PROMPTINGS

Acts 16:6-10
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

"As the day in my life turns, I know that Jesus loves me and is my Savior. Friday at work I was planning on taking my life, but in a time of need God is there. He had Pastor Williams call me, and just listening to his voice let me know that God loves me and so does he, as my pastor."

These are the words of a young single mother who occasionally attends our faith community. On my day off, when I was supposed to be resting and doing nothing related to church ministry, the Holy Spirit prompted me to call this young woman to see if she had gotten her transmission fixed. Little did I know that my call would have God's timing and God's love stamped all over it.

Paul must have had some reservation when the Holy Spirit prevented his team from going into the provinces of Asia and Bithynia on their second missionary journey. The Holy Spirit prompted them to go to Macedonia, however, to preach the Good News there.

In each situation, they obeyed immediately. Had they not obeyed the Spirit's prompting, they would not have had the opportunity to help birth a new church in Philippi, and we wouldn't have the book of Philippians in our Bible. Paul did not want Christians to bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), and he modeled this by listening and moving to the rhythm of the Spirit.

When the Holy Spirit prompts us to do something that is in keeping with the revealed truth of the Bible, let's not bring Him sorrow by turning a deaf ear to His urgings. Say yes to Him, and you just might be a part of the birth of a new community, a new ministry, a new paradigm for making new and better followers of Jesus--or you just might be used to save a life. --Marvin Williams

DESTINATION POINTS

* Where is my "Macedonia"?
* Where is the Holy Spirit calling me to make new and better followers of Jesus Christ?

LINKS:
The Promise Of The Spirit

bottom line: The right choice is to heed the Spirit's voice.

soul journey