1. God closes doors (6,7)

Paul thought about going into the populous and more advanced region of Asia Minor. Perhaps he had his eye on Ephesus. But he was kept by the Holy Spirit from going to Asia. He turned north and tried to enter Bithynia, but again, Jesus' Spirit stopped him. So, he went to Troas. When God closes one door, he opens another.

2. The man from Macedonia (8-10)

In Troas, Luke evidently joined the journey team, because he begins to say 'we' (10). Troas was the last stop before entering Europe. Perhaps Paul had not really planned to cross the Aegean Sea and enter Europe, but that night he had a vision of a man from Macedonia begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' He accepted this as God's direction and went through the open door. This decision changed the course of Western history.

Application: Lord, help me not to worry about closed doors, but to look for your leading and follow it. Give me courage to go through the doors you open.
One Word: 'Come over and help us.'