Read about the seven words that have transformed untold millions of lives in today's edition of FaithWalk: Courage for the Journey.
Seven Life-Changing Words
by Ron Susek
@Golden Quill Publications
I am the resurrection and the life.
(John 11:25)
As Jesus visited Bethany, Mary and Martha had nothing to present to Him except their brother Lazarus, who was deceased and decaying. Their grief was expressed in irritation that Jesus had arrived too late to keep him alive. "Lord, if you had been here . . . " bears the tone of rebuke, as though Jesus neglected his beloved friend, Lazarus.
Jesus responded with the seven words that can transform any one in any situation that appears beyond hope: "I am the resurrection and the life."
Martha responded by saying she knew there is a future resurrection. She missed, however, Jesus' emphasis on "I am . . . I am the resurrection." In other words, He could do something about the situation now - present tense.
And so, He did. That evening Mary and Martha were flooded with joy to have Lazarus at the dinner table.
At His crucifixion, however, Jesus relied upon His Father to resurrect Him. thus, we read, "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence."
This demonstrates His eternal submission to His Father, who is the great "I Am!" The name "I Am" reveals that God reigns in self-contained completeness. It was He who empowered Lazarus to "come forth" from the dead upon His Son's command. It was He who raised His Son from the dead. It is He who has empowered His Son to vanquish death (1 Corinthians 15:54-55) and transform our mortal flesh into immortal bodies.
There are many deaths in life other than physical death. Situations will arise over which you have no control. It will be tempting to say, "Lord, if you had been here." Never forget, however, the seven powerful words Jesus spoke. "I AM the resurrection and the life" [emphasis mine]. There is no grave in your life that He cannot open.
Think about it. The same Jesus who raised Lazarus from the dead also calmed a storm, delivered a demoniac and fed five thousand - all deathlike circumstances to which He brought resurrection power. Rather than approaching Jesus with a tone of rebuke, worship Him who can speak resurrection life into any situation in your life. Pray, wait and seek until you hear Him say, "I am the resurrection and the life . . . Lazarus, come forth!"
In light of this truth, Paul wrote, ". . . be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." In God's time you will always see life enter where death once reigned. So, press on in steadfast faith!
Please accept the warmest blessings this Easter from Diane and me, and our staff and board.
Always remember, Immanuel: God is with you!
Your friend,
Ron
JESUS: THE UNCONQUERABLE
4/11/2019 3:49:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE BONDAGE OF AN OATH
4/4/2019 3:31:00 PM by: Ron Susek
CO-CRUCIFIXION
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THE FAITH OF AN ASSYRIAN PATRIARCH
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PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TRUE HISTORY
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DON'T TOUCH THE ARK
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GOD'S MYSTERIOUS WAY
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IS IT WORTH LOSING SLEEP?
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WHAT MAKES PRAYER FEEBLE
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WEAPONS FOR TODAY'S BATTLES
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THE DANGER OF SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITY
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NEVER LOOK BACK
1/24/2019 5:20:00 PM by: Ron Susek
WINTER'S MESSAGE
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MORE THAN CONQUERORS
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HOW HUMAN ARE YOU?
1/3/2019 3:53:00 PM by: Ron Susek
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12/27/2018 3:28:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE NIGHT OF HIS BIRTH
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ONE BRIGHT DAY IN NAZARETH
12/13/2018 3:54:00 PM by: Ron Susek
WHAT JESUS KNEW BEFORE HIS BIRTH
12/6/2018 3:25:00 PM by: Ron Susek
A TIME TO BOW DOWN
11/29/2018 3:09:00 PM by: Ron Susek
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
11/22/2018 2:54:00 PM by: Ron Susek
ENEMIES OF THANKSGIVING
11/15/2018 2:35:00 PM by: Ron Susek
YOU ARE THE LIGHT
11/8/2018 1:58:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE EMOTIONS OF GOD (PART SIX: EMPATHY)
11/1/2018 1:41:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE EMOTIONS OF GOD (PART FIVE: HEARTBREAK)
10/25/2018 1:22:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE EMOTIONS OF GOD (PART FOUR: GRIEF)
10/18/2018 1:07:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE EMOTIONS OF GOD (PART THREE: JOY)
10/11/2018 12:37:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE EMOTIONS OF GOD (PART TWO: WRATH
10/4/2018 12:23:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE EMOTIONS OF GOD (PART ONE: INDIGNATION)
9/27/2018 12:10:00 PM by: Dr. Ron Susek
BY INVITATION ONLY
9/20/2018 11:44:00 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
THE MYSTERY OF DIVINE ENCOUNTERS
9/13/2018 11:17:00 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
THE GOD OF PERFECT GIFTS
9/6/2018 8:20:00 AM by: Ron Susek
COMPROMISE? NEVER!
