When God Delays

Written by R. Toddy Jadoo

Take today’s next step: Are you waiting for God to answer? 

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.” (John 11:5-6)

Lazarus was a friend of Jesus who fell ill and was near death. His sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word to Jesus who was healing and preaching in a town a distance away. Lazarus died while they were waiting for Jesus to get to him. Interestingly when Jesus got the message that Lazarus was sick He did not panic, worry or stop what He was doing! He continued to do what He was doing for TWO MORE DAYS! (Read the entire story in the book of John chapter 11).

Wow! What a reaction! At first it seems as if Jesus didn’t care about Lazarus’ plight and his sisters’ anxiety about his illness. Yet, the end of the story is one of the greatest miracles recorded. Lazarus died and Jesus brought him back to life!

God's on Your Side — the Winning Side

by Rick Warren

“We are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help." (2 Chronicles 20:12 GNT)

When you feel overwhelmed, it's important to go to God in prayer and confess your inability and inadequacy. You need to be honest if you're afraid and tell God exactly how you feel.

In 2 Chronicles 20:12, Jehoshaphat says to God in prayer, “We are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help" (GNT). Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt like there was a problem in your marriage, your career, or somewhere in your life that you thought was overwhelming? You start at the beginning of the week thinking maybe you can handle it, but by Wednesday you're out of power.

Do You Fear the Birth of Jesus?

by Jeremy Ham, AiG–U.S

The historical account of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem in preparation for the birth of Jesus is no stranger to many of us. On Christmas, we celebrate Jesus Christ’s birthday, remembering why He had come (John 3:16–17). Although what God has done through the Lord Jesus Christ gives us the reason to be joyful always, do you also fear God in light of Christ’s birth? The birth of Jesus Christ should either make you afraid or make you admire and revere our awesome God.

Admiration for Christ’s Birth

Christians have no need to be afraid. In fact, on Halloween, we discussed the topic of the fear and the proper response to it. We have God on our side, so why should we be scared (see Psalm 118:6)? However, this does not negate the need for a fear of God. In this article, we are referring to two different definitions of fear in this context—to be scared of something or to have a reverent fear in awe of God. When we fear God, we submit to God as our Creator and Savior, and we will praise and glorify Him for who He is and what He has done for us.