Luke – Wide Open Doors!
The Holy Spirit’s leading is talked about often in our churches, small groups, training classes and other discipleship events to bring us closer to the will of God. What does it mean to be led by the Spirit? To have and to hold the leading of God’s Holy Spirit requires a letting go of our natural tendencies to go our own way, making decisions based only on what we see, hear and touch. Being led by God means laying down our independent spirit and will. An all-knowing God sees more than we can and knows what is best. But He loves us enough to give us a choice. We can follow …or not.
Sometimes, for stubborn people like me, it means being broken in my own spirit, because of going my own way with the arrogance to think I can direct my own path my way. God allows me to live like this because of free will but I also have to live with the consequences of my decision. When I can look up from the mess I made and ask for His help, our amazing forgiving God extends grace and mercy. He brings me out the mess and back to real life. I then clearly see the benefits of living in and by God’s Spirit.
Those who follow their own ways are not happy, have no peace or inner joy and wander from place to place with relatively no direction or focus. Unhealthy fear drives them to greater lows every time their situation or circumstances change without their control. They don’t know what to do or where to go next. They are lost. They don’t look up, only down and from side to side. Blame is on others for their demise. They don’t respect or fear God, who knows all, created all, is in control of all, loves all and provides for all. This unhealthy fear, helplessness, without hope attitude drives them to deeper despair. Being lost is not a good place to reside. But it doesn’t have to be this way!
I decided to be led by the One who knows me best and loves me forever. I made a choice a long time ago that I would rather give up my own stubborn will that leads no where. I have tested this from time to time by falling back to my own will with bad results. Every. Time.
Fortunately, God’s Holy Spirit pursues me and brings me back. Once you say yes to God, He will not let you go! I love that about God, our Father! Because of 
my love and healthy fear of our all powerful God, I desire to be led by His Holy Spirit living in me! I know that God will lead me on many adventures that will teach me, grow me and mature me in ways beyond my wildest dreams! He has proven that over and over again.
my love and healthy fear of our all powerful God, I desire to be led by His Holy Spirit living in me! I know that God will lead me on many adventures that will teach me, grow me and mature me in ways beyond my wildest dreams! He has proven that over and over again. Saying yes to God’s plan and purpose and no to my will takes me to higher places of thinking and behaving. Going my own way is actually a burden to heavy to bear. I know and trust God to protect me as He keeps a count of all the hairs on my head! (Even though those hairs are now silver and gray!) I know His love for me is so deep and intimate that I have only begun to scratch the surface of His care. I know that the more I realize His love for me, the more I love others like He loves me.
HOLY PAUSE…What about you? Are you lost?
Are you going your own way? How’s that working for you?
God is waiting to get you back on the road with His direction for getting you where He wants you to be. He loves you that much. God wants His best for all of us!
Ready for God’s best? Say yes to God!
In our next passage of Luke, you will find the word truth explained many times. Read slowly and carefully. See who God is and what He wants for us. See how He helps us to be and do what is pleasing to Him and best for us.
Luke 12, New Living Translation
A Warning against Hypocrisy
Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.6 “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. 9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
WHAT DO WE LEARN?1. God’s Truth will win. All lies will be uncovered.
2. Hypocrisy breaks the heart of God. Don’t go there. Be real.
3. People may kill our bodies but our believing souls live forever with God.
4. God’s Spirit will lead us in through all situations and circumstances. Everything is beyond our control. Nothing is beyond God’s control. (Read this one numerous times until it sinks in!)
5. God’s Holy Spirit will give us His words to say when we are cornered by unbelievers. Stand for Christ and He will stand for us!
6. God’s Holy Spirit will lead us to all Truth, God’s Truth.
7. God’s Holy Spirit guides, teaches, corrects, comforts, and convicts us as we abide with God and He abides with us.
Dear Heavenly Father, Savior and Lord,Thank you for your Holy Spirit that teaches us each day through Your Word and through others who know you. Thank you for loving us so much that you count the hairs on our heads! Thank you for peace and inner joy no matter what is going on around us for we know you are in control and your Truth will win and has already won. Thank you for saving our souls. Thank you for abiding with us. Go with us. Continue your transformation work in us.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 