Like most things in life, learning means nothing without application. If you've ever bought something that needed to be assembled, it wouldn't do you any good to read the manuals and think you've done your job. The thing is still in parts inside the box. When you do your devotions...if you're not spending time listening for what God has to reveal to you through that study...then what was it for? In prayer...if you're doing all the talking and none of the listening...where is the leading and instruction for your life? Today, Pastor Mark will give us some valuable help on how to deepen our relationship with God...by listening...and then obeying.

How many of us could say that God speaks to us 24/7? Maybe He speaks that much to Pastors, but certainly not ordinary people. The truth is, He wants that intimacy with all of us...and the only thing keeping our relationship from growing...is US. If you're confused about how to even begin hearing from the Lord, today you'll hear some ways to listen and obey Him. We know God's heart through the Word, but if you don't read Scripture, then you'll miss Him. When you seek revelation from the Lord through His Word, He'll give it to you. If you're afraid what you're hearing isn't from Him...you have the Word to test it against. He's given us everything we need.

Imagine a drill sergeant commanding his underlings. Most of us probably picture a lot of red-faced yelling and barking commands. The students obey their commander out of respect and fear. God commands us as well, and we are expected to obey....but out of love. As we'll hear in today's teaching, God desires communication between us and Him to be intimate and caring...like a Father and child. It's not about following rules, regulation and tradition...it's a relationship. We'll see how Jesus is the ultimate example when it comes to hearing the Father and obeying His voice. And when we do, the enrichment to our lives is priceless.

When you look at how the disciples dropped everything to follow Jesus, maybe you think, “Oh, that's nice....for them.” When you hear about missionaries going to places that could possibly endanger their lives, perhaps it crosses your mind “How inspiring...for them. What's keeping you from fully committing your life to the Lord? If you heard from Him that you should abandon your current life to serve Him in another way, would you do it? If there's something stopping you, then stop and reflect on where your heart truly lies. As we'll see in today's teaching, if you are seeking to live a life for Christ, then your purpose should be found in HIM.

If you've ever wondered what it looks like to be a follower of Christ...you won't find a consensus among all Christians. Some people mistakenly follow religion...but God's not a building or a ritual. Some people stop at the moment they say yes to Jesus...but, then don't seek to find what their purpose is as a Christ-follower. As we'll hear in today's teaching, you can find a good example of what it looks like to follow Christ in the disciples. When Jesus went to them, saying, 'follow me'...they dropped everything. Their families, their livelihood...because they knew life when they saw it. They certainly weren't seeking prosperity...but a purpose to follow a new heart.

Christian, perhaps you look at believers around you and are amazed at what they are accomplishing for Christ...you wonder...where's my gift? Take heart, every one of us was designed with purpose. As we'll see today, the key is allowing God to bring out those gifts within an active relationship with Him. You'll be prospered. Not with stuff, but with glorious abilities that fulfill God's purpose, and a wonderful home with Him. If you're feeling useless or lost, you can discover God's purpose for you. In this teaching, you'll find that God is a personal God, and everything you're looking for will be found in a relationship with Him.

Change the world, change your country, change your community, change your family...we all have grand plans when we're young. Overflowing passion leads to hopes and ideals that are propelled by a feeling that all our dreams are attainable. As we'll see in today's teaching...the first change that has to occur before life even begins is the one in your heart. When the Lord is allowed to work and shape you, the impact you can have on others is far greater than anything you come up with on your own. Allowing yourself to be used to bring others to God is the greatest accomplishment of all. Even if it's one person...it's one person's eternity.

If you asked a group of people to write out a bucket list, it would probably include numerous exciting things they want to do...from traveling to daredevil stunts. Now, imagine if God re-wrote that list. His priorities would be different. His focus would be on His relationship with You and people who are lost and how we use our time to help and reach them. Seeing the lost give their lives to Him, building His Kingdom for you as you do His will...these are eternal thrills. Enjoying our time here on earth is a plus...but, as believers our hope and our hearts are with Him. Perhaps it's time to rearrange that list and consider what matters in eternity.

We all want wisdom...many of us think we've already got it. But, if it's not the wisdom of the Lord it's inferior. As we'll hear today, in order to understand God's wisdom, we first need to know His perspective is supreme, and first be cloaked in His righteousness. Seek to know God, and you'll begin to gain wisdom. Better than the most sophisticated search engine, God is an unlimited resource, and, unlike any human reference book...He's reliable. Pastor Mark will take us through many portions of Scripture that underscore not only the superior wisdom of the Father, but also how to go about seeking and finding it for ourselves.

When you're getting to know someone, it takes a while to recognize their sense of humor, or their likes and dislikes. The better you know them, the easier it is to understand where they're coming from or what they're saying, even when they don't say a word. This same discernment happens between you and the Lord the better you know the Word. The more closely you study and seek understanding, the easier it is to hear how He speaks to you. You begin to relate with a familiarity that wasn't there before, until it becomes almost effortless. Although we may not always respond in the right way, we can be assured that as long as we seek, we'll find.