Regaining Lost Ground

Shane Idleman: What does it profit you to gain the whole world but lose your soul? Lord, I've been following the world. Spirit of the living God, convict me. This prodigal's coming home. And you begin to remember those things that were deeply implanted in your heart.

Likewise the spirit, Romans 8, helps in our weakness. Is anybody weak? You better be weak here this morning. Don't be strong. When the sun's shining, it's easy not to pray. When things are going good, it's easy not to pray. God forbid some type of nuclear device goes off in LA and our gas goes to $30 a gallon. I bet we'll have a full prayer room then.

Guest (Male): Thank you for joining us here at Westside Christian Fellowship, located in Leona Valley, California, one hour north of Los Angeles. Today on Regaining Lost Ground, we hear the second part of this clarifying message titled, "What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do."

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Today, Pastor Shane teaches us the importance of relying on God for everything, dismissing doubt, sin, and distraction. Learn a better way in life right now on Regaining Lost Ground.

You can hear the whole message at Pastor Shane's YouTube and Rumble channels. Make sure to subscribe today. For more information, visit us online at westsidechristianfellowship.org. We also encourage you to hear more truth from Pastor Shane with the Idleman Unplugged weekly podcast. And now, from Westside Christian Fellowship in Leona Valley, California, here's Pastor Shane Idleman.

Shane Idleman: I've seen some people, many are not real stable. Every prompting is from the Holy Spirit. "Lord, do you want me to turn left at the green light? Alright, do you want me to go to church?" and I don't think it works that way because you can be misled pretty easily with your own voices. I have. I thought it was God.

And so what we see in scripture is these leading of the spirit and then a drawing away for a while while they do the Spirit's work. Now, of course, there's daily communion, there can be daily communication, there's daily worship. I just want to be careful on the "God told me ten times today." Just be careful, take that to the Lord.

Because a lot of those people that I know are unstable financially, relationally. It seems like there's always drama, drama queens. If God's talking to you so much, why is there so much drama? Often don't apply the Word as much because they don't go against it. I've just been there.

Lord, is that you? It's a hard balance to find. I understand that. But all I'm saying is be careful, make sure it's the Holy Spirit and not ulterior motives because we can make things happen. We have to be careful. And so the Holy Spirit said, how did he say this? "Separate unto me Paul and Barnabas."

Whoa, did you hear that? Probably not. But he did tell them, "Now separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." The Holy Spirit said the leading probably was internal and not audible. Only because, again, scripture and in my own life you can't use your experience to interpret scripture.

D. Martin Lloyd-Jones says we don't use our experiences to interpret scripture, we use scripture to interpret our experiences. However, there is an internal witness of the Holy Spirit. And often I've seen where God has confirmed it in spouses that went out and sought the Lord and they prayed and fasted and they came back with the same internal witness.

And we don't know, maybe there was confirmation. Maybe somebody came and prophetically said, "Hey, God wants to separate Barnabas and Saul. Separate you guys." "I've been sensing that. I've been praying. God's really put that in my heart. What about you, Saul?" "Oh my goodness, the same thing." So there could be an internal witness.

I wish God would speak loudly, like, "Okay, that is clear." Now, there are probably three times in my life that I can remember where it was clear. It was like, "What was that?" and they were all life-changing, pivotal moments in my career, in my life, marriage, my calling, or buying the radio station. It was so clear.

And so God can use those things. But be careful. I think as a Christian, it's easy to be careful when we say, "Lord, is this you? Give me confirmation. I trust you, I just don't trust me and I want to be led by your spirit." The reason it's internal is because we need audible voices, don't we?

We can't communicate really without audible voices unless you know the look on your spouse. You get that look and you're like, "Oh my goodness." Or on your kids, those close to you, you can get the look. But often we don't need audible with God because God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and the truth.

And this is key: the voice you hear depends on what you pursue. The voice you hear the most, the loudest voice in your mind is what you pursue. That's why you'll hear those terms often "led of the spirit." Be careful if you're living like hell and think you're led of the spirit all the time because ultimate led of the spirit is lined up with God's Word.

Led of the spirit is lined up with what He wants you to do for Him, not you. Led of the spirit is an internal witness. It's something there should be fear and trepidation, like, "Lord, are you leading me in this area?" It's so powerful. The voice, again, depends on what you pursue.

And the voice, the promptings, or what I hear about the Word this morning is a result of the whole week. Do you guys know this message right now is not necessarily being preached today? Now, I'm talking about it, I'm telling you, but it's been preached all week in my heart, how I live, the Word of God coming alive, praying over it.

