I keep hearing people say. . .I’m just looking for the right opportunity.

More often than not. . .most people aren’t looking for an opportunity. . .they’re waiting for it to knock on the door and say “here I am.”

It doesn’t work that way.

Thomas Edison, the inventor, once said:

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

Sometimes an opportunity is right before us but we’ve been so blinded by our circumstances that we can’t see the obvious.

God promised Abraham and Sarah a son.  After a number of years, Sarah decided she was going to help God.  So Sarah gave Hagar, her hand maiden, to Abraham and she bore Ishmael, a son.

After that, there was trouble in the tents.  In fact, Sarah asked Abraham to kick Hagar and Ishmael out of the camp.

Genesis 21:10 in the New American Standard Bible says:

“Therefore she said to Abraham, "Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my son Isaac."

Even though it was grievous for Abraham to do so, he did as Sarah requested.

Genesis 21: 14 in the King James Version says:          

 “And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness.”                                 

Once the food and water were gone Hagar put Ishmael under a tree and said:

“Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.”

She couldn’t bear the thought of her son dying in the wilderness.  Hagar cried out in desperation and God hear the cries for help.

Genesis 21:17-18 in the King James Version says:

“And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.”

The angel said to Hagar, “Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. “

Now let’s focus on what Genesis 21:19 in the King James Version says:

“And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.”

The water was there all the time but she was so blinded . . . so hypnotized by the appearance of lack that she could not see that her miracle was right in front of her.

How many times in our own lives have we been so blinded by our circumstances that we’ve overlooked the opportunity that was right in front of us?

Napoleon Hill, the entrepreneur and motivator, once said:

“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.”

Man’s adversity is always God’s opportunity.

With that as an introduction . . .I need to warn you. . .the principles we’re teaching become hazardous to the enemy of your destiny.  This teaching will expose the enemy’s potentially devastating plans for your finances and your life.

You must raise your level of expectation . . .by expecting opportunities to come your way every day.

Truth of the matter, is that you only need one opportunity . . .the right, God-given opportunity.

It’s probably been there all along but you just haven’t seen it yet.

Sir Winston Churchill once said:

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

Every day we pray for the partners of our ministry to tap into previously unknown opportunities.  The best way to experience previously unknown opportunities is to expect them.

I’ve discovered in my life that when I expect to find unknown opportunities or doors to open. . .they do. . .regardless of my circumstances.

There will be times in life when our reaction to adversity will determine the opportunities we receive.

Jacob worked for his father-in-law Laban who was crooked and conniving.  It’s interesting the first three letters of conniving is “con.”

Even in the midst of a conniving work environment. . .Jacob never wavered because he expected God to take care of Him … and He did.

Jacob continued to do the right and honorable thing even if his boss and father-in-law didn’t.  Jacob stayed strong in his faith and obedient to God.

If you want unknown opportunities to come your way. . .you must stay faithful even in  seemingly unbearable circumstances. . .Jacob persevered and God honored him with His favor and wealth.

Genesis 31:6-9 says:

“And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.   And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.  If he said thus, the speckled shall be thy wages, then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstaked shall by thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstaked.  Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.”

Because of his faithfulness. . .God took the wealth of Laban and presented Jacob with the opportunity for great wealth.

Genesis 33:10 in the Message Bible reveals Jacob’s godly attitude and his subsequent reward when he is confronted by his brother, Esau:

“Jacob said, "Please. If you can find it in your heart to welcome me, accept these gifts. When I saw your face, it was as the face of God smiling on me. Accept the gifts I have brought for you. God has been good to me and I have more than enough." Jacob urged the gifts on him and Esau accepted.” 

Regardless of your circumstances at the moment. . .when you remain faithful even in the midst of adversity. . .God will bring an opportunity your way.

However, we need to expect opportunity to come our way.

I suggest you keep an opportunity journal or devote a section in your existing journal to the opportunities that you experience each day.

“But Brother Harold, I don’t get an opportunity every day.”

Yes, you do.

Every day. . .you have the opportunity to smile at others. . .allowing the radiance of the Holy Spirit to be evident through your countenance,

Every day. . .you have the opportunity to bless others by your words.  I’m not talking about witnessing to them or getting into a scriptural dissertation.  I’m talking about letting the fruit of Spirit flow through you as you speak to others.

Every day. . .you have the opportunity to meet new people.  Are you reluctant to speak to others because you’re shy?  GET OVER IT. 

Have you ever thought that you might be walking by a person every day who holds the key to your breakthrough opportunity?  However, if you don’t move outside your comfort zone. . .you’ll never see the opportunity that’s been before you all this time.

Every day. . .you have the opportunity to do your best. . .where you are. . .regardless of how you feel.

Every day. . .you have the opportunity to encourage others. . .speaking a word in season to life their spirits and build their hope.

When you seize the simple opportunities you are activating a powerful success principle called Ephesians 6:8 which in the Amplified Bible says:

“Knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether [he is] slave or free.”

As you seize every opportunity to bless others. . .the Lord will be doing the same thing for you.

Yes, God expects us to discover previously unknown opportunities.

Ephesians 5:16 in the New Living Translation says:

“Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”

If the scripture tells us to make the most of every opportunity. . .it means we’re given more than one. 

Every day. . .expect and seek previously unknown opportunities. . .as God directs your path.

Colossians 4:5 in the New Living Translation says:

“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.”

Here’s the point.  It’s not whether you or anyone else thinks you’re making the most of every opportunity.  The real question is whether or not Jesus thinks you maximizing your future.

Listen to Colossians 4:5 one more time.  In the Message Bible the verse says:

“Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.”

President Abraham Lincoln once said:

“I’ll study and get ready and be prepared for my opportunity when it comes.”

Are we preparing for our next opportunity . . .do we expect it to manifest. . .are we studying to show ourselves approved?

Opportunities knock on your door every day. . .you just have to get off that couch and claim the things previously unknown to you.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS