This week I would like to share an inspirational story sent to me by one of this blog followers. I hope you enjoy and are up lifted by this short story. This is Jesus just checking in today, author unknown.
This is Jesus just checking in today
A minister passing by his Christian church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray.
Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle. The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn’t shaved in a while. His shirt was kinda shabby and his coat was worn and frayed. The man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away.
In the days that followed, each day at noon this man came in the church. Each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister’s suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, He decided to stop the man and ask him, “What are you doing here?”
The old man said, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power.
He Said, “I stay only moments, you see, because the factory is so far away. As I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is kinda what I say:
“I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I’VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER’S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
DON’T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.”
The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime.
Time to go, Jim smiled, and said “Thanks.” as he hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar; he prayed like he never done before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim’s prayer:
“I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I’VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER’S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON’T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.”
As noon passed one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn’t come in. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried, but he’d given them a thrill. The week that Jim was with them, brought changes in the ward. His smiles, his joy was contagious. His encouragement changed people. The head nurse couldn’t understand why Jim was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had.
The minister stayed by his bed; he voiced the nurse’s concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile; “the nurse is wrong, she couldn’t know, that in here all the while every day at noon He’s here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:
“I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
I ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,
AND SO, JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.”
What a story! There’s a couple of things worth taking a closer look at. First of all, because this man wasn’t dressed well, he was judge by the pastor. I think most of us judge others by their appearance. We look at the clothes, body shape, cleanliness just to mention a few.
Next thing I would like to take a closer look at, is this man’s faithfulness. Every day he would take the time to check in with God. During his short lunch break he would go to this church and speak with Jesus. I think most of us are pretty selfish with our lunch break. We just want to eat and relax before going back to work.
Lastly, he had a relationship with God. When he wasn’t able to go to the church to check in, Jesus checked in with him. Also notice the reaction of others. The nurse couldn’t understand his attitude, the pastor missed him, and staff worried about him. They saw Jesus through his smiles and his joy was contagious. His encouragement changed other people. That’s the power of God.
So, here’s the Final Question, how’s your relationship with God? Maybe you never had a relationship with Jesus, or maybe you have lost your fellowship with Him. There’s no better time than the present to get a relationship with God or to renew your relationship with Him. Remember, none of us is guaranteed another second on this earth. Please just take a moment right now and dedicate yourself to Christ Our Savior.
It’s easy and free. All you need to do is ask the Lord to come into your life. Please… if you don’t know Christ or have fallen away, please pray… Tell God you believe His Son Jesus paid for your sins and rose again. Tell God you are sorry and want to start Living for Him. He will forgive your sins and mistakes and give you Everlasting Life with Him… and place His Spirit deep within your heart. In 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
I pray that God will truly Help and Bless you. If you would like for me to pray with you, please email me at Bob.L@magnificentPromises.com.
May God Bless and Keep!
I thank you for reading my blog. I do not claim to be any expert or affiliated with any religious organization. All I can say is that I’m affiliated with my Lord Jesus Christ. This is one man’s opinion and observation. My hope is I stirred up some thoughts for you to think about. There is one place where we can find all the answers to life. That road map is Commonly known as the Bible. If you want the answers to life all you have to do is read. If you would like me to pray with you or want to send a comment, please email me at Bob.L@magnificentpromises.com
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
