REACH: OPPOSITION TO WELL INTENTIONS

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. ⁷ 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. ⁸ So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.

⁹ 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!” ¹⁰ 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

In the game of chess there are certain moves that can be made by certain pieces.  Strategy is a key element in the game of chess of knowing when to make particular moves, so the ultimate goal of preserving your Kingdom is essential to winning.  GOD is a master at the GAME of LIFE, after all HE creator of all LIFE as we know it.  He knows who needs to cross paths with......and when.  And like a great CHESS player He's always thinking several moves ahead.....hence HIS omnipotence.

Paul after being converted had a heart to serve and teach the GOSPEL.   There were people he knew in places that needed the GOSPEL.  He shared this with his cohort Silas and they set out to make GOD famous in places he surely wasn't, but there was a problem.   The Holy Spirit prevented him from traveling to Asia at that time.    Wait a minute is there anytime better than the present?  Apparently so......cause they were not allowed to "Go There," and for many of us we need to pause here.   There are people all around you that need JESUS.   You feel inspired some days, some Sundays, etc. to BRING IT to them, but they won't/don't hear you.     We don't know why Paul/Silas were being prevented but what we do know it was FOR THEIR GOOD, and GOD's ultimate cause.

We have been planted at 1701 North 2nd Street for 4 years.   It's a beautiful body of diverse, in every way, believers housed in really old building.   If we aren't careful we will miss the blessing of being planted there, because GOD has a purpose for us being there.  Many churches have come and gone, and yet there is a ripe community all around us that need to SEE and HEAR the GOSPEL.  While moving maybe on many of our hearts........it won't be WE HAVE fulfilled GOD's purposes in that area that we've been planted.   Some of you maybe at jobs that you have grown to hate ( I say grown to, because there was a day you called it a blessing) and have been seeking another job.   My question to you is....have you really REACHED the people that God has planted you around.  It might be one person, it might be the whole team.....but seriously.....Has He been glorified fully through you?

After all of Paul's efforts, it wasn't until GOD revealed to Paul where he was to go, that he got the direction he needed.  Stop trying to fulfill God's mission through your plans.  Slow down, and let Him reveal it to you, THEN be bold enough to follow where He leads.   LGLP247