April 2008 “The Door Posts of My Heart”
Passover begins tonight, Saturday, April 19th at sundown. And is a 7-day celebration of the firstfruits (which is Jesus).
This Love Lesson is reprinted from April 2003. I found it interesting that in 2003, I wrote that Easter (Resurrection Day) and Passover were about as close as they could be on the calendar. I believe that this year, 2008, they were about as far apart as could be. I do however believe that Jesus return is closer now than ever. So I urge you to read this, pray and do what you must to turn to the Lord in your heart and life’s actions. And to be a witness to as many as you can of the urgent need to repent, and receive the power of the Blood of Jesus!
As I was studying the Jewish feasts several years ago, the Lord quickened to me this expression – “The Door Posts of My Heart.” He said, “The Blood of the Lamb is on the door posts of your heart. It is your salvation and your protection.”
I love that – the Blood of the Lamb is on the door posts of my heart. Can you say the same thing about the door posts of your heart?
It is the entrance of Jesus into our hearts that brings eternal life and freedom from the death warrant of sin. And it is only because Jesus shed His blood on the cross and became sin for us that it is possible to enter the kingdom of God.
This month we celebrate both Easter (Resurrection Sunday) and Passover. As a matter of fact, just as an interesting aside, I believe that the dates of these two holidays come closer than any other time I remember, to being lined up on the calendar to the actual juxtaposition of the days as they occurred for Jesus and the disciples.
Passover is so rich in symbolism and typology that points to Christ. And of course, as Christians, we know that Passover points to the atoning work of Christ at Calvary. 1 Corinthians 5:7 says “For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.”
The Bible is clear that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that the judgment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). But glory to God, according to 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” That is good news! And Peter also sums it up in 1 Peter 1:12-25 as he reminds us that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Have you ever thought of your heart as a door? Who or what do you open your heart’s door to? Do you entertain sin or righteousness? Satan or the Holy Spirit? You know, ever after we believe in Jesus and receive the work of the Cross, we can still choose to let things enter our heart’s door that do not produce godliness, holiness or Christlikeness.
Chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation show us how the churches fell short in certain areas. One in particular, the Laodicean Church, became very complacent about God and was pretty worldly in its ways, thinking it had it all. But Jesus came to knock on the door of their hearts. He wanted to come in, but they had grown hard.
To me this is a scary thing, to know that even as a Christian, I can keep Jesus out of my life. When the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, don’t harden your heart. Just confess it and repent and ask Him for forgiveness. (1 John 1:9)
I know the best way for me to keep the love of Jesus aflame is to remember and rehearse and share with others about who He is and what He has done.
For all glory and honor and praise belong to Him. Without His loving sacrifice, I would not be free from sin. I would not have my name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I would not ….and you would not….
But thanks be to God, Jesus came and gave His life. And is risen from the dead. Yes, He is risen indeed, and now is seated at the right hand of God. He lives forever and is making intercession for you and me – right now!
This is the whole message – Christ and Him crucified.
We have a doorway into our hearts that must have the blood of Jesus applied to it. He, Jesus, Life itself, the King of the Kingdom of God, must enter into us.
We also must walk through the Gate – the Door – into the Kingdom. And there is only one way to the Father. Jesus is the Door. He said in John 1:9, “Whoever enters through Me will be saved.”
In the story of God’s people (Exodus 1-16) we read of the death angel that passed over the homes that had the blood of the sacrificial lamb applied to the door posts.
Will the death angel pass over you? What does your heart look like? Have you received the work of the Cross and Jesus Blood into your heart? Are you saved?
Have you walked through the Door, Jesus, into His kingdom? Jesus, is the Messiah, the soon-coming King. All you must do is believe. Do you choose to believe and receive the blood of Jesus on the door posts of your heart?
As you read this passage from Revelation 1:4-8, if you do not know Him and His blood, let your heart cry out. He will come in.
Revelation 1
4John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits5 before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
6To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
7Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.
8"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
Lord, we let our hearts be filled with praise, for You, Jesus Christ, our all in all! May You receive all the glory and honor and praise and fill our lives with the fullness of Your presence.
L.O.V.E. from your fellow worshipper of God,
Patty
Back to Top
Local Neighborhood
L.O.V.E Clubs
Local
neighborhood L.O.V.E. Clubs meet weekly in the homes of women.
The format includes food, fun and fellowship centered around three
main activities.
- Worship
We believe the highest calling of all humans is to worship God
- that's what we were made for! The Bible says that everything
that has breath should praise the Lord. Jesus said that the
Father is looking for worshipers who will worship Him in spirit
and truth. So we spend the first part of our meeting time worshiping
God in song and opening prayer.
- Study
The Bible says that we should study to show ourselves approved.
So an hour of our time is spent in studying the Bible, the word
of God. Along with the Bible, we usually study a book that has
current application to our lives - something we can apply to
our real life experiences. The study of God's truth and application
of His ways releases us into freedom from religious bondage
and the bondage of habitual sin.
- Prayer
The final part of our weekly meeting is set aside for a time
of prayer. Very simply, prayer is communication with God. Communication
is a two-way proposition so not only do we talk to God about
our lives and ask Him for guidance, direction and healing -
but we make sure we wait on Him for the answers so that we can
do what He says.
CLICK HERE
to Join an Existing L..O.V.E. Club or to Find Out How To Start
Your Own.
Back
to Top
Prayer
Support
"Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
We desire
to join with you in presenting your requests, prayers, intercessions
and thanksgivings before God. We would count it a privilege to
come before God and His throne of grace on your behalf. If you
have any special needs in your life or in the lives of those you
love, please let us know and we will gladly bring your petitions
before God Almighty. For with God nothing is impossible!!!
Prayer
Request Click Here!
Back to Top
Mailing List
To be added to our online L.O.V.E. Club Mailing List, please contact us and send us your email address and name.
Back
to Top
Conferences,
Seminars, Retreats, Women's Meetings
Patty is the author of many seminars dealing with women's
issues in the home and in marital relationships. She also ministers
at retreats as she presents the practical application of spiritual
truths from the Bible. Please contact
her for speaking engagements.
Back
to Top
© The LOVE Club, All Rights Reserved.