Much Opposition

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
1 Corinthians 16.9

Paul was... well... incredible! From his salvation to his martyrdom his experience points to God’s grace and Paul’s dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was and is a hero of the Faith.

The comment he makes in the above verse always slaps me back to reality. My paraphrase would read, “God has opened many doors for ministry so pray for me because there is much opposition.”

Often, opposition seems a confirmation of “closed doors” for ministry doesn’t it? With the, “When God opens the door I’ll go” mentality the least bit of opposition is reason to indicate a closed door. It becomes an excuse NOT to minister.

Opposition can also become an excuse to cease ministry. I seemingly find myself in such a situation just now.

Yesterday morning a couple of our teens came over for breakfast. While munching on their bread and sipping their hot-chocolate one of them said, “The latest news from the hood is that a guy was murdered last night. I woke up to gun shots! The dead guy left twin baby girls.”

For the next few minutes, I sat with mouth agape as I listened to both kids recounted how that they have seen the dead sprawled in the street at least once or twice. The young lady told how that she had actually seen a murder take place within feet of her. The killer then coldly turned on his motorcycle and slowly rode past her with his pistol drawn as if to say, “you say anything and this is for you.” This, people, is opposition! Maybe not to us... just yet.

I heard that the guy was killed as a type of cruel threat to others in the hood. Do you think that we will become a threat? Will the Gospel threaten this type of dark activity? Of course it will.

Yesterday I also met with the school principal about helping her in some way at school. She welcomed the idea with open arms. So, now, with our foot in that opened door of ministry we need your prayers even more!  

The door is opened... and there is much opposition. Is it exciting? Yes. Do we need prayer cover? Yes. Thus pray! Pray for all of your missionaries. Or better yet, will you grab your weapon and join us?