INSPIRED WORD

SEPTEMBER 17, 2003

Jn 11: Deeply moved once more, Jesus went to the tomb, which was a cave with a stone placed at the entrance. “Take the stone away!” Jesus ordered. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, ”By this time there is a bad odor for it has been four days.” Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God” So, they took away the stone. Then, Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here that they may believe that you have sent me.” When he said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out. His hands and feet were wrapped with strips of cloth and linens, and there was a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go!”

INSPIRED PRAYER Lord Jesus, we are asking that you roll away the stone – those things that need the touch of your mercy and forgiveness, those things kept in the darkness, those things that really need to be transformed by your mercy. Lord, we lift those things up now – those things in our personal lives, those things in our families, in our church, in our community, in this world. We pray for your holy mercy, for your forgiveness. Lord, you said your mercy flows like a river. Pour forth your mercy like a mighty waterfall, beyond measuring, beyond imagination. You ask us to step into that river of mercy and forgiveness and to bring those situations , those people, those nations that need to be transformed by it.

INVITATION TO LIFT UP THOSE THINGS THAT NEED GOD'S MERCY

IMAGE I have an image of the water of healing. It has been stirred. As we bring these petitions forth, we are carrying them to the water of healing, just as in the gospel.

CONFIRMATION SCRIPTURE Jn 7 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, you who is saying to you give me drink, you would have asked him and he would give you living water.”

INSPIRED PRAYER, IN SONG Lord we ask for your mercy…. For those times when we tend to walk by sight…for times when we worry about finances instead of trusting in you…for times when we rely too heavily on what the doctor has to say, for there is but one divine doctor, you….for when stress begins to affect us, when we keep our eyes on the storm instead of you, when we are afraid to step out of the boat.

INSPIRED SONG Come, I Have Prepared for You a Banquet Table.

PROPHECY The cloud of my presence is here, in a very real way. Breathe deeply of it for I long to heal and forgive many things. Breathe deeply.

CONFIRMATION

PROPHECY I have come that you might have life, and have it abundantly. Life to the full, cup overflowing. For I will fill your cup. I am the God of all creation. I know what you need. Come and rest in me, and I will fill you to overflowing.

VISION/PROPHECY I have had a vision of a very lonely person sitting in a very angry sea, in a small row boat, not knowing which way to turn, being tossed around, back and forth, by the waves. This person is desperate, and the Lord is saying, ‘I am here. I am in that boat with you. I will get you safely to the shore. I am the God who calms the angry sea about you. You have lost your focus. You have looked all around at the dark clouds and the high waves and you have wanted wisdom, but you felt you didn't get it.' I say to you, ‘All you need to do is ask for wisdom, but ask in faith, and you must believe that you have received it. Otherwise, you will stay out in that sea, being tossed back and forth, because your mind will play that game with you. If you believe in faith that you are being given wisdom, my light will guide you through the storm. Come back to me. Focus on a God that makes ways where there doesn't seem to be any. Forget all scenarios in your mind about the way this should or should not end. Take my word. I am with you and I love you, and I will guide you through the storm.'

CONFIRMATION IN SONG Let the waters surround me, make the wind and waves be still….

CONCLUSION EXHORTATION The Lord has given us a light tonight. Let us take that light, that he polished up for a lot of us, and go out and shine for him!

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