This post is the first in a series of studies about “Doors & Gates”.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

Doors & Gates – Day 1

Today is described as the doorway to the New Year. It seemed like a good idea to look at gates and doors this month. There are many verses in the Bible speaking of entry points to towns, cities or to private homes. This verse is one of the better known.

Revelation 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

The Thought

The 1st of January is often described as the doorway to the New Year, so it seemed like a good idea to look at gates and doors this month. There are many verses in the Bible speaking of entry points to towns or cities or to private homes. And different messages can be drawn from each one. Today’s verse is one of the better known.

This verse paints a picture for us of Jesus actually standing at a door waiting to be allowed entry. But he is not only knocking, He is calling out! That suggests that He is really wanting to visit with those inside. All He needs is one of us to open the door, but then the suggestion is that He will eat with just that person, and not everyone. Being a Christian (and symbolically eating with Jesus) is a personal decision, no-one can decide for the whole family. But we must pray for them.

Eating together is an important part of family life and our christian lives too. Many church groups have meals together regularly, it is a time for us to get to know each other and become friends in a less formal setting.

Action

In the opening verse for this month, Jesus is asking to become a part of your family. He wants to come and chat with you over a meal. Give Him that permission today. Pray for family members who may not be so enthusiastic as you.

Pray that throughout this year you will grow in your relationship with Jesus and that members of your family who don’t yet know Him will meet Him this year.