Here I Am!
“Remember, more than anything, Jesus seeks a close relationship with us.”
Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
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 that person, and they with me.
Reflection
The first Connect Group my husband and I were invited to join was led by Barb and Dave Crawford. It was such a warm and welcoming experience! We would arrive shortly before the start time, park our car, walk up to their door...and walk right into the house without knocking! They were expecting us. We were welcome. We were greeted with kind words, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the promise of fellowship and connection. They made it so easy to feel wanted and valued.
Maybe you are lucky enough to belong to a Connect Group that operates like this. Imagine how you would feel if Jesus approached the door of your Connect Group, simply walked in, and joined the conversation. I think we would all agree having Jesus in our Connect Group would be mind-blowing, incredible, and so very fulfilling! What might He say to us, and how would we receive Him and react to His presence? Most likely, we would bask in the light of His glory and just absorb all the goodness, peace, and love flowing from Him. Remember, more than anything, Jesus SEEKS a close relationship with us.
So why don't we allow Jesus to just walk through our door? Why do we even entertain the idea of making Him have to knock in order to gain access to our hearts?
As our verse today says, Jesus is knocking on our door, waiting for an invitation into our hearts and lives. He knocks because He is patient but persistent. No one could ever accuse Jesus of “breaking and entering”! He leaves the decision to open the door, or not, to us. But because He wants us to know Him, He continues knocking...and knocking.
Consider this: What if we didn't have to listen for Jesus' knock? And why would we even put this constraint on Him? If we would just leave the door to our hearts wide open, He wouldn't have to knock.
Today, let Jesus have access to your heart. Even better, let Him take up permanent residence!
Action Steps
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me enough to pursue me. Thank you for being persistent in Your quest to know me. Help me to live my life with a heart open to Your spiritual blessings. Help me to pursue a relationship with You that is as strong as Your desire is to know me. I give You all the glory. Amen.
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 that person, and they with me.
Reflection
The first Connect Group my husband and I were invited to join was led by Barb and Dave Crawford. It was such a warm and welcoming experience! We would arrive shortly before the start time, park our car, walk up to their door...and walk right into the house without knocking! They were expecting us. We were welcome. We were greeted with kind words, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the promise of fellowship and connection. They made it so easy to feel wanted and valued.
Maybe you are lucky enough to belong to a Connect Group that operates like this. Imagine how you would feel if Jesus approached the door of your Connect Group, simply walked in, and joined the conversation. I think we would all agree having Jesus in our Connect Group would be mind-blowing, incredible, and so very fulfilling! What might He say to us, and how would we receive Him and react to His presence? Most likely, we would bask in the light of His glory and just absorb all the goodness, peace, and love flowing from Him. Remember, more than anything, Jesus SEEKS a close relationship with us.
So why don't we allow Jesus to just walk through our door? Why do we even entertain the idea of making Him have to knock in order to gain access to our hearts?
As our verse today says, Jesus is knocking on our door, waiting for an invitation into our hearts and lives. He knocks because He is patient but persistent. No one could ever accuse Jesus of “breaking and entering”! He leaves the decision to open the door, or not, to us. But because He wants us to know Him, He continues knocking...and knocking.
Consider this: What if we didn't have to listen for Jesus' knock? And why would we even put this constraint on Him? If we would just leave the door to our hearts wide open, He wouldn't have to knock.
Today, let Jesus have access to your heart. Even better, let Him take up permanent residence!
Action Steps
- Listen to the wonderful gospel country song "Jesus Is Knocking At The Door" by Lifebreakthrough. It is the perfect complement to today’s message. Think about the words and ask God to help you apply them to your life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNH62Chk7oA
- If you are not a member of a Connect Group, open your calendar to late August and make a note to join a Connect Group this fall. You won’t regret it.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me enough to pursue me. Thank you for being persistent in Your quest to know me. Help me to live my life with a heart open to Your spiritual blessings. Help me to pursue a relationship with You that is as strong as Your desire is to know me. I give You all the glory. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
February
Generosity Begins With PriorityThe Heart of GivingTithing as an Act of FaithThe Blessing of GenerosityTrusting God's FaithfulnessSeeing Yourself Through Jesus' EyesThe Power of Jesus' CallFrom Broken to BlessedEmpowered for PurposeHope for the FutureGod Knows Your NeedBringing Your Needs to JesusFaith in the Face of ImpossibilityJesus' Power Over Death and DiseaseTestimony of God's FaithfulnessCreated For A PurposeCompassion In ActionOvercoming Fear To Share HopeMeeting Needs To Show LoveAnswering the Call
March
HosannaWhat a MiracleI Speak Jesus InhabitJesus Over EverythingThe Risky Call of DiscipleshipGod's Presence in Our VulnerabilityThe Sword of TruthThe Power of Small Acts of KindnessEnduring Faith in the Face of AdversityGod's Perfect TimingAnswering the CallEmpowered for ServiceEmbracing God's Greater PurposeFaithfulness in TrialsAnswering God's CallOvercoming Doubt and FearPerseverance in ObedienceGod's Faithfulness in Our JourneyMountaintop Experiences and Everyday Faith The Danger of Covetousness
April
Trust in God's ProvisionInvesting in God's KingdomThe Deceitfulness of WealthLiving for EternityTrusting God's TimingWalking in Bold FaithObedience When It’s HardThe Power of Your InfluenceRemembering God’s GoodnessThe King We NeedThe Exchange of InnocenceFrom Death to LifeTrue Freedom in ChristThe Power of Sacrificial LoveThe Relentless Love of the Good ShepherdCelebrating the FoundThe Father’s Unconditional LoveThe Heart of JesusHope in God's Unfailing LoveUnmet Expectations and God's LoveFaith in the Midst of ConfusionThe Power of God's Presence
May
Hope Beyond Present CircumstancesTrusting God's Love in SufferingSeeing God’s Hand ClearlyRekindling Your Spiritual FireLearning to Trust the TeacherLoving God Through ActionGrowing Through CorrectionPosture of DependenceReceiving the InvitationWalking the Hard but Holy RoadFreedom Through GraceAnchored in PeaceEmbracing the Rhythm of RestReframing the Sabbath Through Jesus
No Comments