Judges 16:18-21 (NIV)
18 When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. 19 After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him.[c] And his strength left him.
20 Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!”
He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.
21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison.
1.) Why is Strong Communication Important? The voice we listen to determines who we follow. When I found out that Jesus is my God it changed everything. I knew I could trust every word he says.
John 10:1-3 (NIV)
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
John 10:4-5 (NIV)
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
John 10:10 (NIV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:27-30 (NIV)
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[c]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
2.) How Do We Keep Our Signals (Relationship with Jesus) Strong?
Be Still – We have to be still and know that He is God instead of staying busy trying to be God.
Psalm 46:7-10 (ESV)
7
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
10
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Read Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Pray Earnestly – Prayer is just something we can do, its something God allows us to do. It’s supernaturally communicating with God. Our prayer are heard in the spirit realm and and manifested in the natural.
Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful ()
Community – Jesus isn’t content with us just having a relationship with him. He’s called us to walk with others and invest in others! If you want God to move in your situation then walk through it with your faith family. If you God to deal with sin in your life or in the church Jesus requires you to connect with other people. This doesn’t mean tell everybody you deepest darkest secrets but you do need to pray for discernment and develop a circle of trust.
Matthew 18:19
19 Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.