Guest Post - Jesus Is In the House

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

My friend, Marsha Burkholder, our former pastor's wife, shared this item in the church newsletter a few years back (March 2015). She has kindly told me that I am free to post any of her articles here.

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Jesus Is In the House

At some point during my teenage years, I read the following poem, and it made me think about many things in my life. It has been a poem that has had more impact upon my life than almost any I can remember. It had been a long time since I had seen it. As I was looking through a book the other day, I saw it and wanted to share it in my column this month. I'm sorry that I could not find the author. [Editor's note: It was written by Lois Blanchard Eades.]

If Jesus Came to Your House

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two --
     If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do?
Oh, I know you'd give Him your nicest room -- this honored Guest,
     And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best;
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there,
     That serving Him in your home is joy beyond compare.

But -- when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door
     With arms outstretched in welcome to your Heavenly visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?
     Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?
Would you turn off the television and hope He hadn't heard?
     And wish you hadn't uttered that loud, nasty word?

Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
     Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder -- if the Saviour spent a day or two with you,
     Would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you go right on saying the things you always say?
     Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace?
     And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing, and read the books you always read?
     And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go?
     Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him meet you closest friends?
     Or would you hope they'd stay away till His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?
     Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do
     If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you!

Of course, the Christian has the Lord Jesus indwelling his earthly house all the time. 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" We would do well to remember that, and be aware of those things we have in our lives that quench the Spirit and hinder His work in our lives.

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Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.