Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Encouragement says Come!

Dear Friend,  

Think of the significant moments in your life when you said, “yes” to some invitation – to be with someone, to go somewhere, to join a group, visit a church and so on. It's remarkable how significant our response to a simple “come” may influence our live.

The flip side is equally true. To be the one who offers, who says, “come,” creates for others and for yourself the possibility of new experience and deeper friendship.

An interesting line in the Book of Revelation (22:17) says, “The Spirit and the Bride (the church) say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.”For we who have heard and responded in faith to the invitation to come we, ourselves, are to invite others with, “come.”

Come where? Come be with me or with us. Come have a cup of coffee. Come chat with me on Zoom. Come to my home. Come with us to our church. Come!

Think of a three-step dance: ready – aim – acquire!

Step One – Ready – what are you doing to which you may invite someone?

Step Two – Aim – specifically who are the people whom you may invite?

Step Three – Acquire – take courage and say, “come.”

Allow the Spirit of the Lord who loves you to do life-changing things as you create new possibilities simply by saying, “come.”

Joy to you - Stan

© Copyright 2022 E. Stanley Ott

Scripture from the ESV

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1. Think of a time someone said to you, "come." What happened? How were you encouraged?
2. How have invitations to you affected your life?
3. When is the last time you said, "come" to someone? Assuming they said, "yes," what happened. If they said, "no," how might your have approached them differently to receive the, "yes?'
4. Ready - Fire - Acquire:

Ready - what are you doing or can do to which you may invite someone with a, "come?"

Aim - who in your world can you, will you invite with that, "come?"

Acquire - When will you do it? Follow through and be an encourager with your, "come!"

“The Spirit and the Bride (the church) say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” Revelation 22:17

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