Death - Resurrection - Life - Part III

Continuing with Part III of  Death - Resurrection - Life

In John 10:10 the word tells us:  The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy.  I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.

     What is this thief in your life?  Is it unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness, jealously, anger, hatred, strife, fear or pride?     

     And what does it do?  It slips in secretly to accomplish It's task hopefully unseen, undetected and unnoticed. It begins to rob you of your joy, your peace, love and the fruit of light.
It hides in the dark and secret places of your heart in fear of being exposed.

     But praise God, the I am has come and all things become visible when they are exposed by the light and from that light He says, Awake oh heart, rise from the dead and let me bring life to the hardness of your heart and live.

     Now let's look at the word abundantly in our scripture and find out what it means:  A sense of beyond, super abundantly in quantity or superior in quality.

     But what is it that will give you that quantity and quality of life?  A New Heart! 

     Jesus will go beyond what you can see with your eyes, believe with your faith and comprehend with your mind, because His quantity of grace is unmeasurable and the quality unmatched.  He see's your past, present, your future and He has no limits.  Who can measure the span of His creation or the depths of His universe. He is the all sufficient One that will not withhold any good thing from you if you are willing to humble yourself before Him. 
     
     Going back now to our main in John 11 let's read verse 25.  This is our key verse.

          Verse 25:  I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live.

     When I first began this message, I gave you three key words and they were:  Death - Resurrection - Life


     We have talked about Death and the process of dyeing to the flesh, now let's talk about what the words Resurrection and Life mean.

     The word Resurrection means:  A bringing back into use, to make to rise up and to stand.  

     And the word Life in the Greek is the word "Zoe" which is the animate life or to be infused with life.  It refers to the principle of life in the spirit, soul, mind and heart.

     So when the process of Resurrection begins in you, that same awesome power that infused Jesus Christ will permeate and penetrate every area of your heart. That which was once dead will begin to respond with Life and that life will bloom with the fragrance of Jesus.  You will experience a peace in your mind and in your heart, because you have come into agreement with His will and His word.  And that which was once barren and unfruitful will begin producing and multiplying fruit that will remain.

     Beloved, my intention was not only to give you my testimony to encourage you, but to challenge you to seek the Lord and ask Him to show you the condition of your heart. It doesn't matter who you are, what title you hold, how educated you are or how long you have been a believer.  One of our daily prayers should be Psalms 139:23,24.
         
          Verse 23:  Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts.
          Verse 24:  And see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.

      When God searches your heart what does He do? He examines and penetrates through the veils of deception, hurt, rejection and fears that expose the intent and the motives of your heart. He focuses on your deepest and the innermost thoughts where the battle of your mind is either being won or lost. He sends out His search-light of illuminating power that seeks out those hidden sins and exposes the darkness.  Then with fire He purifies and refines the heart in the furnace of tests and trials.  And through this fire comes Death and out of this Death comes Resurrection and Life.

      Then Jesus will cry out to you with a loud voice as He did when He spoke to Lazarus in John 11:43 that says:

          Verse 43:  And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth".

     And He is saying to you "come forth" and let me Resurrect a "New Heart" in you.  And I will cause you to shed the grave cloths of death that have robbed you of life.  I will free up your hands for the work of the Kingdom and unbind your feet for newness of Life.  And unveil your eyes that were blinded in darkness so all those around you may see and believe.  

     Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life and it's only through Death can you truly have Life.  

Blessings,

Elma Garlock