"Jesus." That name has inspired the writing of so many hymns and songs in our church. Each one brings our Lord close to us for many reasons. Let me refresh your memory:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name...

Jesus, name above all names, beautiful savior, glorious Lord...

Jesus, the very thought of Thee, with sweetness fills my breast...

Jesus loves me, this I know...

Jesus is the sweetest name I know...

So many love to sing about Him, and to Him. Why? Because He met some of you in a family crisis. He guided others here through dangerous waters of temptation. A few of you have experienced His touch of healing - physically, emotionally, or spiritually. A crisis overcome. Wrong choices corrected. What else can we do but sing His praises?

However, we humans all have one thing in common: we too quickly forget Him and the life He gives to us. We can be swept up in strong currents of rivers of success: finances, sports, or relationships. We forget our Lord. Then, before we realize it, bad decisions, or bad company brings us down. Knocked over. We lose all sense of direction. Left to ourselves. Alone. Struggling. Fearful! By the time we remember to call on Jesus, we wonder if He even remembers our names.

So, a question to you: Where is Jesus in your life today? In the center? Wonderful! Leading you each day? Beautiful! Or, has He slipped away from you? Has He seemed to move just out of hearing? What problem crushes you - or someone you love? Health, family, finances? Maybe you feel like Bartimaeus. He sat on the rough edge of life. All of life and now Jesus was slipping from him. He had problems. But he knew enough about Jesus to risk everything to get to Him.

It happened on the road out of Jericho. It can happen on the road out of Russellville or Little Rock. JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER! He continues to say to any one who has problems. BRING THEM TO ME! We need only to remember His name. Jesus will always hear the cry from the heart. If you sense something like this is happening to you or to a loved one, learn what Bartimaeus learned on that road.

JESUS IS ACCESSIBLE. He heard His name above the noise of the crowds following Him. He heard His name again and again. And it was not just His first name, but His family name - Jesus, son of David! Have mercy on me! He must have been loud! People passing by with Jesus tried to shock some politeness into him. After all, he was just a beggar. I’ve seen church people in other parts of the world want everyone to be nice around Jesus. Proper prayers in their places. Proper songs, not too loud, not too many verses. Proper people playing church. "Accessible? Only when it is convenient."

Some business people try to be accessible. Wayne Huizinga, founder of Block Buster Videos, prides himself on being accessible. His phone number is listed in the Broward County, Florida, directory. "I believe people should be able to call me, if they are angry." Other business and professional people try to be accessible whenever it is possible. "Footprints in the sawdust," insisted a president of one manufacturing plant. He expected his managers and foremen to be in the plant every day. Workers on the line knew that from the president on down, all were accessible. Problems were solved. Profits went up. But Jesus is accessible even when profits cannot be made.

What do your prayers of desperation sound like? Mine are LOUD! Good news! Jesus is very accessible. Never too busy, He seems to stop where He is, JUST FOR ME! He will stop for you, too, when you call His name! ACCESSIBLE!

Have you heard of the "Hope" Scale? It is a test given to many women in athletics. The higher their hope score, the better they thought they would do. Later coaches tested them, and then the women competed. Those scoring high almost always exceeded their own test scores and the tests of their coaches. How high is your "hope" in Jesus today?

Are you finished? Done in? Or do you have just enough hope in the Lord to call His name? Pass me not, O gentle Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by. (Crosby) He is accessible!

JESUS IS ATTENTIVE. Call him here. Note that Jesus heard the cry and spoke to the crowd. He directed the proper people to make way for the one who was desperate! Kathi, Henry and I were in two different churches while on vacation: an Orthodox church in Seattle, and First Assembly of God here in Russellville. What a wide picture of the Church. Both experiences were great! But as I prepared for this service, a question arose. How attentive are we to the voice of our Lord to make a way for the hurting?

Do we invite the Bart’s of this world to come into the presence of Jesus? Are we listening to Jesus’ words: "CALL HIM, CALL HER HERE! We might pride ourselves that our building is accessible to the physically challenged and handicapped...but fail to be attentive to the ones Jesus wants us to invite to Him. Unless we are, they might miss Jesus’ invitation. Call him here. CHEER UP! HE IS CALLING FOR YOU!

Then, get out of the way. He threw off his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. Now that’s the way to respond to His call! The coat was the sign that he was a beggar and blind. He may have stumbled and staggered to Jesus, but you can be sure he was going to make it. Jesus is accessible and attentive. He wants you to help make a way to Him.

What do you want me to do for you? Wasn’t it obvious? Yes! Bartimaeus was blind. But He needed to hear the request from Bartimaeus. Don’t worry if it is selfish. When we come into His presence, deeper needs are met. Selfish desires melt away. Tell Him your need! He attends to those needs that will change us to live not for just today, but forever! I want to regain my sight! Deep down, each of us has a need that only our Lord can fill. What is your need? Tell Him. Be specific. We learn quickly,...

JESUS IS ABLE. Nothing is impossible with God! Yes, I’ve witnessed physical healing. Over the years I’ve seen some people healed through prayer. Some are touched with the hands by those who prayed...some have oil anointed on their heads at the same time. And some are healed when no one touches them but Jesus. And I’ve had to conduct funerals of many who wanted physical healing.

Physical healing, financial relief, family peace. When we rush into His presence, He is attentive to not only the need we have...BUT TO US! HE SEES YOU AND ME WHO REALLY JUST NEED HIM! Fanny Crosby, blinded by a careless doctor as an infant, wrote thousands of hymns in her long life. She would reflect later: "If I could meet that doctor now, I would say thank you, again and again, for making me blind." She believed her blindness was a gift from God. "When I die, the first person I will see will be Jesus!" Attentive to your every need. Why?

Jesus touches deeper than what we want. He gives us what He knows we need. He touches the heart and makes our lives new! Go your way; your faith has made you well.

Be careful what you ask for. If you get it, you are faced with a choice - to follow, or not to follow the One who is able to do all things! Bart was healed of his blindness. He could have walked away from Jesus and lived in Jericho. He could have built a church on that spot and told of his moment of glory. The final words we hear - he began following Him on the road.

Do you know someone who is desperate? Jesus is accessible and attentive. He might use you to help lead another to Him. When they come, rejoice! He is able to meet every need they have. He hears your cry, too! Say His name, even as you come to this table. He is accessible, attentive, and able to meet you right where you are. Then, you are invited to follow Him with a melody of praise in your heart!