Defining Your Spirit-Filled Life

Acts 19:21 says, When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

Paul’s ministry flourished as he traveled from city to city, spreading the Gospel. His travel itinerary involved the Holy Spirit. Look at the first part of that verse again — Paul purposed in the Spirit — The Holy Spirit oversaw the apostle’s journey, just like He is in control of our steps, our walk with God, to accomplish His plan. What are your goals? What is your next step in life?

Defining the power of your Spirit-filled life requires a heart that seeks clearly defined direction from the Spirit of God.

Here is where our spirit connects with the Holy Spirit and forms our purpose and our next steps toward fulfilling that purpose. When we sense the direction the wind of the Spirit is blowing, we must set our sails to propel us forward. Without the influence and participation of the Holy Spirit in the direction of our careers, relationships, and decision-making, while we may end up in a good place, we could miss the perfect God-created destination for ourselves and our family’s future.

The power of your Spirit-filled life requires yielding.

How much are you submitted to the Holy Spirit? Are you running too fast and frantically to notice when God is trying to get your attention?

Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27, NIV). The Lord made it clear that those who are His will perceive and proceed to follow Him. Obedience is more than words; it is the act of laying one’s life on the altar and surrendering to the voice of God.

Surrendering opens your hands to receive God's riches.

God holds nothing back from those who have defined themselves as children of God. We are here to be a blessing to the glory of the Father. If we expect to be blessed, we must be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in every corner of our lives.

Live every day in obedience and anticipation, looking forward with eager expectation for those things God has prepared for you.

But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NKJV)