I Saw Jesus Part 2 Series

probably about 7 or 8 of us gathered in the parking lot for a brief conversation ? as we still do today! < I remember one person saying “Well, I'm about to go to this Christmas Party... and they went on with that. & then the next person said ? Yes I'm about to go to a Christmas Party too! ? & Then a couple spoke up & said Yes, we are about to go to a Christmas Party too! & I thought... Gee I don't have a Christmas Party to go to ? I think I'll go home! ? My social skills were never the best! = So I went home & probably went to bed about 9 O'Clock which is still often times my bed time. > When I went to bed on this particular night I was praying & asking God to love everyone in the world more than He loved me. ? I was feeling very blessed ? & grateful for all the good things He had done for me! + So... I was praying... I wanted Everyone in the World to know God's love & to know His blessings.... > Looking back, it was an extremely adolescent prayer but that is what I was praying that night about 40 years ago! ? & when I was done praying I rolled over on to my side to go to sleep.

< Suddenly ? In the middle of my being ? In my torso ? I saw Jesus full of Grace. ^ When he moved, it wasn't just graceful movement, ? it was Grace itself moving. + It was like I saw the perfection of Jesus in my spirit. > This aspect of the vision God

gave me was very beautiful. = I saw part of His hair & beard, but He was turning away as if to say "follow me." > This vision wasn't a brief flash of a picture in my mind ? but rather a revelation in my spirit, ? slightly longer lasting, & leaving a lasting impression on my soul. < I remembered this vision clearly for probably 20 years. + I was awestruck by what I saw. ? I said to myself, "I have seen the Lord Christ." ^ Why I said that precise title I still have no idea to this day. # But what I do know and have learned by this is that Jesus is Grace itself. > From that day onward I understood that whatever Jesus decided for me was the best for me. < Whatever Jesus allowed to happen to me would Become the best for me because Grace does not make mistakes. + In the light of this vision it is easier to believe ? All Things will work together for good for those who love God! = This maybe 2 or 3 second vision had a lasting impact on my soul. ? … I remembered it vividly for probably 20 years. > Now that 40 years have gone by ? I still remember having it but it has faded from my memory somewhat. < This vision was mostly beautiful but Jesus was turning & standing up to leave. ? In my heart I had feelings like: ? Don't Go! Where are you going? Why are you leaving? = I was perplexed for quite a while about this! ? & the only biblical solution I could come up with regarding to His rising up to leave is today's text: “Follow Me!” {Matthew 4:19; Matthew 8:22} ?

= Jesus wants us all to follow Him! Amen? “Follow Me” Jesus says over & over again in Scripture ? + This phrase “Follow Me” is 51 times in the 4 Gospels!+ # But despite this great vision ? I did Not follow Jesus very well in that Season of my life. = I was all zeal & no wisdom! ? I was running around hungry for Jesus & wanting to learn more ? # But with little understanding about life & the nature of God & His Word -Or- His plan for my life. = This was about 1983 & I was about 25 years old. > I would go to the local baptist church & hang out with my baptist friends who I loved ? & I would go to the local Pentecostal Church ? & I was still involved with the Catholic Church. > I would go to the Local Charismatic Prayer meeting where the gifts of THS were said to be in operation. < It was at one of those prayer meetings that an old man said to me that God Said He wants you to be a Catholic Priest. ? + Being young & naive & foolish I believed him ? & began to pursue the Catholic Priesthood. ? ^ I became a Fransiscan Friar & did a lot of Good Work but I was Not following Jesus. + It took me 10 years to figure out that that old man was wrong & that he should Not have said those words to me. ^ I followed someone else's will for my life instead of Jesus' + I believed a Lie & followed after it with all of my heart & all of my soul & all of my mind & all of my strength until I AND my life collapsed.