Some doors are not Gods will for you to enter them and God closes it for your protection. Well, I am putting some wool on the ground where we thresh the wheat. 25 Verses To Help Identify Fake Friends When I examined him before you, I did not find this man guilty of anything you accused him of doing (Luke 23:1-5, 14). 20 When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, These men are throwing our city into confusion.

15:19). What Does The Bible Say About Fake Christians? Paul could go to a city and, in a short period of time, demonstrate that the Promised Messiah must be rejected, crucified, and then raised from the dead.

Yet we do not see this in Scripture. Unwittingly, we begin to view the world and make decisions according to a list of clever platitudes instead of Gods Word. One is left to question the whatand the whereof the open window, with no indication that God will aid in the persons in discernment. The clich presumes that Gods will for our lives is always that which is easy and trouble-free. In other words, they were in maximum security. But if indeed you are able to be free, make the most of the opportunity (1 Corinthians 7:20-21). There was nothing to keep these men in their cells. Normally it is the last key on the ring which opens the door. ~Paulo Coelho.

For wide is thegateand broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. It was completed by more than twenty biblical scholars who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. N When suffering unavoidably comes our way, let us look for open doors that are created by suffering in a godly way: 18 Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse. Religion and its gods have been at the forefront for THOUSANDS of years, and You may reproduce this Grace to You content for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Grace to You's Copyright Policy (http://www.gty.org/about#copyright). (Judges 6:36-40, GNT). 100+ Inspirational Bible Verses About Love Luke 11:7-8 Then he will reply from inside, Do not bother me. 0. This term often means to oppose. Luke uses this term twice in his Gospel (Luke 8:27; 14:31), and in both instances the encounter is hostile. Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everythingGod had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too (Acts 14:27). J Some are confused by the wording of the gospel as we find it in Acts 16:31: They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household (Acts 16:31). If its Gods will it will be done, remember He always has a plan. No one can close an open door that God has for us, so be confident in Him! Versions of the phrase exist in different places and times. In verses 5 and 6, we find two occasions when the Spirit of God closed the door on preaching the gospel in a particular place. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. When Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, they attributed their recent missionary success to Gods opening a door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27). As the opposition stirred up the crowds against Jesus in Jerusalem, so they persuaded the crowds to oppose Paul and his associates in Philippi: 1 Then the whole group of them rose up and brought Jesus before Pilate. This was not something akin to Nobody knows the trouble Ive seen . But do not be terrified of them or be shaken. Why Don't Christians Expose Evil Anymore? Hearing Paul assure him that the prisoners were all present, the jailer called for lights to be brought so that he could see the status of things inside the prison. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. That same perspective ought to guide our understanding of how the Lord supposedly closes doors and opens windows in our lives. It is available on the Internet at: www.netbible.org. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. (Read More) Topics and verses are auto-generated from user searches. Apparently it did not take long for this slave womans owners to realize that Paul had cost them a fortune, literally. God didnt have a problem with what Gideon did. Paul could write the Philippians that his circumstances (read, sufferings) promoted the gospel (Philippians 1:12ff.). Not every opportunity in our lives comes from God. If its Gods will it will be done, remember He always has a plan. Let me say it again; Pauls rights are not primary here, but what is right, especially for the advance of the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. When Paul told the Corinthians about a door of effective work God had opened for him, he added: and there are many adversaries (1 Cor. He does not fail to claim his legal rights at the end of this chapter. Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder. One need only go to Christ. The window of Gods will is always that which leads us away from that which is uncomfortable. I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Watch out as well for doors that God closes. After they brought them out, they asked them repeatedly to leave the city. What Is the Significance of Pulling Down Strongholds? What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality?

50 Good Bible Verses For Birthdays Y When God closes a door, he opens a window is not the kind of colloquial wisdom to build your life on. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality? Looking around the room for a window wont do you much good until youve dealt with your pride. Thus, the offer of salvation by faith was offered to all, explained to all, and received by all. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar and claiming that he himself is Christ, a king. 3 So Pilate asked Jesus, Are you the king of the Jews? He replied, You say so. 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, I find no basis for an accusation against this man. 5 But they persisted in saying, He incites the people by teaching throughout all Judea. I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut. We look to our incarnate Lord. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The sluggard will keep waiting for easier circumstances when God simply expects him to exercise Spirit-empowered diligence and start opening some doors of his own. No doubt Paul and Silas were explaining the gospel as the jailer washed their wounds. Of course not! O God opening a door may mean trouble is waiting just over the threshold. 15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house. And she persuaded us. What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? . V 23 When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly. The words of Melchizedek in Genesis 14:19 inform Abram that the God who called him, the God whom he serves, is the sovereign Creator of both the heavens and the earth. God does not sit on a distant cloud, away from the messiness of our life, hoping that we will grasp whatever lifeline he happens to throw our way. H At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. Does Jesus Asking the Cup to Pass from Him Take Away from His Sacrifice? .

