Wow! Stop #5 of 200 draws to an end and what a relief this Marion, Illinois has been to me. Just what I suppose the Great Physician ordered as a antidote for the effects of Louisville, KY.
On Tuesday May 4th, I was privilaged to attend a worship service @ Rent One Park. This is an Outdoor baseball stadium, the name of the event was Bridging the Gap for Christ and drew more than 1500 people, most of which were ages 12-18. Praise and Worship was lead by 5 different bands and about as many guest speakers shared JESUS! Wow what a sight to behold! I parked the rolling billboard for Jesus near the entry and added another feature to share the gospel. I set a 32″ high definition flatscreen T.V. on the top of the cab and played the Passion of the Christ movie for 6 hours.
HDTV on Truck.
Yes pretty radical I know but if you could have seen the impact then you would know better than I can write or tell how much it is worth to be radical for JESUS!!!
By Wednesday I was feeling a bit dicouraged as I had introduced myself to about 6 different churches only to be put off on someone else. I came to encourage my brothers and sisters and had the hope of being connected with some that would go out into the highways and byways to share JESUS. To date it has been more times than not that it has been in the streets that I have found Christian brothers and Sisters. This week it was at the Refuge Truck Stop in Marion that I found brothers and sisters that I love and I believe they love me as much as biological kin. The Dryden family were among those that I write about.
The Drydens and Friend holding me up!
Matt Dryden and family invited me to stay at there place and made me feel at home. Matt’s Mom and Dad lived on the same 120 acres in a Barn!!! Before you go feeling sorry for them, Don’t. It’s structerally more sound that most of the finest homes built today, the floor plan in very open and flows well and may I mention it shows much like a tourist attraction. Just inside the main barn door, one is greeted by a wooden Cross inlaided in the floor. And the food that was served was of such that If I were to stay any lenght of time, I suppose I would get as big as a barn! Oh, has anyone else ever heard of or had pork steaks? Well I did and they were as good as ribeye steaks with less fat. I could go on and on but for the sake of your time and mine I will end this by sayin that if you ever find yourself in the Marion Illionios area it would be good to visit the Dryden family. (Matt Dryden (303) 810-1358).
On Sunday per invitation of Jeff whom I meet out and about I went to Stonefort Missionary Baptist Church for worship service. After being introduced to the congregation by Jeff , Pastor Keith Bunfill asked me to come forward and share with them about the mission I was on. So I did and then I was offered the pulpit to preach! It was with fear and trembling that I opened in prayer and then delivered a sermon entitled; Does JESUS Know You?
The text;
Mathew 7:13-14 and 7:21-24. 13 Enter ye in at the straita gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Becauseb strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The Holy Bible : King James Version.
Verses 21-23 are probably the most frightening verses in the whole Bible, that is to me and I hope that it is the same to You! I believe this is speaking to the majority of professing christians. Ones that may one day say things like; But Lord Lord I went to church most every Sunday, I went on Wednesdays, I tithed, I gave sacrificially of my time and resources in Your Name. And JESUS will say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Please cry out to GOD that you will not be one of these! Beg of GOD until HE answers to assure you that it may not be so for You! Please put aside everything that you have and or still esteem more than GOD’S gift of pardon for you, that through The Shed Blood of HIS only begotten Son, JESUS CHRIST’S crucifiction on that tree (Cross) which was payment in full that if You! believe, repent and are baptised into new life (born again).
Then you may be saved if you surrender to JESUS as a Slave to JESUS as LORD then you will have One dominant Passion above all others and that is to LOVE your neighbor as yourself and You will find nothing of more interest to talk about than, It is only by the Grace of GOD that you have any hope and that the same Hope is offered to all Men that will fall at the foot of the Cross so that they may tranverse the Only bridge to GOD the Father and inherite LIFE Everlasting in the presence of JESUS CHRIST!!! Amen and Amen!
I really did not know I was going to preach to you but I’m glad I did. Anyway the congregation of about two dozen sent me off with words of appreciation and encouragement as well as $118.00. (I went to encourage and give, then GOD faithfully provided for my gas and food to get to my next stop today which is Lincoln, Illinois).
So my week here has come to an end and I have only mentioned a few of the people, businesses, places and things that have truly been a blessing to me.
Just a short note to say that satan and his minions have been steady at work but JESUS has Prevailed!!!
May the LORD bless You, keep You and make HIS Face to Shine upon You! In the name of JESUS! Amen.
Agape, david
Contact Email: david@hiscall888.com
For Ministry Information Call;
Call Kris @ (502) 594-0451
Bald Knob Mountain Cross.