When Jesus said, If ANYONE would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.  Luke 9:23 NIV He meant ANYONE is welcome to come after Him.  Of course, He did mean denying ourselves and taking up our crosses daily, but ANYONE who will do that is welcome to be part of His movement--the Church.

All too often in life we hear, "Anyone is welcome..." and it doesn't really mean anyone.  That's why we may hesitate, even when Jesus is talking, to believe that Jesus really meant ANYONE--really meant me or you.  The truth is a lot of us have been taken in by promises that anyone can have this deal, or anyone can lose that weight, or anyone is welcome HERE­--wherever here may be, only to find that we aren't part of the anyone.  But Jesus really did mean ANYONE!

I'm so excited about what's been happening at New Life for quite a while, but particularly over the past several months.  We've seen so many new people join us in worship, in L.I.F.E. groups, in fellowship, in life together.  No one. single reason can explain why it's happening, but to me it's obvious that more and more folks at New Life are believing that anyone actually IS welcome, and more and more folks are welcoming everyone!  As the lead pastor of New Life, one of the best things I see on Sunday mornings is how many new folks are being engaged in conversation by folks who are already part of New Life.  I see people initiating conversations with folks they don't know, and that's the heart of anyone being welcome.  It's hard for most people to just walk up to someone and say, "Hi, I'm ______," but I see that happening.  I know it's because more and more of us who love Jesus want to be sure that our guests feel at home, and experience the love of Jesus that we've experienced.  I know New Life isn't perfect, (after all I'm part of it!) but more and more I see the love and truth of Jesus being lived out every, single Sunday.  Thanks to all of you who are making ANYONE and everyone feel welcome!

As we go about today, let's keep that anyone is welcome attitude going--in our families, our workplaces, our schools and in our communities.  Let's make an effort to notice those who seem alone, or as if they need an encouraging word, and offer them the joy of an acknowledgement, a smile, or a conversation.  They say that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, and sometimes making ANYONE feel welcome in Jesus' name starts with a simple smile or hello.

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, thanks for all You have done to welcome us into Your Kingdom, starting with sending Jesus to open the door to Your Kingdom for us!  Fill us with the Holy Spirit that we may also have the courage to welcome others.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.