God’s Word promises to give us the desires of our hearts, but only first if we delight ourselves in Him (Psalm 37:4). Verse 5 goes on to say if we commit or ways to Him and trust Him then He will bring them to pass. So why do we sometimes get stuck? In our limited imagination we often times put God in a box. We catch a glimpse of what He wants for us and run with it attaching our own agenda of what feels right in our flesh. We go to Him for deliverance and before we receive full instructions we start making things happen in our own strength. The desires of our heart are placed in us by God, but if we separate them from Him they will never bear the fruit that God intended. We have to separate our flesh because it is limited to desire only what we perceive is possible or what we feel is comfortable. This process can be grueling because as soon as we feel we are bearing fruit, He will prune us so that we may bear more fruit! This builds our faith, trust, character, and integrity. When we prove ourselves faithful to our process, He may then trust us with more. When we put limits on God, it hinders Him from giving us His best. Our best is mediocre to say the least. His best is exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Just as He placed those desires in our heart, we must give them back to Him in return. We must diligently seek Him to receive our reward. This comes by faith and it pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). Faith comes by Hearing His Word (Romans 10:17). We can only hear His word if we are listening. We have to be intentional about listening to His full instructions instead of picking the parts we want to hear and running with it. We can’t assume that God is going to bless our efforts if we haven’t surrendered them to Him. We must stay connected to the Vine that causes our fruit to grow. We must allow Him to take away anything that is stunting our growth and be open to the bigger picture. His plans are greater! Expect more. Anticipate the best. What seems like setbacks are really preparing you for more! Don’t stop at the roadblock. Ask God how to breakthrough or even if He wants you to go in a different direction. Sometimes we are on the wrong road and God needs to redirect our route. The road that seems right may have detours that God does not want us to encounter. When we abide in Him, His desires become our desires and then He can fulfill them.
John 15:1-8 (NKJV)
The True Vine
15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;[a] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Father we thank You for the desires that You have placed in our hearts. Forgive us for limiting Your blessing by putting You in the box of our own imaginations. We want Your best. We want to produce more fruit. Lead us to the path that will collide with our purpose according to Your will. Help us see the bigger picture. We intentionally wait for Your instructions and move forward by faith. Keep us in Your perfect will as we put our trust in You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
John 15:1-8 (NKJV)
The True Vine
15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;[a] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Father we thank You for the desires that You have placed in our hearts. Forgive us for limiting Your blessing by putting You in the box of our own imaginations. We want Your best. We want to produce more fruit. Lead us to the path that will collide with our purpose according to Your will. Help us see the bigger picture. We intentionally wait for Your instructions and move forward by faith. Keep us in Your perfect will as we put our trust in You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
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