And The Answer Is...
Pastor Chip Kawalsingh
John 15:7 (NLT) - But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
Growing up in Trinidad meant that no one was ever in a hurry to do anything. It’s the rhythm of the Caribbean: “No problem, man! Don’t worry! Don’t fret, man!”
Having left Trinidad some 18 years ago now, when I visit the place it can be quite frustrating as no-one ever seems to be in a hurry to do anything. I have to slow right down and adjust to the Island mentality. We live in a world where everyone is on the go. We can be all over the place - even all over the world - every week. Life seems to be getting faster and faster; kids are growing up and families are losing their connection with each other, despite living under the same roof.
When it comes to our walk with Jesus, we need to slow the pace right down, adopt the West Indian mentality and remain in Him. It’s the best place to be! Only then can we be truly fruitful and truly blessed. Our prayer life becomes even more fruitful when we remain in Him, when we don’t worry and when we don’t fret…man!
When it comes to courting or finding a future wife or husband, the first step for both people involved is to be connected to God and remain in Him first. Let God, through time, character and the wisdom of your pastors, guide you to the next level. Only then will relationships last (Hebrews 13:17).
Not only are we to remain in Him, but His words must remain in us. It’s not about just waiting dumbly, but with the Word of the Lord to hand and mind. Read your Bible, pray, fast and seek God. Waited time is not wasted time if we are in Christ. As we wait on God we get the strength, power and grace to do all that He has called us to do - and even more importantly we go on to bear much fruit!
Isaiah 40:28-31 (AMP) - Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
So in the midst of a world in economic crisis, the best thing you can do is wait on God and let His words remain in you. Just watch; as you stay put, blessing will come your way!
So what does this mean to me?
- I wait on God in Church.
It’s important to be in the right place at the right time. We are called to be in the local Church. The New Testament scriptures were written mostly to local churches. To love God means you love Church, you cannot separate one from the other. The Church is the body, the bride of Christ, and belongs to Jesus. Make sure you’re in Church one-hundred-percent and always on time (Psalm 27:4; Matthew 16:17-19; Ephesians 2:19-20; 3: 10; Hebrews 10:25). - Develop a personal devotion.
This is a time set aside every day to sit and read the Bible, making special note of any God thoughts or Holy Spirit promptings. These times help us to grow and bear much fruit. It also helps you to get the Word of the Lord deep within, hidden in your heart. Teach your children to pray, to read their Bibles everyday - and let them see you doing it! As you develop this, a hunger and passion for the things of God will be re-fuelled and the promise of blessing awaits you (Genesis 19:27; Psalm 119: 10-11; 145-147; Matthew 6:25-33).
