20160121 Ears to Hear

Ears to Hear

Matthew 13:10-17  His disciples came and asked Him, "Why do You use parables when You talk to the people?"  (11)  He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.  (12)  To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.  (13)  That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don't really see. They hear, but they don't really listen or understand.  (14)  This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, 'When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.  (15)  For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.'  (16)  "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.  (17)  I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn't see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn't hear it.

In my last writing I pointed out the importance of listening, really hearing what is being said. This is especially important when the speaker is our Lord. But listening will produce action that proves what is said has indeed been heard. Listening and not acting is actually sin. James 4:17

Furthermore, it is foolish… Matthew 7:26-27

There is another problem that arises out of not following the teachings of our Master and Savior. Our ears become dull, our hearts become calloused, we get set on our own stubborn paths that lead to destruction. Stubbornness breeds more stubbornness. We get to the point that the words of Jesus become like the drone of a fan. We get used to it and don’t really hear anymore. Our eyes become blind to the truth and we begin to make up our own ideas about what is true and what is false. Jesus becomes just a good teacher with some good ideas instead of our Master who has and is The Truth, The Way and The Life. When all of that happens we can no longer discern truth. When we recognize our need to hear from God we cannot because we are spiritually deaf and blind.

So what can we do? If you have found yourself in this condition, even a little bit, repent now. If there is something the Lord has told you to do, but you have not done it, do it now. Start down the right path now before it is too late. Because there comes a point when, “they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.” Only our Father in heaven knows who has reached that point. Seek Him with all your heart now.

Father in heaven, this is frightening because I know my own heart. I know how easily I can choose my way instead of Yours. Please protect our hearts. Help us to truly follow You in all ways, always. Holy Spirit forgive us when we have grieved You by not listening to Your leading. Lord Jesus, we plead Your blood. That is our only plea. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20150903 A BLESSING AND A CURSE

A BLESSING AND A CURSE

Matthew 7:24-27 "Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  (25)  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock.  (26)  But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  (27) When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

This is how the Sermon on the Mount ends. It is reminiscent of Deuteronomy 11:26-28 "Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse!  (27)  You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today.  (28)  But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the LORD your God and turn away from Him and worship gods you have not known before.

We are given a choice. Our lives will be built on something. Those who choose to follow Christ, by applying His words to their lives will build on a sure and solid foundation. Those who choose to ignore the teachings of Christ will build their lives on shifting loose sand. If the foundation is faulty the house cannot stand for long. It may appear to stand for a time but eventually it will crumble and fall.

Please note, it is not about saying, “I believe in Jesus.” It is about listening and following. In other words, it is about obeying.

Father in heaven, lead us in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Give us ears to hear and hearts willing to follow You. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

FOLLOWING THROUGH

John 8:31-32  Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings.

32  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Mathew 7:24-27  "Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock.

26 But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.

27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

This blog is being written based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. My goal here is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and to help others be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

DISCLAIMER: I know that all scripture is given by inspiration of God… and I am in no way discounting any of it. So, please do not write me about that. This is not intended to be a thorough study of all of the Word of God. It is intended to help myself and those interested in being disciples of Jesus Christ by reading, meditating on, and applying to our lives, the words of Jesus Christ. That is not to say that we won’t be using other passages to bolster what is taught. It is to say, that for this endeavor that our main focus will be on the Words of Jesus often printed in red letters. Thus, we begin where Father began with me a couple months ago.

One of my Elders challenged me to begin writing a daily devotional for our congregation. In a time of prayer I kept hearing the words, “Red Letter Discipleship.” After discussing this with my dear friend, confidant and wife (all the same person) we prayed further and felt impressed this was direction from our Lord. In prayer and study Father took me to the two passages above and so here are some thoughts on these passages.

Jesus made it clear that to be His disciple one must “remain faithful to” His “teachings.” (John 8:31) And according to verse 32, if we remain faithful to His teachings we will “know the truth” which will set us “free.” We are told in John 14:6 that Jesus is indeed the “Truth.” So, in following, abiding in and remaining in His teachings you get to know Him better and better and that sets you free. Free from sin, free to be part of the family of God, free to live a truly abundant life.

According to Matthew 7:24-27 it is the wise, those deemed wise by God, who listen to the teaching of Christ and follow it. The foolish, again deemed so by God, do not follow Jesus’ teaching. Note: both the wise and foolish heard the teaching, but only the wise follow through, apply to their lives what is being taught.

So, I lay before you questions. Will you choose to follow through? Will you apply His words to your life? Will you get to really know Jesus and experience the freedom He speaks of?