God's Holy Fire: 'Stop Signs!'

Sunday, June 14, 2026

[Paul and his companions on the second missionary journey] went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go there either.
— Acts 16:6-7 MSG

Key Thought

I am not sure how "the Holy Spirit blocked that route" or how "the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go" in another direction. I do know, however, that so many of our decisions, our ventures, our endeavors are just that - OUR choices. We go through the process of deciding what we think best or what we want to do, and then we ask God to bless it. We can quickly dismiss the doors closing to an opportunity or the Spirit directing us to go a different way. Discerning the will of God in these times is hard. What is Satan seeking to do to deter us? What stop sign did the Holy Spirit give us to keep us from disaster?

Two convictions come over me as I consider this quandary. First, I don't seek to walk each day being led by the Spirit as I should. Being led by the Spirit must be my passion and my yearning as I draw my first waking breath each day. Second, I must learn to present my challenges and problems to the Lord in prayer ... both individually and together with other Christians. I am convinced that doing these things would be beneficial for all of us. We must work together to discern the Lord's will for our lives.

Today's Prayer

O Father, help us hear your warnings and heed the stop signs of the Spirit. At the same time, dear God, help us not give up when we face challenges and difficulties with something you are leading us to do. Help us to know, O Lord, the way we should go so that in all things your mission will be done and your name will be glorified. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spirit-Guided
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia..."
Called to Macedonia
Devo: Unstoppable!
"Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the..."
The Macedonian Connection
Article by Phil Ware
As we examine the value of women to the work of God in the early church, we must examine the roles women actually performed at the request or with the blessing of the apostolic leaders. Phil Ware continues his series of reflections on the value given to women and their work in the Bible, with this week focusing on Paul's work in Macedonia.
Guidance for Seeking Hearts
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Follower, I promised My followers that the Holy Spirit would guide them in their witness to the nations (Acts 1:8). Today, I want to talk to you..."
See All 5 Related Resources about Acts 16:6-7

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 16:6-7 MSG — So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go there either.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, June 14, 2026

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 86:5
"You are forgiving and good, O LORD, abounding in love to all who call on you."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Joy of His Presence' (Acts 2:25-28)
"[Peter reminded the crowds at Pentecost,] "King David said this about [the crucified Jesus]: 'I see that the Lord is always with me.I will not be..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'He Never Grows Weak or Weary' (Is. 40:28-29)
"Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one....."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by John Bate:
"If the mind of God as discovered to us in His word and works is so vast and deep, what must His mind be in all its undisclosed resources in the infinity and..."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations