By Pastor Josiah Kehinde
“And Paul and Silas passed through the territory of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Word in [the province of] Asia. And when they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. [There] a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man from Macedonia stood pleading with him and saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us! And when he had seen the vision, we [including Luke] at once endeavored to go on into Macedonia, confidently inferring that God had called us to proclaim the glad tidings (Gospel) to them.”
Acts 16:6-10 The Amplified Bible
“Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:21 The Amplified Bible
Dearly beloved, the Bible has many stories of disrupted plans. On his second missionary journey, Paul had sought to bring the gospel into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus stopped him. “And Paul and Silas passed through the territory of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Word in [the province of] Asia. And when they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.”
Acts 16:6-7 The Amplified Bible
This must have seemed mystifying: Why was Jesus disrupting plans that were in line with a God-given mission?
The answer came in a dream one night: “[There] a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man from Macedonia stood pleading with him and saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us!”
Acts 16:9 The Amplified Bible
Macedonia needed him even more. There, Paul would plant the first church in Europe. King Solomon also observed, “Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:21 The Amplified Bible
Brethren, the simple truth is that it is sensible to make plans. The well-known adage says that, “When you fail to plan, then you have plan to fail.” Yet with all our plans, God may disrupt our plans with His own. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 The Amplified Bible
Our challenge is to listen and obey, knowing we can trust God. If we submit to His will, we will find ourselves fitting into His purpose for our lives. “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.”
Jeremiah 29:11 The Amplified Bible
As we continue to make good and fantastic plans, let us learn to Plan with the intentions to listen. Listening to God’s plan. This is where true success is. Shalom.
I pray that the Lord will grant you the grace to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit whenever your plans are disrupted, and He will most certainly lead you to good success in Jesus name Amen.
I pray that the Lord will increase your faith and strengthen you in the Holy Ghost for uncommon exploits in Jesus name Amen.
I pray that the very purpose of God for your life shall be accomplished by the mercy of the Lord in Jesus name Amen.
•Pastor Josiah KGS. GPPM
+234-805-551-6088
pastorjosiahkehinde@gmail.com