God Speaking

“When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.”

(Acts 16: 7)

When my grandson was younger, I would often help his parents by minding him at my home. One day after his mother had dropped him off, he exclaimed, I love coming here to your home there are no rules and you always give me whatever I ask you for and you never say no (probably thinking of that extra cookie). I was very touched, because I loved having him all to myself and spoiling him, but then I felt I had to be honest about telling him that yes there would be times when I would need to say no, explaining that if he wanted to try a dangerous escapade, I would have to say no. 

Our Heavenly Father is a loving Father who listens to our pleas and does say yes, but there are sometimes when his answers no. There is an excellent example of this is Acts chapter 16, where Paul and Silas Paul and his companions, were spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and had planned exactly where they are, though the best part of the world was to do this. They must have been surprised to find that what they wanted to do was not what God wanted them to do. 

“Paul and his companions travelled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.” (Acts 16: 6)

We too may be surprised when we are blocked from moving forward in our lives that we feel is the right thing to do. This is never a form of punishment that we might think when we are disappointed, but the guiding hand of our Heavenly Father who has a better plan for us., which was the case for Paul. 

There is a beautiful verse in Jeremiah that is a great one to remember when we are confronting a big decision in our lives. 

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6: 16)

If we spend time in prayer and earnestly ask the Lord, what should we do, he will answer with the best way forward as a loving Father for his child, but we can get so caught up with what we want, we forget to consult the Father, even thinking that our way is perfect so no need to bother asking. 

Proverbs is full of wisdom and this telling verse reminds us that our own understanding can be limited, so trust our Heavenly Father. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3: 5 – 6)