Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” John 11:39
Small stones can easily be walked over, while large stones can create a blockage on the pathway. Boulders that fall onto a highway from falling rock, can block vehicles from continuing down the road. Removing the boulder or stone takes a lot of work and faith that one can do it and move forward to one’s destination.
John records that after Lazarus had died, Jesus went to the tomb and asked for the stone to be removed. Mary told Jesus that it would stink badly since Lazarus had been dead for four days.
Obstacles are placed in the pathway of life on a regular basis. Satan does not want a person to succeed in the plan God has so he will put up stones on the path trying to stop the individual.
People will often refuse to believe in Jesus because of the stones in their way. These stones can be unbelief because of past sin, failure of others, mistreatment, suffering, hurt, desire for sin, and many other reasons. It is difficult for people to remove those stones in their lives because it looks and smells ugly on the inside.
God works from the inside of the heart of a person. He knows the stench of sin that is in the heart of a person. One must be willing to remove the spiritual stone to the entrance of one’s heart allowing God in. Once God is in, He is able to remove the death sentence of sin and raise the dead to life. A new life is given that will last for eternity.
Going through life, there will be times when stones get in the way of God blocking Him off in your life. Doubts and fears rise up in your heart, keeping you from removing the stone over your heart that keeps God from being able to raise the dead. Completely open yourself up by removing those stones. Allow God to enter the place that stinks in your heart and life and make a change. As God enters your heart, He will clean you up and raise you up, giving you a new, full, and abundant life that lasts forever.
What stones need to be removed in your life?
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will reveal stones over your heart; that you will give God access to your heart; and that you will see God clean up your heart and give you a new life.
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
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