Dear Reader,

Maybe you have heard this invitation before and kept putting it off.

Maybe no one has ever put it to you this plainly.

Either way, here it is.

Jesus is inviting you.

Not to a programme. Not to a religion. Not to another list of things you have to get right.

He is inviting you to come to Him.

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — KJV

I love how simple that is: Come.

He doesn’t say, Come when you have figured everything out.

He doesn’t say, Come when you’ve stopped struggling.

He says, Come as you are.

What are you carrying right now?

• A financial burden?
• Unemployment?
• A broken relationship?
• A disappointment you haven’t recovered from?
• Fear about the future?
• Something you have prayed about again and again, with no answer?

Some burdens are too heavy for us to carry alone. And sometimes, after trying every solution we know, we simply get tired.

That is where Jesus meets us.

God says in Jeremiah 31:25, “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” — NIV

I know that can sound almost too simple when your problem isn’t simple.

You may have sought advice. You may have prayed. You may have gone for counselling. You may have tried everything you know to try. And perhaps nothing has changed.

But don’t mistake a difficult situation for a hopeless one.

Jesus has not stopped being able.

People can disappoint us. Systems can fail us. Our own strength can run out. But God is not like us.

Numbers 23:19 says:

“God is not a man, so he does not lie… Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” — NLT

When Jesus says, “Come to me,” He means it.

And He knows what He is inviting you into.

Peace.

Jesus said in John 16:33:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — NIV

Notice that He didn’t promise a trouble-free life.

He said there would be trouble.

But He also said, “Take heart.”

Because trouble does not get the final word.

And neither does the burden you are carrying today.

Perhaps that is why you are reading this right now.

So, don’t just read the invitation.

Accept it.

If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, you can pray:

“Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I confess that I have lived my life without You, and I am ready to change that. I accept Your invitation. I confess You as my Lord and Saviour. Forgive my sins and cleanse me by Your blood. Take control of my life and help me follow You. Help me not to return to my old ways. Thank You for saving me and giving me a new life. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer sincerely, welcome home.

This is not the end of your journey. It is the beginning.

Find a Bible-believing church where you can grow, ask questions, build godly relationships and learn to walk with Jesus.

And if you don’t know where to start, start with the Bible. Start with prayer. Start with Jesus.

He invited you.

Now, come.

God bless you.

Shalom.

Dr. Yinka Okude
Pastor-in-Charge
RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton