God speaks to us. He speaks at different times, in diverse ways and in different places. In fact, we do not need to be in a spiritual state for him to speak with us. But to hear him, it helps to be 'in the spirit as John the Apostle said: "On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet," Revelation 1:10.
Now this "in the spirit" means "rapt in God’s power" (AMPC) or " a state of deep spiritual communion with God" (EXB). This, however, is not any strange (or dark occult) practice but a state of being fully focused and consumed in your worship or prayerful communion with God. It is a place where one is in tune with the Lord. Here, the Holy Spirit of YHWH has full access to our human faculties. Fasting helps this process: "While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” [Acts 13:2-4].
In this place, God’s divine love is pliable and our spiritual senses are stronger. Our humanity gets overshadowed by His perfect glory and we begin to truly understand.
You have to get to the stage as a Christian where you understand that things are not always as they seem. To see what God wants us to see clearly, we have to be willing to patiently wait to see and hear his Holyspirit. To be fully honest, I had yesterday and even today my heart set on understanding what was going on around me. What we see is not always what needs to be seen. We might have made mistakes just going with the flow but, in chaotic situations take a step back and look, listen and evaluate: The path laid out before you might just be the distraction to the path God wants us to go.
Everything that has happened till now is highlighting the areas we need to improve on as Christ's people. As leaders, in particular, we need to be cautious or our mistakes might lead others down. Jesus said, "...wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. [Matthew 7:13-14AMPC] ".
In open and carefree periods we require more spiritual care and sensitivity because we are naturally not as watchful as in pressured times.
Especially when in a group, train yourself to step back periodically, and evaluate. We do this in natural corporate settings, it is needed more in spiritual things.
Is the path still the same as what we started on?
Is the goal still the same?
Is the focus still on Jesus and the purpose of salvation he died for?
Or had something shifted - even ever so slightly - onto something else?
Who or what is pulling the strings? I don't mean who is speaking, I mean where are the words or directions originating from?
While not advocating paranoia, (shrewdness is useful) but sometimes in our bid to be shrewd, we miss God's insight. Beyond human faculties, there is an intuition that comes directly from the spirit of God.
Repeatedly, the Lord has tried to highlight this very vital area of need in the body of Christ. So often there are things that he wants to tell us but cannot because they can only be accepted by the discerning.
"We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began." 1 Corinthians 2:6-7
All my adult life so far has been dedicated to serving God's kingdom - my qualification is that God called and equipped me. Despite having a degree in Microbiology, I left my job at the hospital to get something that would give me the flexibility I felt I required for my family and ministry commitments. My Spatial design, Project management and Pastoral Supervision qualifications were all acquired to further these services to Christ. Are you aware that everything IS beIng tested? There are those who have died for this cause - what are you willing to sacrifice? How far will you go to stand with Jesus?
"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." Matthew 16:25
Practise being "in the spirit".
God wants us to be aware and this starts with elevating not just the words of the Bible, but the Spirit who reveals the truth of the Bible.
"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law." Deuteronomy 29:29
"He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." 2 Corinthians 3:5-7
See but hold on despite what you see. So many things have been going on and I needed to understand so I took my time to find out. Now I do.
While some understand, many really need to take time out to do the same - especially overseers of God’s children.
"In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s g⁶lory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." Hebrews 1:2 - 3
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Galatians 5:16
P.S
God loves YOU. The good news about Jesus is that though he doesn't accept everything we do, he accepts us. Hallelujah!
All Jesus wants from you is to accept him in return. All that is needed is a heartfelt prayer. Say for example, "Jesus I accept your sacrifice and you as Lord over my life." And he comes to walk with you for all eternity.
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