Rev 3:7-13 God Opens and Shuts Doors

Revelation 3:7-13 NIV

"What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." (vs 1)

God gets to decide whom the door will be open for. He will also choose for whom the door is shut. Jesus promises that the door is always open to those in the church at Philadelphia who, even with the little strength that they have, have kept his word and not denied his name.

Jesus said, "I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God." (Luke 12:8-9)

God grant that we should have the strength to persevere in proclaiming His Holy Name.

God's Peace - Pr. J

James 1:1-18 Perseverance and Tests!

James 1:1-18 NIV
Testing produces perseverance. Without perseverance we will not grow into maturity.

It is that time of year when many of our young people will complete another year of school. Some will graduate from High School or College. There will be using what they have learned throughout the preceding years to establish their lives as adults. Many have rejoiced as each challenge, each test, was conquered. They grew in knowledge and wisdom through perseverance. They matured. They will live full and fruitful lives. 

Others who may not have any desire to face these tests and rather than persevering in their studies just ignored them or ran may well find that they have more growing left than they bargained for. Simply put; they will not be prepared for the day that they have longed for so deeply. They will, one day, realize that there was a reason for all those tests.

James, the brother of Jesus writes, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

When a Christian faces tests, we are to persevere with joy. We accept the challenge. We prepare for it. We don't try to ignore it or try to run from it as we know that it will help us to learn and to grow to maturity; to the fullness of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J