(author unknown)
We need to learn to thank the Lord for closed doors just as much as we do for open doors. The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us.
If He didn't close the wrong door we would never find our way to the right door. Even when we don't realise it, God directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors. When one door closes, it forces us to change our course. Another door closes, it forces us to change our course yet again.
Then finally, we find the open door and walk right into our blessing. But instead of praising God for the closed door (which kept us out of trouble), we get upset because we 'judge by the appearances.' And in our own arrogance, or ignorance, we insist that we know what is right.
In times of need, we have a very present help who is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of us, He can see trouble down the road and He sets up road blocks and detours accordingly.
But through our lack of wisdom we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour signs. Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying, 'Lord, how could this happen to me?'
We have got to realise that the closed door was a blessing. Didn't He say that 'No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless'? (Psalm 84:11b)
If you get terminated from your job - don't be down, instead thank God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves - it might be a better job, or an opportunity to go to school.
If that man or woman won't return your call - it might not be them, it might be the Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go).
One time a person had a bank he had been doing business with for many years tell him 'NO' for a $10,000 loan. The Lord led him to call another bank. That bank approved a $40,000 loan for him at a lower interest rate than his own bank had advertised.
I'm so grateful for the many times God has closed doors to me, just to open them in the most unexpected places. 'If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm.' (Psalms 37:23)
The Mountain top is glorious, but it is in the Valley that I will grow!
Always remember God gives you...
Enough Happiness to keep you Sweet
Enough Trials to keep you Strong
Enough Sorrows to keep you Human
Enough Hope to keep you Happy
Enough Failure to keep you Humble
Enough Success to keep you Eager
Enough Friends to give you Comfort
Enough Wealth to meet your Needs
Enough Enthusiasm to make you look forward
Enough Faith to banish depression, and
Enough Determination to make each day a better day than the last.
Life must be lived forward but can only be understood backwards.
Remember, rowing harder doesn't help if the boat is headed in the wrong direction.
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." (Proverbs 16:3)
Sources :
http://zenbeedan.multiply.com/journal/item/39/Thank_God_For_Closed_Doors_
http://www.eluminay.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&func=view&id=951&catid=10
Friday 18 December 2009
Sunday 13 December 2009
the God factor
adapted from an article by Peter Amsterdam
Nearly everyone you know experiences problems, financial troubles and trying situations at one time or another, but some people deal with it better than others. What makes the difference is often not so much these people’s circumstances, but to whom they turn for help.
The secret to overcoming any problem or obstacle in life is : Do what you can do, and then rely on the “God factor.”
What is the God factor?
Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
In making our plans we must remember that God is in control of the situation, and that He is able to change hearts and circumstances and make things happen that are far beyond our abilities. That’s the “God factor”.
What seems logical to the human mind often takes on a different perspective when the God factor comes into play. The God factor is that extra factor in the equation which defies even the laws of nature and makes the impossible possible.
The God factor means standing on God’s promises. It means trusting in Him, believing that nothing is impossible with Him. It means that He’s able to supply all your needs. It means that faith in Him overrides all impossibilities.
God is in the heavenly realm but He works in the real world. He deals not just in spiritual blessings and rewards, but in tangible, black-and-white, dollars-and-cents material blessings and rewards as well. He’s the God of Heaven, and also the God of this present world. He transcends both, rules in both, lives in both, dominates both‚ creates in both, and has the power to pay us in both currencies.
We need to learn to trust Him for the material things that we need—not just our spiritual needs like happiness, purpose and peace of mind. He’s just as powerful‚ just as capable, and just as willing to give us the tangible, practical blessings we need. He has no problem or qualm about pulling cold‚ hard cash out of His pocket for us, if we’ll only have the faith to receive it.
We need to not limit God in our minds, but realize that His influence is all encompassing and that He is capable of performing miracles in both the spiritual and physical realms. He can and will give us both spiritual and material blessings, and we all need a whole lot of both.
God has given us some amazing promises in His Word. These promises are for real. They have been given to us by our truthful God who never lies. He doesn’t exaggerate. He doesn’t pump up His promises to lift Himself up or to make us feel good. He gives us His promises because He wants us to believe and claim them as our own, so He can give us all of the great things He has in store for us.
They’re not fake promises, but each one is conditional.
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
“Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38).
“No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Psalm 84:11).
They’re each dependent on us fulfilling our part of the bargain, which nearly always comes down to keeping His two great commandments.
Matthew 22:37-39
If we do our part, they are guaranteed to come to pass …... not necessarily in the way we want or think they will, but in God’s time & way. Like a wise and loving parent, He always knows what’s best for us and is happy to give it to us.
Nearly everyone you know experiences problems, financial troubles and trying situations at one time or another, but some people deal with it better than others. What makes the difference is often not so much these people’s circumstances, but to whom they turn for help.
The secret to overcoming any problem or obstacle in life is : Do what you can do, and then rely on the “God factor.”
What is the God factor?
Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
In making our plans we must remember that God is in control of the situation, and that He is able to change hearts and circumstances and make things happen that are far beyond our abilities. That’s the “God factor”.
What seems logical to the human mind often takes on a different perspective when the God factor comes into play. The God factor is that extra factor in the equation which defies even the laws of nature and makes the impossible possible.
The God factor means standing on God’s promises. It means trusting in Him, believing that nothing is impossible with Him. It means that He’s able to supply all your needs. It means that faith in Him overrides all impossibilities.
God is in the heavenly realm but He works in the real world. He deals not just in spiritual blessings and rewards, but in tangible, black-and-white, dollars-and-cents material blessings and rewards as well. He’s the God of Heaven, and also the God of this present world. He transcends both, rules in both, lives in both, dominates both‚ creates in both, and has the power to pay us in both currencies.
We need to learn to trust Him for the material things that we need—not just our spiritual needs like happiness, purpose and peace of mind. He’s just as powerful‚ just as capable, and just as willing to give us the tangible, practical blessings we need. He has no problem or qualm about pulling cold‚ hard cash out of His pocket for us, if we’ll only have the faith to receive it.
We need to not limit God in our minds, but realize that His influence is all encompassing and that He is capable of performing miracles in both the spiritual and physical realms. He can and will give us both spiritual and material blessings, and we all need a whole lot of both.
God has given us some amazing promises in His Word. These promises are for real. They have been given to us by our truthful God who never lies. He doesn’t exaggerate. He doesn’t pump up His promises to lift Himself up or to make us feel good. He gives us His promises because He wants us to believe and claim them as our own, so He can give us all of the great things He has in store for us.
They’re not fake promises, but each one is conditional.
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
“Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38).
“No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Psalm 84:11).
They’re each dependent on us fulfilling our part of the bargain, which nearly always comes down to keeping His two great commandments.
Matthew 22:37-39
“Love God, and love our neighbours as ourselves”
If we do our part, they are guaranteed to come to pass …... not necessarily in the way we want or think they will, but in God’s time & way. Like a wise and loving parent, He always knows what’s best for us and is happy to give it to us.
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