Day #342 Led By the Spirit—Bible Reading Plan - Denise Pass

Led By the Spirit

God has given us His Holy Spirit but we often neglect His presence. Stop and think about that for a minute. Neglect the presence of God that is within us once we have accepted Christ? God wants to lead His people but there can be a spiritual resistance that prevents us from being led by the Spirit. Listening to the Holy Spirit guides us through life’s challenges and gives us wisdom. But quenching the Holy Spirit keeps us from tremendous blessing in our lives.

Bible Reading: Acts 21-22

We learn about Paul’s conversion experience and persecution he endured and we also learn about how attentive he was to the Holy Spirit’s voice. But others were also speaking into his life. This is when it is hard to hear clearly.

Acts 21:4 “We sought out the disciples and stayed there seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go to Jerusalem.”

Led By the Spirit—What is Already Revealed

Right near the beginning of chapter 21 we have the disciples being led by the Spirit, the mention of four daughters who prophesy, and a prophet named Agabus who warned Paul of coming persecution. But Paul followed what the Spirit spoke to him and he reminded the people to first listen to what has already been revealed.

Acts 21:25

25 With regard to the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter containing our decision that they should keep themselves from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

Led By the Spirit—Not By the Law

It was a tricky time in the life of the church. Adherents to Jewish Law (some called Judaizers) were trying to place laws on gentiles who were saved by grace, not by observing the Law.

Led By the Spirit—Not By Human Reasoning or Fear

Acts 21:13-14

“13 Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 Since he would not be persuaded, we said no more except, “The Lord’s will be done.”

The Spirit speaks to His people and He spoke through prophets to warn Paul, but Paul went forward anyway. We must be led by the Holy Spirit, not by fear.

Led By the Spirit—How to Hear God Speak

Listen

God had Paul’s attention. Does He have ours? Sometimes it takes hard circumstances to get our attention. But will we listen when He does? Paul listened and he surrendered.

Acts 22:6-10

6 “As I was traveling and approaching Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’

8 “I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, the one you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light,[b] but they did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

It’s one thing to listen and another thing to follow.

Being Led By the Spirit—Obeying God’s Voice

Surrender

10 “I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’

“The Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything that you have been assigned to do.’

Paul shared his testimony with the mob in Jerusalem, who were trying to kill him.

Scripture of the Day: Acts 22:14-15

“14 And he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the words from his mouth, 15 since you will be a witness for him to all people of what you have seen and heard.”

Friends, these words that were spoken to Paul are also written for us. We have been appointed to know His will and He reveals His will through His word and through His Spirit. Are we listening? We might not have the radical salvation story of Paul, but we have our own unique salvation story. And it is so we will also be a witness of what we have seen and heard so others might know God, His all-encompassing love and forgiveness, and be saved.

Application

• God deposited His Holy Spirit within us so we can hear directly from Him.
• Don’t doubt the voice of God in your life. Confirm it with God’s word.
• No one else is supposed to hear from God for you. Pray and listen. God is speaking.

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.

Day #340: Acts 21-22

𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: Acts 22:14-15

“And he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the words from his mouth, 15 since you will be a witness for him to all people of what you have seen and heard.”

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