Have you thanked Him?
Have you praised Him?
Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?
Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?
1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)
The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.
“When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” ~Alexander Graham Bell
GOD is continuously opening doors for us to thrive, to grow and to advance.
Trust me on that.
Reminds me of this little lyric from a Gaither Vocal Band song from a few years back.
Beyond the open door is a new and fresh anointing
Hear the Spirit calling you to go
Walk on through the door for the Lord will go before you
Into a greater power you've never known before
In recent weeks, I have watched as some dear friends who work side by side with me have some doors close.
One friend who watched as the local zoning board told her she couldn’t open her ministry “there”. Another who after raising funds, creating what promises to be an amazing opportunity for women, was overlooked and somewhat usurped by another effort. Another after receiving acceptance to continue her education has had door after door of internship possibilities shut in her face. Some friends up north who have been pushing so hard to see their dream come true only to have set back after set back.
Yet in each case they have not given up.
They have NOT spent their time focused on the closed doors.
Rather they have girded themselves.
They have remained determined and steadfast that the next OPEN door, the fresh possibility, the next step that Lord has for them is on the horizon.
Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. – Revelation 3:8 (ESV)
And in a few of those cases NEW DOORS ARE OPENING!
Friends we will all have those moments in life when something that seemed like a “sure thing”, the “best approach” or the “right next step” won’t be.
And it is super easy to get discouraged.
“Why is it taking so long?”
“Why can’t they see that this is a fantastic idea?”
“It isn’t like they don’t have the funding to help me.”
“Don’t they see that folks are dying?”
These are all questions I have asked myself as I lamented at perceived closed doors; doors with no windows or even a little slot to plead my case to be let in.
And yet, in every case in recent weeks, the closed door has pressed me to seek the next open one and without fail, when I have arrived at the next door and knocked I have been greeted with something better, the next best step, or guidance as to what to do next!...seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. – Matthew 7:7 (ESV)
So, what are we to do when the doors close?
Keep moving down the hall.
Keep seeking the next door.
Keep knocking.
Keep trusting.
For:
“Often doors of opportunity are opened, but few opt to walk through them.” - Fry
Have a blessed weekend!
I love you all!
OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE
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