wisdom of Christ.

3. The love of Christ submits to the direction of the Holy Spirit in respect to time and space.

Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
John:11:7

Christ gives us a beautiful example of how to surrender to the leading of the holy spirit.

Many times we with emotional decisions and looking at situations around or hearing to people make haste in decisions not heeding to the gentle voice of the holy spirit.

The spirit of God wants our soul to be at peace in all situations that we can listen to the leading of the holy spirit clearly each time.

 4. Love of Christ is daring:

His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
John:11:8

Halleluyah! The love of Christ is daring enough to face the cross for us.

 He chose to go to Judea again in spite of an outrage opposition in that place.

Dear Child of the most high God!
You have a heavenly father whose hands will reach out to you even if you are in the midst of hell surrounded by a thousand demons.

Do not be disheartened... you have a loving heavenly father who dares to go any extreme for your cause.

5. The love of Christ gives us a sound mind:

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walks in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
John:11:9

Christ is light. If we walk in the light of Christ,  in the direction of the Holy Spirit we will not stumble. The Love of Christ never confuse us.

A. The Lord himself shall be our light and we shall not stumble.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm:27:1

B. The word of God is a light to our path.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm:119:105

C. Christ himself is that light that will bring us to the sanctuary of God.

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
Psalm:43:3

D. There is a light inside of us... even our conscience through which God can lead us.

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
Psalm:18:28
 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
Proverbs:20:27

More than anything... if we are walking in the love of Christ we are walking in the light.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John:1:7

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
1 John:2:10

To GOD BE THE GLORY.... amen.

See the SEA WALKER

 John 6:16-21

1. The disciples in the evening went down unto the sea and got into the ship.(v16, 17)
2. They went to the way of Capernaum.  (V17)
3. It was getting dark by then, and Jesus was not there with them. ( v17)
4. There blew a great wind and the sea arose. ( v18)
5. As they were rowing a little distance, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming close to the ship and were afraid. ( v19)
6. Jesus said that it is he And told them not to be afraid. (V20)
7. They gladly received him in the boat and immediately they reached the place where they wanted to reach. (V21)

 APPLICATION 1:
Dealing with tough times:
Many a times trouble times come over us like a shadow.. without us realising,  till it becomes too late.

In this meditation, we see three worse situations.
1. The disciples getting caught in the storm  (v18)
2.  it was becoming dark. (v17)
3. Jesus was not there in the ship. (V17)

David portrays of the emotional state of the disciples in psalms 107;

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
Psalm:107:23
These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
Psalm:107:24
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
Psalm:107:25
They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
Psalm:107:26
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.
Psalm:107:27
Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
Psalm:107:28
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Psalm:107:29
Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Psalm:107:30

Most of the time, in our troubles we are like drunken people, staggering around. We are at our wit's end. Our souls meltdown in trouble. But still we try to row our boats more further against the storms.

It is then we cry out to God for help. He hears our cry from the heavens. He humbles himself, to come to us and calm the storms.

Hallelujah! We have an awesome God who listens to our screams and cries and comes for our rescue.

 Life application 2:
Calming the storms:
When we are in trouble, something dramatic happens.

Our eyes are opened to see the SEA WALKER. (V19)
 Yes, today if we are troubled, let us pray that GOD will open our eyes to see the GOD of the oceans and seas, who have the authority to calm every storm and Gale surrounding us.

Now let me compare the similarity in psalms 107 and John 6:
Jesus calms them by soothing them not to be afraid. He calms their every hidden and inner turmoil with his words. (V20)

Dear Child of God, if you are in an inner turmoil, the word of God is coming to you. "Do not be afraid". He is able to calm every storm that raises against you.

 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Psalm:107:29

But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
John:6:20

Once the inner peace sets in and we are completely quiet, he takes us fast to our desired place. Let us see these two verses below;

Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
John:6:21

Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Psalm:107:30

Dear Child of God, Let me summarise how we are to deal with storms in life.
1. Identify the storm. - physical and emotional darkness with no Christ in the situation.
2. Cry out for help till heavens hear you.
3. Pray that your eyes are opened to see the SEA WALKER, The God who has the authority to calm your storms and change your situations.
4. Allow God's word to comfort you.
5. Receive Christ into your ship to deal with your situations.
6. Once you are calm and quiet and become glad about you will see your physical situations change quickly.

May Spirit of God enlighten your spirit to know more. Amen.