Listen And Obey

It is very important that we don’t only listen, but that we obey the voice of the Lord.  I have read that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. It seems like many of us have what we call selective hearing.  It seems like many have a way of blocking out what they don’t want to hear and taking in what they like and want to hear.  But think of this, it is not what you want to hear that is most important many times but it is what you need to hear that is most important.  How much time do you spend listening to the Word or reading it yourself; a message on Sunday isn’t enough, there are far too many distractions and voices calling out to you through the week.  Many are negative voices and you need to be alert and ready for the tricks of the evil one that hates the idea that you hear any truths and is always trying to deceive you.

God’s Word says this in John 8:28-32, “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

So if you want to be set free, and stay free, you have got to be studying the Word and have a love for the Word of God, then you need to be hiding it in your heart.

Read what the Psalmist said in Psalms 119:9-16, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

You not only need to hide it in your heart but you need to be putting it into practice and living it out in your life.  If you are not studying the Word how will you know what the Lord expects of you each day and how will you be able to help others when they need to hear some encouraging words or something that relates to them and their circumstances.

Read what God’s Word says in 2 Timothy 2:14-15, “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

How will you be able to proclaim the Word if you don’t spend time in it; and if you don’t know what it says how will you obey it?  Read Paul’s instructions to Timothy, who He considered his son in the faith, in 2 Timothy 4:1-5, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

I have given you something to think about, I hope you will.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!