Those Unidentified Inner Promptings, Part 3

Today on Insight for living from Chuck's window.

Some of our favorite words in Scripture came right from the Lord to Paul he said when I heard the Lord say no.

I also heard the Spirit say my grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness and now Paul's response. Most gladly therefore I will boast about my weakness because when I am weak he is strong, perhaps your stomach is churning. You're not certain where the turmoil was coming from one of those confusing moments we discern whether it's nothing more than a lack of sleep or God is trying to speak to us today on Insight for living. Chuck Swindoll continues our study about the Holy Spirit.

This is message number 714 part series called flying closer to the flame Chuck title today study those unidentified inner promptings. Normally, when you and I know the bonds and afflictions await us.

We are frightened but not with the spirit of God brings a sense of reassurance could just not explain the relentless courage and determination of the martyrs and the missionaries of years gone by when you read their lives. You say shaking your head. I can't imagine how they endured such a thing. They live with himself that he would sleep at night.

It was the spirit of God. They were bound in the spirit in the midst of these threatening fears does not explain the courage and determination of the reformers who thought they would lose reputation occupation status. Imagine that for their convictions, they would be excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church for their convictions, they would be burned at the stake. In some cases for their convictions and they considered their lives were worthy of death, how could they do that they are bound in the spirit I say to you again. I can't make it more clear how to make it clearer than that. There was just that promptings, I am here. I am aware of what you're going through.

I know of the threats I tell you I will take you through the turn for March 20 – 27. We give you this this subject and then will look at it quickly asked, 27, one of the most adventuresome scenes in all the New Testament if you love sailing you will love. Acts 27 if you like life in the open sea and the challenge of going from point A to point B in a store, you are weird, but you will love. Acts 27 in this account. Dr. Lucas present which is why he says we all the way through the account.

He's the writer of acts and he's including himself with Paul. As a crescendo of danger intensifying as each mile passes in the sea.

So we call it this in times of potential disaster.

The Spirit prompts. Enter reassurance and outer peace in times of potential. Let's call it danger and disaster. The Spirit prompts reassurance, enter reassurance and outer peace when it was decided we should sail for Italy. They proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustin cohort named Julius remember this injury will see him several times on the ship and embarking in the end at Dravidian's ship which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia. Sorry don't have a map in front of you. It's very exciting when you start exactly where they went. We put out to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus of Macedonian of Thessalonica and the next day we put in at Seiden and Julius Azar centurion Fran treated Paul with consideration allowed them to go to his friends and received care and from there we put out to sea, and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary and when they had. We have sail through the sea along the coast of solution Pamphylia we landed Myra in light Lyceum and there.

The centurion found in Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and he put us subordinates of the chain ships and when you have sail slowly for a good many days and with difficulty had arrived all night us since the wind did not permit us to go farther.

We sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salamone and with difficulty sailing past it. We came to a certain place called Fairhaven's considerable time and pass the voice was not danger since even the fast was already over. Paul began to admonish them look at what he says may not perceive that the voyage will certainly be attended with damage and great loss is called a premonition in human terms not only of the cargo when the ship but also of our lives. I since were in first gear danger, but the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship that he was by what Paul said because the harbor was not suitable for wintering the majority reached a decision to put off the sea. From there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix Harbor Crete facing Northeast and Southeast and spend the winter there and want to monitor itself when came up, supposing that they had gained their purpose.

They weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete close inshore but before very long. There rushed down from the land of violent wind called Yurok Hilo and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along were in for trouble K were out of control and running under the shelter of a small island called clutter. We were scarcely able to get the ship's boat under control, and after that had hoisted it up they use supporting cables and undergirding the ship and fearing that they might run aground in the shallows, they let down the sea anchor and let themselves be driven along the next day as we were being violently storm tossed, they began to jettison the cargo and on the third day, they threw the ships tackle overboard with their own hands and since neither son nor stars appeared for many days and no small storm was assailing from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned me and we sit in this comfortable place and we read the story and we think music to get through to get that coffee for go to bed tonight.

