Macedonian Call

When Paul left Derby he had a “road map” but the Holy Spirit prevented him from following it. Are you in a similar place at the moment? The ancient Celtic believers practiced peregrinatio – a pilgrimage that does not follow a specific route, wandering, but not aimlessly. It is an inward journey, with the goal of coming home to one’s true self.

In Philippi, Paul had to constantly seek out people of peace in new ways. My experience is that this has been happening during this period of social distancing. If this pandemic had happened a few years ago, then we wouldn’t have been able to do what we’re doing, causing a rediscovery of community.

We’ve gone from well worn maps to blank GPS / SatNav screens. Few features on any map are permanent, they help navigation in the present, or perhaps have been drawn up to demonstrate where we have been. Jesus has stopped us in our tracks and suddenly we get a call from communities outside of our four walls – “Come over here – we think we need you” – and like Paul, conclude that the time for decision was at hand. Are we prepared to put our hand in God’s and let Him lead us?

Synopsis: Does the Devil know your modality and does he know how to manipulate it for his own wicked and lawless purposes?

Thriving business in the leading city of Philippi was disrupted by the preaching of the gospel by Paul and his associates. The occultic portal is smashed by a power encounter between the Spirit of Lawlessness and the Spirit of God.

Paul and Silas establish a beachhead in a maximum security prison under the jurisdiction of the Jailer who converts as a result of an obviously inspired knock-out song service by the apostolic team at the midnight hour.

The entire city is shaken to its foundation and in the disorientation the Jailer presumes that the prisoners had escaped. The word of the Lord through the lips of Paul clarifies the true situation : “Do thyself no harm for we are all here”.