In John chapter 15 we learn that Jesus Christ is the vine, we are the branches and that without Him, we can do nothing. What powerful words these are! They mirror what He said twice in chapter 5 (5:19, 30) that without the Father, He also could do nothing.
As Jesus Christ was powerless without the Father directing His steps, so are we powerless without Jesus Christ directing ours. So simple! How exciting life becomes when He leads us. Now the big question, how does He direct our steps?
If ye abide in me, and my words (rhema = speaking voice) abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:7-8)
These verses share four monumental things that occur when we hear and respond to the inner voice of the Lord: 
1. Our prayers get answered
2. We glorify the Father
3. We bear much fruit
4. We become His disciples
There is a method to God teaching us how to hear and rely on His still small voice. That method runs through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit (our guide to the all truth). Jesus wants to communicate with us as sheep that hear the voice of their Shepherd! Behold, I stand at the door and knock…Our productivity for the Kingdom hinges on doing things His speaking way rather than our own way. It hinges on the intimacy of the relationship that we are keeping with the Master.
Our flesh tries to keep us in “stall” mode, often through condemnation, distractions and busyness, so that we don’t hear well in the spirit. The busyness of life and the affairs of the world all work against stillness and intimacy with the Lord. Here’s a great tip to get unstuck quickly: speak in tongues for yourself often. It is block-busting perfect prayer. Speaking in tongues is a powerful way to restore intimacy with the Lord and rebuild your spiritual muscles.
In closing, may the truth of Jesus’s exhortation in Matthew 4:4 continue to shine in our hearts as we enjoy the pleasure of His fellowship each day:
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema speaking) that proceedeth (is proceeding) out of the mouth of God.
May the constant stream of the Lord’s affectionate communion with you be as His words to the woman at the well:
Whosoever drinketh (is drinking) of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh (is drinking) of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
May you be blessed and full of the wonder of God’s living water abiding in you!
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