Our Priority

“And the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, Do not be afraid, but speak, and be not silent. For I am with you, and no one shall set on you to hurt you, for I have many people in this city.” (Acts 18:9-10)

That was the word that God gave Paul. Paul was in Corinth preaching, but the Jews resisted and blasphemed him. When Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue believed along with all his household, the Corinthians were encouraged to believe and be baptized. (Acts 18:1-8) There are three things in these Scriptures for us. First, is the Lord’s assurance and promise to be with him and to protect him. The second is that Paul had a vision. And lastly the Lord said that He had people in the city.

We don’t see visions anymore. The Gospel is so watered down in our lives, and we are so worldly, we’re very far from what the early church was. This is the truth. The things of this world are so much more important to us than what God wants. The situation is so bad, the church tells us we don’t need visions anymore and that they were only for the early church. We seek God, but first we must take care of things of this world, our worldly responsibilities. But the Lord said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow shall be anxious for its own things. Sufficient to the day is the evil of it.” (Matthew 6:33-34) Don’t worry about rushing out the door early to avoid the traffic. Don’t worry about going to all the sales to save a dollar. Don’t worry about rushing about because you are running late when you have an opportunity to be God’s mouthpiece or hands for someone. All the rushing we are doing places God’s purposes in the back burner. Yes, we want to avoid the traffic, save money and be prompt to take care of our responsibilities. If we put God’s kingdom first, all these things will take care of themselves. Are we more concerned about avoiding the hassles of traffic more than seeing what God wants us to do? Granted, sitting in traffic isn’t pleasant, but if our mindset is on the Lord, we won’t mind it when we use that time to commune with the Lord. We have to believe that the Lord is with us always as He promised Paul.  He has not abandoned us. He will protect us from traffic accidents.

Today’s church has made its experience, its doctrine. Church doctrine says that we don’t see visions anymore so it’s not for us anymore. Visions shouldn’t be our desire, but if God wants to send a vision, I’m open to it. If we look at Scripture, visions and dreams were given to prophets and others who were troubled about the development of things that didn’t line up with God. Besides the prophets there was Joseph, ready to use human wisdom in leaving Mary. He had a dream from God. “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was this way (for His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph) before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. But Joseph, her husband to be, being just, and not willing to make her a public example, he purposed to put her away secretly. And as he thought upon these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take to you Mary as your wife. For that in her is fathered of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18-20) Paul who followed the Lord in the supernatural had visions. From the beginning of his calling, God spoke and led him supernaturally. And John had a vision of Jesus as He is now Who comforted the church then and comforts us now.

Now many may say that visions were necessary because the Holy Spirit hadn’t come yet. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit after His ascension, at Pentecost. But there’s the example of Paul. Paul lived after the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He must have been very vexed by the Jews in Corinth that the Lord sent a supernatural vision to reassure him to continue to preach the Gospel in Corinth. He obeyed and stayed in Corinth a year and a half. So, I believe if we are walking in the supernatural, following the Lord first, He will send a vision if He needs to. Sometimes things get so intense as they did for Paul that we cannot hear the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. If you speak to missionaries in the field, many of them will tell you about visions and dreams that led them in difficult times.

The other thing in this Scripture is that the Lord told Paul He had many people in the city.  Paul was so upset because of the Jews, that he told them, “...Your blood is on your own heads...” (Acts 18:6) God has many people in our cities that need to hear the Gospel. They haven’t believed because they haven’t heard the Good News of the Gospel. They try to do good. They might even pray, but they are praying amiss because they don’t know the One to Whom they are praying. They don’t have the Holy Spirit indwelling but are ready to receive Him. They just haven’t heard. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without preaching?” (Romans 10:14) No matter the consequences we must share Jesus. “But if you also suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not fear their fear, nor be troubled, but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that while they speak against you as evildoers they may be shamed, those falsely accusing your good behavior in Christ.” (1Peter 3:14-16) We must be prepared. The Lord will call on us to speak to someone. “Let your speech be always with grace, having been seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

(Colossians 4:6) In sharing how God has changed you, God will work in others. He is always drawing those are seeking. “And you shall seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) When we exalt the Lord, He will draw people to Himself. “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to Myself.” (John 12:32)

Although there were a few things mentioned in our Scripture of study, the Lord had much for us to learn. We don’t seek visions, but the Lord will send one if necessary to change our course. There are many people in our cities who belong to the Lord. He has many people who are waiting to hear the Gospel. The Lord is waiting for them to hear the Gospel through our lips. And like the Lord told Paul, He is with us and will not allow any harm to come to us as we follow Him in obedience and put Him first.