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My father sent me to the market that morning. I was in no hurry. He left at the same time to sail for Athens on business. My mother and sisters left the week before to visit family in Troas. They took the house servants with them. I was the only one left at home. As I came near the market I saw a group of my friends going somewhere together.

Timothy, who was leading them, called out to me. “Jason, come with us! We are going to meet Paul and Barnabus. Have you heard of them?” I had not, and neither had the others in the group before that day. 

As I joined them, Timothy began to explain. “Barnabus and Paul are Jews like my mother’s family. They came to Asia to tell people about Jesus, who rose from the dead after being crucified.” I did not know what to say about this. He continued as we walked along, “They came to Antioch and told about Jesus in the synagogue there. The people begged them to speak again the next week. Evidently the power of God was with them to heal people in the town as they told about Jesus through the week. 

“Nearly the whole city showed up at the synagogue the next Sabbath. The synagogue leaders were jealous. They began to oppose Barnabas and Paul before the crowd. Still, many Jews and Greeks from the city believed what Paul and Barnabas taught about Jesus. I have heard that they intend to come this way and I am hoping they will get here this morning.” As we came to the edge of town we saw men coming toward us on the road from Antioch. Timothy called to them, certain they were Barnabas and Paul. Sure enough, they were the apostles. When they saw us they decided we were the audience they were looking for. They led us off the road and began teaching. 

We were all stunned at their message. They told us Jesus was the Son of the only true God. This was strange to our ears, but somehow what they were saying rang true. They did not sound like trained orators. That was part of why they were so convincing. I was moved as Barnabas spoke. There was no question that he cared deeply about us. I found myself hoping that what he said was indeed true. After Barnabas finished, Paul stood to speak. As he spoke about true righteousness and faith and the love of God, I fell to my knees and cried out for the forgiveness and grace bought for me by Jesus on a Roman cross. 

We all followed the apostles back into the city. We had not seen any miraculous signs while they preached to us on the outskirts of town. But I was not surprised when Barnabas prayed for a sickly child who was wistfully watching the other children play. Immediately the child grinned and rose up to join the others. 

Just outside the market at the center of town they gathered a crowd and began to preach. As Paul preached he moved through the throng. He came near the young man that we have always called Solus. I am not sure if that is really his name, but like everyone else in the crowd, I knew his story. He was born lame. His feet and legs were shriveled. He could not walk at all. Paul reached out and took him by the hand to raise him to his feet. Right there in front of everyone his feet and legs were restored. All the people were amazed.

By then, a group had arrived from Antioch to stop Paul and Barnabas from teaching about Jesus. They had already been stirring up people to oppose Paul and Barnabas. They were enraged that the man was publicly healed. They immediately seized Paul. We managed to hustle Barnabus away as they dragged Paul out of town. Adonis and his younger brother took Barnabas to their home to save him from the same fate as Paul.

To the rest of us Timothy said, “We need to follow them and see what they have done to Paul.” When we caught up to the crowd they were throwing stones at the apostle. We watched in horror as several stones struck his head. He crumpled to the ground. We were fairly certain that they had killed him. They congratulated one another as they turned back toward the city.

Timothy led the way to Paul before they were out of sight. We were not going to leave his body out there on the side of the road. But when Timothy laid his hand on his body, Paul moved and shook his head. His head was bleeding profusely. After a moment he stood and began trudging back into town. I rushed to his side to support him. The rest of us surrounded him and would have fought anyone who tried to attack, but the men who stoned him had disappeared up the road. We didn't see them as we came into town. They may have started back to Antioch lest the magistrate question them. We took Paul to the home of Adonis where Barnabus was waiting anxiously. After his wounds had been dressed, Paul gathered us all together to encourage us to remain faithful to Jesus.

Leonides, who was older than the rest of us, asked why those people had been so angry. I was wondering the same thing. We listened intently as Paul explained.

“You all need to understand this. We follow a crucified Savior. As people hated him, they will hate us. Our speaking to them about Jesus will be a kind of judgment. It will reveal what is in their hearts. Some will gladly receive you and repent. Some will be enraged because they hate the true God and His Son Jesus. But Jesus has given the Holy Spirit of God to His followers. This includes you. The Spirit strengthens all of us and will empower us to be faithful.” I asked if that was how he recovered from being stoned. Paul thought for a moment and said, “Possibly.”

Hector, standing behind the rest of us, asked, “Is that how you healed the lame man?”

“In a way,” Paul answered. Then he said, “Actually, I did not heal him at all. Jesus did that. I saw that the man had faith to be healed. But yes, Jesus works through the Holy Spirit.

“God’s Spirit will bear witness of Jesus. The Spirit will speak through you. Sometimes he will even break the hearts of those who oppose Jesus. I was one of those people. I thought I was serving the God of my fathers by arresting and charging those who followed the way. I was on my way to another city to arrest the followers of Jesus who had fled there. On my way Jesus appeared to me in a light brighter than the sun. He called me to repent. By this undeserved grace everything in my life was changed. I now preach the One whom I hated and blasphemed.

This story is based on what Jesus said in John 15:18-27.

Father, make us faithful even in the face of fierce opposition.

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                                               She played fast and loose with life, she never considered tomorrow,
                                                      and now she’s crashed royally, with no one to hold her hand.
                                                      “Look at my pain, O God! And how the enemy cruelly struts.”
                                                                   LAMENTATIONS 1:9  THE MESSAGE
 

After getting burned playing with fire, you say, “I just wasn’t thinking.”
     You should have been!
     Flirting with temptation starts you on a toboggan ride toward disaster.
     Sin’s slippery slope is difficult to exit—it is easier to avoid altogether.
     It is foolhardy to only consider the consequences after they hit.
     Impulsive choices typically land you in trouble.
     Human nature chooses the easy way, and that is usually wrong.

Think back—learn from history that you cannot sin without painful effects.
     Reflect on how unpleasant your life became when you acted badly.
     Reconsider how complicated relationships got when you misbehaved.

Think ahead—anticipate the awful effects of sin—turn away from it.
     Keep in mind the consequences of guilt and grief—avoid doing wrong.
     Reflect on how pleasant your life is when you trust and obey Me.

Jerusalem, city of peace, was exiled to heart-wrenching loneliness.
     Jerusalem, city of the Great King, was shackled by cruel tyrants.
     Jerusalem, the holy city, was orphaned from the Promised Land.
     If they had only thought ahead, they could have avoided disaster.

Now it is your turn.
     Repent and walk humbly with Me, and I will help you live correctly.
     Hold My nail-scarred hand, and I will guide you on a glorious path—
          a path of peace and joy, not chaos and heartache.

Want to celebrate victory—not defeat—at sunset?
     Then, at sunrise, think ahead! 

                                    

                         (c)  Pastor Johnny R. Almond 
               Day 280,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

Have you forgotten the sins of your ancestors, sins of kings and queens of Judah,
and the sins you and your wives committed in Judah and Jerusalem?
To this very hour you have shown no remorse or reverence.
No one has chosen to follow my law and the decrees
I gave to you and your ancestors before you.
JEREMIAH 44:9-10 NLT

Have you learned the lesson of My Book? Only truth endures.
     Other books need updating, but the Book from Heaven is ahead of date.
     Other writings need revising, but Scripture never requires editing.
     My Word stood with Elijah against the false prophets of Baal,
          against Korah and his rebel band opposed to My select leaders,
          against Ananias and Sapphira and their flagrant lies,
          and it will stand against the Devil at Armageddon.
     When Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature,
          he quoted a Russian proverb that reflects the power of Truth:
          “One word of truth outweighs the world.”


Have you learned the lesson of blessing? Only obedience brings joy.
     Disobedience causes sadness and tragedy—it is good for nobody.
     Following My instructions is the path to celebration—it is good for all.
     “There’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”
          (John Sammis, “Trust and Obey”).


Have you learned the lesson of the boomerang? Causes have effects.
     Every thought, word, and deed invariably affects you.
     Ignoring Me is moral suicide—to go your own way is to self-destruct.
     The old saying is right—"what goes around comes around."


Have you learned the lesson of a broken heart? Repentance is My desire.
     Confession and contrition are required for admittance to My Presence.
     Before you see My face, you must cry your eyes out because of sin.
     The Bible is right—the proud are My foes, the humble are My favorites.


Learn your lessons well—be an honor student in Life University. 


                                    

                            (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                    Day 278,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

This week I want to write on the conclusion of John 15:7-8. In many ways these are the most important words in these verses, as I suppose I can say about everything I have written on this passage. 

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, 

ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

By this my Father is glorified, 

that you bear much fruit and so prove 

to be my disciples.”

I am not sure why many translations read as this one, that by this we prove we are disciples. In this case the wording in the King James Bible better reflects the wording in the original language of the New Testament. “So shall ye be my disciples.” There is a two fold “if” clause at the beginning of verse 7. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you.” Everything in the passage hangs on these conditions. By abiding in Jesus, His word dwelling in us we can ask whatever we wish and it will be done for us. Verse 8 gives the results of such prayer. God the Father will be glorified, our lives become fruitful, and we will be disciples of Christ.

The crucial truth here is that you cannot sever prayer from discipleship. I am sure there are people who do not know God at all for whom God has answered prayer. But that is certainly not the point of this passage. Prayer calls for the fellowship of discipleship. We are to live in fellowship with God immersing ourselves in His will and His word. His word refers to the final words of Jesus recorded John 14-16. It also includes every word of Jesus recorded for us in Scripture. It must even include every inspired word of God in the entire Bible. God's word must shape our lives.

This promise of prayer directs us to the purpose of discipleship. If our lives are driven by our foolish selfishness, the full power of prayer would be horribly dangerous for us and everyone around us. But as we learn to live in Jesus, God will be glorified and we will be blessed by the fruitfulness of our lives. The very next words in this teaching of Jesus read,

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

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Yesterday was Father’s Day. In spite of having had skin cancer surgery on my forehead on the preceding Monday and having spent the week with swollen eyes and nose, using ice packs for ten minutes every hour, taking pain killers on a regular basis, and sleeping with my head elevated, I preached my morning sermon. It was not that the congregation especially needed my sermon, but it was that I needed to preach on Father’s Day. When I was fifteen years old, I was involved in a Saturday night automobile wreck causing the second vertebra of my neck to be broken. The following Sunday morning, as I lay in a hospital bed, my Dad preached. Others sat by me in the hospital, but he fulfilled what he considered to be life’s highest calling. Some might disagree with his priorities, but I did not. I wanted him to preach that Sunday morning. (He was still preaching three months before his death, at age 84.) A few years after my accident, I would sense that same calling on my life. Over the years and around the globe, I have preached in some unusual places and under some unusual conditions, but I have always preached, when it was my turn. The Apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). So, I preached on Father’s Day. Whatever your life’s priorities are, if they are in sync with God’s calling on your life, do it: on good days and bad days; on healthy days and unhealthy days; in good circumstances and bad circumstances; “in season and out of season.”

If you return and give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair,
           then I will give you a settled place of quiet and safety,
                       and you will be My minister.                     
                  JEREMIAH 15:19 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE


I know you better than you know yourself—
     you cannot fool Me with verbal veneer or pious platitudes.

My Holy Spirit x-rays your heart, and I see everything perfectly clear.
     Do not feel I am so busy managing the cosmos, I ignore your thoughts.
     I search your heart and convict you of offensive trends I find there.
     I inspire you to toss out ephemeral garbage and invest in eternal gold.

In My Presence, do some serious introspection and prayerful reflection.
     Clean up your act—adjust your attitudes.

Turn from your distrust—
     Commit the unknown future into My omniscient hands.
     What I am looking for above all else is faith—
          a little will transport you to heaven; more will bring heaven to you.
     When you are tempted to quit the struggle, look again to the cross—
          remember who died for you, and then get back to living for Him.

Turn from your despair—
     Believe My promise to make the future bright and glorious.
     Drop your despondency at My feet, and let Me carry burdens you cannot.
     I am not a mirage; I am an oasis of joy and peace in a desert of gloom.
     Listen hopefully to My future melody, and dance faithfully today.

Turn from your discouragement—
     Cooperate with Me, and I will empower you to persevere in ministry.
     Cheer up—down-in-the-mouth living misrepresents My Kingdom.
     Voice the prayer of Amy Carmichael, My missionary to India:
          Let me not sink to be a clod; Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.

Turn from your doubt—
     Take Me at My Word and share My message with all willing to hear.
     Whether welcomed or rejected, unflinchingly repeat Scripture’s Truth.
     From the pulpit of your personality, tell My never-ending Love story


                                          

                                  (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                         Day 276,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

It only takes a few pages (maybe only paragraphs) to determine whether this is a book you eagerly want to read or if this is a book you simply need to read.

