To Meet Such A Man - A Beautiful Story

Wouldn't it be great to have the freedom to deliver God's word!?

TO MEET SUCH A MAN

I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day. As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, "I will work for food." My heart sank. I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.

We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response..

I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car. Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: "Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square."

Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.  I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.

"Looking for the pastor?" I asked.
"Not really," he replied, "just resting."
"Have you eaten today?"
"Oh, I ate something early this morning.."
"Would you like to have lunch with me?"
"Do you have some work I could do for you?"
"No work," I replied. "I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch."
"Sure," he replied with a smile.

As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. "Where you headed?"
" St. Louis ."
"Where you from?"
"Oh, all over; mostly Florida ."
"How long you been walking?"
"Fourteen years," came the reply.

I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, "Jesus is The Never Ending Story."
Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.

He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God
"Nothing's been the same since," he said, "I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now."
"Ever think of stopping?" I asked.
"Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles . That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads."
I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: "What's it like?"
"What?"
"To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?"
"Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me."

My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said, "Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in."
I felt as if we were on holy ground. "Could you use another Bible?" I asked.
He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. "I've read through it 14 times," he said.
"I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see" I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.
"Where are you headed from here?" I asked.
"Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon."
"Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?"
"No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next."
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.
"Would you sign my autograph book?" he asked. "I like to keep messages from folks I meet."
I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong.. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, "I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope."
"Thanks, man," he said. "I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you."
"I know," I said, "I love you, too." "The Lord is good!"
"Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?" I asked.
"A long time," he replied.
And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, "See you in the New Jerusalem."
"I'll be there!" was my reply.
He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, "When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?"
"You bet," I shouted back, "God bless."
"God bless." And that was the last I saw of him.

Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car.. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.
Then I remembered his words: "If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?"

Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. "See you in the New Jerusalem," he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...

"I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again."

My instructions were to send this to four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed.

This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached. Please do not break this pattern. Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another. God bless and have a nice day!

"Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name Amen."

I sent this to more than four, but this story is so touching I felt each of you would enjoy it greatly.

GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!

Joey's Journal - September 6, 2006

Gracious Lord and Savior, I commit this day to You! All my thoughts, works, joys and sufferings today I place at Your feet. May the life I live today be acceptable to You. May I do You honor in being godly and following how Jesus lived. Lord, allow me to borrow Your grace of patience, kindness, patience, humbleness and servant-hood to be mindful of my neighbors who I interact with. May I be a source of motivation and enlightenment for them to know more of You. As I reflect on Psalm 33 today, may Your thoughts be the words I write in my journal. May Your word and instructions be shared in my reflection today.

Father, I thank You for Your provision, protection and guidance. May You be always by our side reminding us that we can always call on You for strengthening and guidance to live godly lives. All in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

My Reading - Psalm 33 The Lord watches over those who fear him

Let the godly sing with joy to the Lord, for it is fitting to praise him. Praise him with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on a ten-stringed harp. For the word of the Lord holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and his unfailing love fills the earth.

The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. He gave the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. Let everyone in the world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command. He looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From his throne he observes all who live on earth. He made heir hearts, so understands everything they do.

The Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We depend on the Lord alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord for our hope is in you alone.

My Reflection – Aside from acknowledging God with praise and honor, we should fear Him. The fear of the Lord ensures our obedience to Him and His authority. It is easier to explain the conditions when we do not fear Him; and simply put, it is the time of lawlessness or when we rebel against His authority. It is when we turn our backs on Him, the one who created the heavens, the earth and us and show irreverence towards Him by sin and outright disobedience to His Word. We resort to listening to the evil thoughts and desires from the enemy that makes us rebel against our Father. But, those who fear Him, listen and obey His commands and do what is righteous in His Name. The Lord watches over these people who follow and trust His ways. He upholds the stature of those who revere Him and His love and compassion are with them always.

My Prayer – Father in Heaven, may I always have this fear in You. May I know the great consequence in not fearing You, is total lawlessness and will forever distance me from You and Your heavenly kingdom. If I am to say, Jesus is Lord of my life, I have to follow and obey You and fear the thought of losing You when I fall to sin. I ask for Your Hand to guide and strengthen me; to rescue me from the enemy’s traps; and to obey Your will. Lord, send me the Holy Spirit so that I am reminded of Your love and compassion for me and I can call on You for help and deliverance. All in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

by Joey B.

Joey's Journal - September 5, 2006

Father, thank You for protecting us while we slept; giving the boys good sleep and rest for the nannies. Thank You for the daily provision You give us. Lord, may the recipients of this journal be inspired by Psalm 102 to call on You for help during times of trials and challenges. May we acknowledge You, trust in Your ways and obey Your will always. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Gracious Father in Heaven, I thank You for the protection, provision and guidance You always bestow on us. How can I not trust in Your Ways? You have not forsaken me as You spoke in my heart. But, there are times when I lose the strength and the focus in Your power and authority. Lord, I pray that during times of my weakness and confusion, send me Your Holy Spirit to refresh and make me strong to combat the enemy. I will give You all honor and praise for uplifting my spirit to You. As I start my day, please Lord, let me have a heart of patience, kindness, humbleness and forgiveness to the people I interact with. Let me always walk with You and follow Your Ways. I also commit my son, Joel who will go for a health check-up today. Father, let Your healing be upon him especially his acute sinusitis. May You breathe in his lungs to clear whatever is causing such problems. May You also watch over Joshua as he becomes more and more adventurous to do things, let Your angels protect him from all accidents. I pray too for my wife not to lose her faith and trust in You. Lord, thank You for watching over her and bringing her safely home. All in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

My Reading – Psalm 32 Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven

Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin. When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped hiding them. ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Therefore, let the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. The Lord will guide you along the best pathway for your life. He will advise you and watch over you. So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

My Reflection – The rebellion that the above psalm refers to is our disobedience to God, His Word and His Will. It is compared to an earthly upheaval and revolt against the King of Kings. Simply put, it is turning our backs on the Lord’s authority.

We remember that it was Adam’s disobedience that sealed the fate of mankind to be fallen from our Creator. We lost our inheritance to the heavenly kingdom through his sin of disobedience. This rebellion against God has weighted our feet heavy-laden and unable to reach for God. But, because of God’s unfailing love and compassion, He sent Jesus to erase all the sins of mankind and nailed them on His cross. Yes, we were restored by Jesus’ grace and should have stayed there.

However, in our lives now, we continue to sin, to rebel and to disobey God’s laws. Why? Because we live in a place of lawlessness and ‘go against’ God’s authority. But again, our faithful God is giving us every opportunity to confess and repent of those sins before the Second Coming of Jesus. There is still time to ask for mercy and forgiveness. And, by dong this, we will rejoice in the goodness of the Lord bringing us back to His heavenly kingdom.

My Prayer – Father in heaven, I rejoice because of Your unfailing love and compassion to us, we stand a good chance of being with You again. Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to remind us about our disobedience towards You. I know that this has cost us dearly and have hurt You so much. May Your grace teach us to ask for mercy and repent for our rebellion against You, because our hearts are heavy-laden with the fear of losing You. I confess all my past and present sin and disobedience towards You, Lord and ask for Your forgiveness so that I can be restored back to You. I pray al these in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

by Joey B