SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:6-15
OBSERVATION:
Why would the Lord (by His Spirit) keep Paul from preaching the message in Asia, or from entering Bithynia? The answer lies in the next vision, because He wanted Paul to go to Macedonia (v.10).
No synagogue in Philippi, he goes to riverside to find religious people worshiping (Jews, God-fearing Gentiles, or other religious people?).
Important words, “the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message”, a reminder how the message works.
Members of her household were baptized? Did they all believe, or is this an example of covenantal blessing, to believers and their children?
APPLICATION:
Important to see the guiding and empowering hand of the Lord, this is what makes our work successful, what opens or closes the doors for the gospel.
A closed door is not a failure, it is an open window for another opportunity, yet unknown.
How many opportunities do I/we miss because my head is down with discouragement because of a closed door?
Certainly the Lord has opened hearts with my words, though I may not know the full extent of what He has done through me… WOW!
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for guiding me and using me. Forgive me for dragging my feet, and refusing to see the opportunities that arise through closed doors! Amen.
It is interesting that first the Holy Spirit speaks to Paul then the Spirit of Jesus, then he has a vision. All these to say where to go and not go.
What is the difference between the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Jesus? I suppose it does not really matter! The point would be that they obeyed. The result was a new place to evanglize. A new people to hear the Word and become beleivers.
It is important that I do the things that God has told me to do even when they are not what I expected.
Help me to listen and obey Lord, Please
God still speaks to His people vis His Encourager – His Holy Spirit. His people need to be able to ‘see’ the Spirit at work among His people every day, rather than concluding from the daily happenings that it is just coincidence. My question must be, How is God at work using me for His purpose? Lord, give me the eyes to see Your presence in my life and the ears to hear Your voice speaking to me so that I may be an instrument of Your peace in my living for Jeus today.
Paul was open to the Lord’s leading. Am I?
As Paul spoke to the women since their was no organized synagogue, it was the Lord who opened her heart. Paul was the messanger but it is the Lord who gives the increase. It is He who makes the fields ready for His seeed to fall and grow. May Your Word continue to be proclaimed Lord, and will You continue to open the hearts of all who hear the gospel. As Paul boldly proclaimed Your Word, also use me to do the same.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.