Revelation 3:7-13
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 8 “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
REFERENCES: Isaiah 22:20-23, Zachariah 4:10
Have you ever been lost in a new building and unsure which door to open? Without proper direction and guidance, we can easily get lost or enter a door we never should've gone through. We can also become anxious trying to figure out which one to open and get stuck in the hallway. However, with Jesus as our guide and source of truth, we can be certain of the path we need to take. He encounters and meets us where we are to lead us to the correct door. If you're ever in a situation where you can't decipher the lies from the truth, open the word of God and you'll find the way to life.
Our answer and antidote is found in Jesus
One of the most merciful things God can do for us is close a door that we are not supposed to walk through. Sometimes we are curious to see what is coming next in our lives, but God keeps us safe by showing us His plan for our life. If God closes a door, no one can open it and if God opens a door, no one can close it.
Revelation 3:8 “I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
Obedience is often a requirement to be a part of a sports team, a job or even a household in order to have access to all its benefits. The same way, obedience to God is our gateway to all of His promises. Although obeying him doesn’t buy his love for us, it opens doors to his blessings.
It is not God’s job to obey us but vice-versa, and prayerful discernment is key to recognizing His leadership in our lives. We don’t learn what is true by studying what is false. His word keeps us grounded in patient endurance, as God opens and closes doors in our lives. By reflecting on God’s truths we can better distinguish the doors He opens from those that our earthly desires tempt us to force open. As we confidently trust in God, and walk in obedience, His favor will lead us to the promises He freely offers us. God loves us and promises justice from our enemies, protection from evil, and identity in Him.
Reflect on discerning when God may be calling us to walk through a door He opened, versus our earthly nature tempting us to try to force open a door He closed. Foster patient endurance in Christian community.
Here are some examples to start:
VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM
VOUS Design District
10:30AM / 12:30PM
Church Online
10AM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack
Good News: Hope is here! Celebrate Easter in community. With gatherings all weekend, there’s something for everyone.
Friday, March 29 – Good Friday
Saturday, March 30 – Easter Egg Drop
Sunday, March 31 – Easter Sunday
Help host Easter Egg Drop, one of our largest outreaches of the year!
We live in the tension of present hard times and coming good times. In this gap, our faith is formed. The gathering of the saints produces perseverance for you to run your race of faith. VOUSCon is this moment.
June 20-22
Miami, FL
As we create an atmosphere that glorifies God, we create space for Him to move. As servant leaders, we carry the culture. Because we value Con, we invest in it.