Holy Spirit Guidance #1, Acts 10, 1 Thess 5

I have learned that following the Holy Spirit is not an exact science. In fact, we grow in our ability to discern the Spirit's guidance and it may take time before we are 100% sure we are doing the right thing. In reading through Acts, I've seen a common pattern, God's direction is given through the Spirit and then the recipient has to think about what they received and make smart choices to complete the divine task. For example, Acts 10 explains the story of how Peter received a vision 3 times and heard God's audible voice 3 times and he still didn't understand what God was saying. Peter was so offended he told the Lord, "Sorry God, but that doesn't fit into who I know You to be and it goes against the grain of everything I've been taught." It didn't make sense to him. Peter had to digest what he felt like God was saying to him (vs. 17). But while he was thinking it through the Lord provided him more direction, which ultimately led Peter on a journey to share the gospel with the first gentile specific audience. We are like Peter, in that God provides direction for us, but the next step isn't always clear. Many times its foggy and the best choices to make with the new "leading" are smart wise choices and to test "all things" that we believe come for the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19-22). Testing the Spirit's activity is a sign of spiritual maturity that pleases God. Too many people have been deceived because they failed to test the "Holy Spirit's" instruction or walk God's plan out with wisdom. In short, It is our responsibility to examine leadings and be wise in walking them out.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, "Do not put out the Spirit's fire. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject whatever is harmful."

Genesis 37-50, Transitions

Joseph's story reveals a lot about transitions. I'll hit the highlights of his story: he was the 2ND youngest of 12 brothers, he was arrogant, favored by his father, hated by his brothers, bought as a slave by his family's ancestral enemy, accused of rape, taken prisoner and then finally forgotten by someone he helped jail break. Now you may be thinking, "How is this encouraging?" Well his story teaches us several things about God's ways. Repeatedly throughout Joseph's story the Bible says, "The Lord was with Joseph." The first time this is mentioned he is just sold into slavery (Gen 39:2) and the second time he was in prison (39:20,21). Those aren't the times I would assume God was with me. We learn that circumstances do not reveal if God has us in mind or not. And secondly, We learn that God is with us through the good times and the bad, He never leaves us. But what is God doing during this time? He is actually using our circumstances from where we're at to fulfill His vision for our lives. Joseph may not have known how involved God was during his years of suffering but later in life he knew what God was doing. He said in Gen. 50:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Often times the suffering of life and the transitions we endure may appear to come from peoples hands, but it actually has its source in God. 3 principles we can learn from this: First, Suffering makes us more compassionate. Second, What Satan intended for evil, God designed for good. Finally, God works all things for the good of those we love Him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Nehemiah 1 Vision

Nehemiah was the cup bearer to a Persian king (vs 1:11). He wasn't a general, a politician or even a priest. He may have been perceived by some to be a trader because he was the food taster for a pagan king. His accessibility to the king meant he was someone the king could trust with his life. I imagine a special friendship developed between the two men. Nehemiah wasn't well educated, but he was in the right place at the right time. He was right where God wanted him when God impressed upon Nehemiah's heart His vision. God wanted Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after centuries of being destroyed. These open walls made Jerusalem easy to attack by surround nations and kept them from gaining lasting prosperity. Nehemiah knew how difficult this was. He had no power or authority to get the job done. He was the cup bearer to a Persian king whose country had destroyed Jerusalem's walls, but that is exactly where God wanted Nehemiah. Nehemiah was in the right spot to petition the pagan king for the supplies and manpower to get the job done. His relationship with the king was such that he could make a request in the king's presence without sudden death. God placed Nehemiah in the right place in life to accomplish this divine task. So what does that mean for us today? God has us in the right spot as long as we are seeking His Kingdom first. As unlikely as it may seem now: God is using our current circumstances to prepare us to accomplish His vision for our lives.

Proverbs 3:5,6

Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight."

We only come to know God's vision for us when we come to Him with the attitude, "I'm committed to doing what you want me to do even before I know what it is." This faith is pleasing to Him because we know He is a good God and that He desires only our best. When we seek His direction it causes us to be dependent on Him and in the process we get what we really need...Him. Not the "felt" need of an answered prayer or even knowing the next step we should take.

This proverb teaches that God will reveal the next step only after we've agreed to submit to it before we know what it is. The phrase "He will make your paths straight" could also have been written, "He will make your paths obvious and clear." In short, Decide you're going to trust God in the dark because that's when His vision will become obvious.

Jeremiah 29

I don't have problems believing God or believing that God is looking out for my best interest as I navigate through life's circumstances. My problem is not knowing HOW He is going to do it. This creates worry and frustration on my part. My question is, "Okay, how am I going to help God do this?" Which I believe is a legitimate question, but my reaction to the silence is what gets me. I am impatient for results, so I believe God is teaching me patience. He is teaching me to trust Him. I love Jeremiah 29. I'll paraphrase it for you, "Where you are now in life, exiled away from your promise land is right where I've placed you. Contrary to what your circumstances may lead you to believe my intentions are not to harm you, but to give you a future and a hope. This is actually meant to make you better and conform you into My image. Your circumstances will take on new meaning when you search for Me with all your heart and then you will find Me; and then I will fulfill my promise." In short, God leads us through seemingly unfavorable circumstances for us to find Him.

the BIG IDEA, My First Post

The idea behind this blog is really not my own, but a friend's who has encouraged me to enter the blog world. This blog is more for me than anyone who will read my posts. My desire is to help organize my thoughts about what God is speaking to me through His Word. If you've stumbled upon this I hope you enjoy.