Led by the Spirit

                                                                                                           

Aloha Dearest Family,

                 “The great work of the spirit is to direct the mind”

I heard this phrase years ago but I didn’t grasp it’s full meaning until just recently. We as God’s sons and daughters have been given His spirit to communicate with our Heavenly Father. We can enjoy continual and close fellowship with Him and we can also ask for His direction in our lives.

                “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)

Solomon wrote this proverb many years ago, probably from personal experience. When we ask Him to, God, by way of His spirit within us, will direct our paths. He’ll show us the way to go and teach us what we are to do. You can find this all through scripture.

       Whenever David would go out to battle, he would first ask for God’s direction.

“And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand. So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there... (I Chronicles 14:9-11a)

God also instructed David when NOT to go.

“And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley. Therefore David inquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.” (Verses 13 and 14)

Because he was obedient to God’s guidance David was able to achieve victory over the Philistines.

               “David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.” (Verse 16)

We also find this spirit-directed life in Paul’s ministry. When he and his companions were traveling from town to town spreading the gospel, he followed the spirit’s direction.

  “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not (did not permit them to go). And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.” (Acts 16:6-8)

Even though Paul knew that he was sent to preach to other towns and regions, when the spirit instructed him NOT to go, he obeyed. But Paul did not stop. He kept traveling and God gave him a vision in a dream to go into Macedonia. This was the direction he’d been looking for. Also, God knew that Paul would obey because he had a heart of service. Paul listened and obeyed the direction from God.

                When the apostles were commanded to go into all the world and make disciples of every nation, they wouldn’t have to figure out HOW to accomplish this for the spirit would be with them and in them to direct them. They went with a willing heart to listen and, again, obey.

                 “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” (Mark 16:20)

How was the Lord working with them? By way of his spirit that was in them, directing them. This was the secret of their success.

                We are ALL members of the greatest club of all time – the body of Christ. We are Christ’s body but HE is our head. The way God set up the working of the human body, the brain is the organ that gives direction to the rest of the parts of the body. If the brain says, “lift the arm”, the arm lifts. Why? Because the arm is taking direction from the brain. This happens in a nanosecond; no thinking is required. The brain sends off millions of signals to other parts of the body to perform and the body responds.

                Likewise, the same is true in the body of Christ. As members of his body, we don’t operate independently without first receiving direction from Christ. We wait for his direction, then we move. Maybe we have made operating our church functions too complicated. He will not only instruct us when to go to work, but he will also teach us HOW to operate our ministry. Cool stuff.

                 “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)

“Walking in the spirit” means we take our cues from the spirit what we are to do and what we are to say. Whether we recognize it or not, the Lord is always leading, but are we following? If we love God and want to do His Will, we will follow the spirit’s direction. So, I ask you, what has He been leading you to do?  

                Love Always, Ray

                “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)