Wind in the Face

KJV John 3:
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound hereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Do I like to ride? There is a certain freedom about mounting the saddle of a motorcycle. Many say it is the modern day horse. Many times the westerner would put foot in stirrup and just go for a wander.
"Where are you going friend?"
With a wave of the hand, "That way!"
It is all right as a Christian to just go that way. We do not always have to have our lives planned out. We do not always have to have a purpose in a journey other than taking the journey. Sometimes it is so satisfying to just wander towards a destination.
Just being with Jesus. No particular objective in mind, just being with Him. Being with Jesus does not always have to involve speech. You do not always have to have a running dialogue with Jesus. What is important is "being with" Jesus.
"Being with" just means that you are in the moment giving attention to that moment or more specifically, giving your full attention to the person you are with. So when you are "being with" Jesus you give your full attention to Him by "being in the Spirit".
"Being in the Spirit" is nothing mystical or hard to do. Jesus gave us a hint:

KJV John 7:
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

"Being in the Spirit" is simply a connection with Jesus by allowing your mind to be focused on your spiritual center of your body, your belly. An area just below your navel. Try allowing your conscious mind to focus on the spiritual center. It is quite a peaceful, fulfilling sensation.
This would be the primary way of "being with" Jesus. It does not mean that you block everything else out, it means that you become engrossed in Jesus while going about your every day life, fully aware of what you are doing yet "in" Jesus.
It is kind of like praying without ceasing:

1Th 5:
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.

When I ride I have more than the physical wind in my face, I have Jesus with me in a very real, tangible way.
Today and every day may you be blessed with the presence of Jesus. May you become immersed in "being with" Jesus.
Love and blessings to all.

How Do You Respond to Adversity?

Found this in the latest Bob Harrison Newsletter. This is an incredible true story.

A LONG RIDE TO HARVARD UNIVERSITY

A Los Angeles teenager was one of the most unlikely people to be selected to attend Harvard University, let alone be awarded a “Full-Ride Scholarship.”

Donald Trump once made the following statement:

“The # 1 key to being a successful business person is how you respond to adversity.”

If that statement is correct, then Khadijah Williams has great success ahead of her. A front page article in the Los Angeles Times describes her journey to Harvard University.

As long as she can remember, Khadijah has floated from shelters to motels to armories. In 12 years time she has attended 12 schools while living out of garbage bags among pimps and drug dealers.

When shelters closed or money ran out, she and her mother would pack what little they had and board buses to find housing elsewhere. Khadijah had to learn how to hunt for her next meal, find the nearest bus routes and determine what was a secure place to sleep.

When she was in her junior year of high school, she had to commute by buses from an Orange County armory to school in Los Angeles. She awoke at 4:00 a.m. and returned at 11:00 p.m. Yet in spite of all the challenges, she was able to keep her grade-point average just below a 4.0 (straight A's).

Her secret? At every stop, she pushed herself in each school's gifted student program. She was diligent in her studies, plus she read four to five books a month. In addition, she reached out for assistance to organizations and mentors.

Her reward? A full scholarship to Harvard University.

There is no promise that life is going to be absent of adversity and challenges. However, our response to these negative seasons will determine whether we will fade off into the memories of a distant past or continue to live a life of meaning and impact.

INCREASE THOUGHT How well do you respond to adversity? INCREASE VERSE “The trouble of the passing hour may result in a solid glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Here I sit scratching my head and wondering how one would address a veritable plague among Christians, that being depression.
In my years as a Christian I have suffered very deep bouts of depression. The worst that I remember is in Nov. of 1983. I was a brand new Christian. Shortly after I was Born Again, I went into a deep dark hole of depression. Every day seemed as if there was a spiritual night surrounding me. Everything was dark. I remember sighing a lot and just happy that the day was over and I could retreat into sleep. It was horrid! I felt so alone and helpless. I figured no one would understand and be able to help me and I was right.
Fortunately for me I snapped out of it in less than 2 weeks.
We like to blame the devil for more things than it (remember that satan is only an angel and an angel has no gender) is responsible for. Saying that it is the devil and that you can pray him away has no meaning to a person that is deep in the pit of depression. That person can hardly breath let alone think of how to get out of where he is at. That person will look at you, sigh and walk away. This scripture will help to explain what I mean:

James 2:
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the
body; what doth it profit?

It might seem a bit harsh nevertheless that is how a depressed person would feel. I know because I have been there. It is like giving a drowning man a heavy stone to hold.
Do any of these dictionary explanations resonate with you?

Psychology A psychiatric disorder characterized by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, loss of appetite, anhedonia, feelings of extreme sadness, guilt, helplessness and hopelessness, and thoughts of death. Also called clinical depression.

Psychiatry. a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason.

Clinical Depression

–noun

Psychiatry. a depression so severe as to be considered abnormal, either because of no obvious environmental causes, or because the reaction to unfortunate life circumstances is more intense or prolonged than would generally be expected.

Many people in Christian ranks hide their depression because they think it is shameful not to be a perfectly happy Christian all the time. Their smile is on the face while the tears are in the eyes ready to flow.

Let me give you all hope IT IS OK TO BE HUMAN!!

Part of our humanity is occasional bouts with depression whether they are caused spiritually or otherwise. Jesus made us the way we are: human. We are not an angel or are we Jesus.

Psalm 8:
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

We know that this is talking about Jesus. Jesus took on human form for a brief time here on Earth and by doing so took on all the attributes of His creation, man. He knows what we are or will be going through. He know about depression. That is why He has given us other people to lean on and help us through.
Let me proclaim that it is OK to feel depressed and lean on others. Now here is the qualifier; as long as you do not use it to draw others into your emotional state or use it to gain attention. Harsh?? Well we as humans can use depression as a tool to satisfy our deepest needs of love and acceptance. In that case there is no desire to get out of depression only to stay in it to satisfy OUR desires.
Having said that let is be said that we spend so much time focusing on the problems (sin, world, flesh) that we lose our focus of making it to heaven by just being a Christian.

KJV Luke 10:
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

Martha focused upon the problems while Mary focused upon the solution or the object of the quest: Jesus and being a great Christian.
The "Parable of the Sower" is the same thing, focusing upon the wrong thing.
I was given this quote a while ago; "What you focus upon expands." That is exactly what we do when we are depressed, focus on the wrong thing ... us.
Let me say this, when you are in the depths of depression that quote has absolutely no meaning let alone relevance because you are unable to focus on anything else other than your depression. That quote will help you keep away from depression once you are back on your feet again.
Let me say again, it is permissible to be human and look how you feel, for a while.
What did David do?

KJV 1 Samuel 30:
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

He encouraged himself in the Lord BEFORE he slipped too fare into depression. It is a temptation to just want top slip into those familiar dark depths, isn't it? Yes slipping into the old ways is a temptation.

KJV 1 Corinthians 10:
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

KJV James 1:
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.


KJV 2 Thessalonians 3:
3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Please be encouraged. The thing with depression is to always keep on top of it by focusing on positive things. Yes bad things happen to good people however we are able to choose how we wish to respond to situations in our lives. Yes there will be times when we slip into depression yet our time there will be greatly shortened.
The dark tunnel of depression ALWAYS has an end. Jesus is the light at the end of the tunnel and the light in the tunnel.

KJV John 8:
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

KJV John 12:
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Until I became stronger in the Lord Jesus, I was unable to help myself, I couldn't even pray my way out of the darkness. That is when I turned to understanding and discreet Christian friends to pray for me. It was their prayers that help me out because I was helpless to do anything.
Do not be discouraged if you become depressed there is a way out; Christian friends and the guiding light of Jesus. Once you are out of the dark tunnel you can encourage yourself in the Lord Jesus and face anther day with a truly happy spirit.
May the light of Jesus always guide you. May you moment-by-moment encourage yourself in the Lord. Be blessed and happy.

