Paul and his companions tried to preach in Asia but the
Holy Spirit closed that door. They tried in Bithynia. Again, the Spirit shut
the door (Acts 16:6-8). When they reached Troas, Paul was given a dream.
During the night Paul had a vision of a man from
Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
Acts 16:9
If we submit our desires to the Lord, ask Him to close
every door except the one He’s chosen for us, He will do it. Some doors appeal.
They seem right. But, they’re not His chosen door. God uses circumstances,
scripture, friends, family, and even strangers to guide us. He uses
supernatural occurrences like dreams, visions, words of wisdom and knowledge (I
Corinthians 12:8). He may use nature–floods, clouds, fire. All things are at
His disposal.
Jesus guides His followers. He doesn’t expect us to
flounder and search in vain for an open door. As we prayerfully seek His will
we’ll hear a voice, dream a dream, or in some way be guided to the work He has
for us (Isaiah 30:21).
After the dream, Paul went to Macedonia and there found a few women meeting by the river on the
Sabbath. One of them, Lydia, and everyone in her household, believed in Jesus.
She opened her home to Paul and his companions. They stayed and preached the
message of salvation through Christ.
God gives gifts to His people. He knows we need
opportunities to use them. As we listen daily to the Spirit, He guides us.
Prayer for a friend. A gift of money to meet a need. Sharing Jesus with a
stranger. Praying for and visiting the sick and imprisoned. Teaching.
Preaching. Going. Giving.
To writers tapping away on lap-tops: writing easily fits
into the "speaking gifts" category. A word of wisdom, knowledge,
prophecy; these can be written as well as spoken. Keep on teaching and
encouraging through the gift of writing. Jesus opened the door to Macedonia for Paul. And He will open doors for
you.
“As you go down the long corridor, you will find that He
has preceded you, and locked many doors which you would have entered; but be
sure that beyond these there is one which He has left unlocked.” F. B. Meyer
***
Rose McCormick Brandon is the
author of Promises of Home - Stories of Canada's British Home Children
and often speaks in libraries, museums and to genealogical societies on this
important time in Canadian history. She writes for a few faith publications and
is presently working on a daily devotional. Rose edits, teaches and
occasionally publishes books. Her book, One Good Word Makes all the
Difference and others are available from her website. Visit her blogs, Listening to my Hair Grow and
Promises of Home.
3 comments:
Rose, thank you for the inspiration and encouragement in this post. In recent years my writing life has quite been quite squeezed as various other ministry doors have continually opened up. I've had to consider whether I'm pursuing God's chosen path. So far, I find myself sufficiently at peace to continue. ~~+~~
It's good to have other pursuits besides writing - especially in your case when you have ministry doors open for you. God has gifted you to pastor and write.
Thanks Rose. May and I are amazed and truly grateful that we have these service opportunities coming our way and have had sufficient health and strength to fulfil them - albeit, with challenges along the way. But, even they cause us to lean on the Lord and depend on His grace. I trust you will likewise enjoy necessary health to continue your great work. ~~+~~
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