I doubt when Mary and Martha saw Jesus raise their beloved brother from the dead they anticipated Lazarus would soon be targeted for assassination. Yet that’s what happens. One of the reasons we must identify and confront right & wrong is because of its eventual outcome, not just its immediate impact in a person or society. I doubt when Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding that if you had said to the religious leaders, “You’re going to be plotting an assassination against this man someday,” that they would have believed you. But that’s exactly where their refusal to lead a genuinely “examined” life led them.

In John 12:1-9, we see:

1. Worship and gratitude might make you a target of criticism from those who are close to you.

2. Receiving God's divine intervention (a miracle) might make you a target of outrage from those who are opposed to the status quo and Jesus’ presence making a real difference in your life and others.

3. Goodness and evil are insatiable. They have unending appetites. Goodness always wants to bless more, love more, care more. Evil always wants to enslave more, blind more, destroy more, deceive more. That’s one reason we must choose a life of intentionality and close relationships with godly people who really know us and are invited to speak into our lives. It’s another reason we must not only be “hearers” of the Word but “doers” so we do not deceive ourselves.

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Check out speaking engagements for women's gatherings, parenting conferences, and Christian education events.

#bible

#faith

#truth

#biblestudy

#familydevotions

#christianfaith

#christianfamilies

#christianparenting

#christianwomen

#christianity

#familybiblestudy

#biblestudyforkids

#biblestudyforchildren

#lifeskey3