Come to the Table #1

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If I'm honest I prefer to invite people to our home who are kind. Those who walk in with a smile and appreciation for the opportunity to be together in a world that isn't always welcoming.

For years I hosted women's Bible studies and one of the favorite parts of these evenings was having dinner together.  These ladies knew they were welcome to invite others to attend.  One week a woman called and suggested I invite a particular women. My response was "There is no way that woman would step foot in my home. I've heard the things she says about me and my faith. If you want to invite her, go ahead, but I am not calling her."

Four days later I opened the front door to find said woman right here.  After seeing that all the guests had made it through the buffet line, I begin looking in the three rooms for a seat. The only available seat for me was right beside this woman.  As I sat down at a table for 14, this person said, "If you would teach on something besides Jesus I'd come to these studies."

Y'all, I was already on edge having her in our home, but to place this challenge before me in front of so many others, I didn't take time to "Pray it, don't say it."  I quickly replied, "NOT going to happen."  Then I got up, headed out of the room, laid up against a wall and said, "Help me Jesus."  I recognized the devil dart and made my way back to the table.  

Fast forward two weeks. Another woman called me and told me she wanted to take this particular person to the movie "God's Not Dead" which was showing in a city about an hour away. She asked if I would pick up this woman and give her a ride to the movie theater and she would meet us there.  Are you kidding me, Jesus?

Shortened version. On the ride home this woman said, "Now, I get it. I get what Jesus did for us." Then she shared that her son in law was Muslim and insisted her grandchildren be raised Muslim, so if she believed in Jesus, that meant she believed her grandchildren would spend eternity in hell.

So many times I've thought..."What is so difficult about accepting Jesus?"  There are obstacles.  Maybe someone you loved deeply died without faith in Christ.  Maybe those you care about now do not share your faith in Christ. Think those emotions through and love deeply and pray often.

Yes, I'd prefer everyone sitting around my table be a friend of Jesus, but Jesus would prefer we invite people who need to meet him. His table is open to all.

 People will come from all directions and sit down to feast in God's kingdom.

Luke 13:29

The Song

"Come to the Table" Sidewalk Prophets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXXxLwxfo0U


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