DOOR OF HOPE

Today is Friday.  I have been at the Spiritual Leadership Conference in Lancaster, CA.  This is an Independent Baptist Church that averages over 4,000 in attendance and has an unusual influence in the city they serve.  The Mayor and many of the police officers are members of their Church.  They each year knock on over 400,000 doors in their area sharing the gospel.  It is a Church on a 95 acre campus and they have already put over $50,000,000.00 into the buildings.  They are beautiful!  Anyone would have to conclude that it is an amazing work and they are a loving fundamental church.  (you can be both)  I'm glad to think that what we are too, only a much smaller scale.  Good to be home this morning and looking forward to the day.   Here is a truth for you.

DOOR OF HOPE- Hosea 2:5- "the valley of Achor for a door of hope".  I circled this in my Bible last time I read it through.  I didn't exactly know what it was talking about so this time, I looked it up in a commentary.  I knew that the valley of Achor was when Achan stole the wedge of gold, 200 shekels of silver and a goodly Babylonian garment; and was judged for it.  It cost him his life.  In the valley of Achor (Joshua 7:24-26) he was stoned and burned with fire, and it says:  "So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger."  They valley of Achor, became a "door of hope".  What it means is that when God's judgment comes and does it's work and we repent and are cleansed that now a "door of hope" stands before us.  God's judgment paves the way for God's blessings.  He will not chide forever!!  Look for that "door of hope" every time you feel you are experiencing God's judgment in your life.

Hope this helps you.  Have a blessed day.

Pastor Mike Mutchler