Toward the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus’ good friend Lazarus died and was buried.  John 11 records Jesus’ visit to the family and the subsequent miracle of resurrection as he called Lazarus from the grave.  Before the miracle, though, we are given a glimpse of how faith can shine in times of grief. Grief is an unavoidable and valuable part of life.  It is directly related to change and loss.  People respond to it differently, but it cannot be avoided and should not be denied or minimized. 

• Faith shines through grief when we allow it to turn us toward God.
• Faith shines through grief  when we allow it to coexist with hope.
• Faith shines through grief when we allow it to enlarge our heart.

Matthew 14:22-32

• Life is full of fear-inducing circumstances.
• Jesus is with us as we face our fears.
• He calls us to have faith-inspired courage that can be a light to the watching world.
• The key to our faith is keeping our focus on the Savior!

Malachi is the last of the Minor Prophets.  God sent him to speak to the priests and people of Judah following the return from exile.  In Malachi 1:6-14, he delivered the charge against them that they were giving God less than their best by sending sick and injured animals for the worship sacrifices.  Though Christians no longer follow the Old Testament sacrificial system, we sometimes do the same thing when we offer less than our best to God. Reasons God Gets Less than Our Best:

• In our selfishness and laziness, we sometimes take the cheap and easy path in our relationship with God.
• We also tell ourselves that we are as good as everyone else, so we don’t try to do better.
• We forget that our worship should reflect our faith and our gratitude for all God has done.

God wants our excellence, which takes Preparation, Dedication and Diligence.

The last three Minor Prophets—Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi—all followed the Babylonian exile. Today’s focus is on Haggai, who was called by God to summon the recently resettled Jews to act in faith and obedience by rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Their priorities had become self-serving as they worked to rebuild their own homes and prosperity, while ignoring the things of God. Because of their disobedience, they were missing the blessings of God. But Haggai told them how that could change “from this day on.” Our lives can change for the better, as well!

• From this day on, we will learn from the lessons of the past. (2:15-17)
• From this day on, we will consider the potential of the future. (2:18-19a)
• From this day on, we will count on the promises of God. (2:19b)

Won’t you commit yourself 100% to God from this day on?

Habakkuk was a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah prior to the Babylonian exile.  In his short book, he expressed some of the same spiritual questions that we may have today—and also the faith to believe that God is fully righteous, wise and merciful.  Even through the hardest times of life, God gives strength and renewal to His people who trust Him. God continues to make His will known, speaking to us today even as He spoke to Habakkuk.  Here’s what we should do with a revelation from God:

• Receive it.
• Record it.
• Run with it.
• Patiently wait for God’s faithful response.