"Direction"
“Direction…”
Blessings Folk!
I’m drawn again to a passage that continues to be helpful and comforting.
I have a decision to make.
Most of us do.
In this passage, Paul and his entourage (including Luke, the writer of the passage) are traveling.
Acts 16
6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;
7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;
8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
They were making decisions as to where to go.
Here is a map...click to view... (may or may not come through in your particular form of communication. If you can not see the map, go to http://www.dalemoore.tv to read this.)
I’m certain that they were seeking the Lord in the decision process, yet note what occurs.
They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. How this was communicated we are not told. God did not want the Gospel to go east at this time.
After arriving in Mysia they sought to go in the Bithynia region.
The Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.
Looks like the Lord was “corraling” them in the direction He wanted them to go.
Every had that happen?
I have.
It was not that they were not seeking the Lord...I assume.
I would like to think that Paul and the gang were praying and seeking.
I believe the Lord was teaching them many things about following Him.
He does the same for us.
They came to Troas.
There a “vision appeared to Paul in the night”...a man in Macedonia appealing and saying “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
This was a big moment.
They would be crossing the water...but it is more than this.
They were moving from Asia to Europe (our terms).
They were moving further geographically from the Jew to the Gentiles…further from the Holy Land to the pagan land.
So many things...
Paul discussed it with the group.
How do I know?
Verse 10 says “immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
“We...concluded…”
They conferred.
They considered.
They immediately pressed on.
Again, I find this comforting and somewhat humorous.
Why humorous?
Well, they had arrived from the south.
They tried to go east - Holy Spirit forbid it.
They tried to go north - the Spirit of Jesus did not permit.
The only direction left was west…
But, should they go?
The Lord revealed/confirmed the direction in a vision.
Surely they rejoiced!
May we seek the Lord.
He will direct us.
How?
Through…
- His written Word
- His Spirit...still small voice, Gifts of the Spirit
- His Body
- Dreams, Visions…
If we seek Him, He will direct.
Join with me that I will know…
I will do likewise with you…
Blessings!!
Completed the videos of the “Passing the Mantle” course that we completed last fall...41 videos...all are short…
You can view it here… (I hope this link works)http://www.youtube.com/user/jubileeprecept?feature=mhum#g/c/58DA590A113CBDB1
or here…
http://alabamaprecept.blip.tv/
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