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Open Doors and Adversaries!!!

This week I decided to tackle an issue that plagues all of us. The willingness to carry out what God has called us to do, and the obstacles we will encounter. It is no secret that I am striving to go further in ministry. I have a call on my life that I am sure others have. It may not be the same call, but we are all called by God to do something. The first call that we have to answer is the call to come to Him, to get right with Him. We may encounter obstacles to this first call, such as ourselves when pride or stubbornness gets in the way, or in our families and friends in many different ways. The second call that we answer is our call to service from God. We need to guard ourselves with the understanding and recognition that open doors of service may also let in adversaries.

"For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries." 1 Corinthians 16:9.

Paul had many open doors and he also had many adversaries. As he wrote to the Corinthians from Ephesus, he was trying to determine where to go next. Paul decided to remain in Ephesus for a time because of the doors of service that God was opening to him. Knowing that God had opened those doors of ministry, Paul had determined that he was not going to leave, regardless of how many enemies he faced. Were we in his place, we might come to the conclusion that we would reach the opposite decision, considering what Paul was facing. We might have decided that it would be best to go and serve in less hostile regions. However, even though Paul faced hostile opposition, he based his decisions on God's activity instead of on what people were doing.

As we respond to God's invitations, we should not get caught by surprise when adversaries try to thwart what we are doing. If were are in the will of God, we should understand that there will be attacks from our opponents. Jesus Himself told us that the world is going to hate us and that there are going to be those that are going to persecute us. (John 15:18-20). However, He also reassured us that if we believed in Him, we would do greater works. (John 14:12-13). If we concentrate on our opponents, we will get sidetracked from God's activity. We should not base our decisions on what people are doing! God tells us that they cannot prevent us from carrying out His will! (Romans 8:31). Many times the most rewarding spiritual work is done in the crucible of persecution and opposition.

While Paul was in Ephesus, a riot broke out in reaction to his ministry. The city theatre resounded with an angry mob that shouted for two hours in support of their god, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" (Acts 19:23-41). Despite this fierce opposition and rejection of the gospel, Ephesus became one of the chief cities from which the gospel spread throughout Asia.

It takes spiritual discernment to see beyond human activity to God's will. As we seek places of service, we need to look beyond what people are saying to find what God is doing. Yes, we will probably encounter opposition, but instead of giving power and authority to that opposition, we need to focus ourselves more on God. Trust in God and allow Him to finish the work that He has started. Remember, that door of service would not be opened to you, were God not the one Who opened it. We can do All Things Through Christ Jesus Who Strengthens Us! (Philippians 4:13).

May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!

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