Invitation
December 18
To invite someone is to request their presence
or ask them to participate in an activity or event.
Living in my hometown in the same neighborhood for forty-seven years made for some party hopping at Christmas time. There were times there were multiple parties to attend on the same night. Then moving to a resort/retirement area the only party we attended the first year was our own where I invited total strangers! Whether you like to go out or not, it makes you feel good to have your presence requested by others!
Studying the Word this morning there is one reference after another where people invited others to their home. Revelation makes an exciting note of the ultimate invitation!
Revelation 19:9 Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' "
Making the guest list for a wedding is tough. The limitations come in several forms from space to financial to personal desires.
Matthew 22:14 makes this mention in a wedding parable:
"For many are invited, but few are chosen."
If we know the bridegroom we will not be left outside the church!
Let's Pray: Lord, Your invitations are numerous! "Come to me you who are weary and I will give You rest." You tell us to come to You like little children and lay our burdens down. You have made clear that for those of us who know You as Savior we have an invitation to occupy a home that You have built for us!
Father, for those we know for whom it has been difficult to give an affirmative RSVP...maybe they have felt they don't have proper party etiquette or suitable attire...may we give encouragement and share how they don't want to miss this party!
Forgive us for the times we have left You off our guest list. Just as You asked Zacchaeus if You could come to his house, You want to be invited into our homes!
You may be represented in our homes this holiday season as a baby in a manger. May You always be recognized as our God, King and Savior whose name we praise!
We love You Lord and pray in Your name, Amen
To invite someone is to request their presence
or ask them to participate in an activity or event.
Living in my hometown in the same neighborhood for forty-seven years made for some party hopping at Christmas time. There were times there were multiple parties to attend on the same night. Then moving to a resort/retirement area the only party we attended the first year was our own where I invited total strangers! Whether you like to go out or not, it makes you feel good to have your presence requested by others!
Studying the Word this morning there is one reference after another where people invited others to their home. Revelation makes an exciting note of the ultimate invitation!
Revelation 19:9 Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' "
Making the guest list for a wedding is tough. The limitations come in several forms from space to financial to personal desires.
Matthew 22:14 makes this mention in a wedding parable:
"For many are invited, but few are chosen."
If we know the bridegroom we will not be left outside the church!
Let's Pray: Lord, Your invitations are numerous! "Come to me you who are weary and I will give You rest." You tell us to come to You like little children and lay our burdens down. You have made clear that for those of us who know You as Savior we have an invitation to occupy a home that You have built for us!
Father, for those we know for whom it has been difficult to give an affirmative RSVP...maybe they have felt they don't have proper party etiquette or suitable attire...may we give encouragement and share how they don't want to miss this party!
Forgive us for the times we have left You off our guest list. Just as You asked Zacchaeus if You could come to his house, You want to be invited into our homes!
You may be represented in our homes this holiday season as a baby in a manger. May You always be recognized as our God, King and Savior whose name we praise!
We love You Lord and pray in Your name, Amen
