Impulse or divine direction?
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Impulse or divine direction? One test is whether you are willing to take responsibility for the consequences of your actions. It's human nature to project the blame for our failures on "the other," especially when reacting to a drive or impulse. This manifests itself by verbalizing a justification: "It wasn't my idea. ... It wasn't my fault. ... If it were not for so and so interfering or causing me to do this, I wouldn't have or it wouldn't have turned out so bad." The list of excuses is endless. Contrast this with the words and deeds of one who is led into action by the Spirit of God. They take responsibility for the result of their actions, without prejudice or dependency upon whether things turn out well. This difference reflects an inward confidence, not in one's intellect, wisdom, or judgment, but in God-within-us--a willingness to let the world see us in our choices.

First the general, then the specific.
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First the general, then the specific. It's a spiritual principle that obedience to a general leading brings forth the ability to perceive more specific direction. "He that is faithful in that which is least ..."

Faith is a peculiar type of obedience. Faith is alive--a spiritual force birthed in the spiritual realm and yet apprehended and acted upon in the natural. Faith seemingly in defiance of the facts believes that everything we need will come when we need it. Faith is born and it grows. When we walk out into the unknown filled with faith and trust not in ourselves but in God growth is possible. Faith opens our ears to hear that "surprise" or the door to receiving an answer that was waiting for us. Yet what one doesn't know ahead of time is if the door exists, or where it might be, or when we might get there. This seems like insanity to the rational mind. And it is. But this is the realm of the Spirit. And there's nothing like it on earth.

Be a father
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Be a father. When I think of fatherhood there is a thought of instilling values, character, and wisdom. Ultimately a father gains his satisfaction from looking at the works and life of the children he raised. Fatherhood provides an opportunity to bless--to give a part of yourself to promote benefit. If a father is driven to bless, the children will reach a level of wisdom and maturity where they also can be a blessing to others. And that's the whole point. Don't obsess on your role in this process. Fatherhood doesn't concern itself with the minute details of how the children obtain this level of maturity and wisdom but focuses on imparting the best part of ourselves.

Anxiety and unrest.
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Anxiety and unrest. Sometimes the reasons for our personal uneasiness aren't clear. That's when we need supernatural revelation. Praise and worship is a gate into the realm of revelational possibility. Instead of thinking something clear, praise it clear.

The need to control.
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The need to control. Perhaps your impatience or lack of tolerance for difficult situations or people, stems from a particular type of lust, the need to control life. Sometimes the root is an overbearing parent or a perfectionistic spirit. Whatever the source, inside, and often unknown to the person, their soul is ranting and raging the words, "If I can't control it, I don't want it." Yet it's often a cover--an aggressive one--for fear. Fear drives the man to desire to be God--to control life rather than submit to Him. My advice is to unconditionally surrender. When you feel frustrated, stop. Refuse to push forward. Then take the most important step, get quiet and listen. Ask yourself: What is God trying to say to me? Accept your lack of control and yield to Him. He will see to it that all that follows will bring His life to the situation.

A root of spiritual error.
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A root of spiritual error. There's no doubt that one can do apparently good spiritual service and not be submitted to the Lord. Any human work or action, even so-called spiritual ones, can be perpetuated and even experience growth while uncoupled from God. Perhaps a leader rationalizes his actions by saying that God gave him a work to do, and thus the work must continue. Even though there was an initial divine imperative that guided the man, his words betray the fact that the work has become primary. When this happens the root is always that his intimate connection to God has been severed. Right relationship is the only thing that can safeguard right guidance. Without it the human heart inevitably descends into a morass of self-justifying impurity.

A burning heart.
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A burning heart. We all are familiar with the picture of lovers separated by unfortunate circumstances experiencing an aching heart. What is that we mean? It is an emotional state that overwhelms all thought and feeling. Is there a spiritual state like this? Yes, a heart burning inside for God. Like a candle's capacity to provide flame, this is a temporary sense of God overwhelming our spirit with His presence. While it burns there remains the possibility for the light of revelation. In fact, this is the point of the burning; the why is more important than the what. A burning blessing bestowed by a wondrous God who knows our humanness--the need for experience. The bold actions that follow need the memory of a burning heart to keep them focused, particularly when the going gets tough.

The height of arrogance.
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The height of arrogance. Human nature drives one to rise up to the highest level possible. This makes it impossible to approach spiritual issues using natural wisdom, language, and words without rubbing a person's pride the wrong way. Spiritual light can only be apprehended spiritually. So how far should we go in advancing a spiritual cause? Do we take an aggressive pro-active stance or more of a hands-off policy? I suggest that to answer yes or no highlights rather than clarifies the problem. My answer is simple: Be a friend to God and let Him be your friend. Then, go ask your friend what to do.

A song for deliverance?
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"And he ... wondered that there was no intercessor" (Is. 59:16, KJV).

A song for deliverance? Sometimes spiritual strongholds are holding up what you've put your hand to. Is it well done? Certainly. Is it timely? Certainly. Is it spiritual? Certainly. Then what in the world is the problem? There is no problem "in the world." The problem is other worldly – an evil spiritual force that has as it's goal discouragement, devastation, and loss.

As I was going through an intense time of discouragement, I came back to this passage. Yet somehow I knew it was incomplete for me. I couldn't seem to get myself up to pray with faith. Then I remembered a principle--worship. Someone has said that worship and intercession always go together. So I tried it. Almost instantly I was set free. I sang, I praised, I danced and I entered into His presence. O' Lord, keep me free so that I can intercede.

Preconceived ideas
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Preconceived ideas. Don't read into another's words what you want but rather hear what they mean. The filter of our own beliefs and desires blocks hearing. Never underestimate your own capacity to self-deceive. "The heart is deceitful above all things ... "