I was carrying the cross along the beautiful Cherry Creek Trail south of Denver, CO. The paved trail follows the flow of the historic creek and is lined with awesome trees and natural vegetation. Hundreds of people a day are walking, jogging or biking along this lovely trail.
I have found the trail to be a wonderful place for people to stop and talk while I carry the cross. Lovely people will see my friendly smile and “God bless you” greeting. They are eager to start chatting in this relaxed area. Of course, the subject of conversation becomes the cross and this historic journey around the world.
Soon they begin to open up about their own life. I listen as they share and then start to show how Jesus is the answer. Some people recognize me but many do not.
One lady stopped to talk with me. She loved Jesus but had a tremendous physical problem and that day was one of the few times she had gotten out of the house to go for a walk. For about ten years she had been house-bound. I shared with her some of my physical challenges and then we had prayer together, me praying for her and she praying for me. Many people passed us as we talked and prayed. I gave her a card with a list of my social media websites and we said goodbye.
A few weeks later (last week) we had driven out with the cross to this area. Denise and Sophia were walking with me along the trail when in the distance we noticed a couple walking and soon we approached each other when the lady rushed up with her arms out to hug me. With great excitement she cried out, “I am healed! After about ten years I’m well. After we left talking and praying a few weeks ago I got home and realized I felt fine. The next morning I got up early with no pain. This is my husband. We are out walking! I know Jesus has a ministry for me and now I can do it!” The four of us rejoiced together. She wanted a photo of herself with me and the cross. It’s a personal blessing and treasure, thank you Jesus.
This is just one of hundreds of stories of the power of Jesus in people’s lives. Recently a construction worker rushed up to me with the cross while a dozen or more of his fellow workers were watching. This strong bearded man with tears asked me if I prayed for people. I said ‘yes’. Then in a broken voice said to me, ‘Will you pray for my wife, she phoned me this morning and she has cancer.’
Many others are being saved with lives changed. Often as I talk and pray with one person others stop and wait for their turn. It is simply astounding. People drive by in their cars when I’m on the sidewalk and the Holy Spirit speaks to their hearts, they turn around and come back, often stopping in the traffic and crying. The other day a man stopped at a traffic light and saw me waiting to cross the street. He could not contain himself. He jumped out of his pickup and ran to me crying wanting prayer. He wanted to come back to Jesus! We hugged and prayed. I suggested he get his car out of the traffic and park. I told him I would meet him at a place I pointed to. The people in the four lanes of rush hour traffic behind him never blew a horn or even shouted at us. They saw what happened and respectfully waited to get around his truck in traffic.
Oh, glory! I sit here weeping at my computer thanking Jesus that now in my 51st year with the cross I’m still out in the wind, weather, roads and trails still lifting up Jesus and people are coming to Him.
After all these years around the world I can say that the mighty manifestation of the power of the cross and Jesus is truly with me as I carry the cross. Yes, in preaching, in meetings, tv and live-streaming but there is nothing like carrying the cross seeing Jesus touching hearts and them rushing up to talk and pray under God’s glorious heaven, out where the wind blows, the snow falls and the traffic is congested!
This is just one part of all that we are seeing Jesus do in these days. Jesus talked with people one to one as we read in the gospels. I will always be out and available to people with the cross as long as Jesus gives me the strength, I pray, until I die.
“But when He (Jesus) saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power!….” Matthew 9:36-10:1.
We want to thank you for your support, prayers and friendship. We love you all. You are welcome to financially support and be a part in this mission.
Jesus bless you.
Denise and I just shared a powerful message on “What is real Worship”. This could be a wonderful blessing to hear.
Sophia and Denise had wonderful birthdays in January and February. Sophia turned 15 years old and is excited to practice driving with her new driver’s permit!
May God bless you, Jesus watch over you and the Holy Spirit fill you. Even while reading this I pray that you will be healed and blessed or even saved. We love you all!
Pilgrim followers of Jesus,
Arthur, Denise and Sophia Blessitt, Luke 18:1