The knocking went on for some time, then ceased, and the man crept back into his house by and by, and thought he had been very clever in escaping his landlord. But in a few days the landlord sent the bailiffs in to sell him up, and then too late, he heard that a rich friend had come to see him a few days before on his way to America. It was he who had knocked, and had been shut out, and the poor man knew that he would have given him the money for his rent, if he had opened the door. [Illustration: A MEASURE OF MEAL. Matthew 13.33.] Now, we have each of us a little house of our own inside us, with a door which we can open or shut at our will. It is the door of our heart. We let in a good many visitors who spoil our house for us, and stain it with sin. Temper, envy, pride, cowardice, selfishness, and deceit all work havoc in our hearts, but there is one Royal Visitor who comes and knocks and pleads with us to let Him in. "My son, my daughter," He says, "give Me your heart!" "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." It is the Voice of Jesus. Have you ever heard it? He comes to every boy and girl, for He loves them all. He wants you to know Him and love Him, and if He seems a stranger to you now, He will not be a stranger long if you open the door of your heart to Him. He will cleanse your heart whiter than snow if you let Him in. He will help you to guard the door against your enemies, and all those wicked spirits who are trying to spoil your happiness and life. A young woman said to me one day: "I'm expecting a visitor soon. It's my mother from the country. My husband always likes to see her, for she brings us such a lot of presents when she comes. She has a farm, and she brings us butter and eggs, and chickens." "And I suppose you like to see her too?" I said smiling. "Oh, yes; but not for what she brings. She's my mother, you see, and I dearly love her!" Now, children, the Lord Jesus Christ brings presents with Him when He comes into your heart. He brings pardon for your past sins, peace, and joy, and power to fight your enemies and overcome them. Will you remember those three presents all beginning with a "P": Pardon, Peace, Power. They will last you all your life, and as you grow older, you will value them all the more. But I think you will soon learn to love the Lord Jesus for Himself, and not for what He brings you. He wants your love. And, remember, He has loved you all your life long, and He wants to live with you down here in your heart, guiding you, teaching you, and helping you in all your troubles and difficulties every day. Open your door to your best Friend, invite Him to come in and make your heart His dwelling place. Is it not wonderful that the King of kings should wish to enter your heart? Listen to what God says. He tells us of the two places in which He dwells: