Story Time with Jesus
Bible Stories
Chapters 113-125
113-Good Ground
114-See, Hear, Talk
115-A Coin in a Fish
116-Choosing What is Important
117-Rich Young Ruler
118-Love and Forgiveness
119-Faith and Freedom
120-Dinner Discussions
121-The Father’s Love
122-Obedience and Gratefulness
123-A Good Shepherd
124-Lazarus 
125-Heavenly Communication

(Jesus speaking: )
Good Ground
I told many stories to the people who came to hear Me speak. To give an example of what it’s like to hear God’s Word and for it to have a good effect on someone’s life and cause them to accomplish what God needs them to do I told a story about a sower of seeds. 
Everyone knew what it was like to prepare the ground for growing crops, and to find the right kind of soil to plant seeds in. This was a down-to-earth example that they could related to.
I told of a man who scattered seeds on the ground. Some of the seeds were on the edge of the field, on the wayside where there wasn’t good soil. However, the birds flew looking for a good snack and happily munched up all the seeds before they could grow.
Other seeds fell on stony ground, and the seeds weren’t able to send down deep roots that would make a good strong plant. It looked like they were growing well at first, as they grew up quickly. But that was just because they weren’t able to first send out deep roots into the good soil before growing tall. The rocks were preventing them from accessing enough soil to grow proper roots. Because they didn’t have any deep roots to get the moisture and nutrients for the plants, then they easily withered away. The hot sun dried them and made them wither.
Some seeds fell on a plece that had weeds and thorns, and these were unable to get the proper nourishment that was needed. The weeds and thorny plants used up the nutrients in the soil and caused the good plants that were trying to grow to not do well and to feel choked. Only the thorns flourished, and the good plants couldn’t grow anymore and did no good to the farmer.
The seeds that landed on the good soil that was free of rocks and weeds, and could take root without birds taking them away, grew well. They grew strong and had good roots and proper nourishment. Those plants grew tall and eventually produced the food and fruit that it was meant to.
This wasn’t just a nice little story about how to be a good farmer and to do well and prosper. My disciples knew that I didn’t just sit around taking people’s time talking about just this and that, and how to have lots of food on your farm and so forth. They knew there was a reason for this story and they were eager to know the meaning of it.
When we were alone I explained things to them, knowing that the story and the meaning would one day be written down for many to read about, and it would be a help to countless others.
I explained that the seed represented God’s Word, and the ground was like the hearts of people—their minds, their thoughts, their souls and spirits. In order to be fruitful and to have things go well for you on Earth you need to have a good heart that can receive My Word. It’s what will help you to do well.
In order to have My Word help you and to make your life one that bears good fruit and has good results and for you to be able to accomplish what I want you to do, My Words need to get past your ears and get into your heart. I need you to do more than just listen to or read My Words to you. I need you to make it a part of your thoughts and actions and to believe it deep in your soul. 
There are things that will prevent My Words from causing your faith to grow, and to fully benefit you—just like the challenges the farmer faced when trying to get the seeds to grow and to produce fruit. 
If you listen to the lies of the Enemy, or read things that are untrue or that steal away your faith in My Words, then the seeds of the Word that you read and were starting to grow are taken away before they even have a chance. You need to not only read and listen to My words, but you need to stay away from hearing and reading and watching those things that take away your faith. 
If you are real glad and feel all happy to be a Christian and you are inspired by the Words of God that you read, you need to remember that it’s not going to help you very much if you only go by the feelings of joy you get from your time spent with Me. You also need to build your faith through trusting Me in hard times, and being willing to go through difficulties and have times when people don’t speak well of you, because you’ve chosen to do things My way. When you choose to listen to Me and obey My words, there will be consequences and not everyone will approve of your decisions. But if you are going back to Me to pray about the troubles that come your way, and you read My Words and memorize them and hide them in your heart and you let Me strengthen you through those hard times then you can grow strong. 
Otherwise, you’ll be so weak that at the first bit of trouble or contradiction because of your faith, you’ll feel like withering away, and won’t be able to do anyone any good and bring others to come to know Me. Your faith must be in the promises of God and not based on having happy feelings only nor on having others treat you nicely all the time. I can give you the strength you need to endure the hard times and help you to keep holding on to My promises and trusting that I will be with you always.
When people try to read and obey My Words and do things that they are meant to do, but then they allow distractions and worldly thoughts into their lives, it’s like allowing thorns to grow up in the garden of their heart. It will do them no good at all. Perhaps they will want to sit down and read the Bible and have prayer time, but then they start to think about all the material possessions that they wish they had, and it stops them from learning of the riches and treasures that are in My Word. 
Perhaps when they stop to pray and talk to Me they feel My Spirit calling them to do something to give My Words and love to others, but then they realise that in order to do that it will mean they have to give up something in their life that they are attached to. If they don’t want to give this thing up, then this makes them unable to do something real important for Me. They bear no fruit. The things of the world stop them from growing in faith and stop them from bearing fruit and being of much use to Me in helping to bring people to know about My love.
So if you want your life to be one of beauty, and your heart and spirit to be healthy and strong, and you want to do great things for Me and help to bring many others to know of My love, then you need to have a heart that is like the good soil on a farm. You need to take the time to read and memorize My Words. You need to hold on to Me in faith when things go wrong. You need to push aside the lure and attractions of the world that will hinder you from doing what I need you to do. You need to only listen to the true and good things and not to give place to any thoughts of the Enemy. You need to fill your mind and heart with My good Word. Then you will grow strong and well, and your life will bring about good things for you and others. You will be rewarded for the good job you did for Me and the ways you helped others and brought people closer to Me in whatever ways I asked you to.
When you sit down to read My Words and study your Bible you can pray for your heart to be like the good ground. You can pray to focus and not to be distracted by the unhelpful thoughts that might come to your mind. You can pray to understand what you read and for it to benefit you. You can ask Me to explain through My Holy Spirit what you don’t understand. You can pray to put the lessons of what you read into practice in your daily life, no matter what others are doing. You can pray to please Me above all, and not to let other things or the comments or opinions of others hinder you from being the strong spiritually well-fed disciple that I want you to be. You can pray for the Word that you read to bring about the best results in your life and in the lives of others.
***
See, Hear, Talk
As I was passing by a street there was a blind man called Bartimaeus who was sitting and begging in that place. There really wasn’t anything much else to do back then for those who were blind. They couldn’t work and earn a living, but still had to come up with food and so on. Begging for money and gifts to be given to them was the way they were able to survive and be somewhat provided for.
There were no schools for the blind, and Braille—the method of reading for the blind—hadn’t yet been thought up and invented, so they could never read. There were no records, tapes, CDs, MP3s or any other type of audios for them to listen to and learn from or be entertained by. It was a very difficult life being blind back then, and they depended on the help of others all the time. 
Many of the things that people who can see take for granted would be a wonderful experience for a blind person to enjoy—such as the sight of fluffy white clouds in the sky, or even knowing what their own face looks like in a mirror. Seeing colours and shades and light would seem so amazing, as to them it’s like everything is black or very dark.
Sometimes those who are blind get other gifts and abilities to make it easier for them in other ways—such as very keen hearing, or extra perception of things that are going on around them, or a very good memory, or some other ability.
