X

Life is not Stressing or Coasting!

Living is a walk by faith and not by sight as we follow Jesus!
As I have gone on mission after mission in the will of Jesus I have found that it is not to be a journey of stress and pushing and striving. Sometimes people live as if it all depends on their efforts alone and the weight of saving a soul and changing government and the world is their personal responsibility. This produces bitterness, anger, self-centeredness, a win at all cost attitude and is totally opposite the ‘fruits of the spirit’ and is totally self focused. It is man seeking in the name of God to rule the world. The other way is to realize that there is the kingdom of God and it is His world, and He moves and works through us His will to perform, and it is all for His glory alone. Jesus is the author (creator) and finisher (completer) of faith. He gives this faith as a free gift to us that enables us be saved and transformed into His image as we walk in the Spirit and obey His Word and follow Him. Because even the faith is a gift from God and it is from God that we get the will to do His good pleasure, ‘All’ glory belongs to our Glorious God, the Lord of Hosts Our Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Why am I writing this? Because it is a vital subject and will determine how you live the life with Jesus and the joy you will experience on the journey. I faced many things in life as you see in the movie “The Cross” and the book and audio book. Life has its defining moments. How you deal with them step by step will determine the quality of your life and the outcome of your mission. I had to face the brain aneurysm in 1969 and walk out of the hospital to carry the cross around the world. Over and over I faced difficulties and struggles, yet have lived a life of peace and joy through the grace and peace of Jesus. After carrying the cross through every nation and island group and walking on what some call “The toughest endurance exercise ever undertaken” (The Independent-UK), I had a critical heart problem. About two weeks ago, I was lying in an operating room on white sheets having an angiogram, where a catheter is inserted into the femoral artery located in the groin and threaded up to the heart where they inject dye and watch the blood flow. They discovered a 70% blockage of the main artery, the LAD, and were doing more tests to decide upon the best action. At some point I felt great pain in my chest, shoulders and arms, and had difficulty breathing. I said “Doctor, I feel pain in my chest and arms”. He said, “Is it the same pain you have been feeling the last few days?” I said “Yes”. Then I can only remember voices. The main artery to the heart, the LAD, had ‘closed’ completely! All blood stopped and the cameras recording the blood flow showed white past one part in that main artery, as there was no blood flow! The EKG shot up high on the chart. The team moved into emergency status. Unless the artery was opened I would be dead in a few minutes. However, Jesus had everything ready to correct the problem. They immediately shot through nitroglycerin in the IV to expand the artery and the blood began to flow. The doctor put in a stent to hold the artery open. This is a permanent placement. The blood flow was now restored. Thanks to my wife Denise who called and made the appointment with the doctor over my protest. Thanks Dr. Fred Grover Jr. www.revolutionarymd.com for seeing one thing wrong in the EKG and moving ahead at that moment to arrange for the heart specialist. Thanks Dr. Jeff Rubinstein for being so thorough and wanting me to have the test to find the problem for sure. Thanks to the helpful and kind care of all the staff at Rose Medical Center in Denver. I have the photos and DVD of the blood flow stoppage and the now open artery. I was at the moment of death, or rather, at heavens door, but Jesus extended my life to complete His mission in me. As He has before, Jesus has got me through another almost impossible roadblock to walk another mile and live to issue the call to follow Him again to people on this earth Time is short. The moment is now! Don’t delay. I don’t know how much time I have left on this planet but I assure you, each moment and day there will be a thrilling passion to share Jesus and follow Jesus. I was booked to be on TBN TV ‘Praise’ a week after my artery totally closed. Would I fly out and preach, or cancel and rest? You guessed right! Ha. I flew out with my son Joshua watching over me and when the light came on for me to preach for fifteen minutes I was standing there and lifted up Jesus and people to Him. You may remember in the movie “The Cross” I make this statement about my being in the hospital forty years ago. “Circumstances don’t alter the call”. I had to live it out again. Jesus gave the grace and mercy for me to do it. What have you been called to do and why have you not done it? The power of Jesus is here. Are your eyes on self rather than on Him? I encourage you on the journey with Jesus. Now share Jesus with someone today. Pilgrim followers of Jesus, Arthur and Denise Blessitt, Luke 18:1

