True Connection Starts In The Vine
I believe any true connection starts in the Vine, from an intimate relationship with Jesus.
So I ponder this thought:
How do you write about something that is on your heart with fresh insight?
I’ve written before how God is raising up family, friends, and heart connections as a factor to help Kingdom families reign in life as we share the Father’s heart. I believe 15 minutes or less 
of releasing the Father’s Heart in love to someone can have more impact than years of sermons, seminary, and the like. (Not to discredit any of such venues of learning and sharing the Gospel.)
Last Sunday, I witnessed someone who walks this out (Todd White) and saw the result of such a lifestyle. As Todd says…”I’m not about religion but relationship…with God… People are not an inconvenience but an opportunity.”
So as the enemy tries to ramp up resistance to this with envy, strife, betrayal, abuse and other bad fruit that can come in relationships, I believe God is rallying His Kingdom Messengers on a mission of faithful connections.
“Once you leave the concept of family, you have lost Kingdom.”
Bill Johnson
I wrote this “Listen To The Vinedresser” (below) after four days working and fellowshipping with two very good friends in the
mountains last week. As I thanked God for my family and a few friends I could count on to really speak gut level honestly with me for growth, I wrote out some thoughts. I’m still soaking these thoughts in the Word, so I’ll refrain from sharing them right now.
Fresh insight? I’m going to share some from Ryan LeStrange:
RUNNING WITH YOUR TRIBE-
“Part of the mandate for 2016 is aligning with those who will run with you in the mission God has given you. He is linking you with brothers and sisters who share the same spiritual DNA.This is a real key factor in success. Running with people who are burning for the same mandate as you will encourage and strengthen you! These people will fight for you and with you. Look for and discern ordained relationships and peer alignments. Invest in them and build upon them. God never destined you to walk alone but to share in the journey with others.”
Eccl. 4:9-10- Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
Prov. 13:20- He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Ok, so now here is a short word in the Vineyard to remind you God knows you long for restoration and for real friends, connections who will love you through any process. He is about relationship.
Declaration: I trust you Lord to align me with friends who burn with Kingdom love and will encourage me in my destiny.
Listen to the Vinedresser
“Dear child, I understand when hope’s dream seem to drag on and the delay for real connections and restored relationships seem no where to be found. I am here dear one. Put your arms up and let me pick you up and hold you as your heart aches from a stone throne, an arrow shot, or a word that bruised.
“Hand over this pain that has shattered your heart. Forgive and release those who have hurt you.
“Allow the beats of my heart to remind you I am close even when you feel lost in the coldness of isolation or crushed by betrayal in a relationship. Let me pull the arrows out and pour the oil of My spirit in that gaping wound. The process may seem like it is slow but know the timetable is in My Hand.
“I am all about restoration, connection, and validation. As you receive the first connection in an intimate relationship with Me, there lies the fulfillment for your heart’s longings. Find it with Me first. Stay clinging. Keep hoping and believing.
“I am about relationship Child, not control or performance. This is not an inconvenience, but the foremost intentionality of my Heart for you.
“Now as I set you down, let’s dance. In the rhythm of grace I put a song back in your heart. Stay in motion to the sweet tune of My overflowing love. You will find your real love in Me. Yes, this can be a slow dance at first as you learn to hear the beat of My heart in tenderness for you. When you are ready, you can twirl and dance like David danced.
“Look dear one! As the healing comes in your own heart, look for those gems in friends I bring across your path. From the overflow of your first love with Me, connections will come. It’s how I designed you, being connected to Me, in the Vine.
Love the Vinedresser
©Listen To The Vinedresser
Do you have a friend to share this with or maybe someone who needs a friend.
Don’t shoot the wounded.
Please share the Father’s Heart. Let’s rally The Family and all get on the same page: Loving each other, reigning in life, and impacting our cities for the Kingdom of God.
In The Vine,
Theresa
