.. or "I should have known"
I was recently talking with an acquaintance about how we receive guidance from God, which happened to follow one of those humbling “I should have known” type experiences.
The (short) story: I had asked the Lord to show me who was to be on the Board for the ministry I am forming. One name was missing, so I wondered if I had not heard the Spirit correctly, or mistook His guidance, or…..? Later on, in talking with the “missing” man, his not being on the board made perfect sense; I should have known to trust the Holy Spirit’s voice.
The Holy Spirit is indeed our Wonderful Counselor and we can trust Him. Following are links to some verses referring to the Holy Spirit as our Counselor. The texts below each link are my thoughts or responses to each.
I’m interested in your experience of receiving guidance from God – please use the “Comment” link below.
John 14:26
I love how the Spirit has a perfect memory, and brings to us what we need to hear and remember.
John 15:26
There is Truth in the world, the Holy Spirit; Truth in application is modeled in Christ.
John 16:7
You must be kidding! What could be better than having Christ with us in person?
Romans 8:26
The one who knows us the best, and loves us perfectly, prays to The Father for us.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Father’s heart ..
..for the father’s heart
I recently had a familiar experience where the Lord prompted me to pray for one our children. I am so thankful that when our children are far from home, the Lord shows me to see a small bit of their physical location, some of their emotions, and then leads me in prayer for them. In this particular case, he showed me our son Ben as he stood on a dock in Alaska, looking across a bay at the far hills. The day was dark and cloudy, and Ben was feeling a bit gloomy as well. Following is a copy of the email exchange I had with Ben.
To Ben: What I thought I saw was you looking out into the bay, perhaps feeling a little down as you looked at the grey weather and the water. The Holy Spirit had me pray you would not see mere clouds and water, but recognize the mighty hand of the one who made all that you can see, and stands next to you now.
From Ben: Hey Dad! Good to hear from you! God is truly good and amazing your prayer was dead on... I was looking out at the water and clouds the other day and I saw the greyness but then I could see something much more beautiful and amazing then I can see. I feel His presence up here closely and I have been spending time in the Word daily.
I would like to hear how the Lord leads you in prayer, and shows you how to pray – some of us receive words and no pictures, others receive understandings of spiritual activities around them, etc.
I recently had a familiar experience where the Lord prompted me to pray for one our children. I am so thankful that when our children are far from home, the Lord shows me to see a small bit of their physical location, some of their emotions, and then leads me in prayer for them. In this particular case, he showed me our son Ben as he stood on a dock in Alaska, looking across a bay at the far hills. The day was dark and cloudy, and Ben was feeling a bit gloomy as well. Following is a copy of the email exchange I had with Ben.
To Ben: What I thought I saw was you looking out into the bay, perhaps feeling a little down as you looked at the grey weather and the water. The Holy Spirit had me pray you would not see mere clouds and water, but recognize the mighty hand of the one who made all that you can see, and stands next to you now.
From Ben: Hey Dad! Good to hear from you! God is truly good and amazing your prayer was dead on... I was looking out at the water and clouds the other day and I saw the greyness but then I could see something much more beautiful and amazing then I can see. I feel His presence up here closely and I have been spending time in the Word daily.
I would like to hear how the Lord leads you in prayer, and shows you how to pray – some of us receive words and no pictures, others receive understandings of spiritual activities around them, etc.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Awesome strength..
..and wisdom of faith.
Intro: I recently felt led to begin reading Daniel. I am not sure why, and do not have a specific topic I am asking Father about. And so I’ve started, anticipating the wonderful way the Holy Spirit uses His Word to clarify, encourage and humble me I was immediately struck by the following:
“God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in both books and life.”
Dan 1:17
“..But even if he does not,.."
Dan 3:16-18
"..a man full of the divine Holy Spirit."
Dan 4:8
“.. and look after the needs of the down-and-out......"
Dan 4:27
I’d love to hear your thoughts, I usually find following my own thoughts on applying Scripture difficult. Often, God will use those I am in relationship with to help me, and them, apply His Word. I believe I am going to be in this piece of Scripture for awhile, and hope to learn with you together.
Intro: I recently felt led to begin reading Daniel. I am not sure why, and do not have a specific topic I am asking Father about. And so I’ve started, anticipating the wonderful way the Holy Spirit uses His Word to clarify, encourage and humble me I was immediately struck by the following:
“God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in both books and life.”
Dan 1:17
- Knowledge and skill come from God – often we must make a difficult choice to first obey what God has directed, by faith, trusting He will provide the means. Daniel chose to take the path of Biblical obedience in an atmosphere of secular conformity. He not call God’s directives “Old Testament” or legalistic – he chose to obey. Following the choice to obey, God provided the wisdom. What situational ethic will I face today?
“..But even if he does not,.."
Dan 3:16-18
- God has promised to never leave us – and we have no guarantees that following His Son will result in good or easy things. Christ obeyed to the point of death. These three men were committed to obedience and the promise of death, not a safe compromise. The result was the immediate miraculous, Christ joining them in the midst of the flames – the bonds were burned off, freedom appropriated. What if He had allowed them to die?
"..a man full of the divine Holy Spirit."
Dan 4:8
- The Holy Spirit has been, is now, will always be the Mighty Counselor; His presence can be recognized by all; Old Testament kings, co-workers and all the rest.
“.. and look after the needs of the down-and-out......"
Dan 4:27
- God’s heart for His children is so consistent – we are called to do, and the greatest of these do’s is love. I think it is no coincident that The Father encourages us to immediately start living for others as we stop a particular sin; stop serving the king of this world, start serving the only true King.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, I usually find following my own thoughts on applying Scripture difficult. Often, God will use those I am in relationship with to help me, and them, apply His Word. I believe I am going to be in this piece of Scripture for awhile, and hope to learn with you together.
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