8/30/2018 3:49:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE TEST OF LORDSHIP
8/23/2018 2:59:00 PM by: Ron Susek
PERFECT FEAR
8/16/2018 2:46:00 PM by: Ron Susek
BYPASSED
8/9/2018 2:34:00 PM by: Ron Susek
GOD'S ACCURACY
8/2/2018 2:03:00 PM by: Ron Susek
FAITH AMID SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
7/26/2018 3:48:00 PM by: Ron Susek
FAITH'S NARROW RIDGE
7/19/2018 3:37:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE GREAT LEAP OF FAITH
7/12/2018 3:22:00 PM by: Ron Susek
QUOTABLE QUOTES
7/5/2018 6:31:00 PM by: Ron Susek
WHEN ALL STRENGTH IS GONE
6/28/2018 6:13:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE DEEPEST CALL ON EARTH
6/21/2018 5:48:00 AM by: Ron Susek
THINK BEFORE JUDGING GOD
6/14/2018 5:35:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE DIVINE SEARCH
6/7/2018 3:30:00 PM by: Ron Susek
WATCH YOUR STEP!
5/31/2018 3:17:00 PM by: Ron Susek
EARTH'S BRIGHTEST LIGHT
5/24/2018 3:00:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE LAMP OF YOUR SPIRIT
5/17/2018 3:26:00 PM by: Ron Susek
FOCUS OR FAIL
5/10/2018 3:12:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE DIVINE PLOT
5/3/2018 9:19:00 AM by: Ron Susek
PERFECTING FAITH
4/26/2018 7:20:00 AM by: Ron Susek
GOD IS KNOWABLE
4/19/2018 5:36:00 AM by: Ron Susek
INTERPRETING GOD
4/12/2018 3:51:00 PM by: Ron Susek
DEATH AND RESURRECTION
4/5/2018 9:30:00 AM by: Ron Susek
SEVEN LIFE-CHANGING WORDS
3/29/2018 11:41:00 AM by: Ron Susek
THE KING PASSED BY IN SILENCE
3/22/2018 11:25:00 AM by: Ron Susek
THE SILENCE OF GOD
3/15/2018 10:58:00 AM by: Ron Susek
UTTERLY BROKEN
3/8/2018 12:48:00 PM by: Ron Susek
ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE
3/1/2018 6:00:00 AM by: Ron Susek
BILLY'S GONE
2/22/2018 6:56:00 PM by: Ron Susek
WHEN IDEALS AND REALITY COLLIDE
2/15/2018 9:38:00 AM by: Ron Susek
THE SHAMING OF GOD
2/8/2018 6:00:00 AM by: Ron Susek
THE FIRE OF FAITH
2/1/2018 9:51:00 AM by: Ron Susek
THE FULNESS OF FAITH
1/25/2018 8:28:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH
1/18/2018 6:52:00 PM by: Ron Susek
THE CONFLICT OF CONFORMITY
1/12/2018 2:00:00 PM by: Ron Susek
KING OF THE NATIONS
1/5/2018 12:16:00 PM by: Ron Susek
NEVER LEAVE YOUR POST
12/28/2017 8:00:00 AM by: Ron Susek
HE LOOKS JUST LIKE HIS FATHER
12/21/2017 9:02:00 AM by: Ron Susek
WHEN GOD IS READY, IT HAPPENS!
