Revelation 3:20-21
“Look at me. I stand at the door. I
knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and
sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the
head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the
side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors!
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
When I was a little girl, my
neighborhood was a lot like one big family. We visited the houses of
each other, and while we might knock lightly, we mostly threw open the
door and asked, “Anybody home?” before we stepped inside. It was no big
deal to drag up an extra chair at the lunch table for my Mam-ma Polly
when she popped by…or my “Aunt” Martha who lived next door and came in
and out for frequent visits. Lots of mornings when I was little, we
would wake up to find my grandfather Truman sitting in a living room
chair! We visited our neighbors in our bath robes and pajamas…and
didn’t give it a second thought. When someone knocked on the door, we
answered…and generally, they were invited inside.
Today, if
someone knocks on my door, I hurry to a nearby window to check out who
is there. I rarely drop in on anyone – even family members – and I feel
a little uncomfortable when I do so. There are certain folks (mostly
family members and a couple of close friends) who can drop in on me and
not ruffle my feathers. But generally, a little “heads up” phone call
or notice would be greatly appreciated…and I promise to extend the same
courtesy to you!
Recently, a man tried to “drop in” at the White
House. His “knock” was not very well-received. There are certain doors
that you can stand at and knock all day…and no one is going to throw
them open and say, “Come on in! Sit down…have a meal with me… and stay
awhile!” Thankfully, Jesus’ “door” is not one of them. The
Be-All-End-All, most important Being ever, welcomes any and all
visitors, 24/7! And you do realize that when I talk about “knocking at
the door,” I am not literally talking about a DOOR…right?
This
passage refers to you and me…sinners…”knocking” at the “door” of Jesus’
heart…saying “I need Your salvation in my life! I need to dwell in You –
and You in me. I need Your nurture…Your sustenance…Your continual
forgiveness, grace and mercy. May I come in?” Jesus says in reply,
“Not only may you come in, but sit with Me…here…at this place of honor
next to MY Heavenly Father (and yours!). You are one of Us…and you are
most welcome!” Isn’t that amazing? Not only did Jesus suffer and die
for our sins…He wants to give us a place of honor at His table…right
next to God Almighty!
This is almost more than I can
comprehend. Everyone wants to feel welcomed…but to be treated so
royally by the LORD Himself is just astounding! And yet, all it takes
is one “knock”. All we have to do is “tap on the door” and sincerely
say, “LORD…I’m here…I need You and I want to be Yours forever.” Jesus
stands on the other side, ready and willing to open the door of His
heart – and welcome you inside. He is the neighbor you want to visit…the
One who needs no advance warning that you are on your way. You don’t
have to dress up – or dress at all – to dine with Jesus. All you have
to do is show up on His “doorstep”…and knock.
Do you “dine with
Jesus”? Don’t you want to? Will this be the day that you “drop in”
and are welcomed to His table – and into His Kingdom forever? What are
you waiting for…go ahead and “knock!” This will be the best “visit”
ever!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label welcoming God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label welcoming God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for March 29, 2015
Luke 19:35-44
They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street.
Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed:
Blessed is he who comes,
the king in God’s name!
All’s well in heaven!
Glory in the high places!
Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, get your disciples under control!”
But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”
When the city came into view, he wept over it. “If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you! But now it’s too late. In the days ahead your enemies are going to bring up their heavy artillery and surround you, pressing in from every side. They’ll smash you and your babies on the pavement. Not one stone will be left intact. All this because you didn’t recognize and welcome God’s personal visit.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
What a difference one week can make! In the course of seven days, Jesus was heralded as a hero, arrested, interrogated, beaten to a pulp, crucified…and He rose from the grave. Now that’s a week!
Our pastor likes to say that “you cannot travel from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday without considering the cross.” And he is correct! But you also cannot safely and successfully travel a single step of many of “life’s journeys” unless you “recognize and welcome God’s personal visit”. Trials, physical abuse and executions were common in Jesus’ day. Believe me…the mere mortals who were convicted and crucified did not rise from the dead! And many of those who were so eager and anxious to laud Jesus as the Messiah on one Sunday were nowhere to be found by “Good Friday”.
Ours is not a solitary journey. We cannot base our faith on one happy day…or one devastating experience. We must embrace life as a whole...and trust God in every minute of it. We must “recognize and welcome God’s personal visit” in each and every aspect of our life…”the good, the bad, and the ugly”…and believe that He will lead us “from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday” - and see us through what lies in between.
As difficult as life seems some days, it can never compare to what Jesus endured for us on the cross. How can we ignore the One who did so much for us - for even one minute? Isn’t it time we welcomed God to reign in our lives and dwell in our hearts…each and every minute of the day? Will this be the Palm Sunday that you herald His presence…and give Him a permanent “home”?
©2015 Debbie Robus
They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street.
Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed:
Blessed is he who comes,
the king in God’s name!
All’s well in heaven!
Glory in the high places!
Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, get your disciples under control!”
But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”
When the city came into view, he wept over it. “If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you! But now it’s too late. In the days ahead your enemies are going to bring up their heavy artillery and surround you, pressing in from every side. They’ll smash you and your babies on the pavement. Not one stone will be left intact. All this because you didn’t recognize and welcome God’s personal visit.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
What a difference one week can make! In the course of seven days, Jesus was heralded as a hero, arrested, interrogated, beaten to a pulp, crucified…and He rose from the grave. Now that’s a week!
Our pastor likes to say that “you cannot travel from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday without considering the cross.” And he is correct! But you also cannot safely and successfully travel a single step of many of “life’s journeys” unless you “recognize and welcome God’s personal visit”. Trials, physical abuse and executions were common in Jesus’ day. Believe me…the mere mortals who were convicted and crucified did not rise from the dead! And many of those who were so eager and anxious to laud Jesus as the Messiah on one Sunday were nowhere to be found by “Good Friday”.
Ours is not a solitary journey. We cannot base our faith on one happy day…or one devastating experience. We must embrace life as a whole...and trust God in every minute of it. We must “recognize and welcome God’s personal visit” in each and every aspect of our life…”the good, the bad, and the ugly”…and believe that He will lead us “from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday” - and see us through what lies in between.
As difficult as life seems some days, it can never compare to what Jesus endured for us on the cross. How can we ignore the One who did so much for us - for even one minute? Isn’t it time we welcomed God to reign in our lives and dwell in our hearts…each and every minute of the day? Will this be the Palm Sunday that you herald His presence…and give Him a permanent “home”?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 26, 2014
Hosea 6:1-3
Let’s return to the Lord.
He has torn us to shreds,
but he will bandage our wounds
and make us well.
In two or three days
he will heal us
and restore our strength
that we may live with him.
Let’s do our best
to know the Lord.
His coming is as certain
as the morning sun;
he will refresh us like rain
renewing the earth
in the springtime.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our cats somewhat “chose sides” more than a decade ago. It started when we got a big television that apparently made some sort of noise that scared Lucy. She preferred that I watch TV in our bedroom, where she would happily join me on the bed and lie pressed against my side... on her back – and often with all four legs in the air! Mabel was perfectly content to stay with Greg and enjoy his attention as she curled up on the footrest of his recliner. When we moved into a two-story house, and Greg established an office space upstairs, Mabel somewhat became the “upstairs cat”, while Lucy is never very far from me downstairs.
So when Greg and a neighbor took an overnight motorcycle trip, poor little Mabel was more than a bit lost. She hung out with Lucy and me downstairs...but sometimes she roamed the house and cried as she looked for her “other owner”. She brought a toy mouse, hoping that Greg would appear and praise her. She stood up on the back door and pawed toward the handle, thinking he must surely be in the garage. And when I went upstairs to check on her once, she was curled atop a pair of Greg’s jeans. I stroked her face and cooed to her in a soothing tone and assured her that he would be back very soon...and that all would be well. If she could just hang on and take a little snooze, her buddy would be home before she knew it.
In this passage from Hosea, you really need to read Chapter 5 first to understand these verses. The people of Israel have been sinful and terribly disobedient, and God has allowed them to suffer as a result. In Hosea 5:13-16, we read...” Israel was brutally crushed. They got what they deserved for worshiping useless idols. Now I, the Lord, will fill Israel with maggots and make Judah rot. When Israel and Judah saw their sickness and wounds, Israel asked help from Assyria and its mighty king.” So the words of the first verses in Chapter 6 are those of the Israelites, who have realized that they caused their own suffering. But they also recognize that God will forgive them...heal and restore them...if only they will turn back to Him. He will return and make them well.
