ANOINTED BY GOD: "REQUIRES OBEDIENCE"
GUIDING SCRIPTURE: JOHN 15:1-4 (NLT) says, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
GOD has truly anointed us all to do way more than we could ever fathom. He has empowered us to truly go out and be FRUITFUL, but with all of this POWER comes a level of RESPONSIBILITY! The way that we LIVE has such a huge impact on the QUALITY OF FRUIT we produce and the QUALITY OF LIFE we experience. This is why it’s so important that we remain in JESUS CHRIST DAILY! This world presents us with many false gods, devious options, and deceptive pathways. If we aren't vigilant and intentional about staying CONNECTED to JESUS CHRIST, we run the risk of falling into a pit of deceit.
So, today I want to pose the question, “Do you understand the responsibility attached to your anointing?”
The scripture literally states that GOD created us to be FRUITFUL! To put it plainly GOD equips us with all that we need to reproduce and share the greatness he has placed inside of us. The ANOINTING GOD placed on our lives is the lane or area he has appointed us to occupy! He gives us GIFTS to use as tools to do HIS WILL and share all about his GOODNESS. There’s a certain level of responsibility attached to possessing this power because there is a purpose attached to it. GOD literally has asked us to simply LOVE EACH OTHER, GO MAKE DISCIPLES, and SERVE HIM THE ONE AND ONLY GOD! Since we claim to represent JESUS CHRIST, how we LIVE is supposed to give others an opportunity to experience the LOVE and CHARACTER of our FATHER GOD. We were created in his image so we’re charged to live like him! This is why it’s vital that we’re intentional about living our lives the way that he wants us to lead our lives. The flow of our lives is literally our MINISTRY, it has the power to bring people to JESUS CHRIST or even deter others from coming to the KINGDOM.
As we weather each storm and go through seasons we tend to accumulate different types of habits, perspectives, and sometimes we come into agreement with all kinds of things. This can happen knowingly and unknowingly, but the fact is it happens. Sometimes we don’t realize that the things we allow to occupy space in our lives aren't of GOD. We find ourselves dabbling in things that are of this WORLD, and at times we’re BLINDED by the glitz and glam. When this happens GOD has to sit us down and reveal truth to us that we’re not always ready to receive. It’s hard to hear that we violated GOD’S COMMANDS or we have been walking a path that isn’t ordained by him. It’s a tough pill to swallow especially when you feel that you’re doing the work to live by the spirit. But regardless of how we feel, the fact still stands that we’re in the WRONG. We have to stop trying to warp the word to fit our circumstances. GOD is patient and kind, but when he speaks we must learn to move immediately to CORRECT whatever it is he has brought to light. The word says GOD is the gardener that prunes us so that we can produce more fruit. This means that GOD watches over us so closely that he recognizes when it’s time to trim those loose ends, the little stubs, and the wildflowers on us that aren’t useful. He is careful to handle us gently and lovingly, but it’s our responsibility to stay with him. We must be willing to release whatever isn’t like him and check in with him often. This means consulting him, reading his word and making sure that our LIFESTYLES are mirroring HIS WORD. We have to stop watering down his words. One of our responsibilities is accepting GOD’S WORDS and DIRECTIONS without ADDITIVES! OBEDIENCE is a requirement! We won’t always understand GOD’S methods but we have to TRUST HIS WILL even when it hurts! 1 SAMUEL 15:22-23 (NLT) says, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings or your obedience to his voice? Listen! OBEDIENCE is better than SACRIFICE, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”
There will be seasons that require us to go through GROWING PAINS. In these moments GOD will hold up a mirror to your face and reveal the TRUTH about a lot of things. You’re not going to like it because it’s going to require you to have to make some adjustments and let some things GO! We all have to realize that everything is SPIRITUAL! Every little thing we do can impact us spiritually, so we must be in ALIGNMENT with GOD’S WILL at all times. His WILL protects us, it educates us, and it instructs us but we have to make the decision to OBEY! At times it can feel like you’re experiencing a lot of loss, but you have to recognize the difference between losing and pruning. JOHN 15:9–10 (NLT) says, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”
The moral of the story is GOD’S ANOINTING requires OBEDIENCE and a BOLDNESS to stand TEN TOES DOWN on GOD’S WORD even when you have to make the unpopular decision! Standing firm in your beliefs and following GOD’S DIRECTIONS allows you to COEXIST in this world without CONFORMING to the ways of this world. Submitting yourself under GOD allows you to be COVERED and it establishes GOD in his rightful seat as the head of your life. GOD needs to know that he can trust you with the assignment because the WEIGHT of the assignment is too important. GOD needs to know that if he decides to shift gears you’re going to RIDE with him and you won’t go rogue. He needs to know that he has your ear and your heart. As you continue to journey throughout this like you have to be ok with walking alone at times. It also requires a willingness to travel the path less traveled but when you choose GOD you’re never truly alone. GOD lives in you and he continues to help you navigate this thing called life for the sole purpose of you producing fruit that leads to righteousness. MATTHEW 7:13-14 (NLT) says, “You can enter GOD’S kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”