See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name ( Revelation 3:8).
This year the Lord will open many opportunities for growth and service. The doors God opens in our lives lead to new beginnings, new blessings, and new opportunities to live a flourishing life. We do not have to go knocking on doors or forcing them open; God opens doors.
I mentioned in the message on January 1 that God’s operating system for our lives is not windows but doors. There is a world of difference between a window and a door. A window gives you a limited view of the larger world. When we look through a window we see only so far. Things above and below, and things to the right and the left are out of sight. Such is the window view of life.
We place ourselves in the little box of a building when we look through a window. While looking through a window, we are cut off from the larger world. The most we can do is look out on things removed. Windows are places from which we view life in a larger world while not being a part of that world. Windows make us spectators. It may be a comfortable thing to look at life through a window, but that is very limiting. The Lord has more in store for us.
A door offers us an opportunity to get out of the box and join the larger world. The presence of an open door means I can go out and come in. An open door is freedom and involvement.
Since God opens doors for us, we should be careful not to force them open in our own strength. This may lead to disaster. The doors that we open for ourselves may easily be closed by others. The people that open doors for us have the power to close them as well. Sometimes it is good to wait for certain things to come to us in their own time and way. Wait on the Lord.
When God opens a door for us we need not fear the outcome, no one can shut it. This may imply that when God shuts a door, no one can open it. God cannot be reversed. The gifts, graces, and blessing of God on our lives are ours, no one can take them away. Romans 11:29 remind us that God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. Therefore, we live our lives believing that God’s will for us would be realized as we obediently follow him. God is the God of doors; some doors he opens and some doors he shuts, but no Man can counter what God has ordained. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown (Revelation 3:10).
Many doors will be opened to us this year, however, some open doors may not be right for us. Next to knowing when to seize an opportunity, the most important thing in life is to know when to forego an advantage.— Disraeli . In “Acts 16:6-9 we read: “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” We may expect the God who sets open doors before us to close other doors as he sees fit.
In the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves we are told that one day Ali Baba, while gathering firewood in the forest, overheard the conversation of forty thieves visiting their treasure store. The treasure is in a cave which is sealed by magical words. It opens on the words “Open Sesame”, and seals itself on the words “Close Sesame”. When the thieves were gone, Ali Baba used the magical words to open the cave. He went from one door to another and from one chamber to another finding more and more riches.
The open door that Christ sets before us leads to other doors and to higher chambers. We may enter the realm of God’s boundless blessings and unceasing grace. The words of our Lord in Revelation 3:20 speak to this: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. We enter his open door when we open the door of our lives to him.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus!
There is room in my heart for Thee.

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels ( luke 9:26)

“With all due respect we don’t need God on our sidelines … Once again God had to save Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. He couldn’t even give them two drives? Seven to three?” These are the words of Terrel Suggs as he expressed his frustrations with Tim Tebow. I am not a football fan. I find it hard to devote so many hours to watch a single game. But Suggs’ remarks got my attention for they reflect not only on the religious divide in our society, but also leads me to ask whether any of us need God on the sidelines of life.
Tim Tebow’s public acknowledgement of his Christian faith is admired by some and resented by others. A few weeks go, I asked my thirteen year old grandson, Anthony ( a devotee of the game and a player) for his thoughts about Tebow. In addition to other things, I learnt that among our youth there is a word for what Tebow does, it is called Tebowing. I googled this word and got about 1.8 million hits. One site (http://tebowing.com/) showed pictures of various people Tebowing. The definition of Tebowing is: “To start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different.”
In December of 2011, The Global Language Monitor announced that it acknowledges that the word “Tebowing” has officially entered the English language. ( that means that one day when you type Tebowing it would not be underline in red as a misspelled word).
Tebow is not the only professional athlete that makes a public display of his faith. On the other side of the Atlantic we find Kaká, the fútbol( soccer) player that Pelé described as “the outstanding talent of the moment.” Time Magazine names Kaká, among the 100 most influential people in the world. In spite of these honors, what matters to him more than anything else is his relationship to the Lord. Kaká’s is known for taking off his team jersey after scoring a goal to revel the bold words on his undershirt: ”I belong to Jesus” while he kneels and raises his hands to the Lord in thanksgiving.
In preparing this blog I read many responses to Suggs’ remarks. One Raven fan said: “Even with the Ravens being my team, I do have a love for a young Christian brother who exalts the Lord and has made such a strong stand on behalf of Jesus Christ. No team supersedes my love for the Christian brethren.”
One player may be angry with another or one may take issue with the religion of another. But to publicly say you do not need God on your sidelines is to display a level of arrogance and pride that even the prince of darkness envies. Where does one find the confidence that causes him to say: “I don’t need God?”
Suggs is comfortable speaking this way not only because he has first amendment rights. He lives in a society that increasingly makes people feel comfortable minimizing the importance of God in their lives. Christian bashing is an acceptable form of bigotry in America. It is alive and well and growing more intense by the day. People take pleasure in tearing down religion and moral values. There is no surprise that a Saturday Night Live humorist would refer to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as the “nephew of God.” The world loves the kind of Christian who keeps his faith to himself. The one tolerance we can’t afford is tolerance for those, like Tim Tebow, who proclaim a saving trust in Jesus Christ.
Suggs’ statement should cause him and all of us to take a fresh look at our beliefs and attitudes toward God. One person asked: Doesn’t Suggs realize that even the honor of being considered for “Defensive Player of theYear,” did not come by his own strength. Really, what does he have that God didn’t give him? If we start with the fact that God gave him life, he is already indebted to Him.
I listened to Suggs’ statement on line. He also said: “… we give it up to God (just for) safety and health, but we’re gonna go out there and win that game.” This is also revealing. He looks to God for protection and good health. But when it comes to the game itself, he and his team can manage on their own. They can win without God. His offensive statement has nothing to do with Tim Tebow; it’s all about God. He seems to be saying: We know when we need God and when we do not need God. Those who do not want God on the sidelines do not want him at the center of their lives either.
Someone said that Terrel Suggs nickname is “T-Sizzle.” and pointed out that there’s a chance that, at some point in the future, it will refer to the fire and brimstone in which his mortal soul may be engulfed. Clearly that is saying too much and going too far. Those we see Tebowing in life would pray for Suggs’ welfare. It would be good for Suggs and all who have a prideful attitude to humble themselves before the almighty.
I do not know where God stands on the game of football. If Suggs’ words were meant as a joke, those who take God seriously did not get it. This much is certain, God is here on the battle field of life to help us win against spiritual wickedness in high places. The sidelines is the place to which a player on the field look for directions, especially when the game is difficult. If God is not on our sidelines, then who is? To whom do we turn for guidance? If God does not help us win, who does? If God is not on our sidelines, who receives our praise and thanksgiving for life’s blessings. Believers affirm: My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
May we know that our God is not confined to the sidelines, somehow at a distance and shouting his advice to us above the noise of the crowd. Our God is above us, around us, and on the playing field with us. We may look to the sidelines, We may look up, best of all, we may look within for he is everywhere present to help us win.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength
(Philippians 4:13)

TIME Magazine carried and article that told about NASA launching the exploratory space probe Pioneer 10 in 1972. Reporter, Leon Jaroff explained that the primary mission of Pioneer 10 was to beam data back to earth about Jupiter’s magnetic field, radiation belts, and atmosphere. Scientists regarded this as a bold venture, for at that time no earth satellite had ever gone beyond Mars. Some scientists feared the asteroid belt would destroy the satellite before it could reach its target. But Pioneer 10 accomplished its mission and much, much more.
Swinging past the giant planet in November 1973, Jupiter’s immense gravity hurled Pioneer 10 at a higher rate of speed toward the edge of the solar system. At one billion miles from the sun, Pioneer 10 passed Saturn. At some two billion miles, it hurtled past Uranus; Neptune at nearly three billion miles; Pluto at almost four billion miles. By 1997, twenty-five years after its launch, Pioneer 10 was more than six billion miles from the sun. And despite that immense distance, Pioneer 10 continued to beam back radio signals to scientists on Earth. “Perhaps most remarkable,” writes Jaroff, “those signals emanate from an 8-watt transmitter, which radiates about as much power as a bedroom night light, and takes more than nine hours to reach Earth.”
Engineers designed Pioneer 10 with a useful life of just three years. But it kept going and going. By simple longevity, its tiny 8-watt transmitter radio accomplished more than anyone thought possible. Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
You and I are capable of being more and doing more. Because we do not know the potential of God’s design for our lives, we should reach for the highest and the best. How do we do that? Begin with what the Lord has given you. Accept the fact that your maker endowed you with certain unique abilities so that you may accomplish his good and perfect will in your life. Believe with all your heart that here is none like you. There are people who would respond to you more readily than to others. Given who you are, and your unique circumstances there are people in need that only you may be able to reach. Do not be surprised when God puts, in your hands, the cup of cold water for some thirsty soul. God has given you all that you need to do more in life; he has also given the opportunities.
Its time for some surprise. If you are into Bruce Springsteen music you may enjoy:
Well, surprise, surprise, surprise
Yea, surprise, surprise, surprise
Well, surprise, surprise
C’mon open your eyes and let your love shine down
Well, surprise, surprise, surprise
Yea, surprise, surprise, surprise
Well, surprise, surprise
C’mon open your eyes and let your love shine down
You may listen to it at: ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUwrVISlc7s).
This year, let us stretch out into a life that exists beyond our self imposed limitations. May we know that as the Lord leads and opportunities are give, God himself would be there with all-sufficient grace to help us over come whatever rising doubts and fears we may have. Trust the Lord to hold your hand, steady your nerve, and guide your feet. Burning deep within each soul is the candle of the Lord. Through the energy it provides we may do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us ( Ephesians 3:20).