The Journey Triology

Friends on the Road

"As I was walking down the road I saw two men standing together and talking. As I approached I saw the two clearly, one was handsome and seemed very strong, the other, well, was kind of plain looking. As I neared them they fell silent, looking at me, with a strange look as though I had stumbled onto a private party. Soon I was standing in front of them.

The handsome one said "Hello, my friend, I've been waiting for you."

A puzzled look came to my face. "Waiting for me?" I thought, "They don't know me."

The Handsome stranger spoke again, 'Ah, but we do know you."

I stood dumbfounded. "How can they know me?"

The handsome one replied as though he read my thoughts. "It does not matter how I know, What is important is what I can give you. Look around and see."

It was then I saw all my dreams come true, the car I wanted, the girl I like, the house, the success, everything just laying there.

He said "All you have to do is follow me and all this is yours."

I started to walk with him but stopped and looked at the other man. "What can you offer me?" I said.

He looked straight at me his eyes pierced my soul, his voice made me shake. "I offer a road to travel on that is hard and demands your all." He said. "The reward for completing this journey is to be with me forever."

I looked at him with disdain, here was my chance for fame and fortune and he was asking me to go on a hike on a hard trail.

The handsome one laughed and said "See he has nothing to offer you."

Yet there was something in the look of the plain man, something I could not fathom, it was though he had something in him.

He looked at me and said "Yes there is fame and fortune to made with him, but will it last?"

I replied "Give one good reason why I should follow you." I demanded.

He looked at me with sad face and said "My dear child, I love you so much I gave my life for you. See the scars on my wrists and legs. See my back that was flogged 39 times for you."

I looked at him and thought the sun was playing tricks with my eyes because behind him I saw a wooden tower with him nailed cruelly there. At the bottom of the cross the handsome one stood and laughed. I looked again and then I saw the love in his heart flow out like his blood had on the cross. It was then I know that his road was the best. I looked at him and tried to speak but could only cry.

He looked at me and said "It was for those tears I died. That I may dry them from your face."

He knew my heart, I could feel his love around me. It was then I decided that I would follow him and not the handsome one. I managed to say "Yes I follow you on that long, hard road."

The handsome one let out a growl that made me shiver and he said "I will hound you to your dying day for this, I will make your life a misery."

The plain one stood between him and me and said "You will not harm this child of mine, I died for him and now I'm alive, I give power over you and when he tells you to go you will go."

It was then I saw the handsome man was not handsome at all. His face was twisted and gnarled in pain, his strength has gone. I said to him "Tell me who are you."

He quivered and said "I am Lucifer, the Prince of lies

I replied "I thought you had strength and power, but you have nothing. You're a loser, Lucifer, a real loser. You tried to sell me something you did not have. Be gone from me." And with a terrible scream he fled down the road.

I turned to the plain man but he was gone. Instead stood a man and I heard a voice. Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across His chest. His head and His hair were white as white wool, white as snow; His eyes were like a flame of fire, His feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand he held seven stars, and from His mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining with full force. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead.

But He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades, see Me now as I truly am, in all My glory."

I looked and cried "I know your name." I said "It is Jesus the Christ!"

Jesus looked at me and said "Well done my brother, from this day forth you will be my brother. My Father in Heaven has adopted you as his son."

So together we walked the long and hard trail, I know He is with me every step of the way protecting me with His love. When Lucifer comes around He gives me the power to fight him off. It is a hard road we travel but He is always there. I wish I could say that this is the end but it is not for I still have a ways to go before I reach home and meet in Father in Heaven. Amen

The Journey Home

After my encounter on the road between Jesus and Satan I had decided to follow Jesus. As I prepared to walk down that narrow, twisting path Jesus said "You must wait here, but do not worry. I am sending Someone to be with you until you reach our Father's house."

I looked at him with a puzzled and concerned look on my face. He looked at me as though he knew my concern and said "Do not be afraid, the One I send with you will guide you and equip you for your journey. He is called the Holy Spirit." It was then that I felt a strong presence around, full of peace and love.

I looked at Jesus and said "Is this the Holy Spirit I feel around me now?"

He replied "Yes."

Although I could not see he I knew He was there. So the two of us started our journey. As walked along that path I noticed that we walked through a lush Forest full of life and joy. It was as though the whole world was filled with the Glory of the Father. I saw on the path the signs that many had traveled this path before me.

The Holy Spirit said "Many have traveled this part of the journey but failed to finish, so beware." It was then I noticed that the trees were farther apart allowing the sun to shine through making me hot and tired. The Holy Spirit offered me a drink from a silver cup. The fluid looked like blood, deep red, yet when I drank of it tasted so sweet. I felt refreshed.

The Holy Spirit said "Jesus is the living water from which life comes and when drink of it you will not be thirsty."

It was then that I heard a roar of a loin that made me shiver. Then I heard a voice within me saying "Fear not, for I am with you always." Realizing who the voice belonged to I said "If that is the best you can do Satan then you are a real loser." The roaring ceased. I began to notice that there were dead trees now in the midst of the others. Soon there were many dead trees and heat was almost unbearable. Yet I felt cool, it was then I noticed that there was a large shadow protecting me from the sun.

Soon the dead trees gave way to a great plain with large rocks a sand and little shade. I felt so alone. I wondered if the Holy Spirit had left me in this place to die. As I walked, feeling quite dejected, I heard a voice saying "Obey my word and you will live, Learn my word that you might see, be my word that others will know that I live."

As I struggled with the meaning of these words I felt the Holy Spirit come upon me. He said "All must learn from the Word that they might live. You have learnt your lessons well. Look ahead for a moment and see."

As I looked I saw that I had crossed that desert and now saw that I was walking through field of green and gold. It was so peaceful. It was then I noticed that the path was not as worn as before.

When asked why this was so the Holy Spirit said "Many give up in the desert and try to find their own way out and die away from the path." He continued "The most difficult part is just ahead. Are you ready?"

I replied "Yes."

"Well then we must prepare you for what lies ahead." He replied.

I look at him in bewilderment. It was then that I saw the pile of cloth on the side of the road. I stood before it and looked.

The Holy Spirit said "Open it."

So with trembling hands I undid the pile and opened the cloth to reveal a helmet, a shield, a belt, shoes, a breastplate and sword that shone so bright.

The Holy Spirit said "Put it on for you are going to need it very soon."

So, with a bit of help, I struggled to put on the armor. Once it was in place and adjusted properly I picked up the sword, it felt surprising light, yet there was a power in the blade that I knew would cut down those who would attack me. So we continued on the path. As we approached a slight rise I saw a number of skeletons all with arrows in the back, yet they wore the same armor that I now wore. A deep concern came over me.

Sensing this the Holy Spirit said "The only part of your body that is not protected is your back which I protect. But if turn to run from your attacker then I can not protect you and you will be shot by the enemy."

As we walked along the path the Holy Spirit instructed me on how to use the armor properly. As we approached a bend in the road he said "Beware, the enemy is beyond that bend."

So I pulled out the sword and proceeded around the bend and there, in the middle of the path were Satan and some demons, fiercesome creatures that looked so strong and I so weak.

Satan said "I will give you one last chance, come and join me or turn a run."

I said " I will not do neither. If I am to die then here is the place." With that I rushed the enemy, the sword swinging in the sun. Many arrows flew straight at me yet the shield deflected them all, now I was within striking distance, I lashed out with my sword strike two, three, four demons who fell mortally wounded. I continued to cut a swath through the enemy lines and found as I progressed, the enemy did not surround me, instead they fell as though I had struck them with the sword. When I reached the last demon he looked at me and screamed for mercy as my sword pierced his chest. Then I saw Satan standing alone looking dismayed at the carnage on the path.

The Holy Spirit said "Begone Satan, for the Son of Man, the Son of God will be your destroyer."

Weary, I fell on the path. It was then that I saw a multitude of Angels around me with blood on their hands. The Holy Spirit said "Do you think that the Father would let you fight this battle alone?"

A weary smile came to my face as the angels gave me water and food. I looked around and replied "No, I knew that he would send help when I needed it."

After a short rest I started to walk down the path when the Holy Spirit said "Look, yonder" pointing to the mountain before us, "See how the top of that mountain glows. That is your home, that is where the Father dwells."

As I started up the mountain side a number of people came out to greet me, people I knew but never thought that they would be with the Father. One said "Here my friend let me carry your load." While another took my hand and guided me up the to the city gates. Standing at the gates were the two friends that had shared with me, long ago, about the love of Jesus. They said "We are glad you made it." It was then the multitude of people parted and four figures approached, their faces were like the sun, yet I could see who they were, it was Jesus with John, Peter and Paul beside him.

Jesus said "welcome my friend, you have done well my true and faithful servant. Come in and eat at my table and meet your Father in Heaven." Jesus took to the Temple and said "Open the doors."

So I slowly opened them. I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

He looked at me and said "Well done my son." He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To you who is thirsty I will give you drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. You, who overcame will inherit all this, and I will be your God and you will be my son."

