Church, Awake in 2008 (Part II)

We saw in our February newsletter that God has instructed the church to awaken to the doors of opportunity that He has for us (1 Cor. 16:9 & Mat. 26: 40&41). I believe that there are doors that the Lord has for us that will allow us more opportunities for witness, healing, better jobs, financial blessings, restorations, and etc. There are adversaries that are attempting to distract the people of God. Have you ever seen a busier time? People are going and coming; working and playing. Are we asleep concerning the things of God?

John 10:7&9&10 says, “Then said Jesus unto them again, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep…I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’” Wouldn’t everyone agree that they would prefer life and life more abundantly? I wonder if God’s people are seeking answers to their prayers rather than seeking Jesus, the Door. Jesus told us in Jn.14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” Yes, Jesus is the Way to heaven but Jesus is the Way (the Door) to answered prayer (His will; His way) Jn. 16:23. Notice in Jn. 10, we must enter through Jesus to be saved. “Saved” is the new birth, being born again (Jn. 3:1-17). “Saved” is the root word of “salvation.” “Salvation” is the word, “sozo” which implies not only delivered from satan’s kingdom, receiving heaven our eternal home, but we have now been given peace, healing, wholeness, provision, favor, etc. in Jesus, the Door.

Verse nine tells us that there is pasture for us, a place where we are nourished, satisfied. How do we get there? …We enter in and out of Jesus. As we seek Him, He leads us to the pastures that we need. Well, praise God. We need to seek the Lord. He said in Jer. 29:13&14, “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart, And I will be found of you…” Salvation was given to us in Jesus, but Phil. 2:12 says, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” As we seek the Door, not the pasture, He will guide each of us in His way of salvation.

Ps. 100:4 says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” Is. 6:18 says, “…thou shalt call thy walls Salvation and thy gates Praise.” I submit to you, “Your praise and worship of God, your following Jesus, the Good Shepherd will allow you to enter into a place of refuge and provision, surrounded with His walls of salvation.” Amen!