setup: [E-Mail Ministry] Come As You Are. No Jacket Required

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COME AS YOU ARE. NO JACKET REQUIRED

I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't 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 I had finally decided to see what
this place was all about. But, this just couldn't be the right place.

Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I 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 couldn't 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.

"Jimmy D. Brown," 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 couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said,
"Yes, of course!" He lead 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 at... "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 am unclean and unworthy
of such things. I'd love to have all of this, but, 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 as he pointed 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 a
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 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 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 sit 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 for
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 Lo, 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 placard have not accepted their invitation to dine.
Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not
joined us as 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
God's 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."

"For by grace are you saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2: 8,9

-- Author Unknown

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