PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 18:18-28
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“He promised, ‘I will come back if it is God’s will.’” (Acts 18:21)
As a Jesus follower, I can trust the Lord to guide me.
The Lord knows things that I don’t, and he has his plans for me as well.
I have my own thoughts and plans, but they are not certain, nor always the best.
Like Paul, I can have my hopes, and even make promises.
But my plans are always contingent on the Lord’s plans for me.
This is not just something to admit, it is something to be encouraged by.
Do I trust that the Lord’s plans overall are better than my own?
That what the Lord does through me and my circumstances is ‘very good’.
The problem is that what is good for the kingdom is not always good for me.
Paul eventually ends up in prison in Rome, and dying there.
This is not good for Paul, but it is good for the kingdom.
“What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12)
“Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20)
In the end I can trust his will for me, and what he will do through my life.
PRAYER
Lord, if it is your will, I will do the things I’ve planned for today. Help me to trust that if it doesn’t work out that way, you have something better in mind.
A time of growth and receptivity to the Gospel – and the number of faithful people that share about the true Messiah increases. Its great when there is collaboration and many hands on deck! That’s how we need to see each other as fellow messengers – encouraging each other and helping each of us to find the truth about Jesus – and that leads to a closer walk with God – becoming more aware of our own weaknesses and need for confession and correction – open to the HS to lead and to guide us – show us the next thing to do, to work on! God has good things in mind for me!
God is not finished with me yet. Telling others of the good news, we are all still in the process of growing in the Lord. And this can be done in community, learning from others to build one another in the faith. God uses His workers His wonders to perform and to encourage one another to grow in His service. Each of us need to be growing in our walk with our Saviour.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey