Revelation 3:8, “. . . I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it.”
The year 2024 is the year of the open door. Notice the words of our Lord, “I have set. . .” In the following verse of Revelation 3:9, He says, “I will make them. . .” Thus, the opportunities presented to us in 2024 are not manufactured by programs or devices borne of us but by His sovereign workings.
The doors opened by us, can be closed by others; but the doors opened by the Lord, no man can shut!
Entering the open door of salvation for this New Year will be those who many had not thought would enter into the Kingdom of God. In Acts 14:27, the apostles witnessed how the Lord had opened the “door of faith unto the Gentiles.” These were people who did not have the spiritual pedigree as the apostles or other members of the Church at the outset. Yet Peter, upon his call to preach the gospel to the Gentile house of Cornelius conceded in Acts 11:17, “. . .what was I, that I could withstand God?”
Jesus prophetically stated in John 10:16, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one-fold, and one shepherd.”
In 2024, the Lord will bring into His fold those who may not have had a religious upbringing, or those who may have been discounted by many in church communities. We must in love and grace embrace “whosoever will” that comes into the fold.
In addition to the open door of salvation, in 2024, there will be an open door of prayer. In Luke 11:5-8, Jesus related the following in His teaching on prayer: “And he said unto them, ‘Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?’ And he from within shall answer and say, ‘Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.’ I say unto you, ‘Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.’”
Notice, initially the man needing bread asked for three loaves. But when his friend opened the door, he received not just three, but “as many as he needeth.” What was the key in the man receiving more than he initially thought he needed? It was the open door. In this New Year, prepare to receive answers to prayer beyond what you are able “to ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
Then there is the open door of fellowship. Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” In this passage, Jesus is standingoutside the door of the church at Laodicea, beckoning them to allow His entrance into their midst. The opportunity for the Lord’s presence to invade our lives, our churches, our businesses, our families, and our communities will be at an all-time high in this New Year. An open door of a greater dimension of His presence awaits!
Further, for 2024, is the open door of service. 1 Corinthians 16:9, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me. . .” 2Corinthians 2:12, “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach the gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord.” I hear many say at the beginning of a New Year that their resolution is to do more for the Lord in the upcoming year than they ever have. The door of service is wide open. If you have desired to begin a new ministry, a new initiative of service for your community, take advantage of the door the Lord has opened. Remember, the doors the Lord opens, no one can shut.
Then there is the open door of revelation. Colossians 4:3, “Withal praying for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds.” In this New Year, I believe people will begin to receive and walk in a higher level of insight and understanding of truths already established in the Kingdom of God. Psalm 119:89, “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” When I speak of new revelation, I am not speaking of new truth. His truth is already established and settled. Yet we can only walk in the limitations of our understanding. While driving at night, we can only see as far as our headlights project. But when day comes, we see in a broader context. The greater the light, the greater the revelation of what already exists. In 2024, be prepared to gain greater insight into already established truths. Open hearts equate to open eyes. Acts 16:14, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”
Finally, there is the open door of heaven. Revelation 4:1, “After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven. . .” The Lord has opened the door of heaven over your life, your family, your church, and your community. In Malachi 3:10, the Lord speaks of opening the windows of heaven and pouring out blessings wherein we will not have room to receive. If that level of blessing is contingent upon open windows, how much more then is available from an open door!
To establish the people of Central Appalachia in the principles of the Kingdom of God, and thereby releasing them to rise above all cultural, historical, economic, and generational limitations so they may live abundantly within their privileges and covenant as sons and daughters of God.
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