These were some of the final words Jesus shared with His disciples before going to the cross. They are not suggestions. They are not optional. They are commands from the Savior Himself. Yet, in our time, this commandment is often drowned out by noise, by politics, by fear, and by pride—especially among those who call themselves His followers.
In this fallen world, the enemy attacks relationships, and unhealthy relations can create unhealthy soul ties–an unholy dependence and connection to a person that leads to bondage. Yet, we were each created with a deep capacity and need for a holy connection, reflecting God's design and desire for us to be in communion with Him and community with others–healthy and holy soul ties.
Imagine yourself as a surfer standing on the shore. The ocean is vast, powerful, and full of movement. Though you can see the waves coming, you are powerless to control them. All you can do is prepare, watch, and be ready when they arrive. Similarly, the Holy Spirit is like a wave on the ocean. Despite not being able to control Him, you can position yourself, watch in faith, and be ready to move when He moves. You can trust that He will guide you and carry you forward. Just as a surfer learns to read the waves, you can learn to discern His leading.
Have you ever wanted to go to a secluded place and scream at the top of your lungs, "God, why are You taking so long?" I have. Everything about my life has seemed too slow. My last name even means "gradual." Some people might look at my life and say, "You are blessed and successful." But I waited a long time to see that fruit. Nothing came quickly. My first job lasted eight difficult years, and the pay was horrible. Then, at age 31, the ministry I worked for imploded. After that, I went through lengthy seasons of dryness. I often wanted to quit.
You may be walking through a "dry place" in your life, perhaps having a difficult time… a time when it seems that all your opportunities have dried up. It appears that your financial needs are not being met, and your future looks bleak. You may even feel like your prayers are not being heard. Circumstances rise up against you and you don't see a way out. Such were the circumstances in Samaria in 2 Kings 6:24-30: The entire city was in severe famine being surrounded by the armies of the king of Syria who was determined to destroy them. The enemy wanted to take their city and possessions. They could not leave the city to trade or get food from the fields or goods.
"And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant." Kingdom wealth isn't about chasing riches. It's about empowerment—the strength to fulfill your assignment, fund your calling, overflow in generosity, and make a transformational impact on the world. The moment we reduce wealth to a selfish pursuit; we forfeit its power. But when we align with God's intention, we discover that wealth is a mandate—an assignment to build, influence, and advance the Kingdom of God.
"…No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Psalms 84:11 God's Word gives us a divine blueprint for fulfilling the vision He has placed within us. Habakkuk 2:2-3 says, "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come…" In other words, you get what you see. Vision is the ability to see a day you haven't yet walked into. It's catching a glimpse of the future God has prepared for you and believing it will happen before you ever step foot in it.
"I'm so frustrated! That just aggravates me!" How often have you said or thought those words? I know I've felt this way many times. But I've learned that we can come to a point in our lives where we don't experience being aggravated and frustrated every day. In fact, aggravated and frustrated is not the condition God wants us to live in. Let me show you what I mean.
As many of you know, I often go back to my old journals about the revelations that the Holy Spirit has shared with me over the years. Since I first began serving the Lord in 1984, I've been captivated by the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) From the very beginning I've spent much of my time fasting, praying and especially studying hours on end. One key principle that I learned was that our intimacy with God and our ability to hear His voice, is directly linked to our willingness to surrender our fleshly desires.
In Genesis chapter one, we find the account of creation. Some of the most profound truths in the Bible are in the Book of Genesis, especially the first three chapters. If you miss these, you won't be able to understand many things in the Bible. "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so." (Genesis 1:11) Notice the fruit tree yields fruit "after his kind." It didn't say, "its kind," but "his kind." What we have here is the law of double reference, referring to two different things.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34
Follow Up
