"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
Revelation 3:20
Exclamation points are reserved to show either surprise or strong emotion to the reader. Jesus uses one here so imagine his voice rising a pitch, his body language expressing urgency to capture the attention of those searching for him. "Where are you, Lord?" I may ask in desperation. But, all the while, he's looking for me! He's already at my door, knocking to get my attention; all I have to do is open it and I shall dine with the King of Kings!
I could never dream of eating a dry crumpet with Queen Elizabeth, but the creator of the universe will share a meal with me, just as he did with the tax collectors and sinners during his time on earth. To dine with someone requires intimacy, friendship. Sure, I suppose I could wolf down a cheeseburger with someone and barely say a word, but Christ said in the above verse that we shall eat together. I take that as a promise of conversation, laughter, lingering in each other's presence while exploring personalities.
If I have an honored guest over, I swiff the floors, dust the furniture and select tasty dishes. If my guest becomes an intimate friend, however, I know I can share anything with that person and still be loved unconditionally, despite substandard food or a chaotic presentation.
This is the place I am arriving at with my friend, Jesus. He wants to see me on all levels, not just when I am at my gleaming best. I have become his child; he is my Father who asks over a Tuna Helper, "How was your day today?"
Open the door and welcome Jesus. You will never be sorry!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
When Jesus Calls My Name
"When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.' So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly."
Luke 19: 1-10
Put yourself in Zacchaeus' small shoes. He wanted to see Jesus but, since he was too short to see over the throng, he climbed the sycamore tree that hung over the road Jesus was traveling upon. He just wanted to see him, perhaps in the same way we would pine to see a visiting celebrity. From his vantage point, excitement built as Jesus walked right underneath him but, incredibly, Jesus looked up and called him by name! By this time, the diminutive Zacchaeus probably about fell out of the tree as all eyes turned toward him. Did he just hear Jesus say he was coming to his house today? Notice the urgency in the chosen words: immediately, must, today.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector who used to overcharge people, but when Jesus changed his heart, he made right all his wrongs, clearly repenting of his sins. May I also gladly welcome Jesus into my home, just as it is. Dust may rumble by and I may not have steaks to fry, but I can gladly open the door to my heart. So can you when he calls your name.
Luke 19: 1-10
Put yourself in Zacchaeus' small shoes. He wanted to see Jesus but, since he was too short to see over the throng, he climbed the sycamore tree that hung over the road Jesus was traveling upon. He just wanted to see him, perhaps in the same way we would pine to see a visiting celebrity. From his vantage point, excitement built as Jesus walked right underneath him but, incredibly, Jesus looked up and called him by name! By this time, the diminutive Zacchaeus probably about fell out of the tree as all eyes turned toward him. Did he just hear Jesus say he was coming to his house today? Notice the urgency in the chosen words: immediately, must, today.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector who used to overcharge people, but when Jesus changed his heart, he made right all his wrongs, clearly repenting of his sins. May I also gladly welcome Jesus into my home, just as it is. Dust may rumble by and I may not have steaks to fry, but I can gladly open the door to my heart. So can you when he calls your name.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
The True Christmas Present
When Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, finally found his tongue, he used it very eloquently when he said:
"...for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet onto the path of peace."
Luke 1: 76-79
The true Christmas present is wrapped in these words for those who will receive him - and what a gift! When I see the faces of those Christians I knew who died this year and their loved ones who still mourn, I see their feet on the path of peace, guided by the tender mercy of our God. Death is not dark and scary, with rattling bones and worms that crawl. Just as the rising sun casts its beams across the darkness that was night, Jesus rose from the grave to bring eternal light to the dreary darkness of death. The curse has been broken. Fear not and have a merry Christmas!
"...for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet onto the path of peace."
Luke 1: 76-79
The true Christmas present is wrapped in these words for those who will receive him - and what a gift! When I see the faces of those Christians I knew who died this year and their loved ones who still mourn, I see their feet on the path of peace, guided by the tender mercy of our God. Death is not dark and scary, with rattling bones and worms that crawl. Just as the rising sun casts its beams across the darkness that was night, Jesus rose from the grave to bring eternal light to the dreary darkness of death. The curse has been broken. Fear not and have a merry Christmas!
A Mother's Grief
"When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months...So the woman took the baby and nursed him. When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son."
Exodus 2
Crawl into the breaking heart of Moses' mother for a moment. Her people are slaves, her friends' sons are being tossed into the river to drown when she has a fine son herself. For three months, she adores him secretly: no baby showers, no passing him among congratulating relatives, she must muffle his cries. Then, to save his life, she must give him to the daughter of the man who has ordered this mass murder of infants. Yes, her son lives, but now belongs to another. The injustice! The rage at the unfairness of it all!
Yet, through the haze, God has a plan for this fine child. He shall be a deliverer. Just as baby Jesus survives a mass murder of babies ordered by a crazed despot and grew to become a deliverer of his people, so does Moses.
