"I STAND AT THE DOOR”
Daphne Powell
Today’s Scripture: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20, ESV
Theme: When we respond to God, we need to allow Him all the way into our lives, not just “crack the door” for Him.
LUKEWARM IS EASIER
So many Jesus followers feel that following MOST of the commandments is good, right? I mean, let’s be honest: it’s easier to follow the commandments that we don’t break. We rank the sins and feel that because we did not commit a big one, then we must be okay. But if you are “all in” for the Lord, you know this is an untrue statement.
WHO DO YOU SERVE?
To be “all in” for the Lord means obedience to Him in all things. It means allowing Him access to every part of your heart, soul, and mind. When you submit to worldly things – money, power, self – you are worshiping them instead of God. Following Jesus means to obey Him, demonstrate submission to Him, and to make choices that follow His Word.
HIS WORD
What does following Jesus and being “all in” look like? Where do you begin? We must do more than read the Bible. We must study His Word. Joining a Life Group is one way to grow. It allows you to share about how God is working in your life, and see how He is working in others’ lives.
We also need to put His Word into action. It is easier to think about doing the right thing than to actually do the right thing. When you let Him in, you start to live life with Him. Serving is a wonderful way to do this. It allows others to come alongside you and help you live out your faith.
THE WELCOME MAT
Jesus is waiting. He is willing to come in and be in a deep, personal relationship with you. Open the door and begin building a relationship with our Lord and Savior. It is a daily commitment, but when you are persistent in seeking a relationship with Him, the worldly distractions will lessen. As we grow and mature in His Word, so will our relationship and obedience.
Make it Personal: It’s so easy to let the day get away from me. By evening, I sometimes ask myself, “What did I do for the Lord today?” I can make a list of all the good things I did for my family, my co-workers, and my friends, but the truth is that it was His grace and mercy that gave me the ability to do anything that I accomplished for others. So daily, I make sure I serve Him, also. I am so glad I invited Him into my heart. As I have grown in my faith, I am able to lessen the worldly distractions.
Pray: Lord, I pray that people not only invite You into their hearts, but that they truly surrender and allow You into their whole lives. I pray that we obey Your Word. I pray that the worldly distractions lessen in our lives so that we share our testimonies to others, showing the grace and mercy You have shown to us.
Read: Joshua 24:14,15; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Psalm 1:1-3; James 1:22,25; 1 Peter 2:2
Weekly Memory Verse: “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16, ESV