The Holy Spirit Helps In Difficult Times
Mind renewed to God's view on the matter
The community I live in was built around a golf course and my house backs up to the golf course property. But a few years ago the owner closed the golf course and said he wanted to sell it. A neighbor told me that the community home owners association was holding meetings to see what could be done to prevent the owner from selling to a developer who might fill what had been open land with houses.
I started getting caught up in all of this, thinking it important to keep the land open as it had been ... until I turned to God.
When I turned to God I heard the following by the Spirit of God … people try to keep things of this world from changing as much as possible. But all that we see with our eyes is temporary and will be destroyed at the end of the world.
This showed me God's view of the situation.
Holy Spirit searches the heart of God to reveal the thinking of God to the believer.
I Cor. 2 … 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
This is all temporary and will be destroyed by God.
It takes me the wrong way to try to cling to these things and think they are important.
Also it stood out to me that God knows what is best for me as I live on this earth. I don't know what is best, but God knows. And God provides all that I need now and in the future.
My well being is of God as I seek to follow HIM ... not in things of this world such as whether or not houses are built on the property behind my house.
Holy Spirit guides us into all truth … Jn. 16:13
Focusing on these things helped me keep my flesh under control. And my thinking was changed from how those of the world see this situation, to how God sees this.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
I did not get involved in the home owner association meetings to try to keep the golf course owner from selling the land to a developer, and am so thankful to God to have been kept from the strife and futility in all of this.
Later an email was sent announcing that the property had been sold to a developer and that some houses will be built. But this wasn't upsetting to me. There really had been a change in me because of what God has shown me and has been working in me.
There have been thoughts, such as how noisy it may be during construction. But when I take these thoughts to God, I have always been helped. Multiple times I've been reminded that God will never leave me nor forsake me.
(Turns out there may not be construction behind my house. Even though property sold to developer, he can only build 54 houses and the remainder of the former golf course land will be turned into parks. Only a small portion of the former golf course will have houses on the land.)
... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for HE hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Heb. 13:5)
Spared from worry and futile works by going in way shown by God.
Some of my neighbors expressed great concern that a developer purchased the golf course property and planned to build houses on the previous golf course.
When I first heard what some of these neighbors said and of meetings that were starting to be held to try to fight this, I started getting concerned and stirred up as well.
But then I turned to God, laying out my concerns and asking what HE wanted me to do.
After turning to God one of the things I was reminded of by the Spirit of God is what we're told in the following:
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
(The Holy Spirit reminds us of scripture to lead us in the Way of God for us … Jn. 14:26)
As a result, rather than getting involved in community meetings to try to fight the developer, I tried to just focus on doing what God wants me to do each day, dealing with what is before me that day, and trusting God to work out the future as HE wills (the best way for me).
More than a year later the homeowner's association sent an email to let residents know that sale of the golf course property to a developer had been completed. The email said that the developer plans to build only 41 single residence houses on the property and leave the rest of the land as open space. I was very surprised to read this information. It never occurred to me that a developer would build so few houses and leave open space land, a far better outcome than I thought possible.
While considering this, I recalled how God led me to not fret and worry for the past year about what would become of the golf course property. No doubt I have been spared much worry and futile works (meetings and activities that seem wise to man), and evil by turning to God and going in HIS way.
Things of this world are temporary and will be destroyed
Luke 21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, HE (Jesus) said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
The people spoke of the appearance of the temple, what they could see, but Jesus spoke of what the end of these things would be.
This reminded me of something the Holy Spirit spoke to me.
- At the end of the world, all of this is going to burn. People try to preserve the way things are now as much as possible. But all these things we see now are temporary and will be destroyed at the end of the world.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
- The second thing I was reminded of was the instruction Jesus gave us to not plan for tomorrow. Certainly the purpose of the community meetings to try to stop development on the golf course property was to plan for what might happen in the future.
Matt. 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
(Work of the Holy Spirit … Jesus says … Jn. 14:26 …26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.)
There is no problem for me today with the golf course being closed and the owner selling it to a developer. And God knows exactly what I need, what is best for me. It is God who provides what I need.
How futile these community meetings are, and they are opposite to the way God was showing me to go. I did not attend any of the meetings.
(One of my neighbors attended the first meeting and said there were already starting to be conflicts as some people wanted one thing, while others wanted something else, everyone thinking they knew what should be done ... but not having the wisdom of God in the matter. Futility, strife, conflict.)
Later in the summer, since the golf course property was not being maintained the grasses and weeds started growing quite high. An email was sent to owners of property in the community about this saying that the owner of the golf course property would not have the land mowed but had given permission for anyone who wanted to mow behind their property to do so.
A neighbor mentioned to me that the owner of the golf course property should be forced to maintain the land.
But the thing that was put in my heart was to just pay the people who mow my yard to also mow the golf course land directly behind my yard.
(The Holy Spirit puts in our heart the will of God for us in the matter at hand … I Cor. 2 & Jn. 14:26)
This very quickly and easily dealt with the weed problem affecting me. There was no strife in trying to force anyone to do anything. I was able to remain in peace as Peter exhorted us ...
2 Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.
We see and enjoy some of the things of this world, but they are temporary. Even our physical bodies are temporary.
We are spared much unnecessary trouble by not setting our affections on these temporary things, but on things of God which are eternal.
When His disciples asked Jesus about the end of the world, Jesus told them things that would come to pass, and also gave the following instruction ...
Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Delivered by God from strife of the world
Psalm 18:43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; ...
Those who live after the flesh strive to "out do" one another (a work of the flesh). Gal. 5
And they strive after things which cannot really satisfy and which are temporary and without lasting value.
But when we are led by the Holy Spirit we are led in another way, a way of peace.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Considering these things, I decided not to get involved in the neighborhood meetings to try to stop development on the golf course property.
Later a neighbor mentioned having gone to one of these meetings and how various people at the meeting wanted their ideas to be heard and followed. Strife and divisions were already becoming apparent. I was very grateful that God led me to go another way, a way of trusting in HIM and of peace, and delivered me from the strivings of the people.
Galatians 5:16 ... Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
I first learned about neighborhood meetings to try to stop development on the golf course about six months after the golf course closed. One of my neighbors was driving down the street and saw me outside at my house. She stopped and told me that she had been to a meeting about the golf course and the owner trying to sell the property to a developer. She said the next time she saw me she would tell me what she had learned at the meeting. I thought that something had been announced at the meeting about the status of the golf course property and I was anxious about what this might be.
Although God has helped me each time I have turned to Him with concerns (including about the golf course), this time I didn't turn to God to be helped and established by Him. Not dealing with this in a spiritual way, I allowed my flesh to rise up.
The next time I saw the neighbor a day or so later, she didn't mention the golf course meeting ... but I asked about it. The flesh tries to get knowledge apart from God, to depend on what others say, and to work things out itself. I was "on fire" to hear the latest news.
Had I turned to God and allowed Him to settle me previously, whatever had been said at the meeting would not have been important to me and I may not have even thought to ask about it. When we have God's word on a matter, we have what we need. We can walk in the word brought to us by the Holy Spirit which is opposite to ways of the flesh.
The neighbor reported that no announcement about the golf course had been made at the meeting. The meeting was just a group of people trying to make plans for what to do if … As she told about some things discussed and disagreements already coming forth, I was so sorry I had asked about this.
I was disturbed by what I heard ... but at the same time my flesh was stirred up to want to "do something" concerning the golf course situation, but I didn't know what to do. No good thing comes from the flesh. (Romans 7:18)
After the neighbor left I turned to God, laying everything out before Him and seeking His will. I began to be helped by God, given His word in the matter to walk in.
A concept I was given which has been very helpful is that although people try to preserve as much as possible the way things of this world are now, God has told us that these things are temporary and will ultimately be destroyed by Him at the end of the world (2 Peter 3).
Recently an email was sent from the homeowner's association (HOA) with information about the golf course property.
The water district for this area has very limited water resources. The developer, water district, and HOA have agreed for the developer to develop lots for 56 single family homes and then give the rest of the property (about 90 acres) to the HOA. The developer has not yet released where the 56 lots will be on the property.
The HOA plans to leave the land they are given open with trails and picnic areas that can be used by the community. The property will not be irrigated, but will be mowed periodically and the weeds dealt with.
This suits me very well.
In the past the HOA has had very modest expenses. They reported that $150,000 has accumulated over the past years. They plan to use some of this money to improve what had been golf cart trails and to add picnic areas. And they said there should be no problem in meeting ongoing expenses, such as insurance and periodic mowing of the property.
The annual dues right now are only $45 per year. These dues will probably be raised yearly over the next several years. The covenants of the HOA limits the amount the dues can be raised to 5% each year. Financially, this is no problem at all for me.
Interestingly, when the property was a golf course, I enjoyed seeing the open area behind my house. But the golf course management did not allow us to go on the property even in the evenings after there were no more golfers on the course. In order to walk my dogs I either had to walk them on the streets or drive to a place where there were hiking trails. The current plans would provide maintained trails I could use to walk the dogs within walking distance from my house.
Romans 8:28 ... 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
It appears it will work out better for me than it did when the land was a golf course.
During this entire story, we can see how the Holy Spirit works inside the believer to show the believer the will of God in the situation and to help the believer choose to go in the way of God.
Four things Jesus said the Holy Spirit would do for the believer:
- The Holy Spirit will teach us all things
- The Holy Spirit will remind us of all Jesus has said
- The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth
- The Holy Spirit shows us things to come
Jn. 14:26 … But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Jn. 16:13 … 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:and he will shew you things to come.
Additional Report From Homeowner’s Association:
Late this afternoon (3-8-16) the home owner association sent an email with a link showing the developer's current plans for where the 56 new homes will be built on the golf course property.
None of the lots are directly behind my house. Only 1 of the new lots is even within view of my house.
Fifteen years ago when I was first looking for a house in this area I found a Tudor-style house which I liked very much. Right before I submitted an offer on that house, however, another buyer submitted an offer which had been accepted by the sellers. I was very disappointed.
After this it was hard for me to seriously consider other houses. But when I prayed, the house I now live in kept being drawn to my attention. I ended up buying it.
A few weeks after moving into this house, I saw the seller of the Tudor house. He told me that shortly after the new owners moved into the Tudor house, part of the roof of that house fell in during heavy rains.
Some months later I heard that those on the street where the Tudor house was located were involved in a legal action of some kind. Both of these things made me so thankful to God that I had not been able to buy the Tudor house.
When I looked at the map of where new houses were planned by the developer I noticed that twelve new houses are planned for the golf course area across the street and behind one house from the Tudor house. Lots of construction within close hearing distance of the Tudor house.
Again I was thankful to have been kept from buying the Tudor house.
Interestingly, I couldn't even remember what it was about the Tudor house that I liked so much. In talking with Joan, she reminded me that I had liked the view of the mountains from that house. The house I live in now doesn't have much of a mountain view but has suited me very well. I had totally forgotten about the view at the Tudor house! Obviously the mountain views aren't important to me now, but that was a very strong fleshly "pull" for me at the time.
But God knew what was best for me and spared me from various problems I would have been faced with the Tudor house. Great mercy toward me!
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Comments by Joan Boney:
The times that I have gotten into the most trouble have happened when I had some kind of desire to obtain either "the best" of the object or something that strongly involved my flesh such as this thing of the Mountain View.
There are many times I have suffered loss because I have gotten the thing my flesh lusted after and often it turned out to be a dud... That happened to me once concerning a TV ...it was a really special TV in brand name and was supposed to be just wonderful... it turned out to be awful, but it was my flesh desiring “the best” that lured me to this object
Lust of the flesh ...pride of life ...desire of the eyes
I Jn. 2 … 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
The doers of “the will of God” abide forever.
Notice the following information from Jesus concerning those who come to HIM “in HIS name” but not doing the will of God but doing their own good works which are not authored by God.
Mt. 7 … 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Notice that they came to HIM in day of judgment presenting to HIM “their own good works” … works that seem to be good but were not authored by God.
It seems good to care for orphans. But unless God specifically told you to do this, it is not a good work. What will happen in such cases is the minister goes out and sets up the work and then starts begging other humans to pay for “his” good work.
When God tells me to do something, the way to do it is always there and it is an “easy yoke”. I don’t have to beg other humans for the money to do the work when the work is authored by God.
So beware of those “good” works …
Did God really tell me to do that?