--- title: "The Cross Is God’s Invitation to You | The Tree Church" url: https://thetree.church/blog/2026/01/02/the-cross-is-god-s-invitation-to-you description: "Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.  Reading: Matthew 2:11–12, 1 Corinthians 1:18–25, John 3:16Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.  After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in you..." lang: en --- 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130✦ Main Service: Sunday 9 & 11am✦ Movement Youth Sunday 5:30pm✦ Lancaster & Logan, Ohio✦ 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130✦ Main Service: Sunday 9 & 11am✦ Movement Youth Sunday 5:30pm✦ Lancaster & Logan, Ohio✦ Blog (https://thetree.church/blog) Take 20: https://thetree.church/blog/category/take-20 # The Cross Is God’s Invitation to You January 2nd, 2026 by Tree Church Everyday Image: The Cross Is God’s Invitation to You (https://base44.app/api/apps/6ac2bb755fa612c2228960ca/files/mp/public/6ac2bb755fa612c2228960ca/281d981f7_18228690_1024x1024_2500.jpg) Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: **Matthew 2:11–12, 1 Corinthians 1:18–25, John 3:16** Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life. ** God gave the Magi a star. He gives us the cross. The cross is God’s ultimate sign—His open invitation to salvation. The Magi responded with worship, surrender, and transformation, returning home by another way. An encounter with Jesus always changes us. The cross asks a question of every heart: will you surrender, or will you walk away unchanged? Salvation is not earned; it is received. Today, God invites you to trust, believe, and follow the King who gave everything for you.** ** How will I respond to God’s invitation through the cross? ** Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer… 1. Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you). 2. Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: **God, thank You for loving me enough to send Your Son. I surrender my life to You and choose to follow Jesus fully.** 3. Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today. **Take Action:** 1. Reflect on what surrender looks like in your life right now and take one step toward it. 2. Share with someone what God has been teaching you through this devotional. Posted in Take 20 (https://thetree.church/blog/category/take-20)Patch Work Christmas (https://thetree.church/blog/tag/patch-work-christmas)Salvation (https://thetree.church/blog/tag/salvation)Transformation (https://thetree.church/blog/tag/transformation)