God's Holy Fire: 'Spirit-Compelled'

Saturday, September 26, 2026

[Paul said,] "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there."
— Acts 20:22 NIV

Key Thought

A rocket is propelled by rocket fuel. A follower of Jesus is compelled by the Spirit of the living God and the love of Jesus. So let's honestly look inside our hearts and ask ourselves this important question: "What compels and propels me?" All sources of compulsion and propulsion other than the Spirit of the living God and the love of Jesus will either run out on us or burn us out and destroy us. What is my fuel?

Today's Prayer

Father God, you bought my freedom from sin at the cost of Jesus. You have filled me with your Spirit to empower me and inspire me to do your will. Help me discern the false sources I depend on to fuel me, motivate me, and propel me. I want to be compelled and propelled only by your Spirit and the love of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Hard Times in the Spirit
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"[Paul, to the Ephesian elders at Miletus:] "But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem. I'm completely in the dark about..."
Authentic Ministry
Devo: Unstoppable!
"When [the elders of the Ephesian church] arrived [Paul] declared, "You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have..."
Paul's Reasons for the Road
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved Disciple, Paul had many reasons to be on the road. He traveled extensively all over the regions bordering the northern and eastern..."
The Heart of a Shepherd
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious Disciple, Paul was finally on his way back to Jerusalem. His trip had been delayed because of the plots against his life. So he had..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 20:22 NIV — [Paul said,] "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, September 26, 2026

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 138:2
"I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Come to Him in Humility' (Ja. 4:8-10)
"Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the....."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'God's New Creation Counts for Everything'
"Dear Faithful Friend, I told My disciples in the last few hours before My crucifixion, "I don't call you servants any longer; servants don't know..."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations