Thoughts for Life: One Invitation at a Time

Debbie McEwen: How did I come to know Christ? How did I start on my walk with Him?

I was asked the other day how I got to the point that I know him so well that whether I live or die, it is for Him.

If I live I get to do His work. If I die, I spend eternity with Him in heaven. I win either way. (Google image, Jesus, by permission by Nancy Lee Moran, nancylee@nancyleemoran.com).

How did I get to that point? I don't remember what I answered by I thought about the question and God pointed out that the answer is "by invitation."

God gives everyone, including you and me, invitations to learn about Him.

It might be a conversation. It might be an article in a book. It might be an actual invitation to visit a church or join a Bible study.

It could even be a thought He planted in our heads and then gave us the opportunity to follow it up and learn. That is the key. If we follow it up, we learn.

Then we start and progress on our walk with Him. Each opportunity or invitation that we accept leads to another.

God does not force Himself on us. He invites, encourages and loves on everyone all the days of our lives. He never stops inviting.

He never stops encouraging each person, even the ones who reject him, to join Him for eternity in paradise.

We only have to accept and follow. If we allow, our hearts will lead us to Him. We were created that way.

God is calling each and every one of His creation, one invitation at a time. Will you accept?"

By Debbie McEwen tmcewen91@yahoo.com

I Invite you to also check out:
What Does God Look Like?

By Debbie McEwen

(She's posted 12 more area pictures).

A Priceless Legacy

You could have come down from the cross

And spared Yourself great pain

For there was nothing stopping You . . .

Yet You chose to remain.

You knew that someone had to pay

The price for mankind’s sin.

You knew that if You turned Your back

The enemy would win.

Despite the people’s jeering

And defaming of Your name,

You walked the road to Calvary

Enduring unjust shame.

You let them nail You to the cross

Without a word or sigh

So we could live eternally . . .

In our place You would die.

The priceless legacy You left

Is filled with love and grace . . .

You promise that if we believe

We’ll see You face to face.

©Frances Gregory Pasch

Used by permission

List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!

My new addition to PAGES: Healing Thoughts and Prayers
There are 5 as of today, and others will be added upon writing and editing. I had intended to make a book of these posts, but I believe the Lord directed me to post them, as some of you readers are in need of the messages of faith now. If you have comments or suggestions to make them better, just notify me at jowildflowers@gmail.com Thanks!

Let's pray-

People praying together

Father, help us understand that Your desire is for us to get to know You through Your Son, Jesus.
May we find that each opportunity or invitation we accept leads us to another, to draw us closer to You.
Thank You for the many invites You've given over the years to encourage us to come to You; the One who has loved us all the days of our life.
As You call each of us one invitation at a time, may we be open to hear Your voice and quick to obey.
I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Bible verses-

"And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may
fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children
after them" (Jer. 32:39 KJV).

“The LORD your God is in your midst . . . a mighty one who
will save . . . he will rejoice over you with gladness . . . he

will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud

singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither
death nor life . . . nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God in
Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37-39).

Today’s quotes-

~ Dr. Charles Stanley- "By putting off a decision for Christ, you not only lose the immediate blessings of a deeply personal relationship with God now; you also risk future separation from Him for all eternity. Don't procrastinate! Come to Christ today: Acknowledge your sin, ask His forgiveness, and trust Him as your Savior." (p.23 of IN TOUCH, Daily Readings for Devoted Living, March 2016 magazine)

~ Kelly Balarie- "God loves me. He loves you.

Even when life breaks down … or people do . . .
Even when fears tumult all around . . . or uncertainties do . . .
Even when answers to questions do not abound . . . and problems still exist . . .

Still. Even then, His love still works. It pursues. It remains. It saves. It quiets rambunctious hearts. It sings over us. It moves on our behalf.

“The LORD your God is in your midst . . . a mighty one who
will save . . . he will rejoice over you with gladness . . .
he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing (Zephaniah 3:17).”

What we have . . . the lengths, heights and depths of His love, cannot be stolen, removed or relinquished.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:37-39). Kelly’s new book, Fear Fighting: Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears has been called “A must read,” “Breathtakingly honest” and a “Great Toolbox to Overcome Fear.”

Our thought today-

Every single parent has flaws. When they speak, they have the power to hurt or encourage. The truth is, we need God to help us honor our parents. Ex. 20:12 and Eph. 6:2, 3 tell us to honor them, and reminds us of the blessing promised when we do.

Our questions today-

Is it true that dishonoring one's parent(s) tends to cause discontentment? Are folks who honor their parents more likely to have good health? (The likely answers can provoke us to honor ours . . . )

Check out Jean's blog for 7 recent posts.

Some interesting past posts-

Unfailing

7/3/16- Sunday evening's post by Lisa Buffaloe

Our Father Listens

7/10/16- Sunday evening's post by Susan Ferguson

Are You Bitter?

7/17/16- Sunday's post by Jean Oathout

Pray Without Ceasing

7/24/16- Sunday evening's post by Germine Copeland