Welcome back to the conclusion of our series, last time we looked at ‘Our Perspective and how we see things – where we need our Spirit eyes opened, challenged to go deeper, or check where we are believing lies of things being impossible, rather than the Truth says “What is impossible with man is possible with God”. For to live as an overcomer victorious in All areas of life, we need to apply Trusting in the Lord with all our heart, and letting Him direct our paths, way, we submit to His leading in our lives.
Today I wanted to start with this well-known verse and another testimony to follow it, as we learn most from the stories of others about who God is and what gems He has provided for us.
Galatians 5:22 (TPT)
“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:
joy that overflows,
peace that subdues,
patience that endures,
kindness in action,
a life full of virtue,
faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and
strength of spirit.
Selah there, and re read the promised fruit Holy Spirit will produce in and through you, then ask the Holy Spirit how do each of these fruit look in me? Where are You inviting me to produce greater more effective fruit? Then do as He leads, and commit to daily prayer of your desire to produce limitless fruit by Holy Spirit in you.
Testimony:
I was talking to a friend about a challenge he was facing and a decision he needed to make. He was trying to calculate the risk by the feeling he had, which is what we all can do, and when we approached the Lord on the subject, thing and place we are at. My friend said “I don’t have a peace about the subject so I believe the Lord saying not to do it”.
Here let me say I totally understand applying and putting on the lens of Galatians 5:22-23 is helpful to test the spirit behind a challenge, however it only works when we enter the Throne Room with nothing, no opinions or fear, and with confidence, peace, faith etc
Why?
If you enter the Throne Room with anything the true expression and word, will be clouded or warped.
And if you enter the throne room without a Peace, and with a fear, then trying to use this method to judge your direction will not work.
As remember the enemy is always trying to manipulate God’s Word, nature and expressions. We see this in the dessert through the conversation between satan and Jesus. Have a look at Matthew 4:1-11, and ask the Holy Spirit for revelation.
If you are wondering yes seeking and sensing, is a good way to calculate risk, but only IF WE EMPTY OURSELVES FIRST.
Which is something we don’t like to do, but essential to being able to hear God and His true expression of the Word.
Lastly there are times we are not meant to proceed. I’ve had many times when the Holy Spirit will not allow me to go somewhere or make a decision, often it’s in these times I am faced with a silence from the Lord, where I have learnt I just need to WAIT!
As part of making a calculated risk is being WILLING TO WAIT and ABLE TO REST.
For at the right time and moment, He will speak and you can proceed and make the decision.
One last story,
I remember an amazing lady of God going through a battle at work, her questions to me was. When will the Lord allow me to leave? The answer the Lord said to tell her is “the day you don’t want to leave, will be the day He will ask you to leave” Seems backwards right? Yes that’s how it is in the Kingdom, upside down thinking, “God’s thoughts are not our thoughts”. Isaiah 55:8
Many years later she needed an operation, and after it she started making plans to go back to work, she couldn’t wait to return. Enter BUT GOD, as her boss suggested she go to her local office closer to her home as part of her rehabilitation until she was well enough, and could return to her normal work place. She did this, but with the dream of returning to her normal office and job. Yet God had other plans in mind, and on this day asked her to move offices/vocation and provided the provision to do so! So the day she did not want to leave became the day she left as He had said. Prophecy word of the Lord fulfilled.
Challenge Time: Grab your journal and space to be with the Lord, record His answers.
- Ask God would You show me and take me to the Throne Room? Be All there with Him, enjoy Him, His glory, majesty and love.
- God where is or has the enemy been trying to manipulate Your Word, nature and expression to me?
- Choice time: God as I approach the Throne Room I want to come boldly and open handed with no agendas or preconceived ideas so that I can receive more of You. Today I give You permission God, to search me and empty ALL of me that’s not aligning with how You created me, so that I can be filled up with ALL of You, thank You Jesus.. Amen.
- Give Thanks to God
Father God, thank You for the Revelation, insight and new understanding we now have from this series. Please help us commit to this challenge for the next 3 months as we want ALL You are and have for us in our personal lives, families, ministries and communities. With all the decisions we’re being invited to make, we want Your leading, help us be willing to be emptied of self, to wait and rest the wait, saying God I trust You and your directing my path. In Jesus name. Amen.
Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries
