Miracle Grounds

Then Jesus became explicit: “Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him.” - John 11:14-15 (MSG)

Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope that this week has been a good one so far and if it hasn't remember that God is still on the throne. I've been reading the book of John and I was just going over the death of Lazarus. I really like how the MSG translation states this particular verse of Jesus addressing the disciples on Lazarus' death. Basiaclly He says Lazarus is dead and for your sake I'm glad that I wasn't there to prevent it. Why was Jesus glad? "You're about to be given new grounds for believing." Sometimes Jesus lets things happen so that our faith in Him will increase. You see Jesus could've gone straight away to Lazarus and healed him. He actually got the news that Lazarus was sick and stayed where he was two more days before going to where Lazaurs was. Why wouldn't Jesus go to Lazarus as soon as He got the news that He was sick? Because He knew that if He waited the miracle would be even sweeter. Jesus could've gone straight to Lazarus and healed Him and all would've been well but instead He waited and by the time He waited Lazarus had already died. As if this was a stumbling block to our King. Sometimes we want an automatic answer, an automatic healing, breakthrough, or whatever it may be. It's not that God can't or won't do it automatically, but sometimes He wants to give us new grounds for believing just like he wanted to give the disciples. And sometimes in order to get new grounds for believing something has to die. I've been in a season of breaking for what seems to be a while now. My flesh is dying and I find myself constantly being humbled by the Lord. This is such a painful process. I never realized how hard and painful it is to die to the flesh until now. But I hear the Lord saying "You're about to be given new grounds for believing." God is doing a work that is going to be so shaking and marvelous that people won't believe it. Just like He did with Lazarus. Jesus didn't leave Lazaurus in the grave, He went to his grave and said "Lazarus, come out!" (John 11:43) and Lazaurs came out. Imagine the disciples, Lazaurs family, and other people standing by. Imagine their reactions to seeing a man that was once dead come back to life. The new grounds for believing were now planted.  The rejoicing was greater and hearts put their faith in Jesus. Don't you see that this is what Jesus wants to do with us? He wants to give us new ground so that our hearts may embark on an even deeper and sweeter journey with the lover of our souls. I feel like Jesus is speaking to some of you and saying "come on let's go I'm about to give you new grounds for believing, I am about to increase your faith and show you my power." So whatever thing in your life that  you feel has died, that you feel like you've been praying and praying for but hasn't come to pass. Jesus says "Come out!" Don't loose heart, Lazarus family wanted him to be healed of his sickness but Jesus had something better in mind, He wanted to bring Him to life. Jesus has something better in store for you, something greater than you could've imagined. And it is going to break new miracle working ground that will overflow into everything you do. 

-Sofia 

The Process

Hey everyone! Happy Monday! It's been a while since I've last written a post and I miss it so much! I can't believe the summer is almost over. It has gone by so fast! Church yesterday touched me in anew and fresh way. God spoke to my heart and there was a moment in worship where I felt like Jesus was sitting right in front of me saying "Sofia I Love you I am Yours you are Mine." It was so powerful. Something that Jesus has been teaching me recently is to trust the process. Yesterday in church one of my pastors said something that stood out to me. "God does not always act as a microwave God, most of the time He acts as an oven." What does that mean? A lot of the time God is t going to do things instantly. It's not that He can't or that He won't. I've seen many times in my life where God instantly moves on my behalf, but I've also seen many times where He acts as an oven and takes me through a process before giving the competed work. I've found that I be fit from the process much more. I mean think about it what taste better a frozen microwave dish or a nice oven cooked homemade meal? In a world that constantly desires instant gratification it can become hard to trust God in the process. We want it right now. We don't want to wait and wait and wait and go through some things and learn some things before getting what we've been praying for. But what if that makes us more like Jesus and brings us closer to His heart? The process is not always going to be fun. Waiting is not always the easiest thing in the world. I've learned this from experience and I believe that I'm still learning this. I'm learning to trust God in the process. To have faith in Him even when I can not see and even when everything around me says I should otherwise. It's hard! But I know that trusting the process will reap an even greater blessing.  So whatever your process may be at the moment, dealing with difficult co-workers, waiting for a miracle, waiting for direction on what to do next, or just simply waiting to see God move on your behalf, know that you are more than a conqueror through Jesus and that no demon in hell can thwart the and that God has for your life. Jesus wants to give you the best. He's not interested in giving you a cheap quick microwave meal. He wants to give you the best of the best even if that means it has to cook a little longer. I hope you all have a blessed week, praying for each and every person who read this! - Love Sofia.