“They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either. Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas. That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans. Putting out from the harbor at Troas, we made a straight run for Samothrace. The next day we tied up at New City and walked from there to Philippi, the main city in that part of Macedonia and, even more importantly, a Roman colony. We lingered there several days.” (Acts 16:6-12 The Message Bible)
Don’t you just love it when the preacher gets into your business? Let me ask it another way. Don’t you just love it when the Lord sends you a specific message by a specific messenger for a specific purpose? I’m glad you said, “Yes!”
Learn from the account about the Apostle Paul and Silas. They we trying to go west into Asia province, but as the text above says, the Holy Spirit blocked that route. Next they went to Mysia and were trying to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not let them go. As you can tell from the verses above, the Lord had other plans for Paul and Silas. He wanted them to go to Philippi, the main city of Macedonia and preach the good news. What they were trying to do, that did not end up being what they did. What’s the point? Read on?
What the Lord wants me to convey to you is this: “I don’t know what you are trying to do this weekend, but let the Holy Spirit, and let Jesus, take control of what you end up doing this weekend.” As it relates to your weekend plans, your worship plans, or your wherewithal plans to do whatever you feel like just because it is the weekend, make sure that all that you are trying to do is what the Lord wants you to do. Make sure where you plan to go is where the Lord wants you to go.
The Lord is communicating with you, “I don’t know what you are trying to do; don’t know your intentions, but pay attention to divine direction and be obedient and end up doing what I want you to do.”
Paul and Silas, being obedient, did just that and because of that some people were changed because of their witness. The same thing will happen to you if you are mindful in regard to what you are trying to do and where you are planning to go, versus what the Lord wants you to do and where the Lord wants you to go. Repetitive? Yes! But the point has been made! Now, have a great faith-filled Friday, a sanctified Saturday, and “set my soul on fire” Sunday! Oh, I’ll tell you some more about Paul and Silas tomorrow. But in the meantime, be blessed!
“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King