Category Archives: Suffering

Friday, April 24, 2020

 

Pray this Lazaroo in deepest gratitude:

“…my groans pour out like water.”
(Job 3:24)

Few people can identify with the depth of Job’s suffering, Jesus.

But You can.

Job had lost almost everything – his wealth, his children and his health.

The only thing that remained were his so-called friends
who told him he was getting what he deserved

a wife who told him to curse You and die

and his life.

But you gave even that – Your life! – out of love for me.

Thank You!

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Job 2:9; Job 2:13; Job 9:28; Job 11:14-16; Job 30:16; Job 30:27; Acts 5:41; Hebrews 2:9

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

 

Pray this Lazaroo with fiery determination:

“…sighing has become my daily food…”
(Job 3:24)

Job didn’t get it, Jesus.

He thought he had done everything right.

But then, in one horrible day, he lost it all.

Not knowing how proud You were of him
he concluded You had betrayed him.

But You hadn’t.

You chose Job to prove to Satan that no matter what happened to him

Job would never turn against You.

When I’m confronted with Satan’s temptation

may I too pass the test!

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Genesis 22:1; Job 23:10; Psalms 66:10; Psalms 81:7; Proverbs 27:21; Matthew 4:1; 2 Corinthians 13:5

Thursday, January 2, 2020

 

Sell out totally to God as you pray this Lazaroo:

“…you will suffer persecution for ten days.”
(Revelation 2:10)

At first glance, that’s not a particularly uplifting message, Jesus!

You could have prevented persecution from ever touching their lives.

But on second look, it is encouraging:

Since You chose not to prevent the persecution
there had to be a good reason for it.

You never allow Satan to touch Your people unless it’s worthwhile –

to You and to us.

Good to remember…

next time You allow persecution to come my way.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Deuteronomy 30:7; Psalms 9:13; Psalms 119:86; Matthew 5:10-12; Matthew 5:44-45; Matthew 10:23; Romans 8:35-39; 2 Corinthians 4:7-11

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

 

Fully open your heart, as you pray this Lazaroo:

“I rejoice in what was suffered for you…”
(Colossians 1:24)

After their babies are born,

mothers feel that, Jesus.

When they’re overwhelmed with love for their newborn

they affirm that the agony of giving birth
was all worthwhile.

Many of them do it again….and again…and again.

By faith, may I say the same about the suffering You’ve allowed in my life, Father!

When I see what You’ve done with it, may I rejoice!

because the agony was all worthwhile.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Genesis 41:52; Psalms 6:2; Psalms 119:50; Psalms 119:153; Acts 2:24; Ephesians 3:13; Romans 1:28

Friday, August 23, 2019

 

Pray this Lazaroo from the depths of your soul:

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.”
(Revelation 2:10)

That’s a tough command to obey, Jesus!

That word, “suffer” gets my attention.

For You to tell me not to be afraid of it is a challenge.

I don’t like to suffer.

That’s like telling me, “I’m about to hit you, but just relax.”

Not my strong suit.

But You’re encouraging me to trust You

because You’ll make sure
I’ll come out better on the other side.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Exodus 3:7; Job 9:28; Psalms 107; Psalms 119:107; Isaiah 53:11; Mark 5:34; 1 Peter 3:14

Sunday, August 4, 2019

 

Pray this Lazaroo all the way to the marrow of your bones:

“…who…rejoice when they reach the grave…”
(Job 3:22)

Job’s suffering was so great

that the grave looked good to him, Jesus!

He’s certainly not the only person in the midst of pain and anguish

who’s felt that way.

But of course, the grave’s not the end.

It’s only the beginning:

Hell for those who’ve rejected You
Heaven for those who’ve trusted You as their Savior.

My goal isn’t the grave, Father!

It’s the joy of what awaits me on the other side.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Genesis 37:35; 1 Samuel 2:6; 2 Samuel 22:6; 1 Kings 2:6; Job 5:26; Psalms 49:14; John 11:44

Thursday, June 13, 2019

 

Sell out totally to God as you pray this Lazaroo:

“All my enemies…rejoice at what you have done.”
(Lamentations 1:21)

Wow. Not only am I suffering at Your hands, Jesus

but those who hate me are jumping up and down with glee.

I could throw a fit. Give up. Quit.

Tempting.

But no.
You deserve better.

So I’ll humble myself, attempt to understand why You’re doing this

learn from it, take my lumps
trusting You in Your mercy to do something through me

that makes my enemies stop laughing.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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1 Samuel 2:1; 2 Samuel 5:20; 2 Samuel 22:4; 2 Samuel 22:49; Psalms 3:7; Psalms 7:6; 2 Corinthians 2:14

Saturday, March 16, 2019

 

Hold nothing back, as you pray this Lazaroo:

“You suffered…”
(1 Thessalonians 2:14)

So have I, Jesus –

oh, not as badly as some of Your people…
but I’ve suffered more than I thought I would.

Not that You didn’t warn me!

You made it clear that as Your child
I’ve got to pick up my cross and follow You.

I just didn’t know it would be this heavy.
I didn’t know I would have to carry it so far

or so long.

But that’s okay –

‘cause You’re worth it.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Psalms 119:71; Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3; 1 Peter 4:1

Friday, February 1, 2019

 

Pray this Lazaroo in tearful confidence:

“People have heard my groaning, but there is no one to comfort me.”
(Lamentations 1:21)

That’s the hardest, Jesus.

When I keep my suffering to myself
it’s not a surprise that no one comforts me.

But when my pain increases to the point that I’m forced to cry out
and still no one shows up with love and compassion

my agony is multiplied by the stunning realization
that I’m abandoned
forsaken
alone.

Except I’m not!
Hallelujah!!

I have You.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Exodus 15:2; Psalms 35:23; Psalms 118:14; Proverbs 18:24; Isaiah 12:2; John 16:32; 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Monday, October 15, 2018

 

Pray this Lazaroo with unshakable belief:

“…all generations will call me blessed.”
(Luke 1:48)

Your mother was right, Jesus.

All generations have called her blessed!

She gave birth to the One who gave life to her!

She got to see You grow up – literally, the perfect child.
She saw You work miracles, teach truth, become famous.

But Simeon’s prophecy that a sword would pierce her soul

also came true when she saw You crucified.

May I never forget that on this earth

pain accompanies blessing.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Genesis 41:52; Exodus 3:7; 2 Kings 13:14; Nehemiah 9:9; Isaiah 53:3-4; Luke 2:35; Acts 5:41