OCTOBER 1

Change of Plans

Bible Reading: Acts 16:6-10

Acts 16:6-10, “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.  And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.  So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Paul and Silas were sent out on a second missionary journey.  They were joined by Luke (the author of the book of Acts) and Timothy (Acts 16:1-3). They went from city to city, preaching the gospel. Now these four men had the Holy Spirit for their guide on their journey.  He was leading the way. 

Acts 16:6. “They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.”  The Holy Spirit closed a door to them.  We are not told exactly how the matter was disclosed to them—a prophetic word, an inner prompting, or circumstances—but there was no doubt as to what the Holy Spirit was saying.

Acts 16:7. “And when they had come to Mysia, they were trying to go to Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.”  Mysia is on the western shore of modern-day Turkey.  They wanted to go to the NE to Bithynia, a highly civilized region.  A logical place for them to go.  But the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them to go there either.  So, no Asia and no Bithynia.  And note that Paul and his companions are listening and responding to the Holy Spirit’s leading. 

Acts 16:8-10.  “And passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a certain man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God has called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Now what are we to make of this?  God closed two doors to them.  But then Paul was given a vision which opened another door.  Now God is the ultimate cause of the vision.  And the man is speaking according to God’s leading. This is the matter of which the hymn speaks when it says, “We have heard the Macedonian call today, ‘Send the light!  Send the light!’ There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save. Send the light! Send the light!”

When Paul and his companions cross the sea to what is now Greece, they were entering another continent.  The church in Philippi became the first church began in what is modern day Europe.  That wasn’t Paul’s original plan, but that was God’s plan.  He was providentially leading them there.  And when they set their course in God’s direction, they made excellent time, for God sped them along (Acts 20:6).

What are we to make of this?  The church in Philippi came into being by God’s providence in a remarkable way.  God closed some doors to Paul.  Then the vision.  The birth of the church in Philippi didn’t happen by accident or coincidence or any plan of man.  It was God’s idea.  He led Paul and his companions to go there.  To that specific place.  And later, as the church grew and was established, they could remind themselves of how God had worked to bring the gospel to their city. 

There is something else here of great importance.  Paul and his companions were being led by the Spirit.  They were listening to the Spirit.  They were submitted to the Spirit.  The Spirit is out in front, where He belongs.  Now, this is the same terminology that applies to us with respect to the working of the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16).  The Spirit is still at work.  We, as a church, need to be led by the Spirit in our ministry.  You, as a believer, need to be led by the Spirit in your Christian life.  But you say, no prophet is speaking and I’m not receiving any visions like Paul.  But you are indwelt by the Spirit and the Spirit is well able to speak to your heart (Philippians 2:13, Romans 8:27; Ephesians 5:18).  Are you now in a place in your walk by the Spirit that the Spirit can work to lead you as you journey along? 

A farmer in a barn was moving some hay when his watch slid off and fell into the pile.  After looking around for quite a while without success, so he hired the neighbor boys to sift through the pile.  They spent a couple of hours looking with no success, until another friend happened along, saying, “I’ll find your watch straight away if only you do as I say.  Clear out the barn of yourselves and every animal. Leave me alone here by myself.  And so they did.  And as the barn grew quiet and still, the faint Tick-Tock of the watch could be finally heard.  And then the watch was heard and found.  If we are to hear what the Spirit has to say to us, we are going to have to shut out some of the distractive noises that busy our lives and hearing, and listen carefully to what He is saying to us through the Word.

SEND THE LIGHT

There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave, “Send the light! Send the light”
There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save,
Send the light!
Send the light!

Chorus:
Send the light, the blessed gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light the blessed gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore!

We have heard the Macedonian call today,”Send the light! Send the light!”
And a golden off’ring at the cross we lay,
Send the light!
Send the light! [Chorus]

Let us pray that grace may ev’rywhere abound, “Send the light! Send the light!”
And a Christ-like spirit ev’rywhere be found,
Send the light!
Send the light! [Chorus]

Let us not grow weary in the work of love, “Send the light! Send the light!”
Let us gather jewels for a crown above,
Send the light!
Send the light! [Chorus]

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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