Great leaders, visionaries and pastors know the power of an invitation. It is a call to action, to partnership. It inspires and motivates and has the power to change lives.
Right now, God—the greatest leader of all—is issuing an overwhelming invitation to the body of Christ for an adventure into His heart. I believe God is inviting us by His Spirit to experience something beyond anything we have ever known before.
That is the way God is. Each time God moves, it never contradicts His Word. But He reveals something from His Word that is a sign and a wonder to those who are saved and to those who are lost.
I believe the King James Version of Matthew 20:16 addresses this invitation when it says, “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” When the Scripture says, “Many are called, but few are chosen,” I believe it is saying, “Many are invited, but only a few respond to the invitation.” In other words, it’s one thing to love the presence of God and be zealous for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit across our country. It’s another thing to take the necessary steps to answer the invitation.
Will you answer the invitation?
I am in Russia for the next few weeks at the National Young Adult Conference in Crimea. Here, over 2,000 young adults have come from all over the country to have an encounter with God. During the last few years in which I have helped with this conference I have seen testimony after testimony of the powerful result of these young adults hearing the calling of God upon their lives and stepping out of their comfort zones in faith to answer that call. Their hunger for the Holy Spirit is not about making them feel good or enriching their own faith walk. Instead, it moves them to action, which results in multiplied impact in their community and nation. It is a blessing to behold the overflow that happens in their lives because of their decision to respond to that invitation.
I see in the Scriptures at least four invitations extended to us:
- There is the outward invitation when a man or woman is invited to surrender their life to Christ. They hear the good news that through the cross of Jesus Christ they can enter into the kingdom of God, and they are given the opportunity to partake in His salvation.
- The second invitation is the inward invitation. The first is to enter into the kingdom of God, but the second is for the kingdom of God and His righteousness to grow in you daily through prayer, the Word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
- The third is the forward invitation. God is inviting us into His kingdom, and that kingdom is always moving forward. Going forward in the kingdom of God means reaching out to our neighbor and loving them as ourselves.
- The fourth is the upward invitation. This is the invitation we will be issued at the return of Jesus Christ. We are to be always prepared for this invitation, always ready for the trumpet of God to sound.
I encourage you to step out in faith and accept the invitations of God so that you don’t miss the move of God. Don’t just live your life content to know that you are going to heaven. Live your life letting God transform you, live your life helping others come to know the love of God and live your life ready for Christ to return.
You’re beautiful. I see Jesus in you.
Have an awesome week!
