Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ is knocking on the door of your heart

Someone’s at the Door
A devotional by Suzanne Felton

“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.”

—Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

What do you do when the doorbell rings?

To be honest, I must admit that when the doorbell rings at my house, my first instinct is to pretend I’m not home. It’s probably just someone selling something, I think to myself. Then I stay quiet and still, hoping whoever it is will give up and go away. If I’m unlucky enough to betray my presence, I’ll open the door just enough to politely cut off their sales pitch without buying in.

Nowadays, we hardly ever need to answer the doorbell at all. High-tech doorbells with cameras and speakers allow us to see and speak to visitors on the outside without going near the door or even being at home. With services like DoorDash and Amazon that offer “contactless” delivery, we can receive our packages and never have to interact with the people who bring them.

Today’s American culture seems far removed from earlier times when answering the door was not considered a hassle or an unusual thing to do. Before the age of telephones, a bell ring or a knock was the only way for visitors to make their presence known. Having guests drop by unexpectedly was commonplace, and it was considered polite to welcome them inside. There are still cultures today that retain a deep-rooted tradition of hospitality, placing value on always being ready to welcome visitors into the home. However, right or wrong, ours seems more focused on safety and security.

What would you do if Jesus Christ knocked on your door?

We could rationalize that it’s difficult to interpret the metaphor of Jesus standing at the door and knocking in contemporary terms, since times have changed and our modern way of thinking about a knock at the door is vastly different than it would have been in Bible times. We might even dismiss it entirely. If we really think about it, though, our modern way of reacting to knocks and doorbells might actually be an apt illustration of how we treat Jesus at times.

Many people who consider themselves Christians have never truly opened the door to Jesus. Some tend to think of Jesus as an impersonal figure who taught the masses from a hillside, bestowing wisdom on them from a distance. They think of him as a good leader whose teachings should be followed in order to become a good person. In a way, that’s like thinking of him as a contactless delivery driver who leaves a package for you to open and use at your convenience. Others pray, but when they do, it’s as if they’re addressing an intimidating stranger, keeping their prayers formal and ritualistic. They “talk to God” but never have a real conversation. That’s sort of like answering Jesus’s knock through an electronic speaker or only cracking the door slightly, never fully listening to what he has to say.

Jesus is anything but impersonal, and this verse from the book of Revelation clearly illustrates that truth: “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” (Revelation 3:20 NIV). Jesus is speaking here, and He tells us that He’s at the door, knocking and calling out to us. He will not leave what He’s bringing on the doorstep and go away; He will continue to knock until we open the door and invite Him in. More than that, if we let Him in, He won’t just stand in the foyer and exchange pleasantries with us. Jesus will come all the way inside the house, sit down at the table, and share a meal with us.

Jesus comes to have relationship with us. He wants to fully enter our lives so that we can know Him and walk closely with Him every day. Many Christians would say they know this, but how many of us truly “open the door”? Do we let Jesus all the way into our lives, or do we keep the door closed as a barrier, keeping Him at a distance, content to stay within the security of the walls we’ve built around our hearts?

Opening the door—literally or figuratively—can feel inconvenient, uncomfortable, or even scary. It makes us vulnerable. But when we think of Jesus standing on the other side, knocking and calling our names, isn’t it worth letting Him in? Jesus wants to enter our lives and have deep relationship with us, but He will neither force His way in nor leave a package on the doorstep. It’s up to us to answer the door, invite Him inside, and sit down with Him at the table.

Let’s Pray: 

Dear God, 

Thank You for sending Your Son to reconcile us to You. When we hear Jesus at the door, help us not to pretend we’re not home, but to open it wide and let him all the way into our hearts. 

In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Someone’s at the Door” by Nathaniel Bassey. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “He's Calling You” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Suzanne Felton has been a writer for most of her life, even before she realized it. 

She has worked in a wide range of settings, from non-profits to science labs to government contracts to educational classrooms, all of which involved writing in one form or another.

Suzanne is amazed by the power of words and now uses her passion and experience to help authors and students as a writing coach. Encouraging others to find the words and the courage to share their stories is one of her greatest joys.

Suzanne’s devotionals have been published in periodicals and blogs including The Upper Room, The Love Offering, Keys 4 Kids, and The Swallow’s Nest. She is also a two-time finalist in the Cascade Christian Writing Contest for poetry.

She is a wife, mother, writer, reader, teacher, deep thinker, and sinner saved by grace. Suzanne and her family reside in Northern Virginia, but Suzanne will always call her native South Carolina home.

Married to her best friend for twenty-five years, Suzanne is active in her church, where she and her husband have served as deacons for over a decade. They enjoy watching sports and visiting national parks with their two teenage sons. Suzanne is also an avid birder, easily and happily distracted by anything with feathers.

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Connect with Suzanne:
Website: https://suzannefelton.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l_suzanne_felton
Email address: suzannefeltonwriter@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: God never meant for you to go through life alone

Not Alone
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” 

–Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)

How often do you contemplate leaving your crazy life behind and living like a hermit for a few weeks?

As an introvert, I probably consider this scenario too often. Life is crazy. Socializing is exhausting. Wouldn’t I feel more renewed if I just stayed home all day on Sunday and read my Bible? I have heard lots of people say that they can get just as close to God by listening to a sermon online than they do in person.

But there is something missing when you simply watch a sermon online instead of going to church. There is something missing when you do not see and socialize with fellow believers. Actually, there is Someone missing.

As a believer, the Holy Spirit dwells inside your heart. He is part of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.

The God of the universe is living inside your heart! The Holy Spirit is working within your heart to help you understand Scripture and comfort your soul. However, this wonderful, amazing phenomenon does not occur in your heart alone—the Holy Spirit lives inside each and every believer.

Consider this—when a group of believers come together, the Holy Spirit within one believer can be used to comfort and encourage another believer. Yes, you can grow spiritually from reading your Bible, praying, and listening to sermons—but not to the extent that God wishes for you. It is in God’s design for people to need other people. In fact, God says it is not good for us to be alone (Genesis 2:18). God designed us to need people. We were made to be comforted and to comfort others.

When we neglect to ‘assemble together’ or come together in fellowship as believers, we are missing a vital part of God’s will for our lives. First, we are not being comforted and encouraged as God intended for us to be. Second, we are not comforting and encouraging others as God intended for us to do.

Sometimes, it can be hard to work up the courage to bring comfort or encouragement to someone. We often feel as if we are drowning in our own troubles and needs, which makes it feel impossible for us to reach out to others to offer strength we don’t have. The truth is, dear reader, you don’t have the strength necessary to live the Christian life. But God does. According to the apostle Paul, God offers us His strength (Philippians 4:13).

Maybe it is just a smile. Or a simple “How are you?” that you can offer. God can take little offerings such as these and completely change another believer’s day. Remember, the Holy Spirit is living inside of you. He is working through you. By encouraging another believer, you might just feel encouraged yourself!

The Holy Spirit—our gift from Heaven—longs to comfort and encourage you as well as other believers. This is why we come together as a church—not the church building, but the church people. This is why the early church leaders fought so hard to establish the church. We were not created to do the Christian life alone.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to offer us comfort and encouragement. Please give us Your strength that we may fulfill Your will for our daily lives. Help us to submit to the Holy Spirit that we may be used to comfort other believers. Lead us to perform the good works you have prepared for us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Tessa Huckstep grew up in rural Illinois to Christian parents and has known Jesus personally since the age of five. 

She is currently attending community college and majoring in elementary education. In the future, she plans to teach in the public school, hoping to bring the love of God with her.

God’s dream of Tessa becoming a writer was revealed to her at the age of sixteen and she hasn’t been able to stop since. Though she has not yet been published, Tessa enjoys writing historical romance novels and speculative fiction.

Tessa believes God loves stories, and through her writing, she wants to reveal the happily ever after God dreams of for each of his daughters—one where Jesus is the knight in shining armor.

