God's Reality About Our Hearts

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV)

 

I was praying about what to write for this month’s message.  As I was preparing to write I was reminded of several situations that have happened in the last few weeks.  I have had several situations were individuals have been disrespectful, yet I had to choose not to respond emotionally.  I was the one in authority so I could have easily snapped at these individuals, but I chose not to do that.

In years past, it was difficult for me to let go of things done or said to me.  I would forgive, but I was not going to set myself up for that person to attack me again.  Hurt me and that was the end for you and me.  God has placed me in some areas that are stretching me in this area, because I know He wants me to grow where heart matters are concerned.

Just yesterday I had someone disrespect me and my alter ego “Denise” was ready to tell this person off.  Yet, instead I found myself praying for this person that God would change them and help them to truly see who they are and not who they think.

So when I went searching for a scripture to use, this one simply jumped out at me.  I especially like the part where it states this about love, “it does not dishonor others.”  I was thankful to read this because I had the opportunity to snap back at a person that snapped at me in public, except I refused to dishonor or disrespect them, so I talked to this person offline out of the eye shot of others.  If we want to understand God’s reality about our hearts we must understand that God wants us to take great care not to disrespect each other.  It doesn’t matter our roles or positions.  We are all called to respect one another.  This is true even when the other person did not follow this mandate.  The call to respect others is not based on what they do, but what I chose to do.

The second part of this scripture that resonates with me about love is, “it keeps no record of wrongs.” This can be difficult to accomplish even on our best days.  I will be honest, what happened on yesterday still is bothering me, but I am confidence that I will overcome this wrong.  I will let go of the disrespect and be able to simply be myself.  This is the key, when we hold on to the wrong done us; it really has a hold on us.  If we keep re-thinking on the things done against us we will find ourselves troubled in our minds and uncomfortable in our relations.  Therefore it is imperative for us to let go of the wrong.  We can ask God to help us and in time we will see ourselves free from those wrongs.

Another key point about love is “it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered.”  When we chose to love, we must turn our focus off ourselves.  Using the example of the person that disrespected me, I could easily get caught up in what was done and allow the anger to grow.  If I am not careful I would begin to seek my own restitution in this situation.  I could use my authority and power to make this person pay.  This is not love.  God’s reality for my situation is to love this person enough to see their need for God to humble their heart even if they don’t see their need.  God’s love dictates to me that I must seek what is best for this person.  The first thing is not to allow myself to become angered at the things this person does.  I have to be what the scripture starts out stating about love, “Love is patient, love is kind.”

God’s reality about my heart is He requires me to love in all situations and in all conditions.  He requires me to be kind to those that do not deserve my kindness.  Why? The truth is God’s love is shown to me and I do not deserve it.  I was not loveable yet God chose to love me.  I was not kind but kindness was freely given to me.

So today I want to encourage each of us no matter what our situations are to choose to love.  God’s reality about our hearts is He desires to use us in the difficult situations we find ourselves in.  Has someone hurt you so bad that you can’t even bare it?  It is probably even more difficult when those hurting you are your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Are you struggling to get over the hurt?  Have you pulled yourself away because you are determined this individual (or individuals) is not going to hurt you anymore?  Has the anger lingered so long that you find yourself wishing bad things would happen to this person?  Or have you sought your own ways to hurt them?

I want to encourage you to follow God’s plan for your heart.  Ask Him to help you until you sense the release of the hurt from your heart.  Seek what is best for the person by asking God to work on their hearts as well.  And as you seek God for help in this matter, remember this about love “It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”  When we see God show up in our situations and make a change, we do not have to be envious of how God will work in the lives of those that hurt us and we will refrain from boosting that God did it because of us.

This is God’s reality for our hearts…

 

Written by: Rev. Jewel D. Williams

God's Reality about our Situations

 

Numbers 11:23 (NIV) ~ The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.

Today, I was discouraged.  I was discouraged at the complaining and fault finding of God’s people.  I sometimes see God’s people wasting too much time on things that really do not have anything to do with kingdom work; it’s all vanity.  We sometimes put too much time and effort into trying to maintain our “coop existence” instead of seeking God for His directions.   As I was sitting and asking God what He wanted from me, this is the scripture He led me to.

