Jesus was sending this family a message of incredible hope. Surely you’ll believe me that my Father will receive glory from this crisis.” You’re special to me, and I desire that your confidence in me not fail. And I want you, of all people, to trust me. I’m going to take care of this in my time and my way. He was saying, in so many words, “Mary, Martha, you are not to worry or sorrow. He wanted them to acknowledge that he was more than just their friend, a teacher, healer and miracle worker. He wanted to see faith rise up in his beloved friends. They possibly thought Lazarus was going to be healed.īut Jesus was looking for a different response from them. Surely Mary and Martha were puzzled at Jesus’ reply. But Christ sent a message back to them, saying, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (11:4). They knew Jesus could help them in their trial. When Lazarus grew deathly ill, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus: “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick” (11:3). It was an oasis of quiet for him away from the pressing crowds. He even made their home his spiritual retreat. Christ knew that this close-knit family loved him, and he loved them dearly in return. Their home was a favorite resting place for Jesus. He lived with his two sisters, Mary and Martha, in the town of Bethany. Most Christians know the story of Lazarus. Hawkins on Twitter For free videos, podcasts, and book downloads, visit a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany” (John 11:1). Hawkins is the author of over 40 books including the best-selling “Code Series” with over two million in print, including The Joshua Code: 52 Scripture Verses every Believer Should Know, The Jesus Code: 52 Scripture Questions Every Believer Should Answer, and The Bible Code: Finding Jesus in Every Book in the Bible.įollow O. The Hawkins’s also have six grandchildren.ĭr. Wendy is married to Brian Hermes and Holly is married to David Shivers. They have two daughters, Wendy and Holly, both of whom are also graduates of TCU. He has been married to his wife, the former Susan Cavness of Austin, Texas, since 1970. In addition, he holds the Doctorate of Literature degree from Liberty University (Hon.) as well as several other honorary doctorate degrees. He also earned the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Hawkins, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, earned the Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. Prior to the beginning of his tenure at GuideStone in 1997, Hawkins served as senior pastor of the historic First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas (1993-1997) and as senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (1978-1993) as well as earlier pastorates in Oklahoma. GuideStone Funds is the largest Christian-based mutual fund in the world with assets under management of over 20 billion dollars. GuideStone serves more than 250,000 individual participants from churches, missionary organizations, colleges and universities, hospitals, and other nonprofit institutions with their financial and benefit service needs. Hawkins is president and chief executive officer of GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Please feel free to share your thoughts and prayers in the comments. May Your Presence be palpable to each hurting person today. Thank You for the rescuers and volunteers who have come to the aid to save and rescue lives. Lord, our hearts are broken for those affected by the recent tragedies. Thank You that You are with us in the storm (Matthew 14:22-32). Thank You, Jesus, that Your heart breaks with ours when disaster strikes. Maybe we asked, “Where were you, God?” But, He is near. Yesterday, a gunman in Las Vegas ended the lives of more than 50 people. He is the One who is touched by our broken hearts and weeps with us.Įxcerpted with permission from The Joshua Code by O. Meditate on the fact that we have a Lord who is not far off and removed. King David said it best: “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). He is preserving all our tears in a bottle, and one day He will wipe them all away. It reveals a beautiful scene in heaven: “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” This is our hope. The last time tears are mentioned in the Bible is in Revelation 21:4.
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