I wish I had known

Your not even going to care Brother. Because once you see Him, all our "I wish I had of done more" will be gone, because He did it all.

I gather from the Word that we're not to be autonomous. That we're to be dependent on The Holy Spirit for our thoughts and actions. Hearing the Voice of the Spirit of Jesus - The Shepherd and following. 'Thinking' what He puts in our minds, as we lean on Him - moment by moment -- fully dependent on Him - as a little child. Looking up, of our own free volition, for Him to speak, in our inner man.
To follow a list is trying to please Him by ourselves. "Without Me you can do nothing".
The only "good intention" that He honors, is learning His 'Voice'. His direction, His leading, His counsel, His thoughts and so forth - moment by moment -- as He did, while on the earth. He waited on the Father to give Him the words to speak, and works He did. Never autonomously, for our example.

What do you think?

We will wish we had known that we were supposed to "walk as He walked" - "in solely His Spirit - for moment to moment direction and to be taught of Him.

"Spirit and Truth"

We've become autonomous and that is why the Church is either lazy or self-righteous.

Lord help us to understand your words. Help us to hear. Only then will You be pleased - that if we walked as you walked - dependent on The Holy Spirit for every move - then not one minute of our lives would be spent on SELF and would lack that pride that comes from doing it "our way". We wonder why we don't get that much out of our prayer time or Bible reading or evangelism ---- It's because The SPIRIT is not working through us and we're doing it on our own.

Lean not to your own understanding, but in All your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

So no man can glory before God.

As children, we were taught that, before we cross the street, that we should "Stop - Look and Listen". That is what God requires of us.
It can become natural to us, if we'd just shut down our autonomy.

Reading Galatians and Romans properly, we see that "a legalist" is one who follows the law in their own flesh and not by walking in His power/Spirit. Read the book of Acts. They moved in the Spirit - as Jesus taught them to.

The Spirit fulfills the law and has a much longer list then we could ever conceive of - it is the "being conformed into the actual image of Christ."

If we don't learn His Voice now - we won't make it through as victorious overcomers. We throw our crowns down at His feet, because we will know it was Him working through us. He just wanted us to die to self and LISTEN TO HIS VOICE AND FOLLOW.

As He was in the world - so should we be.

That list is a piece of cake. The Holy Spirit has that list covered plus an infinite length longer.

When we "hear" Him and "follow" - minute by minute 24/7 - then and only then can we say we've attained.

Dying to self is not just following a list.

Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

HE being given free reign in our lives will make us do nothing but fulfill that list PLUS anything more - which would be an aweful lot more - "To Be Like Him" and not just imitate Him. Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

We need more teaching on "walking in His Spirit".

Walking in the flesh is Not just what we think as 'sinning'. It is walking autonomous of His Voice/Spirit/Leading.

It is so very drastically different than following a list on our own - in and of our own strength by what we 'think' we should be doing at any given moment. He transcends our ideas of "what we think we should be doing" - HE wants control of our thoughts, so we can be vessels for His use. Holy is "seperated unto holy use."
The vessel has nothing in itself - only the Hand using it makes it useful.
It is being led by His Spirit in ALL things.

Such as, who to speak to and when and what to say and to even know, by His gifts, what their needs are, that they aren't even aware of.
Do I pray now, or is the Holy Spirit trying to get my attention to call someone? "Listening to Him" is what "walking in dependence on the Spirit is" - Just as HE did - as our example - though He was GOD - He became man to teach us 100% dependence on His leading/Voice.

It's hearing Him say - put that book down and go look out the front window. Just in time to save your neighbors child from a stranger.

On and on and on it goes. But no - we dwell on our "own" thoughts and not trying to learn His.

If we're following lists - we'd never hear these leadings. We'd be fulfilling that list and so far beyond that list - that we'd be as He was in this world.

I sorrow that the Church has lost the teaching of leaning whole heartedly on His voice/Spirit and just add more and more to those things that will be burnt up when He comes. "wood, hay and stubble" are the works we do in the flesh. Not the Spirit of the law but back to the letter.

People fear throwing confidence in their own flesh away, because it robs their own glory.

Maybe this short clip by Bro. Daniel will bring more clarity.