My heart was like Moses when he spoke to God and asked, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? ¹² Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? ¹³ Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ ¹⁴ I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. ¹⁵ If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.” (Numbers 11:11-15)

Moses was fed up with the complaining and ungratefulness of the people.  If you read the entire chapter it starts with the people complaining and God sending fire to consume them.  That was not enough, it moves on to them complaining about the food they received from God, they wanted something else. The Israelites were known complainers. 

As I began to look more at this scripture I was struck by something else.  Do I at times become a complainer?  Do I look at my own situations and begin to be ungrateful because things are not the way I want them to be?  Do I look at my lack of money or lack of time and begin to complain about the “manna” God is sending my way? Do I spend too much time on things that really have nothing to do with kingdom building?  Am I sometimes like the Israelites, a known complainer?

I was discouraged today, but God showed me something important about myself.  He reminded me through the Israelites that I was complaining and wasting too much time on things that really didn’t matter; my complaints were just the same.  While I might not have been complaining about meat, I was not showing forth a grateful heart for what I had been given. Don’t we do that sometimes?  We stop and look at our situations and only see what we “don’t have” and we begin to complain.  We say things like if I didn’t have to give my tithes I would have some money (going back to Egypt thinking).  Or we complain to God as if He has done something wrong to us because our circumstances are not working out.  “God I’m your child, why are you letting my wife/husband act so bad, why won’t you fix it?”  We begin to blame God as the Israelites did when things are not going the way they want.

Yet God wants us to see His reality regarding our situations.  God’s response to the things that were on my heart today about my own situation was the same one He gave to Moses.  “Is the Lord’s arm too short?”  God’s response to my situation was, do not have an Israelite attitude.  Do not look “back” and desire what was back in the time of bondage, instead look forward to me and what I am doing.  Do not complain because things are not coming when you think they should, instead trust me and know that my arms are not too short to take care of your needs.  God’s reality regarding our situations is He will never leave us nor will He forsake us.  He is faithful to the faithful.  The God we serve promises to be with us in our wilderness experiences as well as our times of plenty.  He promises to be a faithful God to us as we learn to show ourselves faithful to Him.

God in the verse above was helping Moses by giving him what he needed.  God had Moses pick some men and He anointed them with power to serve with Moses.  God's arms were not too short to fix Moses situation, just as His arms are not too short to fix ours.

I was discouraged today, yet God reminded me that if I draw close to His presence He will fill me with His power and equip me to handle whatever He deems worthy.  I allowed God to speak to me today through the discouragement I felt to show me how He could better use me.  I was reminded that God is worthy of praise at all times; both the good and the bad time.  He is worthy of praise when my situations are what I want them to be or when I find myself in a place of lack.

I was discouraged today, now my heart rejoices as I praise my God for He is worthy of all praise.  I am reminded His arms are not too short to handle everything that comes my way, therefore no more complaining about my situation when in fact God has it all under control.

Dream Maker Video

Enjoy our newest video we created for our new talk show, Dream Makers.

Someone You should Know - Dr. David Stevens

Someone you should know: Dr. David Stevens

I am always excited about meeting new people.  I don't know how I was connected to pastor David Stevens on Facebook, but I'm glad I was.  I was invited into his FB group, second wind, second mile relationships, which is a lively time of conversations around marriage and relationships. After reading and following Dr. Stevens, I thought he would be someone you should know.  This interview was is Dr. Steven answering some questions that I posed to him.  However, after reading the responses I wanted you to have the opportunity to hear more and to have a chance to ask questions yourself. Therefore, I'm excited to say you will have the opportunity to learn more about Dr. Stevens when he is a guest on Dream Makers on August 16 (time to be announced). If you can't join us live, you can always go to Williams Innovative Network by following the link and listening to the podcast.  Now let's begin our interview with this introduction of Dr and Mrs. Stevens:

Dr. and Mrs. Stevens have the heart to help couples align their marriages with the Word of God, and they also have the credentials and the experience to do it. Their purpose is to help couples restore their marriages to God’s original design, and guide couples considering marriage through the maze of complicated and often conflicting choices. 

Their Ministry is firmly grounded in Scripture, emphasizing Genesis 2:24 as the foundation for a sound marriage. Their unique approach is to use the three parts of that Verse – leaving, cleaving, and the two becoming one – as a framework for helping couples align their marriages with God’s intention.

