Kenneth Winter's Blog, page 13

There is No Such Thing as a Small Act of Obedience

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When was the last time you felt God prompting you to step out of your comfort zone? It may have been a prompting to perform a small act of service for someone you didn’t know … or someone you knew … but didn’t like. It may have been a prompting to do something that you’ve never done before … and you were afraid you would fail … and embarrass yourself … or fall flat on your face. Or, it may have been a prompting to speak to someone who intimidates you … and the prospect was frightening to you. 

And you may have been tempted to ignore the prompting by convincing yourself that your obedience didn’t really matter. Someone else could do it; someone else who was far more capable … or far more confident … or far more qualified.

On April 21, 1855, God prompted a Sunday School teacher in Boston by the name of Edward Kimball to visit a young man who was attending his Sunday School class. The young man wasn’t attending the class willingly. His uncle had made it a condition of his employment as a shoe salesman. The boy would only get the job if he attended the class. Edward Kimball’s visit took place at the shoe store where the young man worked. Here is Kimball’s account of the visit:

“When I was nearly there, I began to wonder whether I ought to go in just then during business hours. I thought my call might embarrass the boy, and that when I went away the other clerks would ask who I was, and taunt him with my efforts in trying to make him a good boy. In the meantime I had passed the store, and, discovering this, I determined to make a dash for it, and have it over at once. I found him in the back part of the building wrapping up shoes. I went up to him at once, and putting my hand on his shoulder, I made what I felt afterwards was a very weak plea for Christ. I don't know just what words I used. I simply told him of Christ's love for him, and the love Christ wanted in return. That was all there was. It seemed the young man was just ready for the light that then broke upon him.”(1)

Dwight L. Moody, a shoe salesman, surrendered his life to Christ that day. God went on to use D. L. Moody as an evangelist, publisher, pastor and the founder of the Moody Bible Institute to have far-reaching impact for the Kingdom that continues to this day. And God used a humble, unknown servant who had to work up the courage to go talk to Moody to set his feet on the right path.

The same could also be said of another humble, otherwise unknown, servant of God by the name of Ananias. He was a follower of Jesus living in Damascus in the first century. The Bible doesn’t tell us how Ananias came to faith in Jesus. It may have been through the ministry of Jesus Himself, or through the ministry of the seventy-two disciples that Jesus sent out as His witnesses. Possibly, he was one of those who was gathered in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, or soon thereafter.

He grew in his walk with Jesus to the point he was recognized as a respected and trusted leader of the believers in Damascus. He, together with the other believers in the city, were very familiar with the persecution that their fellow believers were experiencing in Jerusalem. Word had apparently reached them that the persecutor, Saul, was coming to Damascus to torment and arrest the believers there. It is reasonable to imagine that Ananias and the other believers were terrified as they awaited Saul and his cohort, for they knew their lives might be lost for the sake of Christ. They were awaiting his arrival to the city with great dread. Imagine Ananias’s initial reaction when God directed him to go to Saul.

We really don’t have to imagine it, because his reaction is spelled out in the Book of Acts. He made a point to tell God all about Saul, as if God wasn’t fully aware! “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon Your name.”(2) As if to say, “God, You must not know all the facts about this man. Otherwise, surely You wouldn’t be sending me to him!” Ananias revealed his fear and anxiety. He did not yet have unwavering trust in God.

As a matter of fact, he reminds me of me! i suspect i would have said the same thing to God – just in case He had somehow forgotten or overlooked some of the details. After all, this guy was dangerous! Didn’t God know that? Over the years, i have had some honest conversations with men and women who sensed God’s call to carry the gospel to some pretty difficult places. They have shared some of the conversations that they have had with God. “Um…God…don’t You know that country is closed to missionaries? Don’t You know that Your people are persecuted in that nation? Don’t You know what could happen to me, or to my family, if we go there? God?”

But God knows all about those people, just like He knew all about Saul. He told Ananias “Go, for Saul is My chosen instrument to take My message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”(2) God knew exactly who Saul was and gave Ananias the assurance that He was still in control. As a matter of fact, providence dictated that He would use this man to do incredible things for His kingdom. Saul, the chief of sinners, the persecutor of the church, was to be God’s chosen means of bringing the gospel to great and small, Jew and Gentile alike.

Ananias was obedient. He appeared before Saul and had the great honor of laying his hands on this broken man in the name of the Holy Spirit. At that moment, the scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he regained his sight. As a testimony to his new found faith in Christ, he was baptized, probably by the hand of Ananias himself. We then read that “Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days.”(2) Whether at that point Saul was the student or the teacher, we do not know. Perhaps he sat and learned at the feet of Ananias.

At this point, Ananias disappears from Luke’s account and we do not hear any more about him. His role in the drama of Acts was brief, yet very significant. We see a man who wavered when he first heard God’s voice, yet despite his initial hesitation, he was faithful and obedient. While at first he thought he might have to correct God, in the end he submitted himself and his very life to God’s call. God then used this man to further His purposes in launching the career of one of the most influential apostles. Ananias’s small act of obedience, just like Edward Kimball’s, led to a great harvest for the Kingdom.

It would behoove us to learn from Edward Kimball and Ananias. That same voice that spoke in their ears that someone else was more capable, confident, or qualified … also speaks in ours. And if we heed that naysayer’s voice, we will miss out on one of the greatest blessings God has for us – the blessing of being used by Him in His activity … for His purpose and His glory.

There will be times when God will direct us through His Word in ways that seem contrary to our own reasoning. We will not know – and may never know – the full significance of what God intends to do through us, because our perspective is finite and limited. But God’s perspective is infinite, taking in all of history in a single glance. We must trust Him, His Word, and His voice; trusting that He will never lead us astray. It will take courage – just like it did for Ananias and Edward Kimball. Courage that can only come through the confidence that we do not go alone; His Holy Spirit, who is within us, will go before us, will go with us and will empower us … each and every step of the way.

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A portion of this post is adapted from Until He Returns, chapter 24, entitled “The Courage of Ananias.” This sixth book in the Lessons Learned In The Wilderness series is available through Amazon in print or for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy of the book.

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(1)  Taken from Twice-Born Men: True Conversion Records of 100 Well-Known Men in All Ranks of Life compiled by Hy Pickering

(2)  Acts 9:10-19 (NLT)

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord!” he replied. The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to Me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers  in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon Your name.” But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is My chosen instrument to take My message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days.

 

Copyright © 2022 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by Kevin Carden on Lightstock

Running by Faith

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In a few weeks on September 23rd, my book about the life of Enoch will release. Scripture doesn’t tell us a lot about Enoch, other than he walked with God.(1) The writer of Hebrews gives us added insight by including him in the all-star list of men and women who walked by faith.(2) But the writer of Hebrews didn’t just include him randomly in that list. His life was listed in the verse just prior to the one that is used as the very definition of what it means to walk by faith:

 

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.(3)

 

Enoch was the first of only two individuals in history (the second being Elijah(4)) who never experienced physical death – because God “took” him.(5) Over the years, i have been inspired and challenged to walk with God in the way Enoch walked with Him. Bear in mind, Enoch NEVER had to ask God, “What do You want me to do, God?” Or “Where do You want me to go, God?” All he ever had to do was stay right by God’s side, going wherever God went, and doing whatever God did.

But as i wrote the book about his life, i became convicted that Enoch’s walk with God was not a slow leisurely cakewalk through paradise that we might have wrongly envisioned it to be. Enoch was chosen by God to be a prophet – bringing unpopular messages to a world that had become evil.(6) His walk with God was probably through some rough terrain, and some very trying circumstances. His walk with God by faith was anything but easy.

As a matter of fact, i am convinced that a walk with God will not be a leisurely stroll – at least most of the time. i believe, more often than not, it involves waiting with Him. It seems to us as if He is not moving; when in fact, He is working in ways we are not yet able to see. He is working based upon His perfect timing … and not according to our imperfect timetable. And at other times, it is a full-out run, empowered and enabled by His Holy Spirit, so we can keep up with His stride.

Years ago, our church was entering into a ministry to provide needed housing and support to women who found themselves in crisis as a result of an unplanned pregnancy. Some of the women chose to place their baby for adoption, and others chose to parent their baby. The goal of the ministry was to walk alongside them and provide assistance throughout their pregnancy as they made preparations for their post-birth plan. The Lord directed our church to a single family home that we believed would be the ideal physical environment for such a ministry.

