The Power of a Gentle Invitation - Thanksgiving Devotional #4

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
John 1:43-46
(Written by Jennifer Slattery author of a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com.)

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Early in my faith journey, I created a lot of conflict in my desire to see loved ones develop a relationship with Christ. My pride also pulled me into numerous unproductive conversations where I attempted to debate people into belief. Inevitably, this pushed the other person further away and left me with regret and shame.

Sadly, in the years that followed, I erred in the opposite direction in which I largely remained silent. I told myself others would see Christ in the love and grace I displayed, but I failed to share the truth necessary for people to draw that connection. I’ve since learned the value of Philip’s approach, recorded in John 1. Upon encountering Jesus, he immediately sought out his brother, excited to share the news of the Messiah.

Nathanael responded as many people do today, with mocking disbelief. “Nazareth,” he said, “Can anything good come from there?”

Had Philip been me, in my early years, he probably would’ve tried to convince his brother of his discovery. Had he been me in my silent period that followed, he might’ve shrugged and simply walked away. Instead, Philip invited Nathanael to investigate Jesus for himself.

“Come and see,” he said.

Curiosity evoked, Nathanael got up and followed. The Lord took care of the rest. Verse 47 states, “When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit’” (NIV). “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked, to which Jesus replied, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree, before Philip called you.”

These words, ignited by the Holy Spirit, birthed within Nathanael life-changing faith. In verses 49-51, we read, 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

Did you catch the progression? Philip encouraged his brother to check out Jesus for himself. When he did, he encountered the Lord, who spoke a nugget of truth. Again, Nathanael responded, this time with faith, after which the Lord revealed deeper truth...

The more we understand the transformation available through Christ, the more we long to see our loved ones accept His gift of grace. Our desire for their salvation is beautiful and holy. Problems come, however, when we lose sight of our role and forget our limitations. We can’t argue someone to faith. Our attempts to do so will likely only push them further away.

But while God commands us to love others and live as radiant reflections of Him, kind actions alone don’t often lead to spiritual conversations. People need to see how we are different and understand why. They need for us to draw the connection and then invite them to experience the truth for themselves.

A missionary friend with Cru refers to believers as cojourners. We’re travelers who gently invite people to embark on a journey of spiritual discovery. Then we walk beside them, first as an explorer, then a guide, builder, and finally, mentor. This is what it looks like to, “meet people where they’re at,” while, through active listening and remaining compassionately present, lovingly nudging them forward.

In doing so, we are imitating our Savior who invited people to come closer and evoked their curiosity through questions and stories. When people, like Nathanael, responded positively, Jesus revealed more of Himself and His truth. When they rejected Him, He didn’t try to argue them into belief. Instead, He let them go, remaining available should they decide to return. We honor Him and experience the best results when we do our part to invite and walk beside and trust God to create life change.

Further Reading:
1 Peter 3:15
John 4:28-42
John 1:38-39
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Prayer:

Father,

          According to Your Word, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Let my words and my actions be a powerful and gentle invitation to a lost and dying world. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - By Invitation

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume he should only be a vegetarian and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.
Romans 14:1-4 The Message Bible

Have you ever been in a Round Table discussion wondering what in the world the person across from you was doing in that meeting? There were no discernible analogous interests or skills and yet, they were there...by invitation. Did it make you question why you were there?

Have you ever been seated at an ambassador's table or another dignitary's table? Were you properly prepared with regard to particular protocol? What, if anything, did you have to offer? What value did you bring to the matters at hand? Did they even consider discussing anything other than trivial matters, yet still tried to draw a response from you? Did you feel out of place?

In the business world today, potential employers want to know what you bring to the table. What is it you offer that is considered value-added to their company? In order to mesh with the potential new boss, you must try to assess who they are and what they're about and just what exactly it is that they're looking for. Many times, the answers are accessible via the Internet before you arrive for your meeting. However, you must be careful in your research. It may appear that they're looking for a certain type of skillset, when in all actuality they have quite enough of that one and are looking for someone with a totally different perspective or plan of action.

