“After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bythinia: but the Spirit suffered them not.”  (Acts 16)

“…the Holy Spirit said…”  (Acts 13)

 

Lord Jesus, in John’s Gospel, chapters 14-16 teaches the disciples and us His doctrine of the Holy Spirit.  He instructs us regarding the offices, the varied offices of the Holy Spirit. Christ tells the disciples that the Spirit would remind them of events in Christ’s Life or bring to their remembrance that which will be necessary to write the Gospels and to preach the gospel.

The Spirit would also bring them comfort in Christ’s Absence. In fact, Christ calls Him the Comforter. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s own or in other words, the Spirit assures us of our salvation or brings us assurance of God’s continuing favour. The above mentioned acts of the Holy Ghost are done without us partaking in the act. What about those times when the Holy Ghost wants to use us?

There are a few ways to look at that dynamic.
*The Jonah way
*The John Mark way
*The Pauline way

The Jonah way is when God wants you to do something so that you might learn something and that He might be glorified through whatever God moves you to do. You might object at first (1st), but you will do what He wants you to do and you will learn what He wants you to learn. It is best to do what He wants you to do and learn what He wants you to learn because not only will you suffer but so will your loved ones.

The John Mark way speaks to the person that gives up to soon.  John Mark, the nephew of Barnabas and the author of The Gospel of Mark. During one (1) of Paul’s missionary journeys along with Barnabas came John Mark. However, John Mark left the ministry; we know not why. John Mark’s departure effected Paul so much that when Uncle Barnabas suggested bringing John Mark along on their next trip, they had to part ways over him. Paul would not have him back and would rather break with Barnabas than receive John Mark. Later in paul’s life he asked that this same John Mark be sent to him as he would be a great help. John Mark was also a friend to Peter as Mark’s Gospel is as much Peter’s as it was Mark’s.

The Pauline way is the saturated way. Paul had decided where to go next with the Gospel but the Holy Ghost thought otherwise. Paul was sensitive to the Spirit’s will. Paul bathed himself in all things God, in all things Christ, and all things Scripture. Reader, this is the way to hear God and to be sensitive to His leading and directing. A man I know once said to God, “Lord, I want to be possessed by Thy Spirit as a demon possesses it’s victim.” He knew what the man was saying and the man knew very well what he was saying. The man testifies to his life changing, his preaching changing, and his love for others growing. The man’s prayer life is constant or rather he says he dwells in God’s Presence and knows nothing of cold praying. This man prays, at times, without words, it is like two (2) close friends or family members sitting in a car together with no awkwardness. This man simply acknowledges God in all his ways and God sees his heart and thinks his feet are beautiful.

Reader, Do you desire a great sensitivity to the Holy Spirit? Do you desire to know God’s will in differing and personally specific matters? Are you scared of being too sensitive and scared of what He might say? This is understandable. However, one never need fear what God may or may not do with them. Some cardinal truths of our faith:
*God knows best.
*God knows what is best for you.
*God knows you.
*God knows what He can do with you or through you.
*God wills you no harm.
*God faileth not, therefore if you are called by God to action or exploit neither shall you.
*This is what faith is for and about.

If you desire, and you should, a sensitivity to the Spirit, bathe yourself, saturate yourself, marinade yourself in all things God. Read the Word, listen to good Christ-ian music that speaks to Christ and not you, Meditate upon God’s Word, God’s ways, God’s works. When you look at a clock or your phone and see the time, whatever time it is look to a Bible passage that mirrors the time. Watch the time and at 3:16 quote John 3:16 to God, He’ll love it. If you desire to dwell in God’s Presence or to pray without ceasing or to be instant in prayer,  practice praying…think upon God…simply thank Him throughout your day, connect God to all your thoughts. Dwell upon thoughts of God.

Something else one can do is simply ask God to possess you as the man above did. Christ tells us that the person who ask, receives. He tells us also to seek and the person that does so will find. Christ says furthermore, if you knock at His door, He will answer. It is often you and I who do not answer when He knocks. That can and should change.