Soldiers of the Great King
by Mary Wingfield Bell

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Chapter 1	Chapter 2	Chapter 3	Chapter 4	Chapter 5	Chapter 6
Chapter 7	Chapter 8	Chapter 9	Chapter 10	Chapter 11	Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

 

Janet was glad to learn that Willie Mack did change his way of living.  He became a good boy and was interested in the welfare of others.  He was helpful to his Aunt Ellie and a good friend to all he met.

 

Willie was there at the next meeting of soldiers of the king.  His smiling face added to the joy of the meeting.

 

Maria was the leader.  She decided it would be a good idea for the children to give their testimony about what turned their thoughts to taking Jesus into their hearts.

 

“Who wants to tell about when you asked Jesus to come into your heart?” asked Maria.  “Who will be first?”

 

“I will be first,” said Dalthea.  “I was one mean girl until King Jesus changed my life.  I did not like anyone and many people did not like me.  When some of you came to help me with the work, as I was caring for grandmother I saw how happy you were.  You were even happy when you were working.  I thought you were strange.  How could you be glad about working.  Then I found out that you knew the king and I wanted to know him, too.  He has made a difference in my life.  Now I am happy and I love the great King Jesus so much.  He loves me and I will love him forever.”

 

“That’s good, Dalthea,” said Maria.  “Who wants to be next?”

 

“I will,” said Mrs. Cho.  “I listen to Janet tell stories about Jesus.  He was a good man.  He died because evil people killed him but he not stay dead.  He arose again.  He lives forever and I take him into my heart.  He is my God.  I no longer follow Buddha because Jesus is alive, He loves me.  He helps me.  He is my best friend.”

 

“You are right, Ms. Cho.  Jesus is our best friend,” said Maria.  “And he is our great king.  Who will be next?”

 

“I will talk,” said Donald.  “Before Jesus came into my heart, I didn’t care much about people.  I was always getting into mischief and I teased people.  When I first came across Janet and Trilby, they let me know that they belonged to a secret kingdom.  I told them that I wanted to know their king.  Janet told me how to have King Jesus live in me and that he would be my king, too.  I asked Jesus to come into my heart and forgive my sins.  He did and now King Jesus is my king.  I am his child.  Taking Jesus into my life is the best thing I ever did.  He is powerful. He is great and he loves me.  Jesus will always be my friend.”

 

“What you have said is great,” said Maria.

 

“Next?”

 

“I am next,” said Trilby.  “Jesus has been in my heart since I was a little tiny boy.  I am happy most all the time and at the Hallelujah Church we dance and sing praise to the great king.  I love him and he loves me.  He is my best friend.”

 

“Next?” said Maria.

 

“I have loved King Jesus a long time, too,” said Janet.  “I know he will always be with me and I will love me forever.  He is a good king.  He always does what is best and he has great power.  He can do anything.  I would not trade King Jesus for anything, not even diamonds or silver and gold.  He is my king forever and ever.”

 

“Now, who want to talk?” asked Maria.

 

“I’ll be next,” said Lorena.  I first learned about Jesus being a good friend when I was scared.  I was sad and lonely and I could not sleep because I had to stay by myself.  Janet told me that Jesus could help me and she prayed for me.  She told me how to let Jesus come into my heart.  I prayed the way she told me to pray, asking Jesus to forgive my sins and come into my heart.  He did and I learned not to be afraid because I had him to take care of me.  I have a good neighbor who has a dog named Whopper.  The dog likes me.  My neighbor said that I could ask her for help when I needed someone.  King Jesus made things better for me.  Then Aunt Ruth came to live with us.  Now I am happy because of Jesus.”

 

“Who is next?” asked Maria.  “I know each one of you is glad you found the saviour, King Jesus. Isn’t he wonderful?”

 

“I can be next,” said Willie Mack.  “I have lived a hard life for a fellow so young.  I have lived in four foster homes, never ever feeling that I belonged in any of them.  Sometimes I did mean things.  Sometimes I was beaten.  The lady in the last home was nice to children but she died and I was sent to live with Aunt Ellie.  I did a mean thing.  I helped two boys lock up Janet and I believe your name is Maria.  We left the girls locked in the shed on a cold morning.  I heard they got free.  I was glad they got out of the shed.  I never did feel good after that until the Sunday I went to the altar and gave myself to the one you call King Jesus.  He lifted a load from me and now he is my king, too.  What a king.  He’s wonderful.”

