Good morning, I greet you in the strong and sufficient name of Jesus Christ. God smiled at me just this morning thru the rising sun rays. I’m sharing the same courtesy with you by sending you a warm smile that your heart can feel even without seeing. Of all the smiles you receive today, there is a smile you don’t see. A smile not from the lips, but straight from the heart – a smile that came from me. Bless someone with yours today.
In my devotional time, my habit has always been to read the scriptures quietly to myself. But recently I found myself needing to reread each passage several times. I began to realize I was just allowing my eyes to scan across the page. I was not hearing the message. So I began to read the scriptures out loud.
But, as I did, I noticed that I would inadvertently change a word, skip a word, or even insert a word. I realized that I must have skipped even more words when reading silently. No wonder I’d had trouble getting the message before! Reading aloud also gives me the opportunity to add expression to the scripture. It allows me to hear and feel the emotions of the passage. It has become easier to understand the message because I am able to hear God’s word to me. We may have the opportunity to hear God’s word many times during the week: during worship services and Bible studies, in the songs we sing when we read our daily devotions. When we hear and begin to understand God’s message, our faith surely grows Stronger.
God wants us to listen not just for the facts or simply to know He’s talking. He desires for us to listen with understanding. One of the funniest and truest of all slogans is the Verizon ad which says, “Can you hear me now?” Obviously, the issue is cell phone connectivity for millions. When we pay for a cell phone, we want to make sure that we can be heard. Being ‘heard’ is something which is very important to God. In fact, He gave us the capacity and has a deep desire for us to hear, listen, and understand. Scripture tells us this.
There is actually a difference between hearing the words (notice it is words, small w) of God with our ears and really hearing the Word. I believe that is why Jesus said several places in The Word, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15). It is obvious that a person who has ears unless they are deaf can hear. But Jesus knows that there is more to hearing in the natural, a person must hear in the spiritual. God is speaking but too many times we are not listening. If we are to be effective witnesses for our Lord, it is imperative that we can spend time each day at His feet listening to His voice. We have to hear the Message!
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
Live life, give people hope, share your heart, wisdom and resources. Never place a period where God says there should be a comma.
As always peace and blessings, be safe. Remember God loves you and so do I. ©krw 2.8.16
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