Scripture: John 11

ROLL BACK THAT STONE

A few years ago, I felt “stuck” in my faith. I knew there was more of God to be seen and experienced than I had known. I began to pray, “Lord – if you’re the God that does miracles, raises people from the dead, heals the sick, brings the prodigal home – I want to see it – I’m willing to be uncomfortable that I might know the Truth.” 

It’s a dangerous prayer, but how God has answered has changed my life in every way. I’ve seen God do things I just can’t explain time and time again – more than I could write down at this moment. 

I think I’ve always identified a lot with the people at Lazarus’ tomb when Jesus tells them to roll back the stone and open the grave. 

They feared the dead body inside would smell too bad (he was dead for four days.) They were willing to accept the fate of their friends’ death rather than risk looking foolish to experience resurrection life. 

Jesus then says, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” (Vs. 40) 

We all know that when they finally rolled back the stone – Lazarus came out alive. History was rewritten. 

I feel like I lived so much of my life with a “stone,” keeping me from an abundant faith-filled life. 

And there’s not necessarily shame in that – that’s what our culture teaches us, that’s what our flesh craves – safety, predictably, comfort. 

But man, have I learned that there’s a whole new life in the Spirit – waiting and available to us if we’d just be willing to ask, seek and knock on the door until it opens. 

I don’t have it all figured out, but I have seen God change my heart and my story in such a powerful way, and I’m praying that through this song, someone else might find the faith to roll back the stone and see what Jesus can do if we would let Him. After all, Jesus changes Everything.

Reflect: 

As we begin this journey together, take some time and ask God to speak to you. 

• Are you willing to trade your comfort or the illusion of your control for the presence and Power of God being released in your life on full display? 
• What “Stone” might God ask you to roll back in your life? 
• Is there an area in your life where you have succumbed to unbelief? 

Come back to faith today, and let’s believe that He can do more than we could imagine! 

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

PRAISE CAN BREAK DOWN PRISON WALLS 

Something is compelling about choosing to praise God amid our pain, our struggle, and our desperation. The author of the Book of Hebrews calls this a “sacrifice of praise.” It’s thanking God even when it makes no sense to thank Him from an earthly perspective. 

This is the key. When we live by faith, we do not see things from an earthly perspective but from an eternal one. Therefore our countenance is not at the whim of the fickle nature of the ups and downs of the natural world. Nor is the quantity or quality of our praise determined by anything other than the worthiness of God, which has not changed or been diminished at all since the dawn of time itself. 

When we sing from a place of victory, like Paul and Silas did that fateful night in prison, we agree with all these truths and actively invite God to receive glory through our circumstances. Our choice to praise in the face of difficulty is an act of faith as we choose to believe in God even when we can’t necessarily see a guaranteed result. And we know that even with the smallest seed of faith, God can achieve the impossible. 

The crazy thing about all of this is: God doesn’t let us down. Ever. 

Even when it looks like He has, He’s just not done yet. His timing is perfect. He sees things on an eternal plane. He’s writing a better story than we will ever know while we’re on this side of Heaven. 

The older I get, and the more acquainted I become with the faithfulness of God, the more I wish I could go back to some of my harder days and choose to sing instead of struggle. 

None of this minimizes the pain that anyone reading this might face. The reality is Jesus promised that we would have trouble in this world. 

But as much as our chains can be burdens, they can also be instruments of praise by the Grace and for the Glory of God. That’s freedom. 

Reflect: 

Take some time and ask God to speak to you: 

• Maybe you’re facing something difficult today. What does it look like to surrender to his sovereignty and choose to praise Him? 
• What things do you have to thank Him for? 
• How have you seen God be faithful in the past? Can you trust that He will be faithful in the future? 

Scriptures: Acts 2:1-13, Colossians 3:23, Zechariah 4:6

POUR YOUR SPIRIT OUT 

If I could go back and change one thing about my life, I wish I wouldn’t have wasted so much time thinking that I had any power to accomplish anything meaningful for God in my own strength! 

Sure, we are designed to work hard and to get things done. After all, Colossians says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” (Col 3:23) 

But I have discovered that the only true power that you and I possess as believers is the indwelling of the Spirit of God. 

One of my favorite verses is: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (Zech. 4:6) 

When God allowed me the gift of this realization, everything in my life became different. Suddenly my life was infinitely full of all the fruit of the spirit. (Galatians 5) 

My relationship with God was completely transformed as I learned to hear his voice and walk with Him. 

I spent so much of my life searching for what only the Holy Spirit offers. Now I can think of no greater prayer over my kids, my family, my church, my friends, and today, over you: that God would pour his spirit out in such a powerful way and that He would meet you right where you are today. 

Let’s lay down our striving and let Him in! 

Reflect: 

Take some time and ask God to speak to you: 

• Ask Him for more of the Holy Spirit. 
• Ask Him to convict you and reveal to you if you have been carrying something that is not yours to carry. 
• Is there an area of your life that you need to surrender to Him? 

Scriptures: Acts 2:17-18, Ecclesiastes 3:11

I’M THE ONE HE HEALED 

We all have a story, but the reality is God can rewrite history in an instant. 

I grew up having panic attacks at least once a month, if not more since I was seven years old. Over the years, I learned to manage but never eliminate these attacks. Some seasons were better than others, but it felt as though no matter how much I prayed, worshipped, sought counsel, or wished, it seemed these would be a part of my life forever. When I was 26, I had a season of 40 days straight of panic attacks that led me to a state of desperation. 

One night my wife heard an advertisement for a Sunday night service at a local church with a pastor who had written a book about his journey with anxiety. We cleared our schedules so we could attend. At the night’s end, the pastor prayed and said a very simple phrase, “Some of you will be healed tonight, and some of you won’t. God’s sovereignty is at work in either scenario.” As soon as he said, “Amen,” I instantly sat down in my chair and began crying. And I’m not talking about your super spiritual, happy cry. I was full-on ugly crying with snot and all. I knew something changed that night, and I was overwhelmed by the grace of God. I haven’t had a single panic attack since. 

We believe that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is the one living inside of us who believe today. It’s the same Spirit that healed me, the same one we’ve seen on full display as a result of leading this song, and it’s the same spirit that can move in your life today. 

My prayer for you today is that your faith is reignited and you are reminded that God works even when you don’t feel or see it. 

Reflect: 

Take some time and ask God to speak to you. 

• Are you in need of a miracle? You have access to the same power that worked miracles in scriptures; all you have to do is ask. 
• Maybe you’re waiting on that miracle? Recognize that God is still moving while you’re in the middle.

Scriptures: Matthew 7:7, James 4:2, Psalms 50:15

ASK, SEEK, KNOCK 

I was 12 when I first read Matthew 7:7. At the time, my understanding of what it meant was elementary, but I still was so fired up about it! At one point, I was even going to get a tattoo that read, ‘A.S.K.,’ because I wanted people to ask me about it so I could tell them about the passage. 

I never got the tattoo, but that verse has remained just as constant in my life as though I did. It’s easy for us to view this verse as if God exists as a genie in a bottle that grants our every wish; however, the context offers something deeper. God does say, “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2), and He does say to call upon him in our time of need (Psalm 50:15), so the takeaway can easily become God will give me whatever I ask for. 

As a dad to 3 daughters, I have started to think about this verse in a different light. See, if my daughters ask me for something, I almost always give them whatever they ask for without skipping a beat. I love seeing the joy on my 3-year olds face when I say ‘yes,’ to taking her to the park or giving her a cookie. However, sometimes I say no to my daughters because I know that whatever they are asking for will not be the best thing for them at the time. The more I’ve meditated on this verse from a father’s perspective, I have found three takeaways. 

1. God wants us to ask Him for things. This shows our heavenly Father that we want to reciprocate the relationship that He so willingly chases after us for. 
2. God is not a genie in a bottle; rather, He is an omniscient God who knows exactly what we need and when 
3. Just like I know when to say no to my daughters, God knows when things are not in our best interest and lovingly says ‘no,’ when we get in our own way with our requests. 

My passion for this verse remains because I have witnessed the power and faithfulness of its promise on full display in my life, and I pray it’s the same for you today! 

Reflect 

• What are you calling upon God for today? 
• Pray for God to reveal His will and way for every request. Do so from a place of thanksgiving, recognizing that He is waiting on the other side of the door you’re knocking on, longing to commune and converse with you.