Is Michael the only archangel?

Is Michael the only archangel?

The word "archangel" occurs in only two verses of the Bible.

First Thessalonians 4:16 exclaims,
"For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first."

Jude verse 9 declares,
"But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said,
'The Lord rebuke you!'"

The word "archangel" comes from a Greek word meaning "chief angel."

It refers to an angel who seems to be the leader of other angels.

Jude verse 9 uses the definite article "the archangel Michael," which could possibly indicate that Michael is the only archangel. However, Daniel 10:13 describes Michael as "one of the chief princes."

This possibly indicates that there is more than one archangel, because it places Michael on the same level as the other "chief princes."

So, while it is possible that there are multiple archangels, it is best not to presume upon the Word of God by declaring other angels as archangels. Daniel 10:21 describes Michael the archangel as "your prince," and Daniel 12:1 identifies Michael as "the great prince who protects."

Even if there are multiple archangels, it seems that Michael is the chief among them.

Is there an angel named Raphael in the Bible?"

No, the Bible nowhere mentions an angel named Raphael.

Only two angels are named in Scripture - Gabriel (Luke 1:26) and Michael (Daniel 12:1), the latter designated as an "archangel" in Jude 9. The angel Raphael does appear in the apocryphal book of Tobit (or Tobias), which is considered inspired by the Catholic Church. In that account, Raphael disguises himself as a human, keeps the younger Tobias safe on a journey, chases away a demon, and heals the elder Tobias of his blindness. Because of these actions, Raphael is considered by Catholics as the patron of the blind, of travellers, and of physicians.

In the book of Tobias, Raphael identifies himself as one of seven archangels "who stand before the Lord" (Tobit 12:15).

Raphael also offers prayers on Tobias' behalf, and Tobias, in turn, thanks the angel because he is "filled with all good things through him" (Tobit 12:3).

John sheds some light on the religious notions in the time of Christ.

"A great multitude of sick people" are sitting beside a pool in Jerusalem, waiting for "the moving of the water." They believed that an angel would descend from heaven and stir the water, making the pool a place of healing for them. Jesus approaches a man who had been infirm for 38 years and asks him if he wants to be healed.

The man's sad, superstitious reply is that he cannot be healed, because he cannot get into the pool quickly enough.

Jesus then bypasses all superstition and shows His power to immediately heal the man (John 5:3-9).

Although the Book of Tobias was not included in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Septuagint did include it; therefore, the story of Raphael would have been familiar to almost everyone in Jesus' day.

It is quite possible that the "angel of the pool" the sick man was waiting for was, in his mind, Raphael.

It is interesting that Raphael never shows up in John 5.

It is Jesus, not an angel, who "heals all your diseases" (Psalm 103:3).

Dressing Modestly - Godly Women

Dressing Modestly - Women Carry Almost All the Attention..

 

"What does it mean to dress modestly?"

 

In describing the mode of dress appropriate for women in church, the apostle Paul exhorts them to dress “modestly” with “decency and propriety” then goes on to contrast immodest dress with the good deeds which are appropriate for those who profess to be true worshipers of God.

 (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

Modesty in the way we dress is not just for church; it is to be the standard for all Christians at all times. 

 

The key to understanding what constitutes modesty in dress is to examine the attitudes and intents of the heart.

Those whose hearts are inclined toward God will make every effort to dress modestly, decently, and appropriately. Those whose hearts are included toward self will dress in a manner designed to draw attention to themselves with little or no regard for the consequences to themselves or others.

A godly woman endeavors to do everything with a “God-ward” perspective.

 She knows that God wants His people to be concerned for His glory and the spiritual state of their brothers and sisters in Christ.

If a woman professes to be a Christian and yet she dresses in a way that will unduly draw attention to her body, she is a poor witness of the One who bought her soul by dying for her on the cross.

She is forgetting that her body has been redeemed by Christ and is now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

She is telling the world that she sees her own worth as purely physical and that her attractiveness to others depends on how much of her body she reveals to them. Further, by dressing in an immodest fashion, displaying her body for men to lust after, she causes her brothers in Christ to sin, something condemned by God (Matthew 5:27-29).

Proverbs 7:10 mentions a woman

 “dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.”

 Here we see the description of one whose heart condition is displayed by her manner of dress. 

 

The Scripture says that a woman is to dress modestly, but what exactly does that mean in modern society?

 Does a woman have to be covered from head to toe?

There are cults and religions in the world that demand this of women. But is that the biblical meaning of modesty?

