EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL Food For The Day - 2023 SATURDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 TEXT: ACTS 16 : 6 - 15 TOPIC: LISTENING TO GOD'S DIRECTION CREATED OPPORTUNITIES

ACTS 16 : 6 - 15 NIV

6: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.

7:When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

8:So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.

9:During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

10: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.

11:From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis.

12:From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

13:On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.

14:One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

15:When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

*LISTENING TO GOD'S DIRECTION CREATED OPPORTUNITIES*

Do we create time to listen to the direction of the Holy Spirit? 

Paul has given us an example of the way to be guided by God in our efforts to accomplish His mission. 

Being sensitive to the presence of the Holy Spirit will help in redirecting one's steps to the Macedonia call. 

Note that it was the desire to pray that led Paul's team to encounter Lydia who later became their host. 

It does not matter whether you are God's minister or a lay person, you can always make a difference by creating time to listen to God's direction in your life. For it is through such that the purpose of our earthly journey will be fulfilled.

*QUESTION:* Do you sense God's direction in your life?

*PRAYER:* Father, thank You for today's message because it has challenged me to listen to Your direction. There are always wonderful opportunities whenever I walk according to Your direction. Amen.

*Food For The Day - 2023*