"The Closing Of Doors"

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth." Revelation 3:7

When a door closes to something that we have wanted or believed for, we try to convince ourselves that it is because God has something better for us.  Maybe so, but that isn't always the case.

We tend to think that just because the door is open it has to be God.  If that were the case, why would He shut any doors?  It is because not every open door is God's open door for you.  Sometimes He shuts them because it is simply not His will and you are trying to go through the wrong door, thinking that it is the right door.  When He closes a door, it is for our protection.  If we proceed into it, we could be walking into a trap laid by the enemy. 

Sometimes the timing, on God's clock not yours, is not right.  It was two more years from the time Joseph asked the butler to tell Pharaoh about him and when Pharaoh actually called him out of prison.   

So, when God closes a door, even if you thought the open door was Him originally, don't fret or worry, just trust.  Had it truly been His door in the first place, it would have stayed open because He is not divided against Himself.  Had it truly been His timing, it would have stayed open, and you would be able to walk on through it.

Instead of complaining and getting discouraged when a door closes, perhaps you should be rejoicing and thanking God for either having something better for you or for keeping you from something bad.

Have a great day.  When God closes a door, it is always for our benefit.   

"The Outcome Of Suffering"

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  Romans 8:18

Suffering, trials, temptation, sorrow, persecution, pain and tribulation are all part of this life.  Even for the Christian, and perhaps more so.  We are not exempt.  Sometimes we even experience more, mostly because we have become a target for the enemy- the devil- who is out to steal, kill and destroy us.  We are, if we are living as Christ commanded us to live, a great threat to his works and plans.  That being the case, he is out to stop us.  And he will do it by any means possible.  He doesn't "fight fair".  He has one goal in mind-- "take you down" and "take you out". 

If you are "under the gun", if you are on his "radar", if you are in his "sights" then rejoice.  Don't whine.  Don't complain.  Don't get a "poor me" complex.  Don't have a "pity party".  Wait a minute.  You are telling me to "rejoice" when I am persecuted or suffering or in tribulation?  That makes no sense.  No, I am not telling you this, God's word tells us to.  Jesus told us to.

There is suffering and then there is suffering.  When we are suffering for the cause of Christ, when we are suffering for our faith in Him, the way we are to handle it is by "rejoicing".  We don't rejoice because of the suffering; we rejoice in spite of it.  We rejoice because we know this is not the end.  There is an outcome that we are rejoicing over.  When we look past the suffering, we see glory!  That "glory" gives us reason to rejoice.  Jesus looked past the suffering of the cross and at the outcome of His suffering.  This brought Him great joy.

What is the outcome of our suffering for Christ?  What is the result that will cause us to rejoice?
A great reward in heaven.  (Matthew 5:10-12)
You are sharing in Christ's suffering and will share in His glory.  (1 Peter 4:12,13)
It is working patience in you.  (James 1:3)
You shall receive a crown of life.  (James 1:12)
If we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him.  (2 Timothy 2:12)
There will be a glory revealed in us.  (Romans 8:18)

Have a great day.  We may not feel we can rejoice in our suffering for Christ, but when we look at the outcome of that suffering, we can greatly rejoice!

"He's Speaking"

".... him that speaketh from heaven."  Hebrews 12:25b 

It has always been the Lord God's desire to speak to His people.  At the very beginning of creation, He talked with Adam each day.  He talked with the patriarchs.  He talked with His people Israel.  We hear His voice at the Jordan River at the baptism of Jesus saying, "This is my beloved Son, hear Him".  Jesus said to the people, "He who has an ear to hear, let him hear".  Seven times in the book of Revelation we are told to "hear what the Spirit is saying".  In old times the Lord spoke through the prophets, but in these last days He speaks to us through His Son. 

Since it has always been His desire to speak to us in the past, then that means it still is His desire today (because He does not change).  God desires to speak to mankind.  He desires to speak to YOU.  The question is, "Are you listening?"  When there is a problem in communication, it lies with us.  We are the ones who are either not listening or not understanding what He is saying.  The understanding part is easy to correct-- just ask Him to clarify.  He will.  Why do we think that the Lord would speak to us and then not give us the understanding of what He is saying?  Sometimes we just have to listen a little longer. 

The Lord is speaking all around you--- through His word, by His Spirit, through creation, through other people, through circumstances, as well as through dreams and visions.  Are you listening?  Or are you continuing to ask Him to "speak to you"?

Have a great day.  God desires to speak to you, and He is... are you listening?

For further reading:
Mark 9:7
Genesis 3:8
Hebrews 1:2
Matthew 11:15

"The Answer's There"

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."  James 1:22

We have all heard the idiom- you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.  It has nothing to do with horses, it has everything to do with us.  We can know what the right thing to do is and still not do it.  We can have knowledge but still not apply it. 

Let's put this on a spiritual level.  We can know what we should and shouldn't do but still choose to do the wrong thing.  We can hear instruction from the Lord and still do what we have a mind to do.  We can hear that still small voice but still decide not to follow it.   We can know the will of God but still pursue our own will.

Often, we pray for the Lord to tell us what to do, give us direction, help us to get out of a spiritual rut, help us to draw closer to Him, help us to deny ourselves and lead us into His will.  We find ourselves at times like Peter when he was walking on the water-- sinking!  We like him cry out for help.  The difference between him and us is that he accepted and acted upon the answer the Lord gave him for help.  "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him."  Jesus grabbed Peter and Peter grabbed a hold of Jesus. 

The Lord has been sending your answer-- many times, time after time-- but you are not acting upon it.  He has told you what to do confirming it over and over again.  Every time you pray, and you hear the same answer.  When you continue to hear the same thing from several different sources.  It is not that the Lord is not "helping" you.  It is not that He is not answering you.  The problem lies in you.  You are not doing what He says to do.  You are "being led to water" but you are refusing to "drink". 

Continue to cry out to God and ask for help.  Ask Him what you need to do.  But He isn't going to tell you anything else because He is already telling you.  You just have to do what He has already said.  You have to "bow your head"- humble yourself- and "drink".

Have a great day.  The Lord has been giving you your answer, but you have to do what He says. 

For further reading:
Matthew 14:29-31
Jeremiah 7:13

"Grace And Faith"

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.  Ephesians 2:8

We are saved by grace; it is the gift of God.  We don't earn it.  We don't do anything to deserve it.  We don't merit it.  We can't buy it.  Salvation is strictly a gift from God.  He has already purchased this wonderful gift for us with the life of His One and Only Begotten Son Jesus. 

We receive it through faith.  Do you believe?  Do you believe that salvation comes only one way--through Jesus?  Do you believe that He did everything necessary to save you and give you eternal life?  Do you believe that there are not enough good works and deeds that you can do that will save you on your own?  Do you believe Jesus' shed blood at the cross was enough? 

Do you believe that this grace that saves you is greater that your sins?  Do you believe it is greater than all you did in the past and all you will do in the future?  Do you believe it is greater than all your mistakes, failures and sins?  Do you believe that God's grace can wash you clean from all unrighteousness?  Do you believe that by itself it is great enough to take care of your life?

Salvation is a gift given to us by God's grace.  But in order for us to enjoy this gift we have to receive it by faith.  You are saved by God's grace- you don't earn it.  And that grace is enough all by itself to save you.  Do you believe this?    

Have a great day.  Grace saves us.  Faith receives it.

For further reading:
John 3:16
Ephesians 2:8,9
Titus 2:11