I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
A Generous Invitation
While exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and sharing his experience with Jesus, John was given a vision.
He was told to write down what he saw and send it to the seven churches. And though these messages were given to literal churches of that time, they’re still just as relevant to and representative of our modern hearts today.
Now, for some context, let’s focus on Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea …
Jesus describes the church in Laodicea as being neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. They’re rich and comfortable, prosperous and self-sufficient, apathetic and indifferent. But despite these things, Jesus still offers a generous invitation:
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
Revelation 3:20 NLT
Do you see it? Do you feel it?
This is an invitation for intimacy, relationship, and friendship with the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of everything.
But make no mistake, Jesus is a gentleman. He refuses to force Himself upon anyone. Instead, He pursues hearts and extends invitations…
…but we must open the door.
The church in Laodicea was full, but empty. They were disoriented by a false sense of security and control. They were successful according to the world’s standards, but distracted according to God’s standards.
And yet, Jesus still called out to them. Jesus still knocked for them. Just as He’s still calling out and knocking—for you. The same God who flung planets into space and carved mountains into existence wants to be near you and with you and to save you.
So if you hear Him calling out to your soul, or you feel Him knocking on the door of your heart, it’s your move.
He is waiting with open arms.
Responding to God at All Times
Throughout our lives, we will all experience both suffering and joy. We'll have times of great grief and times of overflowing happiness. Sometimes, they’ll be separate seasons—but other times, these experiences come together.
In either case and in any situation, James expected Christians to come to God. If someone was suffering, prayer was the call to action. If someone was cheerful, people were to pause and praise God.
This might seem obvious, but when suffering clouds our thinking, we can sometimes forget to prioritize prayer. And when things are going well and we're feeling cheerful, it’s easy to just enjoy our season and not stop long enough to praise God for it. But every season of life is actually just an opportunity to put into practice what James wrote about…
When we are suffering, let us pray. When those around us are suffering, let us pray. When we are cheerful or happy, let us praise God. When others are happy, let us praise God with ...
