DOORS OF EFFECTIVE MINISTRY

But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a GREAT DOOR and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries – 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (KJV)

For the present, I’m staying here in Ephesus. A HUGE DOOR of OPPORTUNITY for good work has opened up here (There is also mushrooming OPPOSITION) – 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (MSG).

Great and huge doors attract daunting adversaries! OPPORTUNITY and OPPOSITION often go hand-in-hand in life’s scheme-of-things. Life will seldom deliver success to you on a gold platter or silver plate. It often demands that you withstand, overcome and outlast adversity and opposition in order to access the door of opportunity.

The question is: which is gaining your attention – the open door or the many adversaries? Where is your focus: the huge door of opportunity or the mushrooming opposition? You do not have to deny the reality of obstacles and oppositions; but neither should you feed or fuel them! Rather, feed your faith and starve your fear.

God is willing to help you discover the ‘treasure hid’ in your field (Mt.13:44). The question is: WHAT do you see – the huge open door or the ‘impossible’ obstacles; the potential treasure or a vast and dry field? And WHO do you see – the Creator and Lord of lords or an inconsequential carpenter’s son (Mt.13:55)?

Too many people spend their whole lives devoted to struggling to solve problems and not recognizing opportunities and possibilities.
Every problem is loaded with potential possibilities. Challenges make champions! Anybody who would accomplish anything worthwhile must overcome naysayers. Let the oppositions push you into your opportunities. Let the obstacles become your stepping-stones to cross over into divine enlargement. The stronger the opposition, the greater, wider and more effective the door of ministry is likely to be. You can turn your mountain into a goldmine. How?

Two vital tools would come in handy: your faith and God's favour; and both are accessible when you “tarry…until Pentecost.” Paul decided to persist until Pentecost in order to make the most of the door of opportunity for service, in spite of the many adversaries. Pentecost symbolizes ‘power’ and for the Believer, power is sourced in the Place of Prayer and Tower of Meditation in the Word. Here, faith is built and favour is secured to neutralize every opposition and obstacle. No adversary shall hinder the doors of effective service and ministry that God has set before you in Jesus name.