s20070805m_Keys To Doing Things On Purpose

Ways To Align Yourself with God’s Purpose—The First Four

The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Ps 33:11

38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39

THE FIRST FOUR WAYS—ACTS CHAPTER ONE

Way #1— I Must Align My [FOCUS ON JESUS]

After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3

8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

Way #2 – I Must Align My [WILL TO CHRIST’S COMMANDS]

4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: … Acts 1:4a

11And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus. Revelation 14:11-12

Way #3 – I Must Align My [PRECONCEPTIONS TO THE MIND OF CHRIST]

6So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. Acts 1:6-7

13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: 16“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:13-16

Way # 4 – I Must Align My [CONFIDENCE TO CHRIST’S PROMISES]

4b “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 8…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Ac 1:4b& 8

20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22