You internalize it. And that's why A.W. Tozer said who a man is all week is who he is when he steps up to the pulpit. Your lifestyle preaches. So the internal witness of the spirit that hits your heart, it's coming from what God has been doing in my heart all week. Led of the spirit. And thank God He works through imperfect vessels.

Throughout the Bible, very few times was it audible. Often it's an internal witness accompanied by peace and certainty. When you don't have peace and you're like, "I don't know about this," as a believer, just take that to the Lord. Now, you can be fearful.

"I don't have peace, I know God's wanting me to do this, but I'm fearful of it." That's different because you know, "I know God wants me to do this, but I don't want to." That's a lot different than, "Man, I don't feel good about this. Lord, I don't know what You're doing." I mean, I could go into a lot of practical things that I'm dealing with that would really apply right now on this, but I won't.

Number three: closed or open doors that align with God's Word. You put those together. So that's how you hear... one of the ways you hear God's... I mean, this isn't a message on hearing God's voice, or we'd go over a lot of points. But I also look for God to close or open doors.

And we don't know, they could have said, "Now separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them," and there could have been open doors. "Hey, I met this guy, he's got a vessel selling here," or, "I've met this guy, they've got this transportation," and, "Oh wow, this confirms what God has..." and so there's open doors.

If God doesn't open the door, we don't go. And if God closes the door, any door pushers open? Just me? When God closes the door, I'm pushing this door open. Usually that door is on a spring. Pow, pow, pow, forcing the door open. But sometimes that door needs a little WD-40.

And you pray and that's why prayer and staying close to the shepherd is so important because you're like, "Lord, are You closing this door? Or is the world closing it? Or is the enemy closing it?" Just because a door closes doesn't mean necessarily, "Obviously that wasn't for me."

Because when we first planted this church, every door was closed. Every building I looked into, every place I called, the rent was either too high or they didn't want us there. I guess I missed that one. Closed door. I could not force a door open. I guess we shouldn't have planted the church. It's a closed door.

But you also say, "Lord, I feel strongly about this, I have peace." And so actually the church Ronnie was attending, Pastor Shawn, got lunch. He goes, "How's it going?" I said, "Not good. I guess I missed it. There is literally no open door." And that's when he said, "Why don't you use our church on Saturday nights for free? We can have you, Ronnie can help our sound team."

Oh my goodness. Lord, but see, so that one I kind of had to you still pray and ask God for direction. So just because it's closed, if you know a God direction has a closed door, then you get the WD-40 and you pray and you seek God and you ask for wisdom. It's all being close to the shepherd.

I know this might sound complicated, but the more you just sometimes know because, "Lord, the door's closed. I'm trusting in You, I'm resting in Your sovereignty. I'll wait on You. Let me know if I need to do anything." I can go to sleep at night because I've done everything I need to do.

Same with you. The further you are away from the shepherd, the more you're open to the attacks of the predators. And the farther you are away from the shepherd, the less you'll hear his voice. So that's why many of you are confused living out there in the meadow. Come back today.

What to do when you don't know what to do. In the natural, meaning how we live: we make calculated decisions based on what we think is best. Anybody else in here Type A, take charge, get things done? I want to know my schedule this week, I got it all planned out. "Oh, why is this happening? It's because of this, so I'm going to go fix it." Just me? Most of my kids, it was passed down, I know. Sorry guys.

But it can be a really good thing: highly disciplined, motivated. But we make decisions based on what we think is best. Now, that's not wrong because the Bible says, "Above all things get wisdom and in all your getting get understanding. She will exalt you, she will promote you." Wisdom is the principal thing. Make wise decisions. To know what to do is not wise. That's knowledge. Wisdom is applying it.

And so you do search after wisdom. When I have to make decisions, is that a wise decision financially? Make wise decisions. But when it comes to the supernatural and God's moving of the spirit, you're like, "This doesn't make sense. This doesn't make sense."

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. What to do when you don't know what to do? In the supernatural, we pray, we stay, and obey. I tried to isolate the three things you'll remember, they rhyme, it's easy. Pray, stay in the Word, obey His principles.

That's the best. How are you going to go off course when you're making a job decision, marriage, whatever it is? Like, "Lord, I'm praying about this, I'm living for You, I'm staying in Your Word." So in other words, the strength about the Word of God is you're planting the very thought and nature and character of God into your heart.

So you can say no to these things a lot easier because it doesn't line up with my mental diet of being conformed to this world but being transformed by the renewing of my mind. So half of our problems are because we're not renewing the mind. We're allowing the world to shape us.

Stay in His Word, obey His principles, and pray for direction. That's how we get the leading of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8, look at this: the Spirit Himself. I thank God for this verse. I don't know about you. This separates all other religions on planet Earth from Christianity. People say, "Oh, that is your religion." It's not a religion, it's a relationship.

Every religion is man reaching up to God; relationship is God reaching down to man. And so Christianity is a relationship and this sets it apart from everything else. The Spirit Himself, when you truly believe, when you are filled with the Spirit of God, when you want more of God, He bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

This is why nobody can take that away. This is why people go to their death in martyrdom. This is why they can't be shaken because of the glorious cross of Jesus Christ is because I have an internal witness. I have an internal umpire. I have an internal security guard. I know that I know that I know. For the Bible told me so.

And that's what people don't like if you're arguing or debating an atheist, "Well, that's what you say, that's what the Bible told you so." No, I have an internal witness. Now with that witness, sometimes you fear. You can stray away. But that internal witness is also the alarm bell. Ever hear that alarm bell?

Like when I used to back up heavy equipment. I hated that thing. But it was good so people would get out of the way. Don't talk to your spouse that way. Kids, don't mock your parents. Listen. Don't date that person.

And what I've found is that that sound actually becomes quieter the more you disobey. And it's hard to make that decision because now that alarm is not as loud. Maybe God's okay with it now. As soon as you hear that conviction, as soon as you know: turn, turn, turn, turn.

But the helper, thank God we have a helper. John 14, but the helper, the helper, oh I need some help. This is what people don't understand who think that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the supernatural gifts have ceased today because they say we just have the Word. Yes, even if I just had the Word though, I need some help.

I need some help because I have the Word for principles and godliness and living right, but God, I need some help here. That's why He is the helper. He helps us, whom the Father will send in My name. He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

I thank God when I was a little kid it was hard, but my mom would make me. "Give you a dollar if you memorize Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy..." probably not the right motives. But man, it comes back later. It comes back later. When I came back to the Lord, the Word just came alive.

"Oh, I remember that from when I was a little boy." "What does it profit you to gain the whole world but lose your soul?" Lord, I've been following the world. Spirit of the living God, convict me, this prodigal's coming home. And you begin to remember those things that were deeply implanted in your heart.

Likewise the spirit, Romans 8, likewise the spirit helps in our weakness. Anybody weak? You better be weak here this morning. Don't be strong. When the sun's shining, it's easy not to pray. When things are going good, it's easy not to pray. God forbid some type of nuclear device goes off in LA and our gas goes to $30 a gallon. I bet we'll have a full prayer room then.

Shouldn't prayer be the first resort? That's how you prepare for battle. When the Navy SEALs go into battle, or the Army Rangers, or the Delta Force, they're already prepared. Same thing for Christians. The Spirit helps us in our weakness. Sometimes we don't even know what to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Right, so during that prayer time, I don't think you're, "Oh, that's the Holy Spirit talking to God." No, internal witness. Some people tie this into tongues, that's fine, possibly of course. But there's a, "Oh God, I don't even know how to pray. My prodigal is so lost. My family member's incarcerated for a long time. My marriage is gone, it's over. I don't even know how to pray."

But that internal witness of the spirit begins to direct you and you begin to... it's funny it says groanings. Real prayer is just not easy. We think of, "Oh, let me just in the morning get my cup of coffee and green tea for some of you and you open up your devotional and you pray." Praise God for that. But when you go to battle, it talks about groanings, labor.

It's even after the prayer room, those on the prayer team, you're exhausted when you go home, are you not? And contending for your family and praying because there's spiritual weight. Spiritually you're tired because of it. You're laboring and that's what really seeking God and finding Him and pressing in and pushing forward these things all take effort.

If it's not important to you, it's not important to God. Could it be that your prayer life is stifled because you're not pressing in? Well, I'll let you answer that. "Well, Shane, how do I know with these leading of the spirit and all these different things?" Couple things that really help: silence. Silence.

I think it was David McIntyre in his book on prayer said find a quiet hour, a quiet place, and a quiet heart. The silence. There's got to be a place where you go... wife, with kids, have your husband watch for a couple hours, guys you'll survive, it's okay.

I said that from my own, like, "When are you back? How much longer? How much longer? I don't know what they don't want their bottle, they don't want nothing, I don't know what they... are they dying?"

Guest (Male): You've been listening to Regaining Lost Ground with Pastor Shane Idleman. You can find more information at westsidechristianfellowship.org. That's westsidechristianfellowship.org. And for all the latest on what God is doing with His ministry here, please be sure to follow us on most social media platforms.

Westside Christian Fellowship is located 60 miles north of Los Angeles in Leona Valley, California. Thank you again for listening to today's message of Regaining Lost Ground, where we are reminded daily: times change, truth does not.