September 24, 2026
Opening Prayer
Lord God,As we begin this time together, quiet our minds and open our hearts to you. Help us hear your voice and trust your presence. Lord, give us courage for the next faithful step. Amen.
Bible Reading
Acts 16:6–10
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.Reflection
We do not mind following God's direction—as long as God's direction matches our plan.
We make our plans. We pray about them.We think them through.
We believe we're doing something good and worthwhile.Then suddenly, something changes.
A door closes.
An opportunity disappears.
A plan falls apart.
Something we expected doesn't happen.
And we wonder: “What happened? Did I get this wrong?”
That's part of what makes Acts 16 so interesting.
Paul and his companions weren't pursuing something selfish or wrong.
They were trying to do something very good.
They were taking the gospel to people.
And yet God changed their route.
Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit prevented them from going into one region. They tried another direction, and again, the way was closed.
Think about that. Paul had a plan. But God had a bigger plan.
And here's where the gospel changes the way we think about God's direction. The story in our verses today isn't ultimately about Paul finding the perfect route for his life. It's about God getting the good news of Jesus to people who needed to hear it.
Paul's plans were important—but they weren't the centre of the story.
Jesus was. God's mission was bigger than Paul's itinerary.
I believe that is an important truth for us. Sometimes we can become so focused on asking “God, what is your plan for my life?”
that we forget to ask: “God, how can my life serve your purposes?”
I have learned in my life, and in the testimony of others that these are not the same question. Now, God certainly cares about the details of our lives. But our lives are also part of something much bigger than ourselves. Jesus has already given his followers a mission:
“Go and make disciples of all nations…”. Matthew 28:19
If you are familiar the the book of Acts you will know that it is the account of the advancement of the gospel, every story points to the reality that the Gosple is moving forward. God is drawing people to himself. God is bringing hope to the hurting, forgiveness to sinners, freedom to those who are bound, and a unity among the nations through the new life through Jesus Christ.
Yet, sometimes God changes our route because his purposes reach beyond what we can see. In today's reading God was opening a door for the gospel.
Maybe where we see a closed door or where we see interruptions,
God may be working through them. We see a detour. God may see an opportunity. We see a change in plans. God may see a new person, a new place, or a new ministry opportunity. We won't always know. And that's where trust comes in.
This week we began with Trusting the Guide we talked about
trusting God's character. We know what God has already done.
He has demonstrated his love for us through Jesus. He didn't wait for us to find our way to him. He came looking for us. He entered our world. Jesus went to the cross for us. He died for our sin. He rose again. And through Christ, God has opened the way for us to have forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life. That's the gospel!
And if God has gone to such lengths to bring us back to himself, we can trust him when he leads us somewhere we didn't expect to go.
That doesn't mean every closed door has a hidden divine explanation.
It doesn't mean every disappointment is secretly God's perfect plan.
But it does mean we can face an uncertain road with confidence:
God is faithful.
So maybe the question we need to ask is: “God, where are you leading me now, and how can I follow Jesus faithfully here?”
Paul didn't know where the new road would lead. But he followed.
And through that changed route, the gospel went forward.
If you are familiar the the book of Acts you will know that it is the account of the advancement of the gospel, every story points to the reality that the Gosple is moving forward. God is drawing people to himself. God is bringing hope to the hurting, forgiveness to sinners, freedom to those who are bound, and a unity among the nations through the new life through Jesus Christ.
Yet, sometimes God changes our route because his purposes reach beyond what we can see. In today's reading God was opening a door for the gospel.
Maybe where we see a closed door or where we see interruptions,
God may be working through them. We see a detour. God may see an opportunity. We see a change in plans. God may see a new person, a new place, or a new ministry opportunity. We won't always know. And that's where trust comes in.
This week we began with Trusting the Guide we talked about
trusting God's character. We know what God has already done.
He has demonstrated his love for us through Jesus. He didn't wait for us to find our way to him. He came looking for us. He entered our world. Jesus went to the cross for us. He died for our sin. He rose again. And through Christ, God has opened the way for us to have forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life. That's the gospel!
And if God has gone to such lengths to bring us back to himself, we can trust him when he leads us somewhere we didn't expect to go.
That doesn't mean every closed door has a hidden divine explanation.
It doesn't mean every disappointment is secretly God's perfect plan.
But it does mean we can face an uncertain road with confidence:
God is faithful.
So maybe the question we need to ask is: “God, where are you leading me now, and how can I follow Jesus faithfully here?”
Paul didn't know where the new road would lead. But he followed.
And through that changed route, the gospel went forward.
Prayer
God,
When you say, “Not that way—this way,” help me listen.
When the road changes, help me trust your faithfulness.
And wherever you lead me, help me carry the hope of the gospel with me.
Jesus, you are the Guide, the destination, and the good news.
Amen.
Application
Think about one area of your life where things haven't gone the way you expected.
Ask yourself:
What did I hope would happen?
What is actually happening?
Then bring the situation honestly before God:
“Lord, is there a direction I'm trying to force that you may be asking me to release?”
And then ask one more question:
“How can I faithfully follow Jesus in this new direction?”
A closed door isn't always rejection.
Sometimes it is redirection.
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