Everybody in the Pleasant Grove community knew Ted would never believe. Though his precious mother Ida played the piano for our little church, Ted showed no interest in Jesus or church. Most assumed it was just too late for Ted to believe. Especially after he had a stroke, he rebuffed every attempt to talk to him about Jesus. Miss Ida asked us to pray for Ted to believe. Do you know anyone like Ted?
After the apostles entrusted the care of the widows to the seven, they continued to preach and pray. When these servants resolved the problem, the word of God spread. At Pentecost, three thousand believed in a single day. What does Luke mean when he says the number of disciples increased rapidly? The church grew exponentially. Even more amazing, priests started to believe. Remember the Sadducees were among the priests who did not believe in angels or miracles or much of anything. Even those who had opposed Jesus started to believe.
One morning at Pleasant Grove, as I prayed with our deacons back in the “young people’s” Sunday school room before the service, we heard a buzz. Ted was in church. Miss Ida decorated the piano keys with her tears as she played that day. When we offered the invitation, I was looking at the floor when I saw movement up the aisle. A maroon-colored boot started to move. Ted came down the aisle and gave his heart to Jesus that day. We baptized him. The whole church rejoiced. It felt like God accomplished the impossible when he saved Ted.
We almost missed prayer meeting this week because of Spring Break. All other activities were canceled. But we scheduled a baptism and we decided to meet last night to pray. I’m glad we did. First-time guests came to pray with us. Even on a holiday our number in the room seemed to grow. God’s people prayed. Who knows what might happen if we continue to pray? Fire might fall. People who show no interest might come and believe. Whatever God has ever done he can still do. Whatever God has ever done anywhere he can do here. Whatever God has ever done for anyone he can do for you.
