23 Shevat 5784

Jesus, the Anointed One, our Savior and Messiah demonstrated great confidence in prayer. Let’s learn how to pray with holy boldness, following His example.

The Final Inquiry

A movie came out many years ago called “The Final Inquiry.”  It is a moving story set in 35 AD about a Roman man sent on a mission to determine whether or not the resurrection of Jesus actually happened, or not.  

In one scene, the Roman, named Valerius Taurus, is out by the caves where people had been buried. By this point in the movie, the Pharisees have figured out that Tauro is on a quest to find out the truth, so they come up with a way to explain away the different miracles performed by Jesus, to influence his investigation so that Tauro would conclude that the resurrection was a fraud: only an illusion used to confuse people and cause them to think Jesus was divine.

In an extreme act, the Pharisees offer Tauro a cup of spiked wine.  Tauro is drugged against his will and loses consciousness for several days, so they bury him.  When he wakes up, in graveclothes, the Pharisees use the experience to suggest that the raising of Lazarus, and of Jesus, could be logically explained, and that a true resurrection was nothing but a hoax.  Doubts were sown into Tauro’s heart, but by the end of the movie he experiences the healing power of Jesus (and falls in love with a beautiful Jewish girl – it’s a movie after all) and becomes a follower of the One who legitimately is “the Resurrection and the Life.”

The Example of Lazarus

When Jesus (Yeshua) says in John 11:11, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps,” He is not referring to a drug-induced coma or taking a nap. 

Believers in Jesus who die are often said in Scripture to be sleeping, not to be “dead.” 

The disciples do not understand, and say, “Well, Lord, if he’s sleeping, he will get well” (John 11:12). 

The LORD had to get through to them, so He says plainly, “Lazarus is dead.” (John 11:14).

Our Savior wanted to make it very clear that without Him, Lazarus really was dead. 

Jesus could have gone immediately to heal His friend at the news of Lazarus’ sickness, but He stayed another 2 days where He was before venturing out. 

By the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. 

There was to be no question that Lazarus had died.

This was all part of God’s plan to demonstrate His power, that He would be glorified.

“Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died”  (Luke 11:21).

We must recognize the extent of God’s miracle-working power

Martha recognized Jesus’ healing power, but she didn’t understand the extent of His power. 

Her faith was limited by her mindset and experience – Martha thought miracles could only happen to the living. 

As always, Messiah Jesus (Yeshua) is patient with Martha.  He says to her, “your brother will rise again” (Luke 11:23).  Martha is still unable to understand and she confesses her belief that Lazarus will have eternal life, but Jesus wants her to understand that in Him is life – even in this earthly life.

Mary comes along and says the same thing: “Lord, had you only been here” (Luke 11:32).  She is weeping and others with her were as well. 

Jesus wept

“Jesus wept” (Luke 11:35).

Jesus wept, too, but He doesn’t weep out of despair like the others. 

He wept for the people who just don’t understand.

For the people who haven’t placed their hope in Him.

The Almighty Lord resolved to demonstrate His power. He told the people to roll the stone away. 

Have an agreeable, teachable spirit

Despite Martha’s confession that she knows Jesus is the Anointed One, the Christ, the Son of God, and despite the fact Jesus had told her shortly before, “your brother will rise again,” she counters Him: convinced that rolling the stone away is a bad idea because of the stench of Lazarus’ dead body.

Jesus would be right to get upset at this point. 

I don’t know in what tone of voice He answered her, but Scripture records Him saying, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (Luke 11:40).

He must’ve been exasperated.

Some people just don’t listen!

If there is one time to be agreeable, it’s when Jesus is standing right in front of you with the full ability and willingness to raise your loved one from the dead!

The people roll the stone away to reveal the dead body of Lazarus. 

The onlookers probably wondered: where was the glory of God in this?

But Jesus’ illustration wasn’t done yet. Some of the people would have lacked a true teachable spirit. They were discouraged, incredulous, and lacking in hope and conviction.

Confronted with the finality of death

Confronted with the evidence of the finality of death, it is hard for anyone to think beyond it.

Have you ever had your hopes crushed? 

Have you ever put your head down on your pillow after a time of turmoil in your life and in the quietness of the night, all that you could wonder was, “why would God let this happen to me?” 

Or

“Where is the glory of God in this?” 

