Paul's Purpose

271 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Ti 3:10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, ( 2 Tim 3:10) Timothy carefully followed Paul's purpose. Okay, here's some fair questions: What was Paul purpose? What was Timothy's purpose” For that matter, what is your purpose? What are the plans that God has for you? This is something that kind of gnaws at all of us! First of all, let's look at Paul's purpose. Don't we wish we had it laid out before us as clearly as he had it laid out for him by Jesus! Paul recounted his purpose as he spoke to King Agrippa about his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus: Ac 26:16-18 says, “ 'But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, (there's that word again!) to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 'I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 'to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'' No mistaking that charge from Jesus! Shortly after his encounter with Jesus, Ananias was told by the Lord to give him similar instructions: Ac 9:15 But the Lord said to him, (Ananias) "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." Then in Ac 13:2 we read of the church at Antioch sending Paul and Barnabas out to fulfill Paul's purpose! “ As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." The green light. Let the plan be put into action! Paul's purpose was (1) received directly by him from Jesus, (2) attested to by Ananias ( a second witness) and (3) triggered after a time of fasting by the Holy Spirit. Oh if it were only that simple for us today....but it is! And I hope we can explore God's purpose for you in the days ahead, beginning with Timothy's purpose next time on the Prime Time Devo!