It's Okay To Cry

“It’s Okay To Cry”

September 27, 2013


“Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”  Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”– John 11:32-36 (NKJV)

Set the scene… (vv. 1-3) Lazarus was sick and later died, his sister’s hearts were heavy, wondering why Jesus hadn’t come when they called Him.

I. Sick Just to Be Healed – (v. 4, 11) “When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it… These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

II. He Waited (Practice Patience) – (vv. 6-8) “So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.… “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”

A. Stand still. God often instructs us to wait on Him, and the fulfillment of His will, in His time. Meanwhile, it strengthens our patience and trust in Him. (Ref. Ps. 27:14)

B. (A spirit of fear) Jesus ain’t scared… At the name of Jesus, demons tremble. He has ALL power in His hands.

III. I’m Glad I Wasn’t There – (vv. 14-16) “Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

A. The friends who leave, and the One who won’t… For the glory of God.

B. The people void of understanding. Why would you want someone to die with you, instead of helping you to live? (Thomas)

IV. “Jesus Wept.”

A. As men, we’re taught not to cry, yet many men and women of God shed tears in their distresses. (David, Paul, Moses, Jesus.) It’s okay to cry… Cry out to God with tears of joy.

B. The greatest commandment(s). Sometimes we need a human listening ear, and a physical shoulder to cry on. Love God. Love One Another.

Still Standing

"These things I command you, that you love one another." - John 15:17 (NKJV)

I am immovable, far from impressionable, yet predictable by abiding by what's scriptural... I am a child of the King, servant of the Most High; yet I retain the humility not to boast that I'm in ministry, but simply a servant.

You see, that's my assignment, my purpose as it were. To spread the uncompromised gospel, apt to teach in order to reach anyone. I remain to stand tall, the Truth I proclaim, no ulterior motives, only to love and bless each & everyone.

I've painfully grown teeth... My soul has been conditioned to digesting the meat. It's washed down with the sincere milk of the Word; which a solid foundation, building upon the wisdom and Kingdom knowledge I seek.

The Words that I speak and the Truth that I write, correspond to the life which I live... A passion for acting, yet only on stage, a pure heart in all, is all that I give... I practice what I preach, and at times challenging as it may be, I walk forth boldly without fear.

I'm aware that the stone which was God's precious jewel, was the very same stone that the builders refused. Hated, despised of and rejected by men, His life was given, that ours would begin.

Imagine a friend that loves you so much, they'd lay down their life that you'd retain such. A must it is to them that you'd retain joy, unrest they endure, that peace may be yours.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." - John 15:12-13 (NKJV)... Not only is it this that is written, herein is no deception, the Word is what I'm living.

"The love of heaven makes one heavenly." - William Shakespeare

"You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." - Marcus Aurelius