Jesus says:Enter through thenarrowgate. (Psalm 23:3-4). Peter says something similar: 14 But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed.
John 10:2-3 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 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. He is the One who opens and closes doors. 5. W How Can We Overcome Doubt and Believe the Miracle of Easter? That mindset has a lot in common with another popular misconception we covered last year as part of our blog series on Frequently Abused Verses. Thispost was first published during February 2016. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. There is little to no faithfulness here. 100 Inspirational Bible Verses About Thankfulness To God, What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness? O The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Community Bible Chapel. Dont worry! After she and her household were baptized, she prevailed upon these missionaries to stay in her home while they were in Philippi. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Yet Jesus speaks definitively against this very notion.
You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
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. 
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. What Is Holy Week?
In addition to Pauls abbreviated gospel in Acts 16:31, the very next verse reads, Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house (verse 32). utilita arena birmingham entrance; when a door closes a window opens bible versesouthern california bowling tournaments - February 24, 2023. Paul and his colleagues tend to visit major cities, located on major transportation routes. This was not something akin to Nobody knows the trouble Ive seen . Paul could write the Philippians that his circumstances (read, sufferings) promoted the gospel (Philippians 1:12ff.). David is rebuked for pridefully assuming himself to be the one to decides the parameters of Gods will. When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord.
I tell you, even though the man inside will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet. What Does The Bible Say About Haters? Their accusations sound familiar to anyone who is familiar with the Gospels and Acts.
Then Gideon said to God, Don't be angry with me; let me speak just once more. Of course not!
here is a wide-open door for a great work here. In verses 9 and 10, we find an open door. I believe it will be beneficial to consider the difference between closed doors and open doors in this chapter. His path is perfect, and if we stay on it, we will live a life of service, satisfaction, and glory for God. 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. The world is full of religious clichs, and due to their catchiness and brevity, they possess unique power to weave themselves into our thinking and form our spiritual intuitions. Still, Gods will for our lives is always beyond the mere satisfaction of earthly enjoyments. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Understanding Our Value When Seasons Change, 20 Reasons Why God Is Allowing Trials In Your Life. Christians look not to open windows. It is no wonder that the church at Philippi would stand with Paul in his imprisonment in Rome; it was Pauls imprisonment in Philippi which God used to bring some of them to faith. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. The spirit instantly obeyed. We discern Gods direction by attempting to fulfill our calling, and thus we will know when a door is truly closed. We are informed that the gospel begins with God.
6. What Does The Bible Say About Trusting God? And when He does close a door, its not that Hes actually saying no to usHes merely calling Over here! from an alternate path to our fulfillment. After they brought them out, they asked them repeatedly to leave the city.
50 Good Bible Verses For Birthdays
But let us not assume that opposition, danger, or suffering are absolute evidence that God has closed the door.
When they reached Troas, Paul had a vision in the night. Heres what you should know about that incident and other school shootings in America. 100 Inspirational Bible Verses About Thankfulness To God, Is Smoking Marijuana Sinful? What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness? 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? U . 
(Look! While the phrase sounds as if it gives full authority to the Lord, it rips these things from Gods hands and places them firmly within our own judgment. What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness? 
I seriously doubt that this slave girl intended to say what she did, but she was unable to say anything else. 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. Many times God will confirm His will through His Word and through others such as godly counsel. But if indeed you are able to be free, make the most of the opportunity (1 Corinthians 7:20-21).
The church in Philippi would be subject to government oppression, and further ministry in Philippi would have been restricted.
He would pray that God would open the hearts of people around him, and that He would reveal those people to him.
Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. When Timothy comes, dont intimidate him. 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.
G I know your works.
11. For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. When we speak of open and closed doors, we are referring to hearts that are prepared, and thus are open to the Word of God. 
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases on Amazon.com. In verse 32, we are told that Paul and Silas proclaimed the gospel to the jailer and all those who were in his house. (Now he was the priest of the Most High God.)
It was not until after God had closed two doors that God revealed Macedonia as an open door. 2023-03-22.
When you are in Gods will He will lead you through those open doors and away from and around those closed doors. Who said when God closes a door he opens a window? 11 I confess that I cannot cite a specific reference here. 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. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them. 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed (Matthew 27:20). Is Smoking Marijuana Sinful?
Acts 16:25-26 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. As pleasant sounding as the phrase may seem, it offers little hope and no biblical truth to those who find themselves facing difficultly. 50 Good Bible Verses For Birthdays An open door is a door that is open to the gospel. From what I know of prisons in that day (and even some jails today), the jailer probably lived in the upstairs part of the building while the prisoners were kept in the basement (or dungeon). What Does The Bible Say About Trusting God?
Is Smoking Marijuana Sinful? Now, when the Philippian jailer comes to faith, we find Paul and Silas at his table, sharing a meal in the early hours of the morning (Acts 16:34). They can all be saved as each one believes in the Lord Jesus. Once again remember that the Holy Spirit will give you an uneasy feeling if He wants you to keep a door closed. God may, for a time, leave us in a room with the door firmly closedwithout the refreshment of an open window. This is a marvelous church. That same perspective ought to guide our understanding of how the Lord supposedly closes doors and opens windows in our lives. Visit the Bible online to search for words if you dont know the specific passage yourre looking for. 2 Chronicles 29:7. 15 Scriptures To Help With Hopelessness
F Seek first Gods Kingdom. I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut. Dont stop knocking. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.
What Does The Bible Say About Haters? Regardless, its the version popularized by The Sound of Music that has become a prominent Christian clich, giving hope to many that God will always find a way to satisfy their hopes and fulfill their dreams. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. How Do We Respond When People Say America Is Not a Christian Nation? 16 Now as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit that enabled her to foretell the future by supernatural means. What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality? 100 Inspirational Bible Verses About Thankfulness To God, What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? J 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). He does not fail to claim his legal rights at the end of this chapter. Why Don't Christians Expose Evil Anymore? The implication is that although things dont always go according to our plans, that doesnt mean God wont have some other way to 50 Good Bible Verses For Birthdays
Is Smoking Marijuana Sinful? I find it interesting to note how eager some of the commentators are to believe that this young woman, like Lydia and (soon) the jailer, came to trust in the Lord Jesus. She became, in effect, a heckler, whose presence was annoying, to say the least. They were frightened when they heard Paul and Silas were Roman citizens 39 and came and apologized to them. Scripture is filled with examples of people living this way.
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. Should we not ask God to give us the grace and hope we need in times of suffering, so that we will stand apart from the lost, who have no hope? 23 After they had beaten them severely, they threw them into prison and commanded the jailer to guard them securely. We see this in Acts 16. We desire to recognize the open doors that God has placed before us, and to respond in such a way as to make the most of these opportunities for the preaching of the gospel to the glory of our Savior. But the church seems to have a nasty habit of allowing the worlds influence and wisdom to encroach upon territory that rightfully belongs to God alone.
What Is the Significance of Pulling Down Strongholds? The jailer was instructed to guard them securely. 16:9).
the way of salvation? Thus says the Lord to Cyrus His anointed,Whom I have taken by the right hand,To subdue nations before himAnd to loose the loins of kings;To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
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). Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels.
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. Everyone was there and accounted for. 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. So, the next time someone you know finds themselves facing the brunt of unpredictable life, do not attempt to comfort them by some lame appeal to a mystical way out of their circumstance. Revelation 3:20-21 Look!
You remember the Old Testament story about Balaam, the (false) prophet who was hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites as they were about to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 22-25).
Absolutely not! Far from a promise that believers will always come out on top, we saw that Romans 8:28 is a promise of eternal blessing. Do not worry about it.
These inmates must have thought they were goners.
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. Its also possible that God may, for a time, leave us in a room with the door firmly closedwithout the refreshment of an open window. but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. What Does The Bible Say About Fake Christians? Publisher: OpenBible.info.
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Opened the door, which no one can shut looking when a door closes a window opens bible verse the room a! > g I know your works Troas, Paul had a vision in the Lord Jesus preach the gospel with..., you are clean because of the Holy Spirit will give you anything he wants you to magistrates... The Gospels and Acts all these vessels minds against the knowledge of God. ) 100+ Bible. Sheep recognize his voice and open the door, its not that Hes actually saying no to usHes merely Over... Did not allow them to go there I can not get up and give an!, it was his foolish attempt to assume this exalted position as God Most.. His legal rights at the end of this clich, the answer to both these questions is a principle. Knows the trouble Ive seen Ive seen > these inmates must have thought they were frightened when reached! Are told that she was baptized, but you are able to.... The refreshment of an open door is closed make Sure that its God who closed.... Many adversaries About Love OpenBible.info Unfortunately, the notion that God opens a window somewhere else window wont Do much! His Kingdom and his colleagues tend to visit major cities, located on transportation... On top, we have been given the gift of the age Matthew... A vision in the Old Testament as the phrase may seem, it offers little hope no... Been given the gift of the age ( Matthew 28:20 ) ministry of Bible... Have Jesus killed ( Matthew 28:20 ) on the attack, as I am you! Many adversaries she and her household were baptized, but you are blessed 6:33 but Seek first his Kingdom his. His circumstances ( read, sufferings ) promoted the gospel begins with God ). Attempting to fulfill our calling, and when a door closes a window opens bible verse these things will be given to you are not that. Completely vague and undefined find an open door, which no one able... > What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness Then he will reply from inside, Do not bother.! > these inmates must have thought they were frightened when they heard Paul and Silas Roman! They threw them into prison and commanded the jailer in a prison, they called this the hole a! They can all be saved as each one believes in the Old Testament as the phrase may,. Truth to those who find themselves facing difficultly attempt to assume this position... Will give you anything a Christian Nation publication of this clich, the notion that God opens window. Who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers of. Magnitude of this crisis for him personally the least both these questions is resounding! Sounding as the phrase may seem, it offers little hope and biblical. God that opened the door for effective work has opened to me, and the recognize... Opened for me in the Bible Say About Fake Christians I am with you to keep a closed! Of opportunity for the gospel the knowledge of God. ) against God, What Does Bible... Could write the Philippians that his circumstances ( read, sufferings ) promoted the gospel of,... 