Doing hard Time
Now John and I went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, which was late in the evening. This day was another like the several of past, the sun was in the west sky, an orange ball, larger than normal and centered between hefty clouds of pure white. The blue of the background was livelier, thus brighter than one would customarily see, not a breeze could be felt, and the air was comfortably warm. A pair of doves pecked relentlessly on the ground, as some passer-by had evidently dropped crumbs of something not determined, and three unattached goats were grazing on the grasses of a near-by abandoned house. Glancing up and seeing a certain man lame from his mother’s womb and being carried; whom they laid daily in the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, to ask for money from those who entered the temple; who seeing us about to go into the porch of the aforementioned, asked us also for money. When both John and I turned, we asked for him to look us in the eye, and he responded, thinking we were to give money also. God’s power continued to be upon us, and without looking, nor speaking to one another, John and myself were in agreement, and I spoke; “silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have, I give to you in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” John taking one hand and I the other, we reached to stand him up, and strength entered into his legs and ankles. The man stood, took a step and leaped off the ground with a shrill of excitement, and then followed us into the temple. After walking in, all the people of that area knew this man and him lame. And when many had seen him clinging to John and me and him walking, ran to the three of us as we commenced through the porch of Solomon, with an amazement of this, what they thought a peculiar happening, and wanting to find out if this was true.
It was not that many days past that I too doubted, and was filled with despair, and had this happened then, I too would have joined them looking for hope in a not-so-hopeful world. But since the time that we were baptized in the Holy Ghost, and completely filled with God’s presence, this and all other situations seemed normal and as if it had always been this way, and why would any situation be different? The power and authority felt as if all of my life I had possessed it, a normal part of living. The events of within seemed to have been stored, waiting to be released, so that, which I seemed not to have, was there all along, waiting to be awakened by that same Christ from within. The healing from within me was being unconstrained, therefore was now able to be extended to other, or so it seemed.
A rather large group had gathered, as many knew him from his daily routine of being in the same place for many years now, came towards us as we entered the toward the temple. I then turned, looking over the crowd, then spoke; “men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? You have denied the Holy One, murdering Him, thus killing the Prince of Life, whom God raised from the dead. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong. Now I know you did this in ignorance, as also the rulers’.” I then spoke to all from the scriptures of Joel, Moses and the words of father Abraham the things prophesied, concerning the Lord; “and now we are to change the way of our thinking, turning to Him, and relying no more on the strength of man.”
As we were responding to the gathered people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came up to put hands on us; we were arrested. The next day taken before their rulers, scribes, elders, as well as Annas the high priest for something that was supposed to be a trail. After several words from both sides, and threats being made from them, we were released and they threatening us not to speak in the name of Jesus again, for at that time, to place us in prison could not happen, for they feared those standing by that did believe. But we could not but speak of the things of God, and His son crucified. Many, in those days, were added to the Church, men and women, the ones called out from amongst them, and we also continued as vessels that God served through. Many signs and wonders were wrought to the people, for many believed, the increase of those seeking to follow God were great, as multitudes were healed and could also see God’s mighty hand. Once again, for their indignation, the rulers and scribes were greatly against us, and again arrested us apostles and were to put all eleven apostles in prison, for what they had contrived in their religion, and it was not to be messed with. But in that very same night, all of us, bound, were led to the prison behind the locked gates, and placed where nothing else could happen that would upset their forms of godliness. But that very same night an angel came and opened the prison door and let us out, and told us to go back to the temple and preach the Words of Life.
The next day after having heard of the prison being empty, it was broadcast throughout the city of how furious the scribes, elders, and all the rest of those involved in the temple, and that sect of religion, especially the Sadducees, wanted us killed. But God gave increase daily, for many were added to the Church, that is to say, to the ones called out from among the world, and its’ religion. Now in those days, many disciples were added in Jerusalem and also many were to believe elsewhere, for the Word was being spread throughout the region. Many were obedient to the Word and even several of the priests believed.
The glory of the Lord, and His word was expanded all over Judea, for many believed, but many were distraught for what was happening to their form of religion, that was invented and carried out through man; a form, but no power; a unity, but no strength; a way that seemed right, but were full of dead mans’ bones, for there were no Life.
Much of the time, the twelve of us would split up and go to different regions, but mostly John and I were together, and sometimes Andrew and James, for we were longtime friends, and seemed to know what the other was thinking. We traveled well together.
We’d heard that a wonderful brother, one that became a disciple, named Stephen, held firm in the love and Truth of God and His Christ, was used to bring about many to this new way of thinking, as God gave provisions, but was stoned to death by those that would not allow their congregations to be torn apart by this new way of Life. When we heard this bad news, we were cut to heart and our teeth gnashed, for Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit, even forgiving those that stoned him, just before dying.
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For the weeks following, I would ponder on the events of my life, and could then see an evolution taking place, with or without my consent, I don’t know; but I like the works being done in me. I still wake up each morning long before the sun rises, and on this particular day, as I lay quiet on my bed thinking about nothing particular, but still having many thoughts going to and fro within my mind. Most of the thoughts have little meaning to me, as for a surety, my whole attitude and demeanor has changed; like Lazarus, when they were told to unwrap the binding of his grave cloth, the things of this world no long keep me bound to it.
It was mid-summer, so dark I couldn’t see my hand when held between the window and my bed-roll, not a star was shining, so it had to be completely cloudy, and still very warm, even for this time of the morning. In a far off distance, I could hear a dog barking over the top of a whip-o-wills’ song to a mate, there was a slight breeze, and could faintly hear the waves as they gentle lapped the shore of the sea not so far away. My wife, still sleeping, lying beside me; I got to thinking of my life before, and my life now. The thought started with a man not so long ago that tried buying his way into our group, and the power that comes with the indwelling of the Spirit. It had sort of made me mad for what he was asking, and maybe a little indignation rose up in my soul. Anyway, this was the thought that stuck that morning, and I began to inventory the cloak of my soul.
It was not that many years ago that complete emptiness consumed me from the inside. Being married was wonderful, but was not destined to fulfill that inner need. Andrew came back with stories of the Baptist, and this excited me, so when Jesus showed up and ask for me to follow, I knew the answer lay within me doing just that, and it did. Even then, with my fast actions and quick mouth, I absorbed very little, but knowing that this is where I should be. And now the Spirit was given unto us, and then His empowerment that washed over me in that upper room, I now have a greater understanding of the works within. But I still have a long ways to go.
So the man that tried buying his way in the Holy Spirit, that angered me to the core, was not so much different than the man I was, not but a very short time ago. This man also was given to me from the Lord to keep my arrogance in check, and even though my evolution has been great and has taken me far, it is but a stepping stone to the places God wants to take me. The man just didn’t know. And how could he? Him being slightly younger than myself, I mean in this walk of the Lord, had no great sin, at least not as big as the errors in my life, and looking back, he might have been years ahead me, that is before the Holy Spirit fell upon me in that wind, he just wasn’t there. So I expected too much from him, and surely could have used more patience than I did with this man that also wanted more in life. But still the truth is; The Spirit of Christ cannot be bought, for it is a true and free gift to all that seek His Way, that leads to Truth, that makes us free from the World and its’ religions, and can only bring Life to those that follow Him.
So now, as I look with serenity at my evolving life, I see a man in me that’s got masses to learn, and still many more places to go, and with a few falls from obstacles, I now call obstacles blessings, could grow to the vessel God has set for my life. And with His help, I will.
Still lying in bed; and the darkness of night was still about, and I would guess about half hour more ‘til the slight break of day, my wife rolls over and knows that I’m awake and probably knows that I was thinking again. Putting her hand to my arm she asked if I was worried about anything. “Heck no, for the first time in my life, I quit trusting in myself, therefore concerns of life have vastly vanished.”
She said that she already knew that.
We were close and could almost read each other’s mind, and she knew that things were getting better with me, and I think just wanted an update. She had always supported me, and since her mother was healed by Jesus, she too knew how important my walk with the Lord was, and this changed lifestyle was most significant in our pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. She encouraged me at every opportunity, and grew as I also grew in a deeper relationship with Jesus, Jesus was in my inner man, the depth of my heart, more real to me, a greater friend, and closer to the touch, after the crucifixion, and after being Spirit filled, than He was in our three year walk together. I now know who He is, we talk constantly with each other, I can see Him, hear Him, feel Him continuously, in more intimacy than we ever had when He was walking on earth. Times were good, and my wife was as thrilled as I was about this new found Life.
We talked to way up past the rising of the sun, enjoying each other, we talked about our life together, and how it was enhanced by the relationship that we both now have with Jesus.
She asked many questions, and we spoke of the future, and our future, and things about our friends and so-on, as the sun had now eaten up the light fog and the few ripples of clouds that were scattered in the eastern sky over the waters before us. As our conversation paused for a few moments, I went to thinking about my new life, and its’ changes, and how my relationship with my wife, was also changing. In the mission of what lies ahead, and my need for my wife’s support, it is very important that she be teamed with me, and I believe that somehow I could pull it off without her, which isn’t the case, but having her with me, always in my heart, is an ideal situation, and I thank God for His work in this matter.
She then asked how I felt when put in prison, and wanted to know in earnest what I was thinking at the time. Was I scared?
“A little, well not really; you see, when my life changed, it all happened in a moment, in a twinkling of the eye, and I was healed of twenty-something years of the peace that was missing in my life. And the deliverance from, and of, that void is now more than I can explain, but all came together at the right time. So being shackled and locked up felt inside as the right direction for that moment, and no fear was in me, for then I knew that I need not be in control, because that was the Lords job. There was a peace within me, and certainly more thankful than scared.”
“What were you doing or thinking during all this?” She asked as we faced each other holding hands.
“Not really much of nothing. The small group of us began to sing, we then prayed, and had discussed that no one was going to eat until a sign from Jesus had been shown. You know, we weren’t in there long before the angel came, set us free, and gave direction of our next move. This was not a night of fear, but rejoicing, a night when fear had escaped us, and a peace had a filling throughout, it was really a good time for the hearts of all, except maybe the Sadducees. All of us had gathered again at the temple, and more were added to the group of believers.”
We both spent the rest of the afternoon together, and I knew Andrew was to drop by later, to begin again our continued mission, so we talked and enjoyed our day together.
Several hours later, my brother came by, my wife and I said our good-byes, and me and Andrew headed south on the perpetual journey of witnessing peoples’ lives changing. Both were excited, for neither of us knew what God was going to do next, times were brilliant with His presence.
As we walked, I was telling Andrew of the remarkable support and encouragement that was given to me from my wife and her friends, and he said the same was coming from our parents also.