John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (ESV)
Both my husband and I have spent countless hours talking and ministering to people who have questions about their lives, their direction, their health, financial issues, marriage issues, and personal problems. The ministry is often about giving counsel, direction, and encouragement to those who are facing a time of need. However, if a believer continually needs others to give guidance, there will always be lack in their life. Abundant life cannot come from counseling. We were created to hear God and live by His Word. (John 10:27-“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. NIV)
The only source of abundant life, peace, health, and direction is the living Word of God. Until we are hearing God for ourselves, we will never enter into the exceeding, abundant life that God has purposed for us. Wise counsel is good for a new believer, but every believer should be dedicated to hearing God (Proverbs 1:5). How many mistakes could we have avoided in life if we had simply taken the time to listen for the still, small voice of God? Psalms 73:24, “You guide me with YOUR counsel and later receive me in glory.” This verse is clearly stating that God will guide us into truth and order our steps by His spirit. Isaiah 55:3, “Incline your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul shall live.”
God created us with the capacity to hear Him. He is always speaking. We should always be listening. There are three ways that God speaks to His children. 1) He speaks through His written Word which is Spirit and Life. John 6:63-“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” John 20:30-31, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” 2) God is Spirit, and He speaks to our spirit. Romans 8:16-“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” 3) God speaks through the preaching of the gospel. Acts 2:36-38 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Often while ministering to people, I ask them, “What is God saying to you?” I am often met with a blank stare. Therein lies the problem. You cannot have faith and wisdom for your life if you are not hearing from God. You are left to your own finite knowledge and feelings. Many people are led by their emotions or what feels good or right at that moment. This more often than not leads to poor decisions that are not directed by God. Proverbs 3:4-5 admonishes believers to trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding, but in all of our ways allow HIM to direct our steps. God (the Good Shepherd) is the only voice that we can follow into green pastures (Psalm 23). So, you might ask, “How do we build our trust and faith in God?” Romans 10:17-“So faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God.” Jesus is the Word, so if we love Jesus, we will love the Word. Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” My friend, have you ever been in a place where you were seeking God for direction, or an answer and God spoke through His Word at just the right moment? This has happened to my husband and myself many, many times. When I was in a coma, doctors and nurses were telling my husband that I may not recover. BUT Bill heard from God that this was not unto death and that I had more assignments to complete here on earth. God gave me this exact same message while in a coma. My daughter was praying for me to come out of the coma by Mother’s Day. She believed that God would answer that prayer. I came off the ventilator and intubation the day before Mother’s Day 2021. God’s Word and His presence with me every day while I in the hospital (6 weeks) sustained me. I felt angels all around me and I know that the prayers of my church family and loved ones sent those angels to deliver quick healing to my body. That peace and Word from God while in a coma also sustained me throughout 7 months of Chemo and procedures. God has healed me of a rare acute type of leukemia (Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia)! My husband and I are so thankful for the time we still have here on this earth to fulfill all that God has for us to do in order to bring His Kingdom down to earth. (Matt. 6:9-10)
God bless you and your family. God Speed!
- Local opportunity:
- McKissack Farms Encounter Aug. 27, 2022
- Meal at 6 pm-tacos
- Worship and service at 7 pm, bring lawn chairs
- James Nesbit, prophetic worship leader and artist.
- Childcare available
- For more info. http://www.mckissackfarmsencounter.com
TateandTateGodSpeed 