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That door is not closed…yet

Hebrews 10:24-25 (AMP)  Let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.

Yesterday was National Back to Church Sunday. I hope that you are plugged into a local body. The above scripture shows that even in the beginning of the early church some thought they could do it on their own. Yes, it is a personal relationship that we develop, but we still need each other.

Last week our church passed out one thousand door hangers in hopes that someone new would walk through our doors. I had been preparing for guests for months. I had gift bags printed, mugs printed, pens printed. We spent hundreds of dollars in hopes of us making a good first impression. I woke up in the morning thinking to myself, are we even prepared for new? Do we know how to walk through the door with fresh eyes? What would it be like to walk through those doors, with my kids? Were we prepared to walk along someone who had never entered our doors?

To my disappointment, no one new showed up. I was heart broken, still am. I had to think about the ones that were there. Just because they were not new, did not mean that I did not need to minister to and serve them.

It took me back to my fortieth birthday. My spiritual daughter tried to do a surprise party for me during the COVID stay at home order. It had been two months since we had to stop in person services. She had organized an outdoor, socially distanced, event. There were people who attended, but my focus after the fact, was on the ones that did not. I asked if they were invited. I had seen them out in stores (in groups), but they did not come. I was hurt. Since then I have altered my relationships. Did I have too high of expectations because I favored them more? Did I really favor them more? I had to make a change.

At the gym this morning I was listening to Elevation Church’s message while doing cardio (this is a routine of mine for Mondays). Today’s message really ministered to me. Paul was not without rejection or disappointments. The Corinthian church was one of the largest and most influential churches that he was the apostle over. They did not like his correction in some matters and had rejected him. He had to walk in forgiveness, but that did not mean he was not distract him for a moment. He had sent Titus to help mend things and while waiting for Titus’ report he just could not get his mind off the matter.

2 Corinthians 2:12-13 (AMP)  Now when I arrived at Troas to preach the good news of Christ, even though a door [of opportunity] opened for me in the Lord, my spirit could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there; so saying goodbye to them, I left for Macedonia.

Today I took a step and had a meeting with a director of a local non profit. It is an opportunity to present the gospel to the unchurched, ages 11-19. This is an open door. I could allow the disappointments of all other things to hinder what I am called to do. I am to present the gospel wherever an opportunity (open door) is given.

“Caution! The longer you are a Christian, the fewer opportunities you will have to be involved with unbelievers. Why? You become more involved in church life and activities. You are ‘lifted out’ of normal contact with unbelievers. Solution? Find practical and creative ways to build bridges back to unbelievers.” – Evangelism Explosion

I do not know about you, but I do get disappointed. I do have occasions that I am frustrated. That is okay, because those are signs of hope. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (AMP) Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. If I threw up my hands in disgust, the enemy wins. Love always hopes. Love knows that the door is opened, the enemy wants you to think that it is closed because it is difficult. Remain steadfast anyways. Do not allow your spirit to remain bothered (I am talking to myself) and go through the doors of opportunity.

That door has not closed…yet. Learn from Paul.

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Happy International Women’s Day

I am a woman in ministry that is allowed to speak to the whole congregation on a Sunday. It is not an opportunity that I take for granted, because unfortunately there are many churches that do not allow women to speak outside of a women’s event or a youth/children’s ministry. This is quite sad because there were many disciples of Jesus, that were not men, that He sent out. It is sad still that today in mega churches (not all…Elevation Church and Transformation Church, well done!) that do not have a woman speak in a main service. The body of Christ is really missing out on this gift.

John 4:7-38 tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman at a well. For those of you who do not know this story, I urge you to read it.  I will paraphrase it for you right now.  Jesus and his disciples are traveling and his disciples went to buy food in the city.  Jesus sits down at “Jacob’s well” and he asks this Samaritan woman for water (a woman, culturally, His people would not be seen talking to).  He goes on to talk to her about there being a water that she could drink that she would never have to thirst again.  This woman was out at this time of day, that no one else would be drawing water, was because she was living with a man that was not her husband, and had had five husbands before that.  Women were property back in that day and if this woman had been married and divorced so many times, culturally they thought something was wrong with her.  Jesus reveals to her that He is the Messiah and she receives what He says.  His disciples come back and are astonished.  Jesus talks about having food to eat, but they hadn’t given him any yet.  What food was He talking about?  John 4:34-35 (MSG) Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started. As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!

Jesus sits down at “Jacob’s well” and he asks this Samaritan woman for water (a woman, culturally, His people would not be seen talking to).

Here is the adventure the Samaritan woman and the harvest that Jesus saw.  Historians have discovered that the Samaritan woman’s name was Photina.  She was at Pentecost.  After her encounter with Jesus at the well, she did not stop spreading the Word of Jesus.  It completely changed her life.  She spoke so much of Jesus that she got the attention of Nero.  She was responsible for converting Nero’s daughter and many of his servants.  How fascinating to know that Jesus saw that harvest at the well. He saw the value of this woman!

Some may argue that is woman was a missionary and that was why she could lead in that capacity. It is often glossed over that the day that Jesus was presented to the Temple, as customary after eight days of His birth, there were two in the room that blessed Him, Simeon and Anna, a prophetess. God does not see less of a value on women, as being the physically weaker sex, He sees great value in them as why He chose Deborah to lead the nation of Israel.

My husband and I co-pastor our church. I am submitted to my husband as He is the head of our home, but that does not mean he dominates me or has a greater voice than I do. When we presented the verses on Ephesians 5 on how a marriage is modeled to the congregation on Valentine’s Day Sunday we presented this verse first: 1 Peter 3:7 (NLT) In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

When we start seeing women in ministry as equal partners, there is so much more that can be offered to the Body of Christ! Women, you have value! You are a gift to the body of Christ!! Lisa Bevere posted today, “God would have never GRANTED WOMEN A VOICE if He intended for them to remain silent.”