Eagle's Wings

It is upon Eagle's wings that we soar into the heaven.

KJV Exodus 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

We are in an era of great change; change that will bring about a shakeup in our own personal worlds. Be not dismayed because Jesus is orchestrating this change. He will not leave you comfortless: KJV John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless (bereft of a teacher, guide, guardian, orphaned): I will come to you.

Jesus said that He would bare you unto Himself and no other.

Many times we think of theses Eagle's wings taking us away from the troubles of this world so we will find peace away from the responsibilities that we have here.

KJV Psalm 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Jesus said that He would calm the storm not take us out of the boat of this life. It is this calm in Him that will help us through the coming change. A change that will refine all those that profess that Jesus is Lord.

Be strengthened in Jesus.

Blessings to all.

Apple of His Eye

Another Sunday morning. I was sitting on my porch at about 7:00 this morning, as I am making a habit of doing lately, just feeling the town I live in come awake. The song "Easy Like Sunday Morning" came to mind. Went to YouTube and listened to it. Right now the title says it all.
Sunday mornings can be very peaceful. People are not rushing to get to work, factories are not in full swing and the traffic on the main road is at a minimum.
Today the sun was raising hot and the wind was still. Peaceful Like Sunday Morning. What a blessing it is to sit and experience this.
I feel that time is never wasted watching the grass grow. Just being in the moment with Jesus is a wonderful thing. Just relaxing. Mind clear of the things of the day, troubles or the stuff I have to do. Just being.
Just being with Jesus is a wonderfully peaceful thing. Time is never wasted when Jesus is the center of it; the moment that is. We do not have the past or the future we only have the now, the moment, the heartbeat, the twinkle of the eye; that is all we have to live in. Yes we have eternity with Jesus to look forward to; we are not there yet, that is coming. We have our past experiences that can shape our now. We can have a dream which is a future reality that has not happened yet. Where we really live is in the moment.
For me the hardest thing is to fill that moment with the positive and even harder is allowing Jesus to be there filling the moment.
That got me to thinking about this verse of scripture:

KJV Zechariah 2:
8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

We as believers are the "apple of his eye". The Phrase Finder says this:
"Originally meaning the central aperture of the eye. Figuratively it is something, or more usually someone, cherished above others."
I am the apple of Jesus's eye. I, as a believer and one of His own, am cherished above all others. Opps! That sounds that I and I alone am cherished to the exclusion of all others. We know that the Body as a whole, a part of which you and I are, is cherished.
However I would like to take this to a totally personal level.
No one else can experience Jesus like I do. No one else has the relationship with Jesus that I do. How can they? We are all unigue, one of a kind in this world, created this way by Jesus. That is why I can say that I am cherished above all others because there is not another me.
Just think of it: you are indavidually created by Jesus and therefore you have a unique, exclusive relationship with Jesus. He interacts with you in a way that He interacts with no one else. Unique and exclusive.
Does that make me better than others? Why should it because Jesus acts with others in a way that is exclusive to them. They are the apple of his eye also.
The following scripture I believe expresses this best:

KJV Luke 12:
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

We are never forgotten of God. We are the apple of His eye, cherished and beloved.

KJV Psalm 46:
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Being still before God, knowing that He cherishes you will bring great strength and calm.
May Jesus find you today in the quiet reaches of your being and bring you great joy and comfort.

Tyler's Gift

A dream is a reality that has not appeared yet.

In '07 we were coming back from a Klemmer & Associates event in June. We had our dogs at Doggy Boarding. While I was there I saw this puppy (like the one pictured) there. He was there so our Groomer could find a family for him.
He was all hairy, little and what I though was a little on the ugly side. However Jesus had other plans for me. When I said that he was for sale, the words just popped out of my mouth: "I might be interested." Now where did that come from? We had 3 dogs already and I did not believe that we needed, let alone wanted another living being in our home.
I went to pick up my wife from work. On the way I said that I wanted her to see a puppy our Groomer had there. There was a bit of resistance, but since I was driving she went along with it.
When we got there we got to handle the puppy. He was a snuggler and we took right to him. However he had a growth between one of his toes. A little concern here. It was going away with the medication the vet gave him so we decided to take him home (in sales this is called the puppydog close). Our dogs were already used to him. We were to bring him back after the weekend because he had to go back to the vet for a checkup.
I fell head-over-heals in love with Tyler (yes we named him. Go figure, eh!). Later that day we heard that Tyler had cancer. Not a great prognoses but It did not fase me because I though that we could make his remaining days comfortable. You see I loved him and wanted to keep him alive to help feed this love.
The owners took him to a vet school to be further diagnosed and possibly be treated. The word came back that Tyler's cancer had destroyed all his boan marrow. They did not allow him to wake up :'(
Of course like every human that has lost something I gave praise to God. Yeah right! I did what came naturally; I blamed Jesus for my pain that He had caused me. You see I figured out that it was Jesus that gave me this deep love for Tyler and later on I found out that I was right. I felt like my heart had been ripped out; an EXTREMELY emotional experience.
After I calmed down a bit I asked Jesus; "What am I to learn from this experience?" A good question that He immediately answered: "DON'T EVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!"
Huh? What does that have to do with Tyler's death? Now Jesus that is a totally unrelated statement, right?

"DON'T EVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!"

Now I figure when Jesus says the exact thing twice I had better listen.
So I put on my listening spirit and listened. Tyler's death was an emotional event that would allow me to remember what Jesus wanted me to remember; that is that He wants all of us to have dreams to fulfill.
Jesus sent Tyler into our lives for a purpose. Tyler's life was Jesus's gift to me. A gift that I appreciate to this day.
Jesus wants us to have dreams that are for us alone. He has made us, formed us and (hopefully, if we have a relationship with Him) directs us. I will talk about this in more detail later but we can make His dreams for us our dreams.

KJV Proverbs 29:
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Let us look at two words here "vision" and "law" form Strong's Concordance.

2377 chazown {khaw-zone'} • from 02372; TWOT - 633a; n m • AV - vision 35; 35 • 1) vision 1a) vision (in ecstatic state) 1b) vision (in night) 1c)
vision, oracle, prophecy (divine communication) 1d) vision (as title of book of prophecy)

8451 towrah {to-raw'} or hr'To torah {to-raw'} • from 03384; TWOT - 910d; n f • AV - law 219; 219 • 1) law, direction, instruction 1a) instruction, direction (human or divine) 1a1) body of prophetic teaching 1a2) instruction in Messianic age 1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction 1a4) body of legal directives 1b) law 1b1) law of the burnt offering 1b2) of special law, codes of law 1c) custom, manner 1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law

As we can see "vision" is divine communication and "law" is instruction.
I can only say that when Jesus communicates with us, it is His instruction for our lives. Not all instruction is for the present. When it is for the future it is a dream. That is why I say: "A dream is a reality that has not appeared yet."
Being totally devoted to Jesus I have the faith and belief that these instruction for the future are my dreams that have not appeared yet.
Tyler's Gift if for you also. If you want a picture of Tyler, let me know and I will email you one.

"DON'T EVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!"

Bob Harrison - PLANE THAT CRASHED WAS ON AUTO PILOT

PLANE THAT CRASHED WAS ON AUTO PILOT The safety board’s report on the commuter plane that crashed in Buffalo last February came out this month. Of great concern was that apparently the aircraft was on autopilot when it went down in icy weather, indicating that the pilot may have violated federal safety recommendations and the airline's own policy for flying in such conditions. Running a business or church is much like flying a plane. When conditions are favorable it is as if everything can run on auto-pilot. However, when conditions are deteriorating, one needs to change from their normal operating procedures. I was reminded of this truth as it applies to life only last week. I was visiting with my friend Ed Gungor, a best-selling author, seminar speaker and pastor. In one of his teachings at a previous event, Ed shared about the necessity of balancing “God Auto-Pilot Thinking” with one’s own efforts. “Christians tend to fall in one ditch or the other. Some folks end up in the ditch of thinking that there will be little working and they just wait for increase to sort of ‘happen.’ They think increase is all God and His sovereign blessing. On the other hand, there are others who believe that it’s all about their own efforts and cunning. They really don’t trust God for increase – they get enough on their own (they may say God brings increase, but only because it makes for good religious press). Those who believe God is going to ‘make it happen’ believe that He can do whatever He wants to. It would be a simple matter for Him to make them win some kind of Divine lottery. However, God values planning, effort and work. God views the talents and abilities He gives us as investments…and He expects a return. The fellow in Matthew 25 who heard, ‘Well done good and faithful servant,’ was the guy who worked with what God had invested in him! The one who heard, ‘You wicked, lazy servant,’ was into heavy sovereignty – believing that he could ‘reap where he had not sown.’ God was pretty torqued at that guy – he was a slacker. Psalm 20:7 declares, ‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.’ You would think that if Israel was not to trust in the chariots and horses, then why have them? Or, if they have them, why not have some old, beat up ones? But Israel had the best chariots and horses that money could buy. They had the best, but they refused to trust in the best. I think that’s what God wants from us – to do our best, be our best, work to get better, BUT NEVER TRUST IT; always trust Him.” In these treacherous economic times, it is this balance that is necessary for one to maintain in order to overcome adversities and end up victorious. Do all you can and then believe God to make up what you cannot do. INCREASE THOUGHT How are you doing at balancing the natural and spiritual? INCREASE VERSE “He that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” Proverbs 18:9

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Worhshipping Jesus

Worship Jesus For Who He Is

A few years ago I was reading an article or heard it on a tape that the Christians in the Eastern countries (I think they were specifically talking about the Middle East) worship Jesus not for what He does but for whom He is. That kind of rocked my world. It was like a light going off in my head. I believe it was an epiphany (a very popular word these days).

In North America and the European countries, Jesus is worshipped for what He does for the individual.

We are so results oriented that it hurts. When we look at results primarily then it would follow that we are looking at what is done and how it is done. The process has become everything and therefore the results and quick results at that, become the primary reason for doing something.

When I grasped the idea of worshipping Jesus for who He is, I felt liberated. No longer was I bound by the guilt-ridden convention that surrounds worshipping and serving Jesus.

Guilt-ridden?? We are constantly reminded of what He did for us on the cross. We are constantly reminded of the blood He shed for our sins. We are constantly reminded that we are sinners, even though we serve Jesus and are saved the Biblical way.

KJV 1 John 4:

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

As the Bible says: Jesus has cast out fear in us. We do not have to fear or be constantly under the burden of sin guilt. Are we to live a life that upholds the righteousness of Christ? Yes but that does not mean that we are to live lives bound to this righteousness and every slip away from it means spiritual death. This is not the way of Jesus.

I do not have the guilt of not doing enough for Him or living a life bound by the guilt of imperfection. I love Him and worship Him because He is Jesus and He is God. No more or no less, just because He is.

I love Him just the way He is, as He loves me just the way I am. I adore my Master and serve Him just because. There are no strings attached or do I have to do a multitude of wonderful works. Jesus accepts and loves me the way I am without qualification.

That is why I worship and serve Him for who He is.

Take hope!

May Jesus draw you ever closer to Himself for He does the drawing and I allow myself to be drawn into His embrace.

Friends

For many years I was taught to witness to people that did not have the same Biblical beliefs as we did. I was further taught that the only reason you would have contact (in a friendly manner) with these people was to win them to the Lord. You would “befriend” them to win them. In the process you would minister to them but with the ultimate goal of winning them to the Lord.

What was winning them to the Lord? It meant to win them over to the particular Biblical belief of Christianity. Anyone who did not believe like we did NEEDED salvation, whether they were Christian believers or not.