[i]" I am somewhat alarmed. I have become so busy. I wonder how much of God’s will I am missing? How much of my leading is according to the mind of God? I was encouraged by what a brother told me recently. He had to travel to speak at some meetings. I had asked him to go by Express train. Suddenly, I called him that afternoon and said, "Change your ticket and go by the passenger train." He just obeyed. Of course he could not understand the rationale behind what I said. When the train reached a certain area, he saw the Express train was derailed and all the people in it were shaken up. They were all rushing into his train. He was comfortably lying on the top berth. Even in little things, we should be led by God. Are we blundering around, because of the pressures today? This is a big question to me. This is a sad question. Are we still crying out, "Abba Father, the glory I am bringing to You is too small. I am not being led by Your Spirit in every little thing." [/i]

Brother Keith, you only commented on my 'wee' post.

Did you understand the second longer one?

Just wondering if I'm expressing "walking autonomously" vs "walking in the spirit" adequately.

Thanks!

Keith - this is not putting your post down. This is an attempt to release a 'strong' burden and not from your post -----

Are we going to do "this walk with Him" in our own strength as most "Religions" or "Moral Dogmas" or are we going to "walk in total dependence on the Spirit" (as HE did) because we love Him?

the list - with the nutshell version of what Paul called "experiential" knowledge and not just knowledge for itself. Wanted to add Scriptures for all - but this is going to be Long enough without them.

Prayed more? .... PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. Doesn't mean continual 'petitioning' but being in that constant two way communion with Him which happens because you are crazy in love with Him and know you can't do anything right if it's not from Him - called "walking in the Spirit" - as HE did.

Read the Word more? ..... If you Love Him more than yourself, you'll want to know everything He's said and want it planted deep (hid) inside your heart.

Been kinder to everyone? ...... If you Love Him with all of your heart - you can't help but love His creation - because you see them as HE does. For God so loved the world. Unsaved people are some of the "kindest" people I've met. Kindness in our own strength is hypocracy. Anybody can be "nice" and usually because they want others to admire them.

Been more careful with my words? ..... If you Love Him, and are in constant two-way communion with Him - then you will speak the words He gives you to say and not your own. Whether they are exhortations or rebukes.

Set aside foolish things and press into Him? ..... You cannot Love Him without this is being a natural by-product.

Not cared so much about...? .... If you Love Him - you will be "singled sighted". He will be all you care about.

Gotten rid of my television? ... Agreed - but there have been maybe two times over the course of the years where the Lord will lead me to plug it in and turn it on and I find out why once it's on.

Witnessed more? ... When you are filled with His Spirit and dependent on His Spirit alone ... you become a witness - as HE was - even if you're just in a room full being quiet. You speak as HE leads and gives the direction of what to say to each person as "individuals".

Been more bold with people? ... Only His Love in us makes us bold. If we don't love - we shouldn't be bold.

Had more patience? ... If you walk in the Spirit - the fruit (singular) is the natural by-product that comes from Him - not us.

Been more giving? ... A heart fervently in love with Him and His creation Will Be a Giver.

Given up ... Weeping may endure for a night - but joy comes in the morning. Faith comes by hearing The Word and what He allows to happen to us.

Not cared what other people think? ... There is no fear in Love.

Argued less? .... One can only walk in the spirit AS they die to self - the lack of love is a sign that we aren't dead.

Loved more? .... Without His Love - you won't be saved in the end.

Cared less about my reputation? .... Faith again - comes from His Word and Living it out.

Listened more to my inner promptings? .... Inner promptings are CONSTANT. That is the whole message of "walking in the Spirit."

Worshipped more? ... LOVING HIM. You can't say, Hey, I should worship now. It should just be a constant state of being.

Laid aside every weight? ..... LOVE again as it's all that in the end. If you are looking constantly up to Him for guidance - He'll never lead you to sin. It is when we get our eyes or ears off of Him that we sin.

Put a watch on my attitude? - Again, in the flesh or your own strength - this is like trying to hold a beach ball under water. If you depend on the mind of Christ and His Word to renew your mind, because you love Him -- He'll give you the attitude needed for the situation.

Analyzed less and acted more? -- DIE TO SELF. The Holy Spirit will do the "discerning" for you, even if you think things are alright.

Slept less? --- To be an empty vessel - is to be placed on the shelf or pulled of the shelf for service as it's pliable in His Hands.
Some days He'll allow you to sleep 10 hours. Then only four for a long time. And at times, not at all.

Fasted more? ... He has to tell you how long and how. Some are given to extremes without His direction.

Wept for revival? .... Love makes us weep a lot.

Wept over my sins? ..... If you are in His presence - you will stay constantly aware that you are not like Him and that will grieve you - yet - that faith in His working in us stands.

