Do I Hear Jesus' Word?

To Hear - To Understand

Jesus said: “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. (Mark 4:9 NLT)

Jesus taught with stories called parables. He used familiar scenes of His time to explain “Spiritual Truths”.

He compelled the listener to think. This method concealed the truth from anyone too stubborn or prejudiced to hear what was being said.

Have you ever shared God’s truth with someone like that? It can feel frustrating. I’m trying to get a message across, and they are purposely not getting it!

·         Most parables have one main point that Jesus intended to teach. We must be careful not to place more meaning to a story than what Jesus intended.  How do we know what Jesus intended?

This type of hearing is different than our casual hearing music or another’s long-winded story.

To truly hear Jesus’ words is to:

• ·         Believe them,
• ·         Use them immediately in decisions and attitudes
• ·         Base our life on them

Our recreation and work, family plans and money matters, praying and worshiping, depends on us making Jesus the true LORD of our life!

What is Jesus saying to you?  What do you hear?

 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:

‘When they see what I do,
    they will learn nothing.
When they hear what I say,
    they will not understand.
Otherwise, they will turn to me
    and be forgiven.”

(Mark 4:11-12)

I ask myself:  Am I an outsider – Am I a Believer? Do I have “understanding”?

Only as we put God’s teachings into practice, will we understand and see more of the truth!

Understanding – Free From Worry

but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. (Mark 4:19 NLT)

The truth is clear, but our ability to understand is imperfect.  As we obey God’s word, practicing applying His word to our lives, we will sharpen our vision and increase our understanding.

The worries of life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for things plagues 1^st century disciples, just as they do us today!

How easy it is for our daily routines to become overcrowded. A Life packed with materialistic pursuits (none of us like those words, or implications about our self), crowds out God’s word and leaves us unfruitful for Him!

Be careful – Do not allow the worries for tomorrow, crowd out your blessings of today!

Stay free from the world’s trappings, it’s worries, so the word of God can be heard – hear Him – when He speaks to you!

• ·         And Mark 4:24 holds His promise: “Then He added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.
• ·         As Mark 4: 25 cautions us...”To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

To understand Jesus’ message, people must hear and respond!!!  Those who hear casually, for whatever reason, will miss the point!

Do you know the point of Jesus’ word?

Is it to know God’s Will for My Life?

Encouragement

Read Scripture daily. Spend time meditating on the word – sitting quietly (a few moments at a time) with God…do you hear Him? 

Check out: Spirit of Truth - How to Resist the Devil

Rita Shipman, MCC

480-861-4487

Rita is a Christian Counselor who is seeking to grow in understanding and knowledge of God's word, "to be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him in the next". (Serenity Prayer).