God, you work in mysterious ways. You often use the youngest, the weakest, the person whom all odds are against in which to work your glory. Thank you for keeping us humble that way.
I love you, Lord.
Exodus 2
Crawl into the breaking heart of Moses' mother for a moment. Her people are slaves, her friends' sons are being tossed into the river to drown when she has a fine son herself. For three months, she adores him secretly: no baby showers, no passing him among congratulating relatives, she must muffle his cries. Then, to save his life, she must give him to the daughter of the man who has ordered this mass murder of infants. Yes, her son lives, but now belongs to another. The injustice! The rage at the unfairness of it all!
Yet, through the haze, God has a plan for this fine child. He shall be a deliverer. Just as baby Jesus survives a mass murder of babies ordered by a crazed despot and grew to become a deliverer of his people, so does Moses.
God, you work in mysterious ways. You often use the youngest, the weakest, the person whom all odds are against in which to work your glory. Thank you for keeping us humble that way.
I love you, Lord.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
You are NOT God's Favorite!
"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether slave or free."
Ephesians 6: 7, 8
Recently, I changed jobs. I went from being a secretary to working in the kitchen. This new job pays less and I wear a uniform, not dressy clothes. No nail polish or jewelry is permitted. Sneakers have replaced my heels. Does what I wear make me a better or lesser person? Should I think that a menial labor job is beneath me?
Heavens, no! Unlike people, God is impartial and does not show favoritism. He cares little if I am a corporate manager or a beverage server; what matters is the goodness, kindness or gentleness that reside in my spirit, coming to fruition as I work. These are the traits that make every person successful.
Ephesians 6: 7, 8
Recently, I changed jobs. I went from being a secretary to working in the kitchen. This new job pays less and I wear a uniform, not dressy clothes. No nail polish or jewelry is permitted. Sneakers have replaced my heels. Does what I wear make me a better or lesser person? Should I think that a menial labor job is beneath me?
Heavens, no! Unlike people, God is impartial and does not show favoritism. He cares little if I am a corporate manager or a beverage server; what matters is the goodness, kindness or gentleness that reside in my spirit, coming to fruition as I work. These are the traits that make every person successful.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
We Have the Mind of Christ
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."
Genesis 1: 1 & 2
"For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us."
1 Corinthians 2: 11, 12
"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
1 Corinthians 2:14
How did the world begin? Was there a Big Bang? Did we evolve from a lower species? How do you answer these perplexing questions?
It is with sheer confidence that I can say evolution is foolishness. Those who do not believe that "in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," cannot believe it because they are lacking discernment from the Spirit. This same Spirit who enters the heart of each believer was there at the very onset of creation, "hovering over the waters." Those who have been born of the Spirit have access to the very thoughts of God!
I do not even know the thoughts of my husband, after knowing him for twenty-five years, because I do not possess his spirit. But, praise be to God, the Holy Spirit dwells within me. I know how the world and all its inhabitants came to be because He tells me plainly in his word.
Genesis 1: 1 & 2
"For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us."
1 Corinthians 2: 11, 12
"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
1 Corinthians 2:14
How did the world begin? Was there a Big Bang? Did we evolve from a lower species? How do you answer these perplexing questions?
It is with sheer confidence that I can say evolution is foolishness. Those who do not believe that "in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," cannot believe it because they are lacking discernment from the Spirit. This same Spirit who enters the heart of each believer was there at the very onset of creation, "hovering over the waters." Those who have been born of the Spirit have access to the very thoughts of God!
I do not even know the thoughts of my husband, after knowing him for twenty-five years, because I do not possess his spirit. But, praise be to God, the Holy Spirit dwells within me. I know how the world and all its inhabitants came to be because He tells me plainly in his word.
Dont' Be a Doubting Thomas
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But, when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." (emphasis mine)
James 1:5 & 6
God is more than willing to give generously, no questions asked. He doesn't stop to analyze why we're asking for wisdom, not does he delve into our past before giving. The only thing he's looking for is FAITH. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certian of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)
So, when I seek answers, I must not allow doubts to creep in. Satan's good at that. Even while I'm praying, he pokes my side and says in my ear, "You don't really believe that, do you?" Like a child, I must have faith. It can begin as small as a mustard seed, but if I truly believe God, never wavering, then I can walk on water, like Peter did.
Look at Jesus, not at the waves.
James 1:5 & 6
God is more than willing to give generously, no questions asked. He doesn't stop to analyze why we're asking for wisdom, not does he delve into our past before giving. The only thing he's looking for is FAITH. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certian of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)
So, when I seek answers, I must not allow doubts to creep in. Satan's good at that. Even while I'm praying, he pokes my side and says in my ear, "You don't really believe that, do you?" Like a child, I must have faith. It can begin as small as a mustard seed, but if I truly believe God, never wavering, then I can walk on water, like Peter did.
Look at Jesus, not at the waves.
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