What do you do when the Holy Spirit says “no”?
Does a “no” put you in a tailspin?
What happens when the plans you made do not turn out that way due to the fact the Lord closes a door?
What happens when the Lord puts the brakes on our strategy plan?
Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:6-10
I do not like “no” for an answer.
Do you think Paul liked the “no” ?
It seems that he got his first “No” and the Holy Spirit stopped him.
Then he tried another area and the same response – No!
Once again, stopped!
What do you do?
In Paul’s case they went yet another direction and then he had the vision of the man from Macedonia. It evidently made an impact. He knew it was the Lord directing him. Then he did as so many of the men of faith did in the Bible – He obeyed… immediately.
They left for Macedonia.
How do you handle the redirections?
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2 comments:
Larry,
I also don't like hearing "no". Last year was a really hard year for us when we heard our no. It didn't make sense, we heard from God, obeyed, paid a significant price for saying yes and then we heard no.
The result so far has been amazing. He's opened new doors that we didn't know existed and he's brought out a side of us that we underestimated. I think the key to hearing no is to keep walking, to keep trying and to keep knocking.
Cool word. I like it. Keep walking, trying, knocking. I think Paul did that. I think he kept going but each time he got the NO he was open to the redirection. Sounds like the Lord really is doing some cool things there with you guys.
Some times I am afraid that I am not that obedient and I just keep charging forward. I am learning to let the "No's" be good redirectors for my life.
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