"Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (II Corinthians 3:4-5).

There are many people today who are feeling very let down because they believed with all their heart that God called them into a service or ministry, but it just never came to fruition. With all their enthusiasm and effort, nothing seemed to work. Many of our dreams of late seem to be laying in the dust, dead as a door nail.That doesn't necessarily mean God is finished. Remember the old song "Don't give up on the brink of a miracle"? Remember Lazarus?

Lazarus (Beverly Haynes)

Four day's walk to Bethany,

What could they now hope to see?

Four days laying in the grave,

Too late now to ever save.

Jesus said if you believe

God's great glory you will see

And giving thanks He raised a shout,

"Lazarus, come on out!"

And He will call forth your Lazarus

Though your hopes lie dead among the dust.

He's the maker of all things,

And with His love He brings

New life to Lazarus.

And He will raise up your Lazarus,

If in Jesus you will place your trust,

By His power He will restore

Resurrection life to your

Lazarus.

The word of God is always true;

You know what He's said to you--

Don't look at the circumstance,

You don't need good luck or chance.

Jesus said if you believe,

God's great glory you will see.

Your faith is waiting to revive--

Look at it! It's alive!

And He will call forth your Lazarus

Though your hopes lie dead among the dust.

He's the maker of all things,

And with His love He brings

New life to Lazarus.

And He will raise up your Lazarus,

If in Jesus you will place your trust.

By His power He will restore

Resurrection life to your

Lazarus.