In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Anna tackles an uncomfortable but transformative topic: the imperative necessity of obedience in our walk with Christ. Drawing from Andrew Murray's profound work "The True Vine" (Chapter 27, p. 128—from which this episode's title is directly quoted) and the biblical account of David and the Ark of the Covenant, Anna challenges listeners to examine whether they're truly living as friends of Christ or merely skating by on cheap grace.

This raw, honest conversation addresses the temptation to elevate our privileges as children of God above our responsibilities, and how our relationship with Christ has become "clouded and lowered" when we fail to take His commands seriously. Anna vulnerably shares her own struggle with distraction during quiet time and the practical steps she took to return to genuine, obedient devotion.

If you've been feeling spiritually distant, distracted, or like something is missing in your faith walk, this episode will convict, encourage, and inspire you to say "Yea, Lord" to whatever He commands—no turning back.

• Obedience comes first: We cannot expect intimacy with Christ while treating His commands as optional

• The danger of "soft gospel": We've elevated privilege over duty, thinking grace means God doesn't really expect obedience

• Pruning is necessary for fruitfulness: Just as a vine must be cut back to bear fruit, we must be willing to let God remove even good things that hinder maximum fruitfulness

• Justice, mercy, AND grace: The gospel uniquely provides all three—justice fully satisfied, mercy freely given, grace abundantly poured out

• Practical obedience starts with time: Getting into God's Word and prayer is the foundation for hearing and following His voice

• Remove distractions intentionally: Identify what keeps you from reverent, focused time with God and make practical changes (phone, notifications, etc.)

• "If" matters: "You are my friends IF you do whatever I command you"—the conditional nature of friendship with Christ

• God enables us to stand: When we fall, He is able to make us stand again; obedience isn't perfection but persistent pursuit

• John 15 (entire passage on the Vine and the Branches)

• John 15:14 - "You are my friends if you do whatever I command you"

• 2 Samuel 6:5-11 - The account of Uzzah and the Ark of God

• 1 Chronicles 15 - David learning to carry the Ark properly according to God's commands

• Romans 14:1-4 - "He will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand"

• References to Moses and the cleft of the rock (Exodus 33-34)

• David dancing before the Lord in worship

• "The True Vine" by Andrew Murray - https://a.co/d/7y1CE2w

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MUSIC CREDITS

Theme music: Brave New World

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Artist: Fantoms

Inspiring Hopeful

Audio source: Jamendo

Artist: Aliaksei Yukhnevich

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