Today’s Bible Verse
Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants.
Genesis 26:12-14 (NKJV)
Listen and Obey
n this scripture, we see what obedience can produce in our lives. This occurred during a time of famine in the land where Isaac dwelt, and he wanted to go back to Egypt to escape from it. However, God spoke to him and said:
“Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.” So Isaac stayed in Gerar. (Genesis 26:2-6 NIV)
The result of his obedience was a miracle.
What has God been speaking to you? What is God asking you to do? You may ask yourself, how do I know if it is God speaking to me? Some people do not know how to discern the voice of the Lord. Understand that the more time you spend with the Lord, the more sensitive you will be to his voice. His plan for your life always involves you being a blessing to others. The Lord demonstrated for Isaac that He would always provide for him miraculously even amid the famine. All He required of Isaac was obedience. Obedience positions us to receive God’s absolute best. God will never leave you nor forsake you. He is your very present help in your time of need. (Pastor Patti Matanza)
An Uncommon Life
Faith without works is dead. Isaac had faith in God and knew that He would keep His covenant promise. We see that through his act of obedience, he reaped a hundredfold and began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous. Ask yourself an honest question. Are you depending on your own strength to accomplish your dream, vision, or goals? How amazing it is to know that when we listen to God and obey His voice, wide doors of opportunity open for us. His favor follows us everywhere we go, and He blesses everything that we set our hands to do. God is always speaking to us and guiding us. We just need to be in tune with Him by developing our spiritual hearing. The word of God gives us clarity concerning His will and wise counsel. Jeremiah 29: 11-13 says:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
As a family, we listened to God and obeyed Him when He spoke to us about moving to Japan. It was not an easy decision but one that we were persuaded He was calling us to do. In the past year and a half that I have been here, I have seen God’s hand move mightily in Word of Life Yokohama. God provided for us a new facility, and we were able to purchase new equipment as a church. We also witnessed 20 life group leaders answer the call to be ministers and dispensers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition, we started Generation One Life Groups. Our latest miracle was our very first Christmas production where we had over 100 (new visitors). Souls were saved, and our venue was filled to capacity. God is FAITHFUL when we obey His voice. Our best is yet to come!
Ask God for clarity of vision at the start of the New Year. One of the things that you will contend with is busyness. People say, “I’m too busy to go to church. Too busy to read the Bible. Too busy to pray.” You must determine not to give in to the strategy of the enemy to undermine your breakthrough year. To have a prosperous year, we must stay connected to God and obey what He is speaking into our hearts. Listen and obey and watch what God will do in your 2022!
Today’s Declaration
I will obey God and follow His guidance. This year I will sow in the land where He has planted me; I will give my very best, and I shall prosper. I will not allow the busyness of life to keep me from spending quality time with my Heavenly Father. I make it my priority to keep Him at the center of it all. I am persuaded that His plans for me are good, and He desires for me to prosper. Amen.
