dennis j adams

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1 ESV)

What an invitation! I have been invited to plenty of places, many of which I was not really interested in going. When this invitation came to my heart I was overwhelemed with interest! Why would God want me to be part of what He is doing? I was just a rough kid from the streets of Cleveland, Ohio, a drug dealer, and a hippie! Where would I fit at His table? Come to find out that He had compassion on me even though I was running from Him. Really running, the opposite way with no intention of ever getting into His way of life or sitting at His table.

His invite to my heart could not be turned from.  I made that way to an altar and shared my heart of sin and more sin (actually I was thinking He would change His mind after hearing all my sins)  and He kept on inviting. I have spent more than half my life now sharing that invitation with rough individuals, both in church and out on the streets. Once I was asked not to preach so hard when at the park in the city of Oakland. They were afraid that the gangs and prostitutes would try and take me out! I just preached on and made that altar call and people swarmed the altar that day in an outside sanctuary.  Going down into the caves under Wacker Ave in Chicago, IL and preaching and again many responded to the invitation of from the Lord. I once gave my brand new winter coat away during a confrontation in one of caves. The “elder” who gave me the jacket just a few days earlier was a bit disappointed that his gift was passed on to a person living in a cardboard box. However, I responded to him that God gave me His best jacket, Jesus, so why should I not give my best jacket to someone who had nothing and screaming in my face about it. Now that I have spent all these years inviting, I now find myself looking into the eyes of people who are in deep despair, concerned where they are going to get their next meal or even a cup of clean water? The message is always the same and always with compassion:

1. Come Everyone.

2. Come to Jesus Christ, the pure water of God.

3. No need of money, it is free (but the cost was His death).

4. Buying without money: Now that is compassion and condern.

5. The beverage is the nourishment of life.

6. The result that your soul may live.

Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; (Isaiah 55:3a ESV)

I have never regretted my answering that invitation. The journey is really great and full of excitement. Being nourished each day by His love and mercy. Knowing He cares so much that I just have to tell everyone about His compassion.

Furthermore, knowing that He can be found just by the mention of  His Name is really cool! My life was really bad, I mean that! The testimony is incredible and those who know me personally realize that salvation to me is really awesome!

Looking at my future from the platform of my past continues to be the miracle for me.  For He has abundantly pardoned me (Isaiah 55:7). I honestly cannot figure God out! I have tried for years to do that but I can never get His logic.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:8-11 ESV)

My praise continues to rise before Him! As I continue to preach to the hundreds I just desire to keep that promise He made an everyday experience!

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace;… (Isaiah 55:12a ESV)

I am really enjoying my journey and I want to encourage you to share yours with the multitudes that pass you by everyday!

Dennis