So this man, Bartimaeus, who was sitting by the side of the road had a good sense of hearing and could tell something was going on, and that it wasn’t just a normal day-to-day crowd passing by. He found out that it was I, Jesus, that was passing by. He’d heard that I could do miracles and heal any kind of sickness or ailment, and he had faith that I could make him able to see.
Bartimaeus was desperate for My help then and there. He knew that was his chance given by God to be healed by Me. When he knew that I was walking on the street near him, he wasn’t going to just sit there and miss his chance for healing. With all his strength and voice he called out to Me for help—and just kept on calling until I heard him and responded.
There were plenty of others wanting and needing My help, and lots of noise. Some people started to be bothered by Bartimaeus’ loud persistent calling out for My help and asked him to quiet down, as they thought it was just getting to be too loud and confusing. That didn’t cause him to stop, however, but to cry out even louder to be heard above everyone one and get the help he was so eager for. 
With all that was going on and that I was in the middle of doing I heard his cries and asked him what he needed. It was obvious that he was a blind man, and one could assume that it he wanted his sight restored. I asked him to tell me what he wanted, so that all around could see what he had the faith for, and just what he was praying to have happen. When he asked Me to give him the gift of sight it was his prayer of faith, and because of his belief in Me and My power to heal I was able to do the miracle. 
For the first time as Bartimaeus opened his eyes he saw the face of a person—and it was Me. He was so thrilled so amazed, he was praising and worshiping God! There was nothing else he wanted to do in life but to follow Me and be around Me. His healing didn’t make him want to start making a comfortable life for himself, but it caused him to want to be My friend who followed in My ways and encouraged others to believe in Me.
Once there was a man brought to Me that was deaf and had something stopping him from being able to speak also. Can you imagine what it would be like if you had never heard someone calling your name? Or you had never heard music or laughter or a story read to you? What if you could never sing or call out for help? Think of the way it would affect your life to never be able to either hear or talk. 
Sign language, as it is commonly used and learned today enabling communication for the deaf, wasn’t used then as it is now. Someone who was deaf couldn’t express themselves well or at least be fully understood. It would be hard to do most things. Your ears teach you things as you hear what people say or what noises animals make. Ears help to protect you as they can alert you to sounds around you so you can move out of the way. The gift of hearing can help entertain you and cheer you through hearing songs and stories and the sounds of nature and what friends are telling you. Ears that can hear make it possible to safely and capably do many jobs, as good communication with others is important to many jobs. Thus, being able to work to earn money would be difficult.
When I saw the deaf and mute man that was brought to Me I stepped aside from the crowd with him. I put My fingers in his hears and I then touched his tongue. I said, “Be opened!” At that moment he could both hear and speak. All of a sudden he was speaking perfectly and knew what to say! It shocked people and news about this miracle spread to many others. 
I wasn’t doing the miracle to get acclaim or boost My pride and get everyone to follow Me. In fact for many people that I healed I asked them to not make a big deal about it or to go around telling lots of people about it. But those who were healed just didn’t seem to be able to stop talking about it. It was so wonderful to them, and others loved hearing about the miracles. But it made things hard for Me too, as the more people heard about it, the more crowds came to find me, and the more those who didn’t like Me tried to stop Me, as it would cause quite a disruption with huge crowds travelling and thronging wherever I went. I couldn’t walk in many towns as a result and had to stay out of town and in the desert and wilderness areas much of the time, in order to help the people of the town stay calmer and orderly and to not get us into more trouble, so that I would have the freedom to keep teaching and preaching and helping people without being stopped by those in charge at the time. 
I set an example of doing the work I came to do in a humble way. I wasn’t trying to be famous and well thought of. I wanted everyone to know the truth and to know God’s love. I took every opportunity to give glory to God, My Father, who was making it all possible—just like you today as you see miracles happen and as you do what I need you to do, can give Me the praise and glory for the ways I am helping you. Acting and talking in humility can make it possible for you to carry on and do the jobs I need and want you to do. Whereas if you start to get lifted up in pride, thinking that things are going well because of your own greatness, and you start wanting people to say and think all these wonderful thoughts about how good you are—forgetting that God is the one Who is making it all possible—then things won’t keep going well for you. You need to do your work and the good you do humbly, not for the praise of Man, but for the praise of God. Because the more people think about the loving God that made them and Who wants to help them, and the more they choose to follow Him and do things His way in obedience to Him, the better and happier they will be—and the nicer the world will start to be.
Besides helping others and praying for them and making things easier for them to do the right thing, your job as My follower and friend, is to turn people’s hearts and minds and thoughts toward Heaven, and to think about Me and to involve Me in their lives.  I love each one on Earth and can help them in the best ways as they learn to love Me, listen to Me and do the things I know will make them the happiest.
***
A Coin in a Fish
Money, money! What troubles it has caused in the world. So much poverty the lack of it seems to cause—but it’s not the lack of money that makes people poor, but the lack of love in other people’s lives that makes others poor and destitute. Lack of love comes from lack of God and doing things in His proper ways. 
If all the money in the world was taken away, and instead replaced with loving deeds of kindness, what a very different world this would be. If those that had millions instead were to do millions of kind and helpful deeds for those in need it would change so many things for the better. If those who even had one coin instead did one kind thing that day it would make others feel loved and they would in turn give kindness to that person. 
Instead of people having to do all that they do in order to gain the wealth or even just basic supplies for survival that is needed, people would all be helping each other, how wonderful things would be. If instead of working at jobs to get money, they worked on things that would be a help to others, what a happy place you would be living in now. When people’s goal in life is to show God’s love to others, it makes the world a bit more like Heaven.
However, sadly it’s not quite like that yet, is it? Most people on Earth are pretty money minded, because that’s the way the Enemy keeps people enslaved and working hard doing things for themselves and forgetting about God. 
“Work hard to make more money—then you’ll be happy!” he tells them. But those that try it and have lots of wealth find out to their great disappointment that they are no happier in their heart than when they were poorer. And those that are poor and hungry and cold and going without what they need have their eyes so focused on money on being the only solution to their problems and needs, that they often do all kinds of unkind things just trying to get what they need.
Oh, the lack of love for God and others that is prevalent in the world today hurts My heart so. Love has been replaced with lust, and giving has been replaced with greed. So that’s why things are very messed up and mixed up today.
When I was on the Earth there were times when we had to come up with money for things, and God provided for us in different ways, as we focused on doing His will and shared God’s love with as many as we could. 
One time the tax collectors for the temple approached Peter, asking him if I paid the tax. He said I usually did. However, we didn’t even have one spare coin at that moment to give to pay it then. When Peter entered the house he looked troubled. The stress of money can really ruin things, can’t it? He was bothered and perplexed. What could be done? We were giving all our life and time to help people, and asked for no money from others in return. We gave God’s love and help freely, and now we had a need.
Peter could have said, “I guess I just can’t keep working with You, Jesus. I need to go back to being a fisherman, because it’s the only way to get the money that people are asking for!” But he didn’t say that, he knew I could come up with a better solution. If I was his boss and he was working for Me I could support him and supply what he needed.
Well, you do need to work while on Earth, but you just need to make sure you are doing the right kind of work—whatever I want you to be doing. Sometimes people need to work at a job as it’s what God wants them to do, other times they need to travel around, like My disciples did, to teach people about Me and My Word. Other people are to stay at home and work from there, caring for their children or doing other things that help to improve people’s lives and bring them closer to Me. 
