INTENTIONALLY SPIRIT LED
Another year has begun at Healing Rooms and we have great anticipation to see what the Lord will do this year. The Lord has prompted us to be more intentional and more Spirit led. Whilst it is fair to say we have always endeavoured to be both intentional and Spirit led in all we do at CHR, we really sensed the Lord calling us to 'take it up a notch or two' in both these areas.
We re-opened for 2021 on 1st February and right on the stroke of 6pm, when our time of worship began, the heavens rang out with thunder, lightning and torrential rain. Without wanting to appear too spiritual, we took this as a sign of ‘open heavens’ over the ministry this year and went home very encouraged with the commencement of 2021!
As I began to ponder the many examples of those who were truly Spirit led in scripture, I was inspired, encouraged and amazed at the consistency of flow-on effects in so many of these stories of obedience and faith. Space doesn't allow me to exhaustively cover the myriad of examples so let's just consider a few.
We read in Genesis 6 God spoke to Noah and gave him instructions on how to build the ark. V22 of the same chapter says " So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him" (NLT). In other words, Noah was led by God and his obedience brought safety and security for his family.
Abram set out from his hometown and in obedience to the Lord's instructions (Spirit led,) set out for the place God would show him. He was intentional. He didn't know his destination at the point of departure but in obedience put one foot after another and the Lord prospered him and his family. (See Gen 12:1-3 & Gen 13:1-6).
The Israelites, despite their grumbling and sinful ways for 40 years were (Spirit) led. When the pillar of fire and cloud moved, they moved. God supplied all
their needs.
David inquired of the Lord “shall we go up against the enemy?” (or not) – totally Spirit led – ‘yes go up’ on one occasion and ‘no don’t go up’ an another. Many would be familiar with these accounts. Victory, increase and advance is assured when we are led by the Spirit. It’s not about our age, experience or ‘runs on the board’. David was a man who had defeated lion and bear with his hands and yet still found it necessary to ask the Lord how to approach each battle. We can take a lesson from him.
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to prepare Him for what was to come – if it was good enough for Him how much more do we need to be Spirit led?
We know from John 5:19 Jesus could do nothing of Himself but only what He saw the Father doing. He therefore demonstrated to us what was possible when a man/woman is truly led and empowered by the Spirit.
We need a move of the Spirit and for those who would respond in obedience to go where He says to go and do what He says to do.
Rom 8:14 says “for as many as are LED BY THE SPIRIT, THESE are the sons of God.” I don’t know about you but I want to be known as a son of God! (son here is used generically and of course includes daughters)
If you read the book of Acts, time and time again, we see the apostles being led by the Spirit. Peter was called to go to Cornelius’ house. Paul and Barnabas were set aside for a specific task or mission destination. Acts 13:2 says "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. They laid hands on them and sent them off."
What were the results of this Spirit led obedience? We read in v49 of the same chapter, the "Word of the Lord spread through the whole region", and they spoke so effectively a “great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.” (Ch 14:1)
Another blessing of this Spirit led obedience – they spoke “boldly for the Lord who confirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.” (See Acts 14:3)
Many times, we read in the book of Acts, the apostles preached the good news in this city or that city and the kingdom of God continued to grow.
We know from Acts 16 the Holy Spirit prevented Paul and his companions from preaching in Asia. Paul then had a vision of the Macedonian man calling him to come there and preach. He travelled there in Spirt led obedience, preached and there was increase once again in the Kingdom. Even though he and Silas had to spend some time in prison – the jailer and his family came to the Lord. This is further evidence of the fruit when we are 'intentionally Spirit led.
Already this year we have experienced powerful ministry sessions as we are endeavouring to be more intentional and more Spirit led. We have also received some very encouraging feedback which of course is always welcome!
A wise man once said "nothing changes until it changes.” Let me pose these questions to you. What can you be more intentional about this year? How can you be more Spirit led? Holy Spirit is SO interested in all the details of our lives and truly desires to lead us into a deeper relationship for the glory of Jesus.
The Lord is calling each of us to be led by His Spirit into all He has prepared in advance for us to do and experience in His mighty Kingdom. Would you join us in being more intentionally Spirit led in 2021?