Welcome back to part Four of our series called Discernment, The importance of this remarkable Gift.
Let’s do a recap from our last part of this remarkable series !
In our last part we learnt two very important keys for living with true discernment.
The first key for living with true discernment was.
Often on the journey to see His will, plan and purpose revealed. We will experience situations that do not make sense. That can even look completely contrary to His word. He has spoken or revealed to you. The secret in these times is to keep our eyes on Him and just keep walking.
We see this when Jesus declares in John 11:4 (TPT)
“This sickness is not unto death”
But in a following verse, Lazarus actually dies.
John 11:14 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.
So did Jesus get the words from the Father wrong ?
No and we will find this out later in the story !
Our second key we learnt for living with true discernment was this.
Stay true to His word and path, He has put in-front of you. Then listen for any instructions from Him, on the journey. Towards the words becoming to completion.
I shared about a recent situation where we had received a word from the Lord. For His will for the first night of a FGBMFI NZ convention. That we would have A Maori culture group. Even tho we tried and could not find a group for this evening. It did not change our response, to His word. We simply kept our eyes on Him and kept walking towards the word being completed. We even entered the convention without this group, But did not take it off the agenda. Then three hours before the evening event was to be held. He gave me clear instructions, that with the help of others, led to this event happening.
So as you can see both of the above keys for living with true discernment. Both were about, the internal personal battle of the mind and heart. Both of these stories, Jesus and the story about the event above. Talk about the inward personal obstacles, we will all face, on the journey to seeing His word come to pass.
But today we are going to look at other obstacles Jesus faced on this journey. Towards the words, that the Father gave him, being fulfilled.
Let’s pick up the story about Jesus walking towards His word the Father came Him.
John 11:7-8 (TPT)
Finally, on the third day, he said to his disciples, “Come. It’s time to go to Bethany.”“But Teacher,” they said to him, “do you really want to go back there? It was just a short time ago the people of Judea were going to stone you!”
As you can see the Second obstacle Jesus came up against was ‘people’. Not just any people, But His closest, His disciples.
This leads us to our first key for living with true discernment today.
Often the ones closest to us, will not understand the vision or the word we received from the Lord.
We will need to explain it to them. This may take several attempts and some may never understand, until the word comes to completion.
But this should never stop you, in your tracks towards seeing His word come to pass.
Let’s see this in action as we continue the journey with Jesus and His disciples.
John 11:9-11 (TPT)
Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight in every day? You can go through a day without the fear of stumbling when you walk in the One who gives light to the world. But you will stumble when the light is not in you, for you’ll be walking in the dark.”
What Jesus is saying here is so important in life itself.
But especially for living with true discernment.
Jesus is explaining the importance of walking in the light of the One, who gives light to the world. That if that One, is not in you, then you will stumble.
Here is the last key for today for living with true discernment.
If He has given you a word, then you need to allow the light in you, to be the light that directs you. To shine on the path ahead of you. This might mean like in Jesus case, passing through land. That holds enemies, both physical and emotional, from past experiences. But if you are walking in His will, plan and purpose. No harm will come to you, because He has your back.
To close our message today, I want to tell you about something I learnt just recently.
That now allows me to remain in Him and Him in me after any distraction. As distraction will always come to try and take us out of the path we are walking.
At the FGBMFI New Zealand convention. I have talked about above. I had the opportunity and privilege to take some elective session meetings.
In one of these meetings, in a quiet time of receiving, walking and soaking in His presence.
A man came to the door of the room we were in.
He opened the door, then in frustration asked in a very loud voice .
Where is the room, I am meant to be doing my next meeting in ?
So as you can imagine, everybody that was fully in God’s presence, suddenly are now interrupted from that state.
I answered the man and he went on his way happy.
But this now left me with a challenge.
What do I now do with these people looking at me in the room ?
So I asked the Lord what to do.
This is where, He gave me a remarkable word and direction. That has changed my life forever.
He said ask the ones in the room this question.
“How fast can you, get back to where you were ? “
“The state you were in, in My presence before the man opened the door and yelled”
So I did what He said and watched as everyone tried as quickly, as possible to get back to where they were ?
This taught me that we can remain in His presence throughout any situation. But it all depends, how fast we can get back after any distraction.
Challenge Time
- This week I want you to practise remaining in His presence throughout each day.
- If you get disturbed, which you will. I want you to see how fast you can get back to where you were.
- I want you to see how deep you can go into His presence and remain there throughout the day. While also remaining fully present, to do what you need to do.
- Lastly, each night give Him Thanks for what He has allowed you to see, feel or experience in that day, while you were in His presence.
Father I thank you for all you going to do, in and through Your children this week. As they practise spending time in Your presence. Take them even deeper into You. Than they have ever been before and reveal even more of who You are to them. I ASK this in Jesus Name AMEN.
For those of you, who want to place an offering at the alter or plant a finical seed in the fertile ground of the Lord. Maybe you could contribute in someway towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry, then release His word through them, in a variety of ways.
Below is a link to a secure website, so you can do this safely online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@encounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre & Ministries