Letter from Jesus (story)

hopeful408 · 12-20-2007, 03:05 PM

Ruth went to her mail box and
there was only one letter.

She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but
then she looked at the envelope again.

There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and
address.

She read the letter:

Dear Ruth:

I`m going to be in your neighborhood Saturday
afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit.

Love Always,
Jesus

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on
the table.
'Why would the Lord want to visit me?

I'm nobody special.
I don't have anything to offer.'

With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty
kitchen cabinets.

'Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to
offer.
I'll have to run down to the store and buy something
for dinner.'

She reached for her purse and counted out its
contents. Five dollars and forty cents.

Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least.'

She threw on her coat and hurried out the door.

A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced
turkey, and a carton of milk...leaving Ruth with grand
total twelve cents to last her until Monday.

Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her
meager offerings tucked under her arm.

'Hey lady, can you help us,lady?'

Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she
hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the
alleyway.

A man and a woman, both of them dressed in
little more than rags.

'Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife
and I have been living out here on the street, and,
well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda
hungry and, well, if you could help us. Lady, we'd
really appreciate it.'
Ruth looked at them both.

They were dirty, they smelled bad and frankly, she
was certain that they could get some kind of work if
they really wanted to.

'Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman
myself.
All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm
having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was
planning on serving that to Him.'

'Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway.'

The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders,
turned and headed back into the alley.

As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar
twinge in her heart.

'Sir, wait!'

The couple stopped and turned as she
ran down the alley after them.

'Look, why don't you take this food.
I'll figure out something else to serve my guest.'

She handed the man her grocery bag.

'Thank you lady. Thank you very much!'

'Yes, thank you!' It was the man's wife, and Ruth
co uld see now that she was shivering

'You know, I've got another coat at home.

Here, why don't you take this one.'

Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the
woman's shoulders.

Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the
street...without her coat and with nothing to serve
her guest.

'Thank you lady!

Thank you very much!'

Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front
door, and worried too.

The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't
have anything to offer Him.

She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But
as she did, she noticed another envelope in her
mailbox.

'That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice
in one day.'

Dear Ruth:

It was so good to see you again.

Thank you for the lovely meal.

And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.

Love Always,
Jesus

The air was still cold, but even without her coat,
Ruth no longer noticed.

Jashobeam · 12-21-2007, 01:52 PM

That's like the Russian kid's story Martin the Cobbler. Thanks for posting!

hopeful408 · 12-21-2007, 01:56 PM

really? my friend sent it to me on an email, was the other story the same scenerio? overall, its exciting to know that we are God's hands on earth, and that we can one day entertain/hospitality angels too!

Jashobeam · 12-21-2007, 02:11 PM

It was a book first, then a claymation movie.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/t/...in-cobbler.htm

Amazon

Amazon
An old cobbler who has lost his wife and child many years before begins to feel life is not worth living. He gets a message that God is going to visit him. As he is waiting he meets several people who are just outside his door:

1. A young mother with infant who need the warmth of his fire. He invites them in and comforts the young mother.

2. A young boy who steals an apple from an old woman. He teaches the woman patience with the boy, and the boy offers to assist the woman by carrying her heavy load. He gives the boy an apple.

3. His old friend comes by to invite him to a celebration. He refuses to go, saying he feels older than his friend does.

4. A man of God who leaves a Bible for the cobbler to put a new binding on.

When all leave he is told that what he did for the least, he did for God. He celebrates what he now understands and ends up meeting with his old friend to go to the town celebration.

I have not read the book by Leo Tolstoy (1880s), but I have seen the movie several times. I would recommend it!

I found the book online, if you want to read it: http://www.holytrinitynewrochelle.or...christmas.html

hopeful408 · 12-21-2007, 04:52 PM

Thanks Jashobeam:
i would like to share it with my family and friends/brothers in Christ. i'll check it out.

i was looking at another thread and it was titled "conservative christians" can you please tell me what this means?

Jashobeam · 12-21-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hopeful408

Thanks Jashobeam:
i would like to share it with my family and friends/brothers in Christ. i'll check it out.

i was looking at another thread and it was titled "conservative christians" can you please tell me what this means?

Conservative Christian usually refers to someone who believes the Bible is the Word of God without error and that what it says about subjects we are to take as God's view. Most also believe that Salvation is through faith in the shedding of Christ's blood for forgiveness of sins along with repentance. Conservatives are usually socially conservative also, as in pro-life, pro-family, etc. There are different groups w/in the idea of Conservative such as Amish, Pentecostal, old style Methodist, Baptist, AOG, Church of Christ, Mennonite, Wesleyan (at least in our area), and Undenominational (not part of the nondenominational groups) among others.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Christianity

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8029_1.html

hopeful408 · 12-28-2007, 05:34 PM

Thanks Jashobeam
from what you wrote, i believe i am a conservative christian. i guess i've always thought of myself as an evangelist, but i dont know if that's the same thing. although i'm not a spiritual babe, as i study the Word i realize alot of things i DONT know. Praise God for his patience and lovingkindness!

Jashobeam · 12-30-2007, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hopeful408

Thanks Jashobeam
from what you wrote, i believe i am a conservative christian. i guess i've always thought of myself as an evangelist, but i dont know if that's the same thing. although i'm not a spiritual babe, as i study the Word i realize alot of things i DONT know. Praise God for his patience and lovingkindness!

You are right He is very patient and loving! The more we learn the more we realize we have a lot to learn! Evangelist has to do with our witnessing to others, but Conservative has more to do with beliefs. There are a ton of great Bible study books out there, but reading through the Bible is the best way to learn it. Some read a bit from the Old and a bit from the New Testament each day and one Proverb each day. Doing this you can get through the Bible in a year or two and through Proverbs 12 times a year. My favorite Bible study authors are Elmer Towns and Harrold Willmington. You can get some of their books used on Amazon for under $2 usually (used), but the new ones are more.

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon
These are large reference books:

Amazon

Amazon

hopeful408 · 01-03-2008, 12:10 PM

Thanks Jashobeam

Have you read any books by TD Jakes or Joyce Meyer? they are not bible study books but have really helped me in my emotional side.

Jashobeam · 01-03-2008, 12:53 PM

No, I don't agree with Meyer in the things she says about the Bible. She put out a booklet that said that Jesus was "born again" in Hell and that He died spiritually in Hell and that we can only be saved by that, not His dying on the cross. I don't know if she still believes that, but it's a major point she should have been clear on before putting out a booklet. Jesus told the thief on the cross that the thief would be with Jesus "today" in Paradise. If Jesus went to Paradise, He was not suffereing in Hell.

Luke 23:43
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Some think 1 Peter 3 speaks of Christ in Hell, but here is why that is not likely:

http://www.biblicalstudies.com/bstud...dy/prison1.htm

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...ontext=chapter

TD Jakes does not hold to the Bible view of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but other than that I don't know much about him. Instead I like to watch the late E.V. Hill who appeared on some of the same stations and shows as Jakes.

hopeful408 · 01-04-2008, 02:01 PM

i had no idea about Joyce stating those things! i am truly shocked! i am definently going to research this but i do not want to be taught any false doctrine by anyone.....after i post this i will go to the web link you provided, thanks Jashobeam

Jashobeam · 01-04-2008, 07:34 PM

One year our church ladies were going to a confereance and the name Joyce Meyer came up so I reserached it. It's amazing what a lot of preachers believe and say these days. There are some good sites online to look up what people have said, but I like to have 2 or 3 referances in case someone is just quoting another site and didn't get the info first hand. Joel Osteen and Benny Hinn are two others that have made some astounding statements. We don't watch them, either. EV Hill I have heard speak in person a lot and on TV now that he has passed away. I've never heard him say anything out of the way. I figure anyone can make a mistake, but if they are unclear of the Gospel, they pretty much shouldn't be preaching I think. We went to a church once for months on end before we found out the preacher believed all kinds of weird things. The church fell apart and he was forced out eventually. I would never have thought after listening to him for months on end that he would fall for some of the things he did eventually.

