July 11 — "Good Ideas Vs. God’s Ideas"

Today's Reading: Acts 16:1-15

Wait! What?! God Said "No" to This?! Being forbidden by the Holy Spirit can feel downright baffling like marching ahead with confidence only to slam into an invisible brick wall. Hold up what just happened? Why not, Lord? What did I miss? You might even feel frustrated or disappointed. But take a breath. Remember who is doing the forbidding the loving, wise, all-knowing Spirit of God. When we realize this, suddenly, God's denial starts to feel a lot less like rejection and a lot more like redirection.

Sometimes, God's "No" is His kindest, most deliberate guidance. Being stopped by the Spirit doesn’t mean you’ve strayed; it might mean He’s gently steering you toward His better plan a door you wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

In Acts 16, Paul and his missionary dream team were ablaze with passion for the Gospel. After strengthening churches, they aimed to head into the region of Asia. You can just sense Paul's enthusiasm to bring the Gospel to a new land, a new people group. Logical, right? But bam! The Holy Spirit blocked the way. Not once, but twice (Acts 16:67). That’s not just inconvenient that’s downright disruptive! These were good plans, godly plans, weren't they? So, what gives? The lesson here is that not all "good" ideas are "God's" ideas!

Turns out, God had an entirely different region in mind one that led to a spiritual explosion of new believers and planted churches. Now let’s be real none of us are fans of closed doors. But what if that closed door is actually God’s hand guarding you from “almost right” so He can give you His “just right?” That job that vanished. That move that didnt happen. That relationship that didn't work out. That ministry that fizzled. What if that was God's way of gently whispering, Not this way, child?

Opposition isn’t always failure it can be divine redirection. Paul didn’t pout or pitch a fit; he pressed on with faith. And so should we! Gods no just might mean there’s a better yes waiting around the corner. So stay sensitive. Stay surrendered. Stay flexible. Keep moving, but let the Spirit hold the map. When He says “no,” don’t freak out praise Him! He’s not blocking you He’s building a better way.

Today, may the Lord bless you with a heart that hears His whispers and trusts His reroutes. When the door slams shut, rest in the assurance that Gods not done He is directing your paths, just as He promised to do. (Proverbs 3:5-6) And when the “yes” finally breaks through, may your joy be overflowing.