As a preteen, I kept a diary. In it were written many things, most of which were common to a girl at that age. My thoughts. My experiences. My dreams. My hopes. I wrote notebooks full of words. Today I still write in a private diary, but what I record is what I believe God is saying to me through Scripture, through circumstances, and sometimes through other people.
God speaking is the leading of Holy Spirit to His people, for the sake of the body.
When Paul and Timothy were traveling toward Asia, taking the Gospel from city to city, “they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by Holy Spirit to speak the Word in Asia.” (Acts 16:6)
Holy Spirit had shut the door.
“And after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus (Holy Spirit) did not permit them.” (Acts 16:7)
Once again, God had shut the door.
Then, “a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’” (Acts 16:9)
Holy Spirit directed Paul with a vision. God opened the proper door.
Paul had thought to go from city to city in the region he was already in, but God directed him to another continent—Europe. The Lord’s plan for Paul and his ministry was greater than he could have ever imagined.
On the way to Macedonia, Paul and Timothy had to stop in Troas. There Luke joined them, giving Paul the comfort of a personal physician and for our benefit, the author of the Books of Luke and Acts. (Acts 16:10 begins using the word “we”—including the author, Luke, instead of the previous “they.”)
When God gives clear cut direction.is important to react immediately, as Paul did.
Elijah was hiding in a cave on Mount Horeb; he was hiding from Jezebel and Ahab. God called him to come out of the cave. “And behold, a voice came to him and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” (1Kings 19:13) Elijah complains that he is the only one left zealous for the Lord and that he’s in danger of losing his life. But God answered, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha…as prophet in your place.” (1Kings 19:15-16)
Elijah was hiding out, but God had very important work for him to do. What God directs us to do might seem minuscule to us, but the eternal ramifications, even the earthly ramifications, may have great affect.
Once again, we see that God has not changed. He speaks. He guides. He directs us for the good of the body. He speaks yet in dreams. He speaks yet in an audible voice or a whisper. He speaks.
Lord Jesus is the Head of the body. (Ephesians 1:22) He is our Leader through dark times. Listen for His voice. Follow Him.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) ~Lord Jesus
(C)2020 Kelly Jadon