June 5, 2022 - How to be confident you are being led by Holy Spirit

We will get started.

I don't. I sent God wants to do something really amazing here today, and I don't want to get in the way of that.

And I was going to start with a butt, but I had a really fun thing happen this week.

I have wanted to do this for a while. I put on a mask. I went into the bank and it emitted money. Well, it wasn't really a bank. It was a credit union and it wasn't really money. I just asked them to transfer something from one to another. But boy, do I have a story to tell grandkids hate?

I hope that we've all had times when we I think we miss her.

Yeah, you heard me, right?

If you've ever thought that you misheard, holy spirit's leading.

You are in good stead. It means you are not living an ordinary Christian Life.

It means that you're walking by faith because faith is spelled r. I s k. It means that he's bringing you to trust him and you don't can't trust them unless it doesn't make sense.

If you have not ever thought that you've missed her, Holy Spirit, you're off. You're either a very young person or You're not living the Christian walk, the way God wants you to live.

Are you on this walk? We have two fairly big boundaries, you know, on the one we don't do the things we're not supposed to do and on the other. We don't not do the things you're supposed to do. So basically the summit all up the way. Jesus summed it up is where to love God and love others so they can love God and love others. That's the two greatest command. We love God and we love others so that others can love God and love others.

So when we have those big questions on life, like what kind of job should I do? While God might have a specific calling for you, but basically for most of us most the time, it's do, whatever, you're gifted at and love God and love others so that they can love God and love others.

Well, who am I going to marry? Well? It's a Greek idea that we have a soulmate. OK, that is not a Christian idea. The Christian idea is to find someone who loves God and love others. So you can pick Heather, love God, and love others, so that your kids and your grandkids can love God and love others so that they can love God and love others.

What does that look like?

That's when we get into being led by Holy Spirit.

We need to be led by Holy Spirit in everything we do. You need Holy Spirit to drive in Edmonton.

You need to be led by Holy Spirit and empowered. By the Holy Spirit to go shopping in Walmart.

You need to be glad and empowered and encouraged and taught and instructed and enabled by Holy Spirit. It did in the day today of every day.

Because Jess is you're merely singing along. Something happens that just robbed your peace and your in a different direction. Well, guess what. Holy Spirit enables you to do what you can't do on your own. You excited. Let's calm down.

Holy spirit will lead us to walk by faith and not by sight.

And when we were walking by faith and not sight, there will be times when we may think that we have misheard what Holy Spirit said.

I,

I learn to trust God. When we felt the spirit ask us to lay our family, our and our friends, and our finances, and our future on the Altar and move to New Zealand without a call in without a reason.

I didn't learn it. I only went with Open Hands. Honestly, we went saying God, whatever you want to give us will take whatever you want to take. Will give.

And about a month after we made the announcement. My dad was diagnosed with Bob rals and given a short time to live.

and in the process of processing that

it wasn't so much that I was trusting. God was going to take care of it. I was telling God, if I'm giving up all of this. I want open heaven. When I arrive in New Zealand. If I'm giving up this, I want to know who I'm in your grace. I want to experience it. I don't know what you think. Open heaven is. We arrive, January 1st, 2005, 6 a.m. In Auckland New Zealand, it was a city of a million people at the time. Everybody was at the beach. We had a friend come from the beach to pick us up to take us to his house to let us in his house. To give us instructions to get to the beach in a couple days. And then he went to get to the beach. We drove by we drove on four and five lien highways freeways that were completely. We were the only cars on there. We didn't tumble weeds in New Zealand, but I think we have expected a tumbleweed to come over. It was Anna. Post-apocalyptic seen? It was like, when are the zombies coming? We it was, it was, it was not what I would call open heaven.

And honestly, I can't say I learned the truck cuz I went this and I did this the Open Hands to God. That wasn't trust. I thought I would trust in God. Then.

I didn't learn to trust God. When I learned to live on offended him a couple of years later.

You see, we came back from New Zealand after a few months to be with the family and I came to help Dad finish up his book before he died. and,

People, we love Rose. We're angry at us for leaving.

I had.

You know. We returned home and we didn't have a home. We sold it.

In all of us, had questions about God and a bubble. Good dad. And God, and why, how can God not heal dad and all these different things and everyone was voicing their concerns?

And I, and I understood Jeremiah's lament. He says incher Maya 20 verse 7, that you've deceived me. Lord, and I was deceived, you seized me and I prevailed and prevailed. I'm a laughingstock all the time. Everyone ridicules me. That was Best felt real to me.

I had someone come up to me and say you used to be someone? What happened.

I had a pastor. Tell me you can't have rev drip.com. You're not a pastor.

I had friends come to us and tell us. God would not tell you that live, give up everything when your kids were so small. That's not.

And I didn't learn, I was offended. At God. I was learning. I was a being offended God, but the things that happened. When people talk to me that like that. My response is surprise me, cuz I wasn't feeling this way at all. I was not feeling like I was living victoriously, but holy spirit was giving me. Those little nuggets to get me through to the next step. So when when I was told by, I thought you were something, you were somebody wants what happened? I sent but with God, you can't lose. And that meant something to me.

My story is not yet done being written.

When the Pastor said you can't call yourself reprap, you're not a pastor and his calls are irrevocable. Maybe it's more about me, learning to be a, his gift to the church instead of me trying to have a position.

My friend said, you know, God wouldn't be the one calling you to leave everything. When you have small children ice. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son. And he's the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He's the god of generations and I can't judge him on what he did in my generation.

By the way, I don't know if, you know this. Our son is in New Zealand. He's living in the same town that we lived in for that short time that we have friends who keep us up-to-date, our friends, invited him over to their house with his girlfriend this weekend. It's just nice, you know, it's I don't know if I would have been in a good place. Now if we didn't know that we had people to spy on him down there now. In order and open up the doors. You do. They think he's stayed in other people's homes that we know because he's had to do different and different things. And yeah. He's found a New Zealand girlfriend and they're looking kind of serious. So we know at this point. Maybe it is our children's Children's, children's reason that we moved there for that short time.

I don't know what you've been through. I know you have your own story.

It could be in a married relationship. It might be in a business Arrangement. It could be in a job that disappeared. It could be in an investment that didn't pay out it. It might be in a body that you took care of, but it's just not healthy anymore. It might be in a relationship that always only seems to cause you pain.

But you need to know what Isaiah says about the coming Messiah. He says, in Isaiah 42:3. He will not break a bruised Reed. He will not put out a smoldering Wick. He will Faithfully bring Justice. He is for you and not against you. And since God is for you, who can be against you. It's not life or death, or Angels, or demons. It's not your fears for today, or your worries about tomorrow. It's not the powers of hell that can separate you from God.

That's not what I'm talkin about today, but it is sort of because it if you want to be confident, you're being led by Holy Spirit. You need to trust that God's out for your good. You need to trust that he will see you through.

Why is it important that were led by the spirit? While there's seven reasons? I find in Scripture. The first, these are all in your notes. So if you don't, if you want to get the references there, they're all there on your page. First, it shows that we belong to God, Romans 8, 9 says, but you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You're controlled by the spirit. If you have the spirit of God living in you, and remember that, those who do not have the spirit of Christ Living in them. Do not belong to God. It showed having all these being led by the Holy Spirit. It shows were led by card number to, it shows that we're children of God, Romans 8:14 for those who are led by the spirit of God are children of God. Number 3, it brings us life and peace. Romans 8:6 so letting your sinful nature wrong one. Romans 8:6. So, letting your simple nature control your mind leads to death, but letting the spirit control, your mind leads to life, in peace, number, for Holy Spirit, teaches us all things, and reminds us of what Jesus said, John 14:26 when the spirit sends the advocate as my representative. That is Holy Spirit. He will teach you everything and remind you of everything that I've told you. Number five, Holy Spirit. Guides us into all truth and tells us about the future. You realized that's amazing. John 16:13 when the spirit of truth comes, he guide you into all truth. You will not speak on his own but he will tell you what he's heard, and he will tell you about the future.

Number six, Holy Spirit, leads us on Firm Foundation. I like this translation because I'll let me just read it for you. 140 3:10 in the new living says, teach me to do. Your will for you are my God. My gracious Spirit me, your gracious Spirit lead me forward on firm footing. Other translations sea-level pathway. I don't know what your experience has been with God, but level pathway seems like something I can skip. A long Firm Foundation means like a wall that I'm going up and I've got someplace safe to stay in for a bit to, for me to reach the next part. I need to go.

He will not, it's not about life being easy. It's not about us having it. You don't become a Christian and everything becomes easy. If it did, I mean what happened for? I don't even believe it's going to be easy in heaven. Like that would bore me in minutes. I need a good story. I need to know what's it like, I believe if God stressing is now he's going to trust us when we get to heaven and that all kinds of stuff can happen with that. Look what happened with Lucifer. You trusted Lucifer. Oh my goodness. Can that happen again? Spirit lead us.

Number seven, Holy Spirit reveals. Spiritual understanding will tell you if you ask Erica, 1st Corinthians 2:14, but people who aren't spiritual, can't receive the truth from God's spirit sounds like foolishness to them. And they can't understand it, or only those who are spiritual. Can understand what the spirit means. We need to be led by Holy Spirit. We need to be led by Holy Spirit if we want to learn to discern. We need to be led by Holy Spirit. If we want to be people of Peace. We need to be led by Holy Spirit if we survive this trip on this rock.

actually Thrive survive, you do until you die anyway, but

How do you be confident that you're being led by Holy Spirit? Even when? Your situation might seem like you're not.

Always good to be led by piece, right? Let's use that as the acronym. You need to pray with Holy Spirit and you'd enjoy God as father. You need to Aspire to let his word remaining. You need to see screaming. Holy Spirit. I need to embrace the Fruit of the Spirit. Let's get into that today.

Free with Holy Spirit. Romans 8, 26 to 27 says And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But holy spirit prays, for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words and the father knows all heart news. All Hearts, the father who knows all heart knows what the spirit is saying. For the spirit leads, Were Us Believers in harmony with God's Own. Well. Now,

when we pray with Holy Spirit, it could mean One of two things or both things, it could mean that we're praying in the spring in tongues. We don't understand what we're praying for when we pray in tongues. And if you have the gift of tongues Graham, if you got them, if you don't have them cecum. So you can pray a man. When you got them. Because we need we will run out of words to pray and then the spirit takes over. We still pray with our mind. We don't play it on fruitfully, but we pray and holy spirit. We pray with our minds and when our words run out, we can do that. That could definitely mean. But all the same here. It could also mean. That we pray all prayers were not even aware of but God knows of their prayers. Where we like all of creation just grown because we are waiting to become what God has created us to be. And and perhaps, that's part of what it's, it's being said, it could be one or the other or both. I like to think it's both. Because there are times where I don't have the words to even say, I don't even know if I want to pray, but I know God is there and I know he split answer. and so, sometimes it's just the

And that's enough for God for Holy Spirit, to take what's in my heart and make it agree with what the what God's will is for my life.

Pray with Holy Spirit. The question is, do you pray with Holy Spirit?

The important thing when we pray is we take our problems and we exchanged, his peace. We just don't come with our problems and then leave with our problems. That's not prayer. That's complaining. We can complain to God. That's fine. We need to bring our problems to him, but we don't leave that place until we have his peace.

So, it starts. By understanding he cares for you.

Peter tells us the cast, Oliver cares upon the Lord because he cares for you. When you understand, God cares for you, you can cast your cares on him. You need to have that Revelation. You need to understand that God is good and he's in a good mood.

Which is what we're talking about next enjoy. Oh God, as holy God, got his father. Galatians 4. Galatians 4:16 says, and because we are his children God has set the spirit of his son into our hearts. Prompting us to call out Abba Father. Now, we're no longer slaves. But God's Own show filed. And since you are his child that has made you his heir.

I know it's tough to see God as father. When you've experienced an abusive father in your past. When you've had male figures in your life, not show, you fatherly love.

That does not mean he is not father. It does not mean he is not good. Father. What it does mean is you need Holy Spirit to help heal the the the lies that you believe about God being father. And when he heals those Lies, when he shows you the truth.

It's effortless. It's not, it's an effortless transfer and transformation takes place when Holy Spirit. God the Father speaks to your situation that you're holding against your father or Male counterpart. End. When he speaks the truth. There is freedom that comes in that.

Now we can help with that. We can lead you through that. We can we can walk with you through that. but, what I want to focus on today, is the other thing can happen is, you can be offended to God, like I was and I've got,

To enjoy. Got his father. You need to heal those wounds. And this is a brand new. Is all brand new but this is I just I just gave me this the other day. It's like 15 years ago. Can you use the word heal? The remember it? Okay, hu hasten Health, you know, the Gratitude leads to will heal wounds.

I don't have that first there. You can look it up later. The question becomes.

You know, Romans 8:28. God will work all things together for good. For those who've been called, right? I'm the question is, am I choosing to think? Give, thanks in all circumstances.

The E is you need to alleviate stress by looking to what he's doing and not the what's left undone.

I asked Rick how he's doing today. And he says, I'm, I'm behind and I said something about where we never feel busy about things. We've done, it's always busy about the things that I've done done. The same is true when we are focused on the things left, undone. It's not we might not get busy, but we get depressed. We get this courage, we get down. But what is Philippians? 4 say, you think about what is true? What is what is right with his honor? What is worthy of praise? You choose to fix your thoughts on on the good?

A and heal. You need to agree to trust, you need to give up your right to understand so that you can have the peace. That surpasses understanding.

a lot of times when we're offended, God, we have a We think we have a right to know, right? If you would only explain it to me, if it only made sense.

There's a verse that Jesus said that you if I was going to get a tattoo, I would get this versus the tattoo.

I never told my wife that so she'll be surprised. What is it?

What is he say? It's in John. He says you don't understand at this time, but in the future, it'll come clear.

Women's disciples were asking what's going on. You don't understand now, but in the future, it will come clear is in line with him. Going to the Cross dying.

So he's in hell for leaving each dress agree to trust in El is lower your guard. You need to let him be the Potter and I understand that you're the clay. And to do that, you need to trust that. He's going to work all things together for good. You don't convince yourself of that by repeating it and repeating it and repeating it. You let Holy Spirit, give you the Revelation that you can trust him. So that means you go before him with your problems and you don't leave until you have his peace. You go to him and say God. This is what I feel. Your feelings, aren't wrong. They show you what you truly believe. This is what I feel. Let him heal what you feel and then you can have peace.

Do you enjoy God as father?

If the answer is no, ask us for help because you can't we can walk with you through that.

Where the heck am I? There we go.

3 with a lie Spirit. You enjoy. His father is you aspire to let his word remaining you. John 14. It looks like it.

John 14:26.

But when the father sends, the advocate is my representative, that is Holy Spirit. He will teach you everything and remind you of everything that I've told you that we already read that person actually.

Joshua was told in Joshua 1:8 to study the book of instruction continually meditate on it day and night, so that you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only. Then will you prosper, and succeed in all you do?

If we want to be confident that we're being led by Holy Spirit. We need to be in the word and let the word Rita us. We need to know what God is as said and is saying.

And I'll tell you, I've been alive long enough to know this bubbles up at the strangest times. And he'll encourage you from this book. Do you forgot you thought of it before and it comes out of your lips? And it's a life for you. Like sometimes.

God speaks when I'm speaking in its but not the tattoo far. I'm not going to get a tattoo. But sometimes he speaks and it just like, that's good. I hope it's recorded cuz I'm going to write that down. It's more fun when you're talking to someone and they're coming at you with something and something just bubbles up and you and you know, it's truth and you know it.

And you know, you need it.

That only comes. From the book.

And God's. Grace is so good. If you memorize the Bible, when you're a kid that comes up when you're older, it does. I get the most encouragement from the King, James version, haven't read that version, unless I have needed to for 40 years. I will keep thee in. Perfect. Peace, whose mind is stayed on the

Do you meditate on the word of God? Do I meditate on the word of God?

See in peace is to remind us to see screaming. Holy Spirit.

Ephesians. 4:30.

Says, and do not bring sorrow to God's holy spirit. By the way, you live. Remember.