 Again, we have to go back to the matter of the attitudes of the heart.

If a woman’s heart is inclined toward godliness, she will wear clothing that is neither provocative nor revealing in public, clothing that does not reflect negatively upon her personal testimony as a child of God.

Even when everyone else in her circle is dressing immodestly, she resists the temptation to go along with the crowd.

 She knows these types of clothes are designed to draw attention to her body and cause men to lust, but she is wise enough to know that type of attention only cheapens her. The idea of causing men to sin against God because of her dress is abhorrent to her because she seeks to love and honor God and wants others to do the same.

Modesty in dress reveals a modesty and godliness of the heart, attitudes that should be the desire of all women who live to please and honor God.

Remembering Staines - Another Thomas!

The Australian medical missionary Mr. Graham Staines (1941-1999) and his two sons were burnt alive in the tribal State of Orissa, in 1999.

 Though the killing of the Staines has left a stain on Indian soil, they are grains of wheat which are fallen on the ground to give plentiful harvest. Apostle Thomas was martyred in Chennai.

The Church in India is strongest in this city!

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680) penned,

 "Divine presence made the martyrs as willing to die as to dine!"

God in answer to the prayer of the Church sent an angel into the prison chamber to release Peter.

What our prayers can do for the persecuted at critical hours and perilous situations cannot be underestimated. When challenged before martyrdom, Bishop Polycarp (70-160) replied,

"Eighty-six years I've served Christ and He never did me any injury. How then can I blaspheme my King and Saviour?"

Henry Vos shamed his persecutors with the words,

"If I had twin heads, they should all be off for Christ!"

Tahir Iqbal, a Muslim convert, before he died in a Pakistani prison in 1993, declared,

"I'll kiss the rope, but I'll never deny my faith!"

 Every Christian must read Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

The martyrs shook the powers of darkness with the irresistible power of weakness. How much the persecuted need our prayers!

It's repeatedly observed in mission fields that the malignant opponents get powerfully converted and become mighty exponents of the Bible.

This is what our prayers for the persecutors do.

Stephen's prayer deeply impacted the young man Saul.

 When this persecutor of Christians became a preacher of the gospel, people said in amazement,

 "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this Name in Jerusalem?" (Acts 9:21; 22:19,20).

The last prayer of William Tyndale (1494-1536), the Reformer and Bible Translator, before he was strangled and burnt, was,

"Lord, open the eyes of the King of England!"

The Lord answered his prayer, and the King authorized a Bible translation.

Who has not heard of the King James Version?

Any attack on the Church must primarily be discerned as the direct activity of wicked spirits. Spiritual powers cannot be combated by numerical or physical strength. Fasting prayers in secret are more effective than protest fasts in public.

 Restudying of the Book of Acts will keep us in the right perspective.

---

Lord's willing Lamb - Jesus Christ

When we celebrate Palm Sunday
We are celebrating a great event. As we see Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey and allow the people to praise Him as king, there are many things we can learn. But there is one aspect that is fascinating as it deals with Passover. 

  
We know that Passover was only four days away which made the day of the Triumphal Entry the tenth day of the month. We can see the significance of this when we read...Exodus 12:3, 5-6, which says,

Speak unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for a house:
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: you shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
And you shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

As Jesus was riding in and the people were crying “Hosanna in the highest,”
Unknown to them they were selecting the paschal lamb for sacrifice; the one and only sacrifice that can take away sin and cause death to pass over us.

Praise God for His willing Lamb.

How do we (to) Please God?

How do we Please God?
1. By exalting Jesus Christ, His Son

Matt. 3:17

New International Version (©1984)
And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

 

Col. 1:15-19

New International Version (©1984)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him..

2. By proclaiming the message of the cross (I Cor. 1:18-2:5)
3. By believing in God and his promises (Heb. 11:6)
4. By asking for wisdom (1 Kings 3:10, Col. 1:9-14; James 1:5-8)5. By staying away from sexual sin (Eph. 5:3,4,10; 1 Thess. 4:1-8)
6. By sharing the gospel with unbelievers (I Cor. 9:14-27, 10:31-33)
7. By giving to others in time of need (Phil. 4:10-20; Heb. 13:16)
8. By submitting to authority (Rom. 8:7-8, Col. 3:20; 1 John 3:22)
9. By praising God for all things (Ps. 69:30-31; Heb. 13:15-16)

Prayer That Brings Miracles

PRAY THIS PRAYER OUT ALOUD, EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT!!! DO IT NOW!!! IT WILL TAKE FEW MINUTES TO GO THROUGH.
I started not to do this, but as I read it....
I understood God to say, 'You need a miracle tomorrow' so here goes... Prov. 29:25
You never know When God is going to bless you!
Good things happen when You least expect them to!

"Dear Almighty Lord God Jesus Christ, I thank you for this day, for this is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
I thank you for my being able to see, and to hear, and to speak, and to feel, and to taste of Your good creation this day and every day.
I'm blessed because you are such a loving and such a forgiving God, and such an understanding and caring God.
You have done so much for me and yet you keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything I have ever done, or ever said or ever thought that was not pleasing to you. I say I am so sorry.
I now repent and ask for your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe O God
From all danger, hurt, and harm.
Help me to start this day and every day
With a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day,
To clear my mind so that I can hear from you.
Please broaden my mind so that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper
Over things I have no control over, for all things are working together for my good and God's Glory.
And when I'm pushed beyond my limits, give me the
best response, a response which says Alleluia, and
Praise the Lord, and Thanks be  unto the Most
High God Almighty, I know that when I can't
pray, You listen to the prayer of my heart.
Continue to use me to do your will.
Continue to bless me so that I may be
A blessing to others.
Keep me strong so that I may help the weak...
Keep me uplifted so that I may have
Words of encouragement for the discouraged.
I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way, that they come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, even through this Prayer I am now praying.
I pray for those that are misjudged
Misguided, misused, and misunderstood.
I pray for those who don't know you intimately.
I pray for those who will delete this prayer
without sharing the Love of God with others
I pray for those that don't believe.
But I thank You, that I do believe
That God changes people and God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every one of the family members
In their households. I pray for peace, love, and joy in their homes; I pray that they are out of debt
And that all their financial needs are met, and they have more than enough to be a blessing to others.
I pray for every eye that reads and says this Prayer
That they come to know that there is no problem, no circumstance, no situation that is greater than God, for God is greater than all, God is greater in all, God is greater through all, and God is greater upon all.
For God, the Most High God Almighty of all the Universes is truly the Greatest of All.
I pray for all my enemies, and those who have used me and abused me, and have lifted up their hands and their tongue against me. I now forgive them for all they have done. In Jesus Name, all my enemies are now forgiven, and I pray God forgiveness upon all my enemies, for they do know what they are doing, for I am a Child of God.

So every battle that I have ever encountered in my life is now in God's Loving hands, for You, O God  fights all my battles for me.
I pray that these words be believed, received and accepted
into the hearts of every eye that sees them
and every tongue that confesses them
in name of Jesus Christ, I pray believing,
receiving and accepting God's miracles in my life this
day and every day, for God's Divine favor is now my
heritage, in Jesus Name. Amen and Amen! It is 
done! O' Praise The Lord! Alleluia!
God Bless You!! ! ! !

Just repeat the phrase below and see how God moves!!
God I so love you and I need you. I confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, my Lord, my Savior, and my King, and I confess this day and every day that I am highly FAVORED by God and man.
Please come into my life, Lord Jesus Christ and change my heart now!
Let's take this Prayer around the World.
You will receive a miracle tomorrow.
Don't ignore this and God will bless you.
Know that you are already blessed
By the person who sent this to you.

Characteristics of a Godly Woman

Characteristics of a Godly Woman
by Matasha Allen

 

Are virtuous women an endangered species?

 What makes a God-fearing, virtuous woman? She is a woman with the strength of an army- God's army, that is.

 She is a woman who is efficient, valiant, and strong.

Her strength is obtained through years of waiting on the Lord, prayer, and devotion to the Word of God.

A God-fearing woman has Jesus as her first priority.

 She knows that doing God's will for her life is more important than doing what she wants to do. She is blessed by God and the favor of God is upon her life. She refuses to live beneath her privilege as a child of the King because she knows her worth. 

God has blessed her with everything she needs to fulfil her role as a child of God.

A Godly woman doesn't use her abilities to take advantage of others.

She uses what God has given her to glorify Him in all she does. She knows that she is intelligent, competent, and a valuable asset to the kingdom of God. She deserves to be cherished.

She possesses Godly wisdom, prudence, reliability, and trust.

She is praised and appreciated by her family.

 If she is married, she is a crowning joy to her husband, the icing on his cake. Her husband should be a Godly man with a vision and who knows how to encourage and positively influence his wife. 

The two of them complement each other and know that marriage is a partnership, not a temporary agreement.

