THE FIRST 15.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Revelation 3:20

Revelation 3:20 reveals amazing insight into the relationship God desires with us, his crown of creation. In it Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Do you know that God wants to be friends with you? Just as a friend would ask you out to a meal, God longs to spend time with you. Every day God is knocking on the door of your heart. If you are willing to open your heart to him and listen, you can spend time with God in ways more boundless and satisfying than you could with any other friend.

Where in your life do you need God’s friendship today? John 15:15 says, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” The story of the gospel is God losing relationship with the crown of his creation, you and me, and through the death of Jesus gaining restored relationship with us. He has been working tirelessly from the very first sin just to be able to call you and me friends again. What you desire from friends around you is completely available to you in God and to even greater depths!

If you need a friend to talk to, God is standing at the door of your heart asking to come in and listen—“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” If you need advice, the Holy Spirit who authored Scripture is waiting to reveal to you the wisdom of God—“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13). If you need to laugh, God longs to bring you unfathomable joy—“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad” (Psalm 126:1-3).

You have a best friend in God. He is not distant. What was true for the psalmist in Psalm 73:23-26 is true for us, “I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Spend time in God’s presence today. Listen to him knocking on the door of your heart and invite him to come in and meet with you. Let his friendship heal the broken places of your heart that need his love. He offers himself freely to you today. He’s gone to unimaginable lengths to be able to simply spend time with you. Lay the table of your heart bare before him, and let his smile restore to you the joy of your salvation.

1. Spend some time meditating on God’s desire for friendship with you.

“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15

2. Open your heart to God and receive his presence. Receive the peace and joy that comes from being in the presence of your heavenly Father.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

3. Spend time simply enjoying your friendship with God. Talk to him about anything you desire. Receive his joy over you.

“…I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:23-26

Friendships aren’t built in a day, but over lifetimes. You have all of eternity to spend getting to know God. After spending consistent time with him, he truly will become your best friend. He will be the person you run to when you have a problem. He will be the source of your joy, peace, and life. Every day, you have the choice to do life with God or on your own. And you have an enemy working to lead you to choose the latter. The more consistently you spend time with God, the easier that decision will become. Once you know the goodness and reality of God there is no going back. Enjoy God today. Walk in the abundant life of restored relationship with him. Answer his call whenever he knocks on the door of your heart. There is no better way you could choose to spend your days and no better friend than God.

Extended Reading: John 15

DID YOU KNOW?
Jesus is going to fix what you’ve been worrying about.

Some worries have been sitting beside you so long they almost feel like part of the furniture—like the old chair by the window where you’ve prayed for children, marriages, health reports, and bills. Many women in the Boomer generation know what it is to carry a family in prayer while keeping supper warm, showing up faithfully at church, and holding everyone else together. But Jesus never asked you to carry tomorrow by yourself.

His invitation is tender and direct: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV). Not because your concerns are small, but because His love is large. What has kept you awake at 3 a.m. has not slipped past the Lord. He sees the wayward child, the strained relationship, the uncertain diagnosis, the tight budget, the lonely season, the prayer that seems delayed.

Jesus is not wringing His hands over what concerns you. He is already present in it. He is working in places you cannot yet see, softening hearts, opening doors, arranging timing, strengthening you for today, and preparing peace for tomorrow. Sometimes He fixes things by changing the situation. Sometimes He fixes them by changing us in the middle of it—steadying our hearts, renewing our hope, and reminding us that we are never abandoned.

So breathe again. Sit with Him a little longer. Let His words settle your spirit: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, NIV). The same Savior who has brought you through every previous season will be faithful in this one too. What you have been worrying about is not beyond His reach. Jesus is able, attentive, and already at work.

Don't be surprised or say this is good news about all the peace talk that is going on right now. The Bible talks about it. "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape" (1 Thessalonians 5:3, We are on the verge of Armageddon!! However first the Rapture of the church must take place Are you ready for what is coming?

Ephesians, 4

The Unity of the Body
I am in prison because I belong to the Lord. God chose you to be his people. I tell you now to live the way God’s people should live. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient and accept each other with love. You are joined together with peace through the Spirit. Do all you can to continue together in this way. Let peace hold you together. There is one body and one Spirit. And God called you to have one hope. There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.

Word Study: 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
This verse is a tactical manual for spiritual survival. Peter uses vivid, urgent language to describe the posture a believer must maintain. Let’s break down the key Greek terms behind the English translation.
1. Be Sober (Nēphō)
In the original Greek, this doesn't just mean "not drunk." It refers to a state of mental self-control and clarity.
The Nuance: It implies being well-balanced and self-possessed. If you are "intoxicated" by the world’s worries, riches, or even your own emotions, you lose the ability to think straight.
The Goal: To have a "cool head" so you can assess a situation accurately.
2. Be Vigilant (Grēgoreō)
This is the word for watchfulness. It’s the opposite of being spiritually "asleep" or indifferent.
The Context: It’s a military term for a sentry on guard duty. A sentry who falls asleep puts the entire camp at risk.
The Application: It’s not about being paranoid; it’s about being attentive to the spiritual environment around you.
3. Adversary (Antidikos)
This is a specific legal term.
The Meaning: It literally means an opponent in a lawsuit.
The Imagery: It suggests that the enemy isn't just a random attacker, but one who brings accusations and seeks to condemn you before the Judge (God) based on the "law."
4. Devil (Diabolos)
While "Satan" means adversary, Diabolos means Slanderer or False Accuser.
The Strategy: He attacks through deception, lies, and character assassination. He wants to convince you that God is holding out on you or that you are too far gone to be forgiven.
5. Roaring Lion (Ōryomai)
Peter uses a word that describes the howl or roar of a beast driven by intense hunger.
The Psychology: A lion roars to paralyze its prey with fear. Often, the "roar" is the threat of suffering or the noise of intimidation. If he can make you panic, you’ll stop thinking "soberly."
6. Devour (Katapinō)
This word literally means to swallow whole or to gulp down.
The Intensity: The enemy isn't looking to scratch or bruise you; his intent is total destruction—to consume your faith, your testimony, and your peace.
The Takeaway
Peter’s point is that the spiritual life is not a playground, but a battleground. However, the command isn't "Be afraid," but rather "Be alert." By staying clear-headed and watchful, you take away the enemy's greatest weapon: the element of surprise.

✝ John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Bible
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=modern.english.version.bible

You need Jesus because He brings peace that circumstances cannot shake. Life will always have challenges, pain, disappointment, uncertainty, but Jesus offers an inner calm that remains steady even in storms. His presence reassures you that you are never alone, no matter what you face.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
#jesus #salvation #peace

You need Jesus because He brings peace that circumstances cannot shake. Life will always have challenges, pain, disappointment, uncertainty, but Jesus offers an inner calm that remains steady even in storms. His presence reassures you that you are never alone, no matter what you face.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
#jesus #salvation #peace

You need Jesus because He brings peace that circumstances cannot shake. Life will always have challenges, pain, disappointment, uncertainty, but Jesus offers an inner calm that remains steady even in storms. His presence reassures you that you are never alone, no matter what you face.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
#jesus #salvation #peace