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bigmike

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Don't allow the things that you see stop you from believing the things that God said.
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DAILY DEVOTION
Open Doors
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
Colossians 4:3
Paul was imprisoned in numerous cities across the Roman Empire over the course of his ministry. He wrote many of his letters, including Colossians, from a prison cell. He asked the people to pray for open doors-not so he could get out of jail, but so he would have opportunities to present the gospel. Paul's primary concern was not the things of this world, but the things of the next. I'm sure he did not turn down opportunities to improve his situation, but that was not his focus. He wrote (also from prison), "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Philippians 4:11).
Not every circumstance of life is pleasant or enjoyable, but in every circumstance God is good and faithful. Often He uses our times of hardship to open doors for us to glorify Him and share the gospel with others. It is far more important to Him that we be obedient than that we be comfortable.
He calls us to be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of His kingdom. He wants us to be focused on Him first rather than on ourselves. No matter what difficulties may come into our lives, we can be faithful and continue to be obedient witnesses for Him.
When Queen Mary I came to the throne of England, she unleashed a wave of persecution against those who refused to return to the Catholic church.
Among those who were sentenced to die under the rule of "Bloody Mary" were Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley. The Oxford Martyrs, as they came to be known, refused to recant. When he was led to the stake to be burned to death in 1555, the aged Latimer said, "Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out."
Our greatest concern should always be the work of God rather than our own comfort.
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