WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
JUNE 15, 2023
TOPIC: OPEN DOORS
BY T. O. BANSO
“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains” (Colossians 4:3 New International Version).
There are physical doors and spiritual doors. Doors prevent people from gaining access. They keep away uninvited people from entering a place and thus cannot touch, take, or enjoy what is inside. A door could, therefore, be a barrier to those who don’t have the key to go in.
However, when doors are opened, people gain access and can see, touch, take, or enjoy what is inside. Open doors allow one access and the opportunity to do many things. Closed doors deny one this. When doors are not opened, trying to enter by force could be frustrating. It could also be dangerous, as not every door is right to enter through.
Not every open door is from God. Satan also can open a door. In other words, not every opportunity is from God. Therefore, one must be able to discern which door God has opened for one and which one Satan has set as a trap for one. Sometimes, a closed door is not necessarily Satan’s work. God may close a door or not open a particular door. See what happened to Paul and Silas: “Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them” (Acts 16:6-7 New King James Version).
God didn’t open the door to them to go and preach the gospel where they had wanted and they didn’t try to force it open. Rather, they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas where through a night vision, Paul received a revelation to go and preach the gospel to the people of Macedonia (verses 8-10). Don’t try to force open the door God has not opened for you.
God knows what is best for His children. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 New King James Version).
It is right for a child of God to pray to Him for open doors, for without Him he cannot do anything. He should not depend on his power, intelligence, or resources. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 New King James Version). Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (New King James version). According to Hannah, by strength, no man shall prevail (1 Samuel 2:9b). As Paul said, he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him (Philippians 4:13).
God is the God of open doors, and His children should trust Him, pray to Him for open doors, and expect answers to their prayers. Paul wrote to the Colossian Christians, “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains” (Colossians 4:3 New International Version).
Paul made this request because he knew that unless a door is opened, there was no way for the message or gospel to be preached to the people to be saved. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (Romans 10:14-15 New King James Version).
Every preacher needs an open door. Paul said, “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord” (2 Corinthians 2:12 New King James Version). In Acts 14:27, the Bible records that, Paul and Barnabas talked about how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Unless God opens the heart of the people, they will not respond to the message preached. Acts 16:14 says, “Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul” (New King James Version).
Everybody needs open doors to make an impact or succeed in life. Without open doors, nobody can become all God wants him to be in life. Whatever your profession or calling is, you need open doors. You need to pray that God will close Satan’s open doors and give you His open doors.
Some people are already trapped because they entered through the door Satan opened for them. Also, some people are currently trying to force open the wrong doors and are wearing themselves out because their pursuits are against the will of God for them.
Revelation 3:7-8 says, “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (New King James Version).
It doesn’t mean that when God opens a door, you will not face challenges or everything will be easy for you. Challenges are part of life but operating outside the will of God leaves one without His help. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 16:9, “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (New King James Version). Did you note the presence of adversaries even when a great and effective door had been opened to Paul? The devil will not leave you alone just because God has given you an open door. But you will enjoy God’s presence if you are in His will despite the challenges you face.
When God opens a door for you nobody can shut it. But don’t sabotage yourself or cooperate with the devil to shut it. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8 New King James Version).
When it is time for you to move on, God may shut a door or allow it to be shut as part of moving you forward in the fulfilment of His plan and purpose for your life. God opens and shuts doors. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 New King James Version).
Ensure that you are prayerful and obey the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. If a door closes in your life, don’t worry but pray. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 New King James Version). Trust God that He will work all things together for your good; He will open a new door. He is the God of open doors.
How do you know that an open door is from God and not Satan? It could be God’s open door if it is an answer to prayer. But whether you prayed for it or not, an open door must not violate or contradict the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. There must be peace in your heart about it. It must be an open door that will bring glory to God and bless others. It must cause you to depend on God. It must also be lawful except it is against a law that is contrary to the Word of God. Pray to God for confirmation. If you are not sure if an open door is from God, seek godly counsel from spiritually mature people. Not every open door is God’s open door.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, thank You for the doors You opened for me in the past. Holy Spirit, help me to differentiate between God’s open doors and Satan’s open doors. I shall not enter through any door that God has not opened for me; I shut Satan’s open doors in Jesus’ name. Father, let more doors be opened to preach the gospel of Christ all over the world. Open people’s hearts to Your Word.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
