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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Dad's Rambling -- "On Purpose" Living

"When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit [or spirit], when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, 'After I have been there, I must also see Rome.'"
 

                                                                                    Acts 19:21
 
Paul had an inner drive to go to Jerusalem, and eventually to Rome. That drive was because God was working in his own spirit. I believe that the Holy Spirit moves in our own spirits to do God's will. [Note: the translators of the New King James version capitalized "Spirit" indicating the Holy Spirit. But it could also be lower-case "spirit" indicating his own spirit.] Later, people tried to talk him out of going to Jerusalem because he would face tough times. But Paul responded that he was "bound in the spirit" (lower-case). He was determined to go and declared, "None of these things move me" (Acts 20:22-24). He was living the will of God "on purpose." Living a spirit-led life is on purpose. It is intentional – not passive. I will live either a flesh-directed life or a spirit-directed life.  Living a flesh-centered life happens automatically.  But living according to the spirit happens because I choose to. (See Romans 8:1-14 and Galatians 5:16-25 to understand the difference between walking according the flesh and according to the spirit.) When I am convinced of God's will, nothing can move me away from my determination to follow Him.
 
Today's Thought: Spirit-led living is "on purpose." It is intentional – not passive.
 
Have an "intentional" day. Love you.
 

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