Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 259

September 16;       Acts 16:6;       105/260(III);       ‘Supernatural Direction’

Acts 16:6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.

One of the names of the Holy Spirit is the Helper.  An incredibly important way that He helps us is by leading us (Romans 8:14).  God’s Word is His general plan for the life of each of us.  The Lord also has a specific plan for your life (Jeremiah 1:6).  This verse does not tell us how the Holy Spirit told them not to go to Asia, but verse 9 goes on to say that after the Holy Spirit prevented them from going to Bithynia, Paul had a vision and saw a man from Macedonia pleading with Paul to come and help them.  Since the Lord has a specific plan for our lives, it is very important to Him to reveal that plan to us, because then we will be the most effective in ministry for Him.  The most common way the Holy Spirit leads is as the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit (Romans 8:16).  In our busy lives, often it is not easy to get alone with the Lord and slowly by quiet worship or praying quietly in tongues begin to listen for His leading.  It may take some time to discipline your thoughts and listen to your spirit, but you can do it.  The Lord would be unjust to tell you to do what you could not do.  At Bible School, knowing we were to start a church, I sought the direction of the Holy Spirit as to where.  It did not happen overnight, but relatively quickly I heard the Lord directing us to start the church in Newtown, CT.  We followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and the church has been blessed.  It is so important for a Christian to learn to listen and obey the Spirit.