Question 1

How can I prepare for opportunities before they come?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 9:37-38He [Jesus] said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”To prepare and be ready for God-given opportunities, we should ask him for sensitivity to see the opportunities and for courage and strength to respond in ways that honor him.Ephesians 6:18Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.1 Peter 5:8Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.To prepare and be ready for God-given opportunities, we should be alert, always looking for what God wants to do through us.John 12:35Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going.”To walk in the light we need to stay as close to Jesus as we can through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other Christians. Walking in Christ’s light will help us more clearly see the opportunities he sends our way.Acts 8:30Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”Ephesians 5:16Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.1 Peter 3:15You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.God regularly places divine moments right in front of us, opportunities to do good, help someone in need, or share what we know about God. We should always be looking for opportunities to demonstrate our faith through our words or deeds. God will put opportunities in front of us; we need to act on them. And God promises he will bring about important spiritual moments as a result.

Question 2

How do I make the most of the opportunities God gives me?

Accepted Answer

John 9:4“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.”To make the most of God-given opportunities, we must think strategically, understanding that time and life are short. This usually means acting quickly and decisively.Proverbs 1:24-25, 33“I [Wisdom] called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. . . . But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”To make the most of God-given opportunities, we should be listening for him to reveal them to us and to guide us.Genesis 39:4, 6He [Potiphar] put him [Joseph] in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. . . . With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing.Genesis 41:1, 14, 39-40Two full years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River. . . .Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh. . . . Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”Responsibility will open doors of opportunity. How we handle each responsibility will determine whether or not we will be trusted with more. Joseph was unjustly thrown into prison. He could have whined and complained, become bitter and done nothing. Instead, he seized every opportunity he could in his situation, quickly became trusted for taking responsibility, and eventually rose again to great prominence in Egypt.1 Corinthians 16:8-9In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.To make the most of our God-given opportunities, we need to be flexible and change our plans when necessary.Acts 11:19-21Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.1 Peter 3:15-16If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.To make the most of our God-given opportunities, we need to be prepared to share the Good News of Christ’s salvation.Deuteronomy 1:21, 30“‘Look! He has placed the land in front of you. Go and occupy it as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. Don’t be afraid! Don’t be discouraged!’” . . . “‘The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt.’”To make the most of our God-given opportunities, we need to respond with courage and faith in God when those opportunities arise.Genesis 50:19-21Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.Acts 11:19Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews.Acts 16:6-10Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.To make the most of our God-given opportunities, we need to see unexpected changes or difficulties as opportunities to serve God.Acts 21:37-40As Paul was about to be taken inside, he said to the commander, “May I have a word with you?” “Do you know Greek?” the commander asked, surprised. “Aren’t you the Egyptian who led a rebellion some time ago and took 4,000 members of the Assassins out into the desert?” “No,” Paul replied, “I am a Jew and a citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia, which is an important city. Please, let me talk to these people.” The commander agreed, so Paul stood on the stairs and motioned to the people to be quiet. Soon a deep silence enveloped the crowd, and he addressed them in their own language, Aramaic.Like Paul, we may have to use our wits to take advantage of an opportunity.

Question 3

How can I determine if an opportunity is from God?

Accepted Answer

1 Thessalonians 5:17Never stop praying.The closer we stay to God through prayer, the better we will be able to hear his voice and make the right decisions.Joshua 1:7“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.”Psalm 119:105Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.2 Timothy 3:16-17All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.The Bible will not always speak directly in favor of a particular opportunity, but any opportunity that contradicts God’s word or leads us away from its principles is not from God.Proverbs 15:22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.When we’re not sure how to respond in a situation, we should seek the counsel of the wise and trustworthy believers in our lives.Deuteronomy 1:28“‘Where can we go? Our brothers have demoralized us with their report. They tell us, “The people of the land are taller and more powerful than we are, and their towns are large, with walls rising high into the sky! We even saw giants there—the descendants of Anak!”’”We should not allow fear and doubt to cause to miss God’s opportunities. God often sends opportunities that require faith and courage, causing us to trust him.Matthew 25:21“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”When pursuing an opportunity contributes to the growth of God’s Kingdom, this is a good clue that the opportunity is from God.Acts 8:30Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”God-given opportunities often allow us to witness for Christ in word or deed.

Question 4

How can I face challenging, sometimes intimidating opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Philippians 4:13I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.Our ability to face challenges is directly proportional to our faith that God can help us. With his help we can make the most of every opportunity.Revelation 3:8“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.”We can trust that nothing will block us from fulfilling a particular opportunity God has for us. When God opens the door, he will keep it open as long as he wants it open. But we must choose to walk through it.

Question 5

What does God promise to those who make the most of his opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 25:29“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.”God honors faithfulness in small matters, leading to opportunities for greater responsibility.

Opportunities