Open and Closed Doors

It is a joyous journey to walk with Jesus by faith and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, even when He totally changes our plans.

Open and Closed Doors

"Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them."

(Acts 16:6-7)

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It is a joyous journey to walk with Jesus by faith and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. God guided Paul and his companions while they made their way on Paul's second missionary journey (A.D. 49-50). The Spirit made it clear that they were not to travel north or do what Paul had originally planned. It was God's will that they turn west, go to Macedonia, and begin a fruitful ministry in Europe. Later on in Acts 16, we read of Paul baptizing the first European convert to Christ, a businesswoman named Lydia.

The Holy Spirit, as Luke records, forbade and then later did not permit the missionary team to continue on their intended path. Have you ever experienced something like this? Perhaps you were well on your way to pursue a career and the Lord closed that door. Maybe you were determined to marry a particular person and God had other plans for you. God closes some doors and opens others. He guides our steps as well as our stops.

We should pray and plan well like Paul did, all the while remaining open to the Lord's redirection. It's always wise to hold our plans loosely, knowing that God may have another plan for our lives. The Lord made it clear to Paul in a vision that he was to change his plans and go to a people and country that He had prepared to receive the Gospel.

I would much rather have God change my plans and direct me to where I need to be. That's much better than forcing our will and doing what we want to do. The Lord is so gracious to His people. He will lead us in the ways we should go. We simply have to walk with Jesus being filled with and sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

Many are familiar with Proverbs 3:5-6. These are my wife's favorite verses in the Bible. Be encouraged today from this promise from God to guide your paths:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

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Podcast of the Week

Awakenings, Pt. 3

Pastor Danny continues his new mini-series about spiritual awakenings throughout history, continuing on after the Second Great Awakening in the United States.

Listen on your preferred platform: