7th  AUGUST 2023

“And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” –  Hebrews 11:6 

Today, we move to part 3 of the above message on how to claim a new opportunity by faith.

The journey of life is by faith! No one can fully see the horizon that lies ahead; only God can declare the end from the beginning, and things from ancient times not yet revealed. If we put our faith in God who sees far into the future; we are sure of a successful journey through life. That explains why we must necessarily have faith in God to lead us through every area of our life. God sees all things and knows all things even before they happen.

Many have lost out on excellent opportunities just because they could not scan through the opportunities by faith! Some of us are pessimists, always looking for more or elaborate specifics to enable us to embrace a challenge. God’s opportunities do not come with detailed specifics. They come like the sketchy directives He gave to Abraham; ‘Leave everything you have behind, and come with me to the new place I shall show to you,” was God’s directive to Abraham! Nevertheless, Abraham followed God’s directive by faith, not knowing where God was leading him!

I wonder how many times God opens a door for you and me, and we stand there, stare into the dark void, wait a while for detailed specifics, and when that is not available, we back out because we cannot see where the opportunity is leading us. Israel made a similar mistake on Mount Sinai when they followed Moses to receive the laws of God. God had appeared on Mount Sinai in a thick fearful cloud, and the people became afraid of what they saw – too much mystery and uncertainty to behold! (Exodus 20:18 – 20). But Moses pressed further to behold the glory of the Lord! The scripture says; “The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was” (Exodus 20:21) 

The people did not witness God’s glory because they were afraid to leave their safe comfort zone – “they remained at a distance”. They didn’t want to go through that “scary” door. They weren’t comfortable with the uncertainty of what lay ahead. In fact, they feared that they would die if they moved forward to the hilltop.

Today, God is calling us to accept by faith, opportunities when they come up. All that we need to do is subject the opportunities to test to see if they are from God. If they pass the various tests, then we have to accept them by faith and move forward with them no matter how hazy, crazy, or scary they might look! Faith is the wings with which we fly from the known to the unknown. Faith gives us the spirit and the power to dare no matter how complex or complicated the situation might look. With God, we can face any situation; and because Jesus lives, we can face our tomorrow without fear.

Beloved in Christ, I am not sure what your open door looks like. Could it be: 

• a new opportunity or job, and you’re unsure of your ability to succeed at it? 
• an opportunity to serve in a ministry, and it’s still not completely clear to you what’s involved?
• a leap of faith God is asking you to take, but you just can’t see what is waiting on the other side? 

Or, maybe it’s simply a “trust Me” situation from God, and you’re fearing the worst! As God stands there with that door open, are you staying at a distance where it’s safe, familiar, and comfortable? Are you hesitating to walk through because you think God might ask you to do something risky? Are you keeping a distance due to fear? Or are you, like Moses, willing to approach the “thick darkness” where God is? Are you willing to go where it’s mysterious and uncertain – where you have to trust that God is good and He will take care of His own?

Today, God is calling you to a leap of faith. Walk through that open door by faith! Believe you can make it, and all shall come to pass!

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank you for Grace and the Faith to hear you today. Father, I pray that you reveal yourself to me in this new opportunity. Thank you, Father. AMEN 

FURTHER READING: Proverbs 11:14; Deuteronomy 30:19; 1 John 5:14; John 5:30

HOW TO CLAIM A NEW OPPORTUNITY BY FAITH (PART 3 OF 3)

7th  AUGUST 2023

“And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” –  Hebrews 11:6 

Today, we move to part 3 of the above message on how to claim a new opportunity by faith.

The journey of life is by faith! No one can fully see the horizon that lies ahead; only God can declare the end from the beginning, and things from ancient times not yet revealed. If we put our faith in God who sees far into the future; we are sure of a successful journey through life. That explains why we must necessarily have faith in God to lead us through every area of our life. God sees all things and knows all things even before they happen.

Many have lost out on excellent opportunities just because they could not scan through the opportunities by faith! Some of us are pessimists, always looking for more or elaborate specifics to enable us to embrace a challenge. God’s opportunities do not come with detailed specifics. They come like the sketchy directives He gave to Abraham; ‘Leave everything you have behind, and come with me to the new place I shall show to you,” was God’s directive to Abraham! Nevertheless, Abraham followed God’s directive by faith, not knowing where God was leading him!

I wonder how many times God opens a door for you and me, and we stand there, stare into the dark void, wait a while for detailed specifics, and when that is not available, we back out because we cannot see where the opportunity is leading us. Israel made a similar mistake on Mount Sinai when they followed Moses to receive the laws of God. God had appeared on Mount Sinai in a thick fearful cloud, and the people became afraid of what they saw – too much mystery and uncertainty to behold! (Exodus 20:18 – 20). But Moses pressed further to behold the glory of the Lord! The scripture says; “The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was” (Exodus 20:21) 

The people did not witness God’s glory because they were afraid to leave their safe comfort zone – “they remained at a distance”. They didn’t want to go through that “scary” door. They weren’t comfortable with the uncertainty of what lay ahead. In fact, they feared that they would die if they moved forward to the hilltop.

Today, God is calling us to accept by faith, opportunities when they come up. All that we need to do is subject the opportunities to test to see if they are from God. If they pass the various tests, then we have to accept them by faith and move forward with them no matter how hazy, crazy, or scary they might look! Faith is the wings with which we fly from the known to the unknown. Faith gives us the spirit and the power to dare no matter how complex or complicated the situation might look. With God, we can face any situation; and because Jesus lives, we can face our tomorrow without fear.

Beloved in Christ, I am not sure what your open door looks like. Could it be: 

• a new opportunity or job, and you’re unsure of your ability to succeed at it? 
• an opportunity to serve in a ministry, and it’s still not completely clear to you what’s involved?
• a leap of faith God is asking you to take, but you just can’t see what is waiting on the other side? 

Or, maybe it’s simply a “trust Me” situation from God, and you’re fearing the worst! As God stands there with that door open, are you staying at a distance where it’s safe, familiar, and comfortable? Are you hesitating to walk through because you think God might ask you to do something risky? Are you keeping a distance due to fear? Or are you, like Moses, willing to approach the “thick darkness” where God is? Are you willing to go where it’s mysterious and uncertain – where you have to trust that God is good and He will take care of His own?

Today, God is calling you to a leap of faith. Walk through that open door by faith! Believe you can make it, and all shall come to pass!

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank you for Grace and the Faith to hear you today. Father, I pray that you reveal yourself to me in this new opportunity. Thank you, Father. AMEN 

FURTHER READING: Proverbs 11:14; Deuteronomy 30:19; 1 John 5:14; John 5:30