Weekly message: How to develop a spirit life and acquire spiritual discernment?
Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce
Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling
Date: July 23, 2023
Apostle Paul’s triple status & position
For which I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I speak the truth; I do not lie), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1Timothy 2:7)
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A herald is a proclaimer of the gospel of Christ, an official reporter of God’s New Testament economy; an apostle is one sent by God with a divine commission to set up churches for God, an ambassador from God to the world for the carrying out of His purpose; and a teacher is a tutor who teaches, defines, and explains the contents of God’s eternal purpose and His New Testament economy. Paul had such a triple status and commission of the Gentiles.
Apostle Paul delights men to pray
I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men; On behalf of kings and all who are in high position, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all godliness and gravity. This is good and acceptable in the sigh of our Savior God, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and Mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to be borne in its own times. I desire therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and reasoning.( 1 Tim.2:1-6,8)
How to develop your spiritual prayer life?
- Settle a time for praying.
- Set a place particular room for yourself.
- Take note for God’s answers.
- Read two chapters each day.
How to acquire spiritual discernment?
John5:14 say, “This is the confidence which we have before Him that if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us.” There are many historical events that God instructed His servants to fulfill His calling, and gained blessings, victory and walked into a brighter future.
In the Old Testament, when Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all people on earth will be blessed through you.” (Gen.12:1-3). So Abram left, as the Lord had told him. Abram was seventy –five years old when he set out from Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquire in Haran, and they set out the land of Canaan. (Gen.12:5). God gave a new name Abraham, and his wife Sarah. As God’s promises to them, they were fruitful, multiplied and blessed by the Lord.
God instructed and used Moses when he was eighty years old and his brother, Aaron was eight-three when they spoke to Pharaoh. (Exodus7:6) So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. God’s instruction and guidance to Moses was clear, step by step, Moses listened and obeyed the commands. God used Moses and instructed him day by day, and helped Joshua to win the victory in the battle. When Joshua fought the Amalekites, as long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. Aaron and Hur held his hands up one on one side, one on the other-so that his hands remained steadily till sun set. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. (Gen.17:11-14). The Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure the Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory for Amalek from under heaven.” (Gen.17:14) Moses built an altar and called it “The Lord is my Banner”. Heb., Yahweh nissi. He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord. The Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.” (Gen.17:15-16)
God’s instruction and called Samuel to anoint Jesse’s sons. Samuel’s natural thought was appearance and his height. When he saw Eliab, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord instructed Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height for I have rejected him, The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Jesse’s seven sons passed before Samuel, none of them were elected by the Lord, until the youngest son David had brought in. He was ruddy with a fine appearance and handsome features. The Lord instructed Samuel, “Rise and anoint him, he is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.(1Samuel 16:12-13).
God’s election, God’s choices, God’s voice and instruction to Samuel was clear, affirmed, neither confusion, nor according to Samuel’s thinking. It’s important that Samuel kept conscience clear and listened to God’s instruction to anoint the right one.
God’s instruction to Gideon was step by step. Gideon was told by God to lead his people by environmental approval when He questioned, “How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family. “The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.” Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me… if you will save Israel by my hand as your have promised-look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand as you said.” (Judges 6:15,17,36).God affirmed Gideon and approved that he was elected to save Israel. During Gideon’s lifetime, the land enjoyed peace forty year. (Judge8:28).
In New Testament, God’s instruction and prevention to Apostle Paul- the call to Apostle Paul to Europe according to Acts 16: 6-10, it says, “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynial, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us. After Paul had seen the vision, he got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called him to preach the gospel to them. (Acts16:6-10).
How to know God’s guidance? And listen to God’s voice? There are few elements to receive God’s guidance.
The Word of God is His clear instruction about how you should live scriptures you read, but it’s the Holy Spirit who makes it possible for you to hear the message as God speaks. In order to discern and understand God’s guidance, here are a few practical steps that will help you listen to the Holy Spirit.
1. First, you must clean the pathway of your mind- you must rid your life of all known unconfused sin, asks the Lord to forgive you-clear your thinking and your personal desires.
2. Second, Exercise patience. You must willingly to wait until God shows you the way as James 1:4 say, “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt.
- Third, Resist pressure – external- the pressure of other people’s opinions or imposed limitations and internal the pressure of your spirit, when you make a decision based upon perceived pressure rather than clear guidance and direction from God you risk doing the wrong thing.
- Fourth, Persist in prayer – Pray continually (1 Thess5:17) prayer is God’s way of preparing you for an answer. Settle a time for praying and set a place particular room for yourself. Then, take note for God’s answers.
- Fifth, Learn on His promises – read two chapter each day. As Isaiah 48: 17-18 say “ I am the Lord your God who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go; if only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river.” Proverb3:5-6 say, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your path straight.”
- Wait for peace – Colossians 3:15 instructs, “let the peace of Christ rule in your heart,” don’t do it until you get God’s peace
When your heart delight in the Lord and take cross to follow Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit leading day by day, God’s guidance to you will be clear. You will hear and read His words, “This is the way, walk in it.” You don’t need to depend on other people to tell you how to do God’s will. As Apostle Paul, Moses, Abraham, Samuel, and Gideon, God’s instructions to them were clearly and directly. You can’t always trust counsel from other people to tell you where you shall go. It’s your own call, if you commit to Jesus Christ, and He is your Savior, and your heart desires to follow Him, God will direct your path directly by the Holy Spirit and speak to your heart in His Word.
To develop your spiritual life and to acquire spiritual discernment you can follow these steps that I mentioned above. When you ask God, “Lord what is next?” your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it. Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you.” (Isaiah30:21-22). Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen! (1Timothy 1:17)
Bibliography,
King James, The Holy Bible, Cleveland, OH: The world publishing company
Lee, Witness. The New Testament (R.V.) Anaheim, CA: Living Stream Ministry, 1985.
Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.
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