Welcome back to our series called Discernment, The importance of this remarkable Gift.
Last time we started with an introduction to this remarkable Gift and series.
Let’s do a quick recap
If there is one thing that is vitally important for us to grow and thrive, as followers of Christ. It would have to be discernment. As without it we can and will get tied up on struggles, battles, challenges and problems. That we were simply never meant to be apart of.
Without discernment we can end up living by examples of past experiences and encounters of the Lord.
Living only an experience based Gospel.
Where we are limited, by what we have experienced the Lord do.
Rather than the true and full Gospel.
Were Jesus clearly says “all things are possible by the Lord” (Matthew 19:26 (NKJV) and the angel Gabriel says “with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37 (NKJV))
As all of the bible is in the Lord, But not all of the Lord is in the bible.
Without discernment we can miss out on a move of God, breakthroughs, His favour and His blessings.
Without discernment we will be limited, to how effective we can truly be, in helping others too.
Lastly without discernment, I believe we will not be able to live a life. Which is more abundant, as seen in John 10:10.
Then I shared a couple of stories of what can happen if we do not understand this gift and teach people it. If you have not read part one here is a link so you can read it.
Today we are going to start by asking a very relevant question ?
What is the True meaning of Discernment ?
It is the ability to know what the Lord’s will is, for every season, moment and situation of your life. For yourself and for others, the Lord is asking you to help.
A lot of people think discernment is only discerning between good and evil
or
What is of the Lord and the demonic.
But true discernment goes so much further than this.
As it is also with the gift of discerning of spirits, seen in 1 Corinthians 12:10.
In this series we will look at this gift and I will try to bring clarity to how we can use it.
If you look throughout the scriptures you will see discernment on display again and again.
By all the incredible men and women we love to read about.
Did you know that discernment was one of Jesus greatest gifts He had ?
Every where Jesus went He knew exactly what to say and where to go.
Also Jesus knew what to do on the way and what to do when He got there.
One of the best examples of this is found in John 11. It’s the story of Lazarus, which we will be looking at today.
Here is today’s first key for living with true discernment.
With true discernment, our will, our thoughts and our feelings. Even what we think could happen and the way we believe it should happen. Have no place when we are using the gift of discernment.
It is all about His word, His plan, His purpose and His will.
Totally about Him and no other. We read this Truth in Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Also as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 (TPT)
Trust in the Lord completely,
and do not rely on your own opinions.
With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do,
and he will lead you wherever you go.
Don’t think for a moment that you know it all,
I love the last line of the above scripture.
It’s a great verse to remember, to keep us all accountable.
When we using this remarkable gift of discernment.
We will be looking at this verse, how to stay accountable and on course. In a later part of this series !
So let me explain what this all looks like through a story in the bible. That reveals this in a practical application.
Do you remember the story of Jesus, when He gets the word Lazarus is sick.
Lets pick up this story in John 11:1-3(NKJV)
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to Him (Jesus), saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
Ok let’s stop here for a moment. So we get some clarity of what is going on at this very moment, in history.
Up to this point Jesus nature, was to heal.
He knew this, His disciple’s knew this. Also Mary and Martha knew this.
In fact He had healed every sick person in many towns and villages, He had passed through.
This is why Mary and Martha are sending a message to Jesus, saying that Lazarus their brother was sick. So He would come, as they had already witnessed and heal Lazarus.
So when Jesus hears that His friend is sick. Can you imagine how He would have felt and what He would have wanted to do ?
May I suggest, He would have wanted to run and heal Lazarus.
Right ?
But when He discerned what the Father wanted Him to do. Even though it was completely different, than what He wanted to do. He puts aside His will, desires and His thoughts. Then chose instead to obey His Father will, desire and directions.
Let’s read this in action.
John 11:4-6 (NKJV)
When Jesus heard that (the message from Mary and Martha), He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.
So lets break this down,
Jesus hears His friend is sick and instead of doing what He wanted to do. He declares the Fathers will,plan and purpose for Lazarus being sick.
Why is this important ?
Do you remember what is written in Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Here is today’s second key for living with true discernment.
If the Lord has spoken or reveal to you His will, plan, purpose and outcome for a situation.
Then it will happen !
Sometimes we are called to declare it and other times just to believe in faith for it.
We will be looking at this, in our next part of this series.
But in Jesus case, in the story we are currently reading. Jesus knows what the outcome of the situation, regarding Lazarus will be. Because the Father had revealed it to Him.
So He reveals it and declared it.
“This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Then stays where he is two more days.
John 11:5-6 (NKJV)
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.
Let’s finish there for today and we will continue with this story in our next part.
Challenge Time
- This week I would like you to make a point of spending extended time with the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. If you are not sure how to do this. May I suggest that you add a walk into each day with Him.
- In this extra time I want you to listen more than speak.
- Write down all you hear Him say.
- This week is not about action, But learning to hear Him more clearly. But if He asks you to do something then. Do what He says.
- Lastly every night before you go to bed. Put aside sometime, to give Him thanks !
Father I ask, that as Your children come to you and spend extra time with You. Would you speak to them, with absolute clarity. As you did with Adam,David and Jesus Your Son. 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