A true woman of God is sent by God to fulfil her role in God's divine plan.

She has vision and can see potential where others see emptiness.

She is both spiritual and practical, applying the Word of God to her life. She lets her Light shine and does not waste time doing unproductive things or throwing pity parties. She knows how to be content in all situations, how to be business-minded and has a benevolent heart.

A Godly woman thinks before she acts, knows how to comfort and encourage, accepts and gives nothing less than the best, and does not let outside influences stop her or her household from achieving their full potential because she is covered by the blood of Jesus.

Women of God, we are royalty!

 Let's not live beneath our stations as princesses! We are special because our Heavenly Father cherishes us.

Why Our Good Works Cannot Save Us?

Why Our Good Works Cannot Save Us?

But why is it that good works cannot save us?  Here are five answers to that question.

 First, good works can't cancel your sin but sin ruins your good works.

Suppose you invite me over for breakfast one morning and offer to fix a three-egg omelette. As you begin to cook, I smell a putrid odour coming from the kitchen.

 What's that awful smell?

Oh, it's just a rotten egg. But don't worry, I added a few good eggs that will cancel out the rottenness.

 Do you think I would eat your omelette?

Not for a million dollars.

Why?

Because goodness doesn't cancel rottenness but rottenness ruins goodness.

 The same is true in the spiritual realm. You can’t be good enough to cancel out the putrid effect of your own sins.

Second, good works can't save you because God doesn't grade on a curve.

 He demands absolute perfection.

If you understand the Bible, you know that it only takes one sin to send you to hell.

 Let's suppose that you somehow only committed three sins a day.

That's impossible for most of us because we commit that many sins before getting out of bed in the morning. But let's give you credit for being very, very good. And let's further suppose that you never committed more than three sins a day for your entire life.

That would be over 1000 sins a year, which would mean that in 70 years you would end up with over 70,000 sins on your record.

Now let's further suppose that those sins were really speeding tickets.

 If a police officer stopped you for running a red light and discovered that you had 70,000 outstanding speeding tickets on your record, what would he do with you?

 You'd end up in jail so long they would throw away the key.

Do you think God is any different?

 But you and I commit far more than three sins a day. Our sins are like a mountain-so high we can’t climb over it, so wide we can't walk around it, so deep we can't tunnel under it. Our sins are so great that our works could never save us.

Third, good works can't save you because you can never be good enough long enough.

Just when you get a "good streak" going, you sin and have to start all over again.

Fourth, you can never be sure you've done enough.

That's why most religious people have no assurance of their salvation.

 They truly believe that being good will get them to heaven.

But as we've already seen, "doing good" is never good enough because we can never do enough to pay for our own sins.

There is one more answer to consider.

 Good works can't save you because if they could, you wouldn't need Jesus at all.

Why would Jesus die on the cross if somehow you could save yourself?

When we get to heaven, no one will be able to say,

"You and me, Jesus, we did it together. I baked the cookies and you died on the cross."

It's either all by Jesus or all by your own efforts – and nothing in between.

Excerpted from Ray Pritchard, "Sola Fide: By Faith Alone," Series: The Four "Solas," © 1997,

The Simple Salvation Prayer

Dear God in heaven, I come to You in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need Your forgiveness.
...

 I believe that Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.

Right now I confess Jesus as the LORD of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved.

Thank You Jesus for Your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank You Jesus that Your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore LORD Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to You alone and not to myself.

Thank You LORD Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.
Amen.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. -Titus 3:4-6

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is LORD," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. -Romans 10:9-10

HOW DOES GOD COMFORT ME?

HOW DOES GOD COMFORT ME?

HE LOVES YOU.

PSALM 119:76
LET, I PRAY, YOUR MERCIFUL KINDNESS BE FOR MY COMFORT,
ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD TO YOUR SERVANT.

HE PRAYS FOR YOU.

ROMANS 8:26
LIKEWISE THE SPIRIT ALSO HELPS IN OUR WEAKNESSES.
FOR WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD PRAY FOR AS WE OUGHT,
BUT THE SPIRIT HIMSELF MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US
WITH GROANINGS WHICH CANNOT BE UTTERED.

HE GIVES YOU HOPE & JOY.

PSALM 94:19
IN THE MULTITUDE OF MY ANXIETIES WITHIN ME,
YOUR COMFORTS DELIGHT MY SOUL.

HE LISTENS TO YOU.

