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Happy Friday! Shoutouts and a great welcome to our new Freedom Walkers and all of you who have been our companion on this exciting journey!
It’s been a tough week, but thank God it’s Friday! I pray that you take the opportunity to join other like Believers in worship this weekend. Whatever you do, make your way to church! Not only that but don’t forget make time for you.
May today’s Walking in Freedom! Devotional encourage you to remember this: God is perfect and so are His ways.
Happy Friday and have a fantastic weekend!
Let’s walk in freedom keeping our trust in Jesus Christ!
your sis,
Rhovonda
P.S. For your reading pleasure the devotional series, “The Week He Changed Everything” will be available in an eBook format. More details to come!
You Think You Know
Written by Rhovonda L. Brown
Originally posted 11/26/12
Martha and Mary knew Jesus. They knew who Jesus was because they spent so much time with Him. They knew He healed many. They knew He opened blinded eyes. They knew He caused the lame to walk, the dumb to speak and the deaf to hear.
They knew Jesus healed all manner of diseases. They knew Jesus forgave sins and made the stormy seas be quiet and obey. They knew He walked on water; clothed a deranged man and put him in his right mind.
Martha and Mary heard His teaching and preaching; both knew the Word and that the Word had come to save. Jesus was the Messiah and they knew it! These sisters knew Jesus. Well, they thought they did.
So when they sent out their stress call (John 11:3), they knew that the Healer would come. They knew the Compassionate Christ would show up. They had no doubt that the One who healed others, the One who answered others’ prayers would arrive and arrive on time. They were confident and sure that Jesus would make it to their brother’s sick bed before it got worse.
Of course Jesus would come; He loved them. He was their friend. But Jesus didn’t come, not like they thought He would (John 11:1-6).
“When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.'” (John 11:20-22, NLT)
“When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, ‘Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.'” (John 11:32, NLT)
Deep sorrow and agony can be felt as we read these passages. When Jesus finally arrived, you can feel the pain and sadness from Martha and Mary. They were experiencing the death of a loved one, a tragedy that can’t be described. Their brother was dead.
Isn’t that just like God?!
When we think we know Him. When we think we have Him all figured out. When we think we know what He’s going to do, He flips the script! When we think we know God’s plan, He comes and does a 360 on us! He does the unthinkable, the unimaginable, and the indescribable! As their brother’s body lay lifeless in a grave, Jesus arrives on the scene — 4 days later — and does the impossible!
“Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, ‘Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.
And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.’
Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.'” (John 11:39-44, NKJV)
Martha and Mary thought they knew Jesus, but they really didn’t know Him, nor did they really believe. But soon, these sisters, the mourners, the people from the town of Bethany, and everyone else would see that Jesus is Lord over the grave and over death. He’s the Resurrection and the Life! Soon, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus would believe.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Is. 55:9, NKJV)
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So, you think you know what God is doing?
So, you think you have Him all figured out?
You think you know what He’s planning?
Well, sisters, we don’t. We don’t even have a clue what God is up to, but believe me when I tell you that it’s something great! We can’t figure out His plan, but we can be sure that God’s plan for us is ultimately the best plan!!
“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!” (Ps. 139:17, NLT)
During your quiet time MEDITATE on today’s scriptures. Be encouraged in knowing God answers prayers, His ways are perfect and His thoughts for you are beautiful!
LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER & IMPACT THE WORLD!
Copyright ©2010-2016. Rhovonda L. Brown. All Rights Reserved.
No portion of Martha & Mary Ministries, Walking in Freedom!™ Devotionals may be reproduced, stored in any electronic system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission from the author. Brief quotations may be used in literary reviews.