Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Paul had been given a Vision from the Lord specifically instructing him to go to Macedonia. Paul knew the Vision was from God and therefore, he immediately obeyed and set out for Macedonia.
We know that Luke, the writer of the Book of Acts, joined Paul, Silas, and Timothy on this part of their ministry journey because he included himself in this sentence. Now after he had seen the Vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called US to preach the Gospel to them. (Acts 16:10)
The interesting part of this Passage of Scripture is concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the Gospel to them. The lesson in this is that when God speaks to us it’s ALWAYS about the furthering of His Kingdom.
God did not direct Paul to Macedonia because there was a good job there for him or a woman He wanted him to marry. Paul knew what God wanted and he obeyed his instructions. It would appear that Paul shared the Vision with Silas, Luke, and Timothy because they all concluded that the Lord had called us to preach the Gospel to them.
There was no other reason for them to make the long trip to Macedonia. When the Lord gives us a Dream or Vision it is in reference to His Plan for us in regard to His Kingdom. That is always first and foremost in the Mind of God and it should be first and foremost in our minds as well.
Jesus said, Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) Paul was 100% Kingdom-minded. He totally devoted his life to the furtherance of the Kingdom of God and the Holy Spirit used him in a mighty way because of his total consecration to the Lord and His Kingdom.
Paul did not get side-tracked seeking a wife or a career. He stayed focused on the Kingdom and he is a great example for all of us. Given what Jesus did for us on the Cross of Calvary, how can we be anything else than totally consecrated to Him and His Kingdom?
Paul would later write to the Philippians Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6) Our requests should not be about personal wants and desires but rather in regard to how God can use us to further His Kingdom.
Our daily morning prayer should be of surrendering our life that day to what God would have us do to build His Kingdom. What would you like me to do today, Lord? Give me clear direction and I will act in obedience. Who do you want me to pray for and minister to today? Thank you, Lord, for using me to build Your Kingdom and giving me the strength and energy to do what you have called me to do.
When we submit to God’s Plan and Purpose for our lives, everything else will fall into place exactly as He has it all planned. Don’t worry about anything. Trust in the Lord and His Plan for your life; today and every day.
Surrender your life and God will……….turn the tide
Use me this day, Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