PSALM 55:17
EVENING AND MORNING AND AT NOON
I WILL PRAY, AND CRY ALOUD,
AND HE SHALL HEAR MY VOICE.

HE HEALS YOUR BROKEN HEART.

PSALM 147:3
HE HEALS THE BROKENHEARTED
AND BINDS UP THEIR WOUNDS.

Prayer - Look our broken hearts, Lord

Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (NIV)

Jesus, we lift up our voice in praise to you. Look to our hearts, Lord, and see the brokenness there. Hear our prayers and bring healing, hope, and blessings to our lives. May we always remember to be humble and live a life that is a loving witness to your name. Amen.

Abide in the Wisdom of God, not of the world or of ourselves.

Abide in the Wisdom of God, not of the world or of ourselves.

1 Cor 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

1 John 2:15-17
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1 Cor 2:5-9
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Ps 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom : a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Col 2:8
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

1 Cor 1:25-27
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise ; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

Prov 16:25
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

2 Tim 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears ;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Rom 1:22
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

Love of money is a root of all kinds of evil

1 Timothy 6:6-10 NIV "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

Dear Heavenly Father,
Please help us to live in the truth, and know that all our needs will be supplied generously by You. Even when our hope is fading, you remain steady by our side with abundant peace for us. Thank You for the peace and contentment You freely give. What an amazing faithful Father You are. In Jesus name, amen.

Lord, send me, I'll go

God will get our attention one way or another.

The Master called my name one day because He needed someone to go.

I said "Lord, in my spare time, between school, spending time with my husband, working from 8 to 6, and trying to coordinate a program for my community to help our children do better, I will help you look. See, I know I can't go right now cause I have so much to do."

He said, "Well, where shall I find such a person? I thought I saw your name on my list of available people."

"Well Lord, that was the prayer that I prayed last year, but since then, things have changed."

He said, "Like what?"

"Well I'm working on my Ph.D. and I'm needed by so many people, and my husband is always wanting something done, and on top of that my community EXPECTS me to help and give to them so . . ."

"Well, seeing that you're busy, I'll let you go, but we will talk again, if YOU have some time."

I went on through the days, and the weeks, and the months completing my task as always. One evening, while studying for my comp exams, I received a call from the hospital concerning my husband. He had been in a terrible accident and was in critical condition. I dropped everything and ran to the hospital where I found my husband hanging on for dear
life. I immediately begin to pray, "Lord, don't take him now, I can't bare it." But my prayer echoed off the wall and returned into mine own ear.

That next morning I left the hospital tired and weary, and walked in the door of my classroom just in time to begin my comps. As the professors begin asking me questions I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. In my mind, I begin praying, praying hard, but my prayer echoed again and I found myself upset at God because He was no where to be found. I could not explain to them what was happening.

After leaving from my exams, I called in to work because I was so distraught at all that was going on. I explained to my supervisor what had happened and she demanded that I take some time off. After visiting my husband in the hospital that evening, I went home and fell into a sunken state crying and despairing. Just then I heard someone calling my
name.

"Lord, is that YOU?"

"Well yes it is. Do YOU have some time? I wanted to see if I could just talk . . . "

Instead of waiting to hear His questions, I lashed out in anger and resentment. "How is it that when I needed You today, YOU couldn't be found and last night I cried and cried but all I heard were echoes from the walls. My husband is dying, I'm flunking out of school, I may not have a job and You can just sit and say YOU want to talk?"

The Lord interrupted me in my foolish speaking.

"My child, I was busy, out looking for someone to go and tell others about Me when you cried. By the time I came to answer, you had moved on to something else. So, I decided to let your husband rest, and keep you home for a few days. That way MAYBE you would get in touch with Me, if YOU had some time. For you see, before your husband, your school, or
your job needs you, I NEED YOU. And if all these things take you away from Me, I have to almost take them away from YOU, in order to get a moment."

I calmed down and began to cry. For I remembered my prayer of wanting to go and do for the Lord.

He said, "I just wanted to recheck with you to see if you knew of ANYONE that I could send to be a witness for Me and tell others about Me . . . any one at all . . .?"

With tears in my eyes and feeling so unworthy I said, "Lord, send me, I'll go."

God should never have to ask us if we have some time. When He died on the cross He put aside everything to ensure us eternal life. We should be more than GRATEFUL to do service for the Lord -- to witness, and to tell ANYONE we can about Jesus. Don't let your "things," WHATEVER they may be, get you so tied up that God has to become a meeting time in your yearly planner. He had more than enough time for us. The least we could do is have time for him.