Megabit 20 — March 29

Abba Michael, the Patient Father

Abba Michael was a church father, which means he was a leader who looked after God's people. He was the archbishop of the big city of Alexandria, watching over many churches at once. He was kind and good, but his days were full of trouble and sadness.

Once, the people of a town built a new church and wanted it blessed. A bishop who loved being important would not help them. So Abba Michael came himself and blessed the church. This made the proud bishop very angry, and he stayed angry instead of making peace.

The proud bishop told a powerful ruler that Abba Michael was hiding lots of gold and silver. The ruler asked for the treasures, but they belonged to the churches, so Abba Michael would not give them away. Bravely he said his body could be locked up, but his soul belonged to God. He was put in prison for more than a year, and there he prayed and ate only simple food like bread, salt, and beans.

God's people loved Abba Michael. Friends and monks gathered money to help set him free. Then one day a poor monk in old, ragged clothes came to visit, and he brought a happy promise.

Do not be worried in your heart. In forty days you will be set free, and you will owe nothing.— the kind monk's message

How God Kept His Promise

Just as the monk had said, before forty days were over, the unkind ruler was gone, and a new ruler took his place. The new ruler gave Abba Michael back the paper that said he owed money. Now Abba Michael owed nothing at all!

After many years of trouble and sadness, this gentle father finally rested in peace. He had cared for God's people for twenty-nine years. God never forgot him, and God never forgets us either.

Jesus Wakes Up His Friend Lazarus

Jesus had a dear friend named Lazarus who became sick and died. Lazarus had been in his grave for four whole days when Jesus came.

Jesus called Lazarus by name, and Lazarus came out, alive and well! When the people saw this, many of them believed in Jesus and loved Him. This is the same Lord who walked from Jerusalem to a town called Bethany to bring His friend back to life.

It reminds us that Jesus is stronger than anything, even death. He loves His friends very much.

Our Lord Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, and Lazarus came back to life.

Tsege-Selassie, Who Loved a Quiet Life of Prayer

We also remember Tsege-Selassie. She lived a very simple, quiet life so she could pray to God and think about Him all day long.

People like Tsege-Selassie show us that being close to God is the best treasure of all. We ask this holy friend to pray for us.

Stratonice, the Brave Girl Whom God Protected

Stratonice was a young girl who loved Jesus with all her heart. Her father prayed to idols (statues that are not really God), but Stratonice secretly prayed to Jesus and asked Him to forgive her. She prayed so much that her family wondered why she looked so tired.

When she told them she loved Jesus, her father was not happy, and a ruler tried to make her bow to the idols. But brave Stratonice said no. She would only love the true God.

Wicked people tried to hurt her again and again, but God protected her every time, like a shield around her. A heavy thing they made her hold simply broke apart, and snakes in a pit turned harmless as dust. When the people watching saw how God kept her safe, thousands of them decided to believe in Jesus too. Their names are remembered with joy.

In the end, Stratonice gave her whole life to God. She stayed faithful even though it cost her her life. She was not afraid, because she had heard God's own voice promise her a happy home in heaven.

Blessed are you, Stratonice, for your name is written in the Book of Life.— a voice from heaven

The Many Friends Who Believed With Stratonice

We also remember the great crowd of people, more than six thousand of them, who saw how God kept Stratonice safe and chose to love Jesus because of her courage.

One brave girl helped so many people find God. This shows us that even children can help others come to know how good and loving God is.

The Church of Abba 'Askaran

On this day, long ago, a church was blessed and given to God in honor of a holy man named Abba 'Askaran. When a church is set apart this way, it becomes a special place kept just for prayer.

It is a happy thing to have a special place to gather, sing, and pray together. We ask Abba 'Askaran to pray for us all.