SATURDAY October 30, 2021

God’s Plans and Purposes

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
Acts 16:9

Macedonia became a Roman province in 146 B.C. It is located in the northern part of Greece. The Romans had besieged the area, and dominated the many cities which included Berea, Thessalonica, Philippi and Nicopolis. The city of Philippi became a Roman colony, it remained under Roman rule.

Paul received a vision and was called by God to go to Macedonia. The Spirit of God had stopped him from going to Asia, and led him instead into the direction of God’s perfect will––Macedonia. Luke, Timothy and Silas joined Paul on his venture of faith. On Paul’s second missionary journey, the ministry in Philippi was established.

In Philippi, Paul found no synagogue in which to teach. In order to have a Jewish synagogue in any city, there needed to be at least ten Jewish males. This meant there were only Gentiles and Jewish proselytes in the city. Paul’s first convert in Philippi was Lydia. She was a seller of fabrics dyed with purple. As a worshipper of God, she held a prayer meeting by the riverside. Paul shared the Gospel with her and she was saved. Lydia became very instrumental in the Gospel. She opened her home to Paul and his friends.

Paul and his co-workers began to witness a mighty work of God among the people. Revival is a result of the Holy Spirit moving among the people as described in Zechariah 4:6: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.” Revival is a work of God, not a work of man. When God sees true repentance revival comes.

Be sensitive to God’s leading and what He desires to do in your life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Nothing is by coincidence. God places you in the right place at the right time for His plans and purposes.

Wherever I am, whatever I am doing, I hope and pray to God that I will have the courage to stand up for the real Jesus of the New Testament regardless of whom I offend.
~A.W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!