Monday, August 5, 2013

By: Brandon Bilbo

Two Life-Changing Words

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.

For the last four years, I have worked for a Fortune 500 Investment Firm as a financial advisor. In the beginning, the way that you are taught to build your business is to go into a neighborhood and knock on EVERY door to introduce yourself. This was totally out of my comfort zone. Many times after knocking, I would see an eye peeking through the blinds. Then, the dog would get quiet, the kids would stop playing and the television would silence.

I KNEW people were home, but by the sound of mom whispering, "Shhhhhhhhhhhh," I also knew no one was coming to the door and that it was time to move on.

I am sure that the same people who pretended not to be home for me would indeed open the door for their friends and family.

However, Jesus elicited a totally different response. Matthew 9:9 says, "As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. 'Follow Me,' He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him."

Matthew didn't hide under his table.....or tell his child to come outside and say, "Daddy said to say he's not home..." He responded....IMMEDIATELY to TWO words.

These two words in and of themselves are insignificant, but when they are spoken with such conviction, power and authority, you can't help but respond.

It is amazing that two words could cause someone to completely rearrange his entire lives. What is even more amazing is that although Jesus knows that at times we will fail Him, He still looks at you and me and offers these same two words, "Follow Me."

Today's verse illustrates that Jesus wants to have a relationship with you. He stands at the door of your heart and knocks. He will not force Himself in, and even if you tell the kids to be quiet, get the dog to stop barking, and turn the TV off, He's not going anywhere. He knows you're home and is patiently waiting for you to open the door.

I challenge you to always answer His call and to share with your friends and family that He is knocking on their doors as well. Your life will never be the same.

Dear Lord, I invite You to make permanent habitation in my life. Thank You for never giving up on me.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.