Open the Door

I just read a devotional based on Revelation 3:20 Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.   I've always loved this verse, loved the thought of sitting down to a meal with Jesus as friends gathered around the table, sharing laughing....sweet, comfortable fellowship.  The devotional spoke about inviting the Lord into our hearts with praise. 

This was a timely reminder to me that praise invites God into not just our hearts but into our lives.  It's welcoming.  Can you imagine you knock at a friends door, and you hear them them criticize you from the other side?  Would you feel welcome and wanted?  Would you step through that door, or would you turn around and walk away? 

Praise asks God into to our circumstances.  When we struggle with life's trials, praise opens the door for the Lord to come in and work.  It takes the focus off our problems and turns our eyes to Him.  Our problems might not disappear overnight, but our heart is lifted because we know and remember the Father is with us and working all things for our good.  We remind ourselves of His character, who He is and how He acts.  Praise opens our hearts to His goodness, opens our eyes to His love and opens our struggle to His touch. 

When we criticize, when we complain we lose our trust.  We are basically telling the Lord we don't believe He will care for us.  Our focus is on the problems.  There's a verse in the Bible that I didn't understand for a long time.  Matthew 6:22-23  “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!  How we look at things has a lot to do with how our lives flow.  If we see through the eyes of distrust and complaint...our lives will be shrouded in darkness and negativity.  But if we see through steadfast belief and appreciation of our Savior, no matter what is going on in our lives, we will live in light and peace. 

I love timely reminders.  I have a tendency to complain instead of praise, so anytime I get to hear a reminder to check my "eye" as it were is a beneficial and absolutely needed.  I once heard the expression, complain and remain, praise and be raised. (I think it was Joyce Meyer)  I invite the Lord into my day with praise! 

Lord, You are worthy...no matter what happens You never change and You are worthy.  You are holy, You are love, You are mercy, You are righteousness.  You are creator, sustainer, deliverer, and Savior.  Lord, come into our lives today!  We open the door for You!  This day is Yours, our lives are Yours.  You are absolutely trustworthy and do only good.  Help us to carry that truth in our hearts today and believe it with every fiber of our beings.  Please help us move past the doubt and complaining to trust and praise.  Be welcome in our day.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Repeat the truth of God's goodness to your heart often.   Mull over His character as told in the Bible.