Text: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)
Every action of man is propelled by a leading and a direction.

What or Who Can Lead?
-        Self: personal decision, observation, intuition, feelings, ambition, judgment, etc. (1Sam. 16:6)
-        Flesh: sin nature, desires, wants, cravings, sensual pleasure (2Sam. 13)
-        Situation/position: needs, performance, job (Jonah 1:5; Prov. 14:12)
-        People: spouse, friends, parents, boss (Num. 16; Judges 16)
-        Negative forces: Satan, witches, spell, curse, covenant
-        Divine forces: God, Holy Spirit, covenant, word of God, etc. (1Kg. 17)
-        Others (mention).

What power does who/whatever lead you have over you?
-        He’s your lord and master (Jn. 12:26; Jn. 13:6; Jn. 20:16)
-        Controls your destiny (Acts 9:16; Rom. 6:16)
-        Owns you (1Cor. 6:20)
-        Is your God (John 20:28;

Children of God are led by God. Children of the devil are led by the devil. Whose children are those who are led by the world? Discuss in light of (Rom. 8:14; 1Jn.2:15)
In what areas of decision making can we ask God for leading? (Prov. 3:6)

Is this statement true: “If God did not lead you to it, He cannot see you through it?”
Why would God not take honour in what He did not begin and He does not abandon what He begins. (1Sam.15:29; Col.1:16-17)

In vital and critical decisions like who to marry, what to do in life, where to settle down, profession to pursue, children, allowing God to lead can save us a lot of regrets. We can also have confidence to go back to God during trouble (Gen. 3:12). Discuss other possible advantages.

Choice
Choice in life is something very powerful and beyond humans. Man, by default cannot choose life. If God allowed Adam to choose a wife by himself, he would have chosen an animal, because there was no human in the Garden except Him. But God made his own wife for Him. What choices have you made in life that turned out to be bad? Pray about them now give them over to God?

When God allowed Man to choose between life and death in the Garden, they chose death, because they were fallen beings. Many are doing the same today. When we allow the spirit of God in us, he leads us into all truth (John 16:13) and helps us to make right choices (Mat. 11:30; Rev.3:20).

But when God leads us, we must obey Him so we do not grieve His Spirit in us. (Eph. 4:30).

Whoever we obey, his servants we are, “whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.” (Romans 6:16)
As individuals, couples, fellowship, church, etc., we must allow God to lead. But will He come down from heaven to do this? How does He do this? (Matt. 22:14). These are not spirits. Many of them are our friends, relatives, etc. But we must recognize God’s special calling on them, otherwise, we will relate with them in unbelief because of familiarity and we will be directly disobedient to God and be led astray by self or negative forces. Is there anyone in leadership that familiarity has robbed you of the blessing of God through them? Ask God for forgiveness and grace. Did he choose these ones because of their holiness or because they are better than us?  (1Cor. 12:23-235; 1Cor. 14:40).

The Head
Senses are for leading and direction. All sense organs are in the head. Do you agree with these statements? Why did God locate ALL the sense organs in the head, especially the central nervous control system, the brain?
Have you ever wondered why God did not locate at least one of the sense organs on the knee or belly just in case that of the head fails?

At home, the man is the HEAD of the woman/home (1Cor.11:3): To lead, or to rule? (Gen.3:16).
The authority is vested on the man, and God will hold him highly responsible for it, especially for his immediate family. The man must be physically, spiritually and mentally available to perform this duty. He is the priest of the home, to lead in all things. He may delegate, but the bulk end on his table.

The wife is not to usurp this role, regardless of her talent or placement at home or in the church with other brethren (1Cor. 14:34; Tim. 2:11-14)
Same with the Church, Christ is the head, but he leads through the elders who are called ‘bishops’ or ‘overseers’. These are functions, not titles.
What do you think is the difference between a title and a function?
Did the Disciples or Apostles have any title? (Rom.1:1; Titus 1:1; 2Pet.1:1; James 1:1; Jude 1:1)
What is our attitude supposed to be on our leaders? (1Thes. 5:12-13).
Should we recognize public leaders? (Rom. 13:3; 1Tim.2:1).

