Missional Women
  • Home
    • Free Printables
    • About >
      • God
      • The Ministry
      • Master Plan Ministries {College Students}
      • Bible Study Resources
      • Contact
      • Subscribe
      • Featured At
      • Rules, Disclosure & Privacy
      • Free Book Download
    • Resources >
      • Bible Study Journals
      • Free Printables
      • Bible Study Recommendations
      • Reviews
      • Videos
      • App
    • Missional Women Equipping
    • Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
    • Free eBooks >
      • Ministry Resources for Women eBook
      • Leading Effective Bible Studies
      • Missional Life Book
    • Missional Women Bible Studies >
      • The Book of John Video Series
      • 1st Samuel {Beholding Him, Becoming Missional}
      • Judges {A Devotional Journey through Judges}
    • Giant Blog Hop Link Ups List
  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build} >
        • Foundations
      • Living Missionally {Send}
      • Ministry Resources for Women
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
    • Faith Filled Friday Blog Link Up
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Philippians
    • Know your Purpose
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • Prints
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • Women's Ministry Training
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
    • Discover God's Calling Course
  • Store
  • Retreat
  • Subscribe
  • Stickers
Picture

God's Will vs. Open Doors

6/7/2011

9 Comments

 
Picture

Picture
"So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Eygpt... The LORD said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go." Exodus 3:10, 4:21

How often we think the easy path, the open door must beGod's will. I wonder why? Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble, not ease. So if Jesus already promised us trouble, why would we think that the comfortable, smooth way would be His way?

        As a side note about God Chazaq-ing (hardening) Pharoah's heart. Chazaq, the Hebrew word for
        harden means to give courage, to embolden to do what's already in the heart. Pharoah's heart was 
        very stubborn and hard, God just gave him courage to let it come out.

God sent.
And when God sent, Moses had to take initative to Go.

But when God sent, He also set up opposition against the very thing He wanted to accomplish.


Why would God bring a "closed door" in front the very thing He wanted to accomplish?
Like everything else in this world, for His glory. To show Himself great! So really sometimes a "closed door" doesn't mean it is not God's will, it is just there because God wants to plow through it and show off.

So it seems the only real thing we can rely on to know God's will is His Word. To rely on what He has already told us. And just like He sent Moses and the elders, He sent us. His heart is for people to be brought out of slavery, for people to not be bound by sin, but live in freedom. 

Should you go? Next door? Across the ocean? YES! He already sent you. 
You are sent.
You are commissioned.
You have been called to proclaim freedom to the captives and good news to the poor
.

Remembering what is true about God is going to remind you to trust Him. And like compound interest, the more you trust, the more you trust.  In Joshua 4, God parted the Jordon for the Israelites to complete the mission He gave them. After they crossed the river on dry ground, He told them to make a pile of rocks as a reminder of His greatness for themselves and their children "so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful..." v.24  

Every Friday  for Brag on God Friday's is an opportunity to make a pile of rocks so that others might know the Lord is  God. You can link up your post that talks about God's heart or character. It can be something He's taught you, an answer to prayer or anything else that brags about our incredible God.
Picture
 "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples."
1 Chron. 16:24
 

"...proclaim among the nations what he has done."  Psalm 9:11
Picture
I'm linked up with...
We Are That Family, Women Living Well
Picture
Photo Credit
Top: Beautiful Daze
9 Comments
ICStarzz link
6/7/2011 05:45:54 pm

Great post. I keep staring at the pictures and wishing I had a door that looked like a bookcase, how cool is that? :D

-Samantha
www.kreativekaring.com

Reply
lavender link
6/7/2011 10:43:14 pm

When you think that you are doing His Will and still have that uneasy feeling - it is not from HIM.

He sends you. He guides you. He shows you the way. This has been said before...but so many of us, including myself, tend to ignore this truth and plow forth without a second thought.

Great words!

Reply
Jenifer link
6/7/2011 11:16:00 pm

Thank you for stopping by my blog, Sweet Blessings! I look forward to your Brag on God Friday.

God sends all of us. He sends us to different places, but yes He sends us. God is dealing with me now about just being willing and saying YES!

Sweet Blessings~
Jenifer

Reply
Laura link
6/8/2011 12:09:29 am

Thank you for the encourageig comments. I totally agree that willingness is the hardest part. And as for feelings, I think they absolutely can line up with God's Word sometimes, but not always. Like when Jesus sweat blood, asking for his cup to be removed. But it was obviously the Father's will for His Son to die on the cross, but Jesus was anguished about it. Our emotionss are gifts from God, but we can't put them above Scripture or trust them as a completely reliable source for making decisions.

Reply
Sherry link
6/8/2011 01:57:07 am

I needed to hear this today. I need "trust upon trust". Thank you for these words. :)

Reply
Cherry link
6/8/2011 01:58:16 am

Such good thoughts, Laura. The key ... being in His Word, listening ... and then obeying. Even when it seems that there are obstacles. So true ... thanks for sharing.

Reply
Pamela link
6/8/2011 09:56:37 am

We had a missionary at our church Sunday who said, "It's not whether we are called--it's where." That has stayed with me this week. I want to take the initiative to where God sends. Beautiful challenging post.

Blessings,
Pamela

Reply
Marilyn link
6/8/2011 10:11:00 am

i agree that emotions are fickle and everything needs to be examined against God's revealed word, the Bible. However, sometimes God gives us an overwhelming sense of calling and peace regarding a decision and it's a wonderful thing. In my experience that often means that the way will be hard and we will need to remember that strong sense of conviction to help us stay the course.

Reply
Sean Johnson
6/10/2011 09:44:25 am

Me and Jackie think your website is awesome. And we are excited to go out to dinner/catch up. P.S. Jackie wants your B-Study--Just Saying.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    New here? Head on over to the Home page to see what we're all about. 

    Two Free eBooks for Subscribers 


    Picture
    Picture
    Join 11,000+ others and get Missional Women  updates and two FREE eBooks. 

    Subscribe


     Are you new to our site? Check out our HOME page to get a better idea about the Missional Women ministry.
    Picture

    Popular Posts

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture



































Missional Women a ministry of Master Plan Ministries
 
Contact
Newsletter
Photos used under Creative Commons from lisahumes, VinothChandar, Eran Finkle, antoshik, See-ming Lee 李思明 SML, tacit requiem (joanneQEscober ), Mr. T in DC, 111 Emergency, *saipal, Jean Bal, snigl3t, swimparallel, jakuza, Artotem, mjkimmel, dmealiffe, madmolecule, blumenbiene, Silveira Neto, carterse, archer10 (Dennis), humbert15, d.a.n.n.y.c <busy>, Nathan O'Nions, sailboatescape, Vincent van der Pas, The California National Guard, Mary Trebilco, torisan3500, Tambako the Jaguar, tsuacctnt, PaRaP, striatic, √oхέƒx™, zaxl4, Marion Doss, aussiegall, Kris Mouser-Brown, дзроман, Torpe, Chad and Kellye, Pink Sherbet Photography, TheGiantVermin, a.drian, aimeewenske, RodrigoFavera, ohsarahrose, philip.bitnar, spettacolopuro, Terje Asphaug, OakleyOriginals, Kara Allyson, archer10 (Dennis), Maria Keays, alexphotocamera, laura dye, *Jeffrey*, Keoni Cabral, Lawrie Cate, Arry_B, Sam Howzit, lorenzwalthert, schnaars, daita, SylviaSchade, shanon wise, Caselet, vastateparksstaff, lalinlu, ChrisK4u, red hand records, kelp1966, Sam Howzit, InterContinental Hong Kong, lisahumes, abbilder, Ed Yourdon, cking, bhollins, Manel, isfullofcrap, poplinre, jonwick04, www.photographybyjoelle.com, Caza_No_7, urbaneapts, Stig Nygaard, holisticmonkey, kckellner, echiner1, edanley, storyvillegirl, brainchildvn, craigemorsels, Kara Allyson, http://snow.ipernity.com, Pink Sherbet Photography, Samuel Mann, kate at yr own risk, woodleywonderworks, epimetheus, barryskeates, Travis Isaacs, Rachel Elaine., JKD Atlanta, allyaubry, Brett Jordan, quinn.anya, Laram777, pizzodisevo, gbaku, egorkorotkov
  • Home
    • Free Printables
    • About >
      • God
      • The Ministry
      • Master Plan Ministries {College Students}
      • Bible Study Resources
      • Contact
      • Subscribe
      • Featured At
      • Rules, Disclosure & Privacy
      • Free Book Download
    • Resources >
      • Bible Study Journals
      • Free Printables
      • Bible Study Recommendations
      • Reviews
      • Videos
      • App
    • Missional Women Equipping
    • Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
    • Free eBooks >
      • Ministry Resources for Women eBook
      • Leading Effective Bible Studies
      • Missional Life Book
    • Missional Women Bible Studies >
      • The Book of John Video Series
      • 1st Samuel {Beholding Him, Becoming Missional}
      • Judges {A Devotional Journey through Judges}
    • Giant Blog Hop Link Ups List
  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build} >
        • Foundations
      • Living Missionally {Send}
      • Ministry Resources for Women
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
    • Faith Filled Friday Blog Link Up
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Philippians
    • Know your Purpose
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • Prints
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • Women's Ministry Training
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
    • Discover God's Calling Course
  • Store
  • Retreat
  • Subscribe
  • Stickers