Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Going inside Thursday, December 2, 2010 Matthew 7:21 Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. This verse filled me up with questions. What's the kingdom of heaven? When do we enter? What is the will of Jesus' Father? Could you be a little more specific? But Matthew 7 is a chapter about looking inside instead of judging behavior, either mine or yours. Jesus says over and over, and here as well: the will of his Father is for me to love. "Do to others what you would have them do to you" (v. 12). And his will is also for me to trust Him. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find" (v. 7). Love and trust are the motivations God insists will open the doors of the kingdom of heaven. My own yellow brick road leads me into scary places. I think I need to protect myself, even at the expense of others. Whoa. Jesus knows I'll be afraid. He tells me not to be afraid. Trust me, he says. Don't protect yourself, let me do it. Stop trying so hard. Wait. Don't panic. Wait. Quiet. Listen for my whisper. Trust. Love. Find a way. These famously wise sayings of yours, Jesus, are so packed with meaning. Thank you for slowing me down enough to ask a few questions, and listen for your answers. And feel your assurance. And know your love. "; Add      Edit    Delete