No matter how faithful we are, we all go through times when we ask that question.

Yet Jesus always asks us to believe.  And then we will see the glory of God.

The Confidence of Christ in the face of death

As an example to us, Jesus lifted up His eyes and began to pray with confidence:

Luke 11:41 “And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.”

It is important to note the manner in which Jesus prayed.

There are occasions recorded in the Bible when Jesus knelt down to pray.

There is nothing wrong with folding your hands, closing your eyes, and humbly praying. 

But there are other occasions when prayer is different.

Jesus is standing before a dead man. 

Prayer that requires Conviction and Confidence

His prayer needed to be one of conviction and confidence. 

He lifted up His eyes to the Father, fully aware of the authority His Father has given Him, and He 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.” (Luke 11:41-42).

Jesus uses His prayer to teach the onlookers about having faith and confidence in who they can be as God’s children if they will only believe.  

Do you pray with this kind of confidence? 

Father, I thank You because I know You hear me. 

Father, I know I am Yours, and because of my faith in Jesus, I know that when I call to You, You will answer, and when I am in need of You, You are beside me. 

Do you pray only out of habit, or do you pray because you believe prayer has the power to change lives and to change circumstances? 

Are you able to approach the throne of your Father in heaven and have the absolute confidence that He cares about your requests?

Jesus did not meekly pray, “Father, if it is Your will, please do something about Lazarus.” 

He didn’t stand there as one with little hope and say, “Father, I think You’re up there.  I think You are interested in Me and my unattainable prayer request.” 

He did not mope and shake His head, “Father, I know it’s too late, nothing can be done.” 

Of course not!

Jesus thanked His Father for always hearing Him, and then He went right to work drawing upon that confidence. The Bible says that with a loud voice Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth!” (Luke 11:43).

 And with that, a bound up dead man came walking out of the tomb.  

What needs to come forth in your life?

What is bound up inside of you that you need released to new life?

In what areas of your life do you need greater confidence?

The Lord says that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed (that’s reallllllllllly small), we can say to the mountain ahead of us: move, and it will move.  

1 John 5:14-15 reaffirms this Truth: “This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”  

Jesus challenges us to believe, and to follow His example.  By simply maintaining a real, living relationship with your Father in heaven, you can witness amazing things happen in your life and the lives of others, simply by praying with confidence. 

We can hold our heads up high because by the blood He shed at Calvary, we stand before the Father blameless.  Jesus was without sin, and He has made a way for us, so we too, are no longer dead, but living.

To be alive in Christ for all eternity is a privilege guaranteed to those sealed by the Holy Spirit. 

Have you encountered Jesus in such a way as to know that without a doubt, your life has been changed and your eternal destiny completely decided, that because of His touch upon your life, you will live with Him forever?  

And do you realize that in the middle of your normal days, you can approach the throne of grace with boldness and present your requests to God with great confidence as a son or daughter of the Most High God?

Repentance for New Life

I can recall each time when I was in the hospital with my newborn sons. It was such a joyful time when friends or family would visit and we would spend time together rejoicing.  And to know they took time out of their day just to be with me, my husband, and the baby.  

It is the same with our Heavenly Father.  He rejoices with gladness when one of His children takes time out of the day to spend with Him to open your heart to Him just for a few moments, and to let Him know how you are feeling and tell Him how wonderful He is.

Don’t ever say you can’t or are too old to seek God. 

I talked to one older fellow once who told me it would be hypocritical for him to start seeking God now that he lived 90 years without God. 

God can forgive a hypocrite who repents. 

People will always say it’s too late but it is not.  

I prayed that that man forgave himself and sought the true Forgiver who could give Him relief of his every burden.

Do you believe what Martha came to believe?

That Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life? 

Do you believe He is Lord and Savior?

Never allow a spirit of unbelief or negativity to dissuade you from following and obeying the Lord. Seek Him and trust in Him and follow Jesus’ example: have confidence even in the face of death because He has the ability to bring new life!

I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today! You do not need to fear. He has provided for your salvation by His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. When this earthly body fails, you will be resurrected to new life in Christ, if you will only believe and pray sincerely with all your heart! Luke, who recorded this account of Lazarus and Mary and Martha was a doctor. He was an eyewitness to the miracles of Jesus and He recorded this for you and me to believe. If a doctor was convinced: surely we can also know without a doubt that what is written in Scripture is as true today as it was then!

