Verse
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.
— Acts 16:6-7 msg
Thought
I am not sure how "the Holy Spirit blocked that route." I am not sure how "the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go." I do know, however, that so many of our decisions, our ventures, our endeavors are just that — OUR choices. We go through the process of deciding what we think best or what we want to do, then we ask God to bless it. We can quickly dismiss the doors closing to an opportunity or the Spirit directing us to go a different way. Discerning the will of God in these times is hard — what is the opposition of Satan seeking to deter us and what is the stop sign given us by the Holy Spirit? Two convictions come over me as I consider this. First, I don't seek to walk each day being led by the Spirit as I should. This must be my passion and my yearning as I draw my first waking breath. Second, we must learn to present our challenges and our problems to the Lord in prayer... together. We must work together to discern the Lord's will in these matters.
Prayer
O Father, help us hear your warnings and heed the stop signs of the Spirit. At the same time, dear God, help us not give up on something you are leading us to do simply because we face challenges and difficulties. Help us to know, O Lord, the way we should go so that in all things, your mission will be done and your name will be glorified. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
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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.
— Acts 16:6-7 msg
Thought
I am not sure how "the Holy Spirit blocked that route." I am not sure how "the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go." I do know, however, that so many of our decisions, our ventures, our endeavors are just that — OUR choices. We go through the process of deciding what we think best or what we want to do, then we ask God to bless it. We can quickly dismiss the doors closing to an opportunity or the Spirit directing us to go a different way. Discerning the will of God in these times is hard — what is the opposition of Satan seeking to deter us and what is the stop sign given us by the Holy Spirit? Two convictions come over me as I consider this. First, I don't seek to walk each day being led by the Spirit as I should. This must be my passion and my yearning as I draw my first waking breath. Second, we must learn to present our challenges and our problems to the Lord in prayer... together. We must work together to discern the Lord's will in these matters.
Prayer
O Father, help us hear your warnings and heed the stop signs of the Spirit. At the same time, dear God, help us not give up on something you are leading us to do simply because we face challenges and difficulties. Help us to know, O Lord, the way we should go so that in all things, your mission will be done and your name will be glorified. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
