April 25 – Our Friend Has Fallen Asleep – Forever?

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." But when Jesus heard this, He said, "This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep." The disciples then said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep.  John 11:1-13  

Have you ever had a friend so sick that the family thought he would die? Even though we all know that everyone's life will end in death, it is still hard to grasp the finality--to accept the fact that death is inevitable and may be close at hand. Jesus knew that Lazarus' death would not be final. He would rise again--but to glorify the Father, there would be some grief. Some may even stumble in the darkness. Seek light--seek Jesus. He is the light of the world. Shine, Jesus, shine. Jesus is a shining light for us--the light of the world. Let His light shine in and through you that others would not fear death.
...To be continued.

RSVP: What has Jesus revealed to you today? How will you respond?

Prayer~  Jesus, light the way for us today. We praise You and thank you that You are with us no matter where we are. 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table 
Sometimes there is a need for some extra energy. Now is one of those times.
Hi-Energy Bars      From Aunt Rose Jeske
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup milk 
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 cup powdered milk
1/4 cup wheat germ or flax seed 
1 cup whole wheat flour or other flour blend if gluten intolerant
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup oatmeal
2 cups peanut butter chips
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts

Cream butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Ad milk and dry ingredients. Beat we'll fold in peanut butter chips, raisins and nuts. Bake in a greased 9 x 13-inch pan at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes. Let cool and cut.  Enjoy for an energy burst.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.