What steps can we take to welcome Jesus into every area of our lives? Choosing Invitation Over Dismissal Luke 8:37 recounts a tragic moment: “Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were seized with great fear. So He got into the boat and started back.” They missed the blessing of His continued presence. We can do the opposite—intentionally welcome Him into every corner of life. Step 1 – Let Faith Replace Fear • Identify any places where fear drives decision-making (finances, health, relationships). • Recall Jesus’ command: “Do not fear, only believe.” (Mark 5:36) • Speak truth to fear with Scriptures like Isaiah 41:10 and 2 Timothy 1:7. • Thank Him aloud for His authority over every circumstance, just as He delivered the demoniac moments before Luke 8:37. Step 2 – Invite Him Into the Everyday • Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Open each “door” daily: – Morning: dedicate the day (Psalm 5:3). – Work: do “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). – Evenings: recount His faithfulness (Psalm 92:2). • Treat mundane routines as fellowship opportunities, turning chores, commutes, and conversations into moments of worship. Step 3 – Clear Out Competing Voices • The Gerasenes treasured their herd more than Jesus. Identify modern “herds”: entertainment, possessions, habits. • Practice periodic fasts—from media, unnecessary spending, or foods—to heighten sensitivity to His voice (Matthew 6:17-18). • Replace discarded noise with Scripture reading (Psalm 119:11) and Christ-centered music (Ephesians 5:19). Step 4 – Obey Promptly and Publicly • The delivered man begged to follow Jesus, but was told, “Return home and describe what God has done for you.” (Luke 8:39) • Share testimonies at home, work, and church. Obedience cements His lordship in fresh areas of life. • Keep short accounts: when conviction comes, repent immediately (1 John 1:9). Step 5 – Cultivate a Christ-Filled Mindset • Meditate on Philippians 4:8: whatever is true, honorable, just, pure—“think on these things.” • Memorize key verses for each life sphere: – Anxiety: Philippians 4:6-7 – Marriage/Family: Ephesians 5:25, 6:4 – Purpose: Ephesians 2:10 • Scripture saturation renews thought patterns (Romans 12:2), keeping every area open to His influence. Step 6 – Stay in Community • Unlike the Gerasenes, the early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship” (Acts 2:42). • Commit to regular worship, small-group study, and mutual accountability. • Invite trusted believers to speak into blind spots so no corner remains closed to Christ. Living the Invitation Refusing to dismiss Jesus, we welcome Him by conquering fear with faith, opening every daily door, removing idols, obeying promptly, saturating our minds with truth, and walking with His people. “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:23) |
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