Tessa loves all things Georgian/Regency, needlework, and dainty teacups of every size. When she isn’t writing or studying for exams, Tessa can be found in the kitchen with more flour in her hair and on the floor than in the mixing bowl, though the mess is always half the fun!

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Connect with Tessa:
Blog: https://beautifulbeloved937002841.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beloved.bookworm/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/101227159

Devotionals for the Heart: Faith

Legacy of Faith
A devotional by Glynis Becker

“Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.” –Psalm 78:1-4 (NASB)

So many of us, especially at this moment in time, are craving conversation and fellowship with others. Even those of us who are homebodies and introverts are yearning to talk and laugh with those we miss. So, as imperfect as it is, aren’t we all grateful for technology that can help bridge physical distances and give us a connection with those we love?

My own extended family is separated by many miles. For several years, my family has had an ongoing video chat using the Marco Polo app. Some days that chat is quiet, and some days it’s busy, but most often it’s just a few people checking in with what the weather is like and what’s on the schedule for their day. Sometimes we ask for prayer for ourselves or others. We talk about things we would talk about if we were sitting around drinking coffee and chatting. I love it.

When my grandmother, in her 90s, came on and gave her Easter greetings recently, she reminded us why Easter is the best holiday of the entire year and what a wonderful gift Christ gave when He conquered the enemy, once and for all. I absolutely agree with her, of course, but her sweet video reminded me of another beautiful gift God has given me: a family legacy of faith.

I have been in church nearly every Sunday since the Sunday I was born. My parents both grew up in Christian homes. Their parents all grew up in Christian homes. My family has never been shy about talking through matters of faith: truths we learn in the Bible, how to apply these things to our daily life, the lens through which our beliefs allow us to see the world, who we can help, how we can love—all of these things have been in our regular, everyday conversations for my entire life.

I feel very fortunate to have had family members who passed down their knowledge and wisdom, their stories, their experiences of what Jesus means to them and I realize how important that is to share with others. We see time and time again in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, the commandment to “remember” or to “share” or to “tell.” The people of God were told to build altars and celebrate feasts, all in an effort to continue the story of His faithfulness throughout each subsequent generation. We also see how one or two generations of forgetfulness can cause a lot of brokenness.

Does your family have a legacy of faith? There’s no better time than right now to say ‘thank you’ to those members of your family who have led you in wisdom and faith. Make a point of continuing that legacy with the children in your own family.

But if you’re reading this and wishing that you had grown up in different circumstances, just remember that every legacy starts somewhere. By God’s grace you can be the one who changes your family tree, so rejoice in the opportunities He will give you to pass on what you know.

Each new day becomes a choice. What will our legacy be?

Let’s Pray: Today, Lord, give me opportunities to share you with my family, my friends, and people I meet. Help me choose to make my legacy one of faithfulness, mercy, love, and kindness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Glynis Becker writes devotions and inspirational fiction, hoping someday to have a published novel on her resume.

She has co-written several screenplays, including the film Sinking Sand, available on DVD and digital streaming.

Glynis, whose childhood was spent all over the country as an Air Force brat, has called South Dakota home for many years, along with her husband and two teenage children.

When she’s not writing or reading, she is watching more television than she should and crocheting. You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: On loving others like Jesus Christ loves us

Love Like Jesus
A devotional by Carrie del Pizzo

“But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you.” 

–John 13:34 (CEV)

At first glance, this command can seem truly impossible. Jesus showed His love for us by dying on a cross. Does God expect us to die a gruesome painful death for others? Good news: He already took care of that part, so we can cross it off the list.

That means loving people the way Jesus did isn’t impossible … it’s only really hard.

In the first century, loving others meant being polite to those closest to you: family, friends, business associates. Good people attended synagogue, sacrificed at the temple, and stayed far away from sinners. Somewhere there was someone who did something to help widows and orphans, but only because they had to. Prostitutes and drunkards and foreigners were on their own.

