1 1-3 Paul came first to Derbe, then Lystra. He found a disciple there by the name of Timothy, son of a devout Jewish mother and Greek father. Friends in Lystra and Iconium all said what a fine young man he was. Paul wanted to recruit him for their mission, but first took him aside and circumcised him so he wouldn’t offend the Jews who lived in those parts. They all knew that his father was Greek.
4-5 As they traveled from town to town, they presented the simple guidelines the Jerusalem apostles and leaders had come up with. That turned out to be most helpful. Day after day the congregations became stronger in faith and larger in size.
6-8 They 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. Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas.
9-10 That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.
11-12 Putting out from the harbor at Troas, we made a straight run for Samothrace. The next day we tied up at New City and walked from there to Philippi, the main city in that part of Macedonia and, even more importantly, a Roman colony. We lingered there several days.
13-14 On the Sabbath, we left the city and went down along the river where we had heard there was to be a prayer meeting. We took our place with the women who had gathered there and talked with them. One woman, Lydia, was from Thyatira and a dealer in expensive textiles, known to be a God-fearing woman. As she listened with intensity to what was being said, the Master gave her a trusting heart—and she believed!
15 After she was baptized, along with everyone in her household, she said in a surge of hospitality, “If you’re confident that I’m in this with you and believe in the Master truly, come home with me and be my guests.” We hesitated, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
The Holy Spirit formed His own ministry team for mission - Timothy from Lystra was added, and later it seems that Luke was added (starting from v.9-10, the narrative uses "we" instead of "they"). The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, led His servants to minister to the world. The Spirit stopped Paul and his team to go to the North and the West, but only allowed them to go to Troas. The Spirit spoke to Paul in a dream through a Macedonian's request. The Spirit continued to lead them to Philippi to bring Lydia, the first lady in Europe to believe in Christ, as the Master gave her a trusting heart.
Dear Holy Spirit, the Spirit of our Master Jesus, please continue to work and speak in us through your words, through our dreams, through whatever circumstances. Your way is the best way for us. You form your own team of people for the ministry; You close the door that is not your plan but You also open new doors for advancing your ministry; You affirm our little faith through your means - dreams, people's affirmation, signs, etc.; You lead us to evangelize and most importantly You give people trusting hearts in Jesus. All belong to our God's glory and the works of Jesus' Spirit. I desire to grow and minister in this way as I submit again myself under Your sovereignty.
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