Tomorrow is Father’s Day, a celebration of God’s great gift of fatherhood.

Tomorrow is a day well worth celebrating because – It is God our Father’s Day.

Tomorrow is also a day of celebrating God our Father’s DAY – “Juneteenth”

Juneteenth is a celebration of bravery, fortitude, and the awakening of our “better angels” – a wish for unity as stated in President Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural address in 1861.  

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a contraction of June and nineteen, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilation Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day.

It is a celebration of the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States.

Originating in Galveston, Texas, it is now officially celebrated annually on the 19th of June in 47 states.

Commemorated on the anniversary of the June 19, 1865, announcement by Union Army General Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom from slavery in Texas.

In many ways, Juneteenth is more important than the reading of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

It took the intention of the Emancipation Proclamation and made it universal – almost two and a half years after the signing- to include the border states and the frontier of Texas – the last outposts of slavery. 

While the Emancipation Proclamation declared that as of January 1, 1863, all enslaved people in the states currently engaged in rebellion against the Union “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free” the Proclamation itself didn’t actually free any of the approximately 4 million men, women and children held in slavery in the United States when it was signed the following January.

The document applied only to enslaved people in the Confederacy, and not to those in the border states that remained loyal to the Union.

But its symbolic power was enormous, as it announced freedom for enslaved people as one of the North’s war aims, alongside preserving the Union itself.

As the tide of the war turned in favor of preserving the Union and against the Confederacy, black Americans were welcomed into the Union Army and were integral in helping to defeat the Confederate cause thus paving the way for the more permanent and universal remedy

– the 13th amendment to the Constitution.

In a moment such as this, when I take the time to reflect on such a momentous moment as Juneteenth, its deeper meaning and deeply historical implications, its continuously significant role in “life in 2022 America and beyond,”

I am first drawn to the Miracle of the Glory of God in every single ‘now’ moment in our existence.

All of the Miraculous “Now” Moments throughout our history, both good and bad, as the Glory of God is revealed to those living the “exactly now” moment.

So, today, I reflect on the Miracle of the Moment God’s Glory is being revealed.

John 11:38-40Amplified Bible

³⁸ So Jesus, again deeply moved within [to the point of anger], approached the tomb. It was a cave, and a boulder was lying against it [to cover the entrance]. ³⁹ Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days! [It is hopeless!]” ⁴⁰ Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe [in Me], you will see the glory of God [the expression of His excellence]?”

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Today’s Question is this ….

“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 

What does the glory of God mean to you?

*Is it food in your belly when you’re hungry and someone unexpectedly feeds you or buys you something to eat?

*Is it forgiveness you’re seeking from someone?

*Is it a miracle of healing that you need in your life.

*Is it financially motivated?

When God’s Glory shows up, do you always notice right away? Or do you witness the hand of God and only realize later what has happened?

The same God,

*who parted the Red Sea,

*fed multiple thousands with a child’s lunch

*caused the walls of Jericho to fall, with a trumpet blast and a shout,

*Healed the sick, by the thousands.

*raised the dead on many occasions,

*who also has performed so many miracles the number is unrecordable…

*and still performs miracles today, on a regular basis.

However, even with all of those accolades, some Christians mightily doubt whether or not God wants to work a miracle for them today.

The circumstances they face are extraordinarily real!

The pain and the suffering are undoubtedly great!

But I want you to never forget, God is still bigger than any circumstance!

God is greater than any suffering and pain they feel and still on the throne meeting needs for those who can believe, AND…AND receive their miracle!

Did you know, Receiving is every bit as important as believing is, for a miracle?

Anyone can say they have faith and believe God can do a miracle!

Having the genuine faith to receive the miracle personally you are believing for is the realization THAT God 100% loves you enough, to do what you are asking!

Far too many believe there are still miracles performed today, but they are not for them.

That line of thinking is totally anti scriptural as pertaining to the reference, “God is not a respecter of persons!”

How could anyone, think their circumstance could defy the miraculous power and the miraculous unmatchable might of the One True Living God?

Why would God meet the needs of others, but not meet their needs?

They may feel they are not worthy; okay I guess that’s a reason.

But I would vigorously argue against its validity!

Because if you’re a Christian, Jesus has made you worthy, because Jesus is your worthiness!

Whatever reason anyone can come up with, as to why Healing is not for them, is in no way a match for the cross, the finished work of Our Lord and Savior Jesus!

Whatever they think it is that unqualifies them, Jesus has already prequalified them in advance!

Jesus is their qualification!

In fact, Jesus has over-qualified them!

It was December 1772, in Olney England. At the age of 47, John Newton, began the writing of a hymn that would grow increasingly more popular over the next 349 years.

In his song, “Amazing Grace,” Newton writes about a grace that is immense; he writes about amazing grace, one that saved him out of his wretchedness.

By looking within the hymn “Amazing Grace,” one is able to understand a little bit about Newton’s personal conversion.

Although every person’s conversion story is singularly, miraculously unique, there is something about this hymn which remains relatable to all Christians everywhere. Newton’s poem discusses where he was when he found God, or rather, when God found him. He was a wretch. He was lost. He was blind in sin.

Newton grew up with both his mother and father, however, his mother died while his father was away at sea.

Newton’s father remarried and the couple had another child. Following in his father’s footsteps, Newton began his life’s career by searching throughout the African coast for slaves to capture and eventually to sell for profit.

On one journey, Newton and his crew encountered a storm that swept some of his men overboard and left others with the likelihood of drowning.

With both hands fastened onto the wheel of the boat, Newton cried out to God, “Lord, have mercy on us.”

After eleven hours of steering, the remainder of the crew found safety with the calming of the storm.

From then on, John Newton dated March 21 as a momentous day set aside for a time of humiliation, prayer, and praise to the gloriously revealed Glory of God.

Upon arriving safely home, Newton did not venture out to seek more slaves, instead he began to learn Hebrew and Greek.

He occasionally accepted requests to speak about his conversion in front of various congregations.

Newton was eventually ordained and began to lead his own church.

The miraculous moment of the revealed glory of God changed him from a man who was an unyielding, staunch advocate for the slave trade to a man actively advocating and working towards completely abolishing it.

John Newton’s literary work against the slave trade encouraged abolitionist William Wilberforce to continue his legal fight against slavery in England.

In later years, Newton began to lose his memory.

Although his thoughts were limited, Newton said he could remember two things, “That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is his great Savior.”

With this conviction of newly found life that he found only in Christ, Newton passed from his earthly life in 1807, the age of 82. John Newton did live long enough to see the signing of The Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.

“Amazing Grace,” although originating in England, appeared in the colonies later accompanied with a different tune, commonly known as “New British.”

This song grew in popularity, but not because it was catchy tune, but because the words that Newton wrote related to every human being who encountered the revealed glory of our God, and the miraculous saving grace of Jesus Christ.

This song touched many people at various stages of their spiritual walks.

Since the day Newton penned the lyrics to “Amazing Grace,” it has grown in popularity and been present at numerous key moments in our nation’s history.

Newton experienced the darkness and hopelessness of his sin, the grievous consequence of following his own corrupt ways. He focused on fulfilling what he wanted to do in his life instead of looking to the direction of God’s glory.

“Amazing Grace” speaks of the sweetness found in Christ’s grace for his children.

Today’s Question of the day is this ….

“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 

As humans we are lost, blind in sin, and need saving. Jesus’s saving grace is amazing!

Listen, we may not feel overqualified, what we feel will never have nothing to do with our qualification! 

If we are ever going to see our needs met, we better start grabbing ahold of and standing on our Rock of Salvation on the fact we have been qualified enough to receive whether we feel like it or not, because of what Jesus has done for us!!

We don’t need any other reason, other than the fact we have Jesus and what Jesus has accomplished for us and that will always be more than enough!!

When the accuser reminds us of the so-called bad hand we have been dealt.

We need to remind him that we have and hold the ‘ultimate victory’ card!

We have Jesus!

There’s no hand and there’s nothing new under the sun the accuser can ever come up with, that will ever be greater than what our Savior Jesus has already accomplished for us and provided for our defense!

We no longer have to worry ourselves about our defense or defending ourselves against the attack of the accuser, because Jesus is, will always be defending us!

It’s time Christian’s everywhere miraculously take up God’s offensive and the powerful, POWERFUL STRATEGIC STANCE of resting in Jesus’ capabilities!!

All we have to do is rest in what Jesus already did and realize everything Jesus did, Jesus did for us!

The scourging Jesus endured is enough!

The cross Jesus sacrificed His Life on is enough!

The pit of hell Jesus conquered, shaking the gates of and confiscating the keys of, is enough!

Jesus deliverance of God’s Grace WILL ALWAYS BE MORE THAN ENOUGH!

Oh there are a lot of Christians that talk a good game,

They come to church regularly, know their bible pretty good, hear the word and say all the right things Christians are suppose to say.

There are also a lot of Christians who are running around accepting a host of things, the accuser and the world is telling them is wrong with them!

Its like they go to a great feast, have the finest table spread and a seven course meal of miracles is set before them!

They see them right there in front of them, they can even almost smell the aroma from the exquisitely prepared meal, but they never partake of the meal,

They go away limping and complaining, empty handed every time!

Oh they talk about how everything will be perfect one day in the sweet by and by. When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be, and it will be!

But the time for talking is over, TALK IS CHEAP and the Devil knows it!

Now is the time for miraculous action!

Now is the time for Miraculous Faith!

Faith is defined as complete trust in someone or something!

Believing Jesus wants to do and will do miracles for everyone else and not you….is not Faith!

It’s contrary to Scripture and It’s a lie from the pit of hell! No matter how it may ever be sugarcoated by its description, it will always be a lie from the pit of hell!

We don’t have to wait until we get to Heaven to experience the Grace, the goodness and the unmerited favor of God.

Miraculously, this miraculous grace is alive and well and standing before us!

God’s Glory is about to be revealed – Right in the Miracle of this Moment ….

This scene from John’s narrative takes place at the burial spot of Lazarus.

Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha and a good friend of Jesus, is dead.

Mary, Martha, and the entire community grieve Lazarus’ death.

When Jesus arrives, Mary says to Jesus, grieving, “If you had been here our brother would not have died.” 
 
The text of the narrative tells us that Jesus is deeply moved by the pain and sorrow of Lazarus’ family and friends.

It also gives us a, perhaps a seldom noticed, seldom preached, underappreciated window into the exact moment of compassion and spirit of Jesus’ humanity and reveals to us Rabbi Jesus’ ability to identify with the pain and sorrow of others.

We see a man; we observe a Savior who now ‘weeps’ with His people. However, despite His sorrow, Jesus now speaks directly and decisively into the hurts of others and reminds them of God’s glorious plan of hope and restoration for all.
 
Jesus reminds Mary that He is “the resurrection and the life.”

He says, “Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” Then asks: “Do You Believe this?”

This is a dramatic, miraculous promise and question that gives us a glimpse into Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and the authority God has given Jesus.  
 
Jesus then directs them to move the stone.

Martha warns Jesus that by now, there is a bad odor, the smell of decaying flesh which reminds Jesus that four painful days have passed since Lazarus died.

Jesus responds, “Martha, did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 

Jesus is not so much as asking Martha a question; He is stating a fact, a rather direct, pointed and emphatic statement of God’s truth about to be revealed.

What Jesus does next is most astonishing.

He calls Lazarus, the dead man bound in his burial clothes from the tomb, and the glory of God is manifested in their very presence.

To reveal the glory of God is to uncover what is hidden. 

Jesus’ mission on earth was to uncover the hidden nature of God.

