Issue 4 | 2023

TRANSFORMED LIVES
love, as Jesus commands in John 13:34. God’s love in
us was a powerful bonding agent. It prevented us from
seeing physical, political, and socioeconomic differences
and opened our eyes to the beauty of each other’s spirit.
It also resulted in generous acts of kindness, grace,
and patience throughout the week. Due to age and physical
limitations, some people walked much slower than
others. But no one ever complained, and we didn’t leave
anyone behind. If one of the group members stumbled
or fell due to the rocky terrain, others helped them up.
Oh, if God’s children could always be so loving, kind,
generous, and patient with one another, our world would
be transformed.
One day, after a delicious and expensive meal by the
Sea of Galilee, a young man from our group blessed our
whole table by picking up the tab. I learned about Mark’s
generosity while in line at the cash register. I had my
shekels (Israeli money) in hand when he turned around
and said, “It’s all been taken care of.” I was stunned. I
hardly knew him—I just happened to sit at his table.
Mark’s action caused me to think about God’s generous
gift of salvation (John 3:16) when He “purchased our
freedom and forgave our sins” (Colossians 1:14 NLT).
I suddenly imagined myself at a heavenly cash register,
waiting to pay the price for my sin, a price I could
have never paid (Romans 6:23). Then Jesus turned
around, looked at me with eyes of love, and said, “It’s
all been taken care of. I paid the price for your sin and
the world’s sins.” (See 1 Timothy 2:6.)
I hadn’t done anything to deserve this kind act of mercy.
In fact, no one deserves it. But just think—Jesus paid
that heavy price for you and me before we even knew
Him and while we were still active sinners (Romans 5:8).
Sadly, that was the last interaction I had with Mark.
At about midnight, Mark’s wife called with devastating
news—his child had
died.
Our Bible teacher
shared the news with
our group after our
morning devotion, sitting
under a tin shelter
overlooking Bethlehem.
Sadness hung in the air, but then, one by one, we began
to pray. We boldly took our brother and his loved ones to
the throne of God and interceded on his behalf (Hebrews
4:16; 1 Timothy 2:1).
My heart hurt, and like everyone else, I had questions.
But I took comfort in knowing that while Mark was flying
home to reunite with his distraught family, more than
80 people were crying out to God on his behalf.
Anyone who professes
Jesus as their Lord and
Savior becomes a part
of His eternal family.
In His grace, I could see that God had given Mark a new
Above: Kristi (third
in line) and her son,
Dalton (fourth) pray
the Psalms of Ascent
as they make their way
up the temple steps,
the same steps Jesus
would have walked
entering the temple.
Right: A beautiful view
of Jerusalem behind
the Israeli flag.
family of burden carriers to intercede on his behalf.
Not only that, but my Lord had also positioned many
mighty men of God to be with Mark when he received
the news. They had stayed with him the entire night,
supporting him and making arrangements for his
flight home. Despite how it looked, God wasn’t absent,
and He had not abandoned Mark.
God never abandons His children. John 14:18
promises that He will never leave us as orphans. The
ARTWORK BY A VICTORIOUS LIVING FAMILY MEMBER
PHOTOS BY DREW NICOLELLO
14 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM