Acts 20:16 “For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.” I highlighted three words in our verse for today for a reason. Every believer should constantly keep before them the clarity and comfort of the truth that God is sovereign. Yet at the same time we must understand that the will of God does not take place “automatically”. We have to make choices. We all need to choose to plan (determine), engage with passion (hasted), and to be flexible (possible). Questions to face: What is your plan to accomplish God’s will? Are you investing your energies in accomplishing the plan? Are you willing for God to take your plans and your passions and do with them what He pleases? Decisions to make: Today, let us make a plan to do God’s will. Let us not become lackadaisical but passionate about the most seemingly trivial part of that plan. While taking our hands off the steering wheel and allowing God to lead step by step.

John 1:6 - 8 “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light” The time gap between the last prophet of God in the Old Testament and the first in the New (John the Baptist) was 400 years. From generation to generation the Jews had to wait upon God to work everything out so that at the right time Jesus would come. John’s birth and ministry were a crucial part of God‘s plan in taking that next step. Have you ever had to wait upon God in silence? Waiting to hear when you face times of waiting for God to supply a need, give direction or to work out the unworkable. If this is where you find yourself this Christmas let me encourage you to do what the Jews had to do. Stay with what you know God has told you and wait for Him to take the next step. Don’t run ahead of God, don’t take matters into your own hands, nor give up in despair. God will meet your need by His power, through His grace and in His time. Let us quiet our souls in the midst of our needs with the ultimate assurance of God’s promise to always do what is right at the right time!

Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. “The Christian life is tough!” This statement is proven true throughout the pages of scripture and within the realities that all of us, as believers, face day by day. While there are many reasons for this truth, our response should follow the simple pattern of our verse for today. We all need to be strengthened (confirming) in our walk with God, encouraged (exhorting) in are relationship with God’s word, and realistic (must) in our understanding of life. Let us today seek to meet these needs in the lives of our fellow belivers while at the same time being open to others ministering to us.