Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Kingdom of God by Kenton Cheek

9 July 2025

Reading From Acts 16:1-21

“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

     The Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Jesus are one and the same.  His guidance is essential in the life of the believer.  From the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, you would think that we are to be continually communicating the Gospel regardless of circumstance.  But here we find that the Spirit did not want them to share the Good News as they journeyed through Phrygia and Galatia and would not even allow them to go into Bithynia let alone preach there. 

The adage, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words” is often attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, though scholars disagree as to who actually first said this. While it is vital that our deeds match what we say, it is impossible to communicate the Good News of Jesus without words. The message of reconciliation is inherently verbal as Romans 10:17 tells, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God.” I’m sure that these apostles shared the love of Jesus wherever they went and lived in a way that was wonderfully and beautifully different from how those who do not know Christ live. We are called to do the same and also kindly and courageously share the message as the Spirit leads.

     We know from history that churches were later planted in those regions and Paul wrote the book of Galatians to that particular church as a letter, but the time was not right for that work on this particular journey.  There is a time to speak and a time to remain silent and we need to seek the wisdom of the Spirit to know what is needed and when.  It was not time for Phrygia, Galatia, Bithynia or Mysia, but the door was opened for Macedonia.  Paul and his companions walked through that open door and the Kingdom of God expanded.

“Heavenly Father, open my eyes to the opportunities around me to share Your love and message of reconciliation.  I pray that I would know when to speak and when to be silent.  May I pray continually, keep in step with Your Spirit, and function in Your wisdom.  Amen.”

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

—Ecclesiastes 3:1-8