When there is a need, and you pray for supply and funds, then you need to do whatever God shows you is best. Miracles usually require the steps of faith, prayer and action—according to what I show and tell you is best to do. 
When Peter told Me about the tax collectors questioning him and asking for money, that was like his prayer. Then I told him what to do. 
“Go let down a fishing line and catch a fish,” I told Simon Peter. “Take the first fish that you catch and open its mouth. There will be a coin in its mouth, that will be sufficient for paying both your tax and Mine.”
Simon Peter exercised his faith and did what I said, and then the miracle happened. A coin was in the fish’s mouth, and sufficient for the money that was needed.
So if you are in need of finances, why not do as Peter did, and ask Me what to do about it. I can show you just the way to get the help you need. I can show you what job to do, or who to ask, or where to go, or I can just make it appear suddenly too! –Like it did in the fish’s mouth after Peter did his part to obey what I told him to do. Pray, trust, and obey, and you’re sure to have what you need, when you need it. I’ll help provide what is needed. I love taking good care of you. Sometimes you need to wait to get something, but don’t worry, it’ll all work out, as you keep praying. And in the most difficult or impossible situations, that’s when I like to do the neatest miracles. I’m always looking for a chance to do one in your life. Just pray, have faith, do what I show you, and then see the great way I provide your every need and help you carry on.
***
Choosing What is Important
A couple times when we went to the temple to teach and pray I was very upset at what I saw. On the day that people were to spend time praying and praising God and resting, they were using their time to try to make a bit more money. What was needed in their lives to make things better wasn’t more money—it was more of God’s Spirit and getting to know His Word. 
If they had taken a special day each week to stop all their work and spent it in prayer and learning to rest in God’s loving care, and to read and talk about His Word, it would have made a very big difference to them and their families.
Not only were they not doing themselves any good by setting up an entire marketplace on the day of rest and prayer, but it was making the whole temple very noisy, and distracting all the other people who were coming there to think about God and pray and read the scriptures. It wasn’t doing anyone any good, and I told them so in a lively and strong way. 
I very enthusiastically shook the place up and got everyone moving on out of there in a hurry. It wasn’t day they forgot for a long time. 
I was gentle and caring with the children. I had compassion on those who were sick and in need of relief. I rose to the aid of those in trouble in the mists of storms or troubled by the Enemy. But with the disobedient, rabble-rousers that were causing people to stray away from God I was a stern disciplinarian and told them to get going doing what they knew to be right. Their actions of being so money minded instead of heavenly minded and God-serving, was hurtful to themselves and others. They and others would be far better off without having this noisy racket and clamour that took the place of prayer and reading God’s words—especially since those who were selling things were often dishonest in their dealings with money. 
I loved people, but I hated the actions that would cause harm to others and made people feel separate from God. The greedy and dishonest tax collectors were very despised by the people. I loved them, but I often helped them to change their actions and taught them the loving way. Such as the time I met a man called  Zacchaeus. It was rather funny the first time we met.
I was walking along the road with many people all around, slowing making our way, talking and healing as we travelled. Here was the chance this sad and lonely man had to finally get to see Me. I’d healed the blind and deaf. I’d even given people back their life! But it wasn’t healing of the body that Zacchaeus was interested in on this day. 
He was tired of his old life, his very sad life that was filled with nothing but riches, money and living for himself. What an empty house it is, when the house is filled with treasures and one’s self only—without joy, love, friendship and fulfilling work to do. 
He was desperate for a change, for something to bring relief to the sad and sorry state his life was. First of all, he was very short, so that made him feel different from others. But when there’s love and friendship people can look past the outer difference. So that wasn’t his real problem. 
Second of all, he had the job of being a tax collector, and that was hard for others. His job was taking money from them, money that they had worked hard to earn and to give it to the harsh and unkind rulers of their country at that time—the Romans. But even that alone wouldn’t have made him feel so bad inside. It was the fact that he turned to money to ease his heart of his sadness, and had taken more from people than he should have. He thought that the more riches he had the better he would feel, but that never happened. It only made things worse, and made people despise him and never want to be around him. When someone can only fit thoughts of themselves in their heart and mind it pushes away joy and friends and love and all the good things that they actually want.
When Zacchaeus heard and saw where I was walking he was very interested in seeing Me. The only problem was that he was too short to see over everyone else’s heads to get a good view of the situation. And no one would be willing to move out of the way to let him—especially not him—come to talk with Me. There was only one thing to be done. He found the nearest tree and climbed up. It was a sycamore tree and was just right for climbing up and getting a good view.
It looked rather funny to see this man who was the size of some children, dressed richly, peeking out from the branches of a tree to get a good look at Me. But I didn’t laugh, as I knew he wasn’t in the mood for it yet, as his heart was crying. He was so sad and lonely and in need of encouragement to make better choices in his life, choices that would lead him to God’s ways.
“Zacchaeus,” I called out to him as I stood near the tree. “Come down! I’m going visit your house today!”
Zacchaeus hardly knew what to say. It was beyond what he could dream of happening! It was what he would have wanted to happen, but thought it was impossible. A very fast little man zipped down from the tree and was delighted to have Me as his host. 
To his house I went, and it was the first friend he’d had in a long, long while—that wasn’t a tax collector or someone who was just there to get money from him. He could tell that money held no interest to Me at all. I only wanted to cheer him up, and teach him some tips to a happy life with God as the One that was the most important to him.
By the time I left he was a changed man, and before too long the town around him was changing too. He decided to be a giver, rather than a taker. Zacchaeus made some resolutions, and not just empty promises. He chose to give away half of all that he owned to the poor people around. In addition to that, he promised that anyone he had taken more from than he was meant to, those he had been dishonest and greedy with, he would not only give back to them what he taken, but would give them back four times what he took.
***
Rich Young Ruler
Once a very wealthy young ruler came to Me, as he had felt that sad and empty feeling in his heart. Why? He had everything he needed. He was well dressed, had plenty of food, had lots of land and animals and more than sufficient money to buy whatever else he needed. Isn’t that what everyone wanted to have? Well, why do people think they want all that, what’s the ultimate reason? Isn’t it to feel happy and satisfied?
But what if you have all that, like this rich young ruler did, and then for some reason you still are unhappy and not feeling satisfied, and you feel like there is something important that is missing in your life? Well, this man had the idea that I might have the solution to his problem and the answers to his heart’s questions. Not only had he attained to being an important man, but a rich man, and besides that he was a good man—or so he thought. He tried to obey the laws of Moses and do what was right. So why didn’t he feel that joy in his heart? He began to realise that there may be something that was missing that was to do with the things of the spirit, and he thought that I could help him. He wasn’t sick in body, but he was just as desperate and in need, with a sad and sick, weak heart and spirit.
He came to Me asking Me how to have eternal life, how to go to Heaven, how to do things God’s way. I could feel the sadness and loneliness of his heart. I knew that if he only had the chance to come and live for the things of Heaven, to hear My words, to use his life to help bring others closer to God, that he would find joy and fulfilment. So I invited him to come along and be My disciple too! I told him to give his riches to the poor and to live and work with us, living to bring God’s love on Earth. 
