Who's That Knocking at the Door?

My puppy. Actually, not a pup anymore.  He is about two and a half years old which makes him about 17 1/2 years old in human years, I guess.  Anyway, he is a sweet little puff of fluff with a 'fur'ocious  bark and a somewhat 'needy' disposition.  He loves company whether animal or human. His name is, most appropriately, Dr. Snuggles. And, yes, Snuggles absolutely loves to snuggle, cuddle and, of course, be petted and pampered almost continually.

Isn't he cute?!

Snuggles has developed the sweetest routine in the mornings around our home. (Dogs, like children, thrive on routine.)  He comes to my bedroom door somewhere between 7:30-8:00 a.m. each morning.  I'm usually enjoying my 'quiet time' then.  I can hear him outside my door sniffing and trying to see through crack underneath the door.  He then jumps up on his hind legs, places his front legs on the door itself, stretches, and drags his legs from top to bottom. Quite the noise he makes with his nails!  He then whimpers a bit; if I don't come to door right away, Snuggles' whimper turns into a bark.

So much FLUFF!

I treasure this time with him and he with me. He will curl up on my chair with me and usually let me stroke him for as long as I am willing. Sometimes he'll snooze. Sometimes he just gazes at me longingly. So peaceful. So sweet. So loving.  He will stay with me until I'm ready to go about my day and then move with me from chair to doorway and down the stairs.  My mornings just wouldn't be the same if I didn't open that door...

Irresistible

 

 

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Revelation 3:8

The door. THE DOOR. Yes, my mornings certainly wouldn't be the same if I don't open THE DOOR. My time with Him. In the beginning when I said "Yes!" to His invitation; even now, as I enjoy my time with Him in meditation and prayer.

Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. James 5:9

The word 'door' appears approximately 175 times in the Bible.  Some significance there I would suspect.  And, so many times it refers to our Christ, THE Door. It moves me to action.  I feel compelled to open that door as much as possible. A glimpse of the Old Testament:

1. Exodus 21:6
   Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
2. Exodus 26:36
   And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.
3. Exodus 29:4
   And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.
4. Exodus 29:11
   And thou shalt kill the bullock before the Lord, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
5. Exodus 29:32
   And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
6. Exodus 29:42
   This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.
    
   I could list many more references. Our slavery. His Lordship, His priesthood, His kingship, His living water, His sacrifice, His body, His atonement. All for us. A shadow of what was to come.
   
   
   And, the New Testament:
   
   
   151. John 10:1
        Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
   152. John 10:2
        But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
   153. John 10:7
        Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
   154. John 10:9
        I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
   155. Luke 13:25
        When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
         
        Again, I could list many more verses.  To accept Him, we must open the door of acknowledgement of Who He Is and What He has done for us. To surrender to Him, we must continually open that door in submission everyday of our lives as a sacrifice to the One who loved us first. No, my mornings would be the same without Him walking through that door!
        
        
        And, one of my favorite verses:
        
        

        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

        
        

        He desires our companionship and He seeks us out to find it. He is eager. He is always knocking. He is always waiting. He wants to love and be loved. He wants to carry your burdens. He wants to heal your heart. He wants to guide you, bless you, impart wisdom upon you. Every morning. Every moment.

        
        

        I encourage you to open your door on a daily basis. Morning, noon, and/or night. Your life won't be the same.... Won't you open THE DOOR and let Him in!?

        
        

        
        

THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS Part II

The beauty of holiness.  So different than what we, in our flesh, imagine beauty to be....

And when he [Jehoshaphat] had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.” 2 Chron. 20:21

 

  
Those whom Jehoshaphat chose to sing and praise the Lord in the temple had to embrace this vision of holiness, what it meant, and how to honor it in a way that was pleasing to God. It was no slight or unimportant calling. Those chosen had to have sincerity in heart for the great holiness of God and express it with truth.

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor 5:8
 

To come before Him with offerings of praise and to accept the many gifts He graciously gives us, we must truly have a heart filled with submission, thanksgiving, and gladness. Our songs should be filled with adoration. How can we partake of His glory and goodness while holding on to things that don't bear good fruit or without trying to understand how magnificent He is?!

The words we sing or offer in praise should be heartfelt and full of life as they give evidence to our own holiness, belief, and way of living. We should praise the beauty of His holiness with every breath we take and every move we make. God is completely holy and His holiness is beautiful to behold! To be holy is:

1. to lead a saintly; godly; pious; devout: a holy life;

2. to have a spiritually pure quality: a holy love; and

3. be entitled to worship or veneration as or as if sacred.

He deserves ALL of our praise as He is truly perfect. He loves with a deep love, an unselfish love, an unconditional love. His motives are pure. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28  Oh, how He loves us! We should long to be like Him, to have the beauty of holiness in His sight...

For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word. 

Isaiah 66:2

He loves us no matter what. He finds the beauty in our sacrifice of pride to make way for humility, in our acknowledgement of His sovereignty, when we make Him Lord of every aspect of our lives, and when we live our lives for Him. 

Beauty in the ashes.

Beauty in the pain.

Beauty in the sacrifice. 

Beauty in the submissive life.

Beauty in the repentant heart.

Beauty in the spiritual fruit. 

Beauty in the praises.

Beauty in the reverence.

Beauty in the testimony.

Beauty in the holiness.

Let's worship Him in the beauty of holiness as He alone is God and is worthy of all praise!