Hear and Follow

Reasonable Response- Hear and Follow

I remember growing up how difficult it was for me to be obedient to my parents. I knew everything and was going to conquer the world at 13 and was never turning back from that attitude. I sure do miss that bold 13 year old girl that had no idea what adulthood really entailed. Now as a parent myself I strive for obedience from my own children. As I was leaving church today I felt like a child. I remembered how often I was wrong and had to humble myself to my parents and ask for their help or say, “You were right.” We are all God’s children and need to begin walking in obedience to His voice in order to fulfill His purpose for our life. That most likely means being humiliated and not understanding half of what is asked of us. In the end, our Father knows what’s best. Even in the difficult times He always provides. May we silent our carnal minds long enough to hear the sweet comforting whisper of God, our Father, and stay still long enough to feel the touch of the Holy Spirit to guide us.

And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
-Deuteronomy 28:1 (ESV)

My dad was the first thing I thought of when Pastor Aram advised us to be careful who we connect to. He used to always say,”If you hang with dogs, you get fleas.” How can we truly hear God or walk in the steps of the Lord when we are connected to unhealthy relationships or clinging tight to the weeds that are causing our fruits not to grow? Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that we shouldn’t be in and allow that situation to take over. When we follow God and walk in obedience to His word than we find that we don’t have to let situations overcome us because we serve a God that has already overcame everything for us.

“Every step of obedience gets us closer to the place He has intended us to be.”-Pastor Aram

We have to start leaning into opportunities so provision can be a perpetual harvest to our life. I recently chose to take myself away from social media because I have such a desire to hear God’s word for my life. It wasn’t what I wanted but it is what God wants from me. My flesh hurts for money but my faith continues tithing knowing He will and does provide. I am prepared to walk through the valleys because I know that God is my light and I am His vessel. In order for us to determine whether God wants us to stay in a situation and speak to it or move from it can be crucial to our path. How can we hear his instruction if we are too busy listening to our own voices in our head and every one else around us?

The scripture today focused on the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17. During the drought God spoke to Elijah and because he listened he was well taken care of during a huge trial. The birds themselves made sure that he had food and water. Then God brought him to the widow that had only enough for her and her sons. Because she gave what little she had in faithful favor, God blessed her beyond her understanding. We have this same opportunity as Elijah and the widow if only we take hold of what God is offering us. We cannot remain comfortable where we are. When we are in a dry season it is only God moving us from where we are to where He wants us to be.

What are we doing with what we have? How many of us have in our hand what others are praying for? How many of us are the miracle someone needs to see? It is not always going to make sense. How we respond to His word is our outcome in every situation. Will we obey or reject? Will we run away or connect?

Father,

I pray that we can silence the noise in our lives to hear and obey Your word and will for us. I pray that anything holding us from Your abundant growth will be cut off. Lord, lift us in Your Holy Name and let us be the answer to someones prayer. Allow us to move mountains with our faith and trust You enough to let go while You provide. Even in the darkest hours we will reach for Your hand to lead the way. We want to hear and follow what You have to say.

In Jesus Name we pray,

Amen