12/7/2017 8:15:00 AM by: Ron Susek
THE ORDINARY vs. the SPECTACULAR
11/30/2017 6:55:00 AM by: Ron Susek
ThanksLiving
11/23/2017 9:00:00 AM by: Ron Susek
PRAYING FOR SURVIVORS OF A MASSACRE
11/16/2017 7:37:00 AM by: Ron Susek
FROM REVELATION TO ACTION
11/9/2017 7:15:00 AM by: Ron Susek
HEAVEN'S MEDAL of HONOR
11/2/2017 6:00:00 AM by: Ron Susek
DISCERNING YOUR ROLE IN LIFE
10/26/2017 7:00:00 AM by: Ron Susek
A SOUL-SEARCHING QUESTION
10/19/2017 11:49:00 AM by: Ron Susek
FAITH AMID THE UNPREDICTABLE
10/12/2017 10:36:00 AM by: Ron Susek
FINGERPRINTS and FORGIVENESS
10/10/2017 5:58:00 PM by: Ron Susek
FREE TO BE A SLAVE
9/28/2017 3:08:00 PM by: Ron Susek
BLIND BY CHOICE
9/21/2017 9:13:00 AM by: Ron Susek
OF COURAGE AND CHARACTER
9/14/2017 5:00:00 AM by: Ron Susek
PROBING THE SOUL
9/7/2017 9:13:00 AM by: Ron Susek
REJOICE OVER WHAT MATTERS
8/31/2017 7:18:00 AM by: Ron Susek
DECIDE THE RIVER'S FLOW
8/24/2017 12:26:00 PM by: Ron Susek
DEADLY DOUBT
8/17/2017 9:36:00 AM by: Ron Susek
GOD LEAVES NO FOOTPRINTS
8/15/2017 12:40:00 PM by: Ron Susek
KEEP SOWING
8/3/2017 6:00:00 AM by: Ron Susek
Focusing All Resources
7/27/2017 8:42:00 AM by: Ron Susek
Faith, Fight and Freedom
7/20/2017 7:32:00 AM by: Ron Susek
HANK'S HOME
7/13/2017 7:53:00 AM by: Ron Susek
AN UNEXPECTED TEST OF LOVE
7/6/2017 1:47:00 PM by: Ron Susek
Amanda : A Reason To Go
6/27/2017 2:11:00 PM by: Ron Susek
A Fisherman's Sad Saga
6/20/2017 2:28:00 PM by: Ron Susek
How You Will Be Judged
6/15/2017 8:31:00 PM by: Ron Susek
The Power of Two Small Words
6/13/2017 8:13:00 PM by: Ron Susek
A Different Kind of War
6/1/2017 6:19:00 PM by: Ron Susek
Savior of All Mankind
5/25/2017 7:02:00 PM by: Ron Susek
Inspiration vs. Vision
5/18/2017 7:18:00 PM by: Ron Susek
Gaining the Advantage
9/8/2016 5:39:00 PM by: Ron Susek
Living Water for Thirsty Souls
9/1/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Ron Susek
How We Indict God
8/14/2016 8:47:16 AM by: Ron Susek
Parable of Two Wells
8/8/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Ron Susek
Preview of Heaven
8/1/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Ron Susek
Keepers of Sacred Treasures
7/26/2016 2:32:36 PM by: Ron Susek
God Sees Your Sorrows
7/19/2016 12:17:51 PM by: Ron Susek
The River of Faith
7/8/2016 4:14:46 PM by: Ron Susek
Know Your Inalienable Rights
7/4/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Jesus Never Lost Focus
6/26/2016 4:27:05 PM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Assured Access to God
6/19/2016 9:17:05 PM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Seeking the Desires of God
6/13/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Broken Faith, Radical Repentance
5/31/2016 6:44:37 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
The Unfamiliar World of Holiness
5/31/2016 6:36:48 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Creation of a Clean Heart
5/23/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Against All Odds
5/13/2016 7:48:59 PM by: Dr. Ron Susek
The Power Behind Jesus's Prayers
5/1/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Shut the Door
4/26/2016 12:53:34 PM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Breaking the Log Jam
4/14/2016 8:03:18 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
A Bad Time to Sleep
4/5/2016 9:47:57 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Some Mountains won't Move
4/4/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
The Power of Imagination and prayer
3/21/2016 6:51:22 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Faith of the Son of God
3/14/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Faith of a Mustard Seed
3/7/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Life is War
2/29/2016 7:04:16 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Lead Me To the Rock
2/22/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
All-Surpassing Power
2/15/2016 7:12:30 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Take No Thougth for Your Life
2/9/2016 6:51:12 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Divine Astonishment
2/1/2016 11:01:44 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
Forked-Tongue Foes
1/25/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Dr Ron Susek
Prophet of the Weeping God
1/19/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Dr. Ron Susek
