God’s Open Doors

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our reading, titled God's Open Doors, was written by Patricia Rabon. At my new school near a large city, the guidance counselor took one look at me and placed me in the lowest performing English composition class. I'd arrived from my inner-city school with outstanding test scores, excellent grades, and even a principal's award for my writing.

The door to the best writing class in my new school was closed to me, however, when the counselor decided I wasn't right or ready. The church in ancient Philadelphia would have understood such arbitrary setbacks. A small and humble church, its city had suffered earthquakes in recent years that left lasting damage.

Additionally, they faced satanic opposition. Such a disregarded church had little strength, yet, as the risen Christ noted in Revelation chapter 3, you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Therefore, God placed before them an open door that no one can shut. Indeed, what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

That's true for our ministry efforts. Some doors don't open. With my writing for God, however, he has indeed opened doors, allowing it to reach a global audience, regardless of one counselor's closed attitudes.

Closed doors won't hinder you either. I am the door, Jesus said in John chapter 10 verse 9. Let's enter the doors he opens and follow him.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Revelation chapter 3 verses 7 through 11. 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. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars, I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown. Let's pray. Dear God, when doors close to us, may we turn to you, the holy door, and walk where and how you say to go. Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Joy Stinkins, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.