Weekly Memory Verse:
God was in Christ, making peace between the world and Himself...And He gave us this message of peace.
2 Corinthians 5:19 (NCV)
Meditation Thought:
When was the last time I saw a clear opportunity to do God's work? What was my response?
Today's Reading - Acts 16:1-13 (NLT) Choose another translation
Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.
Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days. On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there.
(Today's reading came from the New Living Translation)
2 comments:
This story includes so many details that prove this week's principle. Paul's job was to tell Gentiles about Christ, plain and simple. In this section, he tried everything he could to do his job, only this time God wanted something specific.
I love how God did not treat Paul like a peon. He gave a couple of clues - "Not here", "Nope", "Try again" - and finally a vague vision. The rest He left up to Paul to make wise choices and conclusions.
* "he arranged...for everyone knew"
* "so we decided...having concluded"
* "Philippi, a major city...and a Roman colony"
* "we thought people would be meeting"
God expects us to think and make strategic decisions when working His plan.
God prompted me to do something recently and I tried to figure out why. As I am going through these 50 days God prompts me to do something & I delay & question. Note to self you might be a little slow on the uptake. My response should have been immediate & decisive. Maybe I should type “I will obey” 50 times on a chalkboard, glad I don't own one. Paul obeyed even with the plan not 100% in focus, I wish I could do a better job at it.
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