Mark 16:15
Jesus said, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28:20 (NRSVUE)
No one knows the right time or place to invite people to become a Christian and into the fellowship of the church. Christians must always be open and willing to provide the invitation.
During my mother’s funeral the minister told a story about my mother. He said, “I wouldn’t be here today if your mother had not invited me to church.” When the minister was a teenager, our church was having a revival. My mother invited his family to come and sit in the pew with us. This began their regular attendance at our church and later a commitment to become Christians and join the church. This changed his life and later inspired him to become a pastor. My mother’s invitation to his family changed his life.
No one knows the time or place that people will be open to an invitation into a fellowship with Christ; as Christians, we must remain open to the leading of God’s Spirit.
Prayer: Dear God, when the opportunity presents itself, help us to be bold and willing to offer Christ to others. We pray the prayer Jesus taught us, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Lk. 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.
Thought for the day: One invitation can change a person’s life.
James R. Hayes (Tennessee, USA)
