The Nexus between Jesus and Lazarus

First, Jesus demonstrated His power over death, by delaying his return to Bethany until Lazarus died and was buried, instead of frantically returning to prevent his death. The unspoken request in the sisters’ appeal was that Jesus would return once He knew of Lazarus’ condition. Indeed, it embodied their sense that Christ’s love for the whole family would prompt His return. Interestingly, when the centurion requested healing for his servant (Matthew 8:5-7) and Jairus brought news of his daughter’s imminent demise (Mark 5:22-24), Jesus immediately went to their homes. Yet, with one of His dearest friends deathly-ill, He deliberately stayed away. Jesus obviously retained absolute control of His ministry. He had a plan, followed its self-imposed timetable and implemented its procedures as He determined-because He had absolute confidence in His death-defying sovereignty.

Second, Jesus demonstrated His power over death by arriving in Bethany four days after Lazarus was buried. According to Jewish legend, the spirit hovered over the corpse three days before departing for Sheol. To everyone in Bethany, all hope of resurrecting Lazarus had vanished by the time Jesus arrived. Lazarus had disappeared beyond recall. Which explains the Lord’s return only after all hope of recovering Lazarus was past. Christ’s power over death couldn’t have been expressed as it was if He had been present even hours or a day after His friend’s departure.

No Matter What, be still…

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary, Who may live on your holy hill, He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. We live in an evil world. When David wrote the book of Psalm, the world was evil. From the moment Adam and Eve took the first bite of that forbidden fruit, the world has been evil. Sadly, most of us tend to forget that fact, and too often think that the best way to live our lives is to take our guidance from the world. It’s a lot easier to watch TV, read the newspaper and best-selling novels, go to the movies and talk to our friends and co-workers than it is to study the Bible. It’s much simpler to take our cues from the world – and multiple TV talk shows – on how to live, how to handle relationships, how to vote, how to work – than it is to seek what God would have us do.

10 Nutrients for a healthy mind

Second Timothy 1:7 says, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” The Word of God renews our mind in a spiritual sense. Now we have discovered that foods and nutrients from His plant kingdom can have a significant effect on mood, memory and other mental functions. And to live the abundant life we all deserve, it’s important to have a clear and focused mind, as God intended.

Here are 10 very effective nutrients for a healthy mind:

1. Beta-carotene – Adequate amounts of beta-carotene are critical to ensure proper thought processes. Good sources are dark green leafy vegetables, carrots and sweet potatoes.

2. Folic Acid – A deficiency of folic acid (folate) can lead to depression, dementia and even psychiatric problems. Studies show that correcting a folic acid deficiency with as little as 400 micrograms daily can increase brain chemical transmitters (serotonin) and can correct forgetfulness, depression and irritability. Good sources are spinach, lima beans and green leafy vegetables.

Be “Bold” When You Pray

As a Christian, one of the most important subjects to learn about is the mystery of prayer. It’s critical for us to learn how to pray—how to articulate those things that are in our hearts to God. We need to learn to talk to God about everything—things like our hurts, our needs, our joys, those things we are grateful for. Only then will we start to see some real change in our lives, and we can help others begin to see positive changes in their lives as well. In Matthew 16:19 it says, I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven (The Amplified Bible). What I believe that really means is that God says He’s going to give you authority to bring HEAVEN to earth. That verse says that God will give you the keys of His kingdom. That’s a pretty powerful statement. Think about it: The very keys to His kingdom are in your hands! God has given you the power to release a bit of His kingdom into your life or into someone else’s life.

Alzheimer’s Disease, a short excerpt…

Like former President Ronald Reagan who lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease in June 2004, people with this severe form of dementia are eventually robbed of their memories and of their ability to communicate with loved ones. It can be very heartbreaking, especially when the victim can no longer recognize their spouse or children. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease that usually begins gradually, causing a person to forget recent events or familiar tasks. How rapidly it advances varies from person to person, but the disease eventually leads to confusion, personality and behavior changes, and impaired judgment. Communication becomes more difficult as the disease progresses, leaving those affected struggling to find words, finish thoughts or follow directions. Eventually, most people with Alzheimer’s disease become unable to care for themselves.”

While scientists aren’t certain what causes the disease, most agree that a variety of factors could contribute to DNA damage and the death of nerve cells in the brain that can lead to a decline in brain function, and advanced age and family history appear to be risk factors.

The Bread of Life, july 15th

The discovery of penicillin revolutionized health care. Prior to the 1940s, bacterial infections were often fatal. Since then, penicillin has saved countless lives by killing harmful bacteria. The men who recognized its potential and developed it for widespread use won a Nobel Prize in 1945. Long before the discovery of penicillin, other silent killers were at work saving lives by destroying bacteria. These silent killers are white blood cells. These hard workers are God’s way of protecting us from disease. No one knows how many invasions they have stopped or how many lives they have saved. They receive little recognition for all the good they do.

The Lord gets similar treatment. He often gets blamed when something goes wrong, but He seldom gets credit for all the things that go right. Every day people get up, get dressed, drive to work or school or the grocery store, and return safely to their families. No one knows how many times God has protected us from harm. But when there is a tragedy, we ask, “Where was God?”

The Bible, And hidden meanings?

A Christian woman read an article in one of those supermarket tabloids that claimed the Bible is full of messages in secret code that can reveal the future to us. The examples given were very persuasive, but I couldn’t help but wondering why God did it this way…

And, Billy Graham answers, No, it is not true – and for a very good reason: God wants us to understand the message He has given to us in the Bible. He hasn’t hidden it from us, He wants us to know it so we can make it the foundation of our lives.

Emotional Baggages, make you ineffective

Are you carrying emotional baggage in the form of unresolved issues (past/present), negative emotions, unhealthy mindsets, and the like? If so, have you considered the impact of this on your life? The truth of the matter is that your emotional baggage can render you ineffective in your home, office, church, community, etc. Just like marathon runner, running with a backpack full of rocks, your baggage can have a severe impact on your ability to finish your race or even finish well. Now, when it comes to dealing with our emotional baggage, many of us have a challenge because we either deny the obvious, pretend everything is ok or are blinded to our issues. And so, you may find yourself wearing a mask to hide what’s going on, deep within you. Talking from experience, it takes more effort to keep up the facade than dealing with ones excess weight.

His Purpose, Am I Available

Luke 10:38-42

Martha of Bethany welcomed Jesus into her home. Her act of service may seem small compared to works like the apostle Paul’s missionary trips and letters. But she and her family provided a place of rest and refreshment for the Savior. This act must have been a welcome pause in His busy week. It’s true that Jesus once corrected Martha for placing too much emphasis on the details of hospitality. But when He visited her home, He no doubt anticipated food and fellowship with people He loved.

God’s plan for every believer is made up of a lifetime of small opportunities. No matter what our career or calling may be. We should each seek ways to serve the Lord daily. We do this by ministering wherever we are to family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

Quercetin, a Great booster…

Quercetin is one of the most abundant chemical compounds in fruits and vegetables. Quercetin is an important member of a large group of plant compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids have potent antioxidant properties, but also have recently been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects. Foods particularly high in quercetin include apples, onions, parsley, purple grape juice and tea. As we study the therapeutic uses of quercetin, we quickly realize why God spread it so widely throughout the plant kingdom. Quercetin helps to alleviate allergy symptoms. Studies show it inhibits the release of histamines from certain types of red blood cells and thus functions as a mild antihistamine.