Blessed with a  marriage of  almost 50 years, being in Ministry for over 40 years, and having published 4 books on the subject, the Stevens’ have a wealth of experience and it’s their hearts’ desire to share it with you, whatever marital situation you may be in.” (Taken from their website, http://www.soundmarriages.com/)

Jewel: I gave my readers an introduction of your ministry from your website; however what additional information would you like to share with my readers?

Dr. Stevens: Your information is a good summary of what we do. From day one we have tried to put Bible wisdom into plain language. The theology of the principles are not that hard for people to understand if you take away some of the “churcheez” (That’s the language we sometimes use with each other, but is totally foreign to non-believers and new believers.) Our mantra has kind of become, “Principles work, follow principles”. So I work hard at trying to discover things that I can share that will help enhance the journey. You picked out in your introduction the Gen. 2:24 principle that we call the ‘Triangular plan’. In it you will find the whole structural basis for marriage. It specifies who, what, and when. This modern debate that we are presently having would disappear altogether if we took the time to understand and apply what is being said. Just about every marital argument or conflict grows out of not understanding or misapplying one or more of these three elements.

Jewel: Your website states you have helped many couples restore their marriages to what God intended, as well as give them the tools to keep their marriages sound and joyful.  When did you first have this passion for restoring and strengthening marriages and why?

Dr. Stevens: Way back in the sixties an older minister friend treated me to a weeklong conference for inner city pastors given by The Institute for Basic Youth Conflicts in Oak Brooke, IL. I had never in my life attended anything that intense. I learned more about the Bible and its’ practical principles than I did in half the years I spent in Christian college. They got you up at the crack of dawn and sent you to bed at 9 pm. Believe me they didn’t have to beg us (smile). The passion started there!

Jewel: Did you begin writing your books after getting involved in the helping of marriages or was this always a tool you desired to incorporate?  In other words, which came first your books or the helping of marriages?

Dr. Stevens: No, although I am a visual artist (majored in painting and sculpture) I wanted to be an author as well, but the books came along years later after I found I really had something to say, smile.

Jewel: Can you give me a brief description of value each of your books brings to your reader?

Dr. Stevens: Books: Marriage-The corridors, Castles and Conflict, (2^nd book) Marriage-Rules of the Game, Marriage, Catching a Second Wind, and Love Marriage, and the Baby Carriage.

The first book, Marriage-The corridors, Castles and Conflicts, is much about the basics from dating to marriage. I spent a lot of time giving the whys and wherefores of following the great wisdom of principles. This book was written with both singles and married people alike.

Marriage: The Rules of The Game, pulls no punches as we try to share the wisdom that will make marriages great. (Again we invite singles to tune in so that they are pre-prepared to understand the complexities of marriage if they are aiming to join the ranks.)

Marriage: Catching A Second Wind is geared towards couples who have been together for awhile, and helpful to those who are planning to get there as well.

I suppose the crown jewel is the current book, Love, Marriage, and The Baby Carriage.  In it I return and enhance many of the principles I introduced in book one. I begin with dating and go all the way through to marriage and parenting.

Jewel: While your books are geared toward married people, how can the single person benefit from your wisdom?

Dr. Stevens: Actually, all of the books target both single and married folks. The subject is marriage, but the emphasis is on teaching everyone how to be happily married and the things that affect that goal. You don’t wait, or should not wait, until a couple gets married to begin teaching them how to be married. Hopefully it is a lifelong growth pattern.

Jewel: I belong to one of your FB pages, Second Wind Second Mile Relationships and I find the conversations and questions interesting.  What was your goal for this page as well as your other FB page, Sound Marriages?

Dr. Stevens: Well, both pages are informative and often a lot of fun. We get serious or silly based on the direction of the questions and answers.  We have some outstanding regular characters that show up and keep things going. Laquanta has turned out to be our resident comic, Phil, our statistic guru, Theresa Iron-girl, our wise lady anchor, and RoRo who has become my protégé (she has read all of my books). Actually, we had 2 FaceBook sites and tried to collapse the Second Wind Second Mile Relationship site to combine it with Sound Marriages. The group refused to move and it turned out to be the larger more active site. It is the place where questions and answers really pour out. I’m glad that the members rebelled against our plan. The makeup of Sound Marriages is so different. It is more the drive by, with interesting statements and pictures and quotes from my books. So yeah they both have their purpose. To answer your question our goal was to get out there and serve the people. We can say of both, “And the people have spoken”!

Jewel: As a pastor you know the messages or lessons you present to others, God first uses them to teach you.  How have the messages you share with others benefit you in your personal life?

Dr. Stevens: I find that I must practice first what I preach! That’s the way it works. God has continued to bless us and our efforts. We are coming up in a few months on our big fiftieth anniversary. Isn’t God good?!!!

Jewel: Having published a few books myself and started a ministry, Williams Innovative Network (W.I.N.), I know it can be difficult to see past those early beginnings. How would you encourage someone starting out on their mission?

Dr. Stevens: If God gives you a personal mission, He will supply a mission field. Go for it with everything you have in you. My first book when finished I knew was good; God gave it to me to write. I could not find a publisher, so I found that I could self publish. It just meant that the money had to come out of my own pockets; ouch! I think I grumbled a bit, but I had truth that had to be shared. Afterwards a publisher showed great interest, even personal edited it and sent a contract to sign. But I had hundreds of books that would have to be taken off the market because there would have been a conflict of interest. In our house we don’t believe in wasting money, so the contract had to go south.  I never returned to traditional publishing. It works for many, but not for me then. Never say never; perhaps one day in the future!

Jewel: What final thoughts would you like to share?

Dr. Stevens: You know Jewel, my wife and I have done many seminars and workshops all over the country. We worked many years for the NIYC, an annual convention catering to the family, teaching on the subject of marriage. I still love doing seminars, but it requires a lot of work before you get there and during. I would like to now, get on some speaker circuits and share in a wider capacity. The work is different in some respects, and the audiences much larger. We will still do workshops but I want the chance to expand with the truth that God has invested in us.

Jewel: Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to share with you and your audience. It has been my pleasure. May God continue to bless you and your husband in the great work that you do for the kingdom.

Final thoughts: If you interested in Dr. Steven's work, you can go to his website, http://www.soundmarriages.com/.  He also host two FB pages, Sound Marriages and Second Wind, Second Mile Relationships.  If interested in any of Dr. Steven's information you can contact him via his website.

Interview with Sandra DeBose

Sandra Dee Debose

Author of Naked and Not Ashamed

I'm excited to introduce to you Sandra Dee Debose as she shares her life openly in her book, Naked and Not Ashamed.  Read her response to my questions in this interview.

1.      Why did you write this book? Writing this book originally started out as a way to relieve stress.  I found writing a relaxing outlet.  However, as it began to evolve I found that I was actually being set-up by the Holy Spirit.

2.      What were you hoping individuals would get from reading your book? An insight to the struggles and victories faced by Christians.  Knowledge of God’s mercy and grace.

3.      What is the significance of your title and cover?    I had to be open and honest in order to show God’s Love.  Testifying about REAL situations that we face as Christians allows my readers to know that they too can share their situations without shame or fear. 

4.      How did your faith play into you accomplishing this task?  Believe me without faith I would not have been able to set out on this venture.  It was by faith that I obeyed God’s leading to finish.

5.      I had two stories that were my favorite; Matthew and Zoe and A War Going On.  What was your favorite story you shared?  I would also say “A War Going On.” 

6.      Why?  Young lives were changed on that Chicago corner that night!

7.      What was the hardest thing to share in your book and why?  I wouldn’t say that any of it was “hard.”  I was concerned about how my readers would receive “Matthew and Zoe”. The feedback that I have received has confirmed that what we go through is common to man.  Women are opening up to me and sharing their experience.  Women who thought that they were alone.    

8.      How difficult was it to write? It was not difficult at all.  I’ve been telling these stories for years but simply decided to write them down.

Or did you have a writing schedule that you kept to?  I wrote while my family watched television and during my quite time. I self-published so I had no deadline.

9.      Do you have plans to write any other books? I have many more stories, poems and original songs in my spirit that are waiting to be released. 

If so are you currently working on one?  Yes, I am currently putting things in order for book two. 

10.  What would you suggest to someone about going for their dream(s), whatever it is?  I found that you can’t share your vision with everyone.  Don’t be discouraged if those closes to you do not receive your vision.  Remember Joseph’s own brothers threw him in the pit.  When you share your vision, expect to have a “Pit Experience.”  Don’t let it throw you.

11.  What is the response you have gotten so far about your book?  I have received all positive feedback. 

12.  Getting a book published is not something that happens quickly, how did you combat the “voices” that said this would not happen?   After coming out of agreement with the spirit of procrastination everything supernaturally fell into place. God showed me who to contact and how to present it.  It is not as hard as people think.  I self-published my book for under $300. 

$35.00             Library of Congress copyright registration fee

$125.00           ISBN and Bar Code

$117.00           Printing of 50 copies

$14.00             Web-Site

I found the cover picture on the internet and wrote the artist.  She gave me permission to use her print free of charge.  I found the entire experience fast and easy.  To God be the Glory!

     To order Naked and Not Ashamed go to: www.sandradebose.com

You can also go to her link and read an excerpt from her book. You can also purchase a E-book from her site as well.

You can contact her @

Like me on Facebook: https://facebook.com/nakedandnotashamed

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAKEDNOTASHAME1

Interview with Lesa Williams

This month, I want to introduce you to some people that I think you should know.  I want to introduce you to lesa Williams and Sandra Dee DeBose.  Today, we will meet Lesa.  I asked Lesa some questions and I want you to read her response.

 1.  Tell us about your company?  Butter by  Jolez came from the fact that all our products have some kind of natural organic butter ( shea, mango, cocoa, etc. ) and JOLEZ is from my family's  name combined: the "JO" in Johnnie, the "LE"  in Lesa, and last but certainly not least the "Z" is our  daughter Zaley.

Lesa's lovely daughter Zaley

Butter by Jolez is paraben-free, vegan friendly and color-free, but is much more than a body care maintenance system. It is a home based, all natural hair care and skin care product line. All of our products are hand mixed and made with the love that we have for this company, and what our products do for our customers. Butter by Jolez products are herbal, mostly organic, nourishing, full of natural ingredients; and many of our customers use them on their newborns or small children. A company that takes pride in providing a line of must have products, for anyone who wishes to take better care of their hair, and skin.  

2.      What made you venture out to create your own line? Well when I went Natural back in 2000’ natural hair care products was very limited, so for a while I kept my hair very short.  When I decided to grow my hair out, the products that I found either didn’t work, or were too expensive. So I decided to do my own. I asked my husband what he thought about starting our own, and he was all for it. Now I have all the quality products I need for my hair regimen, as well as sell for less than most other companies. Now you have Butter By Jolez.

 

3.      How difficult was it to step out and do this and did you find support? Stepping out to start was the easy part. I secretly would put money away to get products because I didn’t want the burden of paying back any kind of loan. I did that for about 18 months and then I was able to get the products.  The difficult came sort of with the concept (name/bottles/labels that kind of thing).  My biggest support was my family (Husband, daughter and my mother)

4.      What personal challenges did you face as you tried to get your company up and running?  My personal challenge was over extending what I thought I could produce in the beginning. Right before starting the company I was overcoming a lot of sickness.  As things picked up, my health wasn’t as sturdy as I would have hoped, though doing good now, that created a bit of a setback.

5.      I know personally you are a woman of integrity regarding your products and your service, how has setting this standard affected your business? I think you should sleep, eat, & drink what you believe in through all aspects (mental, physical, spiritual ) I can’t sell you the consumer, something that I myself, don’t believe in.   I am passionate about my products.  I try to be one on one with my customer service so I can always use feedback as a source of improvement.

6.       Starting a business can move slowly, so how did you keep yourself encouraged? Being that the idea of starting this business manifest in me a several years before I decided to do it.  My husband always kept me encouraged, also jumping on board 100% as co-owner, he was my rock to lean on when some days I thought the day wouldn’t come. 

7.      What is the direction you have for your business going forward? I as well as my husband would like to venture into different beauty & skin care areas we have yet to experience. Whether its facial mask, natural hair care specializing in specific natural hair issues, cosmetics, getting our products in every natural hair care salon, extending our accessories or getting distribution in several department stores worldwide. We are constantly going to the drawing board with new ideas.

Some of Butter's other products, earrings, hair accessories, etc.

