We are living in interesting times these days! Everything changes very fast and the world has become a dangerous place. Sometimes it feels like in the days of Noah... God was about to change everything, but everybody went along and did business as usual! Unfortunately this is true for most part of the Church today! We don't think that we need to change things and although some of what we do is not working any longer, we just keep on doing what we do. But I think this might change very quickly.

I believe it is imperative today that we hear what God is saying to us and act accordingly. Remember the parable of the sower? Sure you do. The farmer went out to sow his seed. Everybody was receiving the same seed and hearing the same words... but out of 4 only one really heard the word... it says there:

"But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." NIV 

It is one thing hearing the word... but it is another thing to make it your own, putting it into action and the keep on standing on this word and persevering in it! 

Right after that we read about the lamp on a stand... and Jesus says there in Vers 18 in Luke 8 "Consider carefully how you listen!" Just after that Jesus' Mother and Brothers come to see him and Jesus says: "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

We are approaching Christmas. I think it is time to reflect and try to listen to what God has for your life! Not what you like to hear, not what your circumstances are telling you, or your family situation. May be the devil has taken the word from you, may be the worries and riches or pleasures have hindered you to mature... may be you have backsliden... Just put all of this aside for a moment. 

While reading these words, do you really hear. Do you listen to learn and be transformed? Do you let the words cut deep? Are you giving the Holy Spirit a chance to transform you? The word of Jesus brings forth life, right? Why is there so much death in your life then? Could it be that you did not really listen and put things into action? 

Today I would like to remind you of the word that I have posted that Philip Elston shared with us. It is all about stepping out of the boat! Can you hear Jesus calling you? Peter did. He was not only the only one of the twelve who realized it was Jesus, but he also was the only one who stepped out of that boat! This is a scary thing... suddenly he was not in control anymore. He was a fisherman and he knew how to handle the boat! He also knew how to swim. But he never walked on water! This was something he could not do... 

Don't you think it is time to start being obedient and acting on what God has told you to do? What he has called you to do, you cannot do. But he can do it! And when only he can do it, only he will receive the Glory. And this is what Jesus wants, for he will not share his glory with anyone. It is time that we start doing things that only He can do and give glory to him! 

I would like to challenge you for this season and the coming year! Step out of that boat and start relying on him! I can hear your arguments: "I have tried this in the past and it did not work." You sound like Peter when the Lord told him to throw out the net again. They had already been fishing all night long and caught nothing. Do you feel like you have been working and doing all you can, but not seeing much results? Peter just acted upon the word of the Lord and wow... suddenly it worked!

It is time for you listen and hear what he is saying, not what you are thinking. When you hear the word, retain it, make it your own. And then hold on to it and persevere! That is the hardest part, because sometimes it seems like the things the Lord has told us to do will not come to pass and we give up too early. Just hold out another day, another year... it will come to pass. May be not in your lifetime, but may be you give birth to a generation that will experience it... who knows!

For those of you who have already stepped out I have good news: You have held on to what he has given you and been faitful. You have kept his word and not denied his name. Hold on to what you have and the Lord will make you a pillar of his house, somebody that holds it all together and will be very important for the Body of Christ!

It is time for the Church to leave the comfort zone behind and start experiencing that Jesus really does care and even if we start sinking he will give us his hand and hold us up! What is it that you are hearing today? What is the Spirit of the Lord telling you today? Take some time and be in His presence and hear his words, retain it and put it into action! Then persevere and do not give up! The Lord is with you, just go in the strength that you have! He will turn water into wine!