On The Damascus Road/No Vacancy

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On The Damascus Road
Story Pages

No Vacancy
     We got a late start for our drive to North Carolina. With a twelve-hour drive from New Jersey we made a motel reservation in Virginia. We arrived pretty late. When I got up to the check-in desk there was a sign that said, "Back in a few minutes." Several more weary travelers started forming a line behind me. The clerk finally reappeared. I had a guaranteed reservation so I was OK. But when she asked and found out that no one else did, she uttered those dreaded words - "I'm sorry. No vacancy."
     Now, those two words are tough words to be welcomed with. Just ask Jesus.
John 1:11 says "Jesus came to His own, but His own did not receive Him." That started the night He was born - His father and about-to-deliver mother were desperate for a room - but the innkeeper put out that sign that said, "No vacancy." That sign has greeted Jesus many times when He has knocked on the door of a human heart . . . maybe yours.
     He has a double claim to our heart. First, because He made us - the right of creation. Secondly, He PAID for us. The Bible says there is an eternal death penalty hanging over each of our heads. The Bible says, "The soul that sins, it will die." We are ALL the soul that sins. We've all taken charge of a life that God gave us and He was supposed to run. We have earned that death penalty for that sin - and God could have left it that way. But instead - in an incredible act of His total love for you and me - in the Bible's words, "God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life." KJV
     The One who died for you knocks on the door of your heart but not forever. One day you will, in a sense, be knocking on the door of heaven - and if you have never opened your heart for Jesus to become your own Savior from your own sin - well, - no vacancy there for those who had no vacancy for Him here.
    I pray the rest of this verse in John 1:12 will be about you - today - "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, he gave the right to become children of God."
     The Son of God has waited in line for a long time, maybe He has knocked many times . . . but every time He has knocked you've been busy, you've been distracted. Every time He's been greeted with "Sorry, no vacancy." Today, open your heart to Jesus and say, "Lord, you DIED for me - come IN."
     Sound like the type of relationship you've been looking for? Find out more about how this relationship with God can be Yours for Life! If you're not sure you belong to Jesus, and you'd like to make sure, check out YOURS FOR LIFE!
Used by permission of Ron Hutchcraft Ministries,
based on his popular "A Word With You" broadcast
(Available in transcripts or RealAudio format.)
Comments/Feedback are welcome at his e-mail box.

This Devotional appeared on Daily Wisdom

    Jesus is standing at the door to your heart all the time. He is knocking to come in and love you and guide you. He is offering you the gift of everlasting life, but you must hear Him and open the door to Him as He will not kick it in. (Rev. 3:20) A gift is just outside your heart's door at this time. Will you receive this gift? Will you open the door to Jesus and let him flood your soul with His love? If so, read the following paragraph as your prayer.

    Father, I know that I have sinned and I turn from those ways and ask you to come into my heart and cleanse me. I know that I cannot do this on my own and I need your help. Fill my soul, Lord, and make me whole. I want your will for my life to be preeminent. Help me to grow in your way.
    Amen

Plain Papers on the Holy Spirit
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