BBD 09.17.15 The Leading of the Spirit (Classic)
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The Burning
Bush Devotional
Classic
from 2008
09.17.15
The Leading
of the Spirit
Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they
were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had
come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit
them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to
Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come
over to Macedonia and help us.” Now after he had seen the vision, immediately
we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach
the gospel to them. - Acts 16:6-10 NKJV.
So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and
stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought
him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he
drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up,
because there had been no rain in the land. - 1 Kings 17:5-7 NKJV.
Paul received very specific instructions from the Spirit
about where he was to go and where he should not go. The Spirit is still busy
today leading and guiding us. Sometimes He blocks us. Sometimes He warns us.
Sometimes He sends us in another direction. Sometimes He says, “come over and help.”
As a pastor, before I have moved to another pastorate, I
have always driven to the area and looked around. We have had some interesting
experiences from these trips. On one trip when we had arrived in the area we
stopped at a convenience store and when Jeanie came back out she said that she
had become dizzy and almost passed out. We decided to drive on to the church
facility, and maybe she would feel better by then.
Jeanie was feeling better by the time we drove by the
church building, but the car seemed to be having a problem. By the time we had
located the parsonage and driven by it the needle on the engine heat gauge had
red lined. The electric fan motor had burned out. We had the distinct
impression after our excursion that God did not want us to go to that place and
had warned us.
Another time when a church was interested in us, we again
drove to the church facility, and as we drove into their parking lot the car
died and would not start. I walked several blocks to a store and bought another
battery and carried it back and installed it. The car started fine and I hoped
that the problem had been solved. My mother was in the hospital in Oklahoma
City after having back surgery so we then drove on to the hospital and checked
on my mother.
When we left the hospital parking garage to return home
the lights began to dim on the car, and by the time we were on the expressway
they were out. We prayed, and made it to an exit where the car coasted into the
parking lot of a hotel, and we stayed the night there. The alternator had
stopped working. I believe that coincidences do happen, but the timing of some
leaves little doubt of God’s involvement in them. We were able to have the car
repaired the next day, but we also had the definite impression that God had
given us a warning about that church.
Another time after prayer and fasting for seven days
about where God wanted us to go to - a search committee called us on the
afternoon of the seventh day. Even though we did not think it feasible for us
to accept their call, because of financial considerations, God did confirm that
this was where He wanted us and we accepted their call. We received additional
confirmation of God’s call to that church as we served there.
Other times the “brook” may dry up as it did for Elijah, and we are forced to
move. There are at least three ways that the “brook” may dry up for a pastor. One is for the
finances to become so difficult that he is forced to move. Another is for the
support of the leaders or members of the church for the pastor to dry up or
come to an end. Third, is for the movement of the Spirit in terms of decisions
comes to an end i.e. no one being saved, no one rededicating or recommitting their
lives, no one joining the church, attendance rapidly declining, and no growth
in spiritual maturity of the believers who make up the church. This was why we
moved from one church to another church two different times.
Along with these things that may occur, there must also
be the still, small voice of God (1 Kings
19:12) confirming His direction for your life. How
do you know? You will know when it happens and when He speaks. However, you do
have to be watching and listening, or you can miss out on what God has for you.
The Spirit still leads and guides today. What is the
Spirit saying to you?
Copyright © 2008-2015. Ed
Wrather. The Burning Bush website has been online since January 31, 1998. On
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Please continue to pray
for our friend Michelle who has had surgery for cancer and is being treated
with chemo. She is now half way through with chemo and will soon have another
PET scan to check the progress of treatment. Thank you for your prayers for
Michelle!!!
Please continue to pray for
Michelle, Justin Lewis, Shane Hall, Keith Musick, Reta (my sister), and Beverly
(Jeanie’s sister). Jeanie has also been experiencing increased pain in her back
and side. It is likely she will need additional intervention for the pain.
Please pray for an end to the racial hatred in the USA and that it will be
replaced with peace and love. Many prayer needs are posted at the Burning Bush
website on the Prayer Request page. You can also post your prayer requests
there (Of course, I am always in need of prayer - please pray for me.).
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