Few weeks ago Mama heard a message, “The Valley Of The Dry Bones” (Ezekiel 37).  During the sermon the pastor mentioned that people outside of Christ are spiritually dead and people inside the church who don’t obey the Word are also dead.  At the end of the sermon he invited those who need prayer to come forward.  Mama had a few things on her mind and wanted prayer but was reluctant to go forward.  As she debated, she had this conversation with God.

God:  Aren’t you going to respond to my invitation? I am waiting to breathe life into you.

Mama: Yes Lord, I want to, but what will the people think? And what if the pastor asks me what my request is?  I’m not sure how to articulate it.

God:  This is exactly what he meant when he said people inside the church who don’t obey God’s word are also dead.  If you don’t allow me to breathe into you, then that area is dying and will soon be dead.  You have all the excuses for disobedience.

Mama:  But God I obey you.  I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I have obeyed in baptism, I tithe, give offering and I even help in the church.  I also try to love others as much as possible.  I know I am spiritually alive because You live in me.  So what do you mean God?

God:  My Word means all My Words, not only instructions (commands) and information (promises), but also my invitations.  I just invited you to step out as an act of faith and allow me to breathe into your inability and your needs but you are not stepping out to receive it.

Basically, Mama placed an order (prayed) for things but refused to go and pick it up (receive).  Finally, mama did step out to receive.

He invites us to eat (His word), to drink (His Spirit), to give (our burdens), to be seated with Him (His authority), to receive (His peace) and to join (His work).  Most of the time we decline His invitations because other invitations are more appealing to our flesh.   

God has extended a bigger invitation to humanity, “Come, I will forgive you,” making us clean through Jesus’ righteousness (1 John 1:9).  Take a moment to say yes to His invitation.