(Last month we started a three-part teaching on how to fulfill the plan of God. Let’s continue on with that teaching this month.)

     Paul finished his course, and in Acts 20, he gives us a divine check list of the six steps he took to fulfill God’s plan. “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” (Acts 20:22-24).

#1 — Bound in the Spirit

     “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” inwardly to where God told you to be, and don’t be swayed from it for anything or anyone. (See Part 1 for this complete teaching.)

     The only thing that makes a man’s life great is the plan of God!

     As Kenneth Copeland states, “The will of God is our wealthy place.” Being in the will of God and carrying out His plan enriches every arena of life.

     Many struggle to prosper in their finances, in their health, in their marriage, and in their business, but if they would just make it their priority to know and walk out God’s plan by faith, then they would be in position to receive God’s best, for that’s the place where health, prosperity, marriages, businesses, and every arena abound.

     Psalm 127:1 instructs us, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” We can build something on our own, but if we do, it will be in vain. Instead, we are to get the plan for our life from Him and co-labor with Him in that plan.

     In one of Kenneth E. Hagin’s sermons, he told of an experience when Jesus appeared to him in a vision. During the course of that vision, Jesus stated the following: “It’s My will that none of My children ever be sick, be operated on, or have accidents. But very few ever walk in My best, because most don’t know what belongs to them. Then even if they do know what belongs to them, they are not strong enough in faith to receive it, or they are in disobedience.”

     Notice that there are 3 things that are God’s will (God’s best) for all of His children. First, never be sick. Second, never be operated on. And third, never have accidents.

This past year was full of the blessings of God for this ministry. God’s goodness and faithfulness were so tangible and apparent, and we are so grateful for those of you who prayed and believed God with us all along the way. But there is so much more that awaits all of us in this new year!

     Last year, when we were coming into 2024, God took me to Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” God showed me that those who spend time waiting upon the Lord by coming into His Presence will mount up above the natural realm, and then they will be strengthened to run without weariness. It’s not first about running, but rather, about first taking our place in His Presence, and then we partake of the strength to run. So, the year 2024 was about “Mounting Up To Run Faster.”

     But coming into this new year of 2025, God said that we are to be “Strengthened To Go Further In The Spirit.” There are places in the Spirit we are to occupy, but we must be strengthened to go to those places. We are to receive greater strength to move further with God.

         Genesis 8:22 reads, “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

     Seedtime and harvest is a law that God set in motion. When we sow a seed, that seed will produce a harvest. It’s a Law – GOD’S LAW! It’s the “Law of Sowing and Reaping.”

     Many of us have been taught from God’s Word the importance of giving, and there are many generous people in God’s family. Being generous is an important spiritual quality to have. But God doesn’t want us to only be good at giving, He wants us to be good at receiving also!