Take
the boxing gloves off and pick yourself up off the floor. No need to keep beating yourself up over what
did or didn’t happen last year.
I
know, I know … this is something we never want to ask ourselves, but always
do. So, let me be the one who does the
questioning to ease the pain of guilt or regret.
In
review over your vision or goal list for last year, if you looked into your rearview mirror, did you accomplish all of them?
Half … some … even one? (Wait … don’t pick up the guilt gloves!)
Did
you discover God’s plan didn’t quite match yours and your expectations hit the
wall? To tell the truth, that’s where I
was, and in time spent with the Lord, He let me know exactly where I missed
it.
Thanks for joining us on Daily Favor Blog.
When
Go Turns to No
After
time in biblical study I discovered plenty of people have walked that path of
disappointment before me. Do you know
who else found himself in that situation?
The Apostle Paul, that’s right. The
Bible tells us what happened in the book of Acts.
He
had planned his 2nd mission trip with Timothy who was joining him
for training, when all of a sudden God put a hold on it. The evangelic journey was scheduled through
Asia as he headed for Bithynia. Instead,
God stopped him with no rhyme or reason Paul thought.
Every
detail was set and prayed through with no doubts in the process. He and Timothy were prepared; people were
expecting them. It just didn’t make
sense that in an instant the “go ye” plan turned to a “no ye” one. So then, Lord, what’s the problem?
For
Future Generations of Favor
Has
God ever said “no” to you by closing every door that was opened and you
couldn’t figure out why? Scripture reminds us that although we may make our plans, our steps are directed by the Lord.
“A man’s heart plans
his way, but the LORD directs his steps.”
(Proverbs 16:9)
This
is what seemed to be happening to Paul, that is except for something
strange. All opportunities closed but one
… to Troas, which wasn’t even part of the plan.
Troas
Lord? Why Troas and not Bithynia? There was no way Paul could have known what
the future would hold, but God knows the end from the beginning. He was placing people in position for future generations
of favor and blessings on a larger scale that Paul couldn’t have imagined.
At
the time it didn’t make sense, but Paul had to obey and Timothy watched this
all play out for good and God’s glory.
His plan is far better than ours and the Apostle wasn’t about to fight
with the Lord’s change in direction.
The
Voice in the Night
The
two cities were very different from one another (Bithynia and Troas that is),
not only in culture and language but geographically it would make a big difference. (Take a look at the above map.) This
was new to them and not where they thought they would be according to the
schedule.
There have been many times when I became frustrated because some of
my plans and goals have taken so long.
That's when the boxing gloves of guilt and regret emerge.
Over
and over as I start questioning every step I’ve taken, wondering if I’ve had it
wrong the entire time. Like Paul, it is
during those quiet times in the night when the Lord speaks clearly to our
spirit. If we are listening attentively,
we will hear the Holy Spirit's voice speak to our spirit, giving direction and know this is His will
over what we had previously planned or desired.
During
the night in Troas, not the city of Bithynia, Paul had a vision of ministering to
a man begging for help in Macedonia, Greece … a totally different place and continent! He was anxious to get to the first destination,
but God took him on a different path first … steps that would alter the course
of history!
“So passing by Mysia,
they came down to Troas, 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.
Now after he had seen
the vision, immediately we sought to
go to Macedonia,
concluding that the Lord had called us
to preach the gospel to
them.” (Acts 16:8-10)
Paul
didn’t waste time, but hopped on board a ship from Troas ports and traveled to
Neapolis (now Kavala), which is a major eastern seaport in Macedonia. He had to be where God was going to give him
favor from the “future generations who would become” Saints.
Troas
was where God launched Paul’s ministry of “go ye” and how the gospel was spread
not only in Greece, but throughout all Europe.
There’s
A Better Door
Although
Paul’s mindset was Asia, God’s was for all of Europe and mankind. Troas would be the doorway for the gospel and
Christianity to be preached among Muslim nations. It didn’t stop there either!
Eventually
settlers would break free from other nations and travel to Plymouth Rock, yes to America where freedom of religion is practiced and enjoyed liberally! That is … at this moment, but for how long
will this door remain open to this blessing?
I
can write and post this because of the grace and favor of God that began
thousands of years ago, without traveling across an ocean or body of water like
Paul did originally! You are reading this because of that same grace!
What if Paul didn’t obey God and stayed in Asia,
would I have ever learned about Christ’s saving grace or experience His favor daily? How would I be able to proclaim or teach what I had not known in my own life? Oh, but thankfully Paul did take that step of faith to journey with Jesus!
There
is a bigger plan for all mankind and history, not just what is in front of you
or me. God is doing a different thing, He’s
making it plain, 20/20 clarity for His vision.
Can you not see it? It’s time to
forget past failures and the unexplained closed roads.
“The LORD said, forget
what happened long ago!
Don’t think about the
past. I am creating something new.
There it is! Do you see it?
I have put roads in deserts,
streams in thirsty
lands.” (Isaiah 43:18-19 CEV)
He
Will Lead Us On
If
we read stories throughout history it’s easy to understand why God changed
events to fit His overall plan for salvation.
We read how people had their heart set on something, but God sent them
down a different path changing direction of their destiny.
Someone once described it like this …
“God leads down a path
we do not know
Upward He leads though
our steps be slow
Though often we faint
and falter on the way
Though storms and
darkness obscure the day
Yet when the clouds are
gone
We know that He leads
us on.”
-Author Unknown
Maybe
you’re frustrated over the past and even say, “This is not what I planned; I
expected so much more and to be farther along in my goals.”
You
may be confused about what God is doing, but He isn’t. When God stops or blocks your plans, it’s
because the favor and blessings He has for you are not where you think or expect.
If
you recall, God didn’t reveal to Paul His plans until he arrived in Troas. It wasn’t until Paul obeyed the first step
that the Lord revealed another part or phase of the vision.
God
is more interested in your obedience than you trying to figure things out on
your own. There is no way we can know
how big the blessing is, we just have to trust Him in the journey.
Go
with God’s plan, stop fighting, scratching and clawing against what He is
telling you to do. When we submit our
plans to God, He will change them into something more than we could ask or
think.
“Never doubt God’s
mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your
greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination!
He will outdo them all, for His miraculous
power constantly
energizes you.” (Ephesians 3:20 TPT)
Have
You Settled in Bithynia?
We’ve
all missed a turn or two down the road of life, but the journey still continued
didn’t it? Somehow, we got back on track
and saw where we went wrong.
God
showed me things I needed to take hold of and what to let go from the past if
He was to bless the work of my hands. He’s
not closing doors to stop us from moving forward, but leading us to our own Troas,
a place where there are open doors for greater favor, opportunities and
blessings.
I’m
going to keep asking the hard questions … Where is your vision? How far along are you in where you want to
be? Have you set the path with God’s
permission or is it one you want to travel alone?
There’s
a better way if you let God lead you in the direction to take. The path leads to joy in His Daily Favor and
Eternal Presence!
“You
will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy;
at
Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
This Week's Challenge:
What is your Bithynia & where is it leading you?
See,
friends, we all have a Bithynia of sorts in our lives - a place and goal in
mind, but they don’t always match God’s.
Spend time with the Lord and ask Him to reveal to you exactly where you
missed it or what needs changing. Don’t
be discouraged if or when God changes your plans … it’s going to be okay!
Let
me ask you again … What and where is your Bithynia? Have you settled there, or are you willing to
go on to the “Troas” God sets so His favor and plans can be established through you?
Who knows, it may be a road trip to Greece or even Paris, France, but if not it's still going to be the ride of your life!
Even
though things aren’t exactly what I hoped for yet or where I planned to be at this point of my life, this is my prayer … it can be yours as well.
“Lord, I’m going to trust You and Your plans.
Somehow, someway I know what You have in mind is much better. I
submit to Your plan and timing, no matter how long it takes. I choose to enjoy the journey and watch the
goodness of the Lord unfold in my life.”
Whatever
your goal or vision is, be prepared! Never
forget that if you are willing and obedient, God will always direct you to His
path of favor… your road to “Troas”, the unexpected destination that is better than you can
ever imagine.
“For the Lord God is a
sun and a safe-covering (shield).
The Lord gives favor
and honor. He holds back nothing good
from
those who walk in the way that is right.
O Lord of all,
how happy is the man (person) who trusts in You!”
(Psalm
84:11-12 NLV emphasis mine)
Lead Me On by Aiza
Seguerra
Until next time, favor awaits you in your “Troas”!
“I will bring
favor where you least expect it.”
- Jesus
Christ
*Unless
noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s)
privacy.
Note:
When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because
we give him no place in our lives.
Disclaimer:
Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical
issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
What’s New
This Week: Click on link.
to Accomplish
His (paperback)
by: Dan
Wallrath
Maybe you
don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of
favor in your life also. Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.
Content
and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
Disclaimer
Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
Scripture
reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Hub.
Image
credit: Google Images Creative Common License if not specified.
Labels: Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Blessed Life, Favor, Obedience,
Vision, Goals, Hearing from God, The Road to Troas, Paris, France, Greece,
Paul, The Apostle Paul, Missionary, Evangelism, Guidance, Direction,
#Bible
#BibleStudy #Blessed #Favor #Favored #Challenge #TeachingSeries #BibleStudy
