This Week’s Reading
Acts 16
Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey
Next they went to the Turkish seaport of Troy on the coast of Asia, directly across the sea from Europe)
“That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us!' The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the Good News to the Europeans” Acts 16:8-10 (MSG)
God also “speaks” using “extra-ordinary” means. Are you alert to them?
Pastor’s Reflections
The author of Acts is the physician, Luke. Acts is volume 2 of Luke/Acts. Luke researched all that is contained in Gospel and also everything contained in Acts through chapter 16 vs. 8. Now in verse 10 we see for the time that that the narrative is written in the first person plural, “we”. This means that everything that happens from here on out is that which Luke has personally witnessed.
Some have even linked Luke with the man from Macedonia (northern Greece which is Europe). Whatever the case, Paul had a dream and God broke the long, long period of time when it felt like he was getting nothing done, where it looked like their time and efforts were being completely wasted.
Paul paid attention, believed that the dream was from God, probably consulted with the others, prayed, thought everything through and then simply followed God’s guidance. The result? The Gospel got to Europe, including the center of the ancient world, Athens. AND Luke joins the group. Of course it is Luke who then became God’s great scribe through whom we have learned so much.
Are you in a “waiting on God” mode? Have you allowed yourself to become dulled to the voice of God through dreams, thoughts, comments of others, your Bible reading, sermons ?
If we cannot believe that God speaks to us, that we are to hear his voice, aren't we cheating ourselves out of the 'personal' part of a 'personal relationship with God'?
ReplyDeleteJesus said we would know his voice (John 10).
I have always found it interesting that Paul, when confronted on the road to Damascus responded to hearing Jesus' voice by calling him, "Lord".
"Who are you, Lord?" Acts 9
Sometimes, believing what we hear takes an act of faith and many times we may not even see tangible reasons for what we are told. But, I have always felt that God will honor my obedience no matter what.