Invite people shamelessly without being shameful. Read Acts 26:22-29. Motivated by love, God offers eternal life through Jesus Christ to all who would put their faith in him and follow Jesus. We join the church universal in following the teachings of Jesus and take up the mission to take the message to the world so that others might become followers of Jesus. We don’t have to carry the burden of trying to evangelize everyone around us, but we must be sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit when we are to have conversations of faith and perhaps invite others to join us in worship or a Bible Study. Even if the person we ask politely declines our invitation, the important thing is that we have opened a door. When someone declines our invitation, it does not mean the door is closed. It just means the person has not chosen to accept the invitation and walk through the door. We can continue to invite, gently reminding the person that the door is still open. It is important not to be pushy or try to manipulate. We don’t want to shame someone who has declined the invitation. At the same time, we don’t want to give up. I heard a devotion many years ago about how we are to shine the light so people can see the path that leads to Jesus. The speaker cautioned us not to shine the light in the person’s face because then they can’t see anything. The Apostle Paul had been held in a prison for two years without a trial when the leadership changed. The new leader brought Paul before him and let him speak freely. This was not the trial, but more of a fact-finding mission for the new leader. As Paul shared his story, he also wove in the gospel message, ending with an invitation for the new leader to put his faith in Jesus as Lord. The leader, Agrippa, responded, “Do you think in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Agrippa did not put his faith in Jesus that day, but the door was open. Jesus said, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with them.” Let’s be the people who open doors by offering invitations. 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, we hear your voice, and we put our faith in you. Give us courage and compassion to invite others into a relationship with you and join us in worship so that together, we might glorify you now and forever. Amen.