Wednesday, April 18, 2007

April 18 - Life Invitation

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 90 - 94
N.T. - Revelation 22

Focus Verses: Revelation 22:1,17
1
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb..." - - - 17The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Insight:
Jesus offers an invitation to everyone, "Come and quench your thirst -- take the free gift of the water of life." The Spirit of God says, "Come!" The church, Christ's bride, says, "Come!" Everyone who comes to the water and drinks will in turn say, "Come!" Come to Jesus. Come to the only hope for life in a world that is dying.

Compare this passage to the invitation Jesus gave on one occasion during the Feast of Tabernacles, recorded in John 7:37-38: On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

Response and Action:
I have accepted Jesus' invitation to come to him for life, hope, guidance, and purpose. I will pass the invitation along to others. I will drink deeply of all Jesus offers through his word, his people, his promises, and all that is beautiful and true. I will pray and seek God's guidance every day. I will read Scripture and meditate upon it. I will share my heart, my life, and my faith through friendship and service to others.

O God, thank you for your invitation to life. Help me respond fully to you that I might live life to the fullest to your glory. Help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And help me to love my neighbor as myself. Satisfy my needs and quench my thirst, and make a stream of living water flow out of me. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.

Proverbs: 18:4
"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook."

Resources:
Come Thirsty: No Heart Too Dry for His Touch
by Max Lucado
The Throne, the Lamb & the Dragon: A Reader's Guide to the Book of Revelation
by Paul Spilsbury