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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).

Phillip walked with Simon the leper and his wife Martha from the Temple Service where the church that had sometimes been uncomfortable with Philip’s Greek name had encouraged him and prayed for him as he prepared to leave. Many had gone out from the Jerusalem church. Some were driven more by the danger of persecution than they were by the final command of Jesus, but all of them went with the gospel in their hearts. Martha had seen her own sister sail for Asia. Phillip was the first of the twelve apostles to go beyond Israel. Simon had invited him to stay that night at their home in Bethany. It would be better to begin the journey in the cool of the next morning. Simon had agreed to travel with Phillip to the coast. The apostle intended to preach in the villages surrounding Joppa before sailing for Greece.

On the walk from Jerusalem to Bethany they talked about those from the church who had suffered persecution. Phillip almost wept as he told about people who had been imprisoned or  beaten. Some had even been killed. When they arrived at Simon’s home, their servant washed the dust of the road from Phillip’s feet as Martha began preparing for the evening meal. Phillip was able to rest a while before they broke bread. Simon prayed as Jesus had, asking the Father to bless the loaves.

After they had eaten a little Martha asked, “Can you tell us why you are leaving Jerusalem, Phillip? Is it because of the increasing danger of hostilities against us here?”

Phillip finished a bite he had dipped into the sauce and then said, “No. It is because I have sensed our Lord sending me out. The other disciples have been praying with me and they too are convinced that God is sending me at this time.”

Simon said, “But don’t you think you should wait longer before going out? Exciting things are still happening here.”

Phillip said, May that always be true. But Jesus told us we were to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.”

Martha asked, “Why then have Peter and the other apostles not gone out?”

Phillip said, “Peter and John and others have been to preach in places like Samaria, Joppa, and Capurniam in Galilee. And Martha, your brother has gone to Cypress.”

Simon said, “But you are going farther than that. How will the Greeks understand anything about the true God?”

Phillip shook his head. “I am not sure. But few people will listen to me here. I am not named, like you Simon, after the leader of the Macccabeans. I am named after the father of Alexander the Conqueror. As we were praying, one of the other apostles said He believed my name would help to proclaim the name of Jesus to those who know nothing about Him. Of course, I will tell Jews about Jesus as well. 

I am convinced that God is speaking. When we were entering the city that final time before the cross, the people came out to meet us shouting ‘Hosanna!’ Jesus found a donkey and rode it into the city. At that time none of us knew what that meant. Later John and Peter, and I think you and your sister, Martha, remembered that the prophet had said, ‘Fear not daughter of Zion. Your king is coming to you riding on the colt of a donkey.’ God also spoke to us through Jesus. Our Lord still speaks to us by His Spirit. 

In that final week before Jesus was Crucified some Greeks came to me asking to see Jesus. I went to Andrew for advice. Together we told Jesus. Jesus immediately knew God was speaking. He announced that ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.’ He went on to say His soul was troubled about what He was going to face on the cross. He said, ‘What shall I pray, “Father save me from this hour? No Father, glorify your name!”’ After He said that, there came a voice from heaven, ‘I have glorified it and will glorify it again!’ Some people said it must have thundered, though there were no clouds in the sky. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to Him.’

“Jesus said that voice was for us. God spoke to me on that day, and He is still speaking. The most important thing we do as His people is to hear and obey God’s voice. And God will be glorified as Jesus continues to speak through us.” 

Simon said, “But Philip, it may cost you your life. Do you want to die in some strange place far from everyone who has loved you?”

Philip said, “That is in the hands of our Lord. On that day that I spoke about, Jesus was troubled in His spirit. He said, ‘Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit.’ We can see now that He was speaking of His own death. But I also believe that what He said will apply to me, if that is His will.”

This story drew upon events recorded in the 12th chapter of John.

Father, you still speak through your Holy Child Jesus. Bring our hearts and lives to obey your voice.

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Your eyes will see the king in all his splendor,  and you will see a land that stretches into the distance.
You will see Zion as a place of worship and celebration.  You will see Jerusalem a city quiet and secure.
ISAIAH 33:17, 20  NLT

Earth’s rulers are only human, so moral darkness encircles the globe.
     One day you will see the King of kings in His majesty and beauty.
          There is Light at the end of the tunnel.

There is a far nobler use of life than pursuing personal ambition.
     Egocentricity is a dead-end street; selfishness shrivels the soul.
          There is purpose after the death of self-centeredness.

Sin tantalizes, then breaks your heart; pleasures lure, but do not last.
     Take the long view—look forward to joys that will last forever.
          There is bliss after the end of the world.

Peace and quiet are elusive dreams in your current experience.
     One day you will feast your eyes on new Jerusalem—City of Peace.
          There is calm after the storm.

Life, you know, is fragile—fearful insecurity defines the human situation.
     Death, grief, heartache, and pain will be obsolete in the new world.
          There is safety after the termination of crime.

Does it seem to you that some people get away with murder?
     Over the horizon, a holy holocaust is starting to blaze up.
          There is fairness at the end of the day.

Christ’s glorious kingdom will outshine any empire the world has known.
     In fact, the nations will bask in His favor and honor Him above all else.
          There is paradise beyond the stars.

Though you do not see your Savior now, you certainly will one day.
     No longer harassed by sin and death, you will celebrate eternal victory.
          There is a heavenly reward at faith’s finish line

 

                                 (c)  Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                        Day 271,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

I began this blog series earlier. If you click on http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/ and scroll down you can see the previous post. The series is on keys to answered prayer taken from John 15:7,8.

“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.”

After Jesus had laid the foundation of living and praying in God’s will, He invited us to ask. “Ask and it will be done for you.” While this passage and others give a fuller picture of prayer, a number of Bible verses simply say, “ask.” John 16:24, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you.”

Actually, you do not have to read far in any of these passages to find the concept of praying in and for God’s will. However, they all emphasize the opportunity to ask. Asking is a practical way of merging our will with God’s. Like so many things in life, you learn by doing. 

This calls us to consistent continuing prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 calls us to, “Pray without ceasing.” Matthew 7:7 reads,

“Ask, and it will be given to you; 

seek, and you will find; 

knock, and it will be opened to you.” 

Greek, the original language of Matthew and the rest of the New Testament, has a tense that most other languages do not have. The action in this verse must continue or be repeated. One English translation renders these words, “Ask and keep on asking. Seek and keep on seeking, Knock and keep on knocking.” We are to keep our petitions before God until He answers or redirects our prayer.

God also gives us a safety valve on the power of prayer so we do not move mountains onto our neighbors’ houses. In inviting us to ask, Jesus assures us that asking is safe. God protects us as He teaches us to pray. You don’t need fear that you are praying for things that may ruin your life or the lives of people around you. This ought to give us a freedom to pray for whatever we believe to be God’s will.  Ask and you will receive.

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The two men were walking home from the temple after their baptism. Much had changed in their lives after the resurrection of Jesus. Like many who had been afraid to come to Jesus while He taught in their cities, they both now believed wholeheartedly in the risen Christ. 

Jonathan said, “Simon, I can’t understand how I could have been so blind to Jesus before His crucifixion. I should have understood from the miracles He performed that He was God’s Messiah. I was one of those who questioned the parents of the man Jesus healed who had been born blind. I remember Jesus saying to us, ‘If I do not do the works of God, do not believe in me. If I do them, even if you cannot believe me, believe in the works, that my Father may open your hearts.’ Believe me, I thought about that. But I was still too cowardly to admit that He had come to us from God.”

 “I was worse,” Simon said. “I was there when Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb after four days. I knew then that Jesus was God with us, as Isaiah wrote, but when I was with my Pharisee friends I was ashamed to confess Him. I don’t think we would have come to believe even now were God not working in us in spite of our hard hearts.”

Jonathan said, “The priests seemed so holy, and the Pharisees were so forceful, that it was hard to go against them. Confessing Jesus meant being put out of the synagogue. I felt that would mean ceasing to be Jewish. And yet our Lord used those things, and even the power of Rome, to bring His Father glory.”

Simon said, “I wonder how our priests, who seemed to be righteous, could have been so hard hearted. Bethany is my home. I was there when Lazarus died. I was with them when Jesus went to the tomb. I knew He had to have come from God. He had already healed me of leprosy.  Chills went up my spine when Jesus stood before the tomb of Lazarus and thanked His Father that He always heard Him. Elijah prayed almost the same prayer before God sent fire down from heaven. Jesus then cried out for Lazarus to come out, and the man came still wrapped in his grave clothes. I suspect everyone standing there that day knew we were in the presence of God. Who else could raise the dead? But even though many confessed Him that day, some of them went and told the Pharisees what Jesus had done. They knew I was a Pharisee so they dragged me along. 

“The Council was worried that the Romans were going to take away their position. Caiaphas, whom many considered the holiest man alive, stood up and spoke. ‘Have you not considered that it would be better for you if one man died for the people than that we should lose the entire nation?’ And get this—as High Priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the people. God had to be speaking through him even though his heart was absolutely against the Messiah.”

Jonathan said, “You mean he actually said Jesus was dying for the people? He could not have understood that Jesus was dying for our sins.”

“I suppose not,” Simon said, “but he still said those words”

“I tell you the truth, Simon. The power of God stuns me. God spoke through His fiercest enemy on this earth even as Caiaphas was plotting to turn Jesus over to the Romans to be crucified.

Simon said, “Our town held a feast for Jesus. We gathered in my house because it would hold the most people. Multitudes came from Jerusalem not just to see Jesus but to get a glimpse of Lazarus whom Jesus had raised. And so many of them went away believing that the council actually planned to put Lazarus to death so we would stop believing.”