Does this sound familiar? If so then we can relate.

This belief sets up a superior/inferior relationship with people. Why? Because I have the truth and you need it. It does not matter whether the person needs it or not, that is not the point. The point is the attitude of superiority: the holier-than-thou attitude.

It is this negative attitude that has alienated many people. In our sincere, heartfelt desire to see people have a better life we set ourselves up as judges. We are in a world that judges us at every turn. I, like you just want to be accepted the way I/we are without qualification.

Personally I just want to enjoy you for who you are, in so doing I will fulfill Math 5:14-16.

Math 5:

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Strong’s Concordance says this about “light”. This is only an excerpt of the whole explanation, however it does highlight what I am talking about

5457 2a) God is light because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality 2b) of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it 2c) that which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly 2d) reason, mind 2d1) the power of understanding esp. moral and spiritual truth

Just being a friend to someone is a precious thing in this rapidly changing, unstable world. Allowing our light to shine will affect more people than we ever know of. It is the gentle touch of love on a person’s soul that draws people to Jesus

It is so good to remember that it is God that gives the increase. This relieves us of the burden of doing the work, so to speak. All we have to do is let our light so shine. Some are gifted with the ability to persuade people and others are not so, yet we all can let our light so shine.

KJV 1 Corinthians 3:

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

What is the most desired thing in this world? What do people desire about ALL else. What are people willing to die for? LOVE.

1Corinthians chapter 13 gives us an overview of how love is expressed. If we can do this then we are going a long way to letting our light so shine.

KJV 1Co 13:

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth:

The desire to be loved by another human is like an unquenchable thirst within the soul. That is why Jesus gave us, His disciples a new commandment.

Joh 13:

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Does this mean that we become apathetic in our desire to spread the gospel? No, it is only in the method that Jesus has endowed us with that we are to spread the gospel. Everyone can strive towards loving others.

We are certainly admonished to:

KJV Mark 16:

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

KJV LUK 24:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

However Jesus points out in the book of Revelation that coming to Him is a personal choice.

KJV Revelation 22:

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Strong’s: 1) to will, have in mind, intend 1a) to be resolved or determined, to purpose 1b) to desire, to wish 1c) to love 1c1) to like to do a thing, be fond of doing 1d) to take delight in, have pleasure

Coming to Him is a freewill thing. If a person rejects the gospel then they are rejecting Jesus not us.

If a person does not come to Jesus, does this mean that we are to reject them? Not at all, we all need friends. Who knows, our loving witness might just draw them into a relationship with Jesus. If not then we must respect their decision. Freedom is the ability to choose and be respected for that choice.

Since I have started to believe this way I have become more at peace with my relationship with Jesus. I still care about the other person’s soul yet I respect their decisions.

May the blessing of Jesus follow you. May His love envelope you. May you love yourself and others like Jesus loves you.
Please think of 1Co 13 when you listen to this song.

Forever Young

A friend of mine sent me this today and I thought It would be wonderful to include in this blog
Now Joan Baez became well known back in the 70's (or so) and that is my era of music.
My teenage years were spent in the 60's; I was not a Christian at the time. A decade of mass change in values and morals. Those of us who went through that time were not left unscathed. I call us the "lost generation" because we lost our footing on the past, a past that helped provide us with stability and a lifestyle. That all changed. In fact the very fabric of our society was was rent.
Nevertheless I do not want this to be a downer.
Jesus wants us to be forever young. No matter our physical age we are able to be young where it counts, in our spirits and souls.
These two verses were brought to my mind. In them you will find great hope and strength.

KJV Philippians 4:
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

KJV Colossians 3:
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Even though our bodies are not responding as we would like Jesus will strengthen us if we turn our minds towards Him.
Just because or bodies are weak does not mean that we are unable to project the wisdom and strength of Jesus. We are strong through Him no matter how weak we feel. Strength is of spirit not of the body.
Take hope. Be encouraged in the Lord.
May the love and strength of Jesus come upon you today and every day.