Ephesians 2:6-7 New International Version
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
As awesome as it would be to get an invitation to the home of an accomplished public figure or celebrity, there is no invitation like the one GOD has offered. He has invited us into his perfect and powerful presence. He extended an invitation to live forever in His kingdom in the heavenlies. That place is beyond comprehension for it’s beauty, peace, and excellence.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 Easy-to-Read Version: But as the Scriptures say, “No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
When you experience the grace of GOD and the warm embrace of His presence, it is hard to comprehend why He seeks out our company. We are dust and a vapor. We are often sinful, ungrateful, and rebellious. Yet GOD says He is married to the backslider.
Jeremiah 3:14 New International Version: “Return, faithless people,” declares the Lord, “for I am your husband. I will choose you—one from a town and two from a clan—and bring you to Zion...”
Throughout the Bible, people who encountered GOD were bewildered about why He would even want to meet with them.
Psalm 8:3-4 New International Version: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
Psalm 139:4-6 New Living Translation: You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
Isaiah 6:1,5 New Living Translation: It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple… Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Invitation From The Superstar Of All Time
People around the world are fascinated with superstars. Television broadcasts are full of competitions to choose the best singer, the most stunning dancer, the most daring performer. Sport stars earn millions of dollars a year attracting fans. Olympians are in a class by themselves as exemplary athletes. Millions of viewers tune in to see which Hollywood standouts will win an Academy Award. The internet is flooded with human interest stories about every-day heroes, super kids, super moms, outstanding officers or firefighters, etc.
These heroes may be fascinating. But, nothing and no one can compare to the Hero of all the ages, the Lord JESUS CHRIST. He stretched out the heavens, created all the earth, and the remarkable wonders in the ocean. The whole universe is under His oversight.
He is more than a celebrity. He was the most sought out man of His generation. Everywhere He went, even in rough terrain, people traveled to find Him.
Mark 10:1 New International Version: Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.
Luke 5:1 New International Version: One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.
Matthew 8:1 New International Version: When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.
Matthew 20:29 New International Version: As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.
Mark 3:7-8 New International Version: Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.
People were desperate just to get a glimpse of Him, hear His voice, or touch His clothes. The difference between JESUS and modern-day celebrities is that touching JESUS was not just a superficial thrill. There was actually a transfer of power and healing.
Matthew 14:35-36 New American Standard Bible: And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding region and brought to Him all who were sick; and they pleaded with Him that they might just touch the border of His cloak; and all who touched it were cured.
He remains the most talked about and read about man in all of history.
A Continual Invitation
Despite our inadequacies, mistakes and sins, JESUS has an open door for each and every one of us. That means everybody and anyone who will hear and accept the invitation.
Revelation 3:20 New American Standard Bible: Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
Matthew 11:28-29 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
John 7:37 New International Version: On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink…”
John 1:38-39 Good News Translation: Jesus turned, saw them following him, and asked, “What are you looking for?” They answered, “Where do you live, Rabbi?” (This word means “Teacher.”) “Come and see,” he answered. (It was then about four o’clock in the afternoon.) So they went with him and saw where he lived, and spent the rest of that day with him.
Invitation To Sit At His Feet
JESUS is an up close and personal Savior. He actually wants to communicate with us and teach us. He wants to heal our lives and direct us when we are confused, discouraged and simply feeling lost. Luke 10:38-39 English Standard Version tells of JESUS’ encounter with his follower Mary, “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching”. JESUS described this as the “best part” of interacting with Him.
JESUS is the doorway to becoming a reborn child of GOD Almighty.
1 John 3:1 English Standard Version tells us, “ See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are…”
JESUS continually emphasizes how personal His feelings are for us. He actually wants us to be on the level of friends.
John 15:15 English Standard Version tells us that JESUS feels we are actually His friends: No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Invitation To The Feast Of All Feasts
JESUS is a constant and perfect Savior. We on the other hand can be fickle children. Moody, carnal, rebellious. Yet He still calls us friends and has invited us to a spectacular feast at His table. On that day, we will be part of an immense audience before our Heavenly King. There will be such an innumerable multitude of people shouting praises to His Holy Name. It will be like the sound of rushing water and like the sound of thunder.
Revelation 19:5-6 New King James Version: Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!” And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!…”
Even while we are still on earth, our fellowship with Him can reach supernatural proportions. We go from being seated at JESUS’ feet to being seated with Him in heavenly places. He is thoroughly committed to us.
1 Corinthians 1:8-9 Easy-to-Read Version: He will keep you strong until the end so that on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes, you will be free from all blame. God is faithful. He is the one who has chosen you to share life with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thank you, Father GOD, for this excellent day formed, created, and styled by You. Today, we have an audience directly with You.
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