"A single invitation can reap eternal rewards."
MONDAY, June 30 INVITE
Luke 14:12-13 MSG
“The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing."
Luke 14:12-13 MSG
“The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing."
Patsy Lewis writes this of an invitation: "Any invitation God extends will be life-transforming and precipitate a chain reaction." (p. 178) We often have no idea of the extended benefits of a single invitation. But when many are asked how they began their relationship with Christ, they will tell a story that starts with an invitation from another.
God puts the situations before us, hoping we will respond with a simple invitation. When we invite neighbor children to VBS, a new single mom to a women's gathering, a lonely senior to a fellowship event, we are beginning an unknown chain reaction of God-power.
Yesterday's worship service explored the power of welcome and hospitality. I think it fits well with today's invite.
God puts the situations before us, hoping we will respond with a simple invitation. When we invite neighbor children to VBS, a new single mom to a women's gathering, a lonely senior to a fellowship event, we are beginning an unknown chain reaction of God-power.
Yesterday's worship service explored the power of welcome and hospitality. I think it fits well with today's invite.
2- CULTIVATE LASTING FRIENDSHIPS
"A caring friend will stretch you spiritually."
TUESDAY, July 1 Prayer Web Power
Romans 12:15 ESV
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
Romans 12:15 ESV
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
When we reach out in prayer for and with others, we cannot begin to imagine the God-power a single prayer can initiate. Many churches have prayer chains. Social media is often used as a giant prayer 'web' (no single chain about it!) as individual post prayer concerns and suddenly people all over are either 'rejoicing or weeping' in prayer.
During our Habitat morning devotions people may share a prayer need...often for individuals miles and circumstances away. We prayed for little Avery, a niece of Baker City friends from Utah, while we were in Columbia Falls. No one knew her, but the prayers were earnest. Most of that group will not hear of her gradual recovery, but all knew their prayers were heard.
I often post my prayer pictures on Facebook because I have found those I pray for rejoice to see their name. They are strengthened to know God is at work in their life. I have already heard from one person after yesterday's prayer post. May we continue to cultivate our prayers, knowing our efforts continue God-power at work!
Explanation of this drawing.....This prayer picture is completely digital, based on some seaweed and dune grass photographs I took on the beach. I thought the swirls of kelp looked somewhat like the initial squiggle designs in the 'Color Your Prayers' book, which led me to try to black and white them into a usable image. I added the dune grass for a little more effect. The colors - they look tie dyed! - are actually a 'heat image' (in pastels!) of a sand photograph with its swirling patterns of line. Here are the original pictures I used:
During our Habitat morning devotions people may share a prayer need...often for individuals miles and circumstances away. We prayed for little Avery, a niece of Baker City friends from Utah, while we were in Columbia Falls. No one knew her, but the prayers were earnest. Most of that group will not hear of her gradual recovery, but all knew their prayers were heard.
I often post my prayer pictures on Facebook because I have found those I pray for rejoice to see their name. They are strengthened to know God is at work in their life. I have already heard from one person after yesterday's prayer post. May we continue to cultivate our prayers, knowing our efforts continue God-power at work!
Explanation of this drawing.....This prayer picture is completely digital, based on some seaweed and dune grass photographs I took on the beach. I thought the swirls of kelp looked somewhat like the initial squiggle designs in the 'Color Your Prayers' book, which led me to try to black and white them into a usable image. I added the dune grass for a little more effect. The colors - they look tie dyed! - are actually a 'heat image' (in pastels!) of a sand photograph with its swirling patterns of line. Here are the original pictures I used:
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| 2nd piece of kelp |
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| Dune grass |
.jpg) |
| Sand lines after storms |
This post is based on the book, SIMPLY REJOICING, by Patsy Lewis, published by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2013.
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