Doors of Opportunity - part 4

Mothers of Nations, I pray that you have both enjoyed and been challenged by our current discussion of “Doors of Opportunity.” This will be our final entry on this subject so please go back and read the first three entries if you have missed any of them.

As we finish our discussion, have you realized that opportunities can actually change our lives? In the book of Genesis we read about the life of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. He had a God-given dream that actually led to an incredible door of opportunity and yet he went through many difficult situations to see the fullness of that opportunity become a reality.

• He was sold to a party of Ishmaelites / Midianites.
• At 17 years of age he became a slave.
• He ended up in Egypt for thirteen years.
• He served Potiphar and then was put in prison.
• Finally at age 30 he was released from prison and became an overseer of the land of Egypt.

As Joseph pursued his dream (and his God-given opportunity) he faced:

• The betrayal of his brothers
• The loss of his family
• Slavery
• Loneliness
• False accusations
• Injustice

In fact it took twenty-two years of suffering before a secure and good opportunity became a reality for him! I am sure if we could interview Joseph today, he would indeed tell us that it was worth it all to walk through that God-given door of opportunity that was set before him!

Can you think of other Bible characters that were presented with specific “doors of opportunity?”  Here are a few that come to mind for me.

Esther:  She was presented the opportunity to enter a contest to become a queen. In so doing she put her life on the line to save her people.

Solomon:  He was given the opportunity to become king and to serve his nation’s people. His skills and talents offered wonderful opportunities to write about wisdom and he penned 3000 proverbs and over 1000 songs. Solomon was also the one to build the first temple in Jerusalem. And yet, even with all his wonderful opportunities, he gave into his own sinful desires.

Saul of Tarsus:  His life was changed by encountering the Lord and he was transformed into Paul the apostle.

Peter and the disciples: They each experienced incredible opportunities as they boldly shared the gospel through open doors and helped establish the early church.

John the Baptist:  He “prepared the way” for the Lord. Think about it. He had the precious opportunity of knowing and even baptizing Jesus!

As we close, here are some scriptures that speak to doors of opportunities that come in life.

Praying for open doors:  1 John 5: 14-15  ¹⁴ Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Commitment to open door possibilities:   Proverbs 16: 3  Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.

Rewards of pursuing opportunities:  Psalm 84: 11  For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

No fear in accepting opportunities:  2 Timothy 1: 7  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

No failure with Christ:  Philippians 4: 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Divine opportunities come from God. Through these opportunities we are given the chance to bless, transform, promote and elevate those around us, as well as enhance the kingdom of God here on earth. Because the Lord offers us these opportunities, He also helps us accomplish what He has given us to do. He helps us be what He has called us to be, providing opportunities for our own spiritual growth and development. He puts us where He wants us to minister wherever that may be: our families, our homes, our neighborhoods, our jobs, our communities, our state, our nation, and yes, even our world.

What opportunity, what great open door, do you desire today?

• To be born again?
• To be baptized in water?
• To be baptized in the Holy Spirit?
• To preach or to teach?
• To pastor or become a five-fold minister?
• To be healed or delivered?
• To have your family restored?
• To grow in faith?

Do you see that doors of opportunity are endless when it comes to being a child of God and a follower of Jesus? Let’s not waste one more minute! Let’s commit to walk through each and every door that the Lord has places before us. Mothers of Nations, we are called to be world changers and vessels of blessing to the Kingdom of God.

Blessings,

Dr. Sharon Predovich

OPPORTUNITY

When an opportunity comes your way just step in and enjoy the day.

Learn to hear God’s timing and pull, listening to His voice your life will be full.

When the door of opportunity is swung wide, please my friend, don’t you hide.

When opportunity's door is good do as you know your Jesus would.

When the open door looks promising boldly press forward and do your thing!

Opportunities in life come and go so quickly learn how to go with the flow.

Don’t miss the opportunity to move ahead! Just bypass fear, laziness and dread.

Be someone who walks through each God-given door knowing your Heavenly Father has so much more.

Dr. Sharon Predovich