Power of an Invitation
 
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see" (Joh 1:45-46).
 
One of the most powerful things you can do for another person is to extend a simple invitation. When Philip found Nathanael, he didn’t try to persuade him with arguments or long explanations. He simply said, “Come and see.” Those three words brought Nathanael face to face with Jesus, and his life was forever changed.
 
As we prepare for Friends and Family Day on October 5th, we are reminded that our task is not complicated. God doesn’t ask us to have all the answers or to remove every doubt. He simply calls us to invite others to come and see Jesus.
 
Think for a moment: Who in your life could benefit from hearing the gospel? A neighbor who has been struggling? A family member who once attended church but has drifted away? A coworker searching for peace? Each of us knows someone who needs Jesus—and an invitation could be the first step in their journey back to Him.
 
This week, make a list of at least two people you can personally invite. Pray for them by name. Give them a call, send them a text, or better yet, look them in the eye and say, “I’d love for you to come with me.” You may be surprised at how many will accept when the invitation is personal.
 
Remember, the power is not in our words, but in Christ. Our job is simply to extend the invitation. God can take care of the rest. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1Co 3:6).
 
Be a Light for Christ in 2025!
 
Dennis

THINK BEFORE SPEAKING OF GOD
  
I recently watched a popular sitcom in which the phrase, "Oh my God" was uttered several times in the opening minute. Instead of being used in prayer or to glorify our heavenly Father, it was used to exclaim surprise. To make matters worse, its casual use produced laughter from the audience. (Note - although some people assert that "god" is not the actual name of the heavenly Father, it is frequently used with reference to Him.)
  
Although we may not be surprised to hear "God" misused in movies, TV and in the world, I am appalled at the number of Christians that habitually use that designation in a frivolous manner. Afterall, the Bible repeatedly warns against doing so. 
  

•  “You shall not take the name (title or designation) of the Lord your God in vain (void of meaning), for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain” (Exod. 20:7). 
• “...nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD" (Lev. 19:12). 
• “But I say to you that for every idle (empty, useless) word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” (Mt. 12:36). 

·        "Holy and awesome (reverend or revered) is His name..." (Psa. 111:9).


Uttering God's name (or a designation for it) without respect is tantamount to insulting or demeaning Him. 
  
For several decades it has also become popular to abbreviate "Oh my God" as “OMG”. Some justify this practice by saying, "At least I'm not saying "God!" That’s beside the point; virtually everyone is aware of what “OMG” stands for.  
  
Jesus warned, "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Mt. 12:37). Don't allow careless words to disgrace God and destroy your influence. Strive to honor God whenever you refer to Him by name or designation. Let's heed the fervent prayer of David, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord…” (Psa. 19:14). 
  
Be a Light for Christ in 2025! 
  
Dennis

How Can We be Perfect?
 
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt 5:48).
 
So said Jesus to His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount. Unfortunately, these words have prompted countless guilt trips for many Christians. Even worse, more than a few have felt hopeless because their lives are far from faultless. The problem, however, is that many Christians misinterpret what Jesus was saying.
 
Words like perfect, perfectly, perfection, et. al., are used 57 times in the KJV New Testament. Yet they never refer to faultless, sinless behavior – not even once!
 
That being the case, what was Jesus’ point in Matthew 5:48? The truth is discovered by looking at the context. Verse 48 isn’t a stand-alone statement. It concludes a section that begins in verse 43, as Jesus contrasted the Jews’ restricted view of love with God’s unconditional love.
 
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies . . .” (5:43-44a).


Jesus then explains that God’s love extends not only to the righteous, but to the unrighteous as well. He blesses both with sunshine and rain (v. 45). In like manner Jesus’ followers should strive to imitate the Father by loving both those who love them and those who do not. It may not be easy, and we will fall short at times, but we do our best to love others in the same way our heavenly Father does.
 
“Be perfect” in Matthew 5:48 does not mean to “be faultless”, it means to live in a way that is above the norms and customs of the world. To show the world, by our attitudes and behavior, that we have chosen the less traveled path, following the steps of the Savior as He followed the will of His Father.
 
Be a Light for Christ in 2025!
 
Dennis