[Note: The following devotional is dedicated to the memory of a dear friend who, at the age of 101, recently boarded the train. Before then, her entire life was the epitome of what our lives are to look like while we are waiting for the train! Thanks, Liz.]
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One morning during breakfast, Stan told me that his next-door neighbor had attended a memorial service for the woman who was instrumental in his coming to faith. The neighbor told Stan he had spoken at the service about the impact she had on his eternal destination and his life here before then.
“So she led him to faith, is that it?”
“No, that’s not it,” Stan replied. “But what she did is a lesson for me that I would like to pass on to you.”
“What lesson is that?”
“Invite people.”
“Invite people? Invite them to what?”
“Any place where they might hear the truth of the gospel.”
“How so?”
“From what my neighbor said,” Stan replied, “the woman was not necessarily gifted in actually leading people to Christ, but she was abundantly gifted in hospitality and in being bold to invite people to church and to other events where they might hear the truth of the gospel and take the step of asking God to do what only He can do.”
“Only what He can do? What’s that?”
“Change their heart,” Stan replied with a smile.
Continuing, he added, “That’s what my neighbor said happened with him. The woman he honored at her memorial service invited him to church, to Bible studies, to social events, to all sorts of things where he heard and eventually accepted the truth of the gospel and asked God to do what only He can do.”
“Change his heart?”
“That’s it,” Stan agreed. “And with his changed heart he follows the lead of his friend and invites others to where they might hear the truth and ask God to do what only He can do!”
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Bible verses to consider:
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. Ezekiel 36:26-27.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; . . . practicing hospitality. Romans 12:10-13.
Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to have life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often I don’t invite anyone to anything where they might here the truth of the gospel and ask you to change their heart. Please forgive that foolishness. Help me follow every step of your lead in seeking others to invite them to where they might hear the transformational truth of the gospel. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you asked God to do what only He can do in changing your heart so you have life eternally with Him? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with inviting others to where they might hear the truth of the gospel and ask God to do what only He can do? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to actually invite other people to church and to other events where they might hear the truth of the gospel and ask God to do what only He can do? Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional ? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?