Power of an Invitation

I will never forget the first time I attended my first Bible study in 2012.  I had been a Christian my whole life, went to church, read the Bible, but never attended a formal Bible study.  I could name a million reasons why I didn't attend before then;  busy with motherhood, I worked during the week, I had to take care of the house, etc.  It's funny how God has a way to always point you in the right direction. 

I was at a point in my relationship with God where I knew He wanted me to take the next step towards a deeper relationship with him;  but I didn't know how.  One day I was standing in the preschool parking lot talking with a friend, pouring out my heart to her.  I had just started to attend the same church as her.  As she was listening to me, she had opened the door to something bigger than I could have ever imagined.  She invited me to a Women's Bible Study at the new church I was attending.  I immediately accepted the invitation.  I was excited, because I knew God had used her that day not only to invite me, but to point me in the right direction towards what He had desired for me.  

The day I stepped foot into my first Bible Study, I was hooked and I never looked back.  Once I started, I couldn't get enough.  I wanted more.  Her invitation to Bible study changed my life.  I never knew how much I was missing out on until I entered into God's presence, opened up the Scriptures and allowed God's truth into my heart.  My friend was faithful in listening to God to invite me that day.  I only had to enter through the open door, God did the rest.  

There is power in the invitation when it is accepted. 

Your invitation provides an an open door for someone to walk through.     

God used my friend in a big way that day.  I am so glad she listened to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to invite me that day.  Her invitation changed my life.  God's words are what transforms our hearts, nourishes our souls, and gives life to our spirits.  God's love is not meant to be hidden, but shared with everyone.  

Just imagine if the three wise men never accepted God's invitation to see the birth of baby Jesus.  They would have missed out on seeing the birth of their king.  

Just imagine if Paul didn't accept God's invitation that day on the road to Damascus when he was blinded by the light.  We would have never seen God's ability to transform Paul's heart, from someone who persecuted Christians to someone who risked His life to save them.

Imagine if the Disciples and the Apostles never accepted God's invitation to become followers of Christ.  We would have missed out on the greatest message ever told. We would have never seen God's ability through the Holy Spirit to grow the church.  

We are merely vessels God uses to carry out His greater plan.  We are all apart of God's great amazing story of the gospel.  If we never shared it with anyone, imagine how many people miss out on the beautiful message of the gospel.  

The worse thing a person can say is 'No.'  God will continue to pursue their hearts.  You only need to be faithful in prayer of how God can use you.  

There will always be 101 things keeping us away from studying the Bible.  Not one of those reasons are ever good enough to keep us away from spending time with God.  When we give God the time He has given us, He will provide all the time we need to get everything else accomplished that He desires for us.  

Have you been prompted to invite someone to church or Bible study?  You never know how God will use you to impact the life of someone else.  Your invitation might be the very thing a person needs to take their next step.  

Have you ever accepted an invitation that changed your life?

How has Bible Study impacted your life?   To learn more about why studying the Bible is so important Click Here.