In our own ways, you and I have been as sinful and disobedient as the Israelites. It’s a wonder that God has not grown as disgusted with us and allowed us to be “filled with maggots and rot”. Amazingly, God provided us with a covenant in the form of the blood of Jesus. And while we may experience temporary discomfort (and it may even seem like God is crushing us!), we can call on Him to save us by Jesus’ blood, and He will rescue and restore us. This may happen quickly – or we may not fully be refreshed and renewed until Jesus greets us in heaven. But all who earnestly call on the name of Jesus are guaranteed forgiveness and healing.
Our sweet little calico cat did nothing to deserve the feelings of loneliness and desertion she experienced. Mabel will “get over it” quickly, and in a few days, she will have totally forgotten that she and Greg were ever separated. On the other hand, we have done plenty to alienate ourselves from God and disappoint Him. The love, grace and mercy He demonstrates to us is truly inexplicable...but nonetheless welcome!
The thought of God “bandaging our wounds, and making us well” is like a healing balm to my soul. The promise of Jesus waiting in heaven to welcome us with open arms for all eternity gives me strength and courage for this earthly journey. I know that He is coming for me someday...and this motivates me to turn to Him and let Him make me well. What about you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Let’s return to the Lord.
He has torn us to shreds,
but he will bandage our wounds
and make us well.
In two or three days
he will heal us
and restore our strength
that we may live with him.
Let’s do our best
to know the Lord.
His coming is as certain
as the morning sun;
he will refresh us like rain
renewing the earth
in the springtime.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our cats somewhat “chose sides” more than a decade ago. It started when we got a big television that apparently made some sort of noise that scared Lucy. She preferred that I watch TV in our bedroom, where she would happily join me on the bed and lie pressed against my side... on her back – and often with all four legs in the air! Mabel was perfectly content to stay with Greg and enjoy his attention as she curled up on the footrest of his recliner. When we moved into a two-story house, and Greg established an office space upstairs, Mabel somewhat became the “upstairs cat”, while Lucy is never very far from me downstairs.
So when Greg and a neighbor took an overnight motorcycle trip, poor little Mabel was more than a bit lost. She hung out with Lucy and me downstairs...but sometimes she roamed the house and cried as she looked for her “other owner”. She brought a toy mouse, hoping that Greg would appear and praise her. She stood up on the back door and pawed toward the handle, thinking he must surely be in the garage. And when I went upstairs to check on her once, she was curled atop a pair of Greg’s jeans. I stroked her face and cooed to her in a soothing tone and assured her that he would be back very soon...and that all would be well. If she could just hang on and take a little snooze, her buddy would be home before she knew it.
In this passage from Hosea, you really need to read Chapter 5 first to understand these verses. The people of Israel have been sinful and terribly disobedient, and God has allowed them to suffer as a result. In Hosea 5:13-16, we read...” Israel was brutally crushed. They got what they deserved for worshiping useless idols. Now I, the Lord, will fill Israel with maggots and make Judah rot. When Israel and Judah saw their sickness and wounds, Israel asked help from Assyria and its mighty king.” So the words of the first verses in Chapter 6 are those of the Israelites, who have realized that they caused their own suffering. But they also recognize that God will forgive them...heal and restore them...if only they will turn back to Him. He will return and make them well.
In our own ways, you and I have been as sinful and disobedient as the Israelites. It’s a wonder that God has not grown as disgusted with us and allowed us to be “filled with maggots and rot”. Amazingly, God provided us with a covenant in the form of the blood of Jesus. And while we may experience temporary discomfort (and it may even seem like God is crushing us!), we can call on Him to save us by Jesus’ blood, and He will rescue and restore us. This may happen quickly – or we may not fully be refreshed and renewed until Jesus greets us in heaven. But all who earnestly call on the name of Jesus are guaranteed forgiveness and healing.
Our sweet little calico cat did nothing to deserve the feelings of loneliness and desertion she experienced. Mabel will “get over it” quickly, and in a few days, she will have totally forgotten that she and Greg were ever separated. On the other hand, we have done plenty to alienate ourselves from God and disappoint Him. The love, grace and mercy He demonstrates to us is truly inexplicable...but nonetheless welcome!
The thought of God “bandaging our wounds, and making us well” is like a healing balm to my soul. The promise of Jesus waiting in heaven to welcome us with open arms for all eternity gives me strength and courage for this earthly journey. I know that He is coming for me someday...and this motivates me to turn to Him and let Him make me well. What about you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 8, 2011
John 5:41-44
I'm not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God's love, is not on your working agenda. I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms. How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Turn on the television, and you will find countless programs where people are clamoring to “be Somebody!” From the winner of Survivor to The Biggest Loser to the writer of the next Platinum Hit or HGTV’s Design Star and more… people want to be on top. Turn on a sports channel, and you will find athletes hoping to be a first-round draft pick or the winner of this award or that… or a whole team wanting to come out on top in the championship. Clearly, we are wired for crowd approval.
