Are you Jesus?

This is why I always try to take the extra step...I got this off of the Hope4America email list I'm on back in 2012. I enjoyed it. I hope you do too. More importantly, I hope it speaks to you:

Are you Jesus?

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly-missed boarding...

ALL BUT ONE!!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.

He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.

He was glad he did. The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.

When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay? She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister....", he paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"

He stopped in mid-stride ... and he wondered. He gently went back and said, "No, I am nothing like Jesus - He is good, kind, caring, loving, and would never have bumped into your display in the first place.

"The girl gently nodded: "I only asked because I prayed for Jesus to help me gather the apples. He sent you to help me, so you are like Him - only He knows who will do His will. Thank you for hearing His call, Mister."

Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"

Do people mistake you for Jesus?

That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.

If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day .

You are the apple of His eye even though you, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked up you and me on a hill
called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

Share this, {IF you feel led to do so}.

Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know.

"Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections."

This made my day. I pray it makes yours as well........

I hope you enjoy this story. It really does strike a nerve as to what we should be doing.

If this has inspired you, please share it!

The Hem of His Garment (by Rose Marie)

Luke 8:43-48 a story of true faith. A woman was ostracized by society, a woman that had been suffering for 12 years. She had used up all her money, seen every physician around, and nothing worked. She was broken, depressed, lonely, hurting, and sick and weak in her body. But then she heard about this man named Jesus who healed people and performed great miracles. Her heart was quickened, hope was awakened and she went forward to meet Him in the crowds.

I can close my eyes and picture the crowds pressing in, the loud noise as every one called out as he passed and I turn and see this woman....tired, worn, weak, sick and knowing she wasn't allowed to mix with people.because her illness made her unclean.... I see a new light of hope in her eyes as she spies him coming closer and closer. The war going on in her mind knowing society states she can't go forth among them but knowing all her hope and faith ride in this one man.....

I see her stepping out, tears streaming down her face as determination and true hearts desire command her to press through the masses and touch this Jesus.

As the crowd pressed in, flesh to flesh did she have to drop to her knees and push in, her hand stretched forth?? Did some step on her or push her in their haste?? Her eyes are fixed on him...no other sight can fill her vision, only Him...Her ear harkened towards His voice. None of the shouts can penetrate... It's all Him, only Him!!!

Suddenly she breaks through!!! It's him!!! Her fingers brush against just the hem of his garment and suddenly her body is filled with His healing power and she is made whole!!!!

A joy floods her soul, her back straightens, and then she hears him say.... Who touched me??

She answers and says it was me Lord, I can hear the tremble in her voice as suddenly she is afraid of what she has done....

But He turns to her in verse 48 and says.....and he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made their whole, go in peace.

No matter what your issue is today... He is right there in the crowd... Push through, reach out and touch the hem of His garment!!! Let your faith make you whole!!!

If this has inspired you, please share it!

The Greatest Birthday Ever Celebrated... (by Shonda Ponder)

It dawns on me, in the days after Thanksgiving, that our next holiday is Christmas. As I reflect on this, and remember what Christmas is all about, I am listening to praise songs about the birth of Christ on KHCB Christian Radio. Then, moving over to a more worldly thought, I think of my children and the birthdays they used to have.

When we were children, I am sure some of our best memories were the birthday parties that were held in our honor. It was a celebration of the fact that we were born into this world. On a more deeper level, it is a celebration of who we are. The fact that we exist -- that we are here to brighten the lives of those around us with our presence.

But, when we die, who is going to celebrate our birthdays? And, if they do, how many years will it last? It seems kind've strange to have a birthday for someone who is no longer there...

Then, my thoughts wonder back to Christmas: The greatest birthday party ever celebrated; A party that has lasted for over 2,000 years. And, no matter how many people try to distract us from this celebration every year, the holiday has continued to grow and spread.

Christmas: The birthday of a man who came to earth, placed in a manger because there was no crib for him, who grew up and became one of the greatest men the face of the earth has ever seen or heard of. He was God's son, through and through. He taught love, Godly obedience, mercy, forgiveness and hope. Then, as humbly as he was brought into the world, he died being nailed painfully to a cross, with a crown of thorns on his head. His last words, before announcing that his job was finished were, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do."

And today, we celebrate His birth. We celebrate it, not because He was born, but because He existed -- then, and now. He is alive. His life is celebrated, not His birth -- just as OUR life is celebrated with each birthday that rolls around. At the end of our lives, our birthday parties are not celebrated. But, at the end of his visit to earth, HIS life was just beginning. Today, we see Him in every good thing that exists. And, on Christmas, we remember the sacrifices He made so we could, and we celebrate.

This Christmas, I pray that when you look back on your lives, and build memories with your families, you are able to see what the celebration is all about, and that you take as many moments possible to stop and Praise Him, because HE is what Christmas is all about.

So, let us all celebrate -- not just on Christmas Day, but on every day that leads us to it, and every day thereafter. And, on Christmas, let's all throw the best party we can in His honor!

If this has inspired you, please share it!

Jesus is King

It doesn't matter who is elected for president, Jesus is King!

That's MY King!

Carmen Grace: Have you thought about Jesus today?

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT JESUS TODAY!?
GOD always Loves and thinks about you!
GOD wants to hear from you!
God considers you His Most Precious Treasure!
(Exodus 19:5)
Psalm 139:17-18
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

Leaning on Jesus

One of the things I like about my church is that we are real people. We have real lives,, real problems, real sins to deal with. We are, in fact, so busy with our own sins, we just don't have time to point someone else's out.

Jesus said:

Matthew 11
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

We have learned that the only solution to our problems is Jesus, and His teachings. And, in following in His footsteps, we love one another genuinely, and without condition. This does not mean that we condone the sins of others, or ourselves. Rather, we try to lovingly guide others to the feet of Jesus, where they can find the solution to their problems.

If your church isn't preaching Jesus, or pointing to the one who is the true way, truth and life, then it is lacking, and I urge you to find one that does

Dear Friend: An Invitation

I am a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I serve with my whole heart because He paid a debt I owed that I could never repay no matter how I try. I serve with joy and gladness, for the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations. (Psalms 100:5)

I wish I had the time to tell you how God has given me so much to be thankful for in my Lord Jesus Christ. I have tried, but hearing, ye have not heard. (Matthew 13:13) Maybe it's because you have not experienced my God the way I have, and you find it hard to relate. Or maybe you feel as if you are not good enough to approach the light of His Glory. I can only speculate as to what your reasons are, for I have invited you to join me in the praise and worship of my Lord, and to join me in His Kingdom work as He has instructed me to do , when He said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: And Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20). Yet you linger, and refuse to quickly honor the invitation.

Friend, you don't have to be on good terms with yourself or God to approach the throne. For God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

As a servant of God, I am not perfect or sinless. I am, however, forgiven. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) And because I am saved, I am a new creature. My old life is passed away, and I have a new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created unto Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

You see, I can never do enough to repay God for sacrificing His only son for me. I can only believe He did it because He loves me, just as I am. Even so, faith, if it has not works, is dead. (James 2:17) Therefore, I cannot, in good conscience, after the price my Lord paid for me, continue in my sins. I could not change who I am. But my God can. When I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, I gave Him permission to mold and shape me as He would have me be. This is because once I realized the total price of my sins, I was convicted to serve with all my spirit, constantly striving to cleanse myself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:1) Even striving to perfect myself, I am constantly reminded that no matter what I do, I will never be righteous enough, For there is none righteous, no, not one. (Romans 3:10)

I have said all this to teach you, friend, that if you are waiting until you are "perfect enough", it will not happen. You need not linger or have excuses not to accept my invitation any longer. God is calling you to join Him in His kingdom work. Do you really want to disappoint Him after what He's already done for you?

Jesus never condemned the sinner, though he begged them to repent. Therefore, neither do I condemn you. (John 8:11) To do so would be blasphemy, for I am not perfect either, and am unworthy to cast stones at your character. (John 8:7) What I say to you, I say out of love, as Christ has commanded us to love one another as He first loved us. (John 3:35) Having said that, It is my duty to inform you that the Kingdom of God is at hand. (Matthew 10:7) It is because of that that I would be derelict in my duty if I failed to write this letter to you.

You see, once again, I am pleading with you to come and worship the Lord with me. I don't understand why it is so hard for you to accept my invitation. Can't you hear Jesus saying through me, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) What relief you will have when you realize that you have eternal life, rather than condemnation! For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Friend, I beg you to linger no more! You have been invited to eat the bread of life at my Lord's supper table! when I think of you, I remember a parable Jesus told once of a man who fixed a great supper. He invited certain people. These people who were invited all had some excuse for not wanting to show up. It doesn't matter what their excuse was. So, he told his servant to go out onto the streets and gather the lower classes of people to eat in their place. (Luke 14:16-24) I believe he did this because He knew they would appreciate his efforts more. (Luke 14:14) How is it that you cannot appreciate what my Lord has to offer you? If you won't come, God will invite someone else in your stead.

I have prayed for you, my friend. I have pleaded with you; and, now, I am writing this letter as a last attempt before I go on my way to invite others, as the servant of the Lord has been instructed to do. Please do not make excuses, for God will not accept any excuses on the day of judgment. Jesus has instructed that we should always be prepared, because you may not be alive tomorrow to repent, and if you are, what if He returns for His servants? Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day, nor the hour wherein the son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:13) And, if He does, do you really want to take the chance of hearing Him say "I know you not"? (Matthew 25:12)

But if you still refuse the invitation, it is my duty to leave you alone and to shake the dust of my feet on the way. (Matthew 10:14)

My Lord is a gracious God. He has patience with you for now, but I beg you, my friend, not to test my Lord's patience for long. he has been known to curse those who continue in their sins. (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) Maybe you are already experiencing some of them. I hope not; but, if you are, repent, and God will turn those curses into blessings.

Jesus taught a parable about a prodigal son, who defied his father, spent his inheritance, and wound up slopping pigs for a living. Finally, he determined to be his father's servant, if only his father would take him back into his home after what he'd done. When his father saw him coming, he welcomed his son home, rejoicing with a great feast and restoring his place in the home. God will do that for you if you let Him. (Luke 15:11-32)

Please accept my final invitation to join me in the praise and worship of my Lord at 1st Biker's Church in Texarkana, Texas. We are located at 12th and Walnut. If you don't want to go to that church, then find one you are comfortable with, but we will accept you with open arms if you do.

With Agape Love for You,

Your Servant in Christ,

Shonda M. Ponder

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