BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

Jesus knew how to glorify God. He knew that He must be resurrected from the dead in order for all men to be raised. And Jesus understood that demonstrating His faith to raise Lazarus was necessary to the whole plan. Love for God and His purpose, as well as God’s love and purpose for Lazarus, were driving forces in every action that followed. No plan of God can be fulfilled without love. Lesson No. 3: Seek to know Jesus and the power of His love. Seek to be rooted in knowing who you are in Him. Verse 6 has perplexed people for generations. Why did Jesus intentionally stay where He was and let Lazarus die? Before we come to the same hasty conclusion most everyone in Bethany came to, we’d better take a closer look. “[Jesus] abode.” Abide means “to remain in a given place, state, relation or expectancy.” If we look back to Chapter 10 we’ll see why this particular place was important. The confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish leaders in John 10:24-39 is one of the most contentious recorded. They challenged whether or not He was the Messiah. When Jesus declared, “I and my Father are one,” they became so enraged that they took up stones to kill Him. His response to their hatred and violence diffused their anger so that rather than stone Him, they decided to arrest Him. But it wasn’t yet time for that, so He slipped away. (No doubt that was miraculous protection.) That encounter must have been exhausting as well as deeply disturbing. The leaders who should have recognized and welcomed Jesus were challenging Him with the same ferocity Satan had on the Temple Mount. And what was that challenge? Are You really the Son of God? Are You really who You believe You are? It’s interesting to note that the Scripture makes a point of telling us what Jesus did next. He went back across Jordan where John had baptized. Why there? Look at Luke 3:21-22. “It came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended….” You see, Jesus returned to the very place God had openly and miraculously confirmed to Him and everyone around that He was indeed His Son. Jesus remained in that place where He had prayed and heard. He remained in that relation remembering, meditating on and enjoying His Sonship. He was purposely abiding in a state of “being”—being the Son of the Most High. And lastly He remained in expectancy. At the end of that abiding time which included the two days after hearing of Lazarus’ death, He was so rooted, so certain and full of who He was in God, no one could move Him. Martha couldn’t. The mourners couldn’t. The same Jews who had tried to kill Him just days before couldn’t. Lazarus’ dead, decaying body couldn’t. It was impossible to shake Him. He knew His Father and knew His place in Him. Lesson No. 4: Begin to abide in your time alone with God and His Word. Then go from that prayer place, depending upon who you are in Him, not who you are in yourself. Faith brought Lazarus out of his tomb. And that same faith brought Jesus out of His, along with you and me. We were raised up with Him and seated with Him in the Spirit. We are the righteousness of God, more than conquerors and we can do all things through Him (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 8:37; Philippians 4:13). But we must do as He did and take time to abide. Abide in Him in your prayer place until who you are cannot be shaken from you. Then face whatever challenges await you and watch what the Greater One will do in and through you. V Terri Copeland Pearsons, the eldest daughter of Kenneth Copeland, is chief visionary officer of Kenneth Copeland Ministries and president of Kenneth Copeland Bible College®. Along with her husband, George Pearsons, she is also senior pastor of Eagle Mountain International Church at KCM in Fort Worth. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Watch EMIC services with Pastors George & Terri on VICTORY Channel™ Live services: Sun. 11 a.m. | Wed. 8 p.m. Replays: Sun. 10:30 p.m. & Sat. 2 a.m. Wed. midnight ET *********************************** 24 : BVOV

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