Hope to Live Again

Questions and…

The sight at Lazarus’ tomb raises a question. Jesus approaches the grave site with the full assurance that He will raise His friend from the dead. Why then does the sight of the tomb trouble him?

Maybe the tomb in the garden is too graphic a reminder of Eden gone to seed. Of Paradise lost. And of the cold, dark tomb He would have to enter to regain it. In any case, it is remarkable that our plight could trouble his spirit; that our pain could summon his tears. The raising of Lazarus is the most daring and dramatic of all the Savior’s healings. He courageously went into a den where hostility raged against Him to snatch a friend from the jaws of death. It was an incredible moment. It revealed that Jesus was who He said – the Resurrection and the Life. But it revealed something else. The tears of God.

And who is to say which is more incredible – a man who raises the dead or a God who weeps?1

...Hope and……Hope And…

A God who is moved by our pain? One who weeps with those who weep and enters into their sorrow? Yes, this is God, revealed in Jesus Christ. I can bring Him anything life throws at me and, like Lazarus, experience His loving and life-restoring touch, llifting me out of darkness and death.

...A Life-Giving Offer…
God loves us and so desperately wants us to know real peace and blessing.

The Problem. We are cut off from this life and peace because of sin. Sin separates us from God and brings loneliness, brokenness and pain.

“But your iniquities have separated you from God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)

We’ve all sinned (Romans 3:23) and the consequence of sin is separation from God, now and eternally. (Romans 6:23) A simple definition of sin is “running my own life.” It is choosing my way instead of God’s way.

The Rescue. God’s awesome plan for you is to know and experience peace and abundant life.

Jesus Christ declared, “I am come that you might have life and live it abundantly.” (John 10:10) While the world promises life through the pursuit of relationships, success, wealth and education, at the end of the day, these are not enough to satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. The reason is simple. We are made for God, and until we find our satisfaction in Him, we will be continually searching in all the wrong places. God’s Word, the Bible, says, “For by Him all things were created…and created for him.” (Colossians 1:16)

If God’s awesome plan is for us to experience peace and abundant life, why is it that so many people are not enjoying this experience?

Our Salvation. Man has tried all sorts of ways to connect with God again. Good deeds, religious works, philosophy, and morality are all commendable, but they fall short of the goal. “There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

Jesus Christ is our ONLY hope for being rescued out of hopelessness, sin, and eternal separation from God. Christ alone is the bridge to the peace and abundant life found in God. Only Christ satisfied the consequences of our sin, therefore only Christ can say, “I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE: No man comes to the Father but through me.” (John 14:6)

The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE: No man comes to the Father but through me.” (John 14:6)

Your Response This very moment you can begin again. This is what God’s love and grace is all about. It’s not about making yourself “good enough” to be accepted by God. “For by grace you have been saved (rescued) through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as the result of works, that no one should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Turn away from living your own way and toward living God’s way. “Repent, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing my come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)

God performs life-changing transformation for those who put their faith in Christ.

“For as many as received Him (Christ), to them He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word, and believes in Him who sent me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24) “And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.” (1 John 5:11-12)

Pray from your Heart.

Dear God,

I know that I have lived life my way; I have sinned. I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Christ died for my sins. I turn from my sins and invite Christ to take charge of my life. I want to follow him as my Lord and Savior.

Let Us Know. If you have started a NEW LIFE with Christ, please contact us. It would be our delight to send you free information that will help you grown in your relationship with God.


Click here
to request free information about beginning a new life with Jesus Christ.

Or write to us at:
Promise Network
2611 Commerce Boulevard
Birmingham, AL 35210

1. Ken Gire, Incredible Moments with the Savior, Zondervan Publishing, 1998.


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