Publication date Mar 11, 2024

Invite Them In

Publication date Mar 11, 2024

I pray that your hope in Jesus has grown every day this week. We are moving towards being Hope-full as we fill our minds, hearts and bodies with God’s miracle promises.  

A few years back, my kids bought me a woodstone pizza oven for Christmas. I love food, and I especially love pizza. But even more than pizza, I love what happens when you invite people to come and share it. Over the past summers, we have hosted some of our closest friends to come over and enjoy a meal. Taking the time to sit, eat, talk and connect over God’s provision is such an amazing experience.

friend, who have you invited to fill your table? I know that may sound like an odd question, but it really matters when it comes to becoming more and more hopeful. When we are isolated and alone, our hope fades. We begin to feel invisible and insignificant. But, when we intentionally connect with people, something happens inside of our spirit, and we become more and more hopeful. The key is a godly connection with godly people.

I love these two Scriptures:

“Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.” (Psalm 107:2, NIV

“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Revelation 12:11, NIV

Do you see the power of connecting with other people? When we fill our tables with people and then add the power of our testimony about Jesus, Satan literally loses.

Dear friend, if you are struggling with hope, do the opposite of what you may feel like doing. Instead of withdrawing and pulling away into isolation, invite some people to your table. Talk about Jesus, share some food, and you will be able to fill your stomach and your heart at the same time!

Before we choose hope today, I want to remind you of one more important and hopeful truth.  God has invited you to His table. Luke 14 tells us that God has laid out a banquet invitation and YOU are on the guest list. Don’t make excuses and miss the party! Come and accept His invitation so your heart can be FULL! 

I love these words that describe God’s heart for friend, “Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be FULL! (Luke 14:23 NIV

When we fill our tables, our hope is soon to follow.

Never forget my friend… 

You are a miracle!

 

Grant Fishbook
Author

Lead Teaching Pastor @ctkbellingham or, just a regular guy passionately following Jesus!