What’s holding you back?
John 11:44 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.”
God has delivered so many of us from death through the sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ. He has given us new life, but there is something restricting our movement. Jesus has called us forward but our steps are restricted for one reason or the other. There’s no doubt that Jesus gave us new life but there is the reality of some physical restrictions. What is it that is holding you back?
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead he had already been processed for burial and he had been in the grave four days. Many of us have already been left for dead. People have written us off without realizing that Jesus is about ready to speak life into our situation. Some people don’t believe that you can recover from what you’ve been through. In fact, the people warned Jesus not to roll back the stone of the cave that Lazarus was buried in because they feared the body had decomposed, after all, he had been in there for four days. By this time, he was stinking. It does not matter how long you’ve been in a situation if Jesus is there to raise you back to life.
Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb. The dead man comes out of the tomb walking. Jesus then tells the people to take off his grave clothes. Lazarus’ grave clothes were binding sheets that had been wrapped around his dead body. They usually wrapped herbs and spices in the garments to help in the decomposition. Jesus told them to take them off because he couldn’t walk right.
There are some things that are restricting you that you wore when you were dead in your sins that you must remove when Jesus calls you out. There are some things you used to wear to camouflage the fact that you were decomposing. Now that you are alive again you don’t need to hide your stink. When Jesus gives you new life you:
New King James Version (NKJV)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3. Need to let go of guilt and shame. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1
4. Need to get rid of old habits. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Roman 6:4
Dear God,
Help me to take off everything that would hinder me from walking the way you would have me to walk. Clothe me in Righteousness and remove anything that would restrict me from my new freedom. Order my steps and lead me in paths of righteousness for your name's sake, Walk with me Lord, Walk with me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
John 11:44 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.”
God has delivered so many of us from death through the sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ. He has given us new life, but there is something restricting our movement. Jesus has called us forward but our steps are restricted for one reason or the other. There’s no doubt that Jesus gave us new life but there is the reality of some physical restrictions. What is it that is holding you back?
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead he had already been processed for burial and he had been in the grave four days. Many of us have already been left for dead. People have written us off without realizing that Jesus is about ready to speak life into our situation. Some people don’t believe that you can recover from what you’ve been through. In fact, the people warned Jesus not to roll back the stone of the cave that Lazarus was buried in because they feared the body had decomposed, after all, he had been in there for four days. By this time, he was stinking. It does not matter how long you’ve been in a situation if Jesus is there to raise you back to life.
Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb. The dead man comes out of the tomb walking. Jesus then tells the people to take off his grave clothes. Lazarus’ grave clothes were binding sheets that had been wrapped around his dead body. They usually wrapped herbs and spices in the garments to help in the decomposition. Jesus told them to take them off because he couldn’t walk right.
There are some things that are restricting you that you wore when you were dead in your sins that you must remove when Jesus calls you out. There are some things you used to wear to camouflage the fact that you were decomposing. Now that you are alive again you don’t need to hide your stink. When Jesus gives you new life you:
- Need to make sure your outside matches your inside. 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4
New King James Version (NKJV)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3. Need to let go of guilt and shame. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1
4. Need to get rid of old habits. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Roman 6:4
Dear God,
Help me to take off everything that would hinder me from walking the way you would have me to walk. Clothe me in Righteousness and remove anything that would restrict me from my new freedom. Order my steps and lead me in paths of righteousness for your name's sake, Walk with me Lord, Walk with me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment