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John 11:32-37 (NIV)
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
Additional Scripture References: 2 Kings 20:5, Matthew 10:29, Genesis 21:16-17, 1 Samuel 1:10, Psalm 6:6-9, Psalm 56:8, Hebrews 8:12, Psalm 121:3-4, Luke 7, John 16:20, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Revelation 21:4
Understanding and believing the truth of the goodness of God is more powerful than we could ever imagine. God is still good, even if grief is a reality of life. On earth, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to know God as our savior and praise Him in spite of our suffering. God always works His purpose, for His Glory out of the worst circumstances. Jesus, who lost his dear friend, Lazarus, knew this. Being fully God and fully human did not stop him from experiencing grief upon learning Lazarus had died. Jesus not only identified with our sorrow but also modeled how to accept suffering while never losing faith. Although he wept, he firmly believed in God’s ability to make the impossible happen. As he called Lazarus out of the grave, we can see a picture of how God is in control, resurrecting even what appears to be dead.
One of the most powerful things you can do is praise God even while you grieve.
Not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from God’s notice and neither does one of your tears. Scripture tells us that God sees every tear that we cry and hears our hearts cry. In our pain, we can find peace in knowing God is well acquainted with our grief and gives us the grace to get through our suffering.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. Matthew 10:29 (NIV)
Scripture tells us not only does Jesus see our tears, he catches them. We are so loved by our Heavenly Father, not one tear shed goes unnoticed by God. Not only does he empathize with us, He is moved to compassion giving us perfect peace in our crisis.
You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Psalm 56:8 (ESV)
Our Lord, Jesus Christ understands grief. He doesn’t just see our tears, catch our tears and turn our tears, but he promises to wipe them away! He transforms tears of sorrow into shouts of joy. Believing that God will turn our tears into shouts of joy does not mean that we no longer grieve, but does mean that we cling to him through the pain, and let every calamity crash us into his arms. As we endure crisis, we will stand before our maker in heaven, every tear wiped away for eternity.
This week challenge yourself to open up to God and share what is grieving your heart. Also, find a crew that can help you learn to navigate this grieving season, whether it is a Care Crew, or a regular Crew, God can use other people’s stories to encourage you and bring hope to your future.
If someone in your Crew needs care, we want to come alongside you. Our Care Response Team is designed to equip you to walk with people in different seasons of their life.
Our team is committed to celebrating life’s best moments with you and offering support through its hardest ones.
We would love to come around you for the following life events:
+ Marriages
+ Births
+ Deaths
+ Hospitalizations/Illness
Please submit a request at vouschurch.com/requestcare
There are only a few times each year when our VOUS family gathers under one roof. Team Conference is one of them. It’s the moment we come together as one team, united in vision and ready for the season ahead.
Team Conference is a free 1-day gathering that celebrates and equips the servant leaders of VOUS Church, with leadership sessions, God's word, unforgettable moments and so much more.
Don’t miss it. Team Conference is more than a gathering. It’s a family united, and the room won’t be the same without you. Click here to register!
Where: VOUS City
When: Saturday, September 13
Time: 8:15AM
Address: 6101 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
We are having baptisms this Sunday, September 14th, across all of our locations, and on the beach.
To sign up for baptisms, please click here.
Experience what it’s like to be a VOUS College Student for a day at Preview Day!
Meet our staff, connect with current students and discover how VOUS College can be the place where you grow in your calling.
To sign up for Preview Day, click here
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens
When: Thursday, October 9th
Time: 12:00PM - 3:00PM
Address: 17801 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33169
VOUS SoMi
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
VOUS Design District
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
Church Online
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack
