“I was talking with a neighbor last night,” Stan began. “He said his daughter wants to start playing golf and was wondering if I had any recommendations for how she might get started.”
“Did you?” I asked.
“Several things came to mind,” Stan replied, “but I only passed on the one that I think is the most important. That she start with some private lessons with a good instructor.”
“So as to not develop bad habits, but to learn the basics of set-up, good swing, and all of that?” I asked.
“Exactly,” Stan responded. “I didn’t have any private instruction when I first started. For me, it was definitely the wrong way to begin. I developed a lot of bad habits.”
Continuing, he added, “While he certainly wasn’t writing about golf, Mark’s gospel records that Jesus did something similar, and in what He did there is an important lesson for my faith walk with God.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Mark records that Jesus explained everything privately to His disciples.”
“And what’s important about that for me,” Stan continued, “is that God has given me the Holy Spirit like a private instructor. The Holy Spirit is in me to teach, lead, counsel, and all sorts of things that will help in my walk with God.”
“But,” he concluded, “it’s just like everything else; if I don’t consult the instructor, if I don’t listen to the instructor, and if I don’t take to heart the instructions that are given, what’s the point of having the instructor.”
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He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples. Mark 4:34.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving me the Holy Spirit who is in me to help, counsel, guide, and instruct me in the way you have for me to live while I wait to step into eternity to be in your eternal presence. I confess that too often I do not listen to His voice of help, guidance, and instruction. Please forgive me of all of that foolishness. And please, Father, lead and help me to follow in being totally open to all you have for me in developing an ever-deepening relationship with you through the instruction and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Think on this: Private instruction on just about any subject is valuable. Private instruction from the Holy Spirit is priceless. Why would anyone not take advantage of all the Holy Spirit has in the way of help, guidance, and instruction? Are you taking full advantage of all of that private instruction? If not, why?
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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.
Waiting for the Train 
I love this one! Great application!! Choo-choo goes the TRAIN ‼️😃❤️
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As I meditate on what Stan said about the “private instructor”, I’m also reminded how there are those I know who may listen to the “voice of a stranger“. I know for myself, as I’m actively engaged in reading, meditating and studying the scriptures daily, I glean insight into Gods nature. I have noticed, as do others around me, that I am becoming more in tune with His voice than the enemy’s voice as well as my old nature’s voice (selfish, prideful, etc. which I believe is being worked out of me more and more). The word picture I get from today’s meditation is reading an instruction book (Bible), authored by the One who is my private instructor. The Holy Spirit, my instructor who is the “One called alongside to help me” (the Paraclete) instructs and leads me in experiencing the lessons in the instruction manual. Help me Father to consistently read your manual, learn and apply by hearing Your still small voice of the Holy Spirit saying “This is THE WAY, walk in it.” Thank you Stan for challenging me to walk in the ways of the Lord rather than the world! Thank you for being a mentor to me.
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