But transforming a single family dwelling into a group home would require many city approvals from a permitting and licensing standpoint. We were advised to expect it to take many months to be able to gain the necessary approvals.

i will never forget the day i arrived at our city’s building and zoning offices to file the application to begin the process. When i explained to the clerk what i was there to do, she again reiterated the lengthy process we should expect. But after a few minutes, she told me i should speak with a particular official to get everything started. She doubted the individual would be available, but then she surprised me by not only directing me, but offering to take me, to that individual.

By God’s grace that individual was available. And over the next forty-five minutes, that official and the clerk accompanied me as we made our way to the offices of four other officials whose approval would also be required. Each one was in their office, though most were not expected to be so. And once they had added their approval, they too joined our growing entourage as we made our way to the other offices. Within just under an hour, i walked out of the office building with all of the approvals that were needed! i was simply running just to keep up with God!

Does God always choose to work that way? No, not necessarily. He works according to His timeframe to accomplish His purpose for His glory – and He knows all that is needed and the timing that is perfect. Our part is to walk … or run … with Him … just like Enoch did!

Years ago, i heard Dr. Charles Stanley say, “If God tells you to run your head through a brick wall, you start running and trust Him to make a hole in that wall.” The key is walking with God according to what He has said. Don’t try running into that brick wall without Him, because all you’ll end up with is a severe headache! But if God has told you to wait with Him, walk with Him, follow Him or run with Him, trust Him to make the way to bring it about.

It can be scary as you draw closer and closer to that brick wall. As i write this, my wife and i are running head-first toward a wall. A few years ago, we embarked on a “run” that we knew God had directed us to take through a promise in His Word, despite the obstacles that we knew loomed before us. Since then, He has continued to affirm His promise each day through His Word and in so many other ways. In our own strength and according to our own ability, overcoming the obstacles that lie before us still seems like an impossible task. But we are running toward that wall because we believe with all our hearts that is what God has directed us to do. And we are trusting that He will bring about that which He has promised … in His perfect timing … and in His perfect way.

You, too, may very well be at that place. You may be running full out, or you may currently be standing still, waiting on Him. Regardless, you are walking with God by faith and trusting Him for the outcome

The question before us is – do we trust Him at His word? And if so, are we willing to charge ahead … or wait … according to His word? Do we trust that when we arrive at our wall – whatever it is –  He will make the opening? It won’t happen through our own ability. It won’t happen simply because we want it to happen. It will only happen if we are running with Him by faith, according to His direction … trusting Him at His word.

That’s what Enoch did!

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Just in case you are interested in learning more about my upcoming book, A Friend Called Enoch , you can find out more information on my website by CLICKING HERE . Or you can pre-order a copy on Amazon by CLICKING HERE .

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(1)  Genesis 5:22

(2)  Hebrews 11:5

(3)  Hebrews 11:6

(4)  2 Kings 2:11

(5)  Genesis 5:24

(6)  Jude 14-15

Copyright © 2022 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by Mihály Köles on Unsplash

Impeculiar

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Impeculiar! Spell-check just told me the word is incorrect. Google tells me the word does not exist. And yet … it seems to be the perfect word to describe an attitude or action that others consider to be peculiar when, in fact, it should be the norm. i wouldn’t say the action is “ordinary,” because nothing about it is ordinary. I wouldn’t say the action is “unusual,” because it should be our daily response. But conversely, i could not describe it as “usual” or “unremarkable.” So, it must be impeculiar! Please allow me to explain.

Several days before Jesus was crucified, He and His disciples were spending the evening in Bethany at the home of Simon.(1) Simon apparently had previously been a leper. i say “previously,” because if he still had leprosy no one would have been dining with him at his table. Given the fact that very few people ever recovered from leprosy in that day, it is highly probable that he was healed by Jesus. It was through that miracle of healing that they probably became friends. In fact, he could have been the leper that Jesus healed as recorded in Matthew 8:1-4.

This particular account in Matthew 26, combined with the parallel accounts in Mark 14:1-9 and John 12:1-8, would tend to indicate that Simon’s home was also the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, which would imply that Simon – the former leper – who Jesus healed – is the one who John called Lazarus, the one who Jesus raised from the dead in John 11:1-44. That being the case, Simon/Lazarus had twice been dead to his sisters. The first time, they were separated from him by leprosy. Lepers were forced to live in isolation away from everyone else in a “sentence” of death. And the second time, he had truly been dead and in the grave for four days.

So, on this night, the family was hosting Jesus and His disciples for dinner. Simon/Lazarus, the host, was reclining at the table, fully attentive to his guest of honor.(2) Martha was serving, as always, making sure His every need was being met.(2) Mary was once again at the feet of Jesus.(3) While Jesus, His disciples and His host were eating, Mary “came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over His head.” Then she proceeded to anoint “Jesus’ feet with it, wiping His feet with her hair”, and “the house was filled with the fragrance.”(3)

If i am correct about Simon and Lazarus being the same person, i want you to think about the thanksgiving that was overflowing in the hearts of that family. They had a deep love for Jesus, and He had a deep love for them. He called them His “friends”. Simon/Lazarus was expressing his thanksgiving by hosting and supping with his “Friend”, enjoying intimate conversation and fellowship. Martha was expressing her thanksgiving through her love language – serving, and doing so with excellence.

Then, in walked Mary – expressing her thanksgiving, her love and her worship – by anointing Jesus’ head and feet with expensive perfume. She was taking the same care that would typically have been reserved for a deceased loved one in preparation for burial. Only Jesus knew that Mary was, in fact, preparing His body for burial. Not another person in that room – including Mary – knew that in just a matter of days Jesus’ body would be buried in a tomb. Even when Jesus made that statement to the disciples, they did not yet understand. And here was Mary presenting worship to her Lord in the best way she knew how, overflowing with love and adoration. Later the apostle John would describe the vision of what worship will look like in heaven in the Book of Revelation. i would venture that Mary’s expression of worship that night was the closest he came to seeing that vision on this side of heaven. Nothing about Mary’s expression of worship was peculiar … or ordinary … or unusual.

And yet, in the midst of pure, authentic worship, the naysayers came out – criticizing her excess and her impropriety. Though their criticisms were couched in a “godly” “we-care-about-the-poor” way; their criticisms were actually godless. When Judas said – “What a waste; it could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor”(4) – he was really revealing the condition of his cold heart. He revealed a heart that was unable to express true worship.

Unfortunately, a number of the disciples were taken in by Judas’ false piety and echoed his concerns. This needs to be a reminder to us to be discerning in all things before we lend our support. You see, what they were declaring to be peculiar and inappropriate was truly just the opposite. It was impeculiar!

By the way – that is a good reminder for all of us. Don’t join in with the Judases in the room. Take the question to Jesus first, before you join in. Listen to what He has to say about the matter, before you cast any aspersion. In this instance, they would have clearly heard Jesus calling out Judas for his errant thinking. As a matter of fact, Jesus went on to declare that little else from that evening would be remembered, but “wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”(5)

The lesson for us is that our worship must move from being perfunctory or ordinary. We must stop “going through the motions” and begin to worship our Lord authentically … with a pure heart … and with all of our heart … like Mary. Those around you may view your worship of Jesus as being peculiar,  but take it from the woman whose deed will be remembered wherever the Good News is preached and allow your genuine worship of Jesus to become impeculiar!

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A portion of this post is adapted from Taking Up The Cross, chapter 26, entitled “Wherever the Gospel is Preached.” This fifth book in the Lessons Learned In The Wilderness series is available through Amazon in print or for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy of the book.

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(1)  Matthew 26:6-13 (NLT)

Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While He was eating,  a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over His head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to Me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me. She has poured this perfume on Me to prepare My body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

 

(2)  John 12:2

(3)  John 12:3

(4)  Matthew 26:8-9

(5)  Matthew 26:13 (NLT)

Copyright © 2022 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by LUMO - The Gospels for the visual age on Lightstock

Recklessly Abandoned

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The wind was blustery, and the waves were towering, when Peter first stepped out of the boat.(1) But i would venture he was no longer seeing or hearing them – at least at first. The only One he was seeing and hearing was his Lord … and Jesus had bid him to come.

That is the picture in my mind when i hear the words “recklessly abandoned.” Dictionary.com defines reckless as “utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action,” or “without caution.” Recklessness in most instances is a bad thing. None of us want to come face-to-face with a reckless driver, or follow a reckless leader who has no regard for us or where he/she is leading us. Very few of us would ever want to be described as being reckless. But i am convinced there is one context in which i truly desire to be reckless.

Dictionary.com also defines abandonment as “an act or instance of giving up control.” It can also refer to our walking away from responsibility for something or someone. When we abandon something, we are in essence saying that we are no longer taking responsibility for that person or that thing … we are walking away. That idea of abandonment is rightfully filled with so many negative connotations. How many of us would ever want to be described as abandoning loved ones, friends, responsibilities, or the like? i would venture not any one of us. Like reckless, it is another word that none of us would want to have used to describe us on our “Linked In” profile.

But, as i said at the outset, i believe that the two-word phrase – recklessly abandoned – does accurately describe Peter and his actions at that moment. He stepped out of the boat without any regard for the storm that was raging around him … or for his companions (whom he left behind in the boat) … all because Jesus told him to do so!

As we consider his actions, we have the benefit of knowing the subsequent results. But imagine if you were one of his companions in the boat at the moment. Can you imagine what John or any of the others thought when they saw Peter climbing out of the boat. i know what i would have thought – i would have thought he was crazy! What are you doing, Peter? You’re going to drown! You’re the captain of this boat and you are leaving us to fend for ourselves! Get back in the boat, Peter!

But … let’s hastily remember that Peter was not doing so impetuously. He didn’t decide to step out of the boat on a whim to see if he could walk on water. He wasn’t hoping against hope that everything was going to work out just fine. He truly hadn’t lost his senses … even though everyone around him probably thought he had.

Peter was taking a step of faith. But again – that faith was not based upon the idea that if i believe and try hard enough, everything is going to work out. And be mindful, he didn’t step out of the boat to walk on water; rather, he stepped out of the boat to come to Jesus. His focus wasn’t the storm and the waves; rather his focus was the One who had called to Him … at least until he took his eyes off Jesus.

i would also contend that only One actually walked on the water that night, and that One was Jesus. Peter didn’t walk on the water…, he walked on a word from Jesus – “Come!” It wasn’t water he was trusting in. He was trusting in the word that had been spoken to him, and the One who had spoken it. The impossible only becomes possible when Jesus says so! We can’t wish it into existence; we can only experience it becoming so, because Jesus has said it is so! And once He does, we must step out recklessly abandoned by faith, keeping our eyes on Him, His word, and His promise.

Because the moment we divert our eyes to the circumstances surrounding us, we will “sink” as surely as Peter did. But let’s be careful to not judge Peter too harshly – he was the only one with the faith to get out of the boat with reckless abandonment to walk to Jesus.

What word has Jesus given you to step out on today? If you don’t have one, have you asked Him for one? And once He has given it to you, be prepared to step out in reckless abandonment by faith – without delay. If you debate for even one second when He has spoken, you may very well miss the moment and the blessing Jesus has in store for you. Be reckless immediately by abandoning all else to Him. Yes, be determined to be recklessly abandoned, surrendering everything to Him.

By the way … today’s a good day to take a walk on the water – if that’s what Jesus has told you to do!

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A portion of this post is adapted from Walking With The Master, chapter 33, entitled “Take a Walk on the Water.”This fourth book in the Lessons Learned In The Wilderness series is available through Amazon in print or for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy of the book.

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(1)  Matthew 14:22-33

Copyright © 2022 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by LUMO - The Gospels for the visual age on Lightstock

Possessing His Promise

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If i was to ask you, “Does God keep His promises?” – i will venture that you and i would both say, “Yes!” We would point to promises He has given us, and the way we have seen those promises fulfilled. We would point to the many promises He has made throughout His Word, and the many examples of His faithfulness evidenced in His Word. Most notably, we would point to Jesus – who came in fulfillment of His promise – and who has promised to come again!

But allow me to ask a different question: “Are you currently in a place that you are waiting on God to fulfill a specific promise He has given you? And, if so, have you been waiting for a long time … and is the end nowhere in sight?”

A couple of years ago, Leanna Crawford recorded the song “Truth I’m Standing On” (lyrics and link below) that expresses a beautiful balance of dependence and faith as we wait on God for the fulfillment of His promise(s). The lyrics acknowledge the fear and doubt that can creep into our thoughts and lives as we stand in the gap between faith and sight. But even more importantly, the song points to the reality that God’s promise is truth and His truth is our foundation – despite anything else we might see lurking in the shadows or hear being whispered into our ears.

For those of us who are in that place, it would behoove us to remember the situation in which the people of Israel found themselves after wandering in the wilderness for forty years. The promise God had given them had been a long time coming. At least ten generations had passed since God had given His promise and made His covenant with Abraham. He had given them the grace to endure, and had delivered them from slavery. He had raised up a leader (Moses) to be His undershepherd for them and on their behalf. He led them into the wilderness and shaped them to be a people called by His name.

He had given them His name (the people of God). He had given them His Law. He had given them water to drink, meat to eat and manna to sustain. He revealed Himself in the cloud and in the pillar of fire. He had parted the sea and defeated their enemies. He had led them through the wilderness, even when their disobedience caused them to wander. He kept their clothes and sandals from wearing out.

And now, the time was approaching … to possess that which He had promised.(1) But His promise had been more than just land. His promise had been more than just His provision. His promise had been more than just His protection. His promise was Himself. They would be His people. He would be their God. He would be with them. He would not fail them. He would not abandon them. He never had. He never would.

But the reality is that they didn’t need to cross the Jordan to possess His promise. They didn’t even have to travel through the wilderness or leave Egypt to possess His promise. They didn’t need to be rescued from bondage to possess His promise. Because … He was their promise to possess.

And He is our promise to possess. He created us. He redeemed us from our sin. He chose us. He called us to Himself. He adopted us into His family. He has given us eternal life – not only for the hereafter, but also for the here and now. He is our Provider. He is our Protector. He is our Savior. He is our Lord. He is our God. We are His people. We are called by His name. He will be with us. He will not fail us. He will not abandon us. He never has. He never will.

His promise does not lie before us. He is our promise. His promise is not something we look forward to in the future, His promise is Himself whom we can hold onto in the here and the now … because He has hold of us.

Yes, there is an end to this wilderness we are walking through – and He knows when that will be and how He will bring it about. He may choose to bring it about miraculously – just like the collapse of the walls at Jericho.(2) Or He may require us to labor for our victory.(3)

He may choose to deliver us from our wilderness in a way we might expect, or more than likely, He will do so in a way that we could never even hope or imagine – because He is our promise to possess! His timing will always be perfect – it was true for them, and it will be true for us. His way will always bring Him the greatest glory, and us the greatest good – it was true for them, and it will be true for us.(4)

No matter what we may be waiting for, God’s promise is not for us to obtain in the future, His promise is already ours to possess!

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A portion of this post is adapted from the preface of Possessing The Promise , the third book in the Lessons Learned In The Wilderness series is available through Amazon in print or for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy of the book.

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(1)  Joshua 1:2-5

(2)  Joshua 6:20

(3)  Joshua 8:18-19

(4)  Romans 8:28

Copyright © 2022 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by Mission Media on Lightstock

Truth I’m Standing on

 

Scared, oh I thought I knew scared
But I'm so filled with fear
I can barely move 

Doubt, I've had my share of doubt
But never more than right now
I'm wondering where are You 

Here on the edge of fall apart
Somehow Your promises
Find my troubled heart 

This is the truth I'm standing on
Even when all my strength is gone
You are faithful forever
And I know You'll never
Let me fall 

Right now, I'm choosing to believe
Someday soon, I'll look back and see
All the pain had a purpose
Your plan was perfect all along
This is the truth I'm standing on 

Good, I believe You're still good
Even when life's not good
I will not lose this hope 

That the God who parts the sea
Promises He's gonna
Make a way for me 

Oh, this is the truth I'm standing on
Even when all my strength is gone
You are faithful forever
And I know You'll never
Let me fall 

Right now, I'm choosing to believe
Someday soon, I'll look back and see
All the pain had a purpose
Your plan was perfect all along
This is the truth I'm standing on 

My rock, my shield, my firm foundation
I know I will not be shaken
You remind me
Where my help comes from 

This is the truth I'm standing on
Even when all my strength is gone
You are faithful forever
And I know You'll never
Let me fall

Right now, I'm choosing to believe
Someday soon, I'll look back and see
All the pain had a purpose
Your plan was perfect all along
This is the truth I'm standing on 

 

Written by Matthew Joseph West, Leanna Crawford, Andrew Pruis 

Truth I’m Standing On (Official Lyric Video) – performed by Leanna Crawford

A Beloved Son

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How many of us find ourselves traveling through wildernesses in our lives, and are in desperate need of someone to show us the way? We may be alone on the journey, or we may be surrounded by friends or family that are encouraging us along the way – but they don’t really know how to help us. They haven’t traveled that same path before. They don’t know the road markers. And try as they might, they just aren’t able to provide us with what we need. We need someone who has walked that path before us. We need someone who knows the way. We need someone who we can confidently follow.

Several years ago, my wife and i were making a road trip in Germany. It was back in the day before we had directional maps on our smartphones … or translation apps at our fingertips to aid in understanding other languages. We were on a journey to “touch my roots” in the city from which  my family originally emigrated to the U.S. several hundred years ago. We were excited about the opportunity to be there and thoroughly enjoying the beautiful countryside as we traveled along the roads.

We were doing fine as long as we were on the main highway, but once we exited to traverse the local roads, we soon found ourselves completely lost. Sadly, i do not speak nor read any of my ancestral language, so when i pulled into a service station to see if they might be able to point me in the right direction, i found that no matter how hard the proprietor and i tried, we could not understand one another.

i’m sure i did what most Americans do when they find themselves in a situation trying to communicate with someone who does not speak English – i spoke louder … as if my increased volume was going to help me be understood! When will we learn?

But gratefully there was another customer in the store who did speak English! And he was from the very town we were trying to find! i’m convinced he was an angel sent by God … or at least he completely qualifies as one! Because he most graciously volunteered to go out of his way and lead us in his car to our desired destination. All we needed to do was trust him … follow him … and trust that he knew the way. He probably drove thirty minutes out of his way to help us get to the right place! Sadly, i don’t even know his name … but he did us a great service that day!

You may be familiar with Reuel the Midianite. He is also referred to as Jethro the priest of Midian. He was the father of Moses’s wife Zipporah. Scholars tell us that Jethro, which means “excellence”, was probably his official title, whereas Reuel, which means “friend of God”, was more than likely his proper name.

i propose that there may be one other explanation for this difference. You may recall that Jethro caught up with Moses and the Israelites at Sinai, bringing Zipporah and Moses’s two sons to reunite with him.(1) Not only had he traveled to Sinai on this personal mission, he had also come in his official capacity as Midianite priest, to formally greet the Israelites on behalf of his people. While visiting with Moses, Jethro declared his personal allegiance to Jehovah.(2) Though he arrived at Sinai as an Excellency (Jethro) of the Midianites, he left Sinai as a friend of God (Reuel).

When Jethro came to Sinai, he also brought his son Hobab with him. Then when Jethro (or Reuel) left Sinai to return to his people,(3) he left Hobab to stay with Moses and Zipporah. The inference is that he would stay with the Israelites while they camped at Sinai, which was a part of the Midianites’ territory. Perhaps, he stayed to assist them while they encamped on his people’s land. When the Israelites prepared to leave Sinai, Hobab’s assignment was concluded, and he was preparing to return to his home.(4)

The name Hobab means “beloved”. You may recall that when Moses first encountered Jethro’s family, he defended Jethro’s seven daughters while they were watering their father’s flock.(5) Moses then assumed the responsibility as shepherd of the flock as Zipporah’s husband. That tells us that Hobab was either very young when Moses first came on the scene or he was born to Jethro after Moses and Zipporah were married. Regardless, he was a son of Jethro’s older age; he was the son whose arrival Jethro had awaited for many years, and he named him Hobab, his beloved son.

Jethro (the father) directed his “beloved” son (Hobab), perhaps his only son, to dwell among the people to help them, and perhaps to show them how to live in the wilderness of Sinai. This would have been a tremendous sacrifice for Jethro to leave Hobab there in the wilderness with the people. This sacrifice demonstrated Jethro’s love for Moses and for the people of God.

But when the Israelites prepared to leave Sinai, it would have been time for Hobab to return to his father’s house, to return to the father whom he loved, and to return to the comforts and the favor of his father’s house. But Moses pleaded with him to stay with the Israelites. He said, “Hobab, you are a good shepherd. You know the places in the wilderness we should camp. You know where the green pastures are. You know the location of the quiet waters. Help guide us in the path that God leads us in. Dwell among us and share in all the good things God has promised to do for His people.”(6)

It would appear that Hobab did just that! He remained with the Israelites and dwelt among them throughout their time in the wilderness. As a matter of fact, when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the descendants of Hobab received an allocation of land in it.(7)

As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, God provided a beloved son, an only son, to shepherd them, to lead them beside green pastures and beside the still waters. He provided this son to help them journey through the wilderness, and to show them how. Though God was leading them, and though His presence dwelt in their midst, He had provided this one to live and walk among them.

Later God would send another son to dwell among His people – His beloved Son, His only Son. He would come as a Good Shepherd to teach His people, to lead His people and to show them how to live. The Father would deprive Himself of the companionship of the Son, and the Son would deprive Himself of the comfort of His home and the companionship of the Father.

Sometimes, even when we see God’s activity all around us, and even when family and friends surround us, we can feel alone as we journey through the wilderness. The Father sent His Son so that we might never be alone in the wilderness. No matter where we find ourselves in the wilderness, He knows the way. He knows what we have need of … and He is able to provide it. Just like Hobab stayed with the children of Israel, this Beloved Son, Jesus, will never leave us nor forsake us.

So, take heart, fellow sojourner, the Beloved Son is traveling your wilderness path with you. He’s going before you to lead the way. He’s going behind you to protect you as your rear guard. He’s going beside you to draw you close. Trust Him … follow Him … and trust that He knows the way. If we do, we’ll end up right where we’re supposed to be!

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This post is adapted from, The Wandering Years, chapter 9, entitled “A Beloved Son.” This second book in the Lessons Learned In The Wilderness series is available through Amazon in print or for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy of the book.

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(1)  Exodus 18:1-6

(2)  Exodus 18:12

(3)  Exodus 18:27

(4)  Numbers 10:29-32

(5)  Exodus 2:16-17

(6)  Numbers 10:31-32

(7)  Judges 4:11

Copyright © 2022 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by Forgiven Photography on Lightstock

And Out Came This Calf

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You may recall the account recorded in the Book of Exodus about the day the people of Israel came to Aaron demanding that he make them a god made of gold, while at that very moment Moses was up on Mount Sinai receiving the stone tablets from God Himself. The tablets contained the terms of the Covenant between God and His people etched by His own finger. On a day that their attitudes and actions should have conveyed their allegiance to the One True Living God, they were demanding a lifeless imitation of gold.(1)

Aaron not only bowed to the demands of the people and molded their gold into the shape of a calf, he also declared that they gather for a festival to declare their allegiance to the golden calf. But in the midst of their celebration and feasting, they experienced the severe consequences of their sin from the hand of the God they had blasphemed and disobeyed.

Many of the Israelites died due to their disobedience in making and worshipping the golden calf. They were either killed at the hands of the Levites, or suffered or died as a result of a plague. The sin of the parents had consequences that continued to affect the generations that followed. And yet, Scripture is silent regarding the consequences that Aaron and Hur experienced for their sin – or is it? A casual reading might lead us to believe that Aaron got little more than his hand slapped; but let’s look further.

God does not grade on the curve. There is no hierarchy of sin. He tells us that the wages of sin – all sin and any sin – is death.(2) He will not give us a pass if we only sin certain sins and avoid the “biggies”. The fact-of-the-matter is we are all sinners and have all fallen short of the glory of God.(3) We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners. Aaron and Hur were sinners just like you and me. Aaron and Hur were sinners that God, by His grace, had elevated to a position of leadership among His people. They did not earn the position, God called them to it. God gave them authority as spiritual leaders over the people, but with that authority came responsibility and accountability.

When confronting Aaron, Moses said, “You have brought a terrible sin upon the people. What did these people do to you to make you do that?”(4) Moses knew that each child of Israel was also a sinner; and each one was responsible for their own sin, but if the tribe turned to worship a golden calf then those leading the tribe – Aaron and Hur – had responsibility not only for their own choice, but also for their role in leading the tribe in this abomination … or for their failure to lead the tribe away from it.

And when confronted by Moses, Aaron gave the two classic excuses, “The people made me do it” and “I threw the gold in the fire – and out came this calf” (in other words, “I didn’t do it, it just happened”).(5) At that point, he denied any responsibility for his sin. He laid the blame at the feet of other people or circumstances “outside of his control.” How often have we done that? How often do we try to justify and deny our sin? We would do well to heed a lesson from this account – God will not be deceived and He will not be mocked!

We also read in Exodus that because Aaron had let the people get completely out of control, they had become a laughing stock to their enemies. They had defamed their own name, but more critically they had dishonored the name of their God. Three thousand died that day as a result of their sin and many more died, or at a minimum suffered, due to the plague that God sent because of the calf Aaron made.

