God Opened the Gate for Me

PREFACE Have you ever met someone who just has a way of making everyone else around them feel calm? A person who is a joy to be around, and rock solid spiritually? Emerson was one of those people. Emerson was a co-worker of mine, and we worked in the emergency room together. He was a great nurse, and I loved when he was in charge. His calm, collected presence made everyone else relax. He was not only grounded in his professional life, but in his spiritual life as well. When he received a diagnosis of a disease that was associated with a grim prognosis, it was immediately evident that Christ was his anchor. As an outreach project for the youth group at our church, I helped them put together a collection of encouraging Bible verses and devotions for Emerson. The idea was to give him something tangible that he could take to doctor visits and chemotherapy treatments, which might help him focus on his power source, Jesus, instead of becoming overwhelmed by the difficult journey ahead. Emerson has since gone to be with Jesus, but during those dark moments, he expressed that the little scrapbook of encouragement meant a lot to him. It’s what spurred on the concept for God Opened The Gate For Me, and it is my prayer that this little book will be of similar encouragement to you, no matter what you’re going through. In putting this devotional together, I am completely out of my comfort zone. It’s totally a step of obedience for me. I am not a famous writer, or a grand public speaker. I am simply a nurse by trade, and a follower of Christ by choice. That choice to follow Christ was one of the best choices I have ever made. At the point of commitment when I said, “I promise it ALL to Him”, I put all my chips on the table, and went all in. And so, here I am, stepping out of my comfort zone, and walking in obedience; all the while I’m praying that as you read this book you will have spiritual eyes to see the goodness of God, and spiritual ears to hear the sweet whispers of God’s promises to you through His Word. INTRODUCTION This book contains a collection of Bible verses from my own spiritual journey, as well as verses and stories contributed by my close-knit group of prayer warriors. I have personally traveled many difficult paths, and have been through tough times, but it’s in those times that I have been a witness to the power of God’s Word, and the power of God’s praying people. The praying people in my life are the glue that have held me together, and they remind me to look up to the Lord for peace. Peace that passes all understanding. Instead of limiting the individual devotionals to a specific category that they might apply to, I decided it best to leave that up to the work of the Holy Spirit. Because who is to say that Psalm 121:1-2 wouldn’t minister to someone drowning in debt as much as it would to a soldier fighting overseas? This book is designed to meet folks right where they are, and point them to spiritual rescue. It is my hope that when you find yourself waist-deep in a difficult situation that seems too hard to bear, you can pull this book out, and find peace in God’s Word. And, that your spirit will be rejuvenated, and refocused on what really matters.