Invited and Welcomed - by the God of Love ...

Ezra 6:1-9:15; Revelation 12:1-14:13; Psalm 145:8-21

"Praise the Lord God of our fathers, who has put it into the king's heart to glorify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem" (Ezra 7:28). We must, always, be giving the glory to God, and not taking any of the glory for ourselves. "They conquered him ("the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan"  - Revelation 12:9) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11). Notice what comes first, and what comes second. First, it's the blood of the Lamb, and, then, it's the word of their testimony. First, it's what the Lord has done for us. This is the most important thing. Our testimony always arises out of this - what the Lord has done for us. In our testimony, we point away from ourselves. We do not say, 'This is what we have done.' We say, 'This is what the Lord has done." What the Lord has done for us always so much greater than anything we can ever do for Him. "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love" (Psalm 145:8). This must always be our testimony, We do not speak of ourselves. We speak of our Lord. In love, He has welcomed us. In love, we are to invite others. The invitation comes from the Lord. The welcome comes from Him. It is the invitation of his love. It is the welcome of His love. 

From my One Year Bible