Open Doors
by Steve Martin
“They went to Phrygia, and then on through the
region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy
Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to
Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either. Proceeding
on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas.
That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood
on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help
us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready
to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for
sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.” (Acts
16:7-10 The Message)
Beginning
in the Jewish new year of 5774 (Sept. 2013), many prophetic words were coming
forth in the Body of Christ about it being a year of “open doors” and “acceleration”. I could positively attest to those words
personally. It happened, and it continues onward.
But it wasn’t
until I actually believed it for myself. Yes. I had to believe. Not only in my
head, but also in my heart. Probably what you do too at times. Right?
In the
Scripture about we read of Paul trying to go one way. I am sure he believed it
was the way the Lord was leading. He was on the move, following the last
directive given by the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh). Obedience to the previous
word was going to get him to the next open door that he would walk through. In
his going, he was pushing forward in the understanding he had.
Like most of us, we can expect the Lord to lead in this
way. In another example from His Written Word (the Logos) it tells us about a
directive for an open door to Peter.
“Send
therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging
in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.
When he comes, he will speak to you.’ So I sent to you
immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present
before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God. Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that
God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears
Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” (Acts 10:32-35 NKJV)
Peter
had been very hesitant to share the Gospel with the Gentiles. In fact, he didn’t
quite believe it was for anyone outside of the Jewish nation. (Take the time to
read all of Acts 10 to get the full picture.) After all, he was a Jew, and the Messiah of Israel was believed to be only for the Jews. That
was deeply ingrained in his mind.
Both
Peter and Paul were great men of God. But like all men and women of faith, they
had to have a mind reset at times, to receive a greater understanding of the
Lord’s heart. And after getting that a bit more straight, they too had to then follow
the directive in obedience and
perseverance to get through to the next open door.
God is
not a respecter of persons, nor does He show partiality. Thus we can learn from
Peter and Paul (and Mary too! I am throwing that in for the ‘60’s and ‘70’s
generation.) I believe they had in their mind that the Lord was going to work
in one way, and so in strong commitment they went in that direction. Again, in
obedience to the revelation they had received up to that point.
But then
their direction changed. Did the Lord change His mind? No. He was just getting
each on them to the point where they could make the adjustment, the turn in
direction, to more tune in to His plans and purposes. Being they were open to
whatever He said, they followed.
In our minds and hearts following
hard after the Lord, we can think He has an open door in front of us that we
are to walk through. So we move forward for that opportunity. But along the
way, as the Lord fine tunes our perspective and understanding, what seemingly
then may become a closed door is only a momentary adjustment in our “going” to
get us to the next open door. That is not a bad thing. We just need to be
flexible enough to make that adjustment also.
We all have open doors.
It is not a question of “Yes we do or no we don’t.” Settle it in your heart and
mind – we have the open doors. With our eyes fixed on Jesus (Yeshua), the Author
and Finisher of our faith, He will continually lead us on the road. A turn
here, a turn there on the way to the destination. It is in His heart to get us
each to the place appointed for us since the beginning of time.
Be open to the open door
in front of you. If you feel like you are pushing, and the door is bolted shut,
then relax a bit and ask if the other door in front of you is the next one He
has for you. Then in obedience walk through it.
Now think
on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
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Ahava Love Letter #119 “Open
Doors” Steve
Martin
Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (02.18.14)
Tuesday at 7:00 am in Charlotte, NC).
All previous editions of Ahava Love
Letter can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: Ahava Love Letters
