An open door

Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Many times in life we need someone to open doors for us. It can be an uncle giving you a job, or a friend recommending you for a position. It could be a system like the education system in Norway, where education is free for everyone. It is a door open for all who wants. But if you get that position, or take that education, you still have to work hard. To prove you are the right for the position, or to study for those exams. Still, even if that is true, many people in many places in the world envy us for having these opportunities. Because that is what the open door is. It is an opportunity. It only speaks of possibilities. 

God has set an open door for us. It is an opportunity. The question is if you will take it. The question is if you will go in through it. Sometimes a door can be a bit frightening. We don’t know what is waiting for us on the other side of the door. Fear and doubt will try to hinder us going through the door.
I remember many years ago, me and my wife stood in front of a door that would lead us into an unknown future. It was a very difficult decision for us. We prayed God for direction, and while we prayed, we heard this song for the first time:

“Beyond the open doors, there’s a new and fresh anointing. Walk on through the door, and the Lord will go before you. Into a greater power, you have never seen before.”

Don’t let fear stop you. If God opens the door, he will go with you into whatever waiting on the other side.

A point of no return

A point of no return…

Gen 19:17And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

God made it very clear to them. Now you have come to a point of no return. There is no way back, the only option is to keep running forward!

Have you ever been to a point in your life, where you knew there was no way back? At a point of no return? 

Jesus had that point when he was born. When he had left his glory in Heaven, and robed himself in flesh. He was at a point of no return in the garden of Gethsemane, when he decided to not follow his will, but the will of the Father.
Examples of points of no returns in our lives can be when you cling on the glass in a wedding and have all eyes on you as you stand up. It can be when you climb up on the jumping tower by the water, and as your feet leaves the edge of the tower. These are points of no return. In the same manner, God wants you to make decisions in life for him where there is no going back. Where you don’t try to have a backdoor open in case things doesn’t work out like you want. In Lanny Wolfes famous song, “I love him too much”, one of the verses says this: Each step has brought me nearer to my eternal home. Now Im just too close to Heaven to turn back now..."
Is that the way you feel? I have come too far to give up now. I have come to a point of no return!

God is knocking on your door

Rev 4:1After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither…

I know I take this verse out of its context, but still it speaks of a truth. God has opened a door in heaven, so that whenever we need to communicate and fellowship the door is always open. 24/7. The invitation to “come up here” is there to us, whenever we are down, and need some encouragement. Whenever we are struggling, and need direction, or whenever we are wounded and need healing. Gods door in heaven is always open for us.
Have you ever had a friend that have told you that the door is always open for you, and you know its true? You can come whenever you want, and you don’t have to give notice? There’s never a time that doesn’t fit? God is that kind of friend.

The question is if we are? Is our door always open for him, like his door is always open for us? Or is it times where it is inconvenient for us to open the door? IS it times where God is knocking on our door, and we don’t feel like open. Or maybe we don’t even hear him knocking? God says to the Laodicea church: 

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Maybe it had been a long time since they came through his ddor, so he want to check out if all were ok? And he found a closed door.

Will God fin a closed door if he comes to you, or is your door open for him, just like his is for you?

Knowing the truth

2 Tim 3:7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Learning is a keyword in today’s society and culture. It starts already as small kids. The pressure of knowledge and education have never been greater. We are encouraged to start as early as possible, so our kids will not fall behind. The amount of knowledge in the world is doubling every 12 month. Until 1900 it doubled every century. By the end of world war 2 it doubled every 25 years. They predict that soon it will double every 12 hours!!
The bible is still true. We are ever learning. But even with all this knowledge, they are still not able to see the truth. Because really truth is not first to be found in the universities or on the Internet. When you think you have found a truth, then new research and knowledge lets you know you were wrong. Our concept and understanding of things are always changing, according to the newest knowledge we receive. But one thing is always constant, and will never change. That is Gods word. Heaven and Earth will pass away before anything in Gods word will.
I am so thankful to have found the truth. He set me free. His name is Jesus!

Who will be saved?

Acts 2:37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?

A new popular doctrine called universalism is spreading and getting ground among Christians. Basically its a doctrine saying all people will be saved in the end. 
The Devils original sin was that he wanted to be like God. Seems like this temptation is still around. People want to act like God and make salvation available for all.....

Just from the years I have been in Pentecost in Norway there has been a huge change from when I grew up. First they said you don't need the Holy Ghost. It is good to have it or experience it, but you don’t really need it.  Then there was no need for baptism. When I was young you could not be a member of a church, if you were not baptized. Not so anymore. Even though Jesus commanded us to. Then they said, you need no repentance, even though God said you can't avoid perishing without it. But with this doctrone, its not even necessary to believe. What ever you do or don't do, doesn't really matter, you will be saved in the end anyway.

Here’s a little wakeup call: Only God can save. Only he decides the rules. No theology or new doctrine will save a fly. The answer is still to be found in the Bible. 
Acts 2:37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?

38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

When did you last hear this answer to the question what shall we do to be saved? The popular answer is to do nothing. Grace + nothing = salvation.... 
Repent doesn't sound like nothing to me. Be baptized doesn't sound like nothing to me. It is still only the name of Jesus that can save!

Lift up your heads

Luk 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Since I was a little boy, growing up in the church, I have heard preaching about the coming of the Lord. I still believe like never before that Jesus is coming back very soon. The signs are all around us. Matt 24, and Luk 21 is just some of the scriptures telling us about the signs of his coming. Most of the signs are negative like wars, earthquakes, false religions, a great falling away etc. But in the midst of all this, God tells his church to look up, and lift up their heads. That means two things. Don’t be earth focused. Keep your mind on the Heavenly things. But it also means to be positive. It means to not worry. Lift up your heads, means to lift up your attitudes.
You can choose where your focus shall be, on the bad or on the good. You can either focus on what the Devil is doing, or on what God is doing. You can either focus on the falling away, or on revival. You can focus on the bad preachers and churches, or you can focus on the good preachers and churches.
As for me and my house, we will lift up our heads. We will lift them up away from all the negative reports and negative news. We will focus on the good things. Because all perfect gift comes from above. We can’t do anything about the negative signs of the end time, but we can be part of the positive signs. In the last days, sayeth the Lord, I will pour out my Spirit upon ALL flesh. THAT’S my focus.

Dont make him a promise, other than to trust in his promise

2 Sam 7:11 “…Also the Lord telleth thee that he will make thee an house.”

David had just revealed his plans about building a house and Temple for God. But God told him no. Instead God said that he would build David a house. Its like God is saying; whatever you had plans to do for me, I will do for you. You are not going to build me a house. I will build you a house. I will build the house through your son, Solomon.

New Years eve is the time for promises. Many will start to loose weight that day. Many will start to exercise. Others will make promises to be better in school, or try to be better at their jobs. It’s both good and ok to make promises to ourselves. As Christians we often have a “new years eve” experience at the altar of our church. Whenever God touches us, its like we feel we start fresh over again, and we start making promises to God. I will be a better Christian. I will read more. I will pray more. I will witness more etc. But we should be careful to make promises to God. Instead of you promising things to him, why don’t you let him make you a promise instead? He will do it for you and through you. Don’t make promises you cannot keep. He on the other hand will keep his promises. He will never leave nor forsake you. He will be your strength and he will be your wisdom.

I can hear God is saying; don’t make me a promise, but let me make you a promise. I will fight for you. I will protect you. I will provide for you. All you need to do is to trust my promises.

I will not make him any promises, other than to trust in h