I mean we got our minds on 100 other things in, and I mean imagine this and then on top of everything else there at sea and are starting to lose cargo they've already lost control and are afraid of losing life at the picture at Stepanek that's that the disaster the potential disaster so verse 21 when they had gone a long time without food. Paul stood up in their midst. Watch this this is terrific man you want to have followed my ice to love guys like that. I told you so way back there in the areas of the ship man I told you back, but we were together that we didn't have to go through all of this is bouncing all around hanging on to the lines the cables and not to upset sailed from Crete and encourages damage and loss and in yet now I urge you to keep up your courage say that it is the work of the Spirit of God that gives this kind of courage.

It doesn't come naturally and gave them a sense of inner reassurance and outer peace says I urge you keep your courage, for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship for this very night.

An angel of God, to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me saying, do not fear. Paul must stand before Caesar and before God and behold God has granted you all those who were sailing with you. Therefore, I heard from God.

Keep up your courage man. For I believe God it will turn out exactly as I had been told we must run aground on a certain island is that for a concluding comment by the way were to run aground. But when the 14th night it come as we were being 14th night one of the vomiting 14 days in a row. We were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea about midnight the sailors began to surmise they were approaching some land that took soundings found to be 20 fathoms little farther on the sounding 15 fathoms fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks. They cast four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak. A love that brings a bright red career. Hurry. They waited for daybreak. As the sailors were trying to escape from the ship. I let down the a and had let down that the ships into the sea on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow. Paul said to the centurion the others unless those men remained in the ship cannot be saved.

You guys are forgetting and panic your you're getting off like like rats from a sinking ship. Stay exactly what I told you to stay seated, met with God.

The soldiers cut away the rope from the ships boat let it fall away until day was about to dawn Paul was encourage them all to take some food that great breakfast you guys so see little strength today is the 14th day you been constantly watching going without eating, having taken nothing. I encourage you to take some food for this is for your preservation, not a hair from the head of any of you so. She said is not for the third time.

Having said this, he took bread, gave thanks broken began to eat all of them were encouraged.

They themselves took food is an amazing the power the inspiration.

One man can bring to a whole ship full of people, even season sailors and here is this man not that accustomed assailing recess to them. Trust me, get a bite to eat, will watch God work that's exactly what happened in all of us in the shipper 276 persons verse 37 and when they had eaten enough they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea. When day came, he could recognize the land but they did observe a certain bay with a beach. They resolved to draw the ship onto it casting off the anchors they left him in the sea while at the same time they were losing the ropes of the runners and hoisting the parcel for sale to the land they were heading for the beach, striking a reef or to seize meat. They ran the vessel aground in the Proust stuck fast and remained immovable for the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves, the soldiers plan was to kill the prisoners and none of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion here he is again wanting to bring Paul safely through Them. From there, and intention commanded that those who could swim job get the land and the rest should follow some on planks and others on various things from the ship and thus it happened that they all were brought safely to land all 276 persons exactly as God and said how could Paul remain so encouraged the spirit of God prompted him in this night vision. This presents this sense of reassurance that he was in it and he would keep his arms around those men ship rare but real.

There's one more not is not is the next book Romans chapter 8 is not as adventuresome is that.

But it is just as real, here, here it is in times of great sorrow and grief. The spirit prays for us and ministers to us. Romans 822 through 27 in times of great sorrow and grief spirit prays for us and ministers to some of you need to hear that you're ministering to those who were sick, you may very well be sick yourself and you have the inner you have the biblical assurance that even though you don't know how to pray as you should the Lord praise for you.

Look at 2022 of chapter 8 we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves having the firstfruits of the Spirit.

We ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for our adoption. The redemption of our body for and hope we have been saved but hope that is seen is not hope.

Why does one also hope for what he sees but if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it and in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness. For we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us here are those promptings calls them groanings too deep for words. Have you ever been so overwhelmed and a need that you could not even articulate your prayer. Yes, you and yes I at that moment God interprets the groanings he understands what is best and dispatches it, and then comes that favored verse. We know that all things God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. You know a classic example of this to show it to you number through second Corinthians 12 where Paul didn't know how to pray as he should he pray for what he felt was the right thing to pray for. He had a Ford in the flesh. Some physical ailments some terrible pain that he couldn't get rid of and he wanted relief in the asked for relief and relief didn't come. And he tells us that verse eight for this thing I prayed three times that it might depart from me. I've heard people teach that you're only supposed to pray for something wants well. Paul prayed for this three times, our Lord tells us to keep on asking. Keep on seeking keep on knocking. It's it's a heresy to say pray only once for something. The Bible teaches you keep asking now it so happens after his third request, the Lord broke into it said your off course.

Pauline answers no to take the foreign away. This, by the way, is a real message for those who think that every suffering with desserts healing is an example of God saying no, I won't heal you. It is not always God's will that we be healed from our affliction or pain. Paul wasn't and what is it that the spirit said to him what were the promptings. Do you know what they were there right here in verse 89. Some of our favorite words in Scripture came right from the Lord to Paul he said when I heard the Lord say no.

I also heard the Spirit say my grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness with the Lord said to Paul when he told them no. And now Paul's response.

Most gladly therefore I will boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me when we go to learn the truth of that. I mean if we want to boast anything boast in the things that you are inadequate over or about terrible English, but it's true the things that you feel weakness in an adequate over things that you have to candidly admit you struggle with say that Paul says I will boast in my weakness I won't hide the fact that I live with pain because when I am weak he is strong. Verse 10. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses and insults and distresses persecutions difficulties for Christ sake. For when I am weak, strong, I can tell you from first-hand experience that some messages that I have brought in times of enormous pressure in weakness and inadequacy in my own life had been the messages most blessed of God and I struggle through them didn't feel like anybody would even want to listen. I couldn't wait to get out of the place where I was teaching or preaching because of my own struggle. At the time, and I heard responsive to response. I can't tell you the times when in weakness God's power's been perfect and revealed there is something about pain that gets us to identify with other people. All the walls break down and God really ministers. Well, those of the promptings did you get them in times of extreme loneliness, desperation. The Spirit prompts hope and encouragement in times of threatening fears. The Spirit prompts, calm determination and courage in times of potential danger and even disaster. The Spirit prompts inner reassurance and outer peace in times of great sorrow and grief, even weakness spirit prays for us and ministers to us. Couple of practical suggestions. If I may read through when were not sure it is from the spirit. Sometime it's not tread softly. Don't be too dogmatic. In fact, keep it to yourself. Say little. Be sure that nothing that you're promoting contradicts Scripture. The Lord doesn't lead against his own revealed word so don't get on a hobbyhorse over something that is clearly nonbiblical. Please when you're not sure, tread slowly, keep it to yourself.

If Paul had not been so sure on that ship. I doubt that he would've stood up and said, not a hair. Anyone's head will be touched will all make it safely to land now when we are sure that it's of God stand firm, even against other people's doubts be strong.

Be confident. It's a part of walking by faith. There are times in you will have other people say there is no way in the world, God could be in this and you know absolutely in your heart that he is stand firm. You will be able to convince your testimony is that God has prompted me in this, and I am assured he is in it seeping through and I don't know where you are in this time in your life. I don't know how God is going to use this message in anyone's life. Hearing my words today, but I have a feeling some of you needed to hear these things. He said one thing to one person something altogether different to someone else, but there's something in all of this for some of us and I hope you will hear and not soon forget their father, thank you for your counsel, which comes so consistently from your book that has withstood the test of time. Thank you for truth that is more reassuring than feelings. Thank you for a sense of confidence in the midst of pressure and even danger that gives us hope to endure. Thank you for reassurance through the path of pain. I pray that you will use what has been presented from your word in a special way in the lives of a few people take away our fear of the unknown and while we wish to have discernment Lord in the midst of the supernatural, were often a little unsure your work is supernatural. Pray that you will guide us into truth and not as we begin to live this and I do pray that you will bring a great deal of comfort to an individual or to individuals who at this moment that a quiet calm sense of confidence. You will work in the deer name of Jesus Christ. We pray you're listening to Insight for living today's message from Chuck Swindoll always titled those unidentified inner promptings this presentation as part of a comprehensive study on the Holy Spirit.

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