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Jesus is Knocking - Will You Answer?
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“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” (Ephesians 3:17, NLT)

After I invited Christ into my heart and we shared meals together as best friends, He wanted access to the kitchen of my desires.

What was I feeding my soul?

He replaced the junk food of bitter thoughts, self-focused thoughts and desires, anger, rage, evil desires, the hollow, hurtful habits of smoking and chewing tobacco with better nourishment. This was just the beginning.

Once I gave Him access to help cook nourishing meals and help change my desires, He asked if we could go to the Living Room which also served as my Study.

Prior to Him entering my life, I had been reading books and watching a lot of things on television that were not wholesome. They weren't evil - just unhelpful. Instead of the Lord being my Shepherd as He should have been all of my life, I was allowing the little box in the corner to be my Shepherd. Sitcoms, lots of sports on television - ad infinitum ad nauseum - gobbled up my time and led me to wrong ways of seeing the world.

I was allowing some shows to teach me that mean, harsh, horrible ways of reacting, etc. and vengeance is the way to live ("Kill Bill, Volumes 1 and 2", "John Wick", etc., etc.) instead of forgiveness.

There were also programs that were discipling me wrongly into thinking love and sex were the same, that drugs and alcohol were the only ways to "relax", and that if I did not drink deeply from these fountains I was missing out and would have no friends or a spouse. Thankfully, the Lord helped me see through the thin veneer of lies and live the new life He died to give me.

I had to ask myself if I was allowing these television shows, books and other influences to become an idol.

Were they helping or hindering me from know my Lord Jesus better?

Of course there is nothing wrong with relaxing to a good movie or a funny program, but in my case, these were taking up too much of my time, thoughts and attention.

Just like today it would be very easy to spend a lot of time on social media, comparing myself with others, or catching up on the latest trivial news or celebrity mess-up.

Of course the Lord was not talking about legalism when we began to consider these influences. He was asking me how much I love Him. Because I love Him now, He had changed my desires to loving what He loves and hating what He hates. He has always - and will always - hate sin, no matter how cleverly it is couched or disguised in television shows and movies.

The Lord wanted access to the Library of my Mind and what my Soul was Studying on a regular basis.

He showed an amazing Book - His Book - that He told me was just as alive and fresh today as it was when it was written.

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” (Hebrews 4:12-13, NLT)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

How wonderful it was to sit down with Him every morning and let Him explain His living Word to me through the power of His Holy Spirit!

I learned so much and changed immensely.

But then, something began to happen.

I would work late the night before and sleep in the next morning. I began to miss my times with Him.

It wasn't a deliberate choice on my part. It just happened. I became lazy and selfish again.

At first, I felt guilty and knew that I should get back to reading His Book and talking with Him in the mornings. But it was just too easy to allow other things to push that time away. The bed felt too warm. Waking up was too hard. And just a little more "Snooze Button" and I could get out the door just in time ...

One morning as I was hopping down the hall to get my sock on I noticed Him sitting in the Living Room of my heart with His Book open on His lap.

The hurt look in His eyes said it all.

He wanted a relationship with me and I was ignoring Him.

When I saw the tear streaming down His face, I knew something had to change.

"Beau, I've been patiently waiting."

"I know, Lord. I'm sorry. I have lots of excuses but no good reason. Can we pick up where we left off, please. I really do want to know You and please You."

"Of course," He said. "I love you and want a close relationship with You, but You have to invest time building our relationship. You say that you love me, but your actions are speaking so loud I can't hear a word you are saying."

I looked down, avoiding His penetrating gaze.

"But I invited You into my heart," I offered. "Isn't that good enough?"

"That was just the beginning," He replied. "Because:

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:21, NIV)

"This is the ONLY WAY to truly know Me," He continued. "If you do what You know of my truth, I will show You more of Myself and You will experience more of My love, so that You can know and practice more truth, to experience even deeper love."

Dear friend, let's sit down with the Lord Jesus in the Library of our Mind and allow the Study of His Word to impact our Soul!

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” (Ephesians 3:17, NLT)

• How often do you have your bible in your hand?

Rejoicing, On the Victory Side!

Beau

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