Spiritual Promptings

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is the agent of change in every believer’s life. In fact those who are indwelled by the Spirit of God are guaranteed to change as He prompts them. The Holy Spirit draws, convicts, seals, teaches, reminds, fellowships with, imparts gifts to, helps, comforts, prays for, empowers, fills, and sanctifies every child of God.

Many people mistake their own fleshly desires for the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Those who often say, “God told me…” are susceptible to subjects feelings and emotions. And the only guy more dangerous in the church than the guy who says, “God told me…” is the guy who says, “God told me to tell you…”.

Do I believe God still speaks? Absolutely! But not in a revelatory sense. God is not giving special revelation to special spiritual people. Those who think they have special revelation are trying to use spiritual intimidation to gain power. The Spirit of God simply prompts us to obey what God has already revealed in His written Word.

How can you be certain that you are being prompted by the Holy Spirit? The best way is to confirm it with a passage from the Word of God. The Spirit of God never conflicts with the Word of God. In fact, the Spirit of God inspired the Word of God and illuminates the Word of God to our minds as we read it. The further you move from the Word of God the less certain you can be you have been prompted by the Spirit of God.

I made a quick list of all the spiritual promptings I could remember receiving from God’s Spirit last week. After I made the list I realized that every one of them could be confirm by something I had previously read in Scripture.

• Get out of bed. Psalm 127:2 
• Go to bed. Proverbs 6:9-10, 20:13 
• Make the bed. Matthew 23:11 
• Write that “Thank you” note. Phil. 1:3 
• Tell your wife you love her. Eph. 5:33 
• Snuggle with your kids. Eph. 6:4 
• Pray for your mom. James 5:15 
• Slow down. 1Peter 2:13-16 
• Don’t eat that. Proverbs 23:21 
• Don’t buy that. Luke 14:28 
• Turn that off. Psalm. 46:10 
• Read this book. Proverbs 9:9 
• Pay for his lunch. Acts 20:35 
• Ask his forgiveness. Matthew 5:23-24 
• Text your friend. Proverbs 27:10 
• Confront your friend. Proverbs 27:5-6 
• Relax. Matthew 6:34 
• Read your Bible. Psalm 119:97 
• Ask for help. James 4:6 
• Provide help. 1Cor. 15:1-3 

What is the Spirit of God prompting you to do today?

My Love/Hate Relationship with Words

I have a love/hate relationship with words.

I love words because they are God’s chosen vehicle to deliver His truth to the human race. Words convey the gospel. In fact, Jesus is called the living Word of God and the Bible is the written Word of God. Everything in creation exists because God spoke words. God’s words are true. God’s words are clear. God’s words are revealing. God’s words are sharp.

I love God’s words and I love speaking and writing words about God’s Word.

I am humbled when someone says, “You are a gifted speaker” after I deliver a message. But then I wonder, “It may be a gift, but it sure feels like work!” What takes me 45 minutes to say on Sunday often takes 15 to 20 hours to prepare Monday through Saturday.

And that is why I sometimes hate the excruciating pain it takes to craft the message with precision. As a preacher, I take very seriously my responsibility is to handle accurately the word of truth. The most often used key on my keyboard is the delete key, not because my words are misspelled, but because they miss the impact I want to make and misrepresent the power of the message.

I recently saw a tweet from John Piper that made me realize I’m not the only preacher with this love/hate relationship with preparing words worthy of the gospel…“Tears, I feel you. You make me want to quit life. But excuse me, the Master has given me work to do. I must prepare a sermon.”

So, on this Tuesday morning, the countdown to Sunday has begun. Five days and counting…