 

Tear Down These Walls is wonderfully bothersome whether you are hungry for a grander, more glorious unity of the Church, or you know it is time to review and revise barriers and boundaries robbing you of the fullness of the Body of Christ.

 

John is issuing a call to all who believe-in/follow-after Jesus. A challenge to reimagine our Lord's yet-to-be-fulfilled prayer in John 17. To see “church” as a spiritual-relational community rather than an organizational entity. To recognize, and declare to a radically and rapidly changing culture, that "Christian" applies to everyone who has authentic faith in the One of God, even those with doctrinal or political differences. 

Our need to reimagine Christianity begins not with new methods nor with a new slant on our message but with a fresh experience and a culturally clear explanation of Christianity. Elevating Christ, Truth-incarnate, above text, theology, tradition - Christ, the hope of glory.

 

Brick-by-brick. Prayer-by-prayer. Relationship-by-relationship.

 

Phil Miglioratti

The http://Reimagine.Network

Here is how to pre-order the book from the publisher. 

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The two men walked along the road by the sea on their way from Smyrna to Pergamum. The older man’s step was quite as spry as the younger. The elder was Jewish. The younger man was obviously Greek. Despite the differences in their backgrounds and ages they carried on a lively conversation as they walked. John often used their travels to plant his life and all that he knew of Jesus into the life of Polycarp. As they walked Polycarp asked a favorite question. 

“What was the greatest miracle our Lord ever performed on this earth?”

John answered, “As much as I have enjoyed speculating about this question of yours, I have always thought there was something wrong with whatever answer I gave. I have come to believe that none of his miracles can be seen separately. His whole life was miraculous. He is the Son of God. His godliness is at the heart of everything he did.” They were both silent while Polycarp digested what John had said. 

He then asked, “How did he express his godliness most often?”

“By his love,” John said with hardly a pause. “Everything he did was love.”

Polycarp said, “I have sometimes heard you speak of yourself as ‘The disciple that Jesus loved.’ But didn’t Jesus love all of his disciples? He loves every one of us.”

“Yes,” John said. “I sometimes think he especially loved me. All of us must have thought that from time to time. His love is overwhelming. I describe myself that way to give attention to the love of Jesus and keep myself anonymous. His love in our lives is the most important thing about us.”

Polycarp said, “I don’t think anyone in Asia, outside of our churches, would relate godliness to love. Some might try to demonstrate devotion by emotional or sexual excesses.The stoics would think of strict behavior.”

“Yes,” John said, “and even though our ancient Scriptures overflow with the love of God, the Pharisees, the strictest Jewish practitioners, never seemed to teach anything about it, except in an abstract way. Jesus lived out his love. The love of Jesus was more striking and more powerful than any other sign that he gave us.”

“Tell me one of the ways Jesus expressed his godly nature in love.” At this point they came to a busier road that left the seaside for some distance. They were silent as they came out onto the high road, negotiating with the crowds and wagons, even livestock being driven to market. As they found their place in the rhythm of traffic John began to give an answer. 

“On the night that Jesus was betrayed, we gathered for that last Passover meal. You know what the Passover feast is, don’t you.”

“Yes,” Polycarp said. “I have heard you describe the feast and even its beginnings in your history.”

“Well, as we gathered for the meal, Jesus rose and laid aside his clothes. He wrapped a towel around his waist and began to wash our feet, drying them with the towel.”

“Really? Jesus himself dressed as a slave and washed your feet? That is amazing. It is almost as if he were saying he was not the Master.”

“My son, in his love Jesus humbled Himself before each of us. He knew he had come from God and was preparing to return to him. We could not always see it, but his humble love accentuated his majesty. Simon Peter tried to stop Jesus from washing his feet. Jesus said, ‘Simon, if I do not wash you, you have no part in me.’ In his love Jesus cleansed us from our sins. In his love he forgives and transforms us. By regular forgiveness he cleanses us day by day. Jesus taught us amazing lessons by his love. And I think the greatest miracle of his love is producing it in us. When he finished washing our feet, Jesus took back His clothes and asked, ‘Do you understand what I have done?’ He said, ‘You call me Teacher and Lord and you are right. If I then, your Teacher and Lord have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.’”

Polycarp blurted out, “Did he mean that literally?”

“Possibly,” John answered. “But he meant far more than that. Jesus gave us an example of love that humbles us before each other.”

“But Jesus did that knowing he was the Son of God. How can we do it?”

John said, “We know that Jesus came from his Father and returned to his Father’s arms. We know that in him we too are loved by God. Whether or not we are among those who live until Jesus returns, we will soon go to his Father’s embrace.

“Jesus was teaching us to serve others in the power of his love. He showed us his forgiveness and gave us the power to forgive those who wrong us. Jesus told Peter that we only needed our feet washed because we were already clean. Then he said, ‘But not all of you are clean.’ He knew Judas was going to betray him that night. In his love Jesus washed the feet of his betrayer. We too can grow to love our enemies. This kind of love can only be reproduced in those of us who know Jesus.”

Polycarp said, “I have heard you say that before. And I don’t understand what Jesus meant. Was He saying he only choses those who are willing to love our enemies?” 

John answered, “Jesus said we were chosen before the foundation of the world. Loving others like Jesus is his gift to us. Of course God knew before the foundation of the world who would receive his love. But that is more than Jesus explained when he said he knew whom he had chosen. I believe it is more complicated and certainly less deserved than that. 

Jesus gave us one final command to love one another. ‘A new commandment I give you, to love as I have loved you.’ This is how people will know that we are his disciples.”

Polycarp said, “That is certainly true. I heard a man in Ephesus telling other people about us. Frankly, he misrepresented almost everything we believe. But he ended by saying, ‘And look how much they love one another.” 

This story was based on events recorded in John chapter 13.

Lord Jesus, we belong to you. Reproduce your supernatural love in us.

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Giants Causeway - Ireland 


 

So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men,
what makes you think you can race against horses?
And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm,
what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?
JEREMIAH 12:5 THE MESSAGE

When you get frazzled by hang-ups, the Wonderful Counselor guides you.

When you cannot put one foot in front of the other, Almighty God helps you.

When you are looking for a high example to follow, the Holy One inspires you.

When evil shadows trouble you, the Sun of Righteousness lights your path.

When your world is falling apart, the Chief Cornerstone holds you together.

When you think death has the last word, the Resurrection changes everything.

When guilt gets the best of you, the Lamb of God liberates your spirit.

When no one seems to care a thing about you, the Son of Man understands.

When hard times overwhelm you, the Comforter stands under you.

When life does not make sense, the Lord of All makes significance possible.

When you are so weak you cannot go on, the Lord God Almighty enforces you.

When you are confused about which route to follow, the Way directs you.

When you are searching for reality, the Truth outweighs worldly propaganda.

When you are at the point of giving up, the Life energizes you for steep roads.

When you are scared of the dark, the Light of the World is your Night Light.

When you are needing fellowship, the Head of the Church makes it possible.

When you are crying your eyes out, the Man of Sorrows weeps with you.

When you are on stormy high seas, the Prince of Peace quiets your fears.

When you are struggling with life lessons, the Master Teacher helps you learn.

When you are over the edge, the Shepherd lifts you up and restores your soul.

When you are near despair, the Messiah reassures you of His imminent reign.

When you are addicted to sinful habits, the Redeemer breaks hell’s handcuffs.

When you do not know how to pray, the Advocate intercedes on your behalf.

When you question evil’s success, the Righteous Judge promises final justice.

When you are lonely, the Bright Morning Star illuminates your heart.

When current events seem hopeless, the King of kings promises a new world.

When life’s next chapter is hard to read, the Author of your faith edits it.

When you are searching for meaning, the Word of Life spells it out for you.

When life gets harder, I will be there for you.

(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 275,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

The cover of one of my earlier books shows ripe fruit overflowing a plate. Fruitfulness is certainly at the heart of God’s purpose for prayer in our lives. In John 15:7,8 Jesus spoke to this in a wonderful promise.

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

One of the areas where the world has wormed its way into the church, at least in the west, is in the value we place on pleasure, comfort, and wealth. You may be able to see this in your prayers. Do you pray as if God wants to feed and cultivate your selfishness? God made you and redeemed you for a purpose. One of the greatest joys of prayer is in what God produces in and through your life. 

There are many facets of the work of God in and through our lives. A good place to begin observing them is the list of spiritual fruit found in Galatians 5:22-23.

“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

The Spirit produces these strengths in the real situations that we face day to day. You should certainly pray for Jesus to reproduce His selfless love in you. You can ask God to show you ways to love your spouse. This will bless your marriage. You can pray for God to help you love each of your children as they need. You will rejoice in what you see in their lives. Pray for God to show His love for your parents through your attitudes and behavior. You can pray for God to help you forgive someone who has wronged you. In The Hiding Place Corrie ten Boom tells about being approached by a former guard from the prison camp where she was held. 

“‘Jesus, help me!’ I prayed silently. ‘I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling.’ And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me.

And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.”

There is no limit to what God will do in you through prayer. You can trust God to fill your heart with joy as you try to give thanks and worship Him in suffering. Philippians 4:6,7 calls us to pray for peace that passes understanding in stressful situations. Verse 5 reads,

“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”

The word translated, “reasonableness” here can be translated as gentleness, or moderation, as the King James renders it. Reasoning from God’s grace we can respond to aggression or affliction with the gentleness of Christ who prayed, “Father, forgive,” from the cross. We can always know that God is near. 

As God’s Spirit produces these and other traits in us His fruit spreads to others who want to know the reason for what they see of Christ in our lives. 1 Peter 3:15 reads,

“In your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” 

By the power of God in our prayerful witness the fruit of new believers will be produced in God’s church. Are you praying for God’s fruit to be produced in and through you?

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David Young: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Theos was tired and footsore when he came to the little fishing village on the coast of Asia. He had been sent by Timothy, the bishop of the church in Ephesus, to find Mary, who was with a group ministering somewhere along the road to the north. He doubted if he would find a place to eat and spend the night in this village, but he might find the evangelistic team here. In keeping with his assignment, he approached a stooped old man on the road from town.

“Pardon me, I am looking for a group who are teaching about Jesus. Do you know if they have been here?”

“Oh,” the man grinned through missing teeth and tapped his cane on the road. “You mean Mary and the others with her. She is here. The whole town has gone down to the shore to hear her.”

“The whole town? Is that dangerous?”

“Not for our Mary,” he said. “The daughter of a fisherman had a demon and none of us knew what to do. We couldn't afford an exorcist. But Mary took her in her arms and prayed to Jesus, who seems to be a god. The demon left the girl and Mary restored her to her family. Now the whole town has gathered to hear Mary teach about this Jesus.”

Theos said, “I have news for her. Can you direct me to where they are?”

“I can do better than that. I will take you to them.” With that he turned and led Theos into the village. Passing through they came out on the beach. At least a hundred people were gathered around a fishing boat set up on blocks with Mary standing on the boat’s pulpit teaching. Theos saw several of the others on the team sent out from the church. One of them, a young lady named Diana, came to meet him.

“Theos! Have you come to help us? We have been asked to go and pray for everyone with any illness in the whole town.”

“Timothy sent me to find Mary. I need to speak to her as soon as I can.”

Diana looked at Mary and then at one of the others on the team and said, “We will have to wait for her to finish. Lucian will take her place.” After a few minutes Mary motioned for Lucian, the leader of their team, to come up. 

“Wait here,” Diana told Theos and ran to meet Mary as she climbed down from the boat. She brought Mary to him.

“Mary,” Theos called to her before the ladies reached him. “Timothy sent me to bring you back as quickly as possible. We have had a letter with news from Syria.”

“Oh my,” she said. “Has something happened to my sister?”

“Timothy sent me without any explanation, except that I needed to hurry. I suppose it would be dangerous to travel this road by night. But we need to leave early tomorrow morning.”

Mary said, “The rest of the team will need to stay here for a few more days. The town is going to feed us all on the beach tonight. They can put you up with some of the men on the team.”

Theos and Mary left early the next day and made good time back to Ephesus. It was shortly after noon when they came to the home of Timothy. One of the young men Timothy was training answered the door. He had been instructed to bring Mary to his teacher immediately. Several church members were talking with Timothy in his sitting room. Knowing what was happening, they excused themselves. Timothy explained that Susanna, one of the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee had written to tell them that Martha, Mary’s sister, was seriously ill.

When Mary had read the letter she said, “I have to go to my sister if it is at all possible!”

Timothy said, “We need to pray, Mary.” He prayed fervently for her sister Martha and for Mary’s own peace and for the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Mary prayed as well. Then Timothy said, I have sent word through the whole church. Everyone will be praying. Several men have said they will donate money that I expect will be enough for your passage. I will arrange for Epaphras and his wife, or possibly young Theos, to travel with you.

Arrangements were made and they were able to leave in less than a week. They found Martha near death when they arrived in Judea. For days Mary sat at the bedside of her sister, who remained unconscious or delirious. Mary talked to Martha as if she could understand. She told about many things she had seen in her travels and in service to their Lord. In all that time she received no indication that Martha heard anything she said. Late one night Mary woke to the clear sound of Martha’s voice. “Mary. Mary, are you awake?”

“Yes, Martha, I’m awake—I think.”

“I am so glad you are here with me tonight. How long have you been here.” 

Mary took Martha’s hand. “I have been home for several weeks. I am so relieved to hear you talking to me like in the old days. You have been very sick.” 

Martha squeezed Mary’s hand in return and said, “I thought I heard your voice, but you seemed to be too far away for me to speak to you. I guess I thought you were still in Asia or wherever.”

Mary said, “I knew I needed to be by your side. And our Lord has arranged for me to come. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Yes, I want you to talk with me.”

Mary said, “There will be plenty of time to talk now that you seem to be reviving. But tonight you need your rest.”

“No, Mary. I want to talk right now. I think Jesus has arranged this time for us to talk.”

Mary stretched to relieve her stiff muscles, shook the sleep from her eyes and asked, “What shall we talk about?”

“Tell me again about discovering Jesus at the empty tomb after His crucifixion.”

Mary began, “I was so heartbroken as we all were. Nothing made any sense in the days following His death. I had gone to His tomb with several other women. His tomb was empty, so I wandered out into the garden belonging to the rich man named Joseph. Falling down on a large stone I wept there. I sensed someone behind me but I did not want to talk to anyone. He asked me why I was crying. I thought He was the gardener. I said, ‘Sir, If you have moved Him, please tell me where, and I will take His body away.’

“Tenderly He spoke my name, ‘Mary.’ And I knew it was Jesus. I turned and fell to His feet worshipping in the joy that He was truly alive!” Martha smiled, sharing the thrill of Mary’s experience. “Martha,” Mary said, “I was the first to see Jesus alive again!”

They told several more stories of their experiences with Jesus, then Martha said, “Tell me about the day Jesus raised our brother from the tomb?”

Mary said, “That also came about in a terrible time, as you know too well. We had sent for Jesus, but He didn’t come in time, and Lazarus died. When Jesus finally came, I worshipped Him and said, ‘Lord, if you had only been here, my brother would not have died.”

“What did He say to you, Mary?”

Mary frowned in thought. “I don’t remember that He said anything. He just wept with me. After a while He asked where we had laid Lazarus. You were with me when we led Him to the burial place.

“At the command of Jesus they rolled the stone away, and He cried, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ And our brother came out of the tomb stumbling over the grave clothes wrapped around his body.” Both ladies chuckled at the memory.

Martha said, “I remember that day so well. I was out in the street before our house. I think I was going to buy more food for the people who had come to comfort us. A boy came running up with the news that Jesus was coming. I forgot everything else and ran to meet Him. I also said if He had been there He would have kept our brother from dying.” 

He said, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ It was hard for me to believe anything on that day, but I still knew. I said, ‘I know that he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day.’

“Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me shall live even if he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.’ He asked if I believed this.

“I said, ‘Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who is coming into the world.’ 

“I still believe that, Mary. I know He is with me right now. Somehow I sense His presence more than I have at any time since He ascended into the clouds. You may be among those who are alive when Jesus returns. That will be so wonderful! But Mary, I am going to be with Him tonight. You need not worry about me. You can know, as surely as He raised Lazarus, that I will return with Him.” Mary held Martha’s hand even more tightly. Martha spoke no more through the night. Unable to speak herself, Mary wept as she sensed that her beloved sister was passing into the presence of her Lord.

This story was composed from memories Mary and Martha must have had from events recorded in John 11:38-44.

Lord, we trust you with life and death.

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John 15:7,8 gives us some crucial insight into answered prayer.

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, 

ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

By this my Father is glorified, 

that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

The phrase, “By this my Father is glorified” explains the intended result of prayer. God is to be glorified. Our desire to be honored above everyone else is one of the things that God needs to prune out of our lives. Selfishness is so automatic that we usually do not even realize that we have the problem. We begin cleansing self-centeredness from our hearts by recognizing and rejoicing in the glory of God. God is the Creator/Provider of all things. He is the center of creation. He is the source of all good things. All prayer should revolve around Him. All praise and honor and glory belong to Him. In the third chapter of John some people came to John the Baptist saying that Jesus, whom he had endorsed, was baptizing more people than John was. John answered, “He is the bridegroom. I am the friend who rejoices when I hear the voice of the bridegroom.” Then John added, “He must increase. I must decrease.” 

The point of God answering our prayer is that God will receive the honor due Him. That is at the heart of our joy in the Lord. Real joy comes as we shift our focus from ourselves—me, me, me, and begin to focus our hearts and minds on Jesus. 

I do not believe Jesus is simply saying that the point of prayer is the glory of God. Rather, He is saying our whole lives are to bring Him glory. We are to remain in Him, His word planted deeply in our lives, bearing fruit as disciples of Jesus, so that God will be glorified in everything He does in and through us. 

This is part of a blog series on keys to answered prayer. If you click on http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/ and scroll down you can see the previous posts. 

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                                                                      Hear the word of the LORD of hosts.
                                                                                     ISAIAH 39:5 KJV        


In the labyrinth of confusion, My Word is your map and compass.
In your subterfuge and hypocrisy, My Word searches your inner being.
In self-absorption, My Word is a wake-up call to compassionate living.
In feeling you have it made, My Word calls you to worship your Maker.
In despair of justice, My Word reverberates the Lion’s apocalyptic roar.
In searching for meaning, My Word guides you to Christ.
In yearning for wisdom, My Word unveils the Alpha and the Omega.
In detouring from holiness, My Word shouts a warning of judgment.
In troubling anxiety and doubt, My Word gently whispers reassurance.
In discouraging current events, My Word promises a golden future.
In loneliness, My Word reminds you of My Faithful Presence.
In sadness, My Word gives you the lyrics to My symphony of hope.
In hell’s propaganda, My Word teaches you to discern the truth.
In apathy, My Word is a fire in your heart melting the lead in your feet.
In pride, My Word is a hammer that smashes your egocentricity to bits.
In the battle with temptation, My Word is your defensive shield.
In difficult terrain, My Word is your flashlight one step at a time.
In your strutting around, My Word is your call to humbly worship Me.
In misplaced trust in accomplishments, My Word invites faith in Me.
In hubris, My Word challenges you to remember you are not God.
In floor-pacing, My Word encourages you to give Me your worries.
In weariness, My Word invites you to give Jesus your crushing burdens.
In wondering about the future, My Word guarantees My Son’s return.
In asking who you are, My Word paints your destiny of Christlikeness.
In resisting Jesus’ downward mobility, My Word adjusts your attitude.
In meditating on Scripture, My Word changes the way you think.
In focusing on the finish line, My Word strengthens you to endure.
In relying on Christ, My Word enables you to do whatever I ask of you.
In conscientiously obeying My orders, My Word blesses you with joy.
In internalizing My thoughts, My Word sweetens your everyday life.
In overwhelming stress, My Word renews your hope and cheer.
In devoting yourself to My teachings, My Word frees your spirit to soar.
 

                              (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                   Day 272,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

Every time I passed by, he was there – in the cul-de-sac, near his house, seated in his walker/chair, across from the school, with his American flag flying, a smaller flag in his hand, waving. I often thought of stopping to visit with him, but it was COVID season and social distancing was being advised. So, I slowed down, lowed my window and saluted him and his flags. He always responded with a wave. One day, as I passed by, there was a fire truck and an ambulance in the cul-de-sac. I worried that it was for him. After that day, I never saw him again. Perhaps he died, or maybe he is in a hospital or a senior care center. I wish I had stopped to visit with him. I never even stopped my car for a brief visit, never saw anyone with him, but I appreciated his patriotism, and his friendly wave. I only hope my salute made his day a little better. How many others are there like him – living out their lives, loving their country, waving their flags, alone, and lonely. Had I ever stopped to ask his name, he might have answered as a man once answered Jesus, “My name is Legion; for we are many” (Mark 5:9).