Open and Shut Doors

Open and Shut Doors 

 As Paul and Silas continued on their second missionary trip through Phyrgia and Galatia, the Holy Spirit told them not to go to Asia and Bithynia. There are times in our own lives when the Holy Spirit advises us to stay away from some areas. It is through prayer and keeping our eyes open we discern what God plans for us to do. Then again one day Paul had a vision of a man standing before him from Macedonia (Modern day Greece) and he was convinced, that was where the Holy Spirit was leading them to next. 

 As Paul journeys on, Luke the author of Acts joins them (Acts 16:11) as they head toward Philippi in the district of Macedonia. Here they meet Lydia a wealthy business women and some other women. They listen to Paul's gospel message and open their hearts to Christ and are baptized by Paul. Lydia invites them to stay with her in her house during their stay there. Could this have been one of the earliest women's fellowships in the early years of Christianity? Lydia and her friends played an instrumental role for the growth and ministry of the church in Philipi. 

 Sometimes we may not understand why the Spirit of Christ opens some doors and closes others. But in the life of Paul, he was able to build a strong relationship with the churches and in the later part of his life when he spends time in Rome at prison, he writes letters to these churches. These letters today have been treasured and accepted all over the world as part of the inspired Word of God in the Bible.

Prayer:- Dear Lord open our eyes to see your hand leading us as we discern your plans for our life ahead. Strengthen us to stay faithful to the growth and ministry of the church when we encounter obstructions along the way. Amen