Through the ministry of Jesus, God’s grace and mercy were revealed so that all might believe and be saved. 

That which was once hidden by an “immovable gravestone” is now to be unveiled!
 
Messiah Jesus chooses to use the exact moment of this impossible situation to remind some and to give witness to others of the glory, power of Almighty God.

Jesus, like His earthly mother, Mary, also believed that nothing was too difficult for God.

In this exact moment of unrepeatable history, standing in their midst, in the face of death, in the person of Jesus is the revealed miracle of God in the flesh!

God in the person of Jesus is the gift of eternal life. Jesus would demonstrate that death has no power over that which God has claimed and over God’s own.

Jesus gives them a prelude to what God was about to do in and through Christ.
 
They have witnessed Jesus restore life to a dead body that will again see death.

However, this experience pales in contrast to what will take place at Calvary.

Not death, not a grave, not burial clothes, nor a huge stone rolled in front of a “permanently” tomb can keep Jesus, the living God, bound in that tomb.

The God who walked among us human creatures defeated death, the sin of this world that separated us from God.

Through the miraculous power of His resurrection, we have been born anew, and in this miraculous new life nothing can destroy or separate us from God.
 
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus define the meaning of everlasting life.

Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead spoke to the power of God that now resided in this Beloved Son of God, the miraculous power that rescues and saves all.

Standing in their midst and also in the midst of us is the “Great I am,” who is present with us in the fullness of God’s glory.

As the book of Hebrews states,

“He is the [EXACT] reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” 

Thus, you and I can declare that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. 

“Those who believe in Christ, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

ON THIS COMING JUNETEENTH DAY OF CELEBRATION, DO WE BELIEVE THIS?
 
Therefore, the question raised in this text is not really a question but a statement.

However, it also very much demands a year of our Lord 2022 answer from us.

This Celebration of Juneteenth, let us ponder our relationship with Jesus.

Do we accept the free gift of everlasting life that God has given to us through the Beloved Son, Jesus?

Make your discipleship count by placing complete faith and trust in Jesus and see the glory of God work miracles and wonders in your life.  

“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind, but now I see.

2. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.

3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

4. The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be,
as long as life endures.

5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.

6. When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
than when we first begun.

Miraculously, do you long to see the glory of God?

Miraculously, do you long for God to do something miraculous in your life?

Is there a prayer that you have been praying for some time and God seems quiet?

Imagine how Martha and Mary felt as their brother Lazarus was sick, and they watched as he grew worse.

They sent for Jesus, but he didn’t arrive in time, and Lazarus died.

They knew Jesus loved their family very much.

Can you imagine their confusion as Lazarus gets close to death and Jesus hasn’t arrived yet?

Can you imagine their heartache as their brother takes his last breath and Jesus didn’t come?

Yet, they had enough faith to believe that, even at this point, Jesus could make a difference.

As we look towards this coming celebration of God, our Father’s Day, our birth Father’s Day, and Juneteenth 2022, as we look at the momentous, miraculous convergence of these days of celebration and remembrance of our history,

As we look at the narrative story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus and Jesus when Jesus arrives after Lazarus’ death, there are things we can learn that will help us in the moments that we long to see the glory of God show up in our own lives.

I believe the Glory of God will be revealed in a miraculous way tomorrow. I will leave it up to you the reader to personally reflect upon what those lessons are.

Share those reflections with God, our Father, Son and Holy Spirit through study and prayer and praise, a humble reflection with your families and your friends.

To God be the Glory! Forever and Ever!

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

My Lord and Savior, I pause to praise and honor you today. I have been thinking of this prayer request for a long time now. I seek for a miracle to happen. I know you can do the impossible. Only You can accomplish the unthinkable. Nothing is too difficult for you. Please God answer this miracle prayer! Show us your great glory. Make this miracle happen, and I will declare your greatness to everyone I know. Please, Lord, show yourself strong and marvelous in my life today. Amen.

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