RESURRECTION POWER!

As we are in the Holy Season, let me begin this week's blog by letting you know that GOD HATES DEATH!! If you don't know that, just take a stroll through the Bible. When He created Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter 2, they were never meant to die. He gave them the recipe to live forever and that was obedience to Him. And even though they chose to sin, God still provided a way for humanity to LIVE eternally thru the person of Jesus Christ.

As we look thru the Bible, there is proof that God hates death. In the Old Testament (Numbers and Leviticus) laws were given to the Israelite people concerning contact with dead bodies or anything associated with death, like graves or bones. They were not supposed to even touch a corpse. It rendered the individual ritually unclean (meaning they could not participate in certain religious activities) for a period of time, and they would need to go through a purification process in order to re-enter into normal activities. Touching the body wasn't sin but it put the individual in a compromised position that needed to be rectified. And God made it VERY clear that contacting the spirits of DEAD people (necromancy) is outright sin and an abomination (Deut. 18:10, Lev. 19:31, 2 Kings 21:6, Isaiah 8:19-20).

So, God doesn't deal in death! It was never part of His plan. He is the source, giver and sustainer of life to everyone and everything. To further prove His life-giving nature there are quite a few examples of how He raises dead individuals BACK to life! In 1Kings 17 resurrection power hits the widow of Zarephath's son through the prophet Elijah. In 2 Kings 4:18-37 resurrection power hits the Shunamite woman's son through Elisha. In the book of Ezekiel, dry bones come back to life in a vision shown to Ezekiel by the Lord. The widow of Nain's son is resurrected in Luke 7:11-17. Jairus' daughter is raised up as well in Luke 8:40-56. And let's not forget Jesus! Up from the grave He arose, with a MIGHTY triumph o'er His foes!! 1 Corinthians 15: 55-57 declares “O death, where is your victory?    O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. OUR GOD is a resurrecting God!! Able to revive, restore, rejuvenate, regenerate, renew and refresh that which is dead!

As believers we take great comfort in believing that our loved ones, who have died in Christ, are living eternally in heaven and that we, too, will one day join them there. And while we understand that somethings need to and have to die, we can be assured, today, that resurrection is not just for our bodies. It can be applied to other areas of our lives. If it will bring glory, honor and praise to God, it can be restored. Maybe you're in a season, situation, relationship, ministry or career that is lifeless...GOD CAN RESURRECT IT! God can reawaken old desires and passions and bring life to whatever looks dead to us or what we believe is dead. Just as Christ called Lazarus forth from the tomb, my prayer for us is that God's resurrection power (that which blows and breathes LIFE) hits your homes, your marriages, your families, your relationships, your careers, your goals, your aspirations and any other area in your life that needs an awakening! It's RESURRECTION season!

~Dania Roberts