Don't you like to be invited to a party? And when you get there, to see your name on a place card at the table? That shows you were wanted and expected. Makes you feel good inside, doesn't it?
Well, can you understand and believe that the Lord has invited you to His party and that He has your name at a place setting at the table? That He is expecting you? That He has planned for you to be there, yes, you, individually, personally? Or does this make the Good News to be too good? Do you have to crowd in and elbow your way to the Table and write your own place card while your Host looks at you suspiciously because you feel so unworthy?
Here's a little Bible study for you to do:
(1) God has invited you to His grand "party" (Rev. 22:17).
(2) No one has a right to be outside, for we are all to worship the Lord only (Matt. 4:10).
(3) No one is outside against his own personal will (John 5:40).
(4) No one is outside because the gospel has not come to him (John 1:9; Rom. 10:18).
(5) No one is unjustly outside (Acts 13:46).
(6) No one is outside because God wants him to be outside (2 Peter 3:9).
(7) The only way anyone can be outside the grand "party" is because he/she has despised and rejected the personal invitation with his name on it that was placed in his/her hands (Heb. 10:29; Isa. 43:1; 49:1).
And while you're studying, read also John 3:16-19 to see for yourself how good the Good News really is. And plead with the Lord, yes, beg Him, PLEASE to help your unbelief (see Mark 9:23, 24; if we learn to pray that prayer we are told we can never perish). You may want to write those texts down--then please read them before you go to sleep tonight.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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