The common denominator is that you were invited to all three. Just like you are invited to the Lord's table. Are you concerned about protocol or what you will bring? Not to worry. God's Holy Spirit will guide you and God Himself has given you all you need. He offers you His robe of righteousness for proper attire. Yes, He has prepared it for you in the presence of your enemies (Psalm 23). Don't worry about who is at the table. Keep your eyes on the Host! 

Please - Won't you be seated?

Prayer:

Father,
          Help us to focus only on answering Your invitation when You call. Let us be instant to respond. Build our faith and trust in You, O God, that You have us exactly where You want us to be - no matter what it looks like or who is sitting there. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

One Invitation

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.
Revelation 22:17 NLT

I heard a great testimony today about a single mother and her little boy who were in a grocery store when another woman recognized the single mother's struggle. Her heart was to help so she invited the young mother to go to church with her. Reluctantly, the mom agreed.

So, they're sitting in the church and the pastor says, "If you need anything from God, come on up and we'll pray for you." The little boy tugs on his mom's pant leg, saying, "We need something." The mother pats his hand and assures him they'll be fine. He persists and on the third time, the single mom and her son go to the altar for prayer.

The pastor got down on one knee and looked the little boy in the eye and asked, "What do you want to pray about?" The little boy looked him squarely in the eye and replied, "I want my daddy to come home. We need him." And the pastor prayed for the boy and his mother.

Months passed. Times were still tough, but one night, the young mother and her son came to the church, and with them was the ex-husband/missing father. And that night, when the invitation to accept Jesus was extended, the daddy came to the Father.

That was 42 years ago. Jimmie and Sherri Bratcher were remarried and have been together ever since. He's known as "The Electric Rev" - he plays blues like nobody's business and takes the Good News of the Gospel into places most people are not comfortable going, touching thousands of lives... all because a little housewife invited a single mother to church one Sunday.

We're one week from Easter Sunday. If you ask them, they may come. It could change lives!

Prayer:

Father,
          Give us holy boldness in divine appointments this week to invite someone to go to church with us. Prepare their hearts and minds to say 'yes' even now, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

By Invitation +

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume he should only be a vegetarian and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.
Romans 14:1-4 The Message Bible


Have you ever been in a Round Table discussion wondering what in the world the person across from you was doing in that meeting? There were no discernible analogous interests or skills and yet, they were there...by invitation. Did it make you question why you were there?

Have you ever been seated at an ambassador's table or another dignitary's table? Were you properly prepared with regard to particular protocol? What, if anything, did you have to offer? What value did you bring to the matters at hand? Did they even consider discussing anything other than trivial matters, yet still tried to draw a response from you? Did you feel out of place?

In the business world today, potential employers want to know what you bring to the table. What is it you offer that is considered value-added to their company? In order to mesh with the potential new boss, you must try to assess who they are and what they're about and just what exactly it is that they're looking for. Many times, the answers are accessible via the Internet before you arrive for your meeting. However, you must be careful in your research. It may appear that they're looking for a certain type of skillset, when in all actuality they have quite enough of that one and are looking for someone with a totally different perspective or plan of action.

The common denominator is that you were invited to all three. Just like you are invited to the Lord's table. Are you concerned about protocol or what you will bring? Not to worry. God's Holy Spirit will guide you and God Himself has given you all you need. He offers you His robe of righteousness for proper attire. Yes, He has prepared it for you in the presence of your enemies (Psalm 23). Don't worry about who is at the table. Keep your eyes on the Host! 

Please - Won't you be seated?

Prayer:

Father,
          Help us to focus only on answering Your invitation when You call. Let us be instant to respond. Build our faith and trust in You, O God, that You have us exactly where You want us to be - no matter what it looks like or who is sitting there. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen