Scripture
When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth”. John 11:43
Observation
Lazarus had died. All hope seemed gone. Mary was in so much grief that she had a hard time looking to God for a miracle. Martha was full of faith, no matter what their circumstances, she believed in the power of God! At God’s exact appointed time, in God’s exact appointed way, He raised Lazarus from the dead! Nothing shall be impossible for those who believe.
Application
I see this and believe this is a word from God to me concerning the ministry of Calvary Chapel Buffalo. A word of knowledge, a promise from God Himself! I feel it the very hand of God upon our ministry and something awesome is about to happen in 2012. I believe God is about to do a work that will be felt by all of Buffalo. Lazarus had to die before God stepped in. CCB has become in many ways a ministry in ashes. So much pruning in our entire church family over the past 24 months – Lazarus had to die before God could resurrect the dead!
God spoke to my heart 6 years ago on that cool Chicago night of revival… “I have to build the man before I can build the ministry”. For 5 years, God has been pruning me and breaking me of self-dependence. And for the past 24 months God has been pruning our little ministry back- almost to the nub! Some might have looked at it and said, “It’s dead, it’s all over, they had their run, but now God’s moved on.” Not so, when Lazarus was suffering and about to die, they notified Jesus. But Jesus didn’t rush to their aid…He waited another couple of days, and Lazarus died. Every work of the Lord is a work out of the ashes. Until a man or ministry dies, God can do nothing. Until a man or ministry comes to the point of total reliance upon the work of the Holy Spirit, it can be nothing but a sick and dying entity.
For what God is about to do, ears will tingle, spirits will soar and God will be glorified! Greater things are yet to come in 2012. We’ve been on a roller coaster climbing that steep hill for 2 years and we’re about to crest the top of the track and watch the mighty hand of God raise another Lazarus! Do you believe? If so, you will see the glory of God! (John 11:40)
Prayer
“LORD, I believe! In Jesus’ name, I believe!” Amen.








