Tag: ask and you will receive

19.u. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God”

Romans 8:12   So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Paul constantly reminds us that living after the flesh ends in death. We need the reminder because we are often deceived into thinking that the flesh offers us life. We have no obligation to oblige or pamper fleshly and worldly desires. Our debt is to the Lord, not to the flesh.  Paul tells us that not only are we saved by the work of the Spirit, but we also must walk by the Spirit if we want to grow and pursue holiness in the Lord. We cannot be like some among the Galatians who thought they could begin in the Spirit but then find spiritual perfection through the flesh.  Paul didn’t say, “As many as go to church, these are the sons of God.” He didn’t say, “As many as read their Bibles, these are the sons of God.” He didn’t say, “As many as are patriotic Americans, these are the sons of God.” He didn’t say, “As many as take communion, these are the sons of God.” In this text, the test for sonship is whether or not a person is led by the Spirit of God. (Guzik)

We are led as we cooperate with the leading. “It does not say, ‘As many as are driven by the Spirit of God.’ No, the devil is a driver, and when he enters either into men or into hogs he drives them furiously. Remember how the whole herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea. Whenever you see a man fanatical and wild, whatever spirit is in him it is not the Spirit of Christ.” (Spurgeon)

Where does the Holy Spirit lead us?

· He leads us to repentance.

· He leads us to think little of self and much of Jesus.

· He leads us into truth.

· He leads us into love.

· He leads us into holiness.

· He leads us into usefulness.

A surrendered soul with a desire to honor and glorify Jesus will have their eyes focused on Jesus Christ and their hearts that are listening for the leading of the Holy Spirit.

And not lose heart

“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

Psalms 116:1  I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.  Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

Psalms 18:1-6     The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalms 31:22-23     I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.  Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

Psalms 34:3-4    Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!  I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Genesis 35:2    So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments.

Psalms 55:16-17     But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.  Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.

Psalms 145:18-19    The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

Luke 18:1    And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Philippians 4:6     do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Satan is very crafty and uses any means possible to place doubts, fears, and anxious thoughts into our mind.  He never tells the truth and will try to convince us that we are without hope, worthless, that God does not care, that God does not hear our prayer, and that waiting for God is a waste of time.  He tries to make us doubt God’s love, promises, sovereignty, power, and faithfulness.

Life has a way of not going according to OUR plan(s).  We have disappointments, heartaches, sadness, loss, and feeling like we have been forgotten.  We are not immune to these thoughts and feelings.  However we can face them with truth.  God is all powerful, steadfast in His love for us, promised to be our rock, refuge, fortress, strength, courage, hope, comfort and heavenly Father.  Not one single trial, trouble, or moment of loss changes these.  Satan’s lies do not change the love God has for those who are called by His name.

When the Israelites had left the Egyptians and were at the shore of the Red Sea.  They turned around and were looking at the full force of the Egyptian army coming toward them with intent of killing them.  God told them to face the sea and not look back.  He showed them looking back turns to fear and doubt (fertile ground for Satan’s attacks)- looking ahead with hope and trust they will see the hand of God, His mighty power, and His faith sustaining and unfailing steadfast love.

Look ahead clinging to, relying on and trusting in God who is able to do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.