"Who is God?", Part III: God is our Guide

Focus text: Isaiah Acts 16:1-15

Life is a journey and we often don’t know where to go or where to find answers. We get frustrated when we hit one dead end after another. We need a guide and God is the perfect one to guide us. He knows what is ahead and has the wisdom to help us maximize opportunities and avoid disasters. He helps us cast aside things that will not be beneficial and find the paths that will bring us joy as we change our world.

Read Acts 16:1-15 and see the following ways that God is our guide in life.

• God keeps us from some paths (v.6).

After visiting churches on his second missionary journey, it only made sense for Paul to move west, but God closes the door. There are times when God tells us what we want to do is not best for us. He doesn’t let us have the job we want or give us success when we think it is time to start a family. We feel like a failure, but sometimes it is just God telling us that it isn’t the right time.

• God sometimes invites us to something we never dreamed could happen to us (v.9).

When the door closed in Asia, God invited Paul to come to Greece where people were ready to hear the gospel. God may have another job or ministry for you to do. He knows what suits you or when a great opportunity is at hand. God will guide us to the place that is best for us if we are willing to listen.

• Being open to what God wants is the key (v.13).

Paul is led to a city with few Jews and seemingly few prospects. The group Paul meets will become the core of the Philippian church who will support his ministry for years. As we are open to the Lord, He will give us great opportunities that we could have never dreamed of. We just have to trust God and courageously use the breaks we receive. 

We thank the Lord when He agrees with our vision. Do we thank God when He takes us another way? With God as my GPS (God’s plans and solutions), I will always get to the place of ministry where I can serve the best and that is suited to my gifts. I can start with prayer and find out what God wants me to do each day. The alternative for me is to wander through life hoping that I stumble on just the right thing.