SCRIPTURE:
"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.
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.”
Mark 4:24-25 NLT
OBSERVATION:
Jesus is teaching the people in parables…but away from the crowds, He is revealing the truths behind the parables to the disciples, explaining that all that is hidden will be brought into the open, and all that is secret will be brought into the light!
Then He lays out a very plain truth; the more you listen to what Jesus is teaching and saying, the more will be revealed...and just the opposite, the less you listen, or simply ignore, even that which is plain and elementary will be withheld from them!
It’s the principle of the good soil—when we are undistracted, eager to learn, and make the time for Him, what is “planted” can only yield and grow and thrive!
APPLICATION:
Aversion to God's word seems to be the rule rather than the exception. Biblical literacy in the church has always been a challenge.
I know of Christ-following girls who need to be reminded over and over to do their daily devos—too busy, they say—yet have 5-6 posts daily on their social media accounts.
I have men that I fellowship and serve with that always bow their heads ashamedly when asked to share a daily gem from the word. They too were “too busy” with work or other “thorns” in their figurative fields of life.
And in addition to the groans, the "yeah, yeah"s, and the "I'll get to it"s, the question almost never fails to come up; "How come God shows you so much, and for me, nothing…it's like God is holding stuff back from me!"
Oh you poor thing! NOT.
Jesus makes it so plain with no rocket science involved. Pay attention, you WILL receive. If what little we catch sparks us closer, and opens our spiritual eyes, guess what? MORE will be given!
I wish I could say I was a AAA+ bible student from day one. Nope!
I got involved in ministry and felt called and a passion to shepherd God's people.
Did I pay attention? Nope! I was brought on the staff of a church and was discipled by a very blessed and effective pastor.
Did I pay attention? Somewhat, but I learned that growth came with what I had sown into my life from the Word of God; sow sparingly, reap sparingly...sow nothing, yes, reap NOTHING.
But when I decided to make my devotions exactly that; a devoted time with God...not an exercise, not a "to-do" checkmark on a list, that is when the gems began to sprout up in my heart.
I read not for "getting it done", but to listen and ask God every third sentence, "I know You have this in here for a good reason."
These days I read not for knowledge, but for revelation and communion, to converse with God and seek to feel and understand His nature and heart for all He created, and to submit to His will by trusting that what I read, can and will transform me a little bit at a time, until the day He calls me home.
There is time allotted for study, preparation, for personal counsel, and for ministry duty. But I don't confuse those with my devoted time to sit and pay attention to what Father wants to show me.
It's my hearts desire to share that and encourage all who are spiritually apathetic to discover that God is waiting to show so much more about Himself to them. All they need to do is to sit still and pay attention for a few minutes a day. That’s the secret of good soil.
PRAYER:
So Lord Jesus, my desire is that all who call You LORD will show their devotion in their daily time with You.
I know I cannot force anyone, but even if I have to just sit with a few verses of Scripture to start, may those tiny seeds of initiation, or re engagement into Your word produce a bumper crop that stirs up hunger and desire for more. Then I know You will do the rest!
I love You Jesus! Amen
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