Opportunities & Open Doors

May 21, 2012

A wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16:9

God’s kingdom is filled with opportunities and open doors. Like the early church, we are called into significance, and the sustaining power of God is just as intact in the 21st century as it was in the 1st. We live in a fallen world with troubles and challenges, but we have been given authority and victory through Jesus.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10

Paul was burdened for Asia Minor (present day Turkey). When Paul and Timothy encountered great resistance, where they despaired even of life, it was in the context of great potential—of Asia opening up to the Gospel. Earlier, Paul tried to go there but “the Spirit of Jesus had forbidden him” (Acts 16:6). Timing was everything. Eventually Paul taught in the school of Tyrannus for a two-year period. The result: all of Asia heard the Gospel (Acts 19:9-10).

God has given us the responsibility to carry life-changing truth to a harsh and broken world. You may not feel any indication of what God is getting ready to do through you. It may feel the exact opposite of an opportunity or open door. You can’t make it in your own power, but you can trust in the past, present, and future delivering power of God. If God can raise the dead, then He can surely help you.

He has delivered you. He is delivering you. And He will deliver you.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write . . . “I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Revelation 3:7-8

What God does to you, He wants to do through you. When you understand how much God loves you, you can carry that love to the world. When you understand the authority you’ve been given, you can exert it to change desperate situations. While the world is on a search for significance, we know that we are created to trust in, rely on, and walk with the Lord. Open up your heart and set your hope on Jesus. As you follow Him, you will walk through the doors He opens.

God is faithful!
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.