Memorized more scripture? .... Same as Above .... - If you love HIM, you'll want to know everything He's said and have it planted deep (hid) inside your heart.

Resolved that my only motive would be to glorify the Father? .... if you love Him you will want nothing for yourself.

Taught my children better? ... If you love Him - you will have Him in conversation - more than anything else.

Loved my spouse better? .... If you see who the spouse Represents on earth as in Heaven and it's His Love - Who could love better than Him.

Fulfilled the call God placed on my life? .... If your thoughts are always toward Him. Pray without ceasing - Love union of minds.

Honored God more? .... Love is honor.

Trusted God more? .... You trust because HE Loves us.

Had more faith? ..... We cannot pump up faith. It takes a co-operative Two-way relationship and seeing His Hand in all things.

Been more discerning? ..... we can only pray for and depend on Him to GIVE discernment and by how much time we spend in His presence - pray without ceasing and hiding His Word in our hearts.

Made better decisions? .... those who are led by the spirit and not by their own desires will.

Been a better steward of....? .... LOVE of Him again and always first.

Not gone into debt? .... Love of Him causes one to die to SELF.

Paid off my debt? .... Wouldn't have gotten into debt if led by the Spirit.

Made my time with God my top priority? .... How could one not want to spend every waking minute with someone they love so much.

Had more family time in the Word? .... same as with children .... If you love Him - you will have Him in conversation - more than anything else.

Done what I knew to do? .... The thing He has asked us to do is to not live autonomously and to LOVE HIM with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and Strength.

Obeyed the scriptures? .... If you love Him and His Voice - He will guide you as much as YOU want Him too.

Feared and reverenced the Lord more? .... Must have a true "revelation of Christ" first. Bottomline. (It's not a religion, in other words)

Not spoken so many idle words? .... If you are listening to Him - His words for that moment will come. Some may see them as "idle, useless, foolish,etc." words - but He knows 'why' it's being said and to whom. The words that come from self - are acting autonomously again and not in His Love.

Apologized more? .... Die to self so we can live in the newness of HIS life -- which 'is' walking in communion with the Spirit.

Repented more? .... Again - this should be a constant state of mind - yet does not rob that faith or joy of salvation.

Spent so much time worrying? .... Again ... Faith comes by hearing His Word and knowing He loves us and is in complete control of all that comes at us. He is not "causing" everything - but He wants to "cause everything" to work for the good -- which is - to be used to transform us into His Image - if we allow it.

Spent so much time working for things that didn't matter? ..... LOVE. For where your Treasure is, there will heart be.

Sought wisdom? .... In His presence. Pray without ceasing. Love union and two way communion without ceasing.

Gotten serious about my sin? ..... If you Love Him .......

All of the above and more? ....... If you Love Him more than yourself or anyone or anything else - you will be as the clay in His hands. Love is the water that softens the clay.

"Right now is the moment of decision, saints" ...... To Seek Him until you Love Him with all of your mind, soul and strength. The more you do - the more the Love will come From Him into you. He's never asked us to do things on our owns that He won't fulfill in us. We 'will' to love Him. We 'will' to please Him. We 'will' to not walk in our own wisdom .... bottomline ... we allow Him to crucify all that is 'us'. Even what 'we' think is our "good traits". Living sacrifices - totally dependent on Him for us to live and move and have our being ... to where it is no longer "us" that lives ... but Christ that lives 'through' us. That's HIS Goal in us.

Seek HIM for Himself, so that you'll love Him more than Yourself.

Then HE'LL get All the Glory for fulfilling all of the above [i]through[/i] us. That's how true humility comes. Obedience to His Voice cannot make one proud - quite the contrary. His Love will kill 'you'.

HE asked - "When I return - will I find FAITH?" We have to ask - what 'type' of Faith - in Who?

Being "led" by the Spirit is the NORMAL Christian life. But we don't want to - because the people will treat you as they treated Him and His Apostles, Prophets and other Authors of our Bibles.

You can beat the sheep or lead them to their Shepherd to be "led".

Brokeness is when we see that we CAN'T do anything without HIM which is what "walking in His Spirit" is.

Oh Brother - no, don't worry about when or even if you comment at all.

I'll release this burden if it kills me - but it doesn't have to be here.

LORD Bless you!!!

Brother Keith. I understood your first post. I felt it too, physically.

I think most do think these thoughts and they're probably the only reason to want to keep going - in order to do better everyday and to have Hope. His mercies are new every morning.

