Day 7 Open Doors

 

1/7/2026

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears 

my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him

and dine with him and he with Me."

Revelation 3:20

 

I began my new year with a devotional written by Amir Tsarfati and Barry Stagner entitled Until He Comes. Amir is a former Major in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and he is the founder of Behold Israel, a Messianic believer who writes, teaches, and provides prophetic Biblical information regarding Israel and the end times. His teachings and insight on daily happenings as they relate to Biblical prophecy are enlightening and prayer-focused. Each year I try to add to my daily quiet time a devotional with fresh scriptural wisdom, so this year I decided to read Amir's new book, which is packed with godly wisdom and discernment. As the prophetic time clock advances, Amir has daily updates on his online program.

As a part of the daily global prayer call with the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem (ICEJ) I am learning so much about the land of  Israel and God's chosen people. Right now the world is in chaos over this tiny little country, including spiritual leaders. Replacement Theology has invaded theological seminaries and the churches across the world who believe that the church has taken the place of the Jewish people. It is a sad thing to see how the enemy has slithered his way into the hearts of believers who do not even realize the lie. He has blinded the eyes of pastors and teachers of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ who are shepherding their flocks in wrong teaching. It is reminiscent of Saul of Tarsus when he was persecuting the early church believers, but God had His plan for Saul who became Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, he went on to complete three missionary journeys and to write the majority of the New Testament. Paul is an example of how an educated man, a "Pharisee of Pharisees" who was diligently trying to serve God when he was persecuting the followers of Christ, can be so wrong. So it is today, as many are deceived. We need to seek the Lord and rightly divide the Word of Truth.

Observing the news today can be particularly disturbing, especially if the news is being told from the standpoint of unreliable media sources who embellish lies with more lies. It's sad to think that our society has become so used to having everything right at their fingertips, the fast track mentality, that they do not take the time to find out if a story is reliable or completely fabricated. They take what they are told and read and run with it, spreading the malicious gossip all over. Half truths are often more destructive than  out right blatant ones. I enjoy streaming live worship music from the ministries I follow, and it is getting harder and harder to avoid someone criticizing another person, even in the Christian networking. That is a shame, because it ruins the testimony of those who are truly seeking after God, drawing close to Him. Our children suffer from the distorted truth and wrong ideas being circulated in a vengeful manner. Then they respond with hatred and animosity towards others. And all the while non-Christians are watching to see if we are sincere in our faith and actions. Do they see fruitfulness in our lives, or does our response to the misinformation or slander prove inadequate. We must always be ready to give the reason for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15). 

As we pray, seeking God's face with fasting and repentance, let us draw near to the cross of Christ. Jesus has opened the door, and we have only to enter in to enjoy rich fellowship with Him. In Malachi 4:1-3 God promises as He first promises Israel,

"'For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,' says the LORD of hosts, 'That will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves. You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this,' says the LORD of hosts." 

As the church, followers of Jesus Christ the Messiah, we must rise up, fully armored with the whole armor of God, and stand up for Israel, the covenantal land and God's covenantal people. We must expose the bitter roots and uproot them so Israel can be healed and restored. "For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds," says the LORD, "because they called you an outcast saying: 'This is Zion; no one seeks her'" 30:17).  

How will you respond? With strength, courage, boldness and a strong resolve? Or will you continue to sit safely at home or on the church pews apathetic to the call of Christ in our day. He is returning - soon.

"And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:10-12)