Closed and Open Gates

Closed and Open Gates

Acts 16: ⁶ Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. ⁸ So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. ⁹ During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

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“Keep the gate closed” were the words directed to me. “Yeah” was my response. Our house was not in the middle of the block, but if someone wanted a short cut, this yard was a good choice.

After riding my bike I ran into the house, leaving it on the side of the house. The next morning I wanted to ride. I noticed the bike missing and the gate wide open. I had forgotten to put the bike away and close the gate.

• There have been times when I left something open and allowed the wrong element to come in.
• There have been times when I went to a gate and it was closed, so I could not get in.
• There have been times when I went to another gate and it was opened to me by the owner.

Paul and his companions traveled throughout one region, preaching about JESUS with much success. But when they reached one area, the HOLY SPIRIT prevented them from entering. JESUS did not want them to enter a specific area. They passed by the area. Paul then received a vision to help a specific city. He went, ready to preach the gospel.

• GOD wants me to listen to the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to be ready to stay where HE sent me or to leave when HE tells me to.
• GOD wants me to be ready with the gospel of JESUS.

Being led by the HOLY SPIRIT is a wonderful opportunity. Getting direction from GOD to tell people about HIS SON is an amazing thing to be part of. JESUS gives me this opportunity time and time again.

HE sends me to people and wants me ready to speak about HIM. Unfortunately, there will be places GOD has closed off to hearing about HIM. HE sends me to hearts that can hear. I am grateful GOD has included me in HIS purpose.

• Are you being sent but are facing opposition?
• Are you ready and prepared to speak about JESUS at a moment’s notice?
• Will you listen to the HOLY SPIRIT and go where HE leads you and stay away from the places HE does not want you?

Ready

Luke 12: ³⁵ “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; ³⁶ and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. ³⁷ Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.³⁸ And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. ³⁹ But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. ⁴⁰ Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

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After the meeting I scheduled another meeting as a follow up to make sure I understood everything. I was being left “in charge” for the short period and I wanted to make sure I understood everything that was going on. During the follow-up meeting I was asked “Are you sure you are ready for this?” “Absolutely” I answered.

• Many times I had to prepare.
• Many times I had to sit and wait for the unknown.
• Many times I had to be confident that something may occur at a moment’s notice.

JESUS says some confusing words to HIS disciples. HE spoke in a parable like tone and told them to be ready for the master’s return. Ready for what? I mean what should I be doing?

• GOD says to me “Prepare yourself daily by speaking to ME.”
• GOD says to me “Seek the kingdom everyday and you will be prepared.”
• GOD says to me “Your life is mine so be prepared to be with ME eternally.”

More and more responsibility is what GOD wants to give me. HE understands my limits and will only give me as much as I can handle. If I as ready as a child then I may not be given much responsibility for GOD’s kingdom. But if I am growing in GOD then HE will help me prepare myself and others for what HE has in store. GOD wants me to be ready daily.

• What are you preparing for?
• Are you preparing to be accepted by humans more and more?
• Can you take some time to prepare yourself for GOD’s kingdom by seeking those HE wants you to seek today?

Missing the opportunity to see GOD

Judges 12: ¹⁷ Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?”

¹⁸ He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding” ¹⁹ Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the Lord. And the Lord did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: 

²⁰ As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground. ²¹ When the angel of the Lord did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the Lord.

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“Come on, come on!” I willed to my car to start but it seemed to have a mind of its own. Finally I heard a sputter and off I went to pick up my classmate. With four bald tires, no working heat and a gas gauge that could not tell me how much gas I had in the car, we set out on our icy drive. My friend had to scrape the ice that formed on the windshield inside the car as we plodded down the street.

I looked and saw a car that spun out on the road and then another and another. “They must be bad drivers” I said to myself. Suddenly my car went into a skid. We swerved back and forth all over the highway. “I” got control of the car and said to myself “I” better pay attention, not once praying!

• When I look at my abilities I can miss GOD.
• When I think I accomplished something I can miss GOD.
• When I pat myself on the back and look at others like they have a problem I can miss GOD.

Many times I have missed the message of GOD because HE was standing in my face and I was too blind to recognize HIM. My assumption of what HE would say and how HE would sound and when HE would help blinded me to what HE was doing right in front of my face.

• GOD wants me to open my eyes to see HIM every day.
• GOD wants me to recognize HIM from the smallest task to the largest.
• GOD wants me to see HIM in everything rather than putting HIM in a building I go to visit once a week for a very short period of time.

 I hear the term “Act of GOD” and cringe because it implies that HE only works with the large things. GOD works with the infinitely tiny as well as the outstanding enormity of the universe. HE is concerned with my day to day situations and wants me to give HIM as much time and communication as I can.

Recognizing GOD on a daily basis is not a stretch, all I have to do is open my eyes and I can see HIS marvelous works.

• Are you blind to what GOD is doing in your life?
• Do you think you are doing things on your own ability?
• Can you open your eyes to see GOD working on the small things in your life as well as the large?

Curiously walk right through the door

Revelation 3: ⁸ 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.

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Trembling, I sat in the waiting area ready to meet the group of executives and reviewing my background in my mind. When they brought me in I felt at ease and we had a good conversation until they asked me “that” question. “How do you feel about downsizing half the staff here?” “Rotten” was the answer. Immediately I saw the door shut and that opportunity went away.

• Sometimes I build up expectations in my mind and I get slammed down to earth with reality.
• Sometimes I want something so bad only to find I can’t have it and I get disappointed.
• Sometimes I try for the prize only to realize my efforts weren't good enough.

Disappointment places a fork in the road for me. Either I am going to become “discouraged” which will lead to me not listening to GOD or I will choose to be “curious” which leads to life. Of course GOD wants me to choose the latter of the two.

• When I am curious about GOD I seek what HE is all about.
• When I am curious about GOD I look for HIS desires.
• When I am curious about GOD I search for HIS people, HIS ways, HIS situations no matter how much strength I have.

JESUS said “I am the door.” HE also said “What I open no one can shut and what I shut no one can open.” HE has opened the door for me so many times and all I had to do was walk through it. HE shuts the door on my evil desires and opens the door to a path that leads to life.

GOD knows me. HE knows what little strength I have and HE is pleased with my pitiful efforts to serve HIM. HE places the door in front of me and HE wants me to be curious enough to walk through it. My curiosity of HIM grows my faith.

• Have you already made up your mind that GOD can’t use you?
• Is your heart so filled with stone that you cannot follow HIM anymore?
• Are you still curious about HIS ways or do you think you know it all?
• Won’t you seek HIS new adventure or are you convinced you are at the end of the road?