LRC, Houston - the weekends-free church in Houston, Texas

There’s a big difference in resuscitation and resurrection!

And there is a big difference in the LIFE that the Bible says we can have and the life we lead. I doubt that few would disagree with either of my opening sentences; however, how many want CHANGE and are willing to do what is necessary to get them to match up? It was a resuscitation in Luke 7:11-15. It was a resuscitation when jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave in John 12:17. But the resurrection of Jesus Christ who now sits at the right hand of God is a whole different thing! Those who were resuscitated eventually died: in the resurrection Jesus received a glorious body, as we will one day as well.

When Jesus brought back Lazarus and the son of the widow from Nain, he was doing something that I think He’s given us power to do. Immediately some will begin to disagree with that last statement. So, let’s make it easier to believe and more simple. I believe Jesus has given us the power (by the Holy Spirit) to HEAL THE SICK: to simply set people (can you say captives) FREE!

The simplicity and yet the awesomeness of what is happening when we lay hands on people and see them returned to health, is that we’re breaking Satanic power that is being manifested in whatever ailment. Jesus proclaimed that He had power over demons and the power to perform cures! And while that is definitely GOOD NEWS, there is better news! Jesus said that we will see even GREATER things than this! Not only will we SEE them, Jesus says that we will DO GREATER THINGS!

And I’m asking myself, where are these greater things?

My conclusion is that they (those gifts) are still in the box, neatly wrapped and laying under the tree (can you say at our feet). We see the GIFTS, we marvel at them, we point them out to others, and we write discourses on the value and power that these gifts can bring into our lives; however, we don’t open them. We don’t appropriate them in our daily lives. And therein we have the disconnect.

Yes we build large church buildings, or should I say massive cathedrals. Huge ministries are created with world-wide TV appeal and reach. Some ministries bring in hundreds of millions of dollars per year doing weekend meetings alone. The mega-church is now seen more often, offering all manner of “country-club” services. Pastors can make tens of millions of dollars (and do) writing and selling books.

But none of that can erase the disconnect from what IS and what Jesus said was AVAILABLE. I simply cannot shake off the difference as unimportant or unattainable: not connectable. And therein is my journey described: to know Jesus Christ intimately and to do the works of His hands in my life!