The primary rule was to be clean. If you touched some undesirable person, you couldn’t go into the temple until you performed the ritual cleaning, which could take days. And if anyone saw you with an unclean person, they would assume you too were unclean. They might not do business with you. Their children might not play with yours. They might tell others about who they saw you with and what they thought you were probably doing.

Jesus turned society upside down. He demonstrated over-the-top knowledge of the Scriptures, performed miracles, and spoke messages that were both confusing and wonderful.

But the craziest thing He did was love people. His closest friends were smelly fishermen. He ate dinner with tax collectors. He actually touched people with leprosy, several prostitutes, and a couple of demon possessed guys.

In some cases, Jesus spoke a word to heal someone. But many times, He reached out and touched them. He hung out with them. He visited their homes. He ate their food. He took rides in their boats. He talked, laughed, and cried with them. He did life with these untouchable, undesirable people.

What about us? Sure, we’re nice to our families and church friends. Probably even school or soccer parents and some coworkers. But then there’s the next-door neighbor who doesn’t mow his lawn as often as we’d like. And the guy two cubicles down who voted for the other candidate in the last election. And the young lady who’s facing an unplanned pregnancy.

What if we loved them like Jesus does? What if we chose to do life with those people?

Let’s ask Jesus who needs His love and how He wants us to share it.

~*~
Author Bio:

In this world of texts, memes, and emojis, slowing down to truly communicate can feel like straining a muscle you haven’t exercised in far too long.

Seventeen years of business experience across a variety of industries has taught Carrie Del Pizzo the fine art of professional communications.

Partnering with corporate executives and entry-level employees alike, she has written and edited major project proposals, direct marketing pieces, sensitive client communications, employee handbooks, and user manuals.

Carrie’s love of literature and story has led her to develop and exercise her fiction writing skills as well. Aside from her personal creative efforts, she also edits for self- and traditionally-published authors and enjoys writing short dramas for church presentation.

Carrie is a wife, mom of three Americans and host-mom to numerous exchange students. Italian-by-marriage means she loves to cook and eat. She lives in Spokane, Wash., with her hilarious family who keep her in stitches and provides piles of material for great stories.

Devotionals for the Heart: Ministry

Food and Fellowship: Powerful Tools of Ministry
A devotional by Heather Martin

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” –Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

We were newlyweds and had just moved to a city where we had no family.

My husband and I were both raised in the church, and so the one thing we knew that would be a great balance for us would be to find a good church.

I can still remember going to this church for the first time together as husband and wife. From the moment we walked through the door we were met with so many hugs, smiles, and genuine welcomes. I had never met more friendly people in my life! They were so kind and warm. After the service was over, several people had invited us home for dinner. We were blown away by the kindness of strangers.

After we returned home and talked about it, we thought surely they were only this nice to us because we were new, but it never stopped. We lived there for seven years, and this kindness never stopped. We spent time at someone’s house for potluck or some kind of dinner every week! Rarely did we go home alone. We formed friendships and alliances with people that only drew us closer to God and helped to strengthen our new marriage.

It’s been several years since we moved away from Cincinnati, but the memories of how that church family loved on us has left an indelible impression on our lives. It must be what Christ meant when He said to love one another, and not to forsake fellowship with your brothers and sisters.

Over the years, because of my husband’s job, we have moved to quite a few cities and we have yet to find a church family like that one. It has been hard not to compare each church to our Cincinnati one. We often found ourselves complaining and disappointed with the lack of love and fellowship at the churches we’ve attended since then. Until recently, God sent someone to help remind us that if things are not the way you’d like them to be, then sometimes you have to create the change you want to see.

I got a call from an old college friend of mine telling me that her son would be in town for the summer doing a dental program at a local university here. She asked if we could please look out for him and if possible, pick him up for church each week. Without hesitation we agreed! It would be our honor to get to know him, pick him for church and provide him with a good meal after church while he was here.

