“I AM the Resurrection and the Life..” This profound statement was made to grieving Martha at the death of her brother Lazarus. The sisters, Mary and Martha, had sent word to Jesus that their brother, who Jesus loved, was ill. Jesus knew he would die before he arrived so he delayed his return 2 more days. By the time Jesus returned, Lazarus was already laid in the tomb and his body wrapped and spiced. When they heard that Jesus had arrived, Martha went out to meet him and said, Lazarus would not have died if you had been here. Jesus replied, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha being a good Jew believed in the resurrection of all dead at the end of time and said, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection 
at the last day.” Jesus’ reply to her is life changing. “25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Her reply reveals her true belief and knowledge of Jesus, 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” John 11:21-27
Martha believed that Jesus was God and could have saved Lazarus had He been there. However, Jesus’ meaning goes further when He says He is resurrection and faith in Him will lead to eternal life. To show Martha this truth, He had her take him to the tomb where they had laid Lazarus. Then Jesus had them roll the stone away and He called to Lazarus to come out of the tomb. Lazarus rose and staggered out of the tomb as he was bound in his burial clothes. Jesus commanded them to take off the grave clothes and let him go. The raising of Lazarus brought glory to God, showed Jesus’ power over life and death and foreshadowed His own ability to rise from the dead. His power was real and He truly was the resurrection and life to Lazarus, Mary and Martha.
This I AM statement by Jesus gives the believer hope in the future as we know our eternity will be with Jesus. It also gives assurance that belief in Jesus and His resurrection power will one day bring us to Him. Do you believe, like Martha, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, the Son of God? That belief was life changing for Mary, Martha and Lazarus and is for us too. Today, ponder the hope you have in the resurrected Christ and the assurance you have of eternity with Him. Be encouraged.
Linda
As we ponder the significance of 9/11 today, what comes to your mind? This is the 19th year anniversary of that tragic attack on the twin towers in NY and the Pentagon. Many of those alive today have no memory of that horrific day and those terrifying events. The same could be said for December 7th and the attack on Pearl Harbor. Both bring extreme sadness at the unnecessary loss of innocent lives, the aftermath of the events and their impact on families, the nation and our way of life. A great sense of invasion and insecurity looms in my mind.
Many translations use the word gate instead of door, but the sheep pen used by shepherds was a rock enclosure with only 1 gate or door into the pen. They would sleep at the door preventing anyone or thing from entering and harming their sheep. This is a wonderful picture of Jesus as our protector or guardian of our safety. One we are in his ‘pen’ no one or nothing can ever take us away from Him.
from our sin-filled state of being, Romans 5:8-9 “
God refers to himself as Creator
eloquently, “
description I held onto is 
your battles, He is strong and mighty and will give you strength, guidance, help and courage to prevail in whatever circumstances you find yourself. Cling to Him, He is mighty in the battle of life! Have Him by your side and on your side and you will be victorious. Be of good courage the battle is His!
deliverance and strength uplifts our spirit and pleases God. 
things we cannot do on our own and will renew us in the process! “
Light When we say the word light, many things come to mind- glowing illumination, brightness, no more darkness, hope, direction, guidance….. In Psalm 27 
Knowing God is light and will provide direction so we can see how to proceed, David admonishes us to wait for the Lord. I know, easier said than done, but it is a good reminder that our timetable for things is not the Lord’s. In His light we can walk with confidence and trust His leading as we wait for His perfect timing.
I want to wish each of you a Happy 4th. The 4th of July is a favorite holiday filled with BBQ’s, games, swimming, picnicking, corn on the cob, apple pie and fireworks. But as you know, the 4th is more than that to each of us. The freedom we enjoy in America was bought with a price. The cost to those that came before us was filled with sacrifice, hope and struggle. It continues to cost those who labor daily in the military to ensure our freedom. Our struggle over the centuries has been to secure, defend and maintain freedom of religion, peace, prosperity and hope for us and our children. We desire to live in an unbiased, loving and accepting society. Is this possible? Actually, I believe it is NOT possible without Christ. He is the one who can make all things right and gives us the power to love and live in harmony with others.
Today as you are thankful for America, think also of the greater freedom you have though Christ and say a prayer of Thanks to Jesus.
Normandy, a place of remembrance. Let us remember their sacrifice for our freedom and not take it lightly as the cost was great.
Have you ever wondered about the large gathering of 500 that saw Jesus? What was His purpose? In each post-resurrection appearance, Jesus purposefully met with those who needed to see Him most- the grieving Mary, the doubting Thomas, the guilt ridden Peter and the unbelieving disciples. What could have been His reason for appearing to 500? Perhaps He wanted those who did not know Him as intimately as the disciples to experience His love and power first hand? Perhaps He wanted to make known the reality that He was alive and they could carry on. Perhaps He wanted to comfort, ignite, give hope, …. Seeing Him again, knowing the reality of His death on the cross, knowing He had been buried and was alive for them to see must have been eyeopening, challenging, fearsome, awesome, unbelievable….. One can only imagine what it must have been like to see Jesus.
believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Faith is a blessing from God. Thank Him today for your ability to believe even though you were not there with the 500. You can know that He loves, cares for you and is with you always.
Fearless Living 