We need to learn how wrong it is to think of prayer as a way of getting something from God. People often think of prayer as a way of talking God into doing what they want Him to do. This is what lies behind 'name it and claim it' Christianity, the idea that I can influence God by offering the right kind of prayer. But that attitude ultimately leads to hell. As C. S. Lewis once observed, 'There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ';Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, ';Thy will be done.' All that are in Hell, choose it.' Besides, why would anyone want to change God's mind? The Bible says that His will is 'good, pleasing and perfect' (Rom. 12:2). Imagine what a mess our lives would be in if God always did what we wanted Him to do! For unlike God's will, our own wills are evil, displeasing, and imperfect.
Philip Graham Ryken

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#1 · January 15, 2003, 12:31 pm

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

<>< No Jacket Required ><>
 
I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right place. After
all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been given an
invitation several times, by several different people, and I had
finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just
couldn't be the right place.
Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand.
I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required" and
found the location.
Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and
saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were
neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean
as they dined at this exquisite restaurant. Ashamed, I looked down at
my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in
fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn't shake
the grime that clung to my body. As I turned around to leave, the
words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me..."Come as you
are. No jacket required."
I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I
could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a
man standing behind a podium.
"Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile.
"Jimmy D. Brown," ," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands
deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains.
He didn't seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he
continued, "Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would
you like to be seated?"
I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I
said, "Yes, of course!"
He led me to a table, and sure enough, there was a place-card with my
name written on it in a deep, dark red. As I browsed over a menu, I
saw many delightful items listed. There were things like, Peace, Joy,
Blessings, Confidence, Assurance, Hope, Love, Faith and Mercy. I
realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu
back to the front in order to see where I was at. "God's Grace" was
the name of this place.
The man returned and said, " recommend the 'Special of the Day'. With
it you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu.
You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have
ALL of this? "What is the 'Special of the Day'?" I asked with
excitement ringing in my voice.
"Salvation," was his reply.
"I'll take it," I practically cried out. Then, as quickly as I made
that statement, the joy left my body. A sick painful ache jerked
through my stomach and tears filled my eyes. Between my sobs I
said..."Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty. I am unclean and
unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all of this, but, I just
can't afford it."
Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been
taken care of by that Gentleman over there," he said as he pointed to
the front of the room. "His name is Jesus."
Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He
was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him
and in a shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or
sweep the floors or take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to
repay You for all this."
He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours
if you just come unto me. Ask me to clean you up and I will. Ask me
to allow you to feast at my table and you will eat. Remember, the
table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift
that I offer you."
Astonished, I fell at his feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean
up my life. Please change me and sit me at your table and give me
this new life." Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished."
I looked down and white robes adorned my body. Something strange and
wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight had been lifted and
I found myself seated at His table.
"The 'Special of the Day' has been served," The Lord said to
me. "Salvation is yours."
We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I
spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like for
me to come back as often as I liked for another helping from God's
Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to spend as much time with
Him as possible.
As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real world,"
He whispered to me softly, "And Lo, I am with you always." And then,
He said something to me that I will never forget. He said..."My
child, do you see these empty tables?"
"Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied.
"These are reserved tables...but the individuals whose names are on
each place-card have not accepted their invitation yet. Would you be
so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined
us as yet?" Jesus asked.
"Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations.
"Go ye therefore into all nations." He said as I turned to leave.
I walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My
righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a
brand new man...robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I'll keep
my promise to my Lord. I'll go. I'll spread the Word.
I'll share the Gospel...I'll hand out the invitations. And I'll start
with you.
Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in your name,
and here's your invitation..."Come as you are. No jacket required."
 
><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>
 
<>< What If God Didn't Want You? ><>
 
There are many reasons why God would not want you but don't worry. You're in
good company.
 
Moses stuttered.
David's armor didn't fit.
John Mark was rejected by Paul.
 
Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.
Jacob was a liar.
 
David had an affair.
Solomon was too rich.
Abraham was too old.
 
David was too young.
Timothy had ulcers.
Peter was afraid of death.
 
Lazarus was dead.
John was self-righteous.
Jesus was too poor.
 
Naomi was a widow.
Paul was a murderer.
So was Moses.
 
Jonah ran from God.
Miriam was a gossip.
Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
 
Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
Elijah was burned out.
John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
 
Martha was a worrywart.
Mary was lazy.
Samson had long hair.
 
Noah got drunk.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
So did Peter, Paul - well, lots of folks did.
 
But God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most
bosses, because He's more our dad than our boss.
He doesn't look at financial gain or loss.
 
He's not prejudiced nor partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, nor brassy,
not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need.
As much as we try, God's gifts are free.
 
We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not
be...wonderful.
 
Satan says, "You're not worthy."
 
Jesus says, "So what? I AM."
 
Satan looks back and sees our mistakes.
God looks back and sees the Cross.
He doesn't calculate what you did in '98. It's not even on the record.
 
Sure. There are lots of reasons why God shouldn't want us.
But if we are love Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath,
He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been or what we look like.
 
Step out of your limitations into the illimitable nature of who God is.
 
Pass this encouragement on...
 
><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>
 
<>< See Me ><>
 
What do you see, nurses, what do you see,
what are you thinking when you're looking at me?
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
uncertain of habit, with far away eyes.
 
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
when you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try?"
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
and forever is losing a stocking or shoe.
 
Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will
with bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at me.
 
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
as I use at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten with a father and mother,
brothers and sisters, who love one another.
 
A young girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet,
dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.
A bride soon at twenty -- my heart gives a leap,
remembering the vows that I promised to keep.
 
At twenty-five now, I have young of my own
who need me to guide and a secure happy home.
A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast,
bound to each other with ties that should last.
 
At forty my young sons have grown and are gone,
but my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At fifty once more babies play round my knee,
again we know children, my loved one and me.
 
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead;
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
and I think of the years and the love that I've known.
 
I'm now an old woman and nature is cruel;
'tis jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart,
there is now a stone where I once had a heart.
 
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
and now and again my battered heart swells..
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
and I'm loving and living life over again.

I think of the years; all too few. Gone too fast,
and accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
not a crabby old woman; look closer -- see ME!!
 
Have a Blessed Day
Dave and Barbara
 
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