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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 16:9, we see that having prevented Paul and the missionary team from going north, God has something else for Paul. God always has something for His servants. Paul receives a vision. One night a man appears to him and says - pleading with him - "Come over into Macedonia and help us."
Now, they realised why they had been prevented from going north. Jesus had to close a door before He could open this door, and sometimes that is upsetting and distressing when God closes a door, but through that vision God met with Paul and spoke with Paul and made some things clear.
Going north would have been second best, and Jesus has to guide Paul away from second best, in order that His Best can be our experience. There are times when we have to be prepared to allow God to have His Way with us, even at the risk of being completely misunderstood.
When the Holy Spirit says STOP, you stop - Go, you go - NO, you obey - MOVE, you move. These can be difficult seasons in our Christian lives!
Read verse 10 carefully. After Paul had seen the vision - "WE" - up to this point it had been 'they' - now it is "WE". Was this where Luke, the writer of Acts joins Paul and Silas and Timothy? At Troas.
These men are sure that Jesus has called them and that HE was leading them on, over and into Europe. One man is given the vision, but they all confirm that it is real and valid. It is dangerous to act on one man receiving a vision or one person receiving a 'prophecy'. It is essential that they others check it out and evaluate its validity.
Be very careful if one person seeks to dictate or dominate or manipulate the way ahead. Have the sense to check things out graciously and lovingly, but firmly. There are many occasions where so-called 'prophecy' has been no more than wishful thinking! Always remember that Jesus Christ wants His best for you.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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