In today’s First 15, we’re going to stir up our affections by looking at God’s invitation to us in Revelation 3:20 to share a meal with him. This metaphor, this image of sitting across the table from God, especially in the context of the author of Revelation, John’s, culture, creates a pathway for you and me to journey down that leads to real, close relationship with our Creator and Savior. May we all draw nearer to God today in this time together.
wisdom, and ask him with boldness and confidence to share that wisdom with us today.
In today's verse 15, we're going to stir up our affections by looking at God's invitation
to us in Revelation 3.20 to share a meal with Him.
This metaphor, this image of sitting across the table from God, especially in the context
of the author of Revelation, John's culture, creates a pathway for you and me to journey
down that leads to real, close relationship with our Creator and Savior.
May we all draw nearer to God today in this time together.
Welcome to the verse 15 podcast.
Our scripture for today comes from Revelation 3 verse 20.
Scripture says,
Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into Him and eat with Him and He with me.
Revelation 3.20 reveals amazing insight into the relationship God desires with us, His crown of creation.
In it, Jesus says, Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into Him and eat with Him and He with me.
Do you know that God wants to be friends with you?
Just as a friend would ask you out to a meal, God longs to spend time with you.
Every day, God is knocking on the door of your heart.
If you are willing to open your heart to Him and listen, you can spend time with God in ways more boundless and satisfying than you could with any other friend.
Where in your life do you need God's friendship today?
John 15, 15 says, No longer do I call you servants.
For the servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends.
For all that I have heard from my father, I have made known to you.
The story of the gospel is God losing relationship with the crown of His creation, you and me.
And through the death of Jesus, gaining restored relationship with us.
He has been working tirelessly from the very first sin just to be able to call you and me friends again.
What you desire from friends around you is completely available to you in God and to even greater depths.
If you need a friend to talk to, God is standing at the door of your heart, asking to come in and listen.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If you need advice, the Holy Spirit who authored scripture is waiting to reveal to you the wisdom of God.
John 16, 13 says, When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, where he will not speak on his own authority.
But whatever he hears, he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
If you need to laugh, God longs to bring you unfathomable joy.
Psalm 126 verses 1 through 3 says, When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shout of joy.
Then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them.
The Lord has done great things for us. We are glad.
You have a best friend in God. He is not distant.
What was true for the Psalmist in Psalm 73 verses 23 through 26 is true for us.
It says, I am continually with you. You hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel. And afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Spend some time in God's presence today. Listen to him knocking on the door of your heart
and invite him to come in and meet with you. Let his friendship heal the broken places of your heart that need his love.
He offers himself freely to you today. He has gone to unimaginable lengths to be able to simply spend time with you.
Lay the table of your heart bare before him and let his smile restore to you the joy of your salvation.
As we begin, spend some time meditating on God's desire for friendship with you.
John 15, 15 says, no longer do I call you servants. For the servant does not know what his master is doing.
But I have called you friends. For all that I have heard from my father, I have made known to you.
And next, open your heart to God.
And receive his presence. Receive the peace and joy that comes from being in the presence of your Heavenly Father.
Revelation 3, 20 says, behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him and he with me.
And last, spend time simply enjoying your friendship with God. Talk to him about anything you desire. Receive his joy over you.
Psalm 73 verses 23 through 26 says, I am continually with you. You hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel. And afterward, you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Friendship is not built in a day, but over a long time.
But over a lifetime, you have all of eternity to spend getting to know God. After spending consistent time with him, he will truly become your best friend.
He will be the person you run to when you have a problem. He will be the source of your joy, peace, and life.
Every day, you have the choice to do life with God or on your own. And you have an enemy working to lead you to choose the latter.
The more consistently you spend time with God, the easier that decision will become. Once you know the goodness and reality of God, there is no going back.
Enjoy God today. Walk in the abundant life of restored relationship with him. Answer his call whenever he knocks on the door of your heart.
There is no better way you could choose to spend your days and no better friend than God.
Thank you so much for listening to today's podcast. I'm Josh Miller with First 15.
As you go about your day today, look for one more opportunity to sit down and reflect on Revelation 320. Read it, visualize it, and simply be present with the reality of it, and allow God to draw you close in a meaningful way.
Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek Him.
