Are you listening? Can you see it? Jesus wants to tell us something today. Its time to take notice and pay attention!
In His Word 4-15-2025
Jesus was teaching in parables a lot when he walked the earth. He wanted the people listening to hear what He was trying to tell them. He taught this way to allow those really wanting to know the truth to hear it. When you read Mark 4 you can listen for the Holy Spirit to open up the truth to your heart and mind. He spoke to them then, but His Word in our Bibles speaks to our hearts and minds, and ears and eyes today! Are you listening? Can you see it?
Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. ”For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear". Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given." Mark 4:22-24
When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” Mark 7: 14-16
Of course you have to read the rest of the chapter to get the info, but Jesus was just talking with the Pharisees who had been questioning him about why Jesus' disciples did not wash before eating bread and other things they deemed inappropriate according to their rules.
He was telling them that dirty hands were not the thing that ruined a man, but that which came out of his mouth. Well what comes out of our mouth is what we put in there with world around us. If we focus on the bad news then we will be all caught up in the cares of this world, and sometimes if we just get too busy to listen to the Word, and take time to Worship the Lord we can become weak. Weak in the spirit, and the body as well eventually. We are to listen to the Holy Spirit speak through His Word, and through prayer. When we keep constant contact with Him then we will be able to hear and see what He wants us to. Then we will see what is important.
Recently my husband and I were on a trip that kept us from using our phones for anything other than menu checking and taking pictures. We had no internet contact. At first we were discouraged but then realizes quickly that we had more time together talking, and more time to read the Word, which we could do in paper or on our phones. The more we spent reading, or studying the more we spoke of the things we learned or were reminded of. The more we shared the Gospel with people around us. We did try to be the people Christ wants us to be. Sometimes we failed, from cranky times of tiredness or selfish ideas, we often loose track of what God is saying. It really is easy to clutter our thoughts and not think on 'these things' like Philippians 4 encourages us to do.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
He went on to say;
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9.
When we read our Bibles we can find out what God is up to in our lives sometimes too. But, we have to really pay attention, to pray about it and then walk in it. In the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit speaking to us through God's Word.