This meant I would need to cook dinner each week, something that I had not been doing regularly. It also made sense to invite other people over for dinner too, since there would be plenty of food to share. For one month straight, I cooked dinner after church and hosted several people at our home. It was nothing fancy, but each time I prayed and asked God to help the people to enjoy themselves, and especially the food, and they did!

I am thankful that my friend asked us to look out for her son. This sparked something inside of me! When Jesus was on earth He was constantly changing people’s lives, healing, and ministering to people, and so many times food was involved. He went to a wedding feast and turned water into wine (John 2:1-11). He served the disciples their first communion using bread and wine (Luke 22:19-20). And who can forget how He used one little boy’s lunch of fish and bread to feed 5,000 people (Matthew 14:13-21)?

Food and fellowship can be powerful tools of ministry!

I may not have dinner at my house every single week, but I will make an effort to invite people over at least once a month.

When I host and feed people in my home, it makes me remember the love and warmth I felt back in Cincinnati when those church folks were so kind to us. It also made me realize that if we want to experience love, we’ve got to be the ones to give love.

Maybe you’ve moved to a new place, or you’ve been feeling alone because no one has invited you home or befriended you. Whether it is at church, or anywhere, I want to encourage you to use the power of food and fellowship to change your situation.

Plan a meal! It doesn’t have to be an extravagant affair. Your house doesn’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to be an award-winning chef. Pray while you prepare your meal, and invite the most important guest first, Jesus Christ. 

Then take the leap to invite someone over for dinner!

You will make a difference in your life and somebody else’s by showing God’s love through food and fellowship.

God bless you, your home and your heart!

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Author Bio:

Heather Martin was born the last of six siblings in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was raised by an amazing single mother (Rebecca Trotter) and was taught at an early age to love God and how to sing! 

She graduated from Oakwood University with a Bachelor's Degree in Language Arts Education and later received a Master’s Degree in Education from Kaplan University.

Shortly after graduating she followed God’s call to minister. She joined the Stellar, Dove, and Grammy-nominated gospel group Virtue, which was founded by her two older sisters Ebony Holland and Karima Kibble several years prior. Virtue has used their talents to spread the love of God across the world! They have recorded 7 studio albums and have been the recipients of numerous awards.

God has not only blessed Heather professionally, but personally. She met her husband, Dr. Colin Martin, and they have been married for 14 years. They have four children: Colin Jr. 11, Harper 10, Clark, 7, and Charleston 5.

In 2016, Heather started an online blog and vegan and allergen-friendly cooking channel called “Chef Mommy.” Heather (Chef Mommy) has cooked with numerous celebrities and top chefs to spread the news of healthy cooking and lifestyle.

In addition to this busy schedule, Heather enjoys, running, reading, writing and spending time with her family.

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Connect with Heather:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherTMartin
Instagram for Heather: https://www.instagram.com/thechefmommy/
Instagram for Virtue (Heather’s singing group): https://www.instagram.com/virtuegirls
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chefmommyhm

Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving Gathering

Today I find myself being thankful for having somewhere to go for a Thanksgiving Gathering. Last month, I moved across the country to take a job in Journalism. God gave me my first big break in a career field for which I am passionate and for it, I am SO grateful! :)

Now being so far away from home and just starting work last month means I was not able to fly home to celebrate the holiday with my family at my grandma's house (a tradition ever since I can remember). However, God opened another door for me in terms of fellowship when He sent a community member to my newspaper's office to extend an invitation to me for celebrating the holiday with their family. Happy to have somewhere to go instead of spending this holiday all alone, I accepted their invitation.

Dinner was in the evening and it was amazing! Everything from the appetizers to the sparkling cider, entree and dessert was very good and tasty! The conversation was intriguing, welcoming and light in nature of discussion. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. At the end of the evening, I headed home with a full stomach and warm heart (despite the cold weather)!

So on this Thankful Thursday, the very first in this new series/feature on my blog, I want to thank God for the gift of fellowship over Thanksgiving dinner. It was nice to go to a home while being away from my home to share a meal with people who care.

What are you thankful for?