Sunday, May 25, 2014

The Door Is Still Open

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Revelation 3:8

Despite what people may have told you or even have attempted to persuade you to believe, this Christian journey isn’t easy… From the time we wake up until the time we lay down again we are surrounded by temptations and snares... While you are resting the enemy is devising new plans to be carried out against you to steal, kill and destroy all that God has in store for you… You may be wondering why the minute you come out of a storm there is another one on the horizon; this coming and going of obstacles can wreak havoc on your physically and mentally; however, through John’s revelation today we are reminded that God “knows thy works…” No matter how daunting the task may appear to be, no matter how much sweat and tears are poured out or energy is exerted through your ordeals, be encouraged today that your perseverance will pay off and even though it may feel at times that God isn’t there, the truth of the matter is that He is right by your side… The Lord sees your struggles; He knows the desires of your heart and has provided you a way of escape and a means of obtaining victory by “setting before thee an open door…” 

Often times we can get overwhelmed by the things that we are faced with and never realize the path which God has already paved for us to not only make it through but to overcome and excel… I can recall a very strong piece of advice that my sister once told me; she said, “don’t tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is…” I quote this powerful statement as a means to challenge you to accept the hand that you have and know that the God you serve will make sure that it plays in a way that you will not only survive it, but will come out better than you were going in because of it… Instead of focusing on the why; learn to be thankful for the when… God has promised to set before you an open door because He has seen your works… Stop allowing your day to be consumed by asking why I have to deal with this or why this is happening to me and learn today to be thankful for God’s grace and mercy which has kept you this far and start declaring “I don’t understand why, but I know it’s not a question of if God will deliver me but when…” This word today is one to encourage you to hold on just a little while longer… God has opened a door for your exaltation, He has setup your path to claim your victory, and He has prepared the way for you to accept your reward! John records this verse with the mindset to encourage us in our daily walk, to give us a power boost or surge of energy so that we will not circum to the evil plans that wait before us. John was exiled to the island of Patmus; however, this is exactly where God wanted Him to be… 

The revelation knowledge came when John was placed in isolation (getting the point)… Accept your trials and tribulations, trust that what you are dealing with “was not meant for evil” as Joshua reminds us in the book of Genesis… The enemy wants you to believe that you don’t have a future in Christ because that is only way that He can stop you… The door that God has opened for your ascension, the door that He has opened for your victory “no man can shut it…” God not only knows thy work, but because you “have kept His word and not denied His name” you are about to be taken to higher levels than you can even fathom or imagine… As the psalmist David wrote, “He is preparing a table for you in the presences of your enemies…” Again, this passage says that God knows thy works, he has seen your struggles, he has heard your cry, he feels the pain and anguish that you have faced, and understands the trials that you have been through! Christ needs you to understand that your trials are set for your benefit, your faith is bringing about prosperity, and your tribulations have set the open door to salvation before you! It is because of thy works, it is because you have risen above the perilous times, it is because you never gave up, it is because you fought the good fight that there is a crown laid up for you! God acknowledges that we are weak, that we are not perfect, but he sees that you have kept his word, you haven’t denied Him before men; so He is preparing your riches, he has gone to set you up for a greatness never imagined and a victory never seen. No man can thwart God’s plan, so keep the faith and know that God has prepared your exaltation!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

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