Is Your Life A Pilgrimage?
Is your life just moving along or is your life a pilgrimage? A newborn baby begins to live and move about. We then learn to walk and talk. Life soon becomes learning and growing and finding purpose. This continues until we die. But is life more than a journey to death? Are you a pilgrim? My definition of a pilgrim is: a person on a journey with a spiritual purpose! That changes everything. As a follower of Jesus this means: a person on a journey with Jesus as we follow Him. The scripture says: “We are aliens (strangers, sojourners ‘temporary residents’) and pilgrims (transients in an even more temporary way).” 1 Chronicles 29:15 and “They were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland… but they desire a better, which is a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:13-16 This journey in life is a pilgrimage with Jesus, everyday, all the time, in every condition and no interruption; 24/7 forever from now to all eternity. Jesus’ promise is: “If anyone loves Me… My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our home with him! The Spirit… He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:21,23 The life with Jesus is not “touch and go”; with Jesus, the Spirit or the Father. It is not about Jesus “showing up”, then He is gone ’til some song or emotional meeting. It is about living the life with Jesus in such a way that we are aware of His Presence all the time. He is not the cheerleader. Jesus is within our heart leading and comforting and cleansing and perfecting us in His Glorious image. Many of you have seen the movie “The Cross” and read the book by the same title. This is the real theme: A pilgrimage of life with Jesus. Whether in jail or on a beach, whether laying on cold wet ground or in a beautiful bed, whether in health or sickness … Jesus is there! Always. In the third chapter of the book I focus on this and in the movie you can see it clearly. What about you? I am nearer to the end of my pilgrimage that when I started sixty eight years ago. Jesus has been at work ‘in’ me. I remember once saying to Jesus on the road, “What are you doing to me?” He replied “Grinding you to powder so I can blow you where I will”. I cried back, “Keep grinding”! It took God eighty years to get Moses in a place for Him to reveal to him and the world that God is the ‘I AM’. Then Moses really had a pilgrimage for the next forty years. Stop! Going around in circles. Let the pilgrimage begin ‘NOW! Pilgrim followers of Jesus, Arthur and Denise Blessitt, Luke 18:1

‘How do you know Jesus is speaking…’
Perhaps the most often question asked me about the movie and the book “The Cross” is: ‘How do you know Jesus is speaking to you and leading you?’ Over and again in the movie I speak of Jesus telling me to go somewhere or say something. I felt Jesus speak to me to take the cross from off the wall of the building in Hollywood, California and put it on my shoulder and carry it on foot across America and identify His message in the streets where the people are. Later He led me nation to nation and to all the nations and major island groups of the world. How? Here are just a few of the Words of Jesus on this subject. “And when He (Jesus) brings out His own sheep, He goes before them: and the sheep follow Him, for they know His Voice.” “My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them and they follow Me.” John 10:4, 27
How does a child know its mother and its father’s voice? Because the child has spent ‘time’ with them. When the baby was hungry, its cries brought mama. In the night when the babe felt alone or fearful, its cry brought daddy. The child learned to know the voice of its mother and father. I remember my mother calling out to me as I played in the yard as a child “Son, it’s supper time.” I knew her voice. Oh so many times I would call home from around the world from some far away distant land. I would hear the phone ring and then hear my mother say ‘Hello’. Oh that voice sounded so good. It was my mother. I knew her voice. When she heard me speak she would say ‘Son, that’s you’! I can hardly type this as tears are pouring from my eyes and draining down my face. What I would give to hear her voice again. Oh, I have recordings of her voice but it’s not like the real thing. In the second chapter of the book I speak of hearing the Voice of Jesus when I was a child and turning right and turning left in the cotton field. Jesus has led me around the world the same way. I do not hear an audible voice but in my heart and mind I often hear Jesus speaking. How do I know that voice is Jesus? Because since I was a child I have been hearing Jesus speak and lead me. His Voice is clear and beautiful. It is the Holy Spirit speaking. We must learn to obey and not quench the Spirit, and live so that we do not grieve the Spirit. But what if I make a mistake? The Father corrects us and the Spirit convicts us. You learn by obedience. We have the Holy Bible and for sure the Voice of Jesus and the Holy Spirit do not conflict with the Word. Jesus will not lead you to steal etc. But if it does not conflict with the Word then my motto is do it! The Devil will not be leading you to share Jesus with someone or to pray or go on a mission trip to be a witness for Jesus. I had rather fail seeking to obey than to set doing nothing. There are many looking for open doors and confirmations and words prophesied, but still we have the Words of Jesus where He says His sheep hear His Voice. I encourage you to listen and obey. My heart’s passion and mission in life is to Hear the Voice of Jesus and obey. Because after having made the decision to follow Jesus and do His will and mission, then you are faced with how you live this out. Say you feel the call to the mission field. Then which nation do you go to? What does Jesus want me to do there? People who have watched the movie are moving out to ‘do’ and ‘live’ their own calling and journey. I pray this has encouraged you. Welcome Jesus to speak to you, His child, and then say ‘Yes’!
I’m praying for you. Jesus has you on earth for this time! Jesus is with you and all power is in His Hands. Jesus has promised to be with you. What more do you need? Nothing!
Pilgrim followers of Jesus, Arthur and Denise Blessitt, Luke 18:1

You Start Where You Are
In the move “The Cross” there is a powerful and now popular song ‘One Step at a Time.’ This is also the first chapter of my book by the same title. Just what do I mean by this? How does it work? “The Cross” movie shows this process but I want to expand on this idea today. Yesterday I was up early and did a walk with the cross here in the area of Denver where I live. I saw a car stop and a lady come rushing toward me on the sidewalk. She saw the cross and just had to stop. She began to share with me how greatly depressed she was. As a single mom with teenage children and a job loss, she was struggling to find meaning and reason in life. She had invited Jesus in her life and attended church. I shared with her about Jesus and letting Him be in control and following Him ‘one step at a time’. I then asked her to carry the cross to her car. When the cross was resting on her shoulder she began to cry and I prayed with her as she walked. Tears turned to a radiant smile. I felt Jesus tell me to give her some money. She had not asked for anything. As I opened my wallet I reached to get a $20 bill I knew was there. However, I happened to grab a folded $50 bill I had in reserve. I pushed it back and gave her the twenty. Suddenly I felt Jesus say give her the fifty. I hesitated and thought the twenty was enough. Then I knew Jesus wanted me to do more. I then reached back and gave her the fifty also. I felt overwhelming peace and joy. I had obeyed Jesus! This woman was praising God and saying she needed gas for her car. The point is, I could not meet the needs of every person on earth or even all the people I know who have needs, but I could and did help “one lady” with prayer and money. Mother Teresa became a famous saint by caring for and holding the hands of the dying in Calcutta. Saint Frances became an inspiration by just loving people and being kind and following Jesus. On and on I could go giving the stories of people, but you get the point. Look at the commission of Jesus to His followers just before He ascended into heaven: He said in Acts 1:8 “You shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” This is the step by step of Jesus sending His followers to the world. Start where you are! Jerusalem. Then go a bit further! Judea and Samaria. Now go to all the earth! My journey with the cross began by carrying the cross a few feet to put it on the wall of our building. Then short crosswalks down Sunset Blvd a few hundred yards and back. Next to walk across America. Then on to many nations. In 1988 Jesus said, “Carry the cross in ‘every’ nation.” Having completed every nation in 1998 Jesus said, “Every major island group.” You’ve got the point. You start where you are. Paul Crouch made radios in college and even made a radio station in his dorm room. Now he is president and founder of the world’s largest TV network, broadcasting the gospel worldwide. Where and how did he start?
This is one of the most powerful points of the movie. It shows how Jesus used a person with a piece of wood to go to all the world with the message of Jesus. This in the face of wars, deserts, jails, jungles and many struggles… Jesus did it.
You know you are called and chosen by God with a mission and destiny. Start now, step out where you are, even if they are only baby steps… start walking! Answer the call of Jesus. Trust in His power. Remember, Jesus said, “All power is given to me in heaven and in earth… Go!” “I am with you Always.”
Should you and I just start where we are the world would be shaken by this mighty witness. Write that song… now! Write that book… start now! Start that evangelism ministry by sharing Jesus with your family and friends and then strangers where you are. Open that website and develop the witness there. Share Jesus at the supermarket, the laundry, the dentist office and with the waitress in the restaurant. Don’t complain about what you don’t have but focus on what you do have. The movie “The Cross” can awaken the dreams and past visions and help bring new and fresh callings. This movie can help you focus on how to really live your life. This move will help you look at the cross in a different way and see others in a more Jesus way. I’ve lived with the cross for forty years. This story will not only bless you, but strengthen you, touch your heart and mind and spirit in a Jesus way. Find where it is playing and get there. Take your family, friends and church plus every person needing a relationship with Jesus. Should it not be in your area now, just pray, look at each city were it is showing and contact a friend or church there. Pray, let Jesus focus you and then start. Step by step!
I’m praying for you. I can only smile because many of you will not only read these words but you will step out on your journey with Jesus with the joy and love of the Lord filling you. God bless you!
Fellow pilgrim followers of Jesus, Arthur and Denise Blessitt, Luke 18:1

What’s it like to have a movie and book made about one’s life of carrying a cross around the world?
All I can say is, Jesus did it! For me, one of the most profound scriptures is in Philippians 2:13 “For it is God that works in you both to ‘will’ and to ‘do’ His good pleasure.” This means that it is God that is the active agent in giving one the desire even to know or follow Him. ‘It is God that works’. God gives the desire and then gives the power for one to ‘do’ His good pleasure! This is awesome. So no matter what one does, ‘ALL’ glory is from God and is reflected back to Him! It’s all Jesus and no one can claim honors or glory or achievement apart from the will of God if they are a follower of Jesus.
So what about “The Cross” movie and book and audio book? I believe it has been a part of the will and plan of God from the beginning, but I did not know it. I was called to carry the cross and then carry it in every nation and major inhabited island group and identify the message of Jesus with the people where they are. This was done on the forty year journey. Then, to carry the cross and the message of the cross to the world as I felt Jesus say ‘the world is open to you’. That is what is happening now. I see the message of the cross and Jesus going out to the world and changing lives in film, books, internet, TV, etc. This is the same as walking with the cross in the dirt, mud and ice. Whether it was meeting and talking along the road as I carried the cross or now reading or viewing the cross and the message of the cross and Jesus, the response is the same. People are being saved and believers are being changed and empowered to follow Jesus without condition, and to step out into their own call and destiny. Along the way of the cross around the world people became aware of the Presence of Jesus. People feel this same Presence in the movie and book. People are coming face to face with the Person of the cross … Jesus! So I just see this as an extension of the crosswalk. The carrying of the cross for me has not ended but most of all the cross is now being seen by more people per day than ever before when you consider all the theaters, books, internet viewing, radio, etc. I can only stand in amazement and watch the Father Glorify the Son Jesus, as Jesus is being lifted up. I just have had the glorious honor of being around to watch Jesus at work
and see the mighty power of the Holy Spirit convict and change lives. I’ve only been the donkey holding up the wood in the form of a cross that people may come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. I am still just moving forward one step at a time. For me, I do not use the word success. I focus on obedience…doing the will of God, loving people, stepping out to do the call and mission of Jesus. The follower of Jesus does not judge themselves by the standards of the world. Only God knows the heart and the intent of all things. Only He can judge success. I am thrilled and blessed to live this moment in time. My wife Denise and I sit and talk of all that is happening and remember the years around the world. We just seek to be faithful in all things a moment at a time. We just rejoice that the cross is being lifted up, and the cross and Jesus are being talked about, and the message of Jesus heard around the world and people are being saved and changed. I close with these words of Paul in Philippians 4: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased (live humbly) and how to abound (live in prosperity). Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I urge you to welcome Jesus to live His life in you, filling you with His love, motive, desires, will and calling. The journey of following Jesus is beyond words to describe. Now step out into your calling. God is working in you both to will and do His good pleasure.

Pilgrim followers of Jesus
Arthur and Denise Blessitt,
Luke 18:1