If you are one of the many who are looking for a new opportunity or new beginning in your life, know that God can open a ‘door of escape’ and a ‘door of new beginning’ for you.
Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep… I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture (John 10:7,9).
In Greek, door (thura) is a portal/entrance; saved (sōzō) is to deliver/protect/heal/preserve/do well/be made whole; pasture (nomē) is feeding, providence.
You see, Jesus is your ‘door’! If you need to be delivered from your current circumstance and have a better life, ask Him and you shall receive; seek Him and you shall find; knock and the ‘door’ shall be opened for you (see Matthew 7:7-8; Matthew 21:22; John 3:27). As one of His precious sheep, it’s His will that you are ‘grazing in His pasture’ and enjoying His providence in everything you do. Your life is meant to be filled with His love, peace and joy even though you are living in this world that’s full of imperfection. So don’t be afraid or feel ashamed to ask your Abba Father for a good life (see Matthew 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13; Galatians 4:6).
But how does one know which opportunity door is from the Lord? In the New Covenant, Jesus fills you with the Holy Spirit so that God can speak and reveal His wisdom to you through His indwelling Spirit. Knowing that the Holy Spirit would come into the life of His disciples, Jesus said His sheep will know Him and recognize His voice (see John 10:4, 14; John 14:17). Apostle Paul always attributed his success in Christian ministry to the revelation of Jesus Christ to him (see Galatians 1:12; Galatians 2:2).
How can one accurately discern if it’s the voice of God that they hear, and not self-presumption? The solution is mentioned by Jesus in the book of John 4:23-24, that is Christians shall worship God in spirit and truth.
Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:3, “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” You worship God in your spirit by singing and praying in the spirit. When you worship God in spirit, the Holy Spirit helps you to pray (see Romans 8:26). Your spirit will be strengthened, and your mind will be clear (and objective) to hear what He wants to say. You are also drawing near to Him, humbling and surrendering yourself before Him, and being consciously dependent on Him instead of relying just on what you can do with your own strength. He will then exalt/promote you in due time (see James 4:6-8). It is obvious that there’s a strong correlation between Apostle Paul’s worshipping in the spirit always and the amount of revelation he received. This is the reason why he was effective in spiritual ministry and wrote so many epistles in the Bible (see 1 Corinthians 14:18).
The Bible says grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (see John 1:17). Jesus’ perfect work on the cross has opened up the way not just to salvation, but also the blessings and goodness of God. In understanding God’s grace for you through His Son, you understand the truth. In Ephesians 1:17, Apostle Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus. Therefore, when you worship God in truth, you will know His voice when He speaks, whether through prophecy, vision, dream, or a wise and productive thought dropped from heaven, and you will also be able to interpret His revelation correctly without the feeling of self-condemnation or unworthiness.
Here are some guidelines to help you discern whether your ‘open door’ is really from the Lord:
~ Remember, the new door should always lead you to a better life. (see John 10:10b)
~ Ask God for two or three confirmation, to be sure. (see 1 Corinthians 14:29)
~ There may be adversaries but God’s grace will also be clearly evident.
(see 1 Corinthians 16:9)
~ God always backs up His words accompanied with signs beyond human effort.
(see Mark 16:20)
~ No one can shut the door that the Lord has opened for you! (see Revelation 3:8)
~ Ask God for two or three confirmation, to be sure. (see 1 Corinthians 14:29)
~ There may be adversaries but God’s grace will also be clearly evident.
(see 1 Corinthians 16:9)
~ God always backs up His words accompanied with signs beyond human effort.
(see Mark 16:20)
~ No one can shut the door that the Lord has opened for you! (see Revelation 3:8)
May you move forward boldly through the ‘door’ of your new season, and with the abundance of His revelation. Amen.