Lesson 5

1. Lesson 5

2. “Can I Be Prompted By the Spirit Today?” www. faithbuilders.wikispaces.com

3. Decision Making in 2012 Emotional based decisions Fact based decisions Intuition based decisions Insightful decisions UIP decisions Unidentified Inner Promptings

4. Man, unlike animals, is uniquely made and enabled to communicate with God. We have an inner, “secret chamber” within our being. It is where the Lord speaks to us. Proverbs 4:23 Psalm 139:1,2,3; 13-14

5. I Kings 19:11-12 11 So He said, " Go forth, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lordwas not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lordwas not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lordwas not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing.”13 And it came about when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. UIPs (Unidentified Inner Promptings) In Scripture

6. Acts 20:21-23 22 "And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.” (NASB77) The Spirit of God give an “extraordinary” sense of the circumstances AND the confidence that regardless of those circumstances God will prevail. UIPs (Unidentified Inner Promptings) In Scripture

7. Acts 27:7-10 And when we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone; 8 and with difficulty sailing past it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. 9 And when considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them, 10 and said to them, "Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be attended with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." UIPs (Unidentified Inner Promptings) In Scripture

8. 2 Cor 12:8-10 Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. UIPs (Unidentified Inner Promptings) In Scripture

9. UIPs (Unidentified Inner Promptings) In Our World How Does the Spirit Keep Me from Sin? Dr. Richard Halverson left his long term pastorate to become the chaplain of the U.S. Senate. Suddenly he felt inadequate. In his words, “I felt like a non-person among the Congress. I felt like a mascot to one of the most powerful political bodies in the world.” That evening he read Matthew 28:18,20. As he meditated on those words, he realized, “I am a garment which Jesus wears every day to do what He wants to do in the U.S. Senate. I don’t need power, my weakness is my asset. If Christ is in me, what more do I need.

10. UIPs (Unidentified Inner Promptings) In Our World How Does the Spirit Keep Me from Sin? At the age of seventy two, after having earned seven university including two PhDs, Charles McCoy was mandated to retire. A week later he met a pastor from India, and prompted by the Holy Spirit, asked him to preach at his church. The Indian pastor returned the favor and invited Pastor McCoy to India to speak at his church. Despite the warnings of his church he accepted and booked a one-way passage to India. Upon his arrival he discovered his trunk was lost and in route to the church both his wallet and passport were stolen. At the church he was told the pastor who had invited him was still in the United States and not expected to return.

11. UIPs (Unidentified Inner Promptings) In Our World How Does the Spirit Keep Me from Sin? Unperturbed McCoy told the Indian church members that he had come to preach and would try to see the mayor of Bombay. Again, despite the objections of the locals he felt (UIP!) that this was his calling. His business card, listing all of his degrees was so impressive to the mayor that he not only received an appointment but was asked to speak to a group of influential leaders at a tea held in his honor. Thus was launched a brand-new sixteen year ministry for Dr. Charles McCoy. His sensitivity to the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit led him to the most productive time of his life. He went home to be with the Lord at the age of 88.

12. Our ability to recognize UIPs in our daily lives is directly related to how well we know and understand the work of the Holy Spirit. 1. He is with us forever. - John 14:16 2. The world at large cannot accept him. - John 14:17 3. He lives with us and in us. – John 14:17 4. He teaches us – John 14:26 5. He reminds us of Jesus' words John 15:26 6. He convicts us of sin, shows us God's righteousness, and announces God's judgment on evil John 16:8 7. He guides into truth and gives insight into future events John 16:13 8. He brings glory to Christ John 16:14