The price of Aaron’s disobedience was not his own death, rather it was living with the knowledge that his sin had led to the death of thousands – not the heroic death of a battle of honor, but a sinner’s death resulting from the sin of dishonor. He also lived with the knowledge that generations to come would bear the scars of his disobedience. Moses writes, “The LORD was so angry with Aaron that He wanted to destroy him. But I prayed for Aaron, and the LORD spared him.”(6) Because of Moses’ intercession on his behalf, and in God’s sovereign plan, God chose to spare Aaron’s physical life, but He did not spare him from the consequence of the grief and anguish that he was forced to endure for forty years.

On the day Moses had gone up on Mount Sinai, he had also left Hur in charge of the people with Aaron.(7)This incident is the last time we read of Hur in Scripture. Hereafter we only see his name in lists of ancestry. We never read that he opposed the making of the calf. If Hur had honored God by opposing this abomination, it would have been recorded in Scripture. No mention is made whether he stood silently by and did not protest, or whether he led in the rebellion, or whether like Aaron, he went along with the people. Regardless of which action he took, the absence of his presence hereafter causes me to think Hur died for his disobedience that day, either by the sword or due to the plague.

Remember, Hur was Moses’ brother-in-law; he was Miriam’s husband. And as Moses instructed the Levites as they strapped on their swords,(8) God is not a respecter of persons when it comes to sin. I would conjecture that God chose not to spare Hur’s physical life. Which one paid the greater price for their disobedience – Aaron enduring forty years of grief and anguish, or Hur experiencing physical death? I’ll leave that for you to decide.

But here’s the thing – as each one of us journey through our lives, we, too, have been entrusted by God with a responsibility to encourage and lead others – our family members, friends, coworkers, students, and the like. With that role comes responsibility and accountability. Not only has He called us to personally obey Him; He has also called us to lead others to obey Him. At the end of the day, it doesn’t much matter if Aaron formed the golden calf or if it “just came out”. The result was the same, and the consequences were great.

Through our lives, we will influence and lead others to either worship and follow the One True Living God or we will lead them to worship a lifeless imitation. Which will we choose?

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This post is adapted from The Journey Begins chapter 52, entitled “And Out Came This Calf.” This first book in the Lessons Learned In The Wilderness series is available through Amazon in print or for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy of the book.

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(1)  Exodus 32:1-14

(2)  Romans 6:23

(3)  Romans 3:23

(4)  Exodus 32:21

(5)  Exodus 32:22-24

(6)  Deuteronomy 9:20 (NLT)

(7)  Exodus 24:14

(8)  Exodus 32:27

Copyright © 2022 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Illustration design by Lightstock

Is the Door Open or Closed?

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At critical junctures along the pathway of our lives, we encounter doors that are either open or closed. We tend to perceive the open doors as an invitation or acknowledgement to proceed, and we often walk through them with excitement and expectation. However, we tend to look at closed doors quite differently. Those closed doors often represent to us something we really wanted to do or experience, and we respond to the closed door with disappointment – i.e. a missed job or life opportunity, a missed promotion, a missed adventure, etc. In those instances, we can sometimes mistakenly view God as a cosmic killjoy.

At those moments, we would do well to remember that He is God … and we aren’t. He can see what’s behind the closed door … and we can’t. He can see what’s on the road ahead … and we are blind to it. He knows what will ultimately be for our good and His glory … and we don’t. He sees the whole plan!

But before we become too hard on ourselves for our lack of faith, it’s worthy to note that we are in good company. Even the apostle Paul suffered from the disappointment of closed doors. As a matter of fact, one of the most significant series of closed doors he experienced was at a moment that marked the beginning of a new epoch in the history of the Gospel. Up to that point, the Gospel had not gone further west than Asia Minor. In fact, on the journey in question, Paul’s original intention had been to stay in Asia, but God had changed his plans through a series of closed doors. As a result, Paul was able to witness the salvation of the first person in Europe. All of those who would subsequently come to faith over the centuries in Europe would in fact come after her. And as we’ll see in a moment, her influence would not stop there. All as a result of closed doors!(1)

Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia situated ten miles inland from the port of Neapolis. Paul’s first stop in any town or village was always the synagogue, but there does not appear to have been a synagogue in Philippi. Jewish custom required that there be at least ten men for the founding of a synagogue, so apparently there were not ten Jewish men who lived there. However, there was a group of Jewish women, or more than likely, Greek Gentile proselytes, that gathered for prayer along the riverbank. It would appear that Paul’s call to Macedonia through his vision of a man, actually was God’s response to the prayers of a gathering of women! 

One of those women – Lydia – was a successful merchant from Thyatira. She was a seller of purple cloth. There is no mention of Lydia having a husband, so we can presume that she was either a widow, or a freeborn single woman. She had apparently moved to Philippi in order to ply her trade. Thyatira was the trade center for indigo dyes, situated in Asia Minor. It was one of the cities that the Holy Spirit had prevented Paul and Silas from visiting. Later in Scripture, we discover that a church was planted in Thyatira.(2) Though Paul was never able to visit the city in any of his missionary journeys, God apparently had a different plan to establish His church there. And that plan may possibly have included Lydia to be the one to bring the Gospel back to her hometown.

God was already at work through His Holy Spirit drawing the women who were gathering in Philippi to Himself. Lydia had apparently already turned from the paganism of the world in which she lived, and was seeking to know and worship the one true God, even though she had not yet heard the Gospel. Lydia is a reminder to all of us that God will reveal Himself in the fullness of the Gospel to anyone who honestly seeks to know Him. He knows exactly what He is doing, and He knows exactly where the seeking hearts are. He will never shut Himself off from a willing seeking heart, and He will move heaven and earth to get to that seeking heart. As God told Israel through Moses: "If from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul."(3) God will always meet a seeking heart.

Lydia’s salvation story is also a great example of God’s providence and His care for believers. God rerouted Paul and his traveling companions, while at the same time He also ensured that Lydia would be in the right place at the right time to encounter Paul and hear the Good News of Jesus. But Lydia not only sought the Lord, she listened.

Some people have ears but they don't hear. An example is the situation on the road to Damascus – Saul heard the voice of Jesus and fell down, whereas his traveling companions perceived a voice but did not hear. That's too often the case. People hear without listening. While Jesus was on earth, He was often encountered by the Pharisees. They too heard, but they refused to listen. They were like people who choose to attend a concert or a great musical extravaganza wearing blinders and earplugs. They had no idea what was going on. They didn't see the truth when He stood in their presence and when He spoke, they didn’t listen to Him. But that’s not the case with Lydia.

As Paul was speaking, Lydia heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Lord opened her heart. As soon as she believed, Lydia was baptized, along with the rest of her household. She was obviously a woman of great influence – not only on others within her community, but also, upon her entire household. Whether “her household” refers only to her family, or if it included her servants, is unclear from the biblical account.

After Lydia’s conversion and baptism, she insisted that Paul and his friends come stay at her home, if they judged her to be “a true believer in the Lord.”(4) Luke says that “she urged us until we agreed,”(5) which indicates the fervency of her request. The missionaries did indeed judge Lydia to be a true believer, and her home became their place of lodging while they remained in Philippi. But her home became more than that – it also became the meeting place for that brand new church.

So, let’s relook at the guiding hand and empowering work of the Spirit of God through all of this. God closed door after door to lead Paul and his traveling companions to just the right place – at just the right time – to encounter just the right people. God worked in Lydia’s life to bring her to Philippi, and began to work in her heart that she might seek Him. Out of that small prayer gathering, a church was formed in Lydia’s home that became the launching pad for the Gospel throughout Europe and beyond. Eleven years later, Paul would write this church, while he was imprisoned in Rome, with this admonition: “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”(6)

God began that good work through a series of closed doors then … and He still does so today. It would do us well to remember that truth the next time we encounter a closed door in our lives. Thank Him for the closed door knowing He has something even better up ahead as we continue the journey with Him!

By the way, if you would like to explore more of Lydia’s story, i invite you to check out my newest book, A Merchant Called Lydia, which releases this week. It’s the story of an ordinary woman God used in extraordinary ways. i invite you to consider her story – the portion you may already know … and the rest of the story that could have been. Click here to learn more about the book.

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This post is adapted from Until He Returns chapter 44, entitled “A Merchant Believes.” This sixth book in the Lessons Learned In The Wilderness series is available through Amazon in print or for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy of the book.

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(1)  Acts 16:11-15 (NLT)

We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days. On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

(2)  Revelation 2:18

(3)  Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV)

(4)  Acts 16:15 (NLT)

(5)  Acts 16:15 (NLT)

(6)  Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

Copyright © 2022 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by Angela Waye on Lightstock

Stories of Hope (Part 3) – The Blind Son

If you would prefer to listen to this story as an audio recording, CLICK HERE.

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Jesus came to bring

good news to the afflicted,

healing to the brokenhearted,

freedom to the captive,

comfort to those who mourn,

joy to those who sorrow,

gladness instead of tears, and

praise instead of despair.(1)

This week i conclude my three-story blog series about men and women who experienced that message of hope at the moment of their greatest despair.  

Just like the first two stories, you will recognize the main character in the story. However i have added fictional elements to his story to help us better see the hopelessness he was feeling in the days, months and years of his life leading up to his unexpected encounter with the only One who was able to bring him hope.

i invite you to read (or listen to) the portion of his story you may already know … and the rest that could have been. Though some of the other characters and details contained in the story are fictional, you will find the truth conveyed about the One who brings hope to the hopeless is very REAL! My prayer is that you will allow this story to be a personal reminder that the One who brought him hope is capable of bringing it to each one of us today … if we will only receive it.

For those of you who would prefer to listen to his story, you will find the link above.

Stories of Hope (part 1) - The Despairing Father (Two weeks ago – June 29)

Stories of Hope (part 2) - The Woman Who Had Lost All Hope (Last week - July 6)

Stories of Hope (part 3) - The Blind Son (This week - July 13)

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My name is Celidonius and I grew up as an only child in Siloam, a small village just south of Jerusalem. My mother, Imma, and my father, Matthias, both grew up in our village, so everyone knows us. My father is a hardworking carpenter who has done work for most everyone in Siloam.

My mother is known for her beautiful voice; in fact, some say she sings like a meadowlark. From an early age her melodic sonnets soothed everyone within earshot. My father tells me he first heard her sing when he was a young boy. He says he was so smitten by her voice that he knew right then he would one day marry her.

My earliest memories are my mother’s voice and the brightness of her songs. I was born without the ability to see, but through her music I was able to discover the beauty of the world around me. My parents were devastated that I was blind. As a matter of fact, they chose not to have any more children for fear they would be born the same way. But I was never exposed to their sadness or discouragement.

On the contrary, my mother was always joyful and cheerful whenever she was around me. She was my sunlight – even on those days when I felt sorry for myself. She would not allow me to languish in my melancholy; rather, she would lead me on a lyrical journey to faraway places and describe in great detail the beauty that surrounded me. I never felt as if I were missing out on anything growing up. In many respects, I felt like I was experiencing so much more – and in many ways, I believe I was.

However, I was not oblivious to the gossip in our village about me and the speculation about what sins my parents had committed to cause my blindness. Though I couldn’t see their faces, I could hear their every word. I soon realized that the world around me was not quite so kind as the world my parents had created for me.

My father would often allow me to accompany him to the synagogue. I was always in awe of the words of God as the rabbi read from the Scriptures. I worked at memorizing the words so I could recite them to myself later. I found great strength and encouragement in those words. Over time, I became particularly fascinated by the words of the prophets about the coming Messiah. My heart raced when the rabbi read, “And when He comes, He will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf.”(2) I prayed that the Messiah would come soon and open my eyes!

Another place I enjoyed spending time was the pool inside of our village. The waters in the pool are fed from the Gihon Spring to the north, and it is part of a system of smaller pools that was designed by King Hezekiah to serve as freshwater reservoirs. But the pool of Siloam is the largest of them all, measuring two hundred twenty-five feet in width. It is occasionally used as a mikvah for ritual bathing, but residents primarily use it for swimming. I recall many hot summer days when I accompanied my father to the pool to cool off. During the warmer times of year, it was always a major gathering place in our village.

As I grew older, my parents explained that I needed to learn how to be independent. I would not always have them to rely on; plus, I did not want to be a burden to them. Though I would never be a skilled carpenter like my father, God had gifted me with a soothing voice like my mother’s. She and I had been singing together for as long as I could remember, and I had an endless repertoire of songs stored in my heart.

When I became an adult, one of my parents led me each day to a place just outside the gates of our village. We would find a shady spot for me along the heavily traveled trade road to Jerusalem. I would then serenade weary travelers  as they passed by me. My hope was that my songs would lighten their hearts as they journeyed, and they would return the gift by sharing a coin or two with me.

Some travelers also gave me food or other trinkets. I became well-known by those who regularly traveled the road, and many started to watch for me. Some would ask me to sing their favorite song. Others would stop to rest and have a conversation with me. Some learned my favorite foods or my preferred trinkets and started carrying them on their journey specifically for me.

One day, I sensed a large group of people approaching me on the road. I began to sing just a little bit louder to attract their attention. I strained my ears to hear what I could. It sounded like a Teacher answering His students’ questions. I sensed someone walking over to me, so I stopped singing and looked up in the direction of my approaching visitor.

 “May God’s peace be on you, brother,” he said. Then he handed me a piece of bread. He asked how long I had been blind and why I was sitting here along the road. I explained I had been blind since birth, and I came here each day to sing for travelers as they passed by. I told him they would often share a few coins or a little food with me for my effort.

Suddenly, I heard the man call out to his group, “Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”(3)

It must have been the Teacher who replied, “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins. This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.”(4)

I had heard a lot of reasons over the years as to why I had been born blind. But I had never had anyone say, “so the power of God could be seen in me!”(5) Those accompanying this Teacher were silent, obviously puzzled by what He said. How was the power of God being displayed through my life as I sat here beside the road? Though I am grateful to God for the singing voice He gave me, there is nothing powerful or very God-like about me!

The Teacher spoke again saying, “We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the One who sent us.(6) The time is quickly coming when we will no longer be able to do any work. But the Father has placed Me here in the world for just such a moment. I am the light of the world.(7) And where there is light there can be no darkness.”

As I listened to Him speak, I could tell He was walking toward me. I heard Him spit on the ground in front of me. I had no idea what He was doing! I wanted to ask, but I refrained from doing so. The next thing I knew, He was spreading something on my eyes. It felt like mud! Why was this Man spreading mud on my eyes?!

Then He said to me, “Go wash yourself in the pool.”(8) Immediately, I stood to my feet. I had no idea who this Man was, or what He had just done, but He spoke with such authority I felt compelled to obey.

I stood there trying to figure out how I was going to make my way to the pool. I was grateful when someone walked up to me and placed my hand on his shoulder. Quietly the man said, “Follow me.”

When we got to the pool, I knelt down and began to wash my eyes. As the mud disappeared, I began to squint. What was that? Light? It was brighter than I ever imagined! I instinctively raised my hand to shield my eyes. As I did, the light was no longer as bright. I moved my hand away and the brightness returned. The light was changing because of my hand … and I could see it!

My eyelids began to blink rapidly. As my eyes began to adjust, my senses were bombarded with the new sensations of light and color.

I looked at the man who apparently led me to the pool. I stood and held his face in my hands. I had never seen another person. I had never seen anything! Suddenly, I was overcome with joy.

“Where is the Man who spread the mud on my eyes?” I asked. The man pointed to another Man in the distance and told me His name was Jesus. I wanted to run to Him, but I had never run before. I had never even walked without the aid of another person. As I headed toward the One who had just given me the ability to see, I remembered the promise from Isaiah that I had so often repeated – “And when He comes, He will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf.”(9)

When I got to Jesus, I knelt at His feet. I tried to express my thanks – but the words seemed so insufficient. I looked up at Him and He smiled at me. I had never seen anyone smile before. Then He told me to get up and go back into the village and find my parents. I had no idea where they were. I had no idea where my home was! Every step would be a new adventure!

As I made my way to find my family, I kept wondering: Was my sight given when Jesus applied the mud? Or was it given when I walked in obedience to the pool? Something inside me said it was the latter – that Jesus gave me sight in response to my faith. But one thing I now knew for sure – why He had said, “so the power of God could be seen in him.”(10)

People in my village couldn’t believe their eyes when I arrived. Several pointed at me and asked, “Isn’t this Celidonius, the man who used to sit and beg?”(11) The response among them was mixed. I told them, “Yes, I am Celidonius! The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So, I went and washed, and now I can see!”(12)

My neighbors said I must go see the Pharisees in the synagogue so they, too, could praise God. But first I wanted to see my parents. “Come with us to see the Pharisees,” they said, “and then we will take you to see your parents.”

The reaction of the Pharisees shocked me when I shared my news. Instead of rejoicing in the miracle with me, some began to denounce Jesus because He had given me my sight on the Sabbath. They set out to disprove the miracle. They questioned me again to see if there were inconsistencies in my story.