8.      What would you share with someone trying to start a business? Stay focused, believe in yourself because if you don’t believe, no one can plant that belief in you and look to God for the ultimate guidance, because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me-Philippians 4:13

9.      What goals did you set for yourself regarding your business and what strategies did you use to overcome any obstacles? Well, since I was really in the natural hair trend, I sat down and wrote a list of goals I thought I need to get down, in order to get my business up and running. After I shared with my husband my goals, we became a team in getting them accomplished.  We created budgets for different categories, the butters, the oils, the containers, ink for the labels, and ingredients for each product.    When we got the basics of it down, a lot of things changed, the look of the website, the bottles, and some ingredients have been enhanced. As time progress and business picked up, we created quotas, increased inventory, and prioritized our supplies.  Staying very positive, and sticking to goals really helped us overcome any obstacles that we faced.

 

10.  What final thoughts would you like to share? My final thoughts would be no matter what it is you want or trying to achieve, put God first, believe in yourself, see your dreams manifest with hard work.  I’ve always looked at my company as my baby, and we always want to take good care of our babies.  So instill your dream, and birth it in to reality.  With positivity and faith, God will hold your hand so you can’t fail.

To contact Butter by Jolez: 

www.butterbyjolez.com

facebook: www.facebook.com/wjolez

twitter: butterbyjolez

Click on the link below to see the video I created on my experience with the product.  

Vimeo video ~ Butter by Jolez product rating

Who Have You Set Loose?

Who have you set loose?

Preached by Jewel D. Williams 2009

Jesus wants to live in us and He is faithful to keep His promises. In order for Jesus to live in us there are some things that must happen. What must happen is you and I must die. Not a physical death, but a spiritual dying to our selves, our own ways and our own desires. We must die to our false Trinity or false god. What is that false Trinity, it is our own god of me, myself and I. When we do, Christ will live in us. God also promises that He will keep His promise in providing for us.

Life Abundantly - …I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10b)

What do people think when you say abundant life?

• Wealth, success, position, happiness, importance and so many other things.  However, this is not what Jesus meant.

Abundant life – Is not just functioning through life, but a life filled with the fullness of the abilities and resources God has for His children. It is a life filled with His purpose, His gifts, His joy, and His peace. This abundant life that Christ came to bring is one that is available no matter what you face (wealth or poverty, health or sickness) you still have His abundant life. Your situation and circumstances do not have to change the fullness of the life you live in Christ.

In order to have this abundant life it will require the work of Christ in us, but it also requires something else. What do you think that is? It requires the people of God at work for the mission of God.

In a missions book there is a graph that I remind myself of often. It talks about the mission of God. It says God originated the mission, Christ enacted the mission, the Holy Spirit empowers the mission, the church carries the mission and the world receives the mission. In other words, the Triune God; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit originated the plan of salvation, brought salvation to the world and empowers the people of God for the mission and you and I are to do the work of taking it to the world.

The scripture today helps us to see both parts at work; God and man in the mission.

 John 11:39-44

"Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴²I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.  Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

VS 39 – Take away the stone – The first step for us in this mission ordained by God, is there needs to be someone position to remove the barriers of Christ calling forth the dead.

What are the barriers? Anything that keeps the individual from hearing the call of Christ, in this case it is the stone.

In order to remove the stones that block individuals from hearing Christ call, the people of God must be in positioned. You cannot remove the barriers from the comfort of your chair at home or from the comfort of your seat at church. You have to be at the places where the dead are, where the need is. Jesus called for those that were standing near the tomb to come and remove the stone. He did not send word to their houses to come; those at home were of no use in the moment of need. We have to always be ready to hear God calling us to be in the positions and in the moment of need.

In order to remove the barriers you will need strength. The Holy Spirit empowers the children of God, yet we often forget we have the strength to remove barriers. We look at the barriers and think they are too big. As children of God we must realize Jesus will not call us to an assignment that we have not been given the strength to accomplish. We have the strength, power to remove what stands in the way of others being released from the death grip of sin. Sadly, too many of us look at the “stones” and think, those are just too big and instead of joining in the work, we stand as spectators.

