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).