He has identified you as his own guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. I'm reading the next person as well. 31 get rid of all bitterness rage and anger harsh words and slander as well as all types of evil Behavior. Instead be kind to each other and tenderhearted forgiving one another. Just as God through Christ has forgiven you

Romans 8:5 says those who are dominated by the sinful nature. Think only about simple things, but those were controlled by the Holy Spirit. Think only about what pleases the spirit. And later on in verse 13 of chapter 8, it says free if you live by its dictate, dictate, you will die. But if through the power of the spirit, you put to death, the Deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. Ceasing to grieve the holy spirit is not about keeping a list of rules of do and do not. It is keeping in step with holy spirit. It's carrying more about

when Holy Spirit, descended on Jesus as a dove.

It remained.

Have you ever fed a bird that landed in your hand and it you fed it? You have to be very careful and move. Otherwise, it's flying away.

Jesus was careful. When the dove was on his shoulder. It didn't fly away. It remained. And that's what it is to seize. Grieving. Holy spirit is okay. Holy Spirit. What are you doing here? What are you doing? Now? What do you want me to do? I want to be in your presence. I want to have you. I know you're here with me. I want to be with you.

John 15:9. 9012 Jesus said, I have loved you. Even as the Father's Love Me remain in my love. When you obey my Commandments, you will remain in my love just as I obey my father's Commandments and remain in his love. I've told you these things that you will be filled with joy. Yes, your joy will overflow on. This is my commandment love each other, the same way. I have loved you. He also says, if you just love those who love you, what good is it to you? Bless those who curse you pray for those who persecute you.

This Christian life is not some easy P0 that you can Skip Along. It is sure foundation for that Cliff, you're climbing up. And you can be sure if you fall, he will always catch you. But he gives you that sure Foundation. On your way up, where he's calling you.

Best thing I can tell you if you want to learn to love with Holy Spirit, follow your compassion.

That's what Jesus did. Whenever he saw the people and had compassion Miracles took place. Keep your chin fat compassion raw into the surface. Like we can shut down our compassion. We can say, okay, like we do that by judging other people. Don't judge other people. Instead you led by your compassion. And when you have compassion, that's how holy spirit will lead you to do the good you need to do. So when it's to give that cup of cold water, in Jesus's name, when it's to give that Sobeys gift card when it's due to shovel that person walk, when it's to call somebody out the Springs to your mind compassion. You're not calling to get the rumors you calling cuz Holy Spirit. It's showing you, you got compassion for that person.

We know, we know when you care for us and you make that call. and we know when you're doing it out of obligation, and we know when you're doing it to get this, but

we need someone to do The Prayer Ministry in this church again, and, and that was up in the announcements. But just so, you know, her Ministry is not passing rumors along. Just want to know how we can pray for you.

No.

And that doesn't happen. Question you can ask. Holy spirit is in my grieving, Holy Spirit.

That's a good question to ask just about every day when you are in prayer, taking your problems to get his peace.

And it's a good way to enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise and it's good when you're in that space. In that moment to say, holy spirit. Have I been grieving you?

He is never like he has never condemned me. So I'm sure he will never condemn you. but man, when I'm open to that, it's it's it is Oh my God, I forgot about that. I should have answered that better. And I tend to be going back and apologizing. Because I didn't handle it. I tried to handle it. I should have just showed love and grace.

Pray with Holy Spirit. Enjoy. Got his father, inspired to let his word remaining. You see screaming. Holy Spirit. And E is embrace the Fruit of the Spirit. Will you knew we were getting here? Didn't you? Collisions 5?

I'm reading from verse 16 because it's also good.

Is so I say let the holy spirit, guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature. Craves the sinful nature, want you to do, evil, which is just the opposite of what the spirit wants. And the spirit gives us the desires that are opposite of a sinful nature Desires in these two forces are constantly fighting each other. So you're not free to carry out your good intentions. When you're directed by the spirit. You're not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature. The results are very clear sexual immorality in Purity lustful pleasure idolatry sorcery. Hostility quarreling jealousy, outbursts of anger selfish ambition, dissension and Division in the drunkenness. Wild parties, and other sins are the like He's running to a church.

I have said before that, anyone living, that sort of life will not inherit the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit, produces this kind of fruit in our love in our lives. Love joy, peace, patience. Kindness goodness before my endless and self-control. There's no laws against these things. Those who belong to Christ of Neil, their passions and desires of their sinful nature to his prize, crucify them there. Since we are living by the spirit, let us follow the spirits leading in every part of our lives.

Wow.

What if you're not seeing the love and the joy of the piece in the patient's of the kindness, and the goodness in the gentleness, in the faithfulness of the self-control?

Confession and repentance.

Confession is agreeing Lord. I'm not seeing these things. Help me to see these things in my life.

And repentance is turning around and doing the exact opposite.

So, for example,

Agape, love is love that we choose to show. It's a decision to love. 1st Corinthians 13 is all agape. Love. We're not there yet. I don't have this. This is where free free blowing. Now.

1st Corinthians 13, it's all I got a laugh. So now you know what love looks like right? Love is patient. Love is kind. It doesn't empty. It isn't boastful. It isn't proud. It isn't rude. It isn't a, it keeps no record of wrongs song. It always protects, always something else and all. You have to read 1st Corinthians to get it all, but that's what love looks like. That's the kind of love is a decision. We make the decision to love. It's also a feeling that feeling is coming. Like the phileo Love Is A Feeling. love is an action and It's important to love, always.

If you need to put the passions to the cross in faith, put to death of things that don't belong. Genesis, you bear the fruit of the spirit, the love, the joy, the piece, the patient's, the kindness of good, and listen to self control.

This isn't the progression thing is not like you learn to love and then you learn to have joy and then you learn to have peace fruit grows as a crows. He throws it in you.

The other fruit bats. We get from the spirit, is the spirit, grows in the 2nd. Corinthians 2nd, Timothy, 1:7. He's not giving us the spirit of fear, but one of power and love and sound judgment. Power and love and sound judgment.

Question we can ask is does does my fruit show? I'm being led by Holy Spirit.

So, how can you be confident? You're being led by Holy Spirit and follow the path of peace. You pray with Holy Spirit. You enjoy got his father. You aspired to let his word remaining uuc screaming, Holy Spirit and you embrace the Fruit of the Spirit.

I want to leave you with.

Peterson's transliteration of the end of Galatians 5. Because I also enjoyed it. How he is it. He said since this is the life we have, chosen the life of the spirit. Let's make sure we don't hold it as an idea and I had already sent them in our heart but work out, its implication in every detail of Our Lives. That means will not compare ourselves. With each other is, if one of us were better in another worst, we have to be far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us has an original Amazon and Tesla creatively friends. Will you stand with me as we closing prayer?

Lord, I want to thank you that you are always with us.

You have not. Forsaken us. You will never forsake us.

There's no sin that can separate us from your love.

There is no spot that can separate us from your love. There is no worry. Lord. There is no fear.

Your Love.

You'll show it to us.

Lord give us a greatest greater awareness that you are always with us and Lord Empower us to always be with you.

I pray right now. For an encounter with you.

Lord, if there are gifts of the holy spirit that need to to come here, Lord, we say, pour out your spirit and activate those gifts. If there's fruit of the spirit that needs to grow. Lord, we are asking for Supernatural growth to happen right now, so that we can become more and more and more like you. Yes, Lord, God, we commit ourselves to living the life and growing that fruit. Put God. I know that you can super naturally grow it in us right now. I pray. Lord, God that every lie that we've been been believing about, you being good and you being our father would shatter in the name of Jesus. I pray, Lord, God that you would bring Deliverance in situations and in life, and in relationships, and in finances. And in every area where we have been disappointed, where we have been hurts where we have withdrawn God. I pray that there would be just a supernatural breaking of those things and your grace would come I thank you God, that your grace is sufficient. I thank you, God, that you Empower us to accomplish every good work. Prompted by faith. I thank you. God, that you are God and you are good. So Lord. I ask that you would be with us today and always and hope that we would be with you. I know, you're with us in Jesus name. I pray. Amen. amen, so