“What’s your opinion about this Man who healed you?”(13)  they asked.

“My opinion? “I think He must be a prophet.(14) Who but a prophet could do these things?”

The Pharisees then sent for my parents so they could question them, as well. That was the first beneficial thing they had done since I arrived. I wanted to see my parents! When they arrived, I could not believe my eyes. My mother was beautiful! I had always known she was – but now I could see her with my own eyes. I ran to them and we embraced, as tears of joy streamed down our cheeks.

The Pharisees were growing impatient with our family reunion and interrupted us with questions. Yes, my parents confirmed – I was their son Celidonius, and yes, I had in fact been born blind. No, they had no idea how I was now able to see, short of a miracle.

People from the village began to stream into the synagogue to see me for themselves. They had heard about the miracle, but they wanted to see me with their own eyes.

It was obvious the Pharisees were trying to discredit Jesus by discrediting the miracle. It was equally obvious they would seek retribution against anyone who stood in their way. But my parents’ testimony left little doubt that a miracle had taken place. So, now the Pharisees acknowledged the miracle but continued in their attempt to dishonor Jesus. “God should get the glory for this, but we know this man Jesus is a sinner.”(15)

“I don’t know whether He is a sinner,” I replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”(16)

The more they tried to discredit Jesus, the more I was drawn to Him. “Look!” I exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn’t you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become His disciples, too?”(17)

My question unleashed their fury. “You may be His disciple,” they said, “but we are disciples of Moses! We know God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where this Man comes from.”(18)

“Why, that’s very strange!” I replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where He comes from? We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but He is ready to hear those who worship Him and do His will. Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. If this man were not from God, He couldn’t have done it.”(19)

“You were born a total sinner!” they raged. “Are you trying to teach us?”(20)

They were so furious they “excommunicated” me from the synagogue. This would be the first and last time I would see the inside of our synagogue. The crowd gasped. The Pharisees had just wielded the only real power they had over me – and my only offense had been that I spoke the truth.

The synagogue was the center of our village life. Being thrown out of the synagogue was tantamount to being ostracized from the village. My parents and my neighbors would no longer be permitted to have anything to do with me. On what should have been the happiest day of my life, I sadly turned and walked out of the synagogue. The Pharisees turned their backs to me. My parents stood there stunned, and the crowd watched in disbelief.

As I walked through the village, Jesus came upon me and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”(21) I answered, “Who is He, Sir? I want to believe in Him.”(22) “You have seen Him,” Jesus said, “and He is speaking to you!”(23) “Yes, Lord, I believe!”(24) I said. And I fell down at the feet of Jesus and worshiped Him! Ironically, the Pharisees’ arguments had convinced me that Jesus truly is the One whose coming was promised.

Since I was no longer welcome in my synagogue or village, I decided right then to follow Jesus as one of His disciples. As we headed out of town, a man and woman came running to catch up with us. It was my parents! They told me that if I could not remain in the village, neither would they. They wanted to be with me and learn more about this One who had given me sight. As our journey continued, Jesus opened their eyes, as well.

My mother began to sing a most glorious tune. Soon I raised my voice with her:

Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord and praise His name;
    every day tell how He saves us.
Tell the nations of His glory;
    tell all peoples the miracles He does,

because the Lord is great; He should be praised at all times.(25)

As we continued to sing, Jesus stopped walking and so did the rest of His followers. Everyone lifted their voice to join with us as we sang to the One who stood before me … and He received the praise and worship He alone is due!

* * * * *

This story is taken from The One Who Stood Before Us , a collection of forty short stories. The complete collection is available through Amazon in standard print, large print, for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy.

You can listen to an audio recording of this story by tuning into this week’s episode of my podcast by CLICKING HERE

* * * * * 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

The Scripture quotation marked (NCV) is taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Scripture references are as follows:

(1)  Isaiah 61:1-3 (paraphrase)

(2)  Isaiah 35:5

(3)  John 9:2

(4)  John 9:3

(5)  John 9:3

(6)  John 9:4

(7)  John 9:5

(8)  John 9:7

(9)  Isaiah 35:5

(10) John 9:3

(11) John 9:8

(12) John 9:11

(13) John 9:17

(14) John 9:17

(15) John 9:24

(16) John 9:25

(17) John 9:27

(18) John 9:28

(19) John 9:30-33

(20) John 9:34

(21) John 9:35

(22) John 9:36

(23) John 9:37

(24) John 9:38

(25) Psalm 96:1-4 (NCV)

Copyright © 2022 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by LUMO-The Gospels for the visual age on Lightstock

Stories of Hope (Part 2) – The Woman Who Had Lost All Hope

If you would prefer to listen to this story as an audio recording, CLICK HERE.

* * * * *

Jesus came to bring

good news to the afflicted,

healing to the brokenhearted,

freedom to the captive,

comfort to those who mourn,

joy to those who sorrow,

gladness instead of tears, and

praise instead of despair.(1)

This week i continue with the second of three stories about men and women who experienced that message of hope at the moment of their greatest despair.  

You will recognize the main character in this story as the one who is often referred to as the woman with the issue of blood. However i have added fictional elements to her story to help us better see the desperation in her life leading up to her encounter with the only One who was able to bring her hope.

For those of you who would prefer to listen to her story (as recorded by my wife, LaVonne), you will find the link below.

i invite you to read (or listen to) the portion of her story you may already know … and the rest that could have been. Though some of the other characters and details contained in the story are fictional, you will find the truth conveyed about the One who brings hope to the hopeless is very REAL! My prayer is that you will allow this story to be a personal reminder that the One who brought her hope is capable of bringing it to each one of us today … if we will only receive it.

Stories of Hope (part 1) - The Despairing Father (Last week – June 29)

Stories of Hope (part 2) - The Woman Who Had Lost All Hope (This week - July 6)

Stories of Hope (part 3) - The Blind Son (Next week - July 13)

* * * * *

My name is Deborah, and I am my parents’ eldest daughter. They named me after the prophetess who served as the fourth judge of Israel in the pre-monarchic days. She was a strong woman and a formidable leader who brought peace to the land by defeating the mighty Canaanite army led by their feared general, Sisera. My parents were hopeful I would emulate the strength, courage, and wisdom of my namesake.

I grew up in the village of Magdala. Until Herod Antipas built the city of Tiberias, Magdala was the most important city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. My father was sent from Jerusalem to serve as the chief rabbi of our synagogue by the high priest himself. It was a high honor and our family was well-respected  in the community.

As a result, I enjoyed many privileges growing up. I never wanted for anything, including friends and companionship. Other girls sought me out and were honored to be my friends. My parents began to plan who my husband would be while I was still a child. It was difficult for them to identify a family they believed held the same social standing within our community. But eventually they chose Matthias, the son of a member of our local Sanhedrin.

Matthias’s parents were equally concerned about their social standing and agreed that our betrothal would strengthen the position of both families. The announcement of our betrothal while Matthias and I were still teenagers was met with approval and celebration throughout the city. He and I were the most envied and considered to be without peer. We were to be married when I turned eighteen.

My mother planned every part of our wedding celebration with painstaking detail. It would be the major social event of our city for years to come. In many respects it was like a marvelous dream filled with the happiest of endings.

A few weeks before our planned wedding feast, I woke up to discover I was experiencing an unusual flow of blood. I screamed and called out to my mother. She assured me there was no reason to be alarmed, and it would pass in a few days. Her assurance gave me confidence. We decided that I just needed to rest for a few days. My mother cleaned my bed linens, my clothing, and helped me take added measures to contain my bleeding.

However, one week later, I continued to hemorrhage. My mother decided to call one of the village’s trusted midwives to get her opinion on what we should do. The midwife prescribed an elaborate herbal remedy and promised me the bleeding would stop in a few days. However, those days passed but the bleeding did not!

My mother told my father what was happening, and He immediately sent word for the local physician to come. After the doctor learned how much blood I was passing and how long it had been taking place, he prescribed a different regimen of treatment.

In accordance with the law, I was considered unclean. Initially, I experienced the normal separation from others that was expected of a young woman during her cycle. But as my condition continued, my separation from others became more pronounced. I had not seen Matthias in over a month. My father kept his distance because he could not be deemed unclean by association. As a soon-to-be-married young woman, my days should have been filled with celebrations and joyful gatherings with friends. But instead, they had become days of isolation.

As my wedding day approached, our two families decided to postpone the ceremony. The physician’s treatments were unsuccessful, and my condition had not improved. I began to hear whispers, when others thought I couldn’t hear, that this must be a judgment from God for unconfessed sin.

My parents decided to send me to Jerusalem to see a respected and prominent physician. Surely, he would know how to treat me and put an end to my suffering. My father arranged for a cart and donkey to carry me there. My mother, the midwife who was helping to treat me, and several servants accompanied me. The seventy-mile journey was slow and arduous, and took us five days. I was terribly weak by the time we arrived.

The physician in Jerusalem initially gave me cause to hope. He was very knowledgeable and assured me he would diagnose my ailment and find a treatment that worked. But days turned into weeks and weeks became months. I was no better than when I first arrived in Jerusalem. The only thing that was beginning to lessen was the bag of money my father sent with my mother for my treatment.

While we were in the city, my mother went to the temple on multiple occasions to consult with the priests. We attempted to follow their spiritual remedies just as faithfully as we did the physicians’ medical remedies – but again, with no success. Finally, my mother told me we had no more money, and we needed to return home.

As difficult as the journey had been to Jerusalem, at least then I was hopeful for a cure. Now as we returned to Magdala, I had no hope whatsoever. All my life I had been bubbly and vivacious, but now I was sullen and depressed. Six months had passed since my originally planned wedding date.

The day we arrived back in Magdala, Matthias’s father and mother came to visit my parents. After hearing that my condition was unchanged, they decided the betrothal contract between Matthias and me needed to be canceled. My uncleanness prevented me from being an acceptable wife for their son. Though my parents attempted to dissuade them by asking for more time to find a cure, Matthias’s parents were resolute. Though I had feared this outcome, hearing the decision was final shattered what remaining hope and spirit I had left. I had not seen Matthias since all of this began, and now I knew I would never see him again!

There was nothing more that could be done for me. We had attempted all of the possible remedies prescribed – both medical and spiritual. We had even tried all of the home remedies that were suggested. I can assure you that the effects of many of the remedies were worse than the illness itself.

As the months continued to pass, my condition took a toll on my family, as well. My parents and my siblings were losing their positions of stature in the community. There was talk that my father needed to step down as chief rabbi. Surely, my “uncleanness” was causing him to be unclean by association – and how could anyone abide the teaching and counsel of an unclean rabbi?

My parents never told me how they were being treated, but occasionally I would hear a whisper or witness a look. I realized that if I remained in their home, my entire family would suffer the effects. I knew I needed to be brave like the prophetess Deborah and take steps to protect my family. I announced that I was going to move to another town so they would no longer be saddled with the shame of my condition. At first my mother and father stringently objected, but eventually they saw the wisdom of my decision.

I decided to move to the village of Capernaum. It wasn’t that far away, but it was far enough that I would be out of sight, and my family would no longer be weighed down by the constant reminder of my condition. Joy could return to their household, and I would live in a place where I was no longer under the critical eye of those who were certain I had committed some unforgivable sin.

My parents helped me find a small home in Capernaum and provided me with an ongoing stipend to help me afford my meager expenses. As required by our laws, I went to the chief rabbi in Capernaum – a man by the name of Nicodemus – and told him of my plight. He listened with a sympathetic ear. He told me that he had a daughter, and he would be just as brokenhearted as my parents if she suffered my condition.

But he went on to tell me what I already knew – that regrettably, no one in the village would be permitted to have direct contact with me. I would live as an outcast – but he would pray that Jehovah God would heal me and deliver me from my pain. I thanked him for his kindness but had little contact with him after that day.

He did send me word twice that he had heard of new remedies that were successful in other cases. He directed me to the village physician, but in both instances the remedies had no effect on me other than draining my already limited resources.

Rabbi Nicodemus moved away four years ago to take a position in Jerusalem, and Rabbi Jairus took his place as chief rabbi. Prior to this week, I have seen him on two occasions – but his response to me was the same as that of his predecessor.

Last week was my thirtieth birthday, but there was no celebration. The past twelve years have not been kind to me. My condition has not improved since the first day I fell ill. I have not experienced one day of relief; neither have I experienced one day of joy. I look like I am at least fifty years old.

I have no friends. I have very limited contact with the people who live around me. Most of the people in the village don’t even know I exist, with the exception of one young girl by the name of Ilana. She is the chief rabbi’s daughter, and on more than one occasion she has extended kindness by leaving wildflowers at my door to cheer me up.

My parents continue to send money to provide for my needs, and on rare occasions my mother visits me. She would come more often, but I have discouraged it. I see myself as a burden to my parents and want to free them of their burden … and I want to free myself of the bondage of my continuing hopelessness.

I have decided to take my own life – tomorrow. I am making my final preparations. I know it will disgrace my family, but it will not be any greater than the disgrace I have already caused them. I pray they will forgive me and understand my choice.

As I was going over my plan, I heard excited voices outside my home. “Jesus is arriving!” they exclaimed. “Let’s go see Him as He arrives!”

Jesus is quite the celebrity in our village. His mother lives here, as do other members of His family, though I have never met them. Even though I am sheltered from most of the outside world, I still have heard about Jesus. I have heard that He made the blind to see, the lame to walk, and even raised those who were dead to life. There have even been rumors that once, at His spoken word, a storm and the sea were stilled.

Suddenly, I wondered if I should follow the rest of those going to see Him on the shore. Could He possibly heal me? I had tried everything else, why not try Him? For the first time in many years, the faint flame of hope unexpectedly ignited in my heart. I covered myself so I would blend into the crowd. I did not want anyone to recognize me and point to me as unclean.

When I arrived at the shore, I saw that Rabbi Jairus was kneeling before Jesus. As I watched, the rabbi got up from his knees, and he and Jesus started walking toward the village. Jesus was obviously on important synagogue business. I wouldn’t even be able to get close to Him. The crowd surrounding Jesus seemed impenetrable. How could I possibly get close enough to speak to Him? And besides, I am a nobody. I am just one of the many nameless, faceless, desperate people in the crowd.

But a voice in my head said, “What would the prophetess Deborah do? Would she resign herself to defeat, or would she step out in courage?” I suddenly knew I had to try. So, I mustered the little strength I had left, and began to press my way through the crowd. I was approaching Him from behind so I would be as inconspicuous as possible. Fortunately, the crowd was also pressing in front of Him and slowing down His progress. It was just enough that I was able to get near Him.

I decided He didn’t even need to speak to me. I was convinced that all I needed to do was touch His garment. I was certain that would be enough to make me well. Jesus was my last hope! And I would not be deterred!

I continued to push forward until I was within inches of Jesus. I reached out my hand … and gently touched His robe. Immediately, I knew I was healed! After twelve years of bondage to this illness, I knew I had been set free.

I stood still as the crowd moved around me and continued to press forward. I knew my quest was over. I had experienced the healing I had come to believe was no longer possible.

Then all of a sudden, Jesus stopped and turned around. His eyes met mine, and I heard Him say, “Who touched My robe?”(2) I saw one of His followers lean toward Him and say, “Master, look at the crowd pressing in on You. How can You ask, ‘Who touched My robe?’”(3)

But I knew that He knew! With fear and trembling, I fell down before Him. As I looked up into His eyes, I saw a kindness, a gentleness, and compassion unlike anything I had ever witnessed. And I told Jesus what I had done and why.

But as I spoke, I had an overwhelming peace that Jesus already knew the answer. He had known before the day began that He would encounter me, and I would touch His garment. It was almost as if He had been waiting for my arrival. I may have thought I was just a face in the crowd, but I was now convinced that I had, in fact, been one of the reasons Jesus returned to Capernaum. He had prompted me to come see Him. He had ignited that ember of hope in my heart.

And when Jesus said to me, “Daughter, your faith has made you well – go in peace – your suffering is over,”(4) I walked away with more than just a physical healing. I walked away with my sins forgiven and my hope restored.

Later that day, I traveled to my parents’ home in Magdala and told them what Jesus had done. All they needed to do was take one look at me to know I had been healed. Joy and laughter had returned to my life ... and now my life would never be the same.

My parents wanted me to move back home and begin to rebuild my life. I thanked them for their kindness and their support, but I told them that Jesus had already rebuilt my life. I knew what I must do. I would go and follow the One who had stood before me and taken away my suffering by the mere touch of His robe.

* * * * *

This story is taken from The One Who Stood Before Us , a collection of forty short stories. The complete collection is available through Amazon in standard print, large print, for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy.

You can listen to an audio recording of this story by tuning into this week’s episode of my podcast by CLICKING HERE

* * * * * 

The Scripture references are as follows. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

(1)  Isaiah 61:1-3 (paraphrase)

(2)  Mark 5:30

(3)  Mark 5:31

(4)  Mark 5:34

Copyright © 2022 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by Ben White on Lightstock