LIFE (Living In Fellowship Everyday):  We are on a relational Journey--Greater connection with God and people.

"Opportunity Knocks"

God speaks through opportunity.  God surrounds us with opportunities and Satan counters every opportunity to lean on God's provision with a temptation to take care of ourselves when we face struggles we do not understand.  Taking steps that are self-preserving by accusing, blaming, and destroying others is the mark of an immature Christian.  Allow Jesus, the Word, to be the Bridge--the Door to a fulfilling life

 .  Opportunity comes so that we might GROW up to SERVE Christ.  Will you allow the difficult places to lift you to some new God opportunities?

GROW UP; READ:  Rev 3:15-20 Church of Laodicea--not looking for opportunities.  These folks think they have the fulfilled life all together.  They are in denial to their need to grow further in Christ.
  

Take Christ's opportunities

NOTE:  Opportunity knocks, but temptation kicks the door down.
This world operates by force; not by love, mercy, and grace.  Coercion is involved in the world's ways.   People who either do not know Christ or are not willing to wait for God's provision will seek to take things by force--provide for themselves.  We must ask:  God what are you saying through this opportunity?

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS:  GOD is speaking to you and IS TRYING TO GET SOMETHING TO YOU!

READ:  Gen. 39:2, 5-15, 20-21 God is with Joseph; everything he does prospers.  Opportunity knocks: Joseph hears God. 

Example:  Joseph, son of Jacob 
   Joseph taking care of Potiphar's business
   Potiphar's (captain of the guard--under Pharaoh) wife is persistent--temptation is persistent
Joseph's opportunity--to walk in integrity; the ways of God or to abandon his dream for the future
   Build stronger character, strength, show him something about himself
   Challenge Comes:  Self-doubt always comes to beat us up!  I'm sure Joseph thought, "God, I have felt like I was listening to You and desiring Your will above all else.  Yet, I find myself falsely accused and cast out of the very place we both know You gave me!  What's up?  Is it me?  Have I sinned against You?  Did I not hear from You after all?"
   Caution:  Doubt will rob you from hearing God; faith is for the hard places.  Apply faith in God's love for you.

Example:  Stolen car--our car that wouldn't start.

   In 1979, John and I were living in Indiana.  We purchased an old car to provide a second mode of transportation for us.  We lived 26 miles outside Indianapolis and our schedules--my work and John's dental school--were so different we each needed a car.  This older car seemed like an answer, so we bought it.  However, soon after we procured it, the car started having electrical issues. Randomly, the car would struggle to start.  One day, John and I rode together and the car stranded us at the University.  In fact, we were never able to get the car started and we found ourselves calling to have the car towed to a local service garage.  A friend picked us up and took us home that night.  Frustrated, we tried to decide how we were going to handle our transportation dilemmas.  At 3:00AM the next morning, the phone rang; it was the state police.  We were informed that our car--the one that had stranded us and would not start--had been stolen from the service garage.  In fact, the car had been loaded with special tools and expensive equipment and used as a getaway car for the thieves! The thieves rammed through the overhead doors to escape.  In hearing the news, John and I just looked at one another in disbelief--"What's up, God?  Where's the provision for our needs?"  John and Mary were going to learn over the next 30 days that God was present and speaking every step of the Way.  It was a difficult place requiring sacrifice and permitting suffering.  But, God...was leading change. 
   The world's ways are not God's ways
   God has the last word.  God provided: An opportunity for a new car and a check for more than the car was worth.
The SMILE of God on lives looking for Him.  God is no respecter of persons, so the invitation is for all of us to live and abide in this place of trust.

SERVE CHRIST;  This is our call as Christians--to partner with and serve in Christ.  God brings opportunity to serve others.
READ: Acts 16:6-10 To hear from God it might be necessary to step out in order to find out.  Sometimes God closes the opportunity Door to something we desire or plan to do; in order to bring another opportunity.
NOTE:  This was the second time the HS had redirected Paul. 
I'm sure he is wondering; "What direction shall I go, Lord?  All I want to do is preach the gospel!"  Was God speaking?
Opportunity:  God speaks to Paul through a vision--supernatural revelation.  Following God's path, Paul brought forth great blessings for the Kingdom.

READ:  Gal 6:9-10  How you treat your faith family matters to God.  To hear from God we must look for needs; is God bringing you an opportunity for you to fill the need?
We were created to bless others; meet needs.  It's our mission in Christ.

SO, YOU BETTER LISTEN, BECAUSE GOD MAY BE TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION!