Destiny Doors Pt4 Series

In his autobiography, Just as I Am, Billy Graham tells about a conversation he had with John F. Kennedy shortly after his election:

“On the way back to the Kennedy house, the president-elect stopped the car and turned to me. ‘Do you believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?’ he asked.

‘I most certainly do.’ ‘Well, does my church believe it?’

‘They have it in their creeds.’ ‘They don’t preach it,’ he said. ‘They don’t tell us much about it. I’d like to know what you think.’

I explained what the Bible said about Christ coming the first time, dying on the Cross, rising from the dead, and then promising that he would come back again. ‘Only then,’ I said, ‘are we going to have permanent world peace.’ ‘Very interesting,’ he said, looking away. ‘We’ll have to talk more about that someday.’ And he drove on.”

Several years later, the two met again, at the 1963 National Prayer Breakfast.

“I had the flu,” Graham remembers. “After I gave my short talk, and he gave his, we walked out of the hotel to his car together, as was always our custom. At the curb, he turned to me.

‘Billy, could you ride back to the White House with me? I’d like to see you for a minute.’

‘Mr. President, I’ve got a fever,’ I protested. ‘Not only am I weak, but I don’t want to give you this thing. Couldn’t we wait and talk some other time?’

It was a cold, snowy day, and I was freezing as I stood there without my overcoat.

‘Of course,’ he said graciously.”

But the two would never meet again. Later that year, Kennedy was shot dead. Graham comments, “His hesitation at the car door, and his request, haunt me still. What was on his mind? Should I have gone with him? It was an irrecoverable moment.”

Just as I Am, Billy Graham

Bill Graham for a moment had a door of opportunity that he didn’t enter; he could have affected the destiny of a nation and most certainly the destiny of J F Kennedy.

This is not to say God did not complete His work in J F Kennedy or continue His work in the USA, because God can and will use someone else if we miss the door of opportunity.

God didn’t beat Billy Graham up for missing that door of opportunity. God, as you know continued to use him, because doors of destiny are ‘like buses’ another one will come long.

Sadly for many people life is a bit like being on the “never ending bus journey.” They are being driven along by the peer pressure of family and friends, expecting them to conform to the life style they are growing up in. Children of druggies or alcoholics are expected to become like their parents, children of wife beaters are expected to become victims and abusers. It is expected that children from certain schools, streets and estates will invariably make nothing of their lives.

When we come to Jesus we have an opportunity to stop the bus, get off and live a God centred, Holy Spirit filled life that makes a difference to our world.

God help you and your world if all you want to do is stay on the bus and get to heaven.

Remember the song;

I’m comin’ home I’ve done my time

Now I’ve got to know what is and isn’t mine

If you received my letter tellin’ you I’d soon be free

Then you’ll know just what to do if you still want me

If you still want me.

Woah tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree

It’s been three long years, do ya still want me

If I don’t see a ribbon round the ole oak tree

I’ll stay on the bus, forget about us

Put the blame on me

If I don’t see a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree

Well it’s not a yellow ribbon round the tree, it the crimson blood of Jesus that makes you free.

Gideon said: “My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Nathaniel said; “can anything good come from Nazareth.” ( Judges 6:15 John 1:46) These comments were fuelled by historical and cultural expectations, often negative and critical. We don’t have to believe historical, cultural or social expectations because we can expect something greater, something better from our God. Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Doors of Destiny

Paul said “a great door for effective work has opened to me” (1Cor 16:9) and he also said “the Lord had opened a door for me” (2Cor 2:12)

1 Doors of Destiny are positioned in our life by the Lord, they are decisive moments or opportunities that if taken will change our lives. The door of salvation, of course, changed your eternal destiny. Jesus says; “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:20 When we opened the door of our life to Jesus, Jesus began to shape us and stir us for the many Doors of Destiny ahead. When Jesus comes in and “Eats” or fellowships with us, he is getting us ready for all that is ahead.