Live in confidence: you can do all things through Christ who is your strength!

Our family bubble

I like my faith-filled bubble.

Our family prays together and we read the LORD’s Word together and we worship together.

We love to share our faith with those who do not know the LORD and all of us are pretty resilient in the face of argumentation and those who refuse to accept the Truth.

My children are homeschooled and sometimes I forget that we live in this joyful little bubble!

The enemy wants to burst your bubble

And I was taken off guard yesterday.

My son had gone outside to walk our German Shepherd, Canelo, on a small dead-end road that borders one edge of our corner lot house. Our family has walked that way many times because there is rarely a car and we often see beautiful wildlife including deer and sandhill cranes. I often try to get a close-up picture, but the creatures prove elusive.

An evening walk has become a new summertime routine for my son. He started taking the dog all by himself about a week or two ago and I believe it is a quiet time for him. I have noticed an improvement in his snarky-young-teenager remarks and so I was very happy that he had learned to get some fresh air and exercise.

The road seems like a peaceful one, with just four houses on the short northwoods street.

Last year, the houses on that road held a little community rummage sale, so we stopped by and met the neighbors. They were all fairly friendly, but the couple living at one of the houses seemed less so . . . and overly interested in detailing the alcohol flask collection they were trying to sell.

We assumed from their demeanor and manner of conversation that they perhaps struggle with drinking.

I hadn’t seen or heard from them since.

Until last night.

My son came home and he had a look of disbelief on his face.

I asked him what had happened.

When loving thy neighbor is put to the test

“The neighbor lady yelled at me.”

I couldn’t imagine this, so I asked for details.

He recounted: “She came out on her porch and yelled out, ‘. . . You need to go use a different path. Can’t you see you’re making my dog bark? Go on.’ Then she just stood there and stared at me until I left.”

I asked him if he replied to her spitefully (which would not have necessarily surprised me).

He said, “No, I just said ‘Ok, I’m sorry’ and came home. I had a million bad things I wanted to say to her, but I didn’t because I know I’m supposed to be Christian.”

Well, there’s a proud mom moment. My child is trying to act like a follower of our Messiah ought to act.

Trying to give the neighbor lady the benefit of the doubt, I asked if she perhaps was kidding? Maybe she had a twinge of humor, “look, kid, you make my dog bark and it drives me crazy…”

“No. She was not joking one bit.”

So the mama bear in me was incensed that our very neighbor could be so mean to a child! Especially my child! My son’s mere presence in the road in front of her house caused her an issue? Our dog wasn’t barking at her dog. I have heard her dog on other occasions. I believe he looks out their front window and barks every time a dog passes. But that is her issue, not mine. And most certainly not my son’s issue.

I want to tell her that the road is public land and my child has the right to walk his doggie wherever he so pleases. And I want to shout right back at her. How dare she hurt my son’s feelings! But alas. I am a Christian. I am a pastor! I have to be “Midwest nice” at the least, right? I have to love my neighbor!?

Ugh. No one said following Yeshua (Jesus) would be easy.

Perceived Racism

But there was something else that my son said that really hurt my mama heart. He said that the woman had muttered something before yelling and he thought it sounded like “you ill . . . ”

I said maybe she meant, “you ill-mannered….”

I asked if he did anything that seemed disrespectful, such as allowing the dog onto her grass.

He said, “no, more like ‘you illegal’ . . . “

I paused and took a deep breath.

My husband is a legal U.S. citizen. But that doesn’t mean everyone knows or believes that about him. Quite honestly, I wish it didn’t matter. My husband is caramel-skinned and was born in Mexico. My son is handsomely half Hispanic with beautiful tan skin, mocha eyes, and dark curly hair.

Whether or not my neighbor said something that horrible or not, my son perceived it that way.

My son felt like a target of racism.

This sweet boy who has grown up fairly sheltered from the ugliness of the world’s ways says he no longer feels safe walking down this small countryish road right next to our own house.

Addressing Fear

He told me not to worry, that he would use the other roads in front of the house instead.

But you see, that requires crossing a much busier road. And it is not fair that my son would have to change where he enjoys walking in nature just to please an angry (and possibly inebriated) lady who isn’t interested in dealing with her own dog.

I have never felt unwelcome or unsafe in this community. But then again, I am white and I grew up just over an hour from where we currently live.

My son said he observed that the woman’s garage was open with two rifles on display.

Now, my son is known to have an active imagination, so I do not know if this is true or not, though it would not surprise me. It doesn’t help that we just watched the movie “Till” the night before.

What saddens me is that my son is now scared.

He said he’s seen the videos where angry people shoot kids who just ring a doorbell or just because of the shade of their suntan.

I told him that he cannot live in fear. We will still walk on that road with our heads held high. I am blessed because my son knows much of the Word of God, so I reminded him of 2 Timothy 1:7:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

I guess I knew we would confront issues of race eventually, but it was so unexpected, right here just a few houses up the road.

That said, I do want to be clear. My neighbor may not have said anything racially charged at all. I am focused on what my child perceived. Racially-motivated or not, the outburst was still unprovoked and unsettling.

So how do you help a child who has encountered real racism OR perceived racism for the first time?

I’m not sure I have all the answers to that one, but I do know that we should turn to the Word of God.

He comforts us because our identity is found in Him alone, not in what the world has to say. I am writing this because it is therapeutic to me today.

I am searching the Scriptures, too, to be able to minister to my son’s little heart and I am hopeful this can help someone else somewhere, too, because our world is full of division and unkindness.

1. Remind your child that all of us were created in the image of God. Race is a social construct and racism is sin.

“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27

“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.” Acts 17:26

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

There is no place for racism when living in holiness.

2. If your child has accepted the free gift of salvation that is given to us by putting our faith and trust in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ), he or she is part of a holy, set apart and chosen generation and God calls us “special.” We don’t need to rely on anyone else to validate our existence or our skin color.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

3. Encourage your child to turn to the LORD when feeling scared, discriminated against, alone, or unsafe. He is our Stronghold, our Fortress, and our Deliverer.

“I will love You, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3

4. Emphasize the Biblical mandate to remain peaceful. Always seek shalom: wholeness and peace.

“Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9

5. Hear out your child. Allow him or her to express their emotions about racism.

I sat down with my son and I commended his recent progress on working hard and improving his early teenage years attitude. (We had some rough moments a few months ago with this too-big-for-his-britches young fellow!) He acknowledged his improvements, but also admitted having some pretty ugly thoughts about the neighbor. I believe it is so important to allow my son to have space to talk about how he was feeling and even explore this early introduction to racism. He knew that he could trust me to support him and love him through this. I’m grateful he has time to work through this as he matures and potentially encounters something far more direct or offensive.

I told him: you are acting like a child of God.

You have a tender heart and you are seeking to do what is right.

But whether that woman knows it or not, she is serving the devil. As harsh as this sounds, that makes her a child of the devil.

And the devil uses people like that to try to unnerve the children of God.

I told him, clearly, son, you’re doing something right if the devil has to take the time to come out and bother you like that using a daughter of the devil.

The best thing we can do is pray for her to come to understanding and repent and that she would, by God’s grace and abundant mercy, become a daughter of God one day.

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12

Our Savior told us to rejoice and not just be glad: “be exceedingly glad!”

We can confront anything with exceeding gladness because we know our journey doesn’t end here. One day we will rejoice in heaven, rewarded for remaining faithful to our LORD.

6. Exhort your child to be an overcomer despite any circumstance.

I told my son that while you pray for those who persecute you or revile you, your duty is to guard your heart and your mind with the Word of God.

“Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

He is your Protector and Defender, and you shall not fear walking down the road.

“The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.” Psalm 29:11

Realize that the Scriptures serve for exhortation: we know who God is and we know that He cares for us, therefore we make a conscious choice. We will.not.fear.

This coming from someone who battles anxiety! But I know deep in my heart the Truth that whenever I, with faith and conviction, truly hold onto the hem of His garment, my fear is lost and He makes me brave. I seek to instill this understanding in my children so they, too, will always rely on our Father’s goodness, provision, and security.

Whether confronting racism, sexism, religious discrimination, anti-Semitism, classism, or any other -ism, if we remember that the LORD is on our side, we can and will walk in victory.

7. Pray together in the Spirit.

There is no substitute for prayer.

Pray with your child.

Model a life of faith for your child.

And pray for your neighbors and anyone else who would cause you distress.

Trust that the LORD will work everything out.

Remind your child to wear the armor that God has provided and pray together with your child in the Spirit.

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:17-18

Walk in Faith, no matter what and refuse to be intimidated

This afternoon, my husband and I told our son we were all going to take a family walk.

He looked panicked.

“Can I stay home?”

My husband gently told him in Spanish: “no, m’ijo, pero estaremos contigo.”

“No, my son, but we will be with you.”

Just like the LORD is always with us.

We had our son grab a hold of Canelo’s leash and walk him just like he had the night before. On the very same path.

He learned one step at a time not to be afraid.

Because children of the Most High God shall refuse to be intimidated.

Updated 2/24/22

The Invasion of Ukraine by Russia

As we hear rumors of war and so many nations set themselves on a course to rage against one another once again, we must remember Yeshua’s (Jesus’) words: “Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27. Update 2/24/22 – Today, the Russian military has invaded Ukraine. We must urgently pray for the vulnerable! Pray for BOTH sides – both Ukrainians and Russians desperately need the LORD right now.

The LORD gives us His divine shalom, His peace, and we must find our peace in Him alone. Placing our confidence in anything else will result only in distress and anxiety.

The aggressions overseas are certainly unnerving to us. How much more so to the people directly affected! Ordinary civilians wanting to live an ordinary life are now facing threats and unrest, and a very uncertain future.

Praying for Ukrainians and Russians

Alas, it is easy to talk about shalom when we aren’t the ones facing missile attacks in our own neighborhoods. Yet all who would believe can find security in the depths of His love and peace. I pray today for the children of Eastern Europe, Ukraine, and Russia, that they would be able to grow up in a free society. Pray for their safety. And pray for those who need medicines. I pray that there would be an awakening to salvation.

We must pray for all of the people of Ukraine and Russia.

We are in the last days

The Bible is clear that these nations, particularly Russia, will be involved in the final events of the last days, so we should not be shocked or alarmed by what is unfolding.

The Good News of our Messiah can still reach people who live there, and we must pray for them.

Pray for people to be reached with the warmth of Messiah’s love

Eastern Europeans and Russians are frequently stereotyped as being as cold of heart as the Siberian tundra. I do not believe this is true. I do believe many people from these regions have endured much hardship and their demeanor often reflects it. Most importantly, it is not too late to reach them with the warmth of the love of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus the Christ). We must pray that they would come to know His love and His peace.

An excellent resource on how to pray during the Ukraine crisis & war

SEND International ministries has compiled an excellent resource on how to pray for Ukrainians and Russians that I found helpful. You may like to refer to this during your personal devotions or with your congregational group: 15 Ways to Pray During the Crisis in Ukraine.

The LORD works miracles even in the midst of great crises, so let us fervently pray that Ruach haKodesh (the Holy Spirit) touches hearts and lives in miraculous, saving ways. There are established evangelical churches and Messianic congregations in Ukraine.

May they be strengthened and righteously emboldened to continue to witness to their friends and neighbors even while sheltering. Let us pray that they will be protected from persecution and poverty. May they be filled with genuine peace.

The Light of Messiah shines in the darkness, and the darkness will never overcome it.

If you will join us in praying for Ukraine and Russia, please leave a comment below. We would love to know that so many of you are uniting in prayer with us!

Be in prayer today for the believers in Afghanistan. I have heard reports of many missionaries fearing for their lives and believers reporting that they are literally trapped in that country, yet rather than lose heart, they are praying for revival in their land. May it be so, and may the Ruach haKodesh give them the protection and strength that they need.

The very least we can do is pray on their behalf.

“No weapon formed against you will prosper
and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of ADONAI’S servants—
their vindication is from Me.”
It is a declaration of ADONAI.” Isaiah 54:17

We must even pray for the Taliban. That term in the Pashto language means, “students.” These students, unlike talmudim, have been taught to hate, to kill, and to force their religion upon the people of that nation. We must pray that they would come to know Truth and repentance, for only through Messiah Yeshua can anyone be saved from a life of misery and terror.

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they?” Matthew 5:44-46

We pray for shalom. Just as we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may there be peace in Afghanistan, that the children may run freely, the women may be safe, the pastors may preach openly without persecution, and the nation may be saved.

Please join us in prayer. Leave a comment so we know you’re praying with us! If you’d like, subscribe to stay updated! Blessings and Shalom.