Just Keep On Praying

"As for the Eleven disciples, they went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Jesus, they bowed before Him, although some doubted." - Matthew 28:16-17

While Jesus lived with the apostles, they doubted Him. When He was crucified, they lost all their hope. When He resurrected, they still doubted. Even after spending 40 days with them after His resurrection, they still doubted! It doesn't even matter that they saw Him with their own eyes! Dumb apostles, right? If they're dumb, so are we! It's the same thing with us. How many times hasn't God come through for us, on the big things and the small, yet the next time a problem rolls around… bam… we're down on the floor worried that God won't be there for us! But you know what… it's ok! Jesus knew them, He knew what was in their hearts and He didn't reprimand them for it and that's because although they had questions in their head, they were still there praying. You see, that's all that really matters, that we keep on praying, even if a billion questions are stuck in our head. Just keep on praying.

Today's Prayer:
Jesus, You have to put up with so much from me! I doubt and turn my back on You, but You're always there to take me back. Please, never let me stay fallen down for too long. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Jesus and Lazarus

"And she said to Jesus, 'If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.' Jesus said, 'Your brother will rise.'" - John 11:21-23

Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus were really good friends of Jesus, but when Lazarus had taken ill and was close to death, Jesus wasn't able to go to where he was. Lazarus died and a few days later, and after he was already put into a tomb, was that Jesus went to visit. Upon reaching their home, his sister said to Jesus that if He had only been there, her brother wouldn't have died. I can't help but think of our own problems when hearing this story. How many times don't we see ourselves with an urgent need and don't seem to have the company of God when we feel we need it the most? We tell God that if only He would do something, we'd be ok, but God doesn't seem to make a move to help. When Jesus arrives at their house, the bible says that He cried with them because He felt their pain. He felt compassion. Jesus asked for the stone to be removed from the tomb and prayed to God to raise Lazarus. After being dead for four whole days, Lazarus resurrected before a multitude of witnesses. Jesus told the people and Lazarus' family that He was the resurrection, and that's what you need to believe in the midst of your problems. Things can seem beyond repair, but that's only according to what Humans can do. Jesus has said that if we believe, we will see the power of God and no matter what you may be going through, if you hold steady, you will see the power of God. You have to understand that God knows what you're made of and how much you can endure. He also knows when to give you what you need. In your life, something may seem completely out of your control, but that's where God wants to work for you - in the areas where you will see that no human could have possibly helped, only the hand of the Almighty. Like Lazarus, the chances of your coming out ok from your problem could be dead, and you could say that if only God had acted sooner, but remember, nothing is over until the Almighty Lord says it's over! Nothing is ever too late. You have a God that can turn anything around for you if only you believe.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, just like with my body when I die, resurrect my hopes and my joy. Only You can guide me through and deliver me. Help me to always believe and put my trust in You. In Your Name we pray, amen.