Remember these things as you reach out to people. (Click “Source” for all)

  • Paul’s longing for people’s prosperity was Jesus’ longing.

“God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:8, NLT)

Jesus’ longing has begun us. Let’s let him work in the longing then we can work it out instead of trying to work it up.

  • Paul longed for people he’d never seen.

“I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.” (Colossians 2:1–2, NLT)

It’s okay to long for and encourage others through the internet and other remote means. Paul did this with written letters.

  • Paul longed for strategic plans, but things looked chaotic.

“Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.” (Acts 16:6–10, NLT)

Paul planned. God ordered. Let’s dream and plan and let God order and adjust. Let’s not wait for perfection. Let activate. The direction will appear through the Holy Spirit.

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, NLT)

“The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8, NLT)

Thoughts? Please sign in and comment below.

John Parker
Merced, California