hopeful408 · 01-09-2008, 01:40 PM

It's incredible how these things happen with public figures! i guess that this is an experience that teaches us to go to the Word for ourselves instead of always relying on someone else's revelation or personal opinion. when i have heard or read sermons or preaches, i pretty much felt comfortable at the Holy Spirit confirming it in my heart but from now on i better seek the Lord about things before i believe them. i started reading this one book, i think that it was titled "helped in our infertility" i cannot remember the author, but i bought it at a christian store thinking that it would have the christian faith/values in it. as i started reading it, it did have scripture reference and the authors stated they were christian but as i continued to read, i came upon a chapter stating that when Abraham and Sarah and other couples in the Bible, couldnt have children and God gave them children afterwards, their promises were for them ONLY. I always took the promises of God in the Bible for me, and when i read that, i felt instantly hurt and sad, the author said that what God did for Abraham was SPECIFACALLY for HIM and that we (readers) should not think that its for us. anyway, i stopped reading immediately and threw the book away without giving it a second chance, i mean, it has been really hard trying to keep the faith and then this statement tried to bring it down again...........

Jashobeam · 01-09-2008, 04:07 PM

I do agree that the promises to special people like Abraham were just for him. God doesn't promise all female Christians that they can give birth. One of the sweetest Christians I know adopted a son. He is the joy of their lives. I've never heard anyone doubt their faith, or God's goodness or plan for their lives. The couple is living for God, serving God knowing that they will never give birth to a child.

That said there are verses about God's promises that are for everyone. Here are some:

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Some say that means God will give you anything you desire. It's not likely to mean that as we often want things not in God's plan. Job didn't want to suffer. John the Baptist didn't want to be beheaded. Stephen didn't want to be murdered. I think it means if God is our delight, then we will be changed to want what He wants and wants us to ask of Him. The book Screwtape Letters I recommend because it shows how easily we are swayed by what we don't see, when God has other plans.

People often quote from Philippians 4:13, but they forget what comes before. God has not promised us success in every situation. We must come to the point where God is all we need or want. That's what He wants and even commands.

Philippians 4:11-13

11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Luke 14:26
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.

Jesus most likely was saying that we must regard all as nothing compared to our love of God. He commands that He be first in our lives. The disciples left all for Christ and He promised them a reward. Others Christ commanded to stay in their positions and live for Him:

1 Corinthians 7
17Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

Before I met my now husband I had to get to the point where I told God that I would accept a life without a husband. Not all people have to get to that point. And not all people who get to that point get what they desired before. A good Chirstian missionary woman prayed for a husband to share her work in another country. She never married. When asked by another missionary why God didn't send her a husband she replied that God had sent, but that the man had not heeded God's call.

I hope someday you do have a child, but if you do not God will be there with you, ready to comfort and bless you in His will.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 1:5
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

2 Corinthians 7:6a
But God, who comforts the downcast,

Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

The doctor who delivered my mother worked in an area where a midwife worked. She had over 20 children, none of which lived to age 2. She delievered hundreds of children, none of which she lost to a mistake or such. She was later asked about her loss and she said she wished God had allowed her to keep just one of them. This woman never got to raise a child, but she was a great blessing to hundreds in her very rural area. Up till age 90 she would trek up and down moutains attending to women in labor. Sometimes she would stay with the mothers until they recovered. She could have allowed her pain to cause her to be bitter and avoid all pregnant women. Instead she allowed God to use her to deliver all those babies, the last I think when she was about age 90. She was greatly loved by her people and her legacy lives on. We can't see the hand of God at all times. We can only look back and see where God has been, where He has directed and where He has comforted.

Isaiah 55:9
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

hopeful408 · 01-09-2008, 05:54 PM

Jashobeam,
Thank you for all that scripture and especially the story of the midwife. i wish i was at the stage where i can imagine a life without children and be content but at this time, my heart is desiring being a mom. my Dh and i have discussed adopting children whether we have/have not any of our own. adoption at this time is difficult for us, we havent pursued that path yet, we are still hopeful of having our own. in my prayers, i have asked that Lord to remove my desire for children if it has become an idolatry or even take His 1st place in my life, i certainly know that my being here is for Him and loving Christ until i go to be with Him. almost two years ago, i received a profecy by two prophets from the Lord, He said that He would give me my child in His time, since then, i have been fighting doubt and thanking God because it is a privelege and not a right. God is so patient with me, He knows that sometimes i get disencouraged easily and then He always sends someone to remind me of His lovingkindness.
i'd like to tell you that it's awesome your knowledge of the Word, especially when i need a quick answer.