The Open Door

I wonder how often a person misses out on opportunities from God, because of fear.  It is certainly intimidating at times to step through the open door in front of them to venture into uncharted waters.  But how many times have they been protected, because they called upon the name of the Lord before stepping through a door that God did not open?

As for me, I move slowly and with caution when approaching an open door of believed prospect.  My very nature is to slow things down, but some people are impulsive and go headlong into areas where angels fear to tread.  Investing time, money, or talents is indeed rewarding when it is God’s timing to step through a door of His choosing.

When I am not sure if it is God’s will for me to speculate on making a move, it is always slow going and deliberate, which I believe is prudent in this day.  Something negative could be lying in wait beyond the open door; hoping that I will blindly step through, however, it could be something good that is about to happen, but I need to prayerfully venture outside of my comfort zone to see what God has in store.  

Unscrupulous people are always trying to get into our hip pocket or purse strings  and lead us astray in some way, whereas, the continued blessings of God could be just beyond the threshold.  This is why we must always be led of the Spirit. 

There is nothing wrong with being cautious and getting all the facts before making our way through the opening.  Praying “Not my will, but Your will be done” should always be the number one priority before taking a step of faith.

I believe that my steps are ordered of the Lord as the Bible says.  When it appears that a door is open before me, I do not jump through it without first considering the full cost of the move.  I pray until I have peace in my heart that the decision I am about to make is in my best interest.  

I endeavor to allow the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth and that the choices I make are within the realm of God’s plan for my life.  I have never been led astray when I included God in my decision making.

The natural propensity of hasty people is to sometimes act without thinking when it seems that a deal or opportunity is going to slip through their fingers unless they act quickly.  These are the times when throwing caution to the wind can be detrimental.  Weighing the pros and cons, through prayer, is in order and will certainly be to their advantage when disciplining themselves to not get caught up in the rush of things.

If a Believer is supposed to have a certain thing, God will make a way and give peace, while helping them achieve it.  If not, I believe that God will block the open door to prevent access as long as they are mindful to His warnings.  

With God on our side, whom or what shall we fear?  All power belongs to Him.  He supplies our needs according to His riches in glory; the very best for His children as they abide in His statutes and obey the Ten Commandments. 

The last statement is not to say that God does not want the best for non-Christians…He does, but it is up to each individual whether or not they give their life to God in order to receive His best.

Open doors test our ability to maintain patience, while exercising faith.  I always pray, “If it is Your will that I step through the open door, then let no man close it, but if not, close the door and let no man open it.”  This has always worked for me.

Three ways to know if an “Open Door” is from God:

1. The door that God opens will never contradict His Word.
2. The door that God opens will be accompanied by confirmation.
3. The door that God opens will require you to depend on Him.

I worked in an office where the departmental head had an “open door” policy, which made working there a delight.  He was a good boss that didn't sit behind closed doors and deny a one-on-one visit from the employees.  Communication was always encouraged and he listened to anything that was on our mind; without reproach.

Our heavenly Father is like this.  We can go to Him with all of our concerns, questions, doubts, fears, and uncertainties, because He is a good Father that does not condemn us.  We can approach Him with anything and He will take the time to listen and give direction, while stroking us in love.

Whenever I step through a door that God opens, I am amazed at the wonders and blessings that come my way, because I trusted Him.  He has always exceeded my expectations when I took a step of faith.  His resolve has been perfect in all things, but it required me to walk through the opening.

(Ephesians 3:20-21), “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” vs.21 “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.”

When we step through doors of opportunity, it can advance us monetarily, spiritually, or whatever way God chooses to bring His Word to fruition in our life.  Or perhaps God has someone in mind that He wants us to speak life into; a person that is seeking answers to feed their starving soul. 

It is remarkable how God fills my mouth with words that are not my own; just the right words to promote the “Good News” to people that need it the most. 

The power of the Holy Spirit works in and through our efforts to help non-Believers become a part of the family of God; to provide them with the direction they need in order to find salvation through Jesus Christ.  God’s Word never returns void.  It is everlasting.  The Holy Spirit will continue to draw them to the Lord, because of the words that we shared in love. 

The Good News is Jesus Christ, God’s Son.  God gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins in order that we possess the hope of eternal life in heaven and life more abundantly on earth.  Salvation is just a prayer away.  Old things (the former way of life) pass away and all things (a new beginning) become the superior mindset of a soul that has been set free from sin.  This experience is called the “new birth” or being “born-again.”

(2 Corinthians 5:17), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

When Christians give away from themselves and step through doors that God has opened, He always rewards those that give.  We do not give to get, but God’s Word declares it to be so.  He gives far more than our giving, because the Bible is truth and when truth prevails, positive things happen.  God cannot lie.

I am sure that you have read the words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).  This statement is so true.  Whenever a person blesses another individual, the mere act of giving brings an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement to the giver.  The following are more words spoken by Jesus.

(Luke 6:38), “Give and it will be given to you:  shaken together and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”  

The open door policy that God makes possible, allows us to come boldly to His throne and communicate with Him anytime that we want.  We can go directly to Him through Jesus Christ and know that our petitions are heard and that He will fulfill His promise to never leave or forsake us.  He will always supply our needs.

(Hebrews 4:16), “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

We have the privilege to knock at the door and know, with confidence, that God hears our knock and will open it unto us.  He wants to commune and love us with a never ending love.

(Matthew 7:7), “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  vs.8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd