Finding Direction when God Redirects our Path A reflection on Acts 16:1 8 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller hello my good friend.

Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller.

This is the place where you have come to get a daily reading of the New Testament which is brought to you using the Revised Common Lectionary.

That's the selected verse of Scripture for this very day.

It's a three year cycle.

We're in Year C, the Eastertide season.

We make the reading of the Bible understandable.

We use the New Testament and we use the Message version relatable.

We give you some points to ponder and applicable an action step to follow.

We have a prayer.

We do all that in under 10 minutes.

Brought to you by our website voiceofgodddaily.com that's the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.

Let's get into our reading for the day from Acts 16:1 8 reading from the Message A dream gave Paul his map Paul came first to Derbe, then Lystra.

He found a disciple there by the name of Timothy, son of a devout Jewish mother and a Greek father.

Friends in Lystra and Iconium all said what a fine young man he was and Paul wanted to recruit him for their mission, but first took him aside and circumcised him so he wouldn't defend the Jews who lived in those parts.

They all knew his father was Greek.

As they traveled from town to town, they presented the simple guidelines to Jerusalem.

Apostles and and leaders had come up with that turned out to be the most helpful.

Day after day the congregations became stronger in faith and larger in size.

They went to Phrygia and then on through the region of Galatia.

Their plan was to turn west into Asia Province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route.

So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go there either.

Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport of Troas.

Interesting passage of Scripture about finding direction even when God redirects our path.

This is a fascinating story of divine guidance, inclusion and listening to the Spirit's direction.

Here's some points to ponder in this the first one has to do with about embracing diversity in leadership.

In this passage we first meet Timothy, born of a Jewish mother and a Greek father.

Paul's decision to include Timothy in leadership challenges us to think about representation in our own faith communities.

While Paul had Timothy circumcised to avoid conflict, the deeper message is about breaking down barriers and created inclusive spaces where diverse voices can lead and serve.

A second point is about community centered decision making.

The text here shows early Christians implementing guidelines developed by the Jerusalem Council.

This collaborative approach to church governance reminds us that wisdom often emerges from collective discernment, not top down authority.

Progressive faith communities today continue this tradition through a democratic processes and shared leadership.

The third point is about sacred disruption.

Perhaps most striking is how the Spirit repeatedly blocked Paul's planned route.

This teaches us that sometimes our well intentioned plans need divine interruption.

In our justice, work and ministry.

We must remain open to unexpected redirections that might lead us to where we're truly needed.

Here's your action step.

Practice Holy Listening when you encounter an obstacle or a closed door, instead of forcing your way through, pause and ask what new direction might the Spirit be leading me toward?

And you might even want to journal about that, about how these unexpected paths have emerged in your life.

We're going to pray in just a moment, but I did want you to know that we have a special resource for you that will help direct your life in the proper way.

It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.

You can pick it up at our website voiceofgoddaily.com it will help you in your daily Bible study.

Let's pray.

Oh God, you are a divine Spirit, a disruptor of plans and opener of new paths.

Help us to embrace the holy detours in our lives.

Give us courage to welcome diverse voices in our communities, wisdom to listen when you redirect our steps, and humility to admit when our carefully laid plans need to yield to your greater vision.

Guide us towards justice, inclusion and love, even when the past looked different than we imagined.

Amen.

It's always a joy and a pleasure to be with you here on Daily Bible Refresh.

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Until tomorrow then, friends.

My name is Dr.

Brad Miller.

Encourage you with that sure and perfect knowledge that God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new.

Every morning Sa.