Pastor Izzy from Courageous Church recently chatted to Leah and Dan to breakdown Acts chapters one and two. Read his insights below.
We’re back in the book of Acts, chapters one and two. Acts is such a powerful part of Scripture. These opening verses remind us of something incredible: Jesus rose from the grave. And then it says this:
“In my former book… I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.”
That word instructions jumps out at me.
God gives instructions. That alone is such a powerful thought. He’s all-knowing, all-powerful, and holds the universe in His hands. Yet He still cares enough to guide us personally. He wants to give you specific instructions for your life. How amazing is that?
Let me ask you a question, especially if you’re a bloke. When you open a flat pack, what do you do?
You see that little instruction booklet. Now, do you treat it like it’s essential? Or are you more like me, offended by it? I see it and think, Do you really think I can’t figure this out myself?
I usually start building without it. And honestly, that doesn’t go well. Things end up in the wrong place. Screws go missing. I get frustrated. It takes longer than it should. Sometimes I even wonder if I should’ve just followed the plan.
Sound familiar?
That’s what it’s like when we try to do life without the instruction of the Holy Spirit.
Sure, you can do life your own way. But you’ll probably put things in the wrong place. Your priorities may get mixed up. You might feel confused or stuck. It may take much longer to become who God is calling you to be.
Here’s the encouragement I want to share with you today: God is still speaking. You can actually receive specific instructions from the God of Heaven. The One who knows everything wants to lead you.
So the question is: How do we hear from the Holy Spirit?
Let’s break it down. It’s not just about one way. It’s about multiple ways working together to give you clarity and direction. That’s important, because relying on just one signal can be misleading.
1. The Word of God
First and foremost, God speaks through His Word. It’s living and active. If you want to know what He’s saying, open your Bible.
2. Other Disciples
God also speaks through other people, but not just anyone. Not just someone who walks into a church building. I’m talking about real disciples of Jesus. People filled with the Holy Spirit. People bearing fruit in their lives. These are the ones who can speak wisdom into your situation.
3. Circumstances
The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit closed and opened doors during Paul’s ministry. Sometimes when a door closes in your life, that’s not failure, it’s instruction. He may be telling you, Not this way. And that open door? It might be His way of saying, Step forward.
4. Conviction in Your Heart
Have you ever had that feeling deep inside, this isn’t right or this is exactly what I need to do? That internal nudge could be the Holy Spirit. Again, it needs to line up with the Word and wise counsel, but that conviction is real.
5. Personal, Nuanced Ways
Finally, God speaks in deeply personal ways too. For me, it’s through music. Worship songs often carry the message I need to hear. They’ve spoken to my heart in powerful moments.
All these ways working together, that’s how we receive instruction from the Holy Spirit. And that’s how we live guided lives.
God is all-knowing. Yet He chooses to share His wisdom with us in personal, intimate ways. That truth humbles me. It also fills me with hope.
So today, lean in. God is still speaking. Are you listening?