His Door is Always Open

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and Prophets." (Matthew 7:7-12)

Many have expressed outrage regarding the recent restriction of ministry gatherings. The same are comforted by Jesus' words promoting asking, seeking and knocking, for the Father gives good things to those who ask Him. Do you see that Jesus is directing us to ask for, seek, and knock so we can produce the fruit that others will see, and respond in kind? Even though access to ministry gatherings have been limited, access to Him, who is head over all things to the church, is not limited. Quieter times can enhance our hearing from Him, if we devote ourselves to the word of God and prayer.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them."  (Matthew 7:13-20)

So, men gather good fruit that is readily accessible from branches the Father has pruned. The current earthly tribulations, and our own discomfort in them, should expedite our approach.

Let Them Eat Fruit of the True Vine

"We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself (or, guards), and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."
(1 John 5:18-21)

"Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. SO THEN, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
(James 1:16-20)

We should recognize that James' directive regarding hearing, then speaking or taking action does not come instantaneously with the new birth. Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath are characteristics of our master, Jesus Christ. Those need to be built into us: replacing our earthly confidences, and our desires for more our way, we ask the Father for his pruning so to bring forth fruit of the true vine, Jesus Christ. Then they will eat good fruit from us In Him, giving themselves the opportunity for everlasting life.