This story was conceived from events recorded in John 11:45-53/

Father, You gave us many prophecies of Jesus, including one by the High Priest who condemned Him. Help us hear your voice as you continue to speak to us through Your Son, Jesus.

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Cross Roads Retreat Center;  Lowesville, Virginia 

                                                        The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says,
                                                "Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved.
                                                           In quietness and confidence is your strength.”
                                                                                ISAIAH 30:15  NLT


 
Sincerely wait for Me; long for My Presence, and I promise you—
     victory over every evil enemy that would defeat you,
     unfailing love to bring security to your mind whatever happens,
     incomprehensible peace in the midst of life’s hurricanes,
     invulnerable joy no circumstances can destroy,
     the pleasure of My company to counteract your loneliness.

I am your Savior—the Source of pardon in a carnal world.
     Every breath you breathe, I am at work in your heart—
          inspiring your ambition to consistently obey My laws;
          energizing your mind to habitually do as I please.
     Conversion from evil habits to a Christlike lifestyle is My work of grace.
     Trusting Me, moment-by-moment, you become more like My Son—
          this is My dearest dream and your ultimate destiny.

I am your Shepherd—the Source of poise in a crazy world.
     Wearied carrying weighty burdens?  Give them to Me and breathe easy.
     Jittery and anxious?  Let Me teach you and enjoy peace of mind.
     Adversity University hard?  Learn by character-building experiences.
     When life is noisy, step out of the traffic—in stillness know who I am.

I am your Strength—the Source of power in a chaotic world.
     Contrary to popular belief, My power works best in human weakness.
     Empowered by My Spirit, you can be ready for whatever happens next.
     Vitally connected to My Son, you can accomplish all I ask of you.
     Holding My hand, you can survive life’s toughest situations.
     Trusting My promises, you can look forward to a bright future.
     Worn out? Exhaustion tempting you to quit the Faith Marathon?
     Wait on Me and be supernaturally reinforced—
          outsoar timidity, outrun temptation, outwalk lethargy.
     Revisit the waiting room of My quiet zone frequently—and be strong.

                                                                           (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                                                                  Day 269,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

You may be familiar with the word about praying in the will of God in 1John 5:14-15.

“And this is the confidence that we have towards him, 

that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 

And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, 

we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”

I remember a time when I showed my spiritual immaturity thinking this verse takes away the entire point of prayer. I can receive what I pray for, if I pray for what God wants me to pray. As we grow in Him, we begin to see more clearly that the best that can happen through prayer and in our lives is for God’s will to be done. God transforms our hearts to desire what will truly satisfy. Growing in Him teaches us to seek and pray for things that are His will, but will not come about until we ask Him. 

John 15:7-8 effectively applies 1 John 5:14-16. John 15:7,8 reads,

“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.”

Intermittently in the next few weeks I intend to post blogs on the keys to prayer in this passage. It is important to see this in the entire context of John 15. Verses 4 and 5 set the stage for this passage. Jesus said,

“As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, 

unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, 

bears much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing.”

The first word in John 15:7 is, “If you abide in me.” This is a call to plant our lives in Him. We can live in continual fellowship with Jesus. We depend upon Him like branches depend on a vine. As we do this God begins to think His thoughts in us, and to love and work through us. The second clause in the sentence is, (if) “my words abide in you.” These two phrases are connected. We cannot do either one of these without the other. Prayer and fellowship with God are anchored to His word. Do you read God’s word everyday? Do you memorize Scripture? We should memorize from God’s word everyday. This leads to meditating on His word and His will. 

Many years ago we moved to a farming community in Texas. The most influential man in that community had recently died. I lived and pastored the only church in the area for years. And I never stopped seeing positive effects from that man’s life. His widow once told me a regular practice of his. Every morning as he read his Bible he would choose something in scripture to run through his mind all that day. What God did in that man's heart affected the whole community.

As we saturate our lives in God through His word, we set the stage for powerful petition.

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The difference between envision and vision is that envision sees or imagines something within the mind, and vision sees something as if it was true. When I was young we had no TV, so I listened to The Lone Ranger and baseball’s Game of the Day on the radio. While I could not see the action, I could envision the scenes and events in my mind. In the long run, I think it helped me be a person of vision. Once you start seeing something in your mind, you start seeing how it can happen, then you take steps to make it happen, and the real value of vision is to make things happen. Futurist Joel Barker said, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” Vance Havner said, “The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps – we must step up the stairs.” I’ve always tried to envision things in my mind, then share my vision with others, so together we can get things done. My long-time boss, W. F. Howard once said, “If you hang around people of vision, some of it will rub off on you.” If what I envision can “rub off” on others, then I feel satisfied and successful. The writer of Proverbs wrote, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained (Proverbs 29:18, NASB). I like “The Message” paraphrase, “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves.” So, happy envisioning today, and if you can’t envision, “hang around” some folks who can.

Albrecht Durer  Praying Hands