Listen To God

“They have turned their backs to Me, and not their faces; but in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us!’” - Jeremiah 2:27 NASB

How do you feel when other people ignore you when you’re trying to talk to them? How do you think God reacts when this happens to Him?

People constantly refused to listen to Him and even turned their backs on Him. When He told them how to be blessed, they refused to obey. When He told them of danger, they ignored His warnings. Yet when they got into trouble, they expected Him to save them!

Like those Israelites, we often turn to God only when we face trouble; we call on Him too late when the damage is already done…even after we’ve ignored or disobeyed His Word. He wants to speak to us daily, so we can be prepared and armed for victory.

God wants to speak to you and help you live a victorious life. He wants to reveal deeper truths through His Word, teach you through His Holy Spirit, and protect you from danger.

But you need to listen to Him. This means knowing His Word. Don’t just talk at Him but listen to Him. Get apart from the noise of the world. Quiet your heart. Focus on Him. Seek to hear His voice.

Let Him refresh you and give you His Peace. Let Him open your spiritual eyes and give you greater discernment. Let Him give you His Wisdom and insight into current events and how you should live your life. Let Him make you more like Christ.

Connect To The Vine

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV

Every farmer looks forward to harvesting the crop they have planted. No one plants a fruit bearing tree and does not expect fruit. The reason the tree is planted is to get fruit.

Many of us were taught in school about how plants or trees grows. We know about the different parts of a tree and what is needed for the tree to grow and bear fruit. If you are into gardening, you know there are times when you have to cut off the dead leaves and even cut away dry branches, so the tree can flourish even more.

Jesus said, I am the vine, we are the branches. As believers we must be and I say must be connected to the vine, Christ Jesus. The only way we can bear fruit, much fruit, and fruit that will remain is when we abide in Christ and Christ in us. You see, it’s not enough to say, I am saved, but we must be in Christ and Christ must be in us. The evidence of us abiding in Christ and Christ in us, is bearing fruit. When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:8 NLT

We must receive what is needed from the vine in order to bear fruit. Like a tree, the nutrients from the soil, the water, the sun, the air (oxygen) are all needed and must be transported to every area of the tree. When this happens, the branches become strong and bear’s fruit. Just like the tree, we receive nutrients from the vine, we receive the life-giving water of the Holy Spirit and the word of God as our food, so we can bear much fruit.

Jesus said, apart from me, you can do nothing. If we are not abiding in or connected to Christ the vine, we cannot bear fruit and more so, fruit that will remain. We may try on our own to bear fruit, but our efforts will be in vain. We must abide in Christ, because it’s through Him we will be able to bear fruit. It’s the power, the working of the Holy Spirit in us that will help us to bear fruit and fruit that will remain.

Are you bearing fruit? If not, do a self-check and see if you are connected to the vine. If you are bearing fruit, stay connected and bear much fruit. Always remember, without the vine who is Christ, you can do nothing!

Pursue, Overtake, Recover All!

And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. - 1 Samuel 30:8 KJV

Life happens and sometimes we find ourselves in a position where we lose things, connections or relationships along the way. It’s not what we planned, it’s no fault of ours, there are wars, earthquakes, famines and we are separated from loved ones and life as we knew it has changed. At times it seems like there is no possibility of reunion, recovery or restoration.

David and the men that followed him, gave their word to King Achish that they will join them and the Philistines in battle against Saul and his army. However, they were rejected by the Philistines and were asked to return to their home. Upon arrival at their hometown, they were faced with the realization that everything they owned, their possessions, wives, sons and daughters were taken captive, and their town was burned with fire. David and his men wept till there was no more power to weep.

To add to all that was going on, though David had been a good leader all along, the men wanted to stone David because of their loss. David was greatly distressed by this and turned to the only One that can help him. Instead of negatively responding to the men, scripture tells us in vs. 6 ‘but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God’. When situations arise, we may want to blame others, but we know we serve a God who sees, who hears, and there is nothing that takes Him by surprise.

One thing I love about David, is the fact that he would not act on his own, but he would enquire of the Lord when a decision had to be made. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV. And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And God answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

In this new year, may all that was taken from you, be restored. That may be your relationship with God or others, your health, your finances or even your possessions. I encourage you to do as David did, enquire of the Lord and obey what He says. God is true to His word; you shall recover all!