RSVP

 

 

RSVP means, please respond. RSVP requests usually accompany invitations because hosts and hostesses like to know how many people will attend an event. After all, every host or hostess wants enough food and supplies during a party. They want to be adequately prepared for the event. Therefore, guests planning to attend an event are usually requested to make their intentions known by calling a given number or returning a slip or postcard provided to a provided address.  

Everybody, you included, has been invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb, Jesus Christ (Rev 19:9). Like all well-planned social events, this event must be responded to. The invitation to this wedding supper reads: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). 

There are three possible responses to this invitation, each with eternal implications. 

·       You could respond: “Not interested.” “Don’t believe it.” “I am just fine.”  Based on the wording of the invitation, you have elected to perish.

·       Or you could respond: “Yes, I will go; I will respond after taking care of XY and Z.” If procrastination goes on long enough, the opportunity to respond will be lost, putting you in the “not interested” status.

·       But you could respond: “Yes, I want to attend the supper; I am responding right now because today is the day of salvation!” “Dear God, thank you for the gift of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for my sins. I now accept Him as my Lord and Savior, in Jesus’ name, Amen.” 

Your RSVP will be immediately received in heaven, and your name will be recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life. On the day of the wedding supper, you will be escorted into the banquet hall to enjoy fine dining and fellowship with the Lamb (groom) and the bride (the Church of which you are part). 

Note that no one can show up with an excuse of; “I meant to RSVP but forgot or I was too busy to respond. The groom’s response to people with excuses will be, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you” (Matthew 25:12).  

It is also important to note that each individual has to RSVP for themselves. There will be no RSVP for couples, families, Churches, friends, or any kind of group. This is an invitation to all, but group responses are unacceptable; each individual has to respond for themselves, “Whosoever will may come” (Revelation 22:17).  

So, dear reader, how will you respond to this invitation? I hope you will say “Yes,” please say it now before it is too late. God loves you but will not force you to accept this essential invitation. Anyone you know (parent, sibling, friend, or spouse) who received this invitation could not and did not include you on their RSVP. Speak for yourself today!  

YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR NOT KNOWING GOD

God is the Creator of the universe; He called it into existence when out of nothing, He said, "Let there be light,"; "a space between the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth,"; … "Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind" (Genesis 1:3; 6; 9; 11; 14;15;20; 22; 24). After that, He created human beings (a man and a woman) in His image to be like Him (them-the Trinity), with the plan for them to multiply, fill the earth, and govern it (see Genesis 1:26-28). After creation, God looked at His handiwork and was satisfied because He saw it was perfect (see Genesis 1:31).

Adam and Eve knew God personally; He visited with them every evening until they sinned. So, they knew He created the world He had charged them to govern. Being their offspring, we have that knowledge inherent in us, and the Bible, talking about people, says: "They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. People have seen the earth and sky since the world was created. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities-his eternal power, and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God" (Romans 1:19-20).

Why do people convince themselves and others that there's no God when they have so much evidence proving otherwise? If they admit He exists, they'd have to obey Him, which they don't want to do. In short, they don't want to be accountable to Him; they like to do whatever, whenever, and however they want. Unfortunately for them, what they choose to believe won't get them off the hook.

So, Dear Reader, do you know God, and if you do, what does He mean to you? What difference has that knowledge made in your life? On the other hand, you are probably one of the people who claim there is no God. And the reason you claim there's no God is so you don't have to honor or obey Him. Look deep into your heart, and ask yourself where you came from. Deep down, you know God exists; the Bible is true and says God Has already put that knowledge in your heart. Dear Reader, you have no excuse for rejecting God or His Word; He created you in His image and loves you. He has sacrificed His Son, Jesus, to pay for your sin of rejection and rebellion, so He can have an ongoing relationship with you.

Stop pretending and lying to yourself that there's no God. If you don't like the dinner served, will pretending there's nothing to eat take away your hunger? Of course not!

Claiming there's no God will not excuse you from the consequences of not knowing him personally. We were made to worship; if you don't worship the Creator, you will worship something else in His place (see Romans 1:21-32).

Having said all that, what should one do to affirm their knowledge of God? They should agree with their hearts that God is the Author and Creator of the world; he is love, holy, and just, and does not tolerate sin. Humanity has fallen out of favor with God but can be restored by believing in Jesus, the Son of God, who died in our place. I encourage you to call on Him today and prove that God exists despite your excuses and is waiting to hear from you. Respond today; the sooner, the better.       

 

JESUS IS LOOKING FOR YOUR LOST NEIGHBOR

You might often find neighborhood posts asking for help finding a lost pet. They describe the pet, and the owner provides his contact information. Sometimes a reward is listed. Have you ever seen a homeless pet, and how did that make you feel? Did you wish you could reunite that pet with its owner?

Jesus paid a ransom for you and all mankind, including your neighbor. Your neighbor does not know or understand that he or she is lost, and if never found and returned to God, his or her owner, it will lead to eternal separation. On the other hand, you understand that the stakes are high; you are glad you have become a child of God by repenting of your sins and putting your faith in Jesus. Plus, you know and enjoy the benefits of your relationship with God, like joy, peace, and hope for the future; your neighbor could benefit from that knowledge. So, what are you going to do about your lost neighbor? 

God has made all believers, including you, His ambassadors, and is making His appeal through us; we must ask unbelievers to return to God through Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5:19-20). What’s stopping you from being an ambassador? Could it be that you feel ashamed to openly declare that you’re a Christian, are afraid of persecution, or feel unsure how to present the gospel message?

Jesus’ response to those who feel ashamed is: “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in His glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels” (Luke 9:26; also Mark 8:38). And if fear is your problem, Paul cautioned Timothy: “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord” (2 Peter 1:7-8). If you’re unsure how to present the gospel, befriend your neighbor, show him love and respect, and avoid topics that lead to arguments. Pray for him, and as your friendship grows, you can share what God has done for you.

Sharing the gospel is not the time for a lecture. Jesus asked the woman at the well for a simple favor: “Please give me a drink” (John 4:7). That led to a discussion, and before she knew it, Jesus had confessed: “I AM the Messiah!” (V 26). The woman went back home to share her experience, and before she could really think about it, many from the village had put their trust in Him because of what she told them (see 39-42).

Jesus is waiting to welcome your neighbor; He is counting on you to introduce them. Your neighbor will appreciate knowing what you already know; he or she will appreciate going home to the Father he or she didn’t even know they had. Stop procrastinating because time is running out; it could soon be too late for your neighbor.

And just as neighborhood posts offer a reward, Jesus promises: “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds” (Revelation 22:12).     

BE A CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN

  

I was relieved when we finally bade winter 2009 goodbye. I was glad to see spring arrive and hoped it would get warmer. But even after spring had been around for a few weeks, it did not warm up consistently with time. Instead, the warm kept alternating with the cold. I tried not to turn on the heat, but finally, when I couldn't take it any longer, I did; the house was too cold. I gave in and turned it on: just for one day. 

The alternating temperature changes made me miserable, and I seldom felt appropriately dressed. When I went outside in warm clothes, I felt too warm, and when I went out dressed in light clothes, I felt too cold. Why couldn't it get warm and stay warm? Why should I turn on the heat when it was nearly mid-May? I found it frustrating and vowed not to complain when it got hot. 

This frustrating experience with inconsistent weather reminds me of how God feels about lukewarm Christians. He told the church in Laodicea, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16). 

This indicates that God wants us to walk consistently with Him and grow daily by being in the Word, doing what it says, and praying without ceasing. 

With the concept of inconsistency also comes double-mindedness. James 1:6-8 tells us a double-minded person is unstable in all he does. We are admonished to believe and not doubt when we ask God for wisdom. He is the same God who created the world with the Word of His mouth. God's power is not demonstrated in degrees or percentages. Power is power! Through it, He healed the sick, raised the dead, turned water into blood and wine, raised Christ from the dead, and defied gravity when Jesus ascended into heaven. So, is there anything too hard for Him? No! Why, then, do we have doubts when we pray? It could be because we focus on the problem and not on God, and that must change.

We find it easier to trust God with less complicated issues, but our faith does not measure up when it comes to overwhelming problems. We seem to say to God, "I don't know about this. Are you up to this challenge?" But the truth is, nothing is too hard for the Lord (see Genesis 18:14).  

Since nothing is too complicated for Him, we must trust Him completely, in every instance, and not just some of the time. Regardless of the circumstances, God can be trusted; He has never failed and is not about to now. Even when He doesn't respond however we want, it is still for our good. With faith should come patience and thanksgiving.  

A newborn cries when he/she needs something; he/she does not concern himself/herself with how the parents will meet that need.  

Let's learn from the newborn: ask for everything we need, and trust that our loving, heavenly Father will provide!

MOSES' CONVERSATION WITH GOD AT THE BURNING BUSH--God has an assignment for you.

Has God ever given you an assignment you did not want to accept because of fear? Many people can say yes to this, especially regarding witnessing. We fear ridicule, the inability to answer questions from our listeners, etc. Moses had escaped from Egypt because of a murder he had committed there and had no intentions of returning. But God had an assignment for him there that changed his life forever.   

GOD – Hi, Moses. I have some work for you to do for me. I have children enslaved in Egypt; they are suffering tremendously. I'd like to free and relocate them and relieve their suffering. I am giving them their own land, flowing with milk and honey. I am sending you to the Pharaoh of Egypt; tell him to let my people go. 

 MOSES – You've got to be joking, Lord! The people won't believe me; they will want to know your name. I don't even know how to speak; "I've never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue" (Exodus 4:10).

GOD – "Moses, who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will help you speak and will teach you what to say" (V11-12).   

MOSES – Please, Lord, I do not want you to help me accomplish this task. Please, Lord, don't; just don't get me involved. I came out of Egypt for a reason; the king has a warrant for my arrest, and I do not want to be seen in that vicinity. "O Lord, send someone else to do it" (V13); someone who has a good reputation, is good at this sort of thing, and is very eloquent. 

Humanly speaking, you might think that this point in this dialogue is when God slaps Moses! But our God does not operate that way. He encourages, supports, and accommodates our inadequacies. Amen! Although His anger burned against Moses, He provided a helper in the person of Aaron, Moses' brother. He said to him, "I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do" (V 15).

However, if we overly try His patience, He might direct us to Jonah to discover possible consequences (see Jonah 1:17). Sometimes, we can be so overwhelmed with fear that the only thing that will suffice for us is to be far removed from a situation. But God has said to us many times, "Fear not, for I am with you" (Joshua 1:9). "I am with you" means "I am with you." Is anything too hard for Him? Of course not!  

He enables those He calls, but let us remember it means things could go differently than we want. If everything went smoothly each time he commissioned us, when would He get to demonstrate His wisdom, power, and strength? Challenges in our lives are opportunities for us to witness His greatness. So don't turn down the Lord's help to accomplish the tasks He calls you to, for He is faithful.