by David Brenneman
"For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will." Hebrews 2:1-4.
The author of Hebrews says plainly that we must pay closer attention to what we have heard. It says here: "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." in Romans 10:17.
A remarkable time in my life many years ago was while I was working as an inspector. We had rather large orders at times and headphones to listen to music etc. were permitted. I bought the NASB Bible on audio to listen through the Bible. As a side note it's possible to listen to the whole Bible in about 2 weeks listening Monday through Friday at about 9 hours a day.
When you listen to podcasts or online services...are you taking what's said at face value or have you really researched the speaker? Have you on good authority that the man preaching is really a man of God? Scripturally there are no women preachers. Women are permitted to teach other women and children but that's the extent of what God permits in His Word.
Those who proclaim otherwise never consulted the Word of God.
The very introduction of that errant notion as well as others into the church is why so many churches die or in actuality grow because Satan's schemes include mass deceptions.
Include in this are churches that never have you refer to the Bible in its entirety or they pick and choose whatever they deem as God inspired for our time and toss the rest.
God says of Himself that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
God says of His Word that it is complete. Add nothing to it, remove nothing from it.
God says that His Word will not ever return void. It will accomplish all His Will.
God says that there's a curse upon those who add to or take away from His Word.
We heard directly from Jesus in saying that we are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. To love your neighbor as yourself.
We read that all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Jesus says to take up our own cross and follow Him. This means all our focus should be on what we are doing in carrying that cross.
To get moving along the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake...you have to trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Are you really paying attention or were you already stopping to look at the notifications on your phone?
Are you really paying attention to what the Spirit has already shown you must do but you dismissed it as being too much? My Dear Reader did Jesus jump down off the cross because it was too much? Did He jump down smack His hands together an declare "I'm out! This is too much for me! This isn't what I bargained for!"?
Yet we do that at times when the Spirit prompts us to make adjustments in our lives to further our sanctification in Christ. We act like we didn't hear Him. Or we honestly pull an well known thing and only go partway with obedience hoping it's enough so that we don't need to go the rest of the way.
Do you not realize what Jesus said of Himself? It is He who searches the hearts. He knows our thoughts, our intentions, our actions hidden from ourselves and others.
My Dear Reader you lie to yourself all the time. You are indeed having your buttons pushed by Satan's minions but you lie to yourself too without their help.
Your talking yourself into another desert that you absolutely didn't need is no different than you excusing yourself for rolling through stop signs or looking the other way from people whom the Spirit wanted you to take time to notice.
Be intentional in going through a checkout line to talk to a cashier. Ask them how they're doing. Be intentional about interacting with people you otherwise wouldn't. Thank a veteran when you run across one and be open for a conversation should they begin one. You, my Dear Reader, then prove to be a hearer of the word and a doer of the word rather than those who hear and dismiss and don't do or run away from.
Throughout the New Testament we read of how we should be eagerly waiting for Jesus to come back for His Bride the Church. You wouldn't know that if you weren't reading it.
Throughout the New Testament you would read of the daily pressures on everyday Believers and how you're not alone.
You wouldn't know what God's will for you is if you weren't reading to find out.
AI scanning the Bible will never help you. Cheating will never help you. He who searches your heart will find you out.
Are you listening? Do you have ears that hear? Jesus ended every letter to the churches in Revelation with that admonition.
So what it may mean giving up some things in our lives. Jesus gave up everything in His life to die on the cross for our sins. Are we really going to say that whatever is in our lives is more important than what Jesus did for us?
Are you listening?
Are you really listening?
Or do you do all the talking?
The Spirit of God prompts us along our way in life if we're listening.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.
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