Intro: Invitation
Imagine you receive a special notice in the mail, you have been invited to a
special car sale: All brand new cars, any make or model, are 50% off! Wow! You
just needed a new car, as the one you have is bit by bit falling apart (you
probably know the feeling!). Now you wonder if there is any catch. You read over
the whole invitation carefully. No catches are mentioned. In fact the letter
gives you the option to share this good news with your closest friends. They are
welcome too!
What would you do? Would you keep this to yourself, buy a brand new car to you
liking, and brag about it? Or would you share this once-in-a-lifetime deal with
all of your friends? Doesn't Fred need a new car as well? And what about poor
Georgia who keeps her right-door shut with a rope? Wouldn't they benefit by this
deal as well?
I can imagine you would be on the phone for a long time, excited to share this
opportunity with all of your friends!
This sounds quite similar to the time you fell head over heels in love with the
most gorgeous and fun-filled person you ever met (at least at the time you
thought so!). Did you keep this to yourself? You would have had a hard time to
do so, as your whole demeanor was demonstrating a radiance that hadn't been
there before! In fact even your language would have had a hard time hiding the
fact that the only thing you were able to think and dream about was your beloved
one.
Getting to know Jesus is an experience far beyond a 50% car sale or even falling
in love with the most incredible person in the whole wide world! You can't help
but share with others what you have discovered. Your whole demeanor is proof
that you have met someone that changed your world upside down! The consequences
of your encounter with God are unbelievable and constant: inner peace, joy (even
though you may be in the midst of heavy trials) and filled with love directed
not only towards your new-found Friend, but also towards every human being.
Didn't Jesus die for each one of them? What is important to God becomes
important to you. Developing this kind of relationship is far beyond this world.
You have found a Friend who is all-powerful and who is eager to help you out in
all of your needs. Matt 28:20 "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of
the age."
This study is not a "how-to" manual, but a map pointing you to the right
direction of how to getting to know God on a personal level. A how-to book is
quite ineffective when trying to find directions of how to reach your
destination. However, a map will help anyone to locate his/her position in
relation to where he/she needs to go.
May this study be a blessing to you and may you discover the wonderful
consequences of getting to know the One who really cares for you.
"Lord, I come to you empty-handed. How often have I been disappointed by those
who call themselves my friends. I am tired to rely solely on my own efforts and
on my circumstances. I am so confused sometimes and have often made big
mistakes. I come to you, hungering to getting to know you better. Help me to
discover you and find out how desperate you are to become my friend. Thank you
Lord, for reaching out to me. I am looking forward to become your friend and to
have a close relationship with You.
In Jesus' name.
Amen"
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