Friday, September 18, 2015

After the Closed Doors...

Acts 16:11-15 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. 
On their second missionary journey, after delivering their message of the council, and encouraging the churches of their first journey, Paul and his missionary band began to seek new places to share the Gospel.  They kept coming to closed doors, with the Holy Spirit repeatedly telling them "no, not here, not now."  Rather than give up and go home, Paul persisted, until the Spirit gave Him instruction to go to Macedonia.  Upon arriving, he went to the place where the leading of the Spirit would be confirmed: the place of prayer. Prayer is where God confirms and gives confidence, as we come into communion with Father, Son and Spirit for a holy conversation.  There they found exactly what they needed to confirm their call: open hearts, responsive lives, hospitality.  Let us not be discouraged by closed doors.  They help us find our way through the maze of life to where God wants us to be.

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