“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” Acts 16:6-10
Jesus did his work directionally. He received many directions from his Father such that he was always at the place where duty was calling him.
Following the cure he offered to Peter’s mother in law of fever, Peter’s house suddenly became a hospital facility to which many were gathered in the evening to be healed. “And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him” – Mark 1:34.
One would have thought that he would continue his healing ministrations there. Jesus went to pray at dawn. He received direction before Peter brought many people to be healed. He simply disappointed Peter and the many that followed him by telling them the direction he received. “And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for you. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth” – Mark 1:37-38.
Jesus was not afraid to disappoint people just to please his Father. Your challenge sometimes may be that, you want to please everybody; and at end you find yourself displeasing God. But look at this. Peter, following Jesus and saw how Jesus pleased his Father at the expense of pleasing men, was bold to tell the Sanhedrin: “We ought to obey God rather than men” – Acts 5:29.
God can give a general direction for everyone to do something for him. But you also need your personal or specific direction or you’ll be stranded. Here is Paul’s specific direction. “Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send you” – Acts 26:17.
Paul from the start knew by divine direction that he was sent to the gentiles. So he went unto gentiles. But when they were in the region of Galatia, he received on the job direction not to preach the word in Asia. “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia” – Acts 16:6.
When they wanted to preach the word in Bithynia, the Holy Spirit forbade them. “After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered (allowed) them not” – Acts 16:7. Even though he was sent to the gentiles specifically, on the job direction forbade him to go Bithynia and Asia.
Let’s remember that we have a Lord to please. Being on our ears to receive moment by moment direction is the key to pleasing God who called us. Receiving a specific direction is not enough. On the job direction is very important. Paul fulfilled his assignment because he followed the leadings of the Holy Spirit every moment. May God give you the ability to discern his directions.
LET’S PRAY
Heavenly Father, give me grace to know and always remember that, the key to fulfilling my assignment on earth, lies in my obedience to divine direction. Lord, give me a hearing heart to discern Your leading in my daily walk to fulfill Your assignment in Jesus glorious name.
AGREE WITH ME
You are a plant and you just need water to flourish and bear fruit to fulfill your destiny. So, you need to be connected to the Source that never dry. I therefore decree and declare this morning “May your business, finances, career, academics, marriage, family, health, physical person and spiritual person be connected to the Fountain of life, by the Power of the Holy Spirit in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!”
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