Text: Psalm 119:129-152, Luke 8:4-21, Luke 11:27-28, Romans 10:17
Time in the Word doesn’t always feel natural or especially urgent, does it? Sometimes I walk away feeling unchanged. But, the thing