…You must follow Me. — John 21:22
Rachel-Ruth recently shared the following message with her online Bible study. They were so blessed by it, as I was, that I asked her to write it out because I think you will be blessed by it also.
Imagine what it must have been like to be one of Jesus’ disciples. Think of what they witnessed! What they heard! With total consternation they must have passed out the 5 loaves and 2 fish that Jesus multiplied to feed thousands. Tears must have been in their own eyes as they saw Jesus heal Bartimaeus’ eyes. When they saw Jesus walking on the water, were they overcome with fear and awestruck wonder? When Jesus didn’t turn away the little children that climbed in His lap, did they get choked up by His loving kindness, so different than their own harsh rejection? When they heard Him speak, they must have hung on every word, not wanting to miss or forget a single sentence! When they heard Him pray, they asked Him to teach them how to pray like He did. Through each experience, Jesus was calling them, teaching them, wooing them to be disciples – mirror images of Himself – even in crisis.
One such example was on a day when Jesus was approached by Jairus, a synagogue ruler. His 12-year-old daughter had become deathly ill. With great faith, he asked Jesus to come to his house and lay hands on her and heal her. Jesus went with him, taking Peter, James, and John. The lesson that immediately pops out is to be a disciple you and I must have a godly inner circle of friends. Jesus often singled out Peter, James and John. In Matthew 17, He took them up a high mountain to get alone with Him where He was transfigured before them. In the Garden of Gethsemane He took these three into the interior as He prayed. Even though He had 12 disciples, Jesus may have been teaching all of them the importance of having a close inner circle of godly friends. We need the same! We need loyal Jesus-following, like-minded, trustworthy, prayer-storming warriors, who are close friends around us. Who is in your inner circle? Are they Jesus followers to their core? Or do you have non-believers in that inner circle? If so, it’s time to make a change. Ask God to bring you a few close godly friends to come alongside you in life.
Before arriving at Jairus’ house, Jesus was informed that the little girl had died. As they came to the house He “saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly”. Jesus, standing right there in the house, said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” Their response was stunning, yet typical. They didn’t rejoice that He had arrived. They didn’t fall at His feet in worship. They didn’t cry out in thanksgiving that He had come to help! They didn’t cling to Him in desperation and hope! Instead…they laughed at Him! Oh, the horror! JESUS WAS IN THE ROOM! And it still didn’t change their attitude, their mindset, their total unbelief, and their hopelessness. Where is your focus in crisis? Has it left you in a weeping, crying heap on the floor because it’s on your circumstances? Have you allowed yourself to lose all hope? Stop! Dry your eyes! No matter how bad the situation – cancer, car wreck, or catastrophe – put your focus on Him! JESUS IS IN THE ROOM!!!
Jesus had all the wailers and frenzied faithless leave the house, taking only the parents and His three disciples to the little girl’s bedside. At this point the little girl was lifeless, but they had to trust His word that she was just asleep. Disciples of Jesus in crisis must have faith to take Him at His word! I imagine that the parents watched Jesus with that expectant faith, no matter that their little girl lay dead before them. Jesus took her hand and said, “Talitha koum!”, which means “little girl, I say to you, get up!” And she got up! He raised her from death…to life! He did the impossible because there are no limits to His power! Don’t put Him in a box made by your own small thinking and small belief. A disciple in crisis bases faith on what His Word says. A disciple in crisis bases faith on who He is, despite all circumstances and feelings.
As we march forward in these last days, we are sure to face tough circumstances and crises. Mom and I don’t want to be dismissed as ones who give up in the face of insurmountable odds or one who wails and whines through difficulties. Instead, like a disciple, we have a godly inner circle of friends to come alongside for support. We are focused on Jesus who is right here with us. And we are growing in faith that quietly awaits God’s Almighty power to come down into our situation, according to His timing as we trust in His promises! Would you do the same? Talitha koum! Choose to be a disciple. Be a Jesus Follower!
For His Glory,
Bible Study: Developing Disciples
With Strong Friends
- From the following passages, describe the difference that strong friends made: Exodus 4:12-16; Exodus 17:8-13; Ruth 1:3-9, 16-18, 2:1, 13-17; 2 Kings 2:1-2, 9-14; Jeremiah 38:1-13; Daniel 1:1-20; Daniel 3:1-30; Luke 6:12-16; Acts 13:1-5
- From the following passages, describe the difference that weak friends made: Genesis 19:1-9, 23-25; Judges 16:4-21; 1 Kings 11:1-4; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19
Click here for the Bible Study especially developed for this newsletter.
On May 16th, a bronze statue of my father, and Rachel-Ruth and Morrow’s grandfather was unveiled in the US Capitol rotunda, then moved to the crypt where only representatives of the 13 original colonies are allowed to be placed. All Capitol tours will begin here, so tens of thousands will see the Bible in his hand that is opened to Galatians 6:14, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” On the sides of the base are written out John 3:16 and John 14:6.
Dr. Tony Evans has been a personal friend for many years. Rachel-Ruth attended his church for six years when she was at Baylor University, then working in Dallas. He and his wife of 49 years, who has moved to Heaven, raised 4 disciples: Crystal Hurst on his left, Priscilla Shirer to my right, Anthony Evans on the far right, and Jonathan Evans, not pictured. My daughter, Morrow, is next to Anthony, and Dr. Evans’ sister-in-law, Dr. Elizabeth Cannings, is to her left. I was invited to give both Sunday morning messages on Mother’s Day, the first time in over 40 years since the church began, that he had a woman preach from his pulpit. I was honored, warmly welcomed, strongly supported and thoroughly blessed. I continue to pray for this family and Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship.
As the thunder rolled and the rain poured, about 300 people gathered under a tent for Coach Sylvia Hatchell’s annual picnic. I love her testimony when she states that before her cancer battle with stage 4 leukemia, she was a Christian, but after the battle she is a disciple! Rachel-Ruth and I shared a message together, emphasizing that God is with us in every situation, all the time. Preceding us was Phil Ford, the GOAT of basketball point guards, who shared his testimony. After reaching the pinnacle of success, alcohol got the best of him, and he lost everything—but he found Jesus and fully surrendered his life to Him. Now, he chooses to live as a disciple. It was an unforgettable evening!
Order Today!
Jesus Followers
Within the framework of Anne’s exploration of biblical characters from Genesis 5, Rachel-Ruth tells family stories that will encourage, inspire, and motivate Christians to follow hard after Jesus and to develop their children and grandchildren into authentic disciples as Jesus Followers. Click to Order
The Daniel Key
Twenty intentional, key choices make all the difference. Cultivate a life-changing faith when you learn to implement The Daniel Key into your everyday life. Click to Order
Jesus in Me
In this simple yet profound teaching, she explores seven key aspects of the Holy Spirit that will revolutionize how you understand and relate to this vital member of the Trinity. Click to Order
If you would like to receive AnGeL Ministries’ full newsletter by email or postal delivery, click here to sign up for our free resources!
Download the full version of our print newsletter click here.