What I saw was just the missing denominator.

"For the will to do" is there - but not our key to the way out.

As they say - "problem - reaction - solution"

You see the problem, it causes a reaction inside, for those who care about their eternity - but the solution - "the doing" is not 'of us' alone and could cause frustration or a Gal 3:3 'try & fail' frustration. And not just on this thread but I wrote those posts on here because I'd been there - done that for a while in my 'trying to please Him' and it was not the steady firm Rock that will get us through.
Not the looking unto Jesus. Not out of extreme love but from fear alone.

Yesterday, I 'somehow' fixed my ability to download messages. Bless The LORD!
I found out through Josef's thread, of the compilation that he did, that I could download after having been messing with settings for a while.

Sometimes I just stare at the homepage and the LORD allowed my eyes to catch the title of a message, so I downloaded it too.

So grateful He picked this one, because it encouraged my heart, that there are many feeling what this Pastor shares with His Church.
There are A People out there that want more and more and more of HIM, in the here and now.

I don't listen to these with my brain but with the spirit. So chuck the brain and enjoy. :-)

[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=15361&commentView=itemComments]The Deep Groanings of the righteous.[/url]

Brother Keith, threads bring out discussions.
I saw no contentions here - thank God. If you're the sensitive type - just remember - threads will bring discussion - that's what they're intended for.

Did ya get to listen to that Message by Brother Conlin?

It was beautiful!

God Bless.

Hi Keith, God is working on all of us. He needs to. And possibly in an accelerated fashion for some. Time may be short.

I'll try again to explain -

"Not I but Christ"

[b]Luke 4:1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. [/b]

I prefer to avoid "Greek expositions" because they are not the common language/grammar, but in this verse above about Jesus, I think it better explains what 'I' tried to say on page 2 when trying to "unload a general burden" - unconnected necessarily from this thread, but in general.

All that happens to us, is to bring us to "the end of ourselves" (Rom8:28 for 29) and realize we Must "walk as He did", or else it's 'wood, hay and stubble' (for our own glory), if done in our own or by our own understanding (which increases Pride) --- without first asking Him - His Spirit - what to think, say, do - as He did - and not by any other means but by His Word & leading alone --- "Spirit & Truth".

Breaking down just Luke 4:1 may shed light on Rom 8:14.

I'm sure one of the brothers can do this much better but just briefly - The words "Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost" alone - in any language, speaks for itself. He did not depend on himself - He walked His walk dependent on hearing from the Father through the Holy Spirit. Praise GOD!

The word "led" in Luke 4:1 is a Future Participle in the Imperfect Tense - but to define that quite simple - it means "continuous" action.

Another place we find "continuous" action that would go along with the thought of the two verses posted above are found in John 10 - where the "characteristics" of His Sheep is described.

This is another place where "continuous" action is described - but this time with the Present Active Participle. The words in that category are "hear" and "follow". Many times the KJV will place the "eth" after a word that we in our modern English would use "ing". As in John 3:16 - For GOD so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever "believeth" in Him, shall not perish, but have Everlasting Life.

"Believeth" would be rendered now as "is continuously believing". That is the Present Active Participle.

So back to John 10 and the characteristics of His Sheep - with this Present Active Participle - The sheep are "continously hearing and continuously following" and why Romans 8:14 is above, under Luke 4:1.

And what makes true Christianity so very very much different than any Religion on earth.

It's not a human trying to fulfill a list of laws - but The VERY CREATOR GOD, indwelling a human, as HE did The Word Made Flesh for our example - in that HE did Nothing of Himself while in the flesh, but continuously remained dependent on The Father to "lead" Him by The Holy Spirit to fulfill The Word - both the written Word and the present Word, as the example of the sheep and John 16:13.

Legalism or following "the letter of the law", is man's attempt to please GOD by what he knows.

Being dependent of the Spirit of the Law - is seeing that The Word is Spirit and cannot be humanly discerned nor fulfilled nor are humans TO "do it" on their own - but as Jesus - walk in The Spirit (dependent). Even to praise - "In Spirit & In Truth". By His Spirit Only - so that no flesh may Glory in His Presence. Fully dependent to hear and follow continuously - as He did. Some may call it 'dying to self.' Jesus said, "Without ME - you can do NOTHING" - "By Faith". This is what we learn little by little or as He sees fit to work Romans 8:28,29 and how we view Phil 3:7-15.

And why we see them throwing down their crowns before Him - present & future tense.