To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true,
who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut,
and what he shuts no one can open.
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door
that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength,
yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
-Revelation 3:7-8
You are designed to receive compelling opportunities from God.
Our church opens our doors Monday through Friday for anyone who needs a hot shower and a clean towel. As the Barnabas ministry began to grow, coffee, food, and socks were added to the list of options. Hygiene products, Bibles, and even baptisms were requested. Hearts have been opened and friendships have developed. One of the women that started accepting the gifts recently said, “I gave up on God, but now I think I am very interested again.” The love of God is overwhelmingly good.
These kind of moments deeply enrich and transform peoples’ lives. God is a door opener, and He will lead you through one open door after another with confirmations. The Bible says that when God opens doors, no one can shut them. I recently interviewed Matthew Barnett (www.dreamcenter.org), who began to simply serve people in his neighborhood.
It is amazing to see how God is now transforming the city of Los Angeles! Walking through the first door, which sometimes can be the most difficult, enables you to enter the threshold of the next open door. This is true for a homeless woman returning to God or a church wanting to extend compassion in a practical way.
In God’s incredible design, the two journeys are linked in love and learning together. As you walk through the doors God opens, your story becomes even more significantly interwoven with God’s story.
What current opportunities to serve other people are helping you grow in your faith?
Excerpt republished with permission from A New Season by Jesse Bradley c. 2013
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