 

“Willie, we are glad that you have a nice place to live now, said Maria.  “Sister Ellie will be good to you.”

 

“I want to be next,” said little Joy, “I listen to Janet tell stories about Jesus.  I want Jesus in my heart.  He is in my heart.  Now I am happy.

 

“I want everyone to know why I have the great king in my heart,” said Richard.  “I thought I was going to die.  My foot hurt so badly.  It was awful and I screamed and disturbed others around me.  Then some of you guys came to see me.  Donald prayed for me and the pain left.  I wanted to know the one who healed me.  Someone told me to ask Jesus to forgive my sins and come into my heart.  I did and now I m serving King Jesus.  I am one of his soldiers.  Isn’t Jesus the greatest.  I want all children and grown-ups to take Jesus as saviour and king.  I will always live for him and give him my best time.  I love King Jesus.”

 

“Who will be next?” asked the leader.

 

Myrtle stood up and said, “I have learned to care for people since Jesus came into my heart.  You guys are right.  King Jesus is the best thing that can happen to anyone.  I do love Jesus and he loves me.”

 

“Elmer, don’t you have anything to say,” asked Maria.

 

“Donald and I both had the same thing happen to us,” said Elmer.  “We both asked Jesus to live in our hearts and he is there.  I love to read the bible and learn about the miracles Jesus did.  He is my saviour and king."

 

”How about you, Tim?” asked Maria.

 

“I love Jesus,” said Tim.  “Jesus loves me.”

 

“Now I will tell the story of the ten virgins,” said Maria.  “There were ten virgins which took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  Five were wise girls and five were foolish girls.  The foolish girls had no oil to put in their lamps.  The wise virgins took oil to put in their lamps.  They all slept while the bridegroom waited to get married.  At midnight someone cried out, ‘The bridegroom comes, go out to meet him.’  The virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.  The foolish girls said, ‘Give us oil for our lamps.  We have no light.’  The wise ones said, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and you.  Go buy some for yourself.’  While they went to buy, the bridegroom came and they that were ready went in with him to the wedding and the door was shut.  The other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, open the door to us.’  But he said, ‘I do not know you.’  I think this story means for us to always live right and do good to others so we will be ready when Jesus comes again.  When he comes we want King Jesus to tell us that we have done well.  We don’t want him to say, ‘I do not know you!’  I think Jesus wants his children to give their best work to him.  This will be for the way to have oil in their lamps.”

 

“Jesus knows that we love him and work for him,” said Trilby.  “He will know us when he comes.”

 

“Yeah,” said Elmer.  “That story is about people who don’t really know King Jesus.”

 

“Now, let us pray the Lord’s prayer,” said Maria.  “Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.”

 

“Can we say our bible verses now?” asked Tim.  “I have a verse.”

 

“Say your verse, Tim,” said Maria.

 

“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened; and the ears of the deaf unstopped.  Isaiah 35:5,” said Tim.

 

“Do we have more bible verses?” asked Maria.

 

“Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty.  Isaiah 33:17a,” said James.

 

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee.  Isaiah 26:3,” said Richard.

 

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.  Psalm 122:1,” said Trilby.

 

“Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.  Psalm 37:37,” said Donald.

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16,” said Lorena.

 

“Jesus wept.  John 11:35,” said Joy.

 

“The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.  John 3:35,” said Dalthea.

 

 “And Jesus said unto him, ‘Receive thy sight, thy faith hath saved thee.’ Luke 18:42,” said Myrtle.

 

“Sure goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23:6,” said Janet.

 

It was time for the meeting to end and Maria said, “Let each of us find someone to tell about Jesus and how he or she can know the great king.”

 

The children received refreshments.  Mrs. Cho had baked chocalate cookies for everyone and Mrs. Cubber made hot tea.

 

After eating cookies, the boys and girls played tag in the church yard.  Tag was their favorite game to play

 

The meeting was over and Maria walked home with Janet and her mother.

 

“It was a good meeting today,” said Janet.  “Maria, you are a good leader.”

 

“Isn’t it good to talk about our King Jesus and the things we learn from him?” said Maria.

 

“Sure is good to talk about our saviour, Jesus,” returned Janet.  “I think Willie will be a good soldier, don’t you?  He sure had a hard time before he came to live with Sister Ellie.  I am so thankful that I have a good home.  Manie and I do just fine.”

 

“God has blest us,” said Maria.

 

“I think about Katie Oaks often and I pray for her to be like other children her age,” said Janet.

 

“I, too, pray for Katie,” said Maria.  “I have a feeling God will answer our prayers.  Do you think God will heal her?”

 

“Yes, I do,” said Janet.  “Maybe it will be soon.”

 

Janet was right.  The next Sunday when Janet went to church she saw a new Katie.  Katie was not clinging to her mother.  She was not chewing her collar or sucking her thumb but she sat by her father in a lady-like position.  People noticed that Katie was different.

 

“The good Lord has seen fit to restore our Katie,” said Brother Oaks.  “She is now a normal child.  She has much to catch up with but she is now bright and she will do fine.  It is a glorious day for our family.  We have our Katie again.  Praise the Lord!  Katie will now bless us with the music of her harp.”

 

Katie played the sweetest sounds of music on her harp which delighted the congregation.  She had a look of satisfaction when she took her seat by her father.  Whatever Katie had been through was all over and she was a happy girl.

 

Everyone in the building that day was happy for Katie and her parents.

 

“The Lord has indeed blest this people,” said Reverend Alway.  “Katie is healed and she will enjoy the other children.  It is with thanksgiving we praise our heavenly Father.”

 

When service had ended Katie joined Janet and the other children in the church yard.

 

“Come home with me,” Katie said to Janet.  “I have some new things to play with – a blackboard, paper, crayons and blocks.  You can be my teacher.  I have much to learn.”

 

“Sounds like fun,” said Janet.  “I will ask Manie.”

 

Mrs. Cubber said Janet could spend the afternoon at Katie’s house and Janet followed Katie to the car.  Maria walked home with Janet’s mother.

 

After enjoying lunch with the Oaks family, Janet set about to teach Katie.  Katie had learned the alphabet letters on the blocks.  Janet taught her how to print the letters.  Katie watched Janet closely and made each letter after Janet made the letter.  When the alphabet was completed, Janet decided to teach Katie to spell three letter words.  She drew a picture by each word. Soon Katie could spell cow, cat, pig and dog.  They stayed so busy for a time that Katie’s mother said they should stop awhile and play outside.

 

Janet showed Katie how to jump rope and the games she could play with the jump rope.

 

“You are a lot of fun now,” said Janet.  “I have prayed for you.  Many people prayed for you and God has answered our prayers.  You are now well.”

 

“I am so far behind,” said Katie.  “I will study hard so I can catch up with other children.”

 

“You will,” assured Janet.  “You learn very fast.”

 

“Mother said that I acted like a two-year old before I was healed,” said Katie.  “I don’t remember that.  I just remember playing my harp.”

 

“You always played beautiful music on your harp,” said Janet.  “And you will give your best time to the king with your music.  I am sure your music pleases the king.”

 

“Who is the king?” asked Katie.  “I don’t know who you are talking about.”

 

“I thought that you knew King Jesus,” said Janet.  “He is the greatest, most wonderful king of all.”

 

“Well, then I want to know him,” said Katie.  “How can I know the king?”

 

“I will tell you but first let me tell you about Jesus,” offered Janet.  “Jesus is the son of God.  He was born in a manger.  Mary was his mother.  His earthly father was Joseph.  Jesus grew up to be a good man.  He healed many people and delivered those who were tormented by the devil.  He even raised the dead.  Some people did not like him.  They hanged him on the cross.  He died for the sins of all people.  He was the only one good enough to die for the sins of all people.  The only way to get to Heaven is to believe in Jesus.  Jesus is the great King who is coming to rule the world.  He is most powerful.  Katie, if you want to know him just pray after me what I say.”

 

“I do want to know King Jesus,” said Katie.  “I want to play my harp for him.

 

“Say this, ”Dear Jesus forgive all my sins and come into my heart.  I will serve you and love you all of my life.”

 

Katie prayed as Janet told her to pray.

 

“I feel good inside,” said Katie.  “I’m sure the king lives in me now.”

 

“Now you are a soldier of the king,” said Janet.  “You can come to our meetings and you will learn much about him.”

 

“I will be a good soldier,” said Katie.  “I love Jesus already.”