A GREAT AND EFFECTUAL DOOR

"For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."1Cor.16:9

In considering this scripture for this short study, let us first of all define some of the terms used in it. For example, what is the meaning of following words: great, effectual and adversaries.

Great: Extraordinary, considerable, substantial, etc

Effectual: effective, successful, efficacious, productive, constructive, fruitful, potent, powerful, etc.

Adversary: opponent, rival, foe, combatant, etc.

Now permit me to rewrite the Scripture in my own version; “ for a substantial and fruitful opportunity (entry) is before me, but there are many enemies opposing me.”

Many people have had, and still has great doors opened before them, but has a lot of foes to contend with. These enemies ranges from physical and spiritual contenders.

It is not enough for you to see the door, it is much more important to enter. It is good enough for you to have a vision, but much more to fulfill it. The enemy may not stop you from dreaming or having a vision, but will do all that is in power to stop you from reaching it.

“Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.” 1Th. 2:18

Every vision  a child of God has,  must be opposed by the devil(Satan). 

A man who is being resisted will only struggle. He puts in a lot of strength, but has little or no progress.

Let’s look at this scenario, two men in a race of the same distance, even possessing the same strength , but one has a man in front of him and opposing him. No matter how serious he is, he must first of all defeat his opposition before moving forward. 

Be careful to know the tricks of the enemy. He may not come dressed in black clad and appearing with horns on his head, and a trident in his hand, but be wise enough to identify him. 

“And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”2Cor. 11:14 (ISV).

In Mathew 16:23, Jesus rebuked Peter and addressed him as the devil. Why? Peter became a tool for Satan to oppose the purpose of Jesus. “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

Satan can use good friends, family members and other conditions to oppose people from entering the purpose of God for their lives.

Zech. 3:1 “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.”

Satan is always in rebellion against all that is God’. Resisting every door opened for the children of God is one of his major itineraries. Joshua was standing before the angel of the LORD, but Satan appeared with a mission to resist him from the opportunity.

There are many whose their sins have become a source of adversaries unto, and so on. It is therefore necessary for people to do a proper check to know the causes of resistance in their lives and how to subdue everyone of them.

We will have to stop here today to continue next time. God bless you!

Healthy Confrontation (1)

'When Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face.' Galatians 2:11 NKJV

When Peter showed partiality to Jews over Gentiles, Paul confronted him over it! Why? To keep unity in the church. Sometimes you’ve no option but to confront someone. The question is, ‘How?’ None of us are born with the innate ability to do this; it’s a skill only learned through practice and patience. And the reason we’re not good at it, is because we avoid it like the plague. As a result, our relationships suffer and our problems don’t get resolved.

The first step in preparing for a confrontation is to establish the right purpose for putting the issue on the table. The focus should be on achieving a better relationship. This can either involve getting someone to stop doing something, or start doing something. At no time should your goal be to tell someone off, or get something off your chest, or lay a guilt trip on them. So it’s important that you first confront yourself. Be honest about why you’ve decided to confront the issue. Do you have an ulterior motive such as resentment or wounded pride, or do you want to see a genuine change in behaviour? You need to ask yourself, ‘When this confrontation is over, what behaviour do I want to see the offender change?’

Remember, in effective confrontation you are looking for a desired outcome and a win-win for both sides. ‘A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city.’ (Proverbs 18:19 KJV) If a person knows you truly care about them and are seeking to glorify God in the situation, you’re more apt to get the response you seek.

SoulFood SoulFood: 1 Chr 4:24-5:26, Mark 4:1-12, Ps 119:9-16, Prov 20:19-21

Written by: Victor Obaze-Odigie