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Did you know that the Philippian church existed in part because of several women who fell in love with Jesus? They hadn’t met Jesus, and they hadn’t yet met Paul, but the Good News about Jesus had spread to their city—and their hearts responded.
Even before he met the women of Philippi, Paul saw women as valuable partners in the gospel. In fact, the first convert in Europe was a woman who founded the first European Christian church with Paul! Women weren’t included within the twelve disciples because these twelve were to signify the twelve tribes of Israel, but when God poured out the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, He showed the world that He was doing something even bigger: empowering men and women, converted Jew and Gentile, circumcised and uncircumcised to spread the name of Jesus (Acts 2:16-17). We know God loves diversity, and we see that in Acts as a new season unfolds. Nothing would ever be the same.
As Paul headed out on his second missionary journey, he planned to take the gospel to Asia. But in Acts 16, we learn that God put a big red light on Paul’s plan—because He had bigger and better plans.
Acts 16:6 says the Holy Spirit “blocked” Paul’s intended route. The Greek word used here is kōlyō, which literally means “to hinder, prevent, forbid.” (Strong's Concordance G2967) I don’t know how they understood God was blocking them, but whatever it looked like, God didn’t want them in Asia at that point. In a vivid dream, He directed Paul to Philippi instead.
What happened because Paul listened to God? First Lydia (and her household), then the slave girl, and then the jailer (and his family)—all were saved and baptized. God used every part of Paul’s difficulties to bring forth a new community of believers. And as Paul writes this letter to the church in Philippi, though he is again imprisoned, he writes to a church that is firmly rooted and thriving, living for what really matters. All because Paul chose to follow God and thrive no matter what circumstances he faced.
What can you do today to step out and be like Paul today?
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About this Plan
Meaningful struggle (not pointless hustle) can lead us to growth and joy. Paul understood hustle and struggle, but still helped the Philippians live in authenticity, unity, and community. We might feel that life is trying to bury us… but each of us is a seed. And in this 7-day journey through Philippians, we’ll see how we can grow deep roots and blossom by finding the meaning in our struggle.
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