THE WORD (Psa. 119:11)
God leads through many things, e.g. visions, prophesy, dream, his servants, etc. But sometimes, these fail because of human factor (1Sam. 16:6-7; 1Cor. 13:8-9). God’s word is the only instrument that cannot fail. (Heb. 4:12; Mat. 24:34; Psa. 138:2). Where there is no word of God, there is no leading. Leaders are those who have the NOW word of God in their mouth through revelation (not only the word of God to some people which was written down for our instruction, which is the letter and dead (2Cor. 3:6). Not prophetic wishes, positive confession or motivational words, but the NOW word of God. The word of God is NOW. He didn’t stop speaking; He is still speaking to us NOW. Where this is not present, people are merely led by good words which can lead astray.

How does the word lead?
1.      The word must be made real and alive in our hearts, not just feelings (Heb. 4:12). Change through the word of God is from in to out, not out to in (Mat. 15:11)
2.      It must be a Rhema, the revealed word, not the Logos, the written word. (Luke 24:31; John 5:39; John 8:32; John 14:17,26; 1John 2:27)
3.      Ask the Spirit who wrote the Scriptures to teach and give you understanding s as you read (John 14:26; Acts 8:30; 1John 2:27)
4.      Consistent study of the word, not just reading (2Tim. 2:15; Joshua 1:8)
5.      Pursue maturity of heart, not prosperity on earth
6.      Grow your spirit-man, not soul-man (motivation) (3John 1:2)
7.      Desire the sincere milk of the word to grow from milk Christian to meat Christian (1Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:12,14).
8.      Let the word wash you, not just to dress you. Expose your heart, including your sacred, tribal or habits  (Prov. 28:13; Heb. 10:22)
9.      It must be mixed with faith in your heart; otherwise it will not profit or make any meaning to you. (Heb. 4:12)  
10.   Obey the Word (Mat. 5:19; Rom. 1:21-26; Rom. 2:13; Eph. 4:30)

Study the lives of these men and how they were led and delivered by God in times of trouble through the word.
1.     Elijah (1Kings 17. 18)
2.     Joseph, the father of Jesus (Mat. 1:18-25; Mat. 2)

1.      CHARACTER: 
Name is Better than Fame. A good name is better than gold and silver. Character is a smoke!
-        Each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor (1Thes.4:4)  
-        Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father (Mat.5:16).
-        And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (Acts 11:36).
-        Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. (Psa.34:14).
-        If sinners entice thee, consent thou not. (Pro.1:10).
-        A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (Pro.22:1).
-        A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.(Ecc.7:1).

2.      CONSCIENCE:
Listen To The ‘Still Small Voice’ As He Talks To You Through Your Conscience. Don’t Grieve Him. (Eph. 4:30)
-        When you sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. (1Cor.8:12).
-        Wherefore, if meat makes my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world stands. (1Cor.8:13).
-        Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other… (1Cor.10:29).
-        All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. (1Cor.6:12).
-        Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honourable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are  pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report… think on these things. (Phi.4:8).

3.      COMMITMENT: 
What is Not Worth Dying For is Not Worth Living For. Be committed to your course. Die at Your Duty Post.
-        For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Php.1:21).
-        Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Eccl. 9:10).
-        Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before (Phi.3:13).
-        Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, to seek Saul: And he found him, brought him unto Antioch. (Acts 11:25).
-        Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; not stand before mean men (Pro.22:29).

4.      COMMUNICATION / CONVERSATION: 
“You Have The Right To Remain Silent…” You Will Be Judged By Your Words!
-        Evil communication corrupt good manners  (1Cor.15:33).
-        Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips (Psa.141:3).
-        That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, corrupt according to the deceitful lusts (Eph.4:22).
-        Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation (1Pet.2:12).
-        A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger (Pro.15:1).
-        But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these comes of evil. (Mat.5:37).
-        Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how to answer every man. (Col.4:6).
-        Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Pro.18:21).
-        Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. (Pro.6:2).

5.      COMPLAINTS:  
God watches over His Words, Not over Your complaints. Pray the Solution, Not The Problem!
-        We must not complain, as some of them did---and they were destroyed by the Angel of Death (1Cor.10:10).
-        Jesus… saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another step down before me. (Joh.5:6-7).
-        Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (Mat.7:7).
-        Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Phi.4:6).
-        Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Eph.6:18).

6.      CONTACTS:
A Positive or Negative Contact Can Make or Mar Your Life Forever! Be Careful Who You Associate with or Copy!
-        When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
-        Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty
wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:1).
-        And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon… he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. (Acts 10:5).
-        And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (Acts 9:3-4).
-        And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah (Jdg.16:4).
-        And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. (Luk.19:5).
-        He that believeth shall not make haste (Is.28:16)

7.      CONCLUSION: 
Always Be Patient, Do Not Jump To Hasty Conclusion That You Will Regret Later. It Is Better To Be sure Than Be Sorry. 
-        Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him Pro.29:20).
-        He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly (Pro.14:29).
-        Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools (Ecc.7:9).
-        Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (Jam.1:19).
-        Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding (Pro.17:28).                             

HAPPY 2014!
This year, the Lord will deliver you from the snare of the fowler!
www.cryoutreach.com

Only God can do His own work His own way. But we rarely allow Him to. We are overly consumed by sincere zeal to work for God without ensuring that it is done according to His pattern. God's ultimate desire is that all things be according to His design. However,  traditions, doctrines, religious customs and denominational culture influence our sense of duty. Our concept of duty is basically to impress God. Many times, this results into doing so well, what shouldn't have been done at all.

Natural or human ability is a disadvantage in God's work. The more of these we have, the more likely we are to miss it. The more strength, qualification ability and gift we posses, the less usable we are to Him. He does not need anything we posses, He needs us.

A horse-rider warrior does not need the suggestions, strategies or ideas of the horse, he only needs it's availability. If we will just shut up and allow Jesus to ride on us, then, He will achieve what He wills to achieve. He knows what to do. We can only do as He wills, not do as we think. He must increase, we must decrease (John 3:30).

Being conscious of God's call in our lives, or having a desire to labour for God must lead us to only one thing: to know His will, His mind and His plan. God has a plan, a pattern and a goal in mind. His plan is His controlling vision. It is primordial, rooted, unchanging, eternal and bigger than us. He is building something He alone can see fully, we can only understand it by and by.

Knowledge of His plans supersedes the sincere labour without His plans. We may indeed labour; in crusades, church planting, ministry, missions, evangelism and even charity, but if it is not according to His plan, it will be torn down, regardless of its beauty, growth or fruits.

Our effort in planting tree for The Lord may produce beautiful fruits, but having a fruitful mango tree in the place designated for a less-fruitful apple tree will not alter the original plan. The mango tree may provide sustenance for thousands, but if it is not planted at the place the Master wills, designs or plans, it violates God's eternal purpose. His will is His bond, sealed by His Spirit in eternity.

For us to have any part with God and labour in His plan and according to His purpose, we must trust Him to make "known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself." (Eph. 1:9). He has purposed all before the foundation of the world. Everything must be according to His will. Nothing happens beside His will.

As a true soldier of Christ, we must know our beat and remain in our duty post, active or inactive. We must die in our post. As an athlete, we must run in our lane. As a skillful labourer, we must build according to plan, regardless of our idea. It is His work, not ours.

If God calls us to only be with Him and look at His face, it's more honorable than running across the globe to bring thousands of souls from hell to Him on a daily basis. His name will be glorified on earth, not by what we do for Him. It is doing exactly what He asks us to do that gives Him glory. God judges obedience, not result.

See that your faith walk is according to His plan, purpose and pattern. He constantly warned Moses: "According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it." (Exo 25:9). You will not be crowned if you out run, out shine and take the first position while running in another man's lane. He is looking for obedience, not activities.

A true soldier is he who carries out superior orders, even unto death. He is willing to lay down his life to stay the course. He signed his life for allegiance. Jesus is our example. Even when the mission became almost impossible and He could use His discretion to call myriads of angels to fight and prevail on His behalf, He surrendered, saying: "not my will, thy will be done." (Mat. 26:42). This must be our resolve as a true soldier. Stay your course. Die in your duty post. Mark 13:33-36.