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“Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." (Mark 4:24-25)

Observations:

I asked myself what Jesus continues to tell the disciples and those around Him.

“Consider carefully what you hear.”
“With the measure you use, it will be measured to you-and even more.”
“Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

Interpretation:

I asked myself what all this could mean.

Jesus had just talked to them about concealment and making a point for them to hear what He tells them. Now, Jesus goes a step further and wants them to consider carefully what they hear.

I asked myself why?

Jesus wanted them to put into practice and take seriously what they hear from Him. This is evidenced by using the word, ‘CAREFULLY’ and what follows:

“With the measure you use, it will be measured to you-and even more.

I asked myself what this could mean.

It reminded me so much of sowing again. Jesus had just given them the ‘Parable of the Sower’ and now it was like Jesus telling them whatever and however they sow in their life, it will be reaped back in their own life-even more.

This is evidenced by the next point Jesus makes, “Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

I asked myself what this could mean.

I believe it is all tied into obedience. Jesus had just told his disciples not to hide their light under a bowl or bed followed by those that have ears to hear, to hear after telling them the 'Parable of the Sower'. Now, Jesus wanted them to consider carefully what they heard so they could put it into practice. It is not enough just to hear if it is not put into effect so Jesus lets them know with the measure they use, it will be measured back to them-even more. Also, Jesus goes a step further to let them know if they are obedient, more will be given to them and if they are not, even what they have will be taken from them.

Implications:

I saw important implications for my own life. The most important thing has to do with applying what I hear from Jesus through His Word, through His Spirit, through Prayer, and through the Church as it is tested through the Word. Then, the results will be blessings because of obedience.

I ask you now dear friend, what do you do with what you hear?

Dear friend, we can do a lot with what we hear. We can tune it out; we can take it in; we can share it with others; we can be obedient; we can keep it to ourselves; we can be disobedient, etc.

Jesus wants us to consider carefully what we hear and be obedient to His Word. Whatever you hear from Jesus, Jesus wants you to put it into practice whether you hear it through His Spirit, through Prayer, through the Church, etc all tested by the Word of God to make sure we are actually hearing from Jesus.

When we are obedient, with the measure we use, it will be measured back to us-even more. This is exciting to know especially when we are obedient and do the right things. However, if what we hear we do not put into practice we place ourselves in a precarious position hurting only ourselves. When we do not heed the call of Jesus, whatever we have will be taken away from us because it is not for our good and we attained it without the blessings of Jesus.

I believe it is so important that we hear what Jesus wants to tell us and put it into practice. May you hear the Lord and consider carefully what He tells you so you put it into practice because He loves you and only wants the best for you! Amen!

“Hearing Emmanuel Always Redeems!” (H.E.A.R)/”What do you do with what you hear?”

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us so much and dying for our sin and coming back to life to save us. Thank you for your Word and the power of your Word. Oh Lord, we want to hear from you and need to hear from you. However, many times we let the things of this world cloud out our time with you; to be able to listen to you. Please forgive us and help us Jesus. We are so sorry for our sin and ask you to help us please. Thank you Jesus you are so loving and whatever you do in our lives is for our own good. I love you Lord Jesus. Help us to always trust in you. Thank you Jesus! I confess to you all my sin and ask you to cover me in your precious cleansing blood. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you Jesus for coming into my heart as I ask you. Thank you Jesus for making my heart your home as I ask you! Live in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. Please Jesus be my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Jesus and thank you, you have heard my prayer and answered me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Spend time in His word and let the Lord speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of Mark which are also the devotionals I have been going through before the Christmas Devotionals and hope to continue in them. Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a fellowship you can be part of where you can be part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in Bible Live Eternally!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-720-4579

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

NEXT DEVOTIONAL:
"What do you do with the W.O.R.D of God?"

Express your view

JANUARY 2006

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