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My beloved sister, ”come and see!”

This is the invitation Jesus extends to the disciples of John the Baptizer, in reply to their question, “Where are you staying?” Such grace! Jesus didn’t reply with ‘make an appointment’ or ‘don’t sit on my couch with your smelly fisherman clothes’, but invited them into where He was dwelling without reserve! They had such a good time that they stayed the rest of the day!

How I wish we could have heard their conversation, which I imagine was mingled with joy and laughter! The Baptizer had already revealed the identity of the Messiah on the banks of the Jordan, “Behold! The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!” Can you imagine the joy of those two disciples, dwelling in the Presence of their salvation?

Whether you were invited in, or pounded on the heavenly door in desperation, do you remember the first few hours of meeting your Savior? The joy, the relief, the gratitude, the feeling of those Everlasting Arms safely wrapped around you in welcome? As we grow in our relationship with our Father, our Abba, we see all through the Scriptures that the invitation to dwell with Him is ever present!

Moses composes a Psalm about his own experience of protection in the dwelling place of God! “He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may take refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a wall." ~ Psalm 91:4

In another place, David writes a song of God’s protection for those who dwell with Him. “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation!” ~ Psalm 68:5

We rejoice in the dwelling place of the Lord! "Let us go to his dwelling place, let us worship at his footstool, saying, ‘Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. May your priests be clothed with your righteousness; may your faithful people sing for joy’”. ~ Psalm 132:7-9

We dwell with Him now while living in our world! Jesus says, ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me’. ~ John 15:4

The apostle Paul wrote that we are members of His dwelling!

 … for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father, so then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God… ~ Ephesians 2:18,19

St. John has revealed to us that we will dwell with Him for all eternity!! "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” ~ Revelation 21:3

Come and see, indeed! Andrew was so excited after his visit with Jesus that he immediately went out and found his brother Simon, and brought him to meet the Lord!

Who do you know that needs to visit the dwelling place of God? This week, think of God’s love and grace extended to you and reach out to someone who needs that same assurance and welcome into our Father’s embrace. Then, tell me about it! I’ll be praying for you, so I’ll be expecting an answer!

May the Lord bless us as we move in His love for those around us!

With love, your sister, Celeste