The Key Ring

I wrote a poem a few years ago about a key. It was about the key to my heart; it opened the door to give me Christ as my Savior. 

     I have other keys I carry; one opens the door of courage; it helps me to walk away from what might or who might harm me and hinder the work of God in my life. I also carry a key which opens the door to a surrendering heart; one which allows God to come in and guide me through tough situations. Yet, another key opens the door to each morning’s adventure. When I use that key, I never know what to expect. I only know that God has walked through the open door because I invited Him in, and all will be well for God brings love with Him wherever He walks. 

     The moral: Keep your key ring close by and if the key fits; open the door.

Let Down The Net

“…But I will do as You say and let down the nets.” Luke 5:5b

 

I hope in this new year of 2025 I am always willing to “let down my net,” as instructed by God. Simon Peter obeyed and his net was filled to the breaking point. What an amazing event that must have been! 

     I could very well say, “I wish I had been there.” However, I can be there as long as I listen and obey. Obedience can open a door of opportunity and blessings, and I want 2025 to open with a blast!
     No more worry, no more holding back. Pray instead- listen- obey, and let down the net. Let it be filled to overflowing!

An Open Door

The Israelites wondered forty years. Were they excited that the door was finally opening, leading them into the promised land? Did they look at the open door as a new opportunity?

     How do I act or what do I think when a door opens- when a new stage in life is provided? Does excitement spark? Do I:  

Want it!  

Own it!

Take it! 

And, Thank God for it!

 

“The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.” Deuteronomy 2:7 

 

The Door

     In “A Friendly Shade” I have no doors closing me off from nature.  I may sit in my shade swinging underneath a breezy tree, labor intently in my small garden, or just take a walk in the woods.  However, when I have enjoyed nature for a time and wish to enter another more cooler or warmer climate all I have to do is return inside.  To do this, I must enter a door. 
     What do we do when the door doesn’t open?  Don’t we expect it to open easily when we turn the knob?  If it does not open as expected, do we kick it, bang on it, or shove the mighty force of our shoulder against it?  Do we give up and walk away, or do we find another door?  Thank about it! 
     In Matthew 7:7-8 it says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."  Doesn’t this scripture make us expect the door to open?  Yet, there are times we are left disappointed, and in our disappointment we have several options when the door does not open.  In Mark Batterson’s book “The Circle Maker,” he asks, “How long and loud will you knock on the door?  Until you knock the door down?”  Sometimes, we need to pray harder and become as Mark Batterson writes, “We need to become desperate in our prayers.”   
     When we don’t get answers or the answers we expect, we need to aways keep praying and keep knocking.  Maybe God is saying, “No, not now,”  or is He saying, “There is something better. Look for another door.”  Whatever the case, we must keep praying. 
     Maybe we slammed the door so hard it won’t open.  What happened?  Did we take our request away from God in our effort to do it ourselves and to do it our way?  Is it time to release our stubbornness in order to finally let God back under the steering wheel and allow Him to open a door?      
     Often times, we may need to listen harder.  Some would complain, "Why can't I hear Him? Why is He not answering?"   Could it be that we have sin in our lives that we have not been willing to get rid of ?  Can we really expect a door to open when we are not willing to obey?
     If we are truly willing to obey, there is hope.  God knows how to correctly dot every “i” and cross every “t”,  and He will open the door that is right for us at just the right time.   So, if we find a door that will not open, we need to keep knocking- there are surprise blessings behind that door in due time.