Oh! That was one of the hardest things he could imagine doing! He’d been trying to base his life’s happiness on his riches and wealth and was depending on those to get him through the difficult times. If he didn’t have those treasures and money to count on, then what would happen to him? Oh, it was just something he couldn’t imagine doing. He could not bring himself to give it all away to the destitute people, for fear of losing what he had gained, and for fear of also becoming in want and need. 
But did I let My disciples down and let them go without what they needed as they lived for Me during the whole rest of their life? No! Not even when I was gone from sight and they carried on spreading the good news to as many as they could throughout the world. When someone commits their wellbeing into My care, then I take full charge of supplying their needs, and I use whatever way I know is best. As long as you are seeking to please Me and do My will, are praying and asking for My help, and are willing to do whatever I tell you to do, then you are going to have just what you need to keep on going.
It was a sad choice that he regretted, that when this rich young ruler was given the opportunity to live and work with Me in person while on Earth, and to treasure the riches of Heaven, more than those on Earth, that he made the selfish and worldly choice to hold on to those things that can been seen and counted and felt. 
Once some grown brothers came to Me with a dispute. One brother asked Me to tell his brother to give some of his wealth and to divide the inheritance with him. I told them what they needed to hear. I warned them about the dangers of coveting what others have, and wishing to get more and more things for one’s self. 
To illustrate the point I told a story about a rich man who had a great harvest one year. In fact he had so much that his old barns couldn’t hold all the food his farm had produced. So what was he to do? It would have been the perfect time to give some of it away to the many who lived nearby that didn’t have sufficient. The Heavenly Father had made it grow so that the people of land would have enough food. However, if the one who received this gift—the food that grew miraculously—wasn’t filled with wise and loving actions, then those who God wanted it to be for would never benefit from it. 
No matter how rich and wealthy you are while on Earth, not even a tiny grain can be taken with you to the next life! Isn’t that amazing? The only thing you can take with you are the people you have cared for who have come to know Me, and the rewards for the love you have given to others and the things you have done that have pleased Me,  your Lord.
Well, this rich man had all that he needed and far more--on Earth, that is. But when it was time for him to leave this world, he found out that he was suddenly very poor. When he came to see Me in the next life and to have a chat about his decisions and choices and what he had done with the gifts God had given to him to share with others, he wasn’t too proud of his actions and deeds.
I said that it’s a foolish way to live while on Earth—to only stock up supplies for yourself. Your life could end in an instant, and you could be Here talking to Me face to face, and it’s too late then to give away what I told you to share, or to help tell others about Me. All your stuff on Earth is no longer yours, but goes to others on Earth. And people on Earth can’t see or hear you speaking clearly to them, so you can’t do all that much to lead them in My ways, and to do those things that I wanted you to do. 
Those who are rich in Heaven are those that lived lives filled with love for Me and others, and a life rich with faith in Me and demonstrated by praying and calling on Me for help. Those that you helped to tell about Me and are in Heaven as a result will be your friends forever! Your rewards for giving all you could to Me and to others on Earth will be so many more times over anything you gave in the first place. You’ll eternally glad for the gifts of love you gave to Me and others for Me.
***
Love and Forgiveness
I took lots of time and used whatever opportunity arose to talk with My close disciples and to teach them things as we went about our days. Sometimes we were able to have long and peaceful times of discussion and communication together. Other times I was able to pass on My way of thinking and My thoughts about the day-to-day struggles they faced as things came up.
One day Simon Peter asked Me how many times he was to keep forgiving his brother or friend, if they kept doing things that bothered him. Simon knew that I had been teaching them about giving forgiveness rather than getting angry and holding bad feelings inside, or doing things back to the person. He wondered however, how many times was it right to keep forgiving others. 
“Should I forgive my brother seven times?” Simon Peter gave as a guess at an amount that would be very generous and kind. 
I surprised him and said that not just seven times, but rather seventy times seven! That’s a lot of chances to give to a brother or friend or sister who keeps making mistakes, and is sorry for it and asks for forgiveness. Only God’s love can help someone have that much love and kindness. But if you pray and try to not let things get to you so much, and you realise that you also need and appreciate the forgiveness others too, it helps you to not stay upset with others for their blunders.
I wasn’t talking about allowing wrong doers to just keep on doing harmful and unkind things. Simon was talking about his brother, someone who is trying to do what is right, who loves you and who you are to care for. It’s not right to allow yourself or others to wilfully and wrongly do things that you and they know are hurtful or unpleasing to Me, and will harm themselves in the end too, if there is a good way you can make things better and change things. But if you and others are trying to do what is right, but sometimes mistakes are made, well, it’s best to understand that humans will be just that—fallible humans.
Sometimes there are people who do things that are wrong and hurtful to you or to your loved ones, and there isn’t anything you can do about it. There isn’t a way you can help them to change or encourage them in the right way, nor have they apologized to you or others, or they aren’t even sorry about it. In those situations it is still best to forgive them in your heart, and to not hold on to those angry and mad and very sad feelings. If you keep feeling upset towards others it will make things twice as hard for you. Not only will you have the difficult situation to recover from that they caused, but then your heart will also just keep feeling more sad each day, until you can’t enjoy many of the things you normally would.
I told Simon Peter to forgive, to pass over it, to let it go, to not hold on to anger or bad feelings—because it wasn’t God’s way of dealing with troubles, and would only make things worse for him and for his loved ones. 
If you realise that those who have done wrong things will be taught their lessons by Me, and you do your best to show love and kindness in your life, you’ll have a much happier time and your heart will be filled with joy. 
I told My disciples about a new rule, a new commandment, something that from then on they were to obey. It wasn’t as long and complicated as all the many rules in the books of Moses, but in some ways it was going to be rather difficult to do—unless they prayed for Me to help them.
I said the main and most important rule for them to keep was to love one another. This would change the world for the better. This would be My presence on Earth. This would be the solution to so many of the world’s problems. Love is the solution and what will help make Earth a bit more like Heaven. When people put loving others as their highest priority, then good things start happening, because God blesses it and makes both those who give love and those who receive kindness from others happier. 
Showing love changes the world around you. Maybe not everything will change today or in an instant, but even if you can only do one deed of kindness or say one word of encouragement to someone who needs some cheer, things will be a bit better. 
Not always do things go well and perfectly when you are trying to show love, just like nothing on this world is perfect—because it’s not yet Heaven. Sometimes people misunderstand the kind deeds of others, or at times they don’t return the kindness or it seems to make others bothered about what you tried to do—just like it was for Me when I was on Earth and some people were upset when I was helping and healing others. But you have to remember that I always bless and reward you for trying your best to share My love and do things in My way. Maybe things won’t go totally well on that day, but every time you choose to think about others and not yourself I notice and will reward you in the best ways. Love always catches up to you, and you’ll be glad in the end that you chose to give rather than only take; that you chose to forgive rather than pay someone back with unkindness; that you chose to speak a good word about someone rather than saying discouraging words about them; that you chose to make others happier before getting what you wanted. 
I told My disciples that this was one way that people would be able to tell that they were My followers—if they had loved towards each other. Working together and caring for each other, being like good brothers and sisters, and helping each other was the best sign to others that they were My disciples. It’s the same with you today. Those who truly follow Me and My ways and want to obey My words will show it in their kind deeds and actions. It will be noticeable to others who see them. Those that choose to live selfishly will look just like many others in the world, and seem to present no solutions or extra power from Heaven or answers to problems. If you want people to know that you are special and that you are from Heaven and want to bring God’s love and light down to Earth the best advertisement for Me and for the truth you are trying to give out is to show love in all that you do and say. This doesn’t mean that you have to only say sugar sweet type of words or things that are untrue—as sometimes love is saying some difficult things and having conviction and telling people a message that might not be so easy to hear. But if in your actions towards individuals you show and tell them that I love them and that you love them, and that God cares about them, then this is the proof to them that you are a child of God!
***
Faith and Freedom
There was a man who was born blind. He had never been able to see anything at all from the time his life started until the day I passed by him, when he was about 40 years old. 
Sometimes you wait for many years for a wish or a prayer to be granted. But I know just the right time. So this man was blind for many years, and it was a tough life for him. The best he could do was beg for food and goods and coins to be given to him. His parents had cared well for him as a child and young man, and taught him about God. This gave him courage and faith even when he faced hard times.
At last the time was right for him to be healed. He had been sitting in a certain spot so often that many people knew him. As My disciples and I were passing by they asked Me a question. A question many people still wonder about today when they see people who are handicapped in some way—they wonder why. So My disciples asked Me about it then too. 
“Was he born blind because of his sins, or the sins of his parents?” I was asked. 
There are many reasons why different people suffer illness or are handicapped or have accidents. Sometimes it is to help them and the people around them learn things they wouldn’t have learned any other way. Other times it’s something that God uses to make something special happen. Such as was the case with this man. 
I wanted to show him and many others just what great things God could do, the types of miracles that I was capable of doing, to encourage many others to pray and get help in their times of need. People needed faith that anything was possible with God, and those that prayed and asked for My help could have anything they asked for, if it was good for them and others and pleased Me.
I answered that it wasn’t at all because of sin that this man was born blind. It wasn’t a punishment, but rather it was for a big demonstration, a real-life example to show people what I could do. Though it wasn’t easy to be blind for so many years, this man loved God and had faith and patience, and because of it he was called on to be real famous! So if he looked back on his life later, I think he might choose to have been born blind after all, because the good results of being able to help many others have faith to pray for their healing, and being able to meet Me and speak with Me and to believe on Me was well worth it. 
I talked with him and made some clay with spit and the soil on the ground, and rubbed it on his eyes. His eyes were shut and it didn’t hurt them, but rather helped to clean away some of the build up of matter that was on his eyelids. And instead of it being just ordinary mud it was transformed into a healing balm by God’s power. It soothed and restored and healed. 
I told him to go wash the mud off of his eyelids. This was then his step of faith and obedience. When he did what I told him to do, he could suddenly see, for the first time ever in his life! He was amazed, surprised, and so very happy!
People started to notice that this man wasn’t just sitting around like he had been all day, but he was walking around and able to see everything! He hadn’t seen Me yet because he had sight restored at the pool of Siloam where I told him to wash his eyes. But later I met him and asked him if he believed on the Son of God.
This man said wondered who he was so he could believe. When I told him that it was Me, he believed I was His Saviour, and rejoiced and worshiped Me then and there. He was so very grateful for the wonderful miracle of being able to see, and the special honour of being able to talk with Me personally too.
Not everyone was too pleased about all this good stuff going on, and they even made it hard for the dear man who had just been healed. But he was a faithful witness and stood up and told people the truth, and said how He knew I was from God and he believed in Me.
I often healed people on the day of the week that those who were looking for reasons to stop Me said that I shouldn’t. But that’s the only day I could meet some people—when I went to the synagogue, as that’s the only time some people showed up there, and our paths wouldn’t have crossed any other time. With God, anytime is the right time to help the people that He says to help. 
One time I was teaching in the synagogue and there was woman who couldn’t stand up straight. It was very hard for her to walk. She was often in pain, and had been in this condition for 18 years. It was very difficult for her. She couldn’t stretch out comfortably in bed. She couldn’t look up and see the sky easily. She had to use sticks to try to keep her balance as she walked around. She would have a hard time doing just about anything that required moving around.
This was my chance to bring her deliverance. I touched her and said she was loose from this ailment. Right then, for the first time in so many years she stood up straight and tall. She beamed a big smile and was filled with gladness, and tears of joy fell down her face. She felt so very good! 
Of course, as always, when I helped people on the Sabbath day, the rest day, there were questions and criticism. It angered Me in My heart to see the lack of love and compassion in people’s hearts. Why couldn’t they rejoice at the healing and the miracle and be glad for this woman? She could now do so many things easily, and be free to care for others, and to get good exercise and sleep. And just the fact that she was healed would make her worship and praise God all the rest of her life—this was a very good thing!
Well, when I was questioned that time I gave the example of a donkey or sheep that was in its stall. I said, “Don’t you loose your animals to go out and feed on the grass and get water to drink—even on the rest day? It’s good that I loosed her from being bound up with her body not able to move freely. The Enemy had her bound, and I set her free!”
When the people heard My words, telling this truth to those grumpy folks and showing them up for their wrong ways of thinking, those listening rejoiced and were so glad that I had come to set people free from the ways the Enemy was trying to cause trouble. I came to bring life and freedom and joy and healing. I wasn’t coming to make tons of rules, but to teach people to love God and others. I wasn’t coming to give out punishments but to give forgiveness to those who wanted to change and wanted to believe in My love and receive My gift of life and salvation.  I love freedom, when it’s the right kind and in the right way—freedom from the Enemy’s ways, and setting everyone free to love and obey God and live a life of joy and peace.
***

Dinner Discussions
Anytime was a good time to teach a bit more of the ways of Heaven, and to help bring My love into people’s lives. People on Earth think so differently than I do, and I enjoy helping people know new ideas and come to grasp some of the ways of Heaven. 
You’ll never understand all that there is to know about how God operates and all that He thinks about, because you’re human, and it’s just not possible. But I love giving you as many glimpses into Our ways and thoughts as I can, and as much as your mind and heart are willing to receive. 
I was never on vacation during My time ministering to others while on Earth. Even if I was invited to a nice dinner it wasn’t a chance to just sit back and forget what I was there for. 
Some well-off Pharisees and doctors of law, invited Me for a weekend meal one time, and I knew I was being watched carefully. Everything I did or said was being scrutinised and remembered. I could choose to forget My mission and why I was there on Earth and instead try to only do those things that the Pharisees would agree with, or I could be bold and brave and do what My Father in Heaven wanted Me to do, even if it wasn’t what gave Me the praise of these stuck-on-themselves folks.
As I sat down to eat I noticed right away a man who was there and in need of healing. If I were to please My Heavenly Father and be true to My mission on Earth, My reason for being there, I would show God’s love to him and heal him. If I was to try to please the proud people in the room who didn’t like much of what I did or said, then I would just ignore this suffering man, and pretend that he didn’t need help, as it was the day of the week they said I shouldn’t do miracles on. 
What would I do? Everyone was watching to see. I promptly healed him and let him go happily on his way. I turned to the dinning onlookers and posed a question. “If your ox had fallen in a ditch on the Sabbath day, would you help him out?” 
Their hearts all knew the answer. Of course they would rush to rescue their helpless animal. Animals were not only expensive but were very needed and the source of their survival and livelihood. How much better to help a person in need—no matter what time of day it is, what day of the week or year it is.
As we kept eating I told a few stories to do with mealtime, stories that would teach some good lessons and bring a bit more of God’s thoughts into their minds. I was there to teach and to bring people close to God, no matter what we were doing. I was on duty all the time when I was around people. I was being watched and listened to constantly, and here while people were relaxing was the perfect chance to tell them something helpful and offer some tips through stories. 
First, I told a story giving an idea of how to act in humility. If they were invited to a meal and there were several places set for the different guests—some places set up for the most important guest and some for the others—that they should first of all choose the place that looked prepared for the guest of lowest rank or importance. If they thought proudly of themselves, imagining that they were, of course, the most important person attending, they might be setting themselves up for embarrassment. 
If there was a guest that was attending that was of higher importance, then the host would have to ask that proud guest to move and to sit in a more humble place. However, if they first took the humble seat when they arrived at the dinner and sat in a humble place that seemed to be set for someone who wasn’t thought of as the most important, then it would be easier for them. If that was their correct place, then they could stay there and not feel embarrassed. And if they were actually meant to sit somewhere that was set up for the higher ranked guests, then when others saw the host telling them to sit in a better place, it would make them feel nice, and people would think well of them. 
Doing the proud thing wouldn’t make others think well of them and would just set themselves up for being humbled. Choosing to do the humble thing and sitting in the humble places and thinking of others as deserving more honour than they, would work out better in the end, and make them feel the happiest. Trying to prove that you are the best or better than others will only embarrass you. Making others feel more worth of acclaim and trying to give honour and acknowledgement to others more than yourself is a wise thing to do, and God blesses those who act in humility and preferring others above themselves.
Another story I told helped to give them some good advice on who to give their time and attention and resources to help. It’s easy to give gifts to friends and people that you know are able to give equally back to you again. I talked to them of the example of a meal being prepared and the guests being chosen. I said if the only people being invited and given the nice meal that they’ve prepared are people who are rich, or their friends, or family members only, all the time, then that’s not really the best. Because then they will feel they need to give back a nice meal at their house in return for the feast that was given to them. And what happens then? It’s not really giving if it’s just to people who will give back the same great things or even better things to you again, and you do it with that purpose in mind. Then it’s just like a game of tennis, only it’s being played with favours. Good things are just being given back and forth between people who aren’t even in need, and the poor people who really needed a meal are left out and forgotten. 
I told them a new idea. Instead, they should choose a new set of guests to invite when they want to do something generous. They could give to those who can’t give back to them at all—those who are poor and in need. And to let My, the Lord, be the one that gives back to them the reward for their sharing, by the great meals He can invite them to in Heaven. Wouldn’t that be more fun? My meals in Heaven are a zillion times better than any fancy and deluxe meal on Earth. If you please Me by sharing what you have with others who are in need then you’ll get My paybacks which are the best!
***
The Father’s Love
It’s easy to think that because you are doing good things and seem to be making all the right decisions, that I must love you more than those who aren’t quite as good or righteous as you think you are. But I love you and others with the same great love. 
I don’t love you any more because you do good things. I’m glad and will reward you for choosing what is right, and for doing kind deeds, and making decisions not to do things that are hurtful to others or to yourself. But those that are going through a time of waywardness and not following in My ways and are having a difficult time as a result, I love them as well, and it saddens Me to see them continuing on in their disobedience, because I know how much it hurts them, and I can’t bless and reward them while they aren’t choosing to stay close to Me.
However, when one person who has gone off and done their own thing for awhile, or even for a very long time, finally turns to Me and receives Me into their lives, and is sorry for their wrong doings, this is cause for a great rejoicing! I am a loving Father and love My children forever. Even when they are naughty, I still love them. I love you always, and want to be close to you as My friends and companions. 
When some people thought that they were perhaps just a bit more liked and loved by God, because they were very faithful to keep every rule, and they thought poorly of those who they didn’t think were as good as them, I told them a few stories to illustrate things better, so they could get an idea of the way things really were, and what God actually feels. 
I told of a woman that had a set of special and expensive coins. These she took good care of and never let any of them get lost. They were her wealth and treasures. However, one day she noticed that a coin went missing! She was very anxious to find it. It was worth a lot! She didn’t say, “Oh, well, look at all the rest of my coins that I still have. I don’t need to worry about that one missing coin.” 
Instead she searched and looked and cleaned and didn’t stop until she found where it had fallen. When she found it at last she was so glad and told her friends! She could relax now. Her special set of treasures was complete. 
You—each one of you—are like My treasures. You are greatly treasured and cherished and loved by Me. Just because I have many who know Me and love Me and are My friends and are going to be with Me forever in Heaven doesn’t mean that it’s enough and I just forget about the others who are still in need of My salvation. Those that are like the lost coin are a concern to Me. I think about them, pray for them, try to send people who know Me on Earth to find them and help show them that I love them, and help to tell them that I am the way to life, joy and love forever. When at last one of My lost treasures changes from their waywardness and lets Me hold them—just like the lady held her special coin—I am very, very glad! I’ll only feel totally relaxed and happy when everyone has come to know My love and has turned and walked towards Me and is able to come home to Heaven.
I gave another example in a story that helped to emphasise the point I was making. I told of two brothers who worked with their father on a farm. They worked hard, but they had all that they needed. One day the younger brother, who was a grown man, decided he wanted to go away for a while and live a carefree life. 
This young man asked his father to give him his half of the inheritance that he would have been given much later. But he wanted it then and there instead. So he took his money and went off on a long trip to visit other places and to do new things. He didn’t invest his money in good and helpful things, but just spent it on wild parties with ungodly people. He bought all the fanciest things and wasted everything he had—all his inheritance that was meant to last him for many years. Once it was gone and he was no longer a rich man, those that had seemed to be his friends in order to get things from him and enjoy the things that he bought with his money, just left him and didn’t help him out at all. There suddenly came a famine in the land and there wasn’t food to eat either. 
He was poor, hungry and very sad. He found someone with a farm who he decided to work for, but that didn’t help him much. He was still just as penniless and hungry. As he was caring for the pigs that were wallowing in the mud eating scraps and corn husks it looked like they had more than even he had, and it made him wish for a good meal. 
Finally a new thought came to his mind. He thought about his father’s farm and all the well-fed servants there. Perhaps he could ask to be hired as a servant—he didn’t think he deserved to even be considered a son anymore. He’d made everyone so sad and acted very unwisely.
So back home he travelled. It was a long walk and he really wondered what his father was going to say. He was sure his father would be angry and want to send him away, so he planned what he would beg for—that he would be allowed to just be a servant that works hard. That’s all. 
However, when he was still a long way down the road, this young man’s father happened to look that way—the road that the father often looked at to see if, maybe today, his son just might be returning. That day, to the father’s great joy, he sees his son walking back. Oh, the father had wished to see this day for so long! He’d missed his son more than words could express. 
The father ran all the way down the road to meet his son and hugged him tightly. He was so very glad that he had come home! This father’s son was amazed and surprised. He told his father that he was very sorry for the way he acted, and didn’t expect to even be considered a son any more. But if he could just work as a servant on the farm he would be very glad for that.
The father instead said that it was time to party!—And all the best things were ordered for this ‘welcome home’ party and feast. He gave his son the fanciest clothes to wear, and put a ring on his finger. The father asked for the best and most tasty food to be cooked. His son that was lost was found—and he was so glad his son was alive and there with them again!
That is how it feels when someone who has strayed away in heart and mind from Me finally comes back and wants to live their life with Me. I’m overjoyed and it’s so wonderful I just want to party and give them the best things! I love each one on Earth so much, and when people turn their hearts to Me and choose to be close to Me and invite Me into their lives it really makes Me glad—more than words can express. 
***
Obedience and Gratefulness
As I was walking along the road I heard a group of 10 men calling out for Me to help and heal them. These men were sick with leprosy. It was a very difficult affliction to have, and made things not only hard for them, but very sad too. 
It was so contagious that those who had the skin disease of leprosy could no longer live around other people, or even stay in their house with their family. They had to move away and stay separate. If they needed to walk where others were, they needed to ring a bell and call out “unclean” announcing that they—who were considered the dirtiest people and sickest people around—were approaching, so everyone could move away and not be near to them.
These men were all sick and stayed together as a team, helping each other the best they could. But there wasn’t any hope for healing. It was to be a long, sad and difficult sickness that would last them for the rest of their lives. Not a condition or situation anyone wanted to have.
When these 10 men heard about Me and My power to heal, and then they saw that I was walking within earshot of them, they were so glad for this bit of hope! With all their might and strength they yelled out for Me to help them.
I heard them and wanted to heal them right away. Since they had faith in My power to heal, I could do it. I told them then what to do. In order to be allowed to live in the town normally again, once someone had leprosy, the priest would need to see if they were healed and to declare that they were clean and fine.
I told them simply, “Go show yourselves to the priest.” 
Now when I told them this they weren’t yet healed, but that was their step of faith and obedience that they needed to take in order for them to receive the miracle of healing.
Without hesitation and in full faith these men started on the road to the town to meet the priest and to declare that they were healed. And as they began walking that direction they were healed! They had to start walking first, and then God’s healing power was activated for them
What a great rejoicing was heard as they started running, laughing, yelling, and praising God! 
One of them however, stopped walking, turned around and ran back to Me. Kneeling down he praised and thanked Me for giving him healing. He didn’t get lost in the joy of the moment and forget to thank Me for doing the miracle that he’d asked for.
It’s easy to remember to talk to Me when you are sick and in need of something. But do you remember to talk to Me and to thank Me for the many many things I do for you, and all the ways I do answer your prayers?
I was glad that the others were healed and happy and that they’d obeyed right away what I told them to do in order to be healed. That made Me happy. But when this man came all the way back, just to say “Thank You,” it showed Me that I was even more important to Him than his health, than his family, than all the cool new things he was hoping to get to do. He treasured My love and care and concern for Him more than anything else. 
It means a lot to Me to hear you speak words of praise to Me and to tell Me how glad you are that I’ve done something special for you. Please remember to tell Me about the things you like, the things you are glad for, will you? It will make Me so happy!
***
A Good Shepherd
I told a story to illustrate how I love and care for each one of you. I told a story about a shepherd that had one hundred sheep in his care. That may seem like a lot of sheep, and that perhaps if one is missing it might not even be noticed or make much of a difference. However, a good shepherd loves and cares for each one of his sheep and will do whatever it takes to see that they are well fed and healthy, and kept safe. 
The shepherds in times of old had to go through a lot of difficulty to care for sheep, you know. No matter what the weather, they had to ensure that the sheep got the best of care, or they didn’t do well. 
The sheep needed safe places to feed and good water to drink. They needed a place to spend the night, and they needed to be kept safe in every way. It wasn’t enough to just send the sheep out to pasture, while the shepherd sat around and amused himself. He had to be on duty and watchful and ready at all times to take care of anything that he was needed for. 
I told the story of a good shepherd that noticed when he was counting his sheep and found out that one was missing. He still had 99 sheep, but that wasn’t enough for him. He wanted all his sheep to be safe and protected and well cared for. Each and every sheep mattered to him.
What was he to do? Well, there was only one thing on his mind—he must find that lost sheep and bring it back into the safety of the fold. He set off right away, leaving the others in the fold and began his search. The shepherd didn’t say, “Oh, I’ll just take a quick look around, and then come back if I don’t see it right away. I’m tired and cold and want to rest.” 
A good shepherd realises that his sheep is also tired and cold and isn’t able to properly take care of itself. He knows that a lost sheep needs him to rescue him. So, the good shepherd just kept searching until at last he found his lost sheep. He wasn’t going to give up until the sheep had been found. His fold and flock of sheep weren’t complete until all, every last one of them, were there safely home with him again.
Did the shepherd get all mad at the sheep that had wondered away, and tell him that he shouldn’t even be a part of the flock, or reprimand him for the trouble he caused when wondering away? No. The shepherd loved the sheep and missed it, and really wanted it to be a part of his flock. When the shepherd at last held it and brought it home he was filled with joy! He called his friends to celebrate the wonderful event. The shepherd was glad that the rest of the sheep stayed close and were still in His fold. But instead of being upset at the one that ran off, his joy at having the sheep home at last was great and filled his heart.
I’m like the shepherd, and you are like the sheep in My fold. I love and care for each one of you. I love you all very much. I’m so glad when you stay close to Me, because then I can take good care of you, and I enjoy your company too. But if you have wondered off and have gotten into the wrong things, please know that I’m anxious and eager for your return. I’ll just love you and be so glad to see you again. I won’t be mad at you, because forgiving and loving and caring for you is what I do! 
Come to Me again, if you’ve gone astray a bit, or even a long ways away. I’ll make you feel so glad that you came back, and just seeing you again will make My heart very glad and I’ll smile so very big. Just having you near again and being able to care for you will make Me forget the sorrow I felt when you were gone. If you are sorry for your wrongs and want to make things right again, and you wish to be near to Me, I will be so very happy, because I love you more than you will ever know! You are very special to Me.
Sometimes people think that they have to be good in order for Me to love them, or that I love certain kinds of people more than others. But that isn’t the case. I love those that love Me—and it’s your heart that I look at most of all. If you are trying your best to please Me and then you make some mistakes along the way, or you aren’t staying as close to Me as would be best for your own wellbeing, then please just come and talk to Me about it. I’ll understand and do all that I can to help you get back on the right road again, and back into the safety of My arms, surrounded with My loving care. You mean so much to Me and I’ll always be thinking about you, concerned about you, and wanting to make you happy—every single day, forever! 
How about that? Can you find that kind of love on Earth? Only with Me can you find such full and complete and amazing eternal love forever! You’ll be so glad that you stayed close to Me. I’ll make you so happy and provide all that you need. Will you come to Me, please? It’ll make Me so happy! We can party and rejoice that we are together forever. Want to party? I know how to make the best parties ever, and you can be the guest of honour, because you chose Me above others, and you chose to stay close to Me instead of wandering around all over the place. Stick with Me and I’ll give you the best things. This life now is only a tiny part of what is ahead. In Heaven you’ll get to enjoy so many new and wonderful things. I promise the best to those who stay by My side and let Me be their guide, their Heavenly caretaker, their provider, eternal friend and good shepherd!
***

Lazarus
My dear friend Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary, were going to be part of a display of God’s amazing power—the power to heal and restore someone’s life. 
I hadn’t seen them in a while and it was getting rather difficult to visit. The reason was that the people who lived nearby were stirring up trouble against Me and trying to put an end to My ministry. It was getting hard to even travel to that part of the country. 
One day however, messengers brought to Me some important news—that Lazarus was very sick. His sisters wanted Me to come right away to heal him. God wanted to give the people in that area a good chance to believe on Me and in God’s love and care. So this sickness was something that was allowed for a reason. It wasn’t meant to be the end of Lazarus’ life, but it was a chance for him and his family to be a part of letting God’s power be shown to many.
When I was first told about Lazarus I didn’t travel right away, as it wasn’t the right time. I had to wait to go when My Father told Me it was best—best for My safety, and best for the miracle to happen that would inspire many others to believe in Me and be drawn closer to God. 
After two days we began to travel and it took a few days until we arrived at the home of these three friends of Mine. And what a sad team awaited us there. By the time we’d arrived My dear friend Lazarus had already passed away four days before, and was in the special place carved out of the rock and ground where they put to rest their loved ones. A large stone was the doorway of this kind of tomb.
When I was still a distance from their property Martha found out that I was on My way there and came out to meet Me. Tearfully she spoke about what had happened. I told her that her brother would rise again, if she believed. I told her “I’m the resurrection and the life. He that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” She told Me that she believed that I was the Son of God and that I could do this miracle.
She then ran to call Mary and to tell her I was there. When Mary came to see Me she was crying also. “If you had been here My brother wouldn’t have died!” she lamented.
She had faith that I could have prevented it, that My healing power was strong enough to stop someone from dying even. But it was a very sad Mary that spoke to Me, and the people around her were all crying too. I felt her anguish of heart and the deep loss and sorrow that she and Martha and the others felt. It made Me cry to see how much they were hurting inside—all because they thought it was the end of their brother’s life and that there was no longer any hope. Most of them were in despair and great sorrow. If they had only known that My Heavenly Father, through Me, was able to do absolutely anything—and that He could raise Lazarus and restore his life, they wouldn’t have been so sad. 
Well, it started off as a very sad time, but it was going to end in a wonderful way.
“Roll away the stone!” I told them. God was going to do the miracle, but they needed to do their part to show their obedience and faith. That’s the part they could and needed to do for Me to do My part and restore this man to full and good health. 
It was unheard of to do such a thing. They’d never heard of or seen someone’s tomb stone being taken away after a few days of being buried so they can rise again. But they put aside their questions and did what I asked, as I reminded them that it was time for a miracle to take place.
I prayed a prayer of praise, and thanked My Father for hearing and answering prayer, and for this chance to show to many people that I was God’s Son, who was there to help and save them. I then called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus come forth!”
To the shock and amazement of all standing there wondering what was going to happen next, they looked and saw Lazarus coming out of the cave! He was wrapped up a bit in his grave clothes and I instructed them to free him of those. They were no longer necessary. He was alive and well and could get dressed and enjoy a celebration and time of rejoicing! 
Many people believed in Me because of that miracle. It was a tough time to go through, and it was hard for those there when Lazarus passed away, mostly because of their lack of faith that God had a plan and would work everything out for the best in the end. But when they saw the great miracle—both of Lazarus rising from the dead and being restored to full health, and when Martha and Mary and Lazarus saw the miracle of many people who had been sceptical of Me, change and have believing hearts, it was all worth it. 
This was their gift to Me in a way—to let the life of their loved one be gone for a few days, and to let God’s power be shown then in a powerful display, like a real-life drama to all around, that God loves and cares for them, and that I was His son sent to help them. It was what brought many to believe on Me and thus be granted the privilege of life forever with us in Heaven. Lazarus’ life being restored helped many more live forever—through their belief and faith in Me.
***
Heavenly Communication
Prayer is your communication with Me and is your way to receive Heavenly resources and all that you need, of the things only God can give you. Prayer gives you faith that all is under My control and will be taken care of—because you’ve asked Me to, and with faith you believe that I’ll do just what is best for you and others that you are praying for.
I gave lots of tips on prayer when I was on Earth to make our times of talking be on target and get the best results. Here are some things I mentioned and that are written in the Bible.
Your prayers don’t need to be long to be heard.
You don’t have to be seen when you pray and a big display made of praying. Simple and humble times of prayer, when just you and I talk together are great. 
Have faith and believe that I will do what you are asking Me to do, if it’s something that is good and My will to make happen.
When people gather together to unite in prayer, I am there with you.
Even if you are the only one that knows you are praying, the results of the prayers can be seen and noticed by others, as I reward you for your prayers and answer you.
It’s good be humble when you pray, and realise how you need forgiveness and My help. If you come to Me and start proclaiming all your own goodness and think that that’s what will make your prayers be answered, it won’t. When you humbly admit that you make mistakes, that you can do nothing without Me, and you want My love and forgiveness, then I hear those humble prayers and answer. 
The proud prayers of self-goodness aren’t worth anything, and don’t move Me to want to help you. It’s as good as bringing a full bag to be filled at the market. Nothing more can fit inside. If you come to prayer full of your own good deeds and are thinking how great you must be, then to Me it’s like saying there is no room for Me to fill your bag with My new and wonderful things that I’d like to give you. Come to Me in prayer with an open and empty heart, showing your need for My help, and your humility. I’ll hear those prayers far better and answer in the best way I can.
My disciples wanted to know more about prayer, and what to say. To make it easy and simple I taught them a short prayer they could say. Through it I showed many things:
--Prayers should start with words of praise. It’s a wonderful way for any conversation to begin, and it shows faith in God’s power and ushers you into His presence.
--Prayers don’t need to be long to be powerful and well-meaning.
--Prayers are to be according to God’s will and what He wants to have happen on Earth, and are to in some way help Him to change the world and lives for the better. It’s not to make selfish things happen for yourself, or bad things happen for anyone else, who God wants to bless.
--Through prayer you have access to the supply of your needs. I am ready to hear and to give you all that you need.
--Your heart should be clean of sin by asking for forgiveness from Me, and by being willing to forgive others too for their failures.
--Prayer gives strength and the power to do what is right. Without My help you can’t make wise and good decisions, nor stick to your good plans and commitments. It’s Me that helps you do what you need to do, and through prayer you can reach your goal.
--Through prayer I can help you know what is right and wrong, and I can stop wrong doers and harmful situations from troubling you. Whatever problem you are having and whatever ways the Enemy is using to bother you can be overcome through prayer. My power that you can access through prayer is stronger than anything of the Enemy.
--Your prayers can end with more praise, and faith, knowing that the outcome of the situation prayed about is in My hands, and I have full control. In humility you surrender to whatever I will choose to bring about a result. You know that I am all powerful, and you are glad that I choose to do what is best. You have faith that what has been committed to Me in prayer will happen according to My will and what is going to be the best. 
Here’s the prayer I taught them, that illustrates these points that I was trying to teach: 
***
MAT.6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
MAT.6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
MAT.6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
MAT.6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
MAT.6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.