This morning, we continue our series, “The Miracles of Jesus.” Before we get into the miracle, let’s look at the foundational scripture I will share with you all year.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us. I pray you get refreshed and restored as we study each miracle.
Read John 11
We have been through this miracle several times now. I have been giving you lessons we can glean from it. We will continue today.
So what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. Our belief system either frees God to move or keeps Him from moving in our lives.
— Jesus asked Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).
— There are no impossibilities in God. There is literally NOTHING God can’t do.
— As humans, we limit God by our inability to believe.
— You limit God’s ability to operate in your life when you fail to believe in Him and His limitless power.
— All things are possible for him who believes (Mark 9:23). But for the one who does not believe, there are many impossibilities because they are looking at their circumstances from a human point of view instead of God’s point of view.
— Our belief and faith can open the way for us to experience God’s power in our lives. But if we don’t believe, our unbelief can close the door to God.
— You must have a heart that is OPEN and READY to experience God’s power, even when what you need is a miracle.
— Many Christians fail to even pray for a miracle because they do not believe it is possible for them. When the doctor pronounces something, the bank makes a decision, or a judge makes a ruling; they accept it as a “final” decision without believing in God’s power. Remember, God, can do anything. There is nothing “final” for you until God says it is!
— I pray that this series on the miracles of Jesus has increased your capacity to believe God to the point where you believe miracles are possible for you.
— Martha could not see it. Thankfully, Jesus could. Therefore, it was Jesus’ faith that the Father used to raise Lazarus from the dead.
— When you are facing a dire situation, if you can’t believe God, I hope you have someone in your camp who can. You need someone to believe! If you fail to believe, you will fail to receive.
2. Miracles can serve to glorify God and help others expand their capacity to believe!
— God is not opposed to flexing His “spiritual muscles” because it brings glory to His name!
— The resurrection of Lazarus was a stunning miracle, but its purpose was to glorify God and help others believe.
— Yesterday, I taught you about levels of faith. I told you that the lowest level of faith is faith in the works (what people see). Some people refuse to believe in God until they SEE something they cannot explain with their own eyes. God is so gracious that He will allow these people to SEE what they need to SEE in order to believe.
— The Bible says, “And many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him” (John 11:45). They only believed it because they saw it with their own eyes. God was glorified, and they grew to the point where they could believe in a God of miracles.
— Even in our own lives, God can use our trials and triumphs, our challenges and victories, to bring glory to His name and to draw others to Him.
— Miracles are a manifestation of God’s power and love. When God performs a miracle, it’s not just an impressive act of power. It’s also a profound display of His love and care for us.
— Miracles serve as an invitation to a deeper faith. When we witness a miracle, either in our own lives or in the lives of others, it serves as an invitation to trust God more deeply. It’s a powerful reminder that God is reliable, trustworthy, and faithful to His promises.
— Miracles reveal the character of God. Every miracle — from the parting of the Red Sea to the resurrection of Lazarus — reveals something about the character of God. They show us that God is powerful, compassionate, and deeply invested in our lives.
— Miracles create a ripple effect of faith. The faith of those who witnessed Lazarus’s resurrection didn’t stay confined to that moment. They shared what they’d seen and experienced, and as a result, many more came to believe in Jesus. In the same way, when we share our own stories of how God has worked in our lives, it can inspire faith in others.
— Miracles challenge our perception of what’s possible. Before Lazarus’s resurrection, many believed that death was the end, period. But Jesus’s miracle challenged that assumption and expanded their understanding of what was possible. It’s a reminder to us that with God, we should never place limits on what’s possible.
— Lastly, God’s glory shines brightest in our darkest moments. The resurrection of Lazarus came after a period of intense grief and sorrow. It was in this moment of darkness that God’s power and glory were shining the brightest. This reminds us that even in our most painful moments, one Word from God can bring light to a dark situation and can bring glory to His name!
3. A supernatural manifestation of God will bring glory to His name, but it can also stir up opposition.
— After Lazarus was raised from the dead, some of the people who saw this miracle went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done (John 11:46). This led to increased opposition to Jesus, eventually leading to His crucifixion.
— This reminds us that when God moves powerfully in our lives, it can stir up opposition. Not everyone will celebrate the miracles and breakthroughs we experience. But despite the opposition, we must remain faithful, knowing that God is with us and that He has a plan.
— When God does something amazing for you, some will celebrate God and you. But there will also be some who criticize it.
— Supernatural blessings can make others uncomfortable. When God moves in our lives in a way that’s beyond human understanding, it can make those who rely solely on their own understanding uncomfortable. This discomfort can sometimes lead to opposition or criticism.
— People criticize what they do not understand.
— Opposition can be an indication of God’s work. If we are facing opposition because of the miracles and blessings in our lives, it can be a sign that we are indeed walking in God’s purpose. The enemy often attacks those who are moving in the direction God has set for them.
— Miracles can reveal the hearts of others. The way people respond to God’s work in our lives can reveal the state of their hearts. Those who rejoice with us show a heart of love and unity. Those who oppose or criticize may be dealing with issues of jealousy, insecurity, or unbelief.
— The Favor of God will attract praise, but it will also attract haters. You just can’t be moved by their opposition.
— God’s protection is greater than any opposition. While the opposition may rise against us, we have the assurance that “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). No matter the opposition, God’s protection, and favor are greater.
— We should expect opposition but remain steadfast. Knowing that our faith journey may stir opposition, we should not be surprised when it comes. Instead, we should remain steadfast in our faith, rooted in the knowledge of God’s love and power.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me!
This is my season to believe again. I expand my capacity to believe in a God who can do anything!
There is nothing too hard for You, Father! My heart is OPEN to seeing the invisible and believing the impossible!
I know that the manifestations of Your power in my life will bring glory to Your name! When it does, many will celebrate it, and some may criticize it. Either way, I will not be moved by people.
I will not be intoxicated by the praise of many. Nor will I be intimidated by the opposition of some. My eyes are fixed and focused on You!
I enter this day believing in a God who can do anything and trusting that Your best will be manifested in my life. GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