The sad thing is that we are so hungry for human approval… yet the approval that matters gets kicked to the curb. And I believe this is why so many human beings are discontent at best… and downright miserable in many cases. A few years ago, I wrote a song that I titled “I Am a Child of God.” In one of the verses, I said, “I used to care what others thought of me… it mattered that they liked me and approved. I wanted the assurance that in me, they could see something that was acceptable… something that was good.” Later, a verse says, “I tried to do the things that I thought would please others. But in the end, no one was pleased, and everything went wrong.” Do you relate to these phrases?
When I learned to focus on pleasing only God, everything else started to fall into place. When I realized that the most important Being in the room was my Heavenly Father, and He was the only One who truly mattered…a huge weight was lifted. As long as we recognize – and welcome – God into our day, He will take care of the rest. If you have focused on giving God top priority… First Place… you can rest assured that He will meet your every need.
Doors will open… “championships” (of God’s choosing) will come. You will find a “position” in life – the one God chooses for you… and it will be exactly right. Will you win a sweepstakes or be elected to high office? Will people be rushing to your side and vying for your friendship and affection? Only if this is what fits into God’s grand plan. Will it matter if it doesn’t happen? Not one bit! What will matter is what God thinks… and He thinks you are the most important thing ever! What God brings to you is what counts… not the approval and accolades of the world.
So what will you do with the rest of your life? Will you spend it wandering aimlessly, so to speak… seeking the recognition and approval of mere mortals… the fleeting rewards and temporary thrills of feeling important to other human beings who are seeking the same sort of recognition and acceptance? Or will you focus on pleasing God… welcome Him with open arms and place your fate and your future in His hands? Will you bask in the glory of being His precious child? Will you make God most important in your life and focus on His love? He can make you a true champion… God can give you what you’ve been looking for all along. Are you ready to turn around and greet Him?
©2011 Debbie Robus
I'm not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God's love, is not on your working agenda. I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms. How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Turn on the television, and you will find countless programs where people are clamoring to “be Somebody!” From the winner of Survivor to The Biggest Loser to the writer of the next Platinum Hit or HGTV’s Design Star and more… people want to be on top. Turn on a sports channel, and you will find athletes hoping to be a first-round draft pick or the winner of this award or that… or a whole team wanting to come out on top in the championship. Clearly, we are wired for crowd approval.
The sad thing is that we are so hungry for human approval… yet the approval that matters gets kicked to the curb. And I believe this is why so many human beings are discontent at best… and downright miserable in many cases. A few years ago, I wrote a song that I titled “I Am a Child of God.” In one of the verses, I said, “I used to care what others thought of me… it mattered that they liked me and approved. I wanted the assurance that in me, they could see something that was acceptable… something that was good.” Later, a verse says, “I tried to do the things that I thought would please others. But in the end, no one was pleased, and everything went wrong.” Do you relate to these phrases?
When I learned to focus on pleasing only God, everything else started to fall into place. When I realized that the most important Being in the room was my Heavenly Father, and He was the only One who truly mattered…a huge weight was lifted. As long as we recognize – and welcome – God into our day, He will take care of the rest. If you have focused on giving God top priority… First Place… you can rest assured that He will meet your every need.
Doors will open… “championships” (of God’s choosing) will come. You will find a “position” in life – the one God chooses for you… and it will be exactly right. Will you win a sweepstakes or be elected to high office? Will people be rushing to your side and vying for your friendship and affection? Only if this is what fits into God’s grand plan. Will it matter if it doesn’t happen? Not one bit! What will matter is what God thinks… and He thinks you are the most important thing ever! What God brings to you is what counts… not the approval and accolades of the world.
So what will you do with the rest of your life? Will you spend it wandering aimlessly, so to speak… seeking the recognition and approval of mere mortals… the fleeting rewards and temporary thrills of feeling important to other human beings who are seeking the same sort of recognition and acceptance? Or will you focus on pleasing God… welcome Him with open arms and place your fate and your future in His hands? Will you bask in the glory of being His precious child? Will you make God most important in your life and focus on His love? He can make you a true champion… God can give you what you’ve been looking for all along. Are you ready to turn around and greet Him?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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