Watch How God Will Open Doors

A family bible study by Keith M. Craddock

Watch How God Will Open Doors

Have you ever felt like you're standing in front of a closed door, wondering if it will ever open? Maybe you've been praying for a new opportunity, a fresh start, or a breakthrough in a challenging situation.

As believers, we can trust that God is always working behind the scenes, opening doors and making a way for us. In this post, we'll explore what it means to watch how God will open doors, and how we can trust in His goodness and sovereignty.

The Faith to See the Unseen

Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." This verse reminds us that faith is not just about seeing the tangible, but also about trusting in the invisible.

When we face closed doors, it's easy to lose sight of God's plan. But Hebrews 11:1 encourages us to have faith in what we hope for, even when we can't see it. We must trust that God is working, even when the door seems shut.

God's Plan to Prosper

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse reminds us that God's plan for us is always good.

When we face closed doors, it's tempting to doubt God's goodness. But Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God's plan is to prosper us, not to harm us. We can trust that He is working everything out for our good, even when the door seems shut.

Watching for God's Open Doors

So, how can we watch for God's open doors? Here are a few practical steps:

Pray for guidance: Ask God to show you the way and to open doors that align with His plan.
Trust in God's sovereignty: Remember that God is in control, and He is working everything out for your good.
Look for opportunities: Keep your eyes open for opportunities that align with God's plan, and be willing to take steps of faith.
Wait patiently: Trust that God's timing is perfect, and wait patiently for Him to open doors.

Conclusion

Watching how God will open doors requires faith, trust, and patience. We must trust that God is working behind the scenes, opening doors and making a way for us.

As we wait for God to open doors, let's remember that His plan is always good, and He is working everything out for our good. May we have the faith to see the unseen, and may we trust in God's sovereignty as we watch for His open doors.

Reflection Questions:

What are some areas of your life where you're waiting for God to open doors?
How can you trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when the door seems shut?
What practical steps can you take to watch for God's open doors?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to trust in Your sovereignty and goodness, even when the door seems shut. Give us the faith to see the unseen, and help us to watch for Your open doors. May we wait patiently, knowing that Your timing is perfect, and Your plan is always good. Amen

Fear Doesn't Come from God

A family bible study by Keith M. Craddock

 "Fear Doesn't Come from God"

Fear is a universal human emotion that can be overwhelming and debilitating. It can creep into our lives and steal our peace, joy, and confidence. But as Christians, we need to remember that fear doesn't come from God.

God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear

In 2 Timothy 1:7, we read:

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

This verse reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Instead, He has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. We can face challenges and difficulties with confidence and courage, knowing that God is with us.

The Giants of Fear

In Numbers 13:33, we read:

"We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."

This verse reminds us of the story of the Israelites who were afraid to enter the Promised Land because of the giants they saw there. They allowed their fear to hold them back from experiencing God's promise.

Fear vs. Faith

Fear and faith are opposing forces. When we choose to fear, we are essentially saying that we don't trust God. But when we choose to have faith, we are saying that we trust God completely.

Overcoming Fear with Faith

So how can we overcome fear with faith? Here are a few practical tips:

Focus on God's promises: Instead of focusing on our fears, let's focus on God's promises. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Practice prayer and worship: Prayer and worship are powerful tools for overcoming fear. When we pray and worship, we are reminded of God's presence and power in our lives.
Surround yourself with positive influences: The people we surround ourselves with and the media we consume can either fuel our fears or build our faith. Let's surround ourselves with positive influences that encourage us to trust God.

Conclusion

Fear doesn't come from God. He has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. Let's choose to focus on God's promises, practice prayer and worship, and surround ourselves with positive influences. When we do, we'll find that our fears will begin to fade away, replaced by a confident faith in God.

Reflection Questions

What are some fears that are holding you back from experiencing God's promise?
How can you focus on God's promises instead of your fears?
What are some positive influences that you can surround yourself with to build your faith?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to overcome our fears with faith. Remind us of Your promises and give us the power to trust You completely. In Jesus' name, Amen

Start Listening to God

 A family bible study by Keith M. Craddock

"Start Listening to God"

Do you ever feel like you're not hearing from God? Like you're praying and praying, but not getting any answers? The truth is, God is always speaking to us, but we need to learn to listen.

Jesus' Example of Humility and Obedience

In John 13:3-8, we read:

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."

Jesus' actions here demonstrate His humility and obedience to the Father. He knew that He had come to serve, not to be served.

Our High Priest Who Sympathizes with Us

In Hebrews 4:15, we read:

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."

This verse reminds us that Jesus is our High Priest who sympathizes with us. He understands our weaknesses and struggles.

God's Unfailing Love and Covenant

In Isaiah 54:10, we read:

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you."

This verse reminds us of God's unfailing love and covenant with us. His love is not based on our performance, but on His character.

God's Mercies Are New Every Morning

In Lamentations 3:22-23, we read:

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

This verse reminds us that God's mercies are new every morning. We can start each day with a clean slate, knowing that God's love and compassion are available to us.

Blessing the Lord

In Psalm 103:1-2, we read:

"Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits."

This psalm reminds us to bless the Lord and remember His benefits. When we focus on God's goodness and faithfulness, we are more likely to hear His voice.

Listening to God

So how can we start listening to God? Here are a few practical tips:

Create space for silence: In our busy world, it's easy to get distracted. Create space for silence and solitude, where you can focus on hearing God's voice.
Read the Bible: The Bible is God's Word, and it's a great way to hear His voice. Take time to read the Bible each day, and ask God to speak to you through His Word.
Pray: Prayer is a two-way conversation with God. Take time to pray each day, and listen for God's response.

Conclusion

Listening to God is not always easy, but it's essential for living a life that honors Him. By creating space for silence, reading the Bible, and praying, we can start listening to God and living a life that is guided by His wisdom.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways you can create space for silence in your life?
How can you use the Bible to hear God's voice?
What are some things you can pray about, and how can you listen for God's response?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to listen to Your voice. Give us ears to hear and hearts to obey. We want to live a life that honors You, and we know that starts with listening to Your voice. In Jesus' name, Amen