"STANDING AT THE DOORS", A Christian Contemplation"

STANDING AT THE DOORS
Repent. Forgive. Cry Out!

A Commentary by Constance Vanides

"Fourteen at their doors" said The Prayer Report from our friend who ministers weekly at the local jail, bringing the Word of God to the inmates there. Fourteen men in that jail, standing at the doors of their cells, had been listening that day to his preaching, willing to hear the Good News our friend was bringing to the incarcerated.

"Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name;..."

Supported in prayer by others, this preacher relies on the Holy Spirit to speak to each incarcerated man, to prepare hearts and minds to be open to the Living Word.

What do those prayers say? "Lord, bless this man of God with a strong voice, strong feet and legs and lungs full of breath to speak Your words; that there be no distractions to prevent the Gospel from reaching each man."

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."

"We pray also that although these men remain locked up behind iron doors and bars, their spirits can be set free. And for those many others, though not behind bars, that you, Lord, would desire them also to be freed from bondages brought about by themselves, to receive freedom from holding onto sins placed upon them by others."

"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' (John 8:31, 32) ...Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.'"

Whether in prison behind bars or on the outside, the preacher-man says, "true freedom is knowing Christ."

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

STANDING AT YOUR DOOR

I see you standing at your door,
waiting for My truths to be spoken
that your heart may be opened to
receive Me, the Lord and Savior
of your life. The one I've sent
stands at your door and knocks.
I wait for you to open that door
and invite Me to come in.
I yearn for that fellowship with you,
for I have much to show of
My love for you.
Just as I once asked of My disciple,
"Peter, do you love Me?" so I ask you
today, "Do you love Me?"
If your response with your whole heart is a
resounding, "Yes!" then I say, "Follow Me."

Are you desperate to be released from your own spiritual prison? The preacher-man says, "Repent, forgive, cry out!" Believe it!

"This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."