Monday, February 16, 2009

Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Mark 4:9
"Others, like the seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown." Mark 4:20

To read God's Word with out really "hearing" it is of no value to our walk with God. We need to first hear the Word with physical ears. If you are having trouble focussing read the Scripture aloud so that you are not only seeing it with your eyes but you are also hearing it with your ears. But then we must go beyond the physical to spiritual hearing. Spiritual hearing involves receiving the truth of God's Word into our hearts so that it can produce the fruit that God desires in us. Before reading pray that God will give you spiritual ears with which to hear His Word.

Father, as I take up your Word today give me ears to hear your voice and a heart to believe and grow in it.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2009 at 5:30 AM

    Jesus teaches by the lake to such a large crowd that He is forced into a boat to continue to teach. Much of His teaching is in the form of parables. The parable of the sower and the four types of soil is key to understanding deeper spiritual truths. Not all who are gathered by the shore are there to listen and learn. Maybe I should say, all who are there will not invest the time and energy to assimilate the lessons they hear. It takes a receptive heart and dedicated effort to gain truth and understanding. Educators tell us that we learn a small fraction of what we hear only. When we add other senses and disciplines our capacity to understand greatly increases. Truth becomes truth to me when I treasure it (good soil) and practice it (pray over, share, apply, etc.). When faith is tested, when the Word holds true no matter the circumstances, when grace is considered sufficient no matter the pain, when circumstances, people, situations, and the past can not steal your joy, then you know you have not only listened but now understand their meaning. When the heart and the mind are also engaged, this kind of soil will produce a bumper crop. In all of life, the Word comes first, then the test. The seed on the path that is stolen by Satan could be the ideas, words and thoughts that are not tested. Jesus now announces the test but in words that were not heard by any of the disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Within those words we can find a promise – the other side. When the storm came, their first question was, “ Teacher don’t you care if we drown?”They had forgotten too quickly “the other side” promise because their eyes told them they were in danger. Their faith did not speak. Maybe it was too inactive. This was their “lamp stand experience” but they hid their light. What about the other boats that were also in the storm full of fear but without sight of Jesus? They also experienced the unexplained calm and heard the words in the dark, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The listening ear needs to evaluate this question for some time.

    Reflective Question ~ What truth have I listened to and heard but still lack a measurable level of understanding and faith? How will I correct that?

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2009 at 8:49 PM

    Mark 4:35-41 “.....why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

    When today’s troubles come to us and we become afraid, we need only look to our LORD and he will calm the storm for us. No need to be afraid, as HE is in control, always and forever.

    Lord help us to keep our eyes on you, so we will have no fear. Show us how to have faith in you and to share your word and love without fear.

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