Ears to Hear

12/16- Luke 8:8 (12/16- Luke 8:8 (and 7 more times) “Jesus said, ‘He who has an ear, let him hear.’”

Thoughts: Jesus said this phrase many, many times.  He is saying that God has equipped us to hear, but we have to be willing to use that equipment.   The problem is that there are many people who indeed ought to hear.  They are in the place to hear.  They are in the right time to hear.  They have every opportunity to heard but they refuse to listen.  We should ask ourselves- what in my mind or in my life would keep me from listening to Jesus.  Some of us are distracted.  Some of us love other things so much that they crowd out our ability to listen to God.  I know some golfers who are so consumed with golf that they have quit worshiping the Lord.  I know some video gamers who love video games so much that they have quit going to church to play more.  I know some parents who are convinced that their child will win a scholarship to dance or cheerleading, or sports and they teach their children to value such things more than worship.  I also know some parents who make sure their child is in worship no matter where they are or what they do.  If you have an ear to hear- and the opportunity to hear- take it and listen. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me ears to hear.  Help me to use the opportunities you offer me to make a difference in my life.

Ears to Hear

 13This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;

though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

15For this people’s heart has become calloused;

they hardly hear with their ears,

and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

hear with their ears,

understand with their hearts

and turn, and I would heal them.’ (Matthew 13:13-15)

Thoughts: The beauty of Jesus' use of parables is that it sticks with the hearer.  The hearer may not fully understand al the meanings and nuances- but the basic plot is remembered.  People will not hear because their hearts are hard or calloused.  Jesus wants us to open our hearts to Him so we can see and hear and experience God.  Jesus came so we might hear a Word from God.  He is the incarnate Word- to show us He cares.  

Prayer: Lord, Give me ears to hear.  Help me to point others to hear you too. 

Ears to Hear

7Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Rev. 2;11)

Whoever has ears, let them hear. (Matthew 11:15; 13:19; 13:43) 

THOUGHTS: Does God speak?  Does the Spirit speak?  People of faith can see things others can't and hear things others cannot.  For example, people of faith see a purpose- a design; hear a calling- a Word of direction and hope.  The enemies of Jesus' day- the Pharisees, Saducees, Herodians and Romans heard Jesus' words- but did not accept them as truth.  The words were valid but they could not listen for their hearts were hard.
      I was watching a football game on TV.  It was a close call.  The announcer said, "It seems to me it was a catch in bounds- and one group of fans will agree with me wholeheartedly. But the other team's fans will argue that it was clearly and without doubt the other way."  As my mother told my aging father who complained of deafness, "You hear what you want to hear."  Our will and our heart help our ears to hear.  God's Spirit awakens us to hear.  If we allow ourselves to wake up and listen we will hear the beautiful music of God- speaking to our hearts; His Word penetrating to our core. 

Prayer: Lord, give me ears to hear- so that I may hear what you have to say to me. 

RCA symbol: "Listening for His Master's Voice" 

7/14/13- The Listening Church

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:21)

3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; (Ezekiel 2:3-8) 

Thoughts: The first task of the Church is to listen.  Before even belief comes, regeneration- the call of the Spirit raising us to life comes. So our first response to God is to listen.  He spoke and said, "Let there be... and there was."  The scriptures from beginning to end are about responding to the Creator's Call.
     When we think our responsibility is to judge God and to speak to Him- we are making ourselves to be the center of the universe.
     The other part of listening- is not just hearing, but heeding. It is perhaps worse to hear but not heed.  Jesus accused the people of his day of ever hearing but not hearing- having ears to hear but not hearing.  To not listen- or to purposefully disobey what God has said in His Word is to rebel against Him, and forfeits His blessing.  

Prayer: Give me, Lord, not just ears to hear, but a heart to respond.