The Call and the Mission

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 

Acts 16:6-10

 

The clarity of call to preach in Macedonia is amazing.  How the Spirit of God works in forbidding Paul and his companions from going into Phrygia and Galatia speaks to the sheer sovereignty of God in all things.  I am so grateful for His plan, providence and provision as He works for His glory and our good.  

Erin and I are much closer to a decision and we'll likely decide sometime next week and then sit on it between the two of us for a bit (having taken counsel from others to do this) to confirm it in our hearts.  We are excited for what the Lord has in store and ask that those of you who read this would be in prayer for this very thing.  Being a part of starting a new church is something I never would have even entertained years ago, but now it's where the Lord has us and we are passionate to see these things:  God glorified, people enter into His joy through the proclamation and exposition of the Gospel, and for people to share that joy with others.  

I remember listening to a talk by Sam Storms last year and he gave what I believe is a great definition for pastoral work.  I leave you with it to pray for me.

"That by the grace of God I might lead, teach, shepherd the people of God into the enjoyment of God for the glory of God." 

An Appropriate Prayer

I am a blog reader.  There are a few that I regularly check and one is Scotty Smith's "Heavenward."  It is nothing more than a daily prayer by Scotty about something dealing with everyday life and how the Gospel intersects.  It is an excellent blog because it forces you to slow down as you read it...and actually pray. 
As I think about the situation Erin and I are currently in; I especially found the following post helpful and encouraging.  As we look to the Lord for His active shepherding in our lives we must continue to walk by faith and trust in His faithfulness.  With the kids we have been focusing on God's faithfulness (using this book) and it has been great.  It is good to be reminded, even as we teach the kids, of God's steadfast love and faithfulness.  Enjoy the prayer.

A Prayer When Uncertain about God’s Leading

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. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 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. Acts 16:6-10

Heavenly Father, many of us, and/or our friends, are in a season of uncertainty and change. Our callings and giftings, our longings and dreams, our pains and our joys, your providence and our predicaments—at times are hard to read.  Knowing you, boasting in Jesus and doing your will are preeminent, but we don’t know which doors to open, which doors to knock on, which doors to stay away from, or which doors to go through next. Please make it clear.
You must lead us, just as certainly as you kept Paul from Asia and Mysia, and sent him to Macedonia. Open doors we cannot shut and shut doors we cannot open. We will continue to plan, but give us confidence and joy that you are ordering our steps. We want to walk by the Light of the World, not by the flames of our own torches. We want your heavenly wisdom to guide us, not more of our earthly spin to confuse us.
Father, in the meantime, give us great peace, faithfulness and fruitfulness where you have placed us—whatever the plough you have put in our hands and whatever the field into which you have placed us. We choose to live by the Spirit of Jesus and not by the seat of our pants. Don’t let our antsy-ness for what’s next rob us of our calling to love well in this moment. May your still small voice be much louder than the jammer of challenging circumstances and difficult people. May a passion for your glory be much more compelling than our desire for something new or something other.
For those of us facing difficult financial situations, feed us with ravens if you must, but keep us from stealing from others. For those of us dealing with family and relational heartaches, give us your peace as a guard for our hearts, lest in our restlessness, we take matters into our own hands.
Father, thank you for giving Jesus to us as both Lamb of God and Good Shepherd. We need his perfect righteousness and his active shepherding. Indeed, Jesus is presently working all things together after the counsel of your will, and he is working in all things for your glory and our good—no exceptions or contingencies. Hallelujah, what a Savior! Hallelujah, what a salvation. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.

Link:  http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2011/07/02/a-prayer-when-uncertain-about-gods-leading/