Sunday 17th March 2013 - GOD's WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS - Brain Nish

GOD's WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS INTRODUCTION (Isa 55v8-9) For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways says The Lord For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts Pro 3v5 - Trust in The Lord with all your heart and do NOT lean into your own understanding God just isn't like us! Part of Him will always be a wonderful mystery! Before saying any more I want to put in two caveats: 1) God still uses sanctified common sense, through a renewed mind, which agrees with His word 2) Avoid the super spiritual flaky end - where people are hearing from God 24 hours a day - and always insist that what they have heard is right B/A at Ffald-y-Brenin Blessing Conf BIBLICAL EXAMPLES Ex 14v21 - At the Red Sea Swim - or get the ferry from Egypt to the Promised Land? No - God parted the waters Ex 17v6 - No water to drink Dig a well or find a river in the desert? No - strike the rock and water will come out Num 20v8 - No water to drink again No problem, Moses knew what to do now?? Wrong! This time speak to the rock (relationship not methodology) Josh 3v13 - Crossing the Jordan in flood "Quick, look for the staff of Moses" Look for wood to build a boat (LARGE) No - get the priests to stand in the water Josh 6v1 - Taking the city of Jericho Lay siege to the city - starve them out No - march around the city walls for 6 days - in silence On 7th day march around 7 times - blow trumpets and shout - and the walls will fall down flat Josh 7-8 - Sin in the camp. Defeat at Ai Victory at Jericho. Just like Moses, Joshua knew what to do now. Wrong! He should have enquired of the Lord first (relationship not methodology or over confidence) Ez 4v4-6 - Ezekiel and prophetic symbolism Lie on his left side for 390 days (for sins of Israel) Lie on his right side for 40 days (for sins of Judah) Jesus in the Gospels Jesus born in a stable Angels appeared to shepherds - not kings and governments He often challenged people to do something to release their faith At pool of Bethesda "Take up your bed and walk" (John 5v8) Feeding of 5,000. He gave the bread and fish to disciples to feed the people He anointed the eyes of a blind man with clay "Go to the pool of Siloam and wash Acts 10v9 - Peter's vision on the rooftop This was against everything that Peter had believed in all his life - what a choice! Acts 16v9 - Paul's vision about man of Macedonia They had tried to go to different places but God had prevented them Now they respond in obedience to a dream EXAMPLES FROM CHURCH HISTORY Charles Finney A successful lawyer to a great revivalist The healing farmer God told him to spit on his hands then pray for the sick Gladys Aylward Went to China against all the odds 1950s revival in Argentina Told in a prayer meeting to 'hit the table' Tommy Hicks given the word 'Peron' 1994 Toronto revival John Arnott didn't understand what was going on God said to him "John you don't even understand your own wife, so how are you ever going to understand Me?" 1997 Smithton revival Smithton had a population of 532 people Ffald-y-Brenin A small retreat centre that's very difficult to find WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US? We're not only God's children (Rom 8v16) but we're a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation (1 Pet 2v9) Holy - separated to God/purity/total surrender God is our Creator - He is sovereign - He knows the end from the beginning - and He is our loving Father Therefore we need to do the following: Recognise that Father knows best Develop an intimate relationship with Him and listen for His voice Continually renew our minds with the word of God Live in a place of total surrender to Him Both hear AND obey His written and prophetic word Remember that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam 15v22) Trust in The Lord with all your heart and do NOT lean into your own understanding