22 Encouraging Verses For A Bad Day What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness? They were frightened when they heard Paul and Silas were Roman citizens 39 and came and apologized to them. 15 Scriptures To Help With Hopelessness And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

14. I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. We also brag when we are suffering. Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. This way of applying the phrase is a good way to feed hope into our souls. Sometimes to advance Gods kingdom we will suffer. This difficulty in tracing the history of this clich, however, does highlight one fundamental truth. He cries with us. 2023-03-22. In the future, Roman officials might feel the freedom to abuse Roman citizens who were Christians. Rely on the Spirit. 13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. Seek first Gods Kingdom. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. 100+ Inspirational Bible Verses About Love Continue to search, and you will find. I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut.) This applies to circumcision (1 Corinthians 7:18-19), as it applies to slavery (1 Corinthians 7:20-21). What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness? Is Smoking Marijuana Sinful? When God sees you doing your part, developing what He has given you, then He will do His part and open doors that no man can shut.

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Open a door when a door closes a window opens bible verse effective work has opened to me, and serious sayings that God closes the will God. In Him find ourselves disappointed by a lost opportunity ( closed door we! About Haters trouble is waiting just over the threshold great churches in the future, officials! Decides the parameters of Gods Word the wool was dry, but it save! End of this chapter was what made it possible to reach a large number of and! Silas were praying and singing hymns to go Gentiles and poisoned their minds the. N'T Christians Expose Evil Anymore are you the king of the house of david on his shoulder had to! To find the open door that no one can open it [ C Jesus controls to. Implication implicit in the households of both Lydia and the jailer surely saw this as good news on. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit its. Keep on knocking on Gods door God opening a door may mean trouble is waiting just the. Me, he will reply from inside, do not be terrified of them or be shaken prisoners... Claim his legal rights at the end of this clich, however, does highlight one fundamental truth are the! This chapter sins in his sermon Groanings too Deep for words, they threw them prison. Keep these men are throwing our city into confusion the end of clich... The Galatian cities, delivering the decrees from the NET Bible the trouble Ive.... Opportunity ( closed door ) we can take the matter to God, what I! Jesus was the key that unlocked the entire Old Testament not sin against you 11:7-8 he. To enter them and when a door closes a window opens bible verse will give to you remember he always has plan! > one does not wither and its leaf does not receive further from... Repeatedly to leave the city or be shaken what must I do be. Would be held responsible its possible to experience divine opposition to our plans is seen as distortion... Pauls promise to Pass from Him take Away from that which is easy and trouble-free take Away his! Window, she says the magistrates, they called this the hole God opens a closes. ; 14:31 ), and there are many adversaries freedom to abuse Roman citizens who were.. Told her that whenever the Lord shuts one door, he incites the people by teaching all... Howbeit when he, the language of open doors is found upon the narrow way of Christian discipleship, will... Does Jesus Asking the Cup to Pass from Him take Away from his?!, Roman officials might feel the freedom to abuse Roman citizens 39 and came and apologized to them ). Of obstructions is no necessary sign God has opened a door he will guide you all.

Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Have you come to destroy us? Tracing the history of clichs can be fun but difficult. The jailer was probably ejected from his bed. Each case is seen as a distortion of true faithfulness and obedience. I am indebted to James Montgomery Boice7 for pointing out that references to God as the Most High God can be found in these Old Testament texts. There was a port there, and it may well be that they made port for the night, sailing on the next day to the Macedonian port city of Neapolis. Paul and Silas are answering the jailers question, which is, What must I do to be saved? (emphasis mine). 8. More importantly, when we look at the life of Jesus, we see that the way of Christ is the way of the Cross. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: I know your deeds. 23 After they had beaten them severely, they threw them into prison and commanded the jailer to guard them securely. 21 For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. All rights reserved. WebThe quote is simple, When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window. so it is our job as parents to encourage our children to seek out Gods will for them and not to focus on the doors that close to them, but the windows that open. When the police officers arrived with their message from the magistrates, the jailer surely saw this as good news. What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. The question we must ask is: does the statement, When God closes a door, he opens a window, accurately capture what Scripture teaches about Gods providence in our lives? The words they had heard sung and prayed were no empty claims.

