HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 240
page A238
Opportunities continued
Responsibility will open doors of opportunity. How you handle each responsibility
determines whether or not you will be trusted with more. Joseph was unjustly thrown
into prison. He could have whined and complained or become bitter and done nothing.
Instead, he seized every opportunity he could in his situation, quickly became trusted for
his responsibility, and eventually rose to great prominence in Egypt.
• 1 C O R I NT H I A NS 1 6 :8 -9 | In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the
Festival of Pentecost. There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many
oppose me.
Be willing to be flexible and change your plans in order to take advantage of an
opportunity.
• A C T S 1 1 :1 9 -2 1 | Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution
after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They
preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to
Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The
power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned
to the Lord.
Take every opportunity to proclaim the Good News of Christ’s salvation.
• DE U T E R O NO MY 1 :2 1 , 30 | “Don’t be afraid! Don’t be discouraged! . . . The Lord your God
is going ahead of you. He will fight for you.”
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Respond with courage and faith in God when opportunities arise.
• A C T S 2 1 :3 7 | As Paul was about to be taken inside, he said to the commander, “May I
have a word with you?” “Do you know Greek?” the commander asked, surprised.
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Like Paul, you may have to use your wits to take advantage of an opportunity.
• G E NE S I S 4 7 :5 -6 | Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have
joined you here, choose any place in the entire land of Egypt for them to live.” (See note on
page 46.)
Sometimes it seems that others are given unfair opportunities. While that may be true, it
may also be true that their actions have put them in a position to be blessed by God.
How do I know if an opportunity is from God?
• E PH E S I A NS 5 :1 6 | Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
• A C T S 8 :3 0 | Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip
asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (See note on page 989.)
Always to be ready to seize an opportunity to witness for Christ.
• PH I L I P P I A NS 1 :1 2 | And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything
that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.
Christ helps you turn problems into opportunities.
• MAT T H E W 2 5 :1 0 | “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those
who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.”
Never miss the opportunity of receiving the free gift of salvation from God.
• E Z R A 8 :1 5 | I found that not one Levite had volunteered to come along. (See note on
page 422.)
Seize any opportunity to use your gifts for God.
• DE U T E R O NO MY 1 :2 8 | “Where can we go? Our brothers have demoralized us with their
report.”
Fear and doubt can cause you to miss God’s opportunities.
• MAT T H E W 2 5 :2 3 | “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in
handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.”
God presents each of us with ability and opportunity to invest for the good and growth
of his Kingdom.