Acts 20:22-24
    “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God”.

“I go BOUND in the spirit unto Jerusalem…” What was “Jerusalem?” The place where God told Him to be. 

 Our “Jerusalem” is the place where God told us to be. Be “bound” in your spirit-man to where God told you to be, and don’t be swayed from it for anything or anyone.

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The AMPC translation reads, “I am going to Jerusalem, bound by the [Holy] Spirit and obligated and compelled by the [convictions of my own] spirit.” Paul chose to be “bound” to the convictions of his own spirit – bound to God’s plan for his life. 

Paul was “bound” (not in bondage), meaning he was committed, consecrated, and in agreement with God’s will in his spirit. 

 

Job 22:21 tells us, “Acquaint now yourself with Him [AGREE with God and show yourself to be conformed to His will] and be at peace; by that [you shall prosper and great] good shall come to you”(AMPC).

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Those who are “acquainted” with God agree with Him. To not agree shows we aren’t as acquainted with Him as we ought to be.

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 “…SHOW yourself to be conformed to His will….”  That means to do what He says. When we agree with God and do what He says, then we will be at peace, we will prosper, and great good will come to us – we won’t have to chase it!

Agreeing with God and His plan and walking it out by faith is where victory lies. Struggle comes from not agreeing with God – not agreeing with God’s Word and His plan for our life. When we don’t agree with or we veer from His plan, we will struggle inwardly and outwardly (with health, finances, marriage, home, ministry, etc.). 

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What is God dealing with us about? We need to agree with Him on that and obey. To be “bound” to what God is saying to us is really to be consecrated.

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Paul stated, “I GO bound….” We aren’t effective and safe to “go” until we agree in our spirit with what God is saying, otherwise opposition has an open door to our life. Place great emphasis and great value on the plan of God for your life. Never belittle or diminish the value of what God has put in you or how God uses you – that’s dangerous. 

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Never complain against the will of God. The Hebrews complained their way through the wilderness and that first generation never arrived at the land God had for them. Complaining was simply a symptom of their unbelief, and they died in the wilderness, never arriving. We must rid ourselves of all complaint. It’s a bad habit that will rob from our faith. 

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God’s will is never grievous, and we are to delight greatly in all He commands of us (1 John 5:3 & Ps. 112:1). When we agree with God’s will, we step into joy; we no longer struggle with what He is telling us to do. To trust God is to agree with Him and obey; we are to agree with what He tells us to do.

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Paul was ready to go to a place where he would face opposition because he was “bound,” and he showed his agreement with God’s plan by obeying it. Paul stayed with what he had in his spirit; he didn’t let others sway him. 

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It’s dangerous to override your spirit! Never violate your spirit! Never go against what you have in your spirit. To run with joy and finish with joy, you must stay true to how your spirit is leading you. We can’t override what’s in our spirit and expect to finish as we ought. We aren’t to even entertain something different than what we have in our spirit.

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 We must be “bound” to the plan of God, but we must also recognize that to help us walk out His plan accurately, God will bring divine connections into our life. God will connect us with someone who knows Him better than us. He will lead us to those who will lead us to Him. God will lead us to those who are anointed to impart into and enhance the anointing and mantle that are on our life.

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 But we must choose to be “bound” to the man of God where God told us to be connected. If someone isn’t tightly bound to where God told them to be, then pressure can separate them from that place. In a vehicle, if connections are loose, that vehicle won’t run right. We must be closely and tightly connected to those God gives to speak into our life if we are to fulfill what we are born for.  That doesn’t mean they are to be our buddy, but they are a voice to speak into our life. “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:9).

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Barnabas separated from his divine connection with Paul, and when he did, he sailed off the pages of history and we never heard of him again.

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 We are to be “bound” to God’s plan for our life, but also “bound” to those God has divinely connected us to, for they are God’s supply to help us finish our course.

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In the plan of God the promise health and healing can find you. Sickness, however, cannot. Be bound to the plan of God for your life, this is the victory even your faith. (I John 5:4)

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Have a great week everyone and remember that Jesus is coming soon!!!