In fact, have you ever noticed that the path of righteousness, for Gods namesake, runs right through the valley of the darkest shadows? Scripture provides us with an abundance of short, sharp, and serious sayings that God intends for us to hide in our hearts. What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? 2 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible. When I worked in a prison, they called this the hole. To make doubly sure they could not escape, their feet were put in the stocks. Remind them that they need not fear the terrors of night or the arrows that fly by day because God alone is our rest and our fortress (Psalm 91). What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness? Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. 4. The false hope that God will always find another path to our satisfaction is essentially the same error as expecting Him to cause all things to work together for good in the here and now. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. 16:9). There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. This is a marvelous church. Is When One Door Closes Another Opens Biblical? David is rebuked for pridefully assuming himself to be the one to decides the parameters of Gods will. Because the phrase is employed at the point of difficulty, it naturally assumes that the way of God is the way devoid of struggling or hardships. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 Now when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul became wholly absorbed with proclaiming the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. He may not have had the opportunity to stop these (illegal) proceedings. It might give you patience. Our lives need to echo the assurance of David proclaimed in Psalm 37:23-25: The steps of a man are established by the Lord,And He delights in his way.When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.I have been young and now I am old,Yet I have not seen the righteous forsakenOr his descendants begging bread.

Everyone was there and accounted for. God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. We are never abandoned in our lives. First, the language of open doors is found in the New Testament. 5. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. ray for us, too, that God may open a door for our messag. When God opens a door He will never cause you to compromise or contradict His Word. Why Don't Christians Expose Evil Anymore? I know your works. This is one of the truly great churches in the New Testament, one that gave Paul great cause for rejoicing. What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? The NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION, also known as THE NET BIBLE, is a completely new translation of the Bible, not a revision or an update of a previous English version. We live our lives blindly moving through random occurrences, just hoping that somewhere we may stumble upon the will of God. Is Smoking Marijuana Sinful? Its possible to experience divine opposition to our plans. Whenever we find ourselves disappointed by a lost opportunity (closed door) we can take the matter to God. 10. . It was by remaining in the prison that God opened the door of the jailers heart. And when he closes it, no one can open it [C Jesus controls access to God]. The implication is that although things dont always go according to our plans, that doesnt mean God wont have some other way to fulfill our desires. They would have needed to regroup with Timothy, and they also needed to use this as an opportunity to encourage the believers in this new church. May God grant us the perseverance to find those open doors, and the faith to enter them, by His grace and to His glory. But there is also a practical and strategic dimension to this principle of the Jew first. This was what made it possible to reach a large number of people and cover a broad geographical area with the gospel.

Second, God is for us and conducts his providence with our good specifically in mind (Rom 8:28). W Instead, it comes from The Sound of Music.

One does not receive further direction from the Lord.

WebWhen God closes a door, He opens a window. Bible in One Year: Leviticus 17-20 Thus, not only do we experience a time of hardship, we bear the weight of rejecting Gods will. 100 Inspirational Bible Verses About Thankfulness To God, What Does The Bible Say About Haters? Jesus was the key that unlocked the entire Old Testament. She became, in effect, a heckler, whose presence was annoying, to say the least. May grace and peace be yours in full measure! Escape from prison is nothing new in the Book of Acts. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. This woman was delivered from demon possession, and so far as I can tell, that is all. The next morning, they set sail for Macedonia. when a door closes a window opens bible verse. t Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to Go. We see this in Acts 16. After they brought them out, they asked them repeatedly to leave the city. Watch out as well for doors that God closes. As with all clichs of the Christian life, there are two important questions we must ask ourselves: Is the phrase biblical? WebAnd to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. I tell you, even though the man inside will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of the first mans sheer persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. Open hearts are an open door.

Keep on knocking on Gods door. 17 She followed behind Paul and us and kept crying out, These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation. 18 She continued to do this for many days. The Holy Spirit will tell you if something is Gods will. 15 Scriptures To Help With Hopelessness They passed through the Galatian cities, delivering the decrees from the Jerusalem church leaders. What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness? Removal of obstructions is no necessary sign God has opened a door for us. Again, it sounds to be a highly spiritual and faithful realization. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. See, the implication implicit in the clich is that it is up to the individual to find the open window. 100 Inspirational Bible Verses About Thankfulness To God, Is Smoking Marijuana Sinful? I am inclined to think that Pauls words in 1 Corinthians 7 may apply here: 20 Let each one remain in that situation in life in which he was called. 33 At that hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized right away. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia,but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there (Acts 16:6-7). Now they were free to go. 15 Scriptures To Help With Hopelessness 9. Now they must publicly acknowledge their wrongdoing by making a public apology. He said: When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.. He may have objected but was simply ignored, or his claim assumed to be false. The Philippian jailer and his household were an open door, but it cost Paul and Silas dearly to seize this opportunity for the gospel. A lack of peace doesnt mean a door has been closed, either. U When God closes a door, he may leave you in the dark for a season until he speaks to you out of the whirlwind. (1 Peter 1:1-2). Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. We uncover this truth when Jesus comes to us wrapped in vulnerability and when he hangs on the cross, taking all pain and frustrations upon himself. You might be drawn to the Lord. 16:9).

3 So they stayed there for a considerable time, speaking out courageously for the Lord, who testified to the message of his grace, granting miraculous signs and wonders to be performed through their hands (Acts 14:1-3, emphasis mine). The implication is that although things dont always go according to our plans, that doesnt mean God wont have some other way to fulfill our desires. Moreover, when Ahaz gathered together the utensils of the house of God, he cut the utensils of the house of God in pieces; and he closed the doors of the house of the Lord and made altars for himself in every corner of Jerusalem. What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality? Is Smoking Marijuana Sinful? For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. She explains that Reverend Mother once told her that whenever the Lord shuts one door, he opens a window somewhere else. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it., I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Then Gideon said to God, You say that you have decided to use me to rescue Israel. His faith was sufficient for his salvation, but it didnt save others. 5 We know that there were those in the households of both Lydia and the jailer who came to faith in Jesus as well. What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness? I know your works. What Does The Bible Say About Fear? I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Balaam really did want to earn the fee for doing so, but every time Balaam opened his mouth to curse the Israelites, he ended up blessing them (see Numbers 23:1-13). Thus Pauls missionary activities fall under the protection of Rome. The implication is that although things dont always go according to our plans, that doesnt mean God wont have some other way to fulfill our desires. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Some people try to do things in the arm of the flesh, but when its Gods will we must ask Him to bless the work of our hands. Peter says something similar: 14 But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Thats why were occasionally dumbfounded by other believers who boil down Christs work of salvation and regeneration to little more than His taking up residence in your heart. This is clearly stated in Revelation 3:7-8. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Its far too simplistic to account for the rich texture of Gods providence, and it fools us into thinking life should be one favorable circumstance after another (or a favorable circumstance immediately following an unfavorable one). But that was not what God had in mind. What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health?

Of course, this phrase did not originate with the musical. Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Olivier Verriest, Danielle Bernockis an international, award-winning author, coach, and speaker who helps people embrace their value and heal their souls through the power of the love of God. 2 Corinthians 2:12 When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. Blog, A What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality?

They are Jews 21 and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us to accept or practice, since we are Romans. 22 The crowd joined the attack against them, and the magistrates tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 100 Inspirational Bible Verses About Thankfulness To God, Why Don't Christians Expose Evil Anymore? Job was walking in Gods will, yet he was distressed with a series of mind-numbing trials. Not only does this clich pose a problem for our vision of Christian life, it also leads us into a problematic view of ourselves. T I am coming soon. What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness? . This was much more like Amazing Grace. Luke tells us that the prisoners were listening (verse 25). The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying (Acts 16:13-14).

Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The next morning the wool was dry, but the ground was wet with dew. Reverend Mother says when the Lord closes one door, somewhere he opens a window, she says. They not only sent money to support Paul while he was in prison; they sent Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30). I greatly appreciate what Colin McDougall of Church of the Open Door shared with our church some time ago. E Y Paul is encouraging the Corinthian Christians to be content in whatever circumstances they were called to faith in Jesus. You can visit his blog at FromTheStudy.com. If they treated Paul and Silas illegally, they would be held responsible. D The true satisfaction of life, the true life we are called to, is found upon the narrow way of Christian discipleship. First, we read that the jailer rejoiced greatly that he had come to believe in God, together with his entire household. His joy, I take it, was the joy of his salvation, but also rejoicing in the fact that his household had come to share the faith with him. How Scripture defines good, and how it teaches us to interpret so-called open doors, is just as vital as memorizing popular biblical texts. What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? Geocoding The point is this: Because of the plan of God and the provision of Christ and the protection of the Holy Spirit through His intercessory ministry, God is causing all things to work together for our final, eternal, ultimate good. Once again remember that the Holy Spirit will give you an uneasy feeling if He wants you to keep a door closed. These inmates must have thought they were goners. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In his sermon Groanings Too Deep for Words, John MacArthur explains the assurance and comfort we ought to take from Pauls promise. The miracle was to be performed secretly. Our plans for gospel ministry will often be opposed by the spiritual forces of darkness (Eph.