The gate of opportunity and understanding
Yesterday’s testimonies are good but today’s testimonies are better; yet tomorrow’s testimonies are best. All testimonies are wonderful and to the glory of God. Many today think they understand God but they need to think again. A church activity that many are sold out to does not show understanding. In some churches today, they are more into dancing, pastors acting like some secular musicians; even copying their dancing styles. Some add their cultural dancing moves and attire to the dancing, all claiming to be worshiping God. Hardly do you hear a true message from such and I guarantee anyone, that if sin and holiness is preached under a convicting anointing, those dances will cease immediately and spiritual sanity will return. Know when Jesus is at your door for that is your gate of opportunity.
1st Corinthians 13:3 stated, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” There are thing we do, even in the church that does not come out of charity. When you sing and dance, be it unto the Lord; and only you can sincerely judge yourself. Today there are videos in church, to help you examine yourself whether the attention is on you or on some people or on the Lord. Also the church is not a fashion walk way like the world does. When you copy the world and bring such into the church, be careful that you are not in friendship with the world, (James 4:4). You are in the world but not of the world, (John 17:11-17). Many dance in churches without understanding. David danced with understanding and the testimonies of God before him. As you dance remember what testimonies you are leaning on from the Lord; dance with understanding.
There were two people, a man and a woman who had understanding about God and how to follow him. When you do things without divine love, then understanding is missing. Remember Martha, in Luke 10:40-42, she was cumbered about much serving (activities), and she came to Jesus and said, Lord dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she helps me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her,” Verse 39 states, “And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.” Who knows what Jesus was saying or preaching to Mary that Martha missed, that Gate of Opportunity that comes once in a life time. Martha was busy with activities (she forgot the power that feed 4000 and 5000 and raised her brother and that her cooking was not the focus); But Mary chose to hear the Word, faith cometh by hearing the word, not in multitudes of activities. Mary remembers that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of God, (Matt. 3:4); that was understanding. Martha loved the Lord but did not have the understanding of the moment and the gate of opportunity (Jesus) before her.
Jesus looks at and knows peoples’ hearts towards him. The only way Mary could grow her faith was to understand the time of her visitation, and the gate of opportunity before her. She made her decision to sit at his feet to hear and learn the word of God which is the bread that came down from heaven. Are you cumbered with church activities that you do not even hear the words of God? Many go to church but do not sit at the feet of the Lord; and so did not hear what was preached, because they lacked understanding. Take a note in your heart so if and when you make it to heaven and come across Mary it may be interesting to ask her what Jesus her taught day when she sat at his feet and Martha was busy.
Apostle John never did any recorded miracles, except when he stood with Peter in the case of the lame man. John did not say a word only Peter did the talking. John was always humble, never wishing to be identified. He said little or nothing but understood that love was the key. John was so loving and confident in the Lord that he laid on his shoulders. This was a privilege for an understanding heart. He was not interested in working miracles or attracting attention. No one doubted that he understood and loved the Lord.
When other fled for their lives at Jesus’ worst moments John was there present. In John 18:14, when Jesus was before Caiaphas the high priest; John was there. Peter was outside and John went and spoke to her that was keeping the gate and got Peter in. The high priest knew John, but John was not worried, or afraid, nor denied the Lord: Because he had counted his own life as nothing, and did not talk much only when it mattered. Where were the other disciples when at the last moments on the cross, (John 19:26-27); Jesus said, “woman, behold thy son: And to the disciple (John) behold thy mother.” And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. Jesus committed the care of his earthly mother to one he could trust and that loved him as Lord of all. Remember John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
From the writings of John, you will know what the Lord, had put into his heart; by John sitting at his feet, listening to his words, and not talking much. As soon as the Lord ascended back to heaven, Herod shortly executed James the brother of John. This surely would allow John to focus more on the Lord. Also whatever John heard and was told and shown on the Isle of Patmos he kept in his heart and James was not there to be a source of temptation to share such with. Some of the Patmos revelations were God’s unwritten secrets that John heard but was forbidden to document, until God’s appointed time. Remember Matt. 17:9, at the mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James and John saw and may be heard some things: But Jesus charged them saying, “Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.” John kept this secret and was found faithful and worthy to keep the secret of what the seven thunders uttered in Rev. 10. Also God could erase it from John’s memory what the seven thunders uttered. He heard it and was about to writ but was told not to. John was banished to die on Patmos but God turned it to a glorious, heavenly vacation. To focus; witness and document the book of Revelation, given by Jesus Christ himself. John did no recorded miracles, signs and wonders.
Are you at Jesus’ feet and hearing his word of life? Soon every man shall give account of themselves to God. The gate of opportunity for salvation and relationship with Jesus is still open but, it will be shut any moment, with the sudden translation of the true believers. Be ye holy as I am holy saith the Lord; and only the pure in heart shall see God, (Matt. 5:8). Recognize your gate of opportunity (Jesus Christ).
167 – The gate of opportunity and understanding