I quake with fear when I remember the times I turned off the television when preaching started. I am very thankful the Holy Spirit never stopped wooing me to the cross of repentance.  It was and is the best decision I ever made when I asked Jesus to stay.

Turned Away or Asked to Stay

When the two men were freed and the village learned what was done,
How the demons were expelled and drowned in the pigs, every last one,
I thought there would be a great reception to invite Jesus to stay.
But what a surprise to me when I discovered they sent Him away.
Why would they demand life to depart?
And to refuse the truth to enter their heart?
It makes no sense to me,
It is as the blind that refuses to see.
Go away they said to the Son of Man;
Surely they did not the request fully understand.
But there are many that even today do the same,
They misunderstand who Jesus is and why He came.
When they are confronted by the truth of His power and might;
When they are confronted by the Light,
They too demand Him to depart from their midst.
Some angrily even shake at Him their fist.
It is sad to think of the rejection Jesus endures each day;
It is fortunate He does not always listen and returns in hope
He is invited to stay.

John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Matthew 8:34
And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

I remember singing a song in Church years ago that stated I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back.  It was a song of settling.  The decision was made and my face was like flint.  I was not entertaining any other way.  Jesus was my way.  He still is. Now I know He is the Word and I agree with the Word of God.  It is settled I am what it says I am and I can do what it says I can do.

It Is Settled

Settle deep within me the kind of peace,
That causes to Your kingdom increase.
With heart and mind settled upon the Word,
To be at peace even when chaos occurs.
Settle my emotions to reflect faith’s stand,
At watch and waiting for God’s command.
Mark my path with confidence fully assured;
For it is the way safe and secure.
As I rest in Your care,
Give me ability to successfully share,
All you have given me.
Lord set me free from greed.
Not like a basket turned upside down,
But like a light on a hill set on higher ground.
Settle my heart, to be steadfast in life’s winds,
Connected to love filled with Jesus within.
My Lord and Savior and lover of my soul,
Walk with me in and through me in places high and low,
It is now settled; nothing can or will pull me astray,
For You settled it at the cross when my sin-debt was paid.

Psalms 119:88-89
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.