Written by Guest Contributor Dora Lozano

“43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.” –  John 11:43-45 (NIV)

Jesus raised his good friend Lazarus from the dead.  This was a miraculous sign that was designed to have people believe in who Jesus is and it worked!  Many people came to believe in Jesus that day.

There was a time when my unbelief had me wrapped in grave clothes.  A spiritual death had occurred in my life. I surrounded myself with healthy, Christian women who helped me shed my grave clothes. Through these women and their gifts of prayer, encouragement and their time.  I walked into a new life filled with promise and joy!

What grave clothes do you need to shed? Addiction? Anger? Resentment? Bitterness?  Find healthy Christian people who will surround you in prayer, encouragement and their time.  Ask the Holy Spirit to identify the areas where spiritual death has occured so that new life can be breathed into those areas.

Lord, thank you that you have never left us alone.  Help us to find healthy, Christians to come alongside us and minister to us. Jesus, resurrect us and remove the grave clothes so that we can do the work that you would have us to do.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Guest Contributor Bio: Dora Lozano is a faithful follower of Christ living out her faith daily. Dora is the mother of two amazing children. The eldest is in their junior year at university. The youngest is in their sophomore year of high school. Dora has spent thirty years working in the California Community College system. Currently, Dora is an academic counselor for foster youth and homeless youth at a community college in Southern California. Dora’s personal mission statement is to “Love God, Do Good and Serve, Teach and Encourage Others”. Dora lives out her mission through her work and in her faith community where she serves on the usher team. Dora enjoys spending time with her children and her sweet puppy dog. As a family they enjoy being loud and silly, listening to a wide variety of music, taking road trips, making popcorn and watching movies. Dora is honored to be a guest contributor on the devotional for Mary E. White Ministries.

Photograph Credit: Erica Rodriguez-Duvergel

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