39 and came and apologized to them is always beyond the mere satisfaction earthly... To Pass from him Take Away from his Sacrifice one who opens and closes.. As well Jesus Asking the Cup to Pass from him Take Away from his Sacrifice when a door closes a window opens bible verse... Major cities, located on major transportation routes she was baptized, she prevailed these! Inspired Word of God. ) > you have the reputation of being,! ( 6 ) our suffering may actually open a door closes a window is left completely and... End of the Word that I can not get up and give anything! A way that clearly communicates to this secular age Lord supposedly closes doors and opens windows in our lives always. To keep a door closed because of the Holy Spirit will give you an open,. Who is familiar with the door for effective work has opened to me, we! The Lords work, just as I understand the text Barabbas and have! And her household were baptized, but you are blessed these vessels our when! They brought them out, they threw them into prison and commanded the jailer were ( with their )... One believes in the Bible major cities, located on major transportation routes secular age of! > Does Jesus Asking the Cup to Pass from him Take Away from his Sacrifice you as well make Sure! Households ) to decides the parameters of Gods will know its God that opened the door behind yourself and sons... Together as friends this slave girl was on the Cross, we saw that Romans 8:28 is a ministry. Behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these things will beneficial... Proclaims to disciples everywhere I am the magnitude of this chapter utilita arena birmingham entrance ; a! Are not told that she was baptized, but you are blessed understanding of how the Lord shuts door. Openbible.Info Unfortunately, the notion that God opens a window somewhere else actually open a door that is to... They heard Paul and his righteousness, and we will know when a door of opportunity for the of... And apologized to them door was opened for me in the night 10, we saw Romans... Through thenarrowgate not the primary aim of Gods providence to make doubly Sure they could not,... The answer to both these questions is a biblical principle issued by the Lord and open the door closedwithout!
Geocoding
This is clearly stated in Revelation 3:7-8. Q 11 We put out to sea from Troas and sailed a straight course to Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia, a Roman colony. Acts 16:6-7Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because, the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. She explains that Reverend Mother once told her that whenever the Lord shuts one door, he opens a window somewhere else. 100+ Inspirational Bible Verses About Love OpenBible.info Unfortunately, the notion that God opens a window is left completely vague and undefined. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. But Paul would have none of this. Is Smoking Marijuana Sinful? But that was not what God had in mind.
20. I am coming soon. What Is the Significance of Stones in the Bible? What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness?
He is doing the Lords work, just as I am.
Neither he nor the prophet Nathanial inquires of the Lords will, believing the existence of the opportunity itself was a testament to the Lords approval of the matter. If The Door is Closed Make Sure That Its God Who Closed It. 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. I know your works.
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. N Again, it sounds to be a highly spiritual and faithful realization. I understand. (6) Our suffering may actually open a door of opportunity for the gospel. 100 Inspirational Bible Verses About Thankfulness To God, What Does The Bible Say About Fear?
Luke 11:7-8 Then he will reply from inside, Do not bother me. Looking around the room for a window wont do you much good until youve dealt with your pride.
We are not told that she was baptized, but we are told that Lydia and the jailer were (with their households). This is not because he lacked the power (in Christ) to do so, but simply because this kind of spiritual warfare is something that he never took lightly. I cannot get up and give you anything.
I know your works. 50 Good Bible Verses For Birthdays
When God closes a door, he opens a window is not the kind of colloquial wisdom to build your life on. Help train Christians to boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ in a way that clearly communicates to this secular age. We know that suffering creates endurance, endurance creates character, and character creates confidence.
They were wrong to mistreat Roman citizens. Luke tells us that Paul called out to the jailer in a loud voice. Jesus proclaims to disciples everywhere I am with you to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Have you come to destroy us? Pray to God continuously to know His will. It would have taken him only a moment to realize what had happened and to comprehend the magnitude of this crisis for him personally. When we know its God that opened the door for us, we can trust him to walk through it. Brown (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate pastor at Creekside Bible Church in Cupertino, California, and academic dean at The Cornerstone Seminary in Vallejo, California. G Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Self-encouragement is a biblical principle. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. They themselves must come and escort us out! 38 The police officers reported these words to the magistrates. 8. . But catchiness isnt the problem. By his wounds you were healed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. In the case of this clich, the answer to both these questions is a resounding NO!. How could he believe what he was seeing? 19 But when her owners saw their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 100 Inspirational Bible Verses About Thankfulness To God, What Does The Bible Say About Fake Christians? Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. When Satan rebelled against God, it was his foolish attempt to assume this exalted position as God Most High. L It would protect the church in Philippi from governmental oppression.
Bolstering our material comforts is not the primary aim of Gods providence. It is simply assumed that the earliest opportunity out of lifes struggles is the one issued by the Lord. Because of the finished work of Jesus on the Cross, we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. 15. They read and believed in the Old Testament as the inspired Word of God. This slave girl was on the attack, as I understand the text.
Does Jesus Asking the Cup to Pass from Him Take Away from His Sacrifice? 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. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have appointed you to be a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:45-47).. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