In order to remove the barriers you will need wisdom. Wisdom will allow you to examine the situation and determine if you can remove the barrier by yourself or if you need others coming alongside of you to push away the stones. When you seek Godly wisdom you will be able to discern what tools are needed. You would not go to remove this stone with a spoon. That wouldn’t work. Instead you know you need physical strength and you will need the help of others to remove the stone. Sometimes we have individuals that are lost in sin but are facing addictions, habits and other things that will require us seeking the right help so they can be released from the grave.

In order to remove the barriers you will need teamwork. There are some barriers that you will not be able to move by yourself, this is why the command is for the entire body to be a part of the mission. Your pastor cannot do it all by him/herself. God is calling for us to work as a team to remove some barriers, some stones that block the graves of those that need to be called to life in Christ. This mission is not a spectator sport, it calls for all to be a part of the team doing their part, rolling away some stones.

In order to remove the barriers it will call for being inconvenienced.  If we are going to remove some barriers that keep individuals from life, we are going to have to break a sweat; we are going to have to do some work. It took the individuals that Jesus called to put their muscle into the task of moving the stone. They were not expecting to do this task, but Jesus had need of them and they went to do the work. You may not be expecting to do some things, but you must always be ready to be called on and be inconvenienced for the good of someone else.

In order to remove the barriers we are going to have to have a discerning ear. We are going to have to listen for Jesus’ call for us to remove the stones. It is not you or I that save, but we do need to be positioned and ready for the call of being a stone remover. When is the last time you listened to God calling you to remove some stones? When is the last time you allowed yourself to be inconvenienced so that someone else could be rescued? Are you listening?

In order to remove the barriers we are going to have to have faith and trust in what Christ can do. When Christ said remove the stone, Martha said, hey, he stinks! Its been four days. In other words, he’s been dead too long. We do that sometimes we see people on drugs for years, or living lives that seem as if there could be no redemption from and we think, they have been dead too long in their sins, surely it is too late? But Christ reminded Martha what he told her before, believe in me and see the glory of God at work even in the unthinkable things. He simply is telling her trust me, not what your eyes see. You and I are going to have to trust with our hearts and not what our eyes see, if we are going to be able to remove the barriers in the lives of the lost.

VS 41-43 This is the work of God. Jesus called Lazarus forth. Do you remember the day you were dead and through your blinded eye and your deaf ear you heard your name called? And you came forth from death to the life Christ was now giving? Christ alone brings life to those he calls forth. Now there is something I don’t want us to miss. Christ is the only one that can bring life, but there is still a part that he calls for us to do.

“Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." This is my question, who have you set loose lately? Lazarus was bound up. He had death clothes on, his hands were bound, his eyes were covered, and his feet were bound. Surely Jesus could finish the process and remove the grave clothes, why does he tell those around to do it? It is very simply, is the plan as God set forth. God set the plan of salvation in motion when he sent his Son to enact it through his blood on the cross and the Holy Spirit gives us the power to do the work. This is the work. We are to first remove any barriers from the lost hearing God call them forth into the life that His Son, Jesus Christ offers. Then when they hear and come forth from death, it is now our responsibility to help them to be set loss from the past and the ugliness of sins touch.

What are the grave clothes? It is anything from the life lived before coming to Christ that holds us in prison. Death clothes are a reminder of death, inability, lack of freedom, and restriction. The death clothes also carry the stench of death upon them. How can you truly live if you are not free and the reminder of death is still upon you?

Can I tell you that there are many believers today trying to function in life but they are still wearing the grave clothes? Oh it doesn’t matter how long they have been saved, it doesn’t mean they don’t love the Lord either, it simply means we have not been doing our jobs of removing the grave clothes. We often say things like, they should just get over it, or they should just change this or that. But can I tell you today that it isn’t always that easy because their hands are tied, they can’t reach up and grab the cloth that has them bound. Sometimes they don’t even know they are still bound because they cannot see clearly, their eyes are still covered. It isn’t that they are not asking God for help, but the help He sent, isn’t doing the work. That help is us. Today, I want to say the church has a mission. God is calling us to set some people loose.

Prayer: Lord today, help us to do our part in the mission. You have called us to be delivers of your Word to help those in the grave to be able to hear your call for them to be set free. And then when you have set them free help us to remove the grave clothes. Those things that bound them up and keep them from being free to soar and be all that you have called them to be. In Jesus name we pray, amen.