As we continue to reflect on the season past and look back on our adventures, what are we thankful for? We are taking these few weeks as we lead up to thanksgiving to look at some things we receive but don’t always notice. I am thankful for the guidance I receive. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

If you recall the last time we talked, the object of our thanksgiving was for the efforts of others. Today we look at the subject of guidance. Providing guidance to someone can be a double-edged sword, guidance must be received to be beneficial. We have to give someone the authority to guide us. Sometimes people don’t take kindly to guidance that was only meant to  be helpful.

Life is full of temptations, challenges, difficulties and decisions. Do we have someone guiding us through or are we trying to get through it on our own? Is there someone walking beside us? Who is spotting for you on the road of Life?

Proverbs 3:5-6; NLT; Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

I was standing at the front desk of the hotel confirming that the special arrangements requested were in place. As I was passed from employee to employee no one seemed to know what was going on. Finally, the general manager showed up to get things sorted. The first thing she did was insult me.

I am a Christian and I am supposed to behave in a way that honors God. I didn’t. I responded in a very human way. That was wrong. Thankfully God put a special person in my life, my wife. We sorted out the room debacle without any further insults, but the damage was done.

I am thankful for her guidance and holding me accountable to the challenges of honoring God. Without her by my side I would certainly make more of a mess of things than they already are. Who provides you with guidance and direction? Are you thankful for that input?

One of the rules in racing is that when you are on the track you need a spotter. God provided for us; someone who is in our ear, living inside us and guiding us in the right path. God has provided a spotter for us all; his name is The Holy Spirit. Listen to what Jesus says about the Holy Spirit;

John 14:16-18, 25-27, (Jesus answered) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

   “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

In addition, we read in the book of Acts;

Acts 5:5, And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

The Holy Spirit is given to us to guide our heart in the paths that are right. I am reminded of the cartoon with the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. This is a good illustration of what happens when the Spirit becomes our spotter. He guides us with the right advice, but there is that other voice. That voice inside us that tells us something different, something not of God. Which voice do we follow? Which guidance do we take?

To answer that question it is helpful to have another type of spotter in your life. Someone who will hold you accountable to the choices you make. Someone trustworthy, someone who loves you, someone who would lay down their life for you, a true friend. My wife is that person for me and I thank the Lord for her every day.

God provides The Holy Spirit as our guide. We receive The Holy Spirit when we ask Jesus to come into our heart. When we seek forgiveness from God for our shortcomings and accept the sacrifice Jesus made for us. When we ask God, He sends The Holy Spirit to live in our heart, to guide us in the paths that are right, to counsel us, to show us the truth.

I am thankful that God cares about me enough to send a spotter to guide me. Do you have The Holy Spirit in your heart? You can. He will be a spotter that will never leave you. Ask God today to send Him and God will honor that request and send Him. The key component is asking with sincerity in your heart; you have to want to.

Seek out the guidance of The Holy Spirit today. Accept the sacrifice Jesus made for you and ask God to forgive your sin. If your heart is sincere, the transaction is done, your life has changed.

I would ask that you share that with us so that we can rejoice with you. We can also help and guide you along the road. We will come alongside you and walk with you through life. We will help you through the difficulties. We will do our best to help you figure out life and learn how to live it to the fullest.

Blessings,

Pastor Don