January 1

AN OPEN DOOR
by Ray Prinzing

"Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it."     [Revelation 3:8]

"Behold, a door was opened in heaven; and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither..."                          [Revelation 4:1]

In the many cycles of God's dealing with man, we are often brought to a new circumstance, a bend in the road with a new direction, a fresh start with a change of jobs, or just another measurement of time call a new year.  The attitude in which we face these challenges is vital in respect to the progress to be made, and the victories to be experienced. I John 4:18 says, "fear hath torment."  The Greek word translated here a "torment" literally means, "restraint."  It also holds within it the meaning of "a Pruning" which signifies a holding back, a restriction of growth.  Fear prohibits one from going on to perfection, for it draws back from the unknown, and confines us to the limitations of that which we have already experienced. Therefore we must gird up our minds, knowing that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." [2 Timothy 1:7]. And His love in us will  "cast out all fear."

Inasmuch as "the steps of a man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way." [Psalm 37:23], we can courageously accept the challenge of AN OPEN DOOR knowing that He goes before us to lead step by step. It is God that hath set before us this "open door," and "if God be for us, who can be against us? - In all these things we are (become) more than conquerors through Him that loved us." [Romans 8:32,37].

Beyond all the natural realms, however, there is also the OPEN DOOR FOR NEW SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS. "Come up hither..." bespeaks of a transition, an end to the former, the limitations of "in part," a prophecy, a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom, fragmentary and incomplete; and now to become partakers of the creative word for the new order of His kingdom.