April 23, 2024
Read Deuteronomy 7, Psalm 134-135, Acts 16
When we pray God hears our prayers, but whether he answers them with a yes or no or not yet is another story. In Acts 16 Paul and Silas begin their mission trip and start be revisiting some of the areas that Paul and Barnabas had visited previously. The Scripture says that Paul had want to go to an area, but “having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia” v. 6. We find the Holy Spirit had said “no.” We are not given a reason for why God did not want the, to preach in the province of Asia but maybe the reason was their own protection or that God had a desire for them to work elsewhere. They meet Lydia in Philippi, and she became a follower of Jesus. Then they would find themselves in prison there for healing a slave girl who had a demon. This might seem like bad news, but it was in prison that Paul and Silas were able to share the gospel with the Philippian jailer. He and his whole household came to faith because of Paul’s imprisonment. When we are looking for God to use us in a certain area and then it seems that God has shut the door be ready to see where God maybe working in a soon coming open door.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or ideas stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
DId God Really Say... 