By Pastor Greg Laurie, September 10, 2014 blog, at: www.GregLaurie.com
This story is told of President Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what he said.
One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.”
The guests responded with phrases like, “Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir.”
It was not until the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. The ambassador leaned over and whispered, “I’m sure she had it coming!”
Clearly the others were not listening!
This is why Jesus would often say, ”He that has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15). Or another way to translate it, “Listen up!”
The success or failure of our Christian life depends on how we hear God’s Word. It is no light thing to constantly hear the Scriptures preached and taught.
Those who hear are made more responsible than they ever were before.
So, let’s make sure we pay careful attention to what Scripture says, as it is the very word of God.
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Ezekiel 12:1-2 — The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.
Matthew 11:55 — (Jesus said), “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Romans 10:17 — Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
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O Almighty God, from whom every good prayer cometh, and who pourest out on all who desire it, the Spirit of grace and supplications; deliver us, when we draw nigh to thee, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind; that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections, we may worship thee in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
–William Bright (1824-1901)