GOSPEL CORNER: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN GOD SHOWS UP LATE AND YOUR BROTHER LAZARUS DIES? YOU PRAYED, YOU BELIEVED, BUT THE PROBLEM DIDN’T TURN AROUND, THE BUSINESS DIDN’T MAKE IT ?

Today’s Scripture
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
John 11:32, NIV

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES

TODAY’S WORD

When God Is Late
What do you do when God shows up late and your brother Lazarus dies? You prayed, you believed, but the problem didn’t turn around, the business didn’t make it, the relationship ended. Mary couldn’t believe that Jesus had not come in time and took it that He didn’t care, but Jesus had something better in mind than a healing. He was bringing a resurrection. *Sometimes the reason God delays is because He’s going to do something better than what you think, something bigger, more rewarding.*

You have to trust God when you don’t see anything happening. You have to believe when heaven is silent. He’s working behind the scenes. If you will be patient, every blessing that has your name on it will find you, and it’s going to be much better than you think.

The delay is a sign that God is up to something big. He’s about to show out in your life. At the time He has planned, in your due season, you’re going to see breakthroughs, healing, freedom, abundance, and more than you’ve imagined.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that no matter what challenges and setbacks I face, You have the final word over all things. Thank You that any apparent delay in Your response is a sign of something big that’s coming. I believe that You are working behind the scenes and bringing resurrections. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

The Bible tells us that the heart is where the issues of life spring forth. What we allow to enter our hearts will affect our thoughts, actions, and even our bodies. In other words, the condition of one’s heart determines the course of one’s life!

That is why Jesus, who bequeathed to us His peace, tells us, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). So if we want to walk in His peace and rest, we need to guard our hearts and not let them spiral into negative thoughts, worry, and fear. The Book of Wisdom also tells us that a peaceful and cheerful heart promotes health (Prov. 17:22 NIV).

Beloved, there may be many things in our lives that we want to “guard,” such as our health or careers, but God wants us to guard our hearts above all else, and He will guard the rest!