Shut Up And Listen For A Change

We are in fellowship with GOD, meaning it is a two way relationship. You know when you have a conversation with someone you expect them to interact with you. GOD has created us to be dependent on him all the time not act independent. As such we need to let GOD in on anything that we are embarking on.

However most of us are very selective when it comes to our issues before GOD. Some say he is to busy to attend to these things or some say I can handle some of these things but I just need your help on such and such areas. Communicate to GOD about everything I mean all of it no matter how trivial.

Take for instance our human relationship I mean man and woman, you will notice that the main problem in marriage stems from lack of communication. I can challenge you if you do research you will find that one of the main reasons that most couples do split is because of the breakdown of communication. It is either they don’t talk at all or the other just keeps on and on without listening. This in turn leads to couples spending much time apart there by breaking the fellowship. Eventually one or either seeks solace somewhere else.

Communication is a two way thing where I speak and the other party also is allowed to speak. In other ways when you convey your words to the other party you then must give them time by listening to what they are saying. I am sure like me you get pissed off when some one keeps talking non stop without listening so that you can put your point across.

I have two kids and I have noticed that nothing pisses them off than when I am not listening to them or when I seem to be distracted by the other kid over the other. A fight usually ensues fighting for my attention I have to give each one a turn so that they can put their point across. Afterwards they feel very satisfied and happy that they have been heard.

Our heavenly father is in fellowship with us where our spirits join together and become one. So just like our spouse or our kids GOD also wants to be heard. Most of us pray and pray then do not give the HOLY SPIRIT a chance to speak. Prayer is one way of communicating with GOD. Yet when we pray we do not take time to listen to what GOD is saying. We end up complaining that GOD is not answering our prayers yet we do not give him a chance to speak.

After we pray is always recommended to just be still and listen or wait on the lord. Say you have prayed for like an hour, then spend the next hour or two just being quiet and listening to what GOD has to say. Most times GOD wants to speak but we do not even give him a chance to speak. GOD is talking all the time but we are too busy at times putting our points across when we aught to be still and know that he is GOD.

 GOD like our spouse wants to be heard so let us start paying attention, GOD might have already answered our prayers if only we could listen. 

Psalm 46;:10 Be still, and know that I am GOD says the LORD. Take your time from today give GOD a chance to talk and your relationship with GOD will flourish.

Your Misery Is usually Your Ministry

Often times as Christians we go through so much that it becomes too much at times. I know of this pastor who when he heard the call of GOD stopped everything and pursued it. However his relatives refused to help him with his bible college fees even day to day upkeep. It became so u bearable that he decided to kill himself. So he bought rat poison put it in his pocket. As he went home to kill himself he met a fellow christian who said pastor I have been given a part to preach at church mid week service but I need scripture for I have no idea what to preach. The pastor gave him the scriptures then the guy says pastor I really would like you to be there this evening I need the support. Then the pastor went home diluted the rat poison ready to drink it then he remembered that he had promised the fellow christian that he will be there that evening. So he thought he might as well go to support that fellow christian then come back home to kill himself. While in church before the service started the resident pastor just started saying there is a pastor in here who is a great man of GOD and he has a message for the church and that what he says is a true word from GOD. Every one should listen and do exactly what he says. then to the surprise of that pastor who wanted to kill himself he was beckoned to rise and pray for the church. As soon as the pastor who wanted to kill himself started praying miracles started to happen people all over the floor, healing and many signs. Then he had a vision there and then of an GOD telling him off and reminding him what he is carrying on the inside the rest is history.

The devil knew what the pastor carried and he distorted his vision to focus on his problems and not on JESUS. What ever we or you are going through has already been vetted by GOD he knows you can take it. As it is written Ephes 2:10 that we are GODs workmanship created in JESUS Christ unto good works which GOD has before ordained that we should walk in them. From the foundation of the world we have already been predestined to walk in certain ways as children of GOD. 

So all the misery that we or you are walking through is just your ministry, take Moses for example he spent time up to 40 years in the wilderness when he killed that Egyptian, then GOD met him there and told him to take the children of Israel out of Egypt through the desert. You see his misery became his ministry. GOD likes to send us places where we have never been, way ahead of others, so that when we take other people through the same situation we know what we are doing.

Come to think of it what you go through will come through you, meaning that if you are going through financial problems then you are probably going to be a blessing financially to others. Come on unless you know what it means to have no money you can not begin to understand when some one ask you for financial help. Check and see what misery you are in it may be connected to your ministry. For GOD is not wasteful believe me your experience is not wasteful every tiny thing that you go through has a reason. GOD likes to prepare us before he sends us. It is written GOD does not inflict willingly meaning every pain that you and I go through is meant to be a testimony.

It is time we renew our mind and embrace what GOD is doing in our lives and learn the lessons and also learn to connect our misery to our ministry. GOD has deposited so much in you and me that he can not let you fail though it looks bleak do not give up. One advice, tell GOD the truth of how you feel about what you are going through. After all there is nothing hidden to GOD. When you tell GOD how exactly you feel that is not necessarily complaining. But when you tell fellow man how you feel GOD is treating you then it becomes a complaint.

GOD Pulling Your Leg Is he

I am travelling a road that has not one sign I am traveling blindly not knowing which way to turn. It gets pitch dark at times groping in the dark, yet I feel about for JESUS but I can hardly notice him at times. I sometimes I feel so frustrated It feels like I am just running on the same spot. No matter how I try I keep coming back to the same old things.

I try listening to the voice of the LORD and several times he has  told me and my wife that now is the time giving us dates and confirmations. Yet nothing happens. You see I never knew GOD could pull ones leg. I am confused now what is going on I ask what is GOD playing at.

Yet down the road He GOD says there has just been a delay I am just checking your perseverance, patience and obedience. We are so engrossed in our problems that we cannot see or seem to grasp what GOD is doing in our lives.

Look at your life GOD is up to something, I mean really stop for a minute I bet like me you will notice a pattern. This has happened many times that the word of GOD does not add up or should I say reflect on the ground. I have been called a fool and many other names for my beliefs. But let me put you straight is it possible for GOD to tell you one thing and deliberately do something else.

When we read Judges 20 it is very interesting. Some people from Benjamin did a terrible sin like the one from Sodom not only that they were covering the culprits. To cut the story short the other tribes consulted GOD right in his place of worship and he GOD even told them that the tribe of Judah to go first. Judges 20:18:21 Oops what do you know they were walloped 22000 fell that day from Israel camp.Then went weeping before GOD again asked Him, you know thinking maybe we did not hear GOD right. Again GOD told them go up against Benjamin, but yet again the Israelis were defeated. Then the went again before the LORD for the third time now this time GOD said go for I will give them into your hand.Judges 20:22:48.

Looking at judges it is possible for GOD to tell you to go ahead knowing you will fail. My friend GOD works in mysterious way. With the children of Israel GOD was sorting out some issues them.
Let us look at it:

• First the children of Israel thought they were more righteous themselves it took them two failed attempts to realize that they also had issues before they could judge others. Eventually they made sacrifices confessed their sins then GOD allowed them to go inflict judgement on others.

• They were imposing themselves on GOD. well the first two attempts they told GOD the only option is to kill the children of Benjamin. They forgot that GOD has the final say. At last in judges 20:28 they prayed that should we go or should we cease. This was an acknowledgement that it was up to GOD punish or pardon that sin. The moment they said or should we cease meaning it is up to you GOD you decide then GOD said go for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hands. notice the first two times GOD just said go.

• They were not executing the Judgement like GOD wanted, You see GOD wanted a total wipe out of the Benjamins because of their arrogance. So he allowed the Israelis to be killed such that when the went for the final time the were so vexed because they had lost the first two times. that they killed everyone including women and children and all the animals plus burning everything. Only six hundred men survived the onslaught. 

What are we saying examine yourself. Are there things that GOD still want you to change? Are you imposing your choice on GOD or are you allowing him to make the final say. It also could be that GOD has seen the injury inflicted on you emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually by the enemy even the arrogance of the enemy has come before GOD. Like the children of Israel he is orchestrating a total wipe out of the enemy. Keep putting GOD in the first place and humble yourself , with thanksgiving and a joyful heart and God will exalt you greater than you have imagined.

GOD pulling your leg is he? Well encourage yourself for it is all for a good purpose. He loves you and cares for you. And he has no favorites. What he did for Abraham he will do for you. 

Why Wait

Often when it comes to Gods promises we get very excited thinking that it will come tomorrow. We wait and then wait a little bit more. Days turn to weeks then weeks turn to months and then months to years.

You try this and that and you still are waiting. You do all that you are meant to do as the one who is expectant. Indeed the bible says do not get tired of doing good for in due season you shall reap. You tithe even if it is the last money you have. You give when you have nothing to give. You are still calling on the name of JESUS despite what he is allowing you to go through.

Ever come to a point where you think JESUS has abandoned you that GOD does not care. You are attacked left and right or the problem you face has been going on and on. Despite GOD himself telling you it is over.

Brothers and sisters push on and hold on your breakthrough is on the way. I personally know a woman of GOD who has stayed 8 years without a man and still going on. Yet now she is worn out from waiting for GOD to fulfill his promises over her life. She had her husband die in an accident then GOD promised her a new husband. But it has taken her 8 years and still waiting. Honestly speaking she has managed to keep herself pure by the grace of GOD. But I can sense her desperation and weariness man 8 years wow it must be GOD, some people can not even last a week.

But then with all you can do you keep yourself pure and still in faith and nothing seems to happen. Why must you wait. Well take a look at Saul and David.

Saul was the peoples choice meaning give us now GOD when He GOD said wait. the people of Israel chose a king before GOD was ready to give them one. GOD already had David for a king but he was still not  born yet.You may say but saul was anointed by GOD through Samuel just like david yet GOD new saul will fail.and he was not GOD choice 1 sam 12:13.

For starters he was anointed with oil from a vial which is man made 1 sam 10:1 while david was anointed with oil from a horn which is GOD made 1 sam 16:1. David learned obedience through suffering and his character was built along the process. On the other hand Saul got it easy, one day he is looking for donkeys the next moment he is anointed king. Faith is built up over time when you look at Saul he did not have an intimate relationship with GOD. Meaning he was never really pushed to the limit where he had to trust GOD through obedience. On all occasions he failed miserably because he never had his character built by GOD.

GOD has great things for you and he is allowing you and me to wait more because he is building your character and strengthening you for your breakthrough that will blow your mind. It was easy and still is easy for GOD to give you quick miracles but they may not last. You see when GOD gives you a promotion he removes the ladder so you cannot come down. But unless you are willing to wait, you will receive man made breakthrough rather than GOD made.

Why the wait I say so that like David you may receive GOD made breakthrough as it is written in eccl 3:11a He has made everything beautiful in his time. prov 10:22 the blessing of the LORD makes one prosper and he adds no sorrow to it.psalms 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows, for he provides for those he loves, while they are asleep.While you look like you are doing nothing GOD is at work shifting things for you. While others are busy working hard GOD promotes you to overtake them. GOD does not follow protocol or procedure. My friend wait for the LORD, I say wait for the LORD.