Any Way the Wind Blows

Does God have a vision for every individual’s life? If so, what is that vision? What is His vision for Open Door Church and Christian School and for our ministry? As the body of Christ, it should be our highest priority to find that vision and work to carry it out. We should endeavor to grab hold of the vision, especially since we are included in it. The Word of God warns us in Proverbs 29:18 that where there is no vision, the people perish. Furthermore, we must believe that God is sending the right people to allow us to fulfill the vision he has for us.

In II Timothy 2:15-19 we can find God’s vision. Verse 19 reads as follows: “Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And, let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” Part of our calling is to build great things for God and to win people to Christ. In order to build, we must have a sure foundation, for if the devil can easily knock down what we have built, we didn’t have much. Our foundation is the revelation of who Jesus is. This is the truth that will set people free. The Lord knows those who are his, and you cannot fool God. As Pastor Nathan pointed out, just because you go to McDonalds does not mean you are a hamburger! Similarly, we are not a Christian just because we attend church. If we name the name of Christ, we must be born again and depart from sin. In order to grow in our Christian walk, we cannot stay where we are. Decisions and choices must be made.

John the Baptist was such a man with a sure foundation who believed the truth and could not be shaken. John preached the truth, and he did not compromise the Word. He was not a reed shaken by the wind. (Matthew 7:11) When the wind blows a reed, it will shift from side to side and often the wind will create a whistling sound as it passes through. John remained steadfast in his message of repentance. Often people think love is allowing others to make their own choices, but John’s message was clear. Allowing people to embrace sin is not God’s love. As Christians we must have strong convictions without compromise. “Compromise is accepting what you don’t believe because you refuse to stand up for what you do believe.” Todd Bailey

Open Door Church and Christian School must have a right foundation based on God’s Word, and standing for what is right may lead to persecution. Pastor Nathan pointed out that persecution is actually a compliment to a church. After all, should the church be loved by the world or follow the popularity of the world? Are we to sway as reeds in the wind? Jesus Himself was hated without a cause. When persecution comes, we must be prepared to stand. James instructed us to count it all joy as the trying of our faith works patience or endurance. Through patience and endurance, God is able to further strengthen our foundation. When things come against us, we stand upon the foundation of who Christ is and who we are in Christ. We are his church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against us! (Matthew 16:18)

Pastor Nathan concluded his message in Psalm 1. Even though Christianity may be unpopular, we cannot follow the counsel of the ungodly. Instead, we are to meditate upon God’s Word. We are to be immovable as a tree growing strong by a river and producing fruit. Each of us should be planted where God called us to be, in a church, bringing forth fruit, but how can we have a growing season if we are never planted? God desires that we be planted where the Spirit of God moves and where the uncompromised Word of God is preached. It is God that holds the vision and the plan for our lives. Also, we are called to walk in holiness, for outside of holiness we are easily influenced by sin and the works of darkness. In Acts 5 we read the story of Ananias and Saphira who thought they could lie to the Holy Spirit and deceive the church. They both died in the process. People were then filled with a reverential fear. Despite heavy persecution, the church held to God’s standard. Miraculously, the church began to increase. God sent people who were hungry for what is real.

When building a building, you can’t go up until you go down. God’s Word is our solid foundation. We must build our lives, our church, and our ministry upon the Rock. We must plant our feet in Christ and refuse to be moved, building on the foundation that Christ laid, for who would build upon sinking sand? No matter how much the world shakes, we will not be shaken. We resolve to follow God’s vision and stand sure while turning our backs upon the ways of the world. No matter how much the wind blows, we will stand firm in Christ, and we will not be moved!