Martha page 8

 Martha page 8 by ric gustafson

Martha was sleeping. Mary shook her awake.

" Martha". She began to cry. " Abba's gone".

They ran to his pallet. He had fallen asleep during the night. His face was peaceful.

The next morning, Lazarus told Nathan.

Ephraim's body was prepared for burial.

He was laid in a tomb. The family mourned for seven days.

One day, Lazarus spoke to Martha in private. " Nathan has told me what you have been doing in the olive garden".

Martha was scared. " Does the whole village know?".

" No". He frowned. " Just Nathan and I".

" He has asked me to marry him".

" What did you tell him?".

" I promised him an answer when he returns".

" I will pray for both of you".

" Thank you Lazarus".

research help: ' Martha' by Diana Wallis Taylor

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Martha page 7

 Martha page 7 by ric gustafson

Martha sat under a tree in the Mount of Olives. She heard a noise. She looked up to see Captain Flavious.

" Captain, do you come here often?".

" Yes". He grinned. " I come here often to pray".

Martha looked puzzled. " To pray?".

" Yes, I am a Godfearer".

" So you pray to the one God Jehovah?".

" Yes". He smiled. " You are not married".

Martha gave him a strange stare. " How did you know that?".

" I have my sources".

" How long have you been in the army?".

" Almost twenty years". His voice hesitated. " I plan to retire at the end of the year".

Martha thought for a moment. " I should go".

" Meet me here next Sabbath".

" Okay". She smiled. " What is your name Captain?".

" People call me Thaddeus".

research help: ' Martha' by Diana Wallis Taylor

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Martha page 6

 Martha page 6 by ric gustafson

The soldiers approached Ephraim's donkey. The donkey sensed danger balked and threw the elderly man to the ground. Lazarus ran to his father. The soldiers quickly left except for an officer. He dismounted and knelt by the old man.

" He needs help".

Lazarus looked at the officer. " May you be blessed by your kindness".

Martha's eyes met the officer's. She felt something stir inside her.

" I am Captain Flavious".

Martha spoke up. " Lazarus, lead the donkey with father on it to our house".

After their father was safely resting on his pallet, Martha went outside to talk with the officer.

" We owe you a great debt of thanks".

" And what are the names of your family?".

" My father is Ephraim my brother and sister are Lazarus and Mary".

" And your name?".

" My name is Martha".

" Happy to make your acquaintance".

He quietly rode away.

She blushed.

research help: ' Martha' by Diana Wallis Taylor

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

difficult times: Psalm 41: 9-13

 difficult times: Psalm 41: 9-13 by ric gustafson

Sometimes in life people will betray us. It could be a spouse, friend or family member. It hurts. We are fallible and human. It is natural to let each other down. We feel it is betrayal. We thought the relationship was secure. When this happens, we doubt ourselves and our own worth. 

God says bring your pain to me. We need to ask God to restore our security and balance. 

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' the 5 minute bible study for difficult times' by Barbour Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Martha page 5

 Martha page 5 by ric gustafson

One day while she was weaving, Martha heard some big news. Lazarus asked his father to arrange a betrothal. His choice for wife was Shua a daughter of the village potter. She noticed that her father's health was getting worse.

Passover neared and the family got ready for it's annual trek to Jerusalem. An elderly cousin named Hanniel agreed that they could stay with him and his wife in the Holy City. Nathan joined them. Later, they found Esther and her family.

That afternoon, Lazarus prepared to bring a sacrificial lamb to the Temple. Martha and the other women prepared the lamb.

At one point, Lazarus ran back to the women.

Martha became worried. " What's wrong Lazarus?".

" A Rabbi caused a ruckus in the courtyard".

Mary frowned. " What did he do?".

" He overturned the tables of the moneychangers".

" You never know about these Rabbi's". Martha shook her head. " First John the Baptist and now this Rabbi".

Later, Lazarus told her his name was Jesus.

research help: ' Martha' by Diana Wallis Taylor

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

difficult times: Luke 24: 36-43

 difficult times: Luke 24: 36-43 by ric gustafson

We all have doubt. Do we doubt God's reality?. Do we feel guilty when we have doubt?. Having doubt is normal. It's not a sin to doubt. It can cause us pain if doubt continues for a long time. It can rob us of peace and joy. It can affect how we feel as God's children. Like all human beings, we doubt. Jesus did not scold the disciples for doubting. Jesus will not scold us.

research help: ' the 5 minute bible study for difficult times' by Barbour Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Martha page 4

 Martha page 4 by ric gustafson

When Martha and her family went to Esther's wedding, she knew she would miss her friend terribly. She gave her a blue shawl as a wedding gift.

The next morning, Martha woke up early and prepared breakfast for the family. Then she ran to see Micah and Esther before they left for good. After they left, she spent her free time weaving woven cloth and rugs.

One day, her father and brother came back from the marketplace.

" Martha, first of all we sold all of your rugs". Her father smiled. " We also heard new news".

" What news is that?".

" There is a new prophet named John the Baptist" exclaimed her father. " He is baptizing people in the Jordan River".

Lazarus spoke up. " He wears a garment of camel's hair and eats locusts and wild honey".

Martha chuckled. " How can you survive eating that?".

" They say". Her father grinned. " He is preparing people for someone who is coming soon".

Martha shook her head. " We shall see".

research help: ' Martha' by Diana Wallis Taylor

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric