No Jackets Required
>>>Come as you are. No jacket required.
>>>
>>>I shook my head in disbelief. This couldnt be the
>>>right place. After all, I couldn't possibly be welcome
>>>here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several
>>>different people, and had finally decided to see what this
>>>place was all about. But, this just couldnt be the right place.
>>>Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that clutched in my
>>>hand. I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No
>>>jacket required," and found the location.
>>>
>>>Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the
>>>window again and saw a room of people whose faces
>>>seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in
>>>fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they
>>>dined at this exquisite restaurant. Ashamed, I looked down at
>>>my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was
>>>dirty,
>>>in fact, filthy.
>>>
>>>A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldnt
>>>shake the grime that clung to my body. As I turned
>>>around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap
>>>out at me, "Come as you are. No jacket required."
>>>
>>>I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of
>>>courage I could find, I opened the door to this restaurant
>>>and walked up to a man standing behind a podium. Your
>>>name, sir?" he asked me with a smile. "Daniel F. Renken," I
>>>mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my
>>>pockets, hoping to conceal their stains. He didn't seem to
>>>notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, "Very
>>>good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like
>>>to be seated?" I couldnt believe what I heard! A grin
>>>broke out on my face and I said, "Yes, of course! "He led me to
>>>a table and, sure
>>>enough, there was a placard with my
>>>name written on it in a deep, dark red.
>>>
>>>As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful
>>>items listed. There were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings,"
>>>"confidence," "assurance," "hope," "love," "faith,"
>>>and "mercy." I realized that this was no ordinary
>>>restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front in order to see
>>>where I was. "God's Grace," was the name of this place!
>>>
>>>The man returned and said, "I recommend
>>>the 'Special of the Day'." With it, you are entitled to heaping
>>>portions of everything on this menu." You've got to be kidding!
>>>I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of this! "What is
>>>the
>>>'Special of the Day,' I asked with excitement ringing in my
>>>voice. "Salvation," was his reply. "I'll take it," I practically
>>>cried out. Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the
>>>
>>>joy left my body. A sick, painful ache jerked through my
>>>stomach and tears filled my eyes. Between my sobs I said,
>>>"Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty. I'm unclean and
>>>unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all of this, but, I
>>>just can't afford it."
>>>
>>>Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has
>>>already been taken care of by that Gentleman over
>>>there," he said pointing to the front of the room. "His
>>>Name is Jesus."
>>>
>>>Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light
>>>the room. He was almost too much to look at. I found
>>>myself walking towards Him and in shaking voice I
>>>whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or
>>>take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay you for
>>>all of this." He opened His arms and said with a smile,
>>>"Son, all of this is yours if you just come unto Me.
>>>Ask Me
>>>to clean you up and I will. Ask Me to take away the stains
>>>and it is done. Ask Me to allow you to feast at My table and
>>>you will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your name.
>>>All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you."
>>>
>>>Astonished, I fell at His feet and said, "Please, Jesus.
>>>Please clean up my life. Please change me and
>>>seat me at Your table and give me this new life." Immediately,
>>>I heard the words, "It is finished." I looked down and white
>>>robes adorned my squeaky clean body. Something
>>>strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight
>>>had been lifted, and I found myself seated at His table.
>>>
>>>"The 'Special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to
>>>me. "Salvation is yours." We sat and talked for a great while
>>>and I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me,
>>>me of all
>>>people, that He would like me to come back as
>>>often as I liked for another helping from God's Grace. He
>>>made it clear that He wanted me to spend as much time
>>>with Him as possible.
>>>
>>>As it drew near time for me to go back outside into
>>>the "real world," He whispered to me softly, "And Daniel, I
>>>am with you always." And then, He said something to me
>>>that I will never forget. He said, "My child, Do you see these
>>>empty tables throughout this room?" "Yes, Lord. I see them.
>>>What do they mean?" I replied. "These are reserved tables,
>>>but the individuals whose names are on each placards have
>>>not accepted their invitations to dine. Would you be so kind
>>>as to hand out these invitations to those who have not
>>>joined us yet?" Jesus asked. "Of course," I said with
>>>excitement as I picked up the invitations. "Go ye therefore
>>>into all nations,"
>>>He said as I turned to leave. I walked into
>>>Gods Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My
>>>righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I
>>>walked out a brand new man . . . robed in white, His
>>>righteousness. And so, I'll keep my promise to my Lord. I'll go.
>>>
>>>I'll spread the Word.
>>>
>>>I'll share the Gospel . . .
>>>
>>>I'll hand out the invitations.
>>>
>>>And I'll start with you. Have you been to God's Grace?
>>>There's a table reserved in your name, and here's your
>>>invitation . . . "Come as you are. No jacket required.