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Stone movers wanted by God
Pastor's corner
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“Jesus said, ‘Take ye away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, ‘Lord, by this time he stinketh, for he hath been dead four days.’ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, ‘Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.’ And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth.’ And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’” — John 11:39, 41, 43-44

Imagine seeing ad in the job section of your local paper saying, “Stone movers wanted — apply at your local church!”
As you read the qualifications, you find that the job doesn’t require a degree, and that it is open to all people of all ages. All it requires is for you to have a willing spirit. What would you say? What would you think? Some might say, “There is no such job!” Others would exclaim, “This is too good to be true!”
However, it is true, and the job has eternal benefits.
In the above Bible verses, God has placed an ad in the Scripture for stone movers. These stone are not physical stones; they are stones of loneliness, hatred, abuse, drinking, pornography, spousal and child abuse, and the list goes on and on.
In John 11:39, Jesus tells the spectators to move the stone. Don’t you think the son of God could have moved the stone? He could have sent angels to move it, or spoken a word and the stone would have rolled away. But he commanded the people to move the stone.
Then, in verse 44, Jesus tells the people to take off the linen wrap Lazarus had on. Jesus could have commanded angels to do his bidding. But, Jesus told those on the sidelines to remove Lazarus’ grave clothes.
Today, God is calling me and you, friend, to become stone movers. For God enjoys working with ordinary people to do extraordinary things in the lives of all people.
God is calling us to move the stones of discouragement, addictions and other problems out of the lives of family, friends and strangers. God is asking us to help restore lives of individuals who have been wrapped up in grave clothes called sin.
What a privilege to help those who cannot help themselves. Jesus gave us the perfect model. He came to Earth to help all of us because we were all wrapped in grave clothes called sin. In Romans 3:23, it states “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
Because of Jesus, we all are called to the ministry of reconciliation — called to be stone movers. Today, be a stone mover and make god smile.
God bless!

Norwood is the pastor of Hinesville First Seventh Day Adventist Church and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.

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