April 6, 2019
John 11:45-53 The Message (MSG)
Today is the twenty-eighth day of our 40-Day Lenten Series, “Praying for a Kingdom Heart.” Lent should be a time of prayerful reflection, repentance, and restoration as we draw closer to the heart of God. People have the freedom to go in two entirely different spiritual directions each day. We can choose to look for God’s presence and grace guiding us along the paths of righteousness, or we can choose to guide our own self-serving paths. God allows us to make the choice. Now, when we choose to yield our lives to God, the Spirit reveals God-Signs to us along the way. It’s like being guided by little symbolic spiritual hugs of assurance for our faith. As we pray and ask for God’s grace, we may see details being brought together or connected to help us while facing challenges or concerns. These are moments of revelation that God is taking care of us. Every day as you pray and ask for a Kingdom heart, do you also expect the Spirit to reveal God-Signs that help you follow and grow in your belief and faith in the saving work of God’s Son?
In our passage today, Jesus has just resurrected and restored Lazarus. As a result of this miracle, many people were turning to believe in Jesus as the Son of God—the Messiah. Talk about a huge God-Sign! You would think that would be a hard God-Sign to miss, right? It depends on the heart. The hearts of the Pharisees and chief priests were bent on self-serving power. They wanted power over the people; rather than to help God’s people yield and grow under the rule of God. Yet, God used even the hardness and the selfishness of their hearts to bring his will to pass. In fact, he even put the words he wanted spoken in Caiaphas’ mouth in order to save the world. Our lives will move in the direction of our hearts. Choose to believe in the Son of God as the greatest God-Sign of all times!
During Lent, we will be using the acronym P.R.A.Y. as we pray for a Kingdom Heart. P=praise, R=repent, A=ask, and Y=yield. May God bless you as you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer today.