“A GREAT AND EFFECTIVE DOOR”
Suggested Reading: 1 Corinthians 16
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Like the ancient harbour in Corinth, this Greek harbour in Kavala represents a place of hard work and transportation. Kavala is the site of ancient Neapolis, where Paul's boat landed on his way to Philippi (Acts 16:11). It was the seaport of the inland town of Philippi, which was at a distance of 10 miles from the port. From this port Paul also embarked on his last journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:6).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:9
For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
Corinth was a major commercial and transportation hub. People with initiative and a hard work ethic had great opportunity to prosper and to enjoy the blessings of their labour. Getting material possessions may have been their goal. Giving to the needs of others, such as the people of Jerusalem, who were in a period of famine, or to the support of God’s work in preaching and teaching the message of Jesus Christ, may not have had priority. Paul again emphasizes love (final verse of 1st Corinthians). Where love is lacking, it seldom occurs to people to give sacrificially, generously, and consistently. When Paul first arrived in Corinth to plant the Church, he supported himself through his trade of making and selling tents. Now he asks, without apology, for their financial support. He refers to three of his financial supporters (verse 17) who gave to make up the needed funds for the continuation of his ministry of winning souls to Jesus, which the believers of Corinth had failed to give. In this appeal for finances, Paul says, “A great and effective door has opened to me.” Adversaries will always oppose giving to the Lord. When we receive an appeal letter, check out the cause and the effectiveness of the ministry outreach. Pray about it, and if we are convinced the ministry is worthy, let us give as God has given to us.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You gave Your all for me. Teach me to give as You would have me give. I know I can never even begin to repay You for all You’ve done for me, and You are not asking for repayment. Your love is unconditional! I pray that You will pour into me as much of Your love as I am able to contain and then overflow my life, enabling me to express my love for You in my giving to the causes You have presented. Causes which You want me to support. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I realized a long time ago that I can’t support every cause. I would take the request letters which I received, open them up, read them, perhaps a second time, lay them out before the Lord in my prayer time, and trust the Lord to draw my attention to the ministries to which He wanted me to send money. I’ve checked out the financial accountability, the character of the leadership, and results which can be verified. Is there an audit of all finances done by an independent firm of accountants? Are they members in good standing of an association which checks up on them, such as the Canadian Council of Christian Charities (the 4C’s), of which Crossroads is a member? You can check out the CCCC online (click here), or in the USA, the ECFA (click here). Find out whether or not the Ministry you have been asked to support has met the high standards which we should expect of those who do God’s work. The Bible speaks of the necessity of having “a good report” (KJV) or a “good testimony” (NKJV) in the eyes of the world outside, as well as inside the body of believers (1 Timothy 3:7). I’ve just read the whole of 1 Timothy chapter three (click here). There is a very high moral standard set for those who would lead in God’s work. Ron Mainse, who posts this blog for me for 6 a.m. every morning, writes a monthly letter to all who’ve shown an interest in supporting the Crossroads Family of Ministries. Crossroads is a federally chartered non-profit charity which issues tax receipts valid for government approved tax deductions. Crossroads operates under the authority of a strong Board of Directors (all of whom are volunteers) and under the management of the Chief Executive Officer, who reports directly to the Board (click here to find out more about Crossroads or here to read about our accountability).
Yours to emphasize the high importance of regularly supporting what God wants supported,
David
P.S. (From Ron Mainse) By the way, Dad failed to mention in his blog that a few years back, he received an award, along with Billy Graham, from the Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC) for a lifetime of integrity in ministry. This was the first time the CCCC instituted this award of recognition.
Overview of the seaport of Kavala (ancient Neapolis).
Crossroads success is obviously attributed to its accountability, spiritual guidance and effective leadership over decades. I commend and support you for such worthy causes Crossroads embraces by sharing the love of Christ.
David I give only what God leds me to. I wish I could do more, but its not possible
with my circumstances. My prayer is the same as yours we don’t have to give
always with money but with our time as well in helping others..
Lianne Hogg
Paul says,
Paul’s words–a great door of opportunity opened ..meant a lot to me today..
“Due to a series of circumstances, I am the headliner at a big church event on the evening of March 2 … It will be exactly 50 years— to the hour–since Ron and I married. Yes-you heard it right… God is giving me an 50th wedding anniversary party! I dearly would appreciate prayer…for salvations, self-control , travel, laughter and joy.”
.
Praying for you, Brenda! Congratulations on your fifty years of marriage and enjoy the celebration God has given you. He certainly planned it that way! God bless you!
Such meaningful requests for prayer which speak of your relationship with Christ (salvations, self control) and loving, life-filled relationship you have together with your husband (travel, laughter and joy)! I pray whole heartedly for these blessings to continue to reign throughtout the rest of your lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen!!
Brenda and Ron: Wishing you many blessings for your 50th Anniversary! Romans 15:13 (NLT) I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Laying out the request letters, in front of you, during your prayer time with the Lord, so He could give you direction as to which to give to, is a wonderful example, David. Because it is impossible to give to everyone who asks, we need seek the Lord’s advice. We need ask for God’s direction, when we are in prayer, for every decision we make.
Loved today’s photos of Kavala. An important place for Paul. Thanks for also citing the scripture verses in Acts, along with the photos, Reynold. This blog connects all the dots, which makes it possible to re-live the Bible.
Thank you David !
Hi David, What a man Paul was! Even though his ministry faced so many hardships and opposition and he personally was so often in the furnace of affliction, he states his unfailing love for our Lord Jesus in such a passionate way at the end of this chapter. May each one of us be so wonderfully in love with our Saviour!
Thank you to the amazing team effort of David and Ron in the preparation of this blog. One is greater in their re-presentation of Jesus Christ because of the contribution of the other. That is what the body of Christ is all about from my understanding of God’s Word. We are greater re-presentation of Jesus when we work as part of the body. Thanks for being a great example! (This spelling of re-presentation was intentional.)
So honoured to be part of the Crossroads family, and have been for many years.
Congratulations to Brenda and Ron and to your loved ones, wishing you a great evening.
Lord willing we hope to celebrate our 50th at the end of June.
Warm greetings to one and all.
Appreciate the integrity of Crossroads over the years and is a safe place to invest for the salvation of souls. Congratulations Brenda and Ron and may the Lord use you both in a great way. I also appreciated seeing Kavala, as I did not get to see it when I was in Philippi in 2011. Great photography, Reynold! I have been digging out under a heavy snowstorm the last two days. Want to close with”All Hail King Jesus!” Thanks David and Ron and all faithful bloggers.
Rest your heart, with all that shoveling, Ger! Keeping you in my prayers!
Ger, this movie might help answer your question re: Paul, Feb. 23rd post:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izKHaDzn5q8
Christine
I feel the same concerning Paul. He is my favorite apostle. This man under stood the ravages of sin . He once lived in sin. He new first hand what Satan was all about. There for he preached hard and long, and with a sense of desparation
for the sake of those saved,and unsaved alike , that they not under estamate the cunning ways of the Devil.What I admire most is that ,like Christ, disipite the mental and physical pain inflicted upon him , he carried the cold hard truth
Untill death . A few years ago I met a wonderful Christian who shared these
Profound words with me.
He said “WHEN YOU CARRY THE TRUTH people will….
: dispise the exclusivity
: be irritated by what you see and they cannot
: be anger that you are challenging generally accepted knowledge
: fight the proposed morality
So… it’s no wonder Paul endured such opposition when proclaiming the truth.
M.
Oops…he knew
M. 🙂
Watching an excellent movie on Paul, called ‘Peter and Paul’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izKHaDzn5q8
Blessings to Brenda and Ron on their 50th wedding anniversary, enjoy your evening. Thank you Mr. Mainse for your words in this blog. I really am enjoying this journey reading the Bible with you and fellow bloggers. Blessings to all.