I was at home at last - my journey finished, my race won, the victory claimed and reward given. I joined in the chorus of Heavenly beings crying "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD!"

Home at Last

As I stood in awe of the glory of the LORD I felt a shamed and naked. The Lord looked now at me and said "You have no need of that armour here, take it off." I looked in stunned amazement, not realising that that I still wore the armour, it had become like a second skin to me. Slowly I placed my shield and sword on the ground and how dented they were. Next I removed the helmet and saw the dents where blows had been aimed at my head. I was thankful that the helmet had done its job. Next came the Breastplate, it to was badly dented and soiled. As Loosened the belt I noticed that the scabbard was still new, as though the sword had never been placed in it. It was then that I realised that I had carried the sword in my hand at all time ready to use. I let the belt fall to the ground. Then I stood and looked at the Lord knowing that my clothes were filthy. The Lord looked at me and said "Kick off your muddy boots, they are not needed in this City." So I removed my boots. At last all my armour lie in a pile in front of the altar. I picked them up and offered them to the Lord saying "You gave me these things to protect me and help me get the victory, I give them to you now as an offering."

The Lord looked at me and said "My dear child, you gave me more than this when you decided to walk with my only begotten Son. It was on that day I adopted you as my own son. I know you would need the armour and the talents I gave you. Here is your life." At those words a shadow formed on the ground in the shape of a cross. The Lord said "I do not count any sin against you because you asked my forgiveness and I gave it. I will now judge your work." With that all I had done was brought to life, my walk on the path and times I felt like giving up. And there for all to see was me putting on the armour for the first time. The battle scenes flashed before me. The Lord said "They are some people here that would like to meet you." With that I turned to see a small crowd had gathered behind me. A man said "Do you remember the time you handed that booklet about how Jesus died for me?" I said "No" His reply was "Well I read it that night and gave my heart to the Lord, thank you for showing me Jesus" The others all had a similar story of how I had said or written something and found out who Jesus was from that. Then from the middle of the crowd came a small boy dressed in his khaki uniform and he said "Commander Bonham do you remember a little Pioneer boy that you talk to one night around the campfire? I said "No." "Well" he continued " I was that boy sitting at the back listening to what you said about letting Jesus be my friend and decided that night to see if you were right and you were. Thank you for showing me Jesus." With a tear in my eye I turned to the Lord and said "All these people, here, because of what I did." The Lord looked and smiled "Yes, I chose you to be my witness to them. The Holy Spirit built on what you sowed because the words were mine."

The Lord said "You have done well here is all your work as gold, silver and straw. The gold and silver are the times you obeyed me. The straw is for when you disobeyed me. I will now burn it all and what survive is your reward." With that the gold and straw burst into flames and when the flames died down there was a pile of gold in the ashes. The Lord said "This is your reward. Here is the gown of the victor, you have earn it because you overcame. Here is is your crown, each jewel is for each person you led back to me." Then I heard a voice I know saying "Come let me show you your house I have prepared for you" I looked and saw Jesus. I ran to him. He said "On the way to your home you will some people you will know, look there Peter and John my two dearest friends. There is Paul of Tarsus, he lives two doors down from you. There is Martin Luther and John Wesley. You will find many others here including your favourite authors C.S.Lewis and Tolkien."

As we walk and talked I understood all that had been written in the Bible. Finally we arrived outside a large mansion. "This is your home now, enjoy. While you lived in the world all you wanted to do is sing my praises, but you did not have the voice to make others enjot you praise, well now you can. You have been chosen to sing at the feet of Lord. Welcome home." It was then I know that all my troubles and cares were forever behind me and I had eternity to praise the Lord for his loving kindness.

This is not the end it will be start of an eternity of peace and happiness.

In John 8:34-36 we read "Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Paul says in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death, like been trapped in a box forever. The box is called Hell. The good news is that Jesus came to set man free from sin. In 1 John 1:9 we read that if anyone believes in their heart and confesses with their mouth that Jesus is LORD then they shall be saved. Jesus wants to release everyone from sin but we must want to be freed from sin. Jesus died to make this possible and rose again three days later. Some think that they can ignore the problem and it would go away, he is still trapped in his sin.

So it is up to you, do want stay in where you are or do you want Jesus to set you free. If you want Jesus to set you free then just believe in your heart that he will and say this prayer:

"Dear Father in heaven, I know I am a sinner worthy of death. I ask you now to forgive me my sins. I want Jesus to be LORD of my life from now on. I thank you that you do forgive our sins and I thank you for sending Jesus to die in place so that I might live. I know from this day forth I am one of your adopted sons and thank Father for loving me."