Wednesday November 26, 2008 INVITE WHO?
Then he turned to his host. "When you put on a luncheon or a dinner,"he said, "don't invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will repay you by inviting you back. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you." Luke 14:12-14 Again, as I read these words, I think of a couple I know in Talladega who goes out on the street every Thanksgiving and invites people to their home for Thanksgiving dinner. Throughout the main floor of their home are numerous tables set up for the many people invited that day, including family and friends, but the main table is reserved for the street people and the hosts. It makes for a very interesting time. At almost any banquet the head table is reserved for "special guests." Scripture speaks many times about humility and we would be wise to learn. Proverbs 25:6-7 says, "Don't demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It is better to wait for an invitation than to be sent to the end of the line, publicly disgraced!" When I was about nine or ten, several of my friends and I went to see a group of teen idols in concert. Some among that group were Bobby Vee, Del Shannon, and Fabian (I know, this gives away my age). Being one of the "short" people knocking at the stage door, I got shoved to the back and ended up being separated from my group. Although I wasn't the least bit afraid, I still knew I needed to go to a policeman and let him know I was lost from my group. To my amazement, he led me backstage where I was introduced to Fabian and Bobby Vee. My little heart was overflowing with joy and shock. That was pretty fun, but the most fun was when I was taken to the police department and given special treats as we waited for my mother to show up and get me. I didn't realize it then, but scripture was being acted out. My shortness shoved me to the back, but the authorities placed me first. It will be the same in Heaven. The writer of Hebrews wrote about the same theme in 13:1-3, "Continue to love each other with true Christian love. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Don't forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies." I love the fact that nowhere in any of the admonitions to serve those in prison does it limit that service to those who are unjustly imprisoned. God is serious about helping those who can't help themselves! Jesus did it, and we are to follow His lead. As we go worship Him this week with other Believers, let's make it a point to reach out to someone not in our group and make them feel welcome - it just might be an angel! Father, You are so wonderful. All I deserve is hell, and You have graced me with prayer answered, "Yes!" Please accept my praise! ******************************************* O. Addison Gethers e-mail address : [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] window live messenger: [EMAIL PROTECTED] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
