Open Doors

I grew up in a old farmhouse.  We didn't use the front door very often because it was easier to come in the side door and enter the kitchen.  The screen door had a wooden frame but it was mostly screen and it had a long spring so it would slam shut.  It was pretty easy to tell when someone came in or went outside, especially in the summer.

The front door was also wooden but it had a glass window with a pretty frosted picture in it.  It was amazing it was never broken because across from the door was the staircase and like most kids I would jump the last several stairs and use the door to keep from falling.  I am the youngest of five kids so I was not the first to jump the stairs and hit the door. 

There are so many different kinds of doors. Dutch doors, French doors, pocket doors, sliding glass doors, revolving doors and automatic doors.  Automatic doors are neat and over the years have changed from opening when you stepped on a special mat to using an electronic eye when you walk near.  It has been made pretty easy to gain entrance into a place that has an automatic door. 

There is one door that isn't automatic, you need to open it yourself.  Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20

Jesus is knocking.  He wants you to answer the door and accept His gift of forgiveness.  He wants to be your Lord and Savior.  It's not an automatic door, you need to answer and invite Him into your life. 

The following hymn was written by Fannie Crosby.  She lived from 1820 to 1915 and was blind from the age of 6 weeks, but that didn't keep her from writing over 8,000 hymns.

Behold Me Standing at the Door

Behold me standing at the door,
and hear me pleading evermore,
with gentle voice: O heart of sin,
may I come in? May I come in?

Refrain:
Behold me standing at the door,
and hear me pleading evermore:
say, weary heart, oppressed with sin,
may I come in? May I come in?

I bore the cruel thorns for thee,
I waited long and patiently:
say, weary heart, oppressed with sin,
may I come in? May I come in? Refrain

I would not plead with thee in vain;
remember all my grief and pain!
I died to ransom thee from sin,
may I come in? May I come in? Refrain

I bring thee joy from heaven above,
I bring thee pardon, peace, and love:
say, weary heart, oppressed with sin,
may I come in? May I come in? Refrain

Will you answer the door?  Will you let Jesus in?  It's not an automatic door you need to open it yourself and let Him in.  I pray you will.
  

Perfect Peace

Recently our family went on a overnight camp out.  The state forest we like to camp at has primitive camping, with no electricity, outhouse bathrooms and the only running water is the trout stream.  It is an absolutely beautiful place.  It gave us the opportunity to enjoy God's creation.  It is truly amazing how many shades of green there are with the grass, leaves and evergreen trees all blending together.  The trout stream next to our campsite was a continual sound of running water and the birds were singing their songs.  It wasn't quiet by any means, but it was peaceful. 
 
I grew up on a farm.  Sometimes I would sit in the backyard with my Dad on the summer evenings.  He loved to sit and look out over the fields.  He would whittle on a stick just to pass the time.  It was just a time to be quiet and enjoy the peaceful surroundings watching the clouds go by and wait for the lightning bugs and the stars to come out.

Where do we find peace?  I'm not talking about the peace we can find on a camping trip or in our backyard watching clouds.  Where do we find everlasting peace?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22.  Are you seeking peace?  You will find peace in the Lord by following Him and having the Holy Spirit in you.  It's your choice.  I pray you find the peace the Lord has for you.  It is everlasting if you follow and trust in Him.  Peace be with you.

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Seeking Simplicity

A couple weeks ago Martin and I went for a drive through Amish country.  We love going there to see the horses and go into the shops.  There were a couple farmers working in the fields with teams of horses.  Children were playing in the yards.  Huge gardens had been planted. Obviously, they are hard working because every home, field and garden are well tended. None of the homes or businesses have electricity, but from our point of view their lives have a certain level of simplicity to them.

As I've gotten older and matured in my relationship with the Lord, my desire for a simple life has grown.  As I seek simplicity the scriptures remind me of what the Lord has for me.  David writes in Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." I think we often pass by this verse to get to the still waters and green pastures but it's an amazing verse.  I shall not want!  The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." This isn't all our wants, but all our need.  Clearly God wants to guide us and provide for us, but we have to be willing to accept his guidance and provision.  Just how close am I willing to walk with God?

I love hymns.  So when I was thinking about my walk with the Lord I couldn't help but think of the hymn Just a Closer Walk with Thee.  So I did some research and the author of this wonderful hymn is unknown but it has been recorded by many artists since 1941. Yes, even Elvis Presley. 

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

 

I'll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to thee.  The simple life...I think I may get it right yet.  I pray you are blessed in your walk with the Lord.