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Rev 3:7- 8 …These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
I am so overwhelmed as I write this today. As the year is about to set, I was led to think about this entire year. Yes, it has been one tough year. Amid all the little bad times and trials I have faced, I have had some of the most victorious, anointed, miraculous and joyful days in this year. All glory to God. I did nothing to deserve all the beautiful things. I just submitted to God and went with whatever He brought my way. At the beginning of the year, the Lord gave the word on Open Doors (Rev 3:8) to the entire congregation of Restoration Outreach (my wonderful church family).
I held on to that promise and God indeed opened some impossible doors. He confirmed this word so many times throughout this year. I am just in awe of Him. Truly His word never returns void. One such door, I never even dreamed of, was prison ministry. I worked as a crime reporter and came across those nabbed for various crimes from robbery to frauds and even murders (one of them was the serial beer killer suspect). I often would ask God to somehow reach out to these people innocent or guilty. Obtaining permission to enter prisons is definitely no easy task. I never even dreamt that one day I would have an opportunity to enter into a prison without being convicted. That was a door that God opened for me.
Thanks to two wonderful people, Frank and Lucy, I have been able to be a part of this. The whole thing has surely changed my perspective on life. If you think your life is bad, try sharing a cell with approx 150 others (each cell should only accommodate at most 50). Try food that you would rather starve than eat. Most of all constant bickering, hate, fights and insults spewed from all sides. Not everyone in there is a criminal; there are a few innocent people awaiting justice for weeks, months and even years. Some can afford good legal counsel, some cannot and are forced to depend on the sluggish justice system. Some children are born in jail, some are forced to live in the cells along with their mothers.
When our group enters there with a message of hope, salvation and love, these women and children flock to us like bees flock to honey (women and men jails are separate, only women from our group visit the women prisoners as the men visit the men prisoners). God has done some amazing things there. He has answered prayers, healed, ministered and changed inmates right in front of our eyes. Any doubt Jesus is alive?
We are mere women, by ourselves we could not have even got a smile out of them. We don’t have the charm of words. We sing sometimes in tune, sometimes struggle to get things together. Thankfully, God has been and still is with us. He promised, “When two or three are gathered in my name, I will be there.” He comes in power and we of all people know that it isn’t because of who we are or what we do, our talents, our charms, etc. It is because of who He is. He opened this door and asked us to walk through. He equips us. God indeed does not choose the equipped, but equips the chosen. Without Him we wouldn’t have even been able to get inside there. Soon I will write testimonies of women in there who were transformed. Just awaiting their release and permission that I may do so.
Another open door that we pray remains open for as long as it can, is this outreach ministry that we carry out Sunday evenings on the street of a popular suburb. A few of us meet at a sea facing platform singing about the Lord and sharing what He has done in our lives. There have been opportunities to pray and counsel many. There have been testimonies of people being touched and the seeds of Jesus being sown. God provided us permission from secular authorities and has favoured us among people. Many times, God kept us reassured about the fact that the doors He opens no man can shut. We saw it particularly when we almost thought we lost right to share the Word of God in public.
Not just ministry, I have seen open and closed doors in my personal life. In relationships, in career and so many other areas of life. I have seen Him open opportunities that were the best for me. He closed down doors that were just not right for me. If seen through natural eyes, those doors should’ve been easy to walk through. Several Christian young men came my way saying that God had confimred I was the one they were to marry. I am so glad I turned to God. He showed me escape and a way out without hurting these people. Now, I look back and see that it was the best thing that thsoe doors closed. I continue to walk through open doors. I thank Him for illuminating this word in my life so strongly and I pray that all who read may experience the opening and closing of doors by God in their life. It is so important. I tell you from experience!
Truly want to thank Him for guiding my path this year. His Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path (Ps 119:105).
Awaiting His Word for 2012. So far, I believe it to be a year of answered prayer and breakthroughs for those who know Him and trust Him.
Psalm 34:4-5 I sought the LORD, and He heard me,And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.
This month has been a preview of that. I can only praise His name. Share with me in comments if you like of things Jesus has done or something you believe will happen in 2012. Would love to pray with you. God bless 🙂
Scriberita 
Everything is so good, so powerful–I can hardly pick one thing to comment on. You’re very brave to do prison ministry–I certainly have a heart for those imprisoned, but doubt I could do it. (Well, of course, I couldn’t in my own strength, but we know we can do all things He asks of us, in His strength.) Perhaps I’m struck by this because I lived in an “inner” prison for most of my life–only got free this past Easter (though I’d been a saved Christian since age 12-13). So I’m familiar with what seems to be an endless dark despair–which surely those incarcerated live with daily, unless they know Jesus intimately.
I also appreciated your Psalm 91 experience–praises and thanks to God for bringing you through!
Wishing you all the very Best!
Hi Caddo, I am glad I am a blessing to a fellow believer. Whatever I write is not of my own. I have freely given what I have freely received. I am only brave and courageous in Christ. Without Him I am nothing, but a helpless little sheep. All ministry is enabled by Jesus and is for His glory alone. I rejoice with you over your victorious freedom in Jesus. I too have been delivered from chains and bondage. I continue to be saved and delivered everyday. Just for His glory let me tell you there have been quite a few inmates who have experienced the liberation that the Cross of Christ has brought. I praise Jesus for our liberation and am in awe of Him. Blessings on you. I am in the process of checking your blog too :)… Much love and virtual hugs, Rita
Titus 2:1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Hi Rita, Thank you for your link. A couple of days ago I was reading Psalm 19 (?) and somewhere towards the end of the chapter David prays about presumptios sin. I prayerd about it in the light of the word that evening. I thought that I should look more in to it later on. It is interesting that you have mentioned it; I will look it up. Here is the link to my blog – http://southernsojourner.com. I will have to read your other posts at some point. May God bless you. J
Wow! that’s so cool. Praise God!!! well, I tried accessing that link but that webpage seems to be full of ads and nothing more… I really do want to read your blog. Let me know how I can access it. Blessings, Rita
oops! I am sorry. you can try this – http://www.southernsojourner.blogspot.com . God bless you. Joe
Stumbled on your blog while doing a quick search on a scripture. It is encouraging to read your blog. It is great to look at a new year approach, God is teaching me to take it by the day. I know that His mercies are new every morning and I thank Him for His faithfulness and His lovingkindness.
Hi Joe, thanks for visiting and spending your precious time reading my posts. I do have a daily approach to the Word too, I believe it is necessary. The yearly word takes me through the year as a whole, while the daily word or the daily bread like I call it, is essential to take us through the day. His mercies indeed are very new every morning. This morning He spoke to me about presumptious sin and I looked it up. This is what I found: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0135.htm. Thought would share it with you. God bless you and pour more of His love, mercy, power and all good blessings upon you, Rita
Ah Ritas! I just read a post at becomingesthers about magnifying God, what you have most surely done! 🙂 And about thanking Him in advance for what He is yet to do. Yep, you do that too! 🙂 Just rejoicing and feeling so humbled and grateful. Your year has been one as His beloved child witnessing the miracles and wonders of her Father. Oh how He loves you / us.
God bless you and His word which is alive in you! 🙂
love and hugs!
Debs the way the Lord works never ceases to amaze me. He grabs my attention and awe every single day and almost every single minute…:D I am so glad to share this with you and rejoice with you. You always make me wanna dance and jump and get me excited with your posts always! Thank our Heavenly Father for working in our lives… God bless you and may His love and power shower on you and your loved ones continually… Believing in a marvelous, victorious new year for you in Jesus name! 😀