Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans not to harm you but to bring you a future and a hope.
In the 8th Chapter of the Book of Acts we read that due to the persecution of the Jews, the believers scattered from Jerusalem to various places throughout the region. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word. (Acts 8:4) It was never God’s intention for His Church to only be in Jerusalem and as a result of the persecution, many of the believers left that place. Wherever they settled, they began to preach and plant churches.
God used this situation to spread the Church beyond Jerusalem. Most people don’t hear the Word of God and obey. It could have been that He told these people to leave Jerusalem and preach the Gospel somewhere else but they didn’t go because they were comfortable right where they were. So, He allowed them to be persecuted by the Jews which caused them to scatter. What seemed to be a bad situation, resulted in many Churches being planted in various cities.
Peter had been the leader of the First Church, so after things settled down in Jerusalem, he began to go and visit these new churches. And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the Saints which dwelt at Lydda. (Acts 9:32)
The 9th Chapter of Acts was all about the conversion experience of Saul and what appeared to be his negative impact on the Church in Jerusalem due to his past. God had a great plan for Saul (Paul) but it wasn’t in Jerusalem. As we will discover as we continue our study, God chose Paul to be the Apostle to the Gentiles but He had to position him where he needed to be and He used the Church to move him.
It’s amazing to look back on situations and see how God works to move His people around so they will be positioned where He needs them for what He has for them to do. For Paul to be the Apostle to the Gentiles, he had to be far removed from Jerusalem because there were no Gentiles in Jerusalem!
God had a Plan for Peter, Paul, and every believing Saint. He still does. He allows things to happen to us so we will move to where He wants us to be. So many times we think doors are closing when in actuality, doors are opening.
We need to come to the place in our lives where we trust God and His Plan for us because it is always good. He never said it would be easy but He did say it would be good. We may not understand it all while it is happening, but God promised to never leave us nor forsake us. The more we seek God for His Direction in our lives and act in obedience, the easier it becomes. He allows things to happen to prepare and position us for what He has for us.
Your life is not about you. You are alive today because God planned it that way. You are a part of His Plan. If you will trust Him and surrender your entire life to Him, He will use you to further His Kingdom in ways you cannot even imagine. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trust Him. He wants to……..….turn the tide……….in your life.
Trusting Him, Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
