Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Acts 16 closed doors and open doors
Acts 16:6-15 ESV
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. [7] And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. [8] So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. [9] 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." [10] 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. [11] So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, [12] and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. [13] And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. [14] One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. [15] And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.
Chuck Swindoll writes
When a door closes, we often spiral into questions: Did I miss something? Did I fail? Is God punishing me?
Chuck Swindoll offers four truths that completely reframe how we see closed doors:
1. God is sovereign on both sides of the door. He's not just in control of what's behind you—He's already working in what's ahead. You're never outside His care.
2. God takes full responsibility for the results. When He closes a door, He owns the outcome. Your job isn't to force it open or live in regret—it's to trust the One who holds the keys.
3. The closed door leads to something better. That "good opportunity" you lost? God's redirecting you to an even better one. His 'no' always makes room for a greater 'yes.'
4. You'll only understand looking back. Not until you walk through the open door and look back will you see why the other doors had to close. Hindsight reveals what faith couldn't see in the moment.
Friend, that closed door isn't random. It's intentional. It's protective. It's part of a plan far better than the one you mapped out.
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. [7] And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. [8] So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. [9] 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." [10] 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. [11] So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, [12] and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. [13] And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. [14] One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. [15] And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.
Chuck Swindoll writes
When a door closes, we often spiral into questions: Did I miss something? Did I fail? Is God punishing me?
Chuck Swindoll offers four truths that completely reframe how we see closed doors:
1. God is sovereign on both sides of the door. He's not just in control of what's behind you—He's already working in what's ahead. You're never outside His care.
2. God takes full responsibility for the results. When He closes a door, He owns the outcome. Your job isn't to force it open or live in regret—it's to trust the One who holds the keys.
3. The closed door leads to something better. That "good opportunity" you lost? God's redirecting you to an even better one. His 'no' always makes room for a greater 'yes.'
4. You'll only understand looking back. Not until you walk through the open door and look back will you see why the other doors had to close. Hindsight reveals what faith couldn't see in the moment.
Friend, that closed door isn't random. It's intentional. It's protective. It's part of a plan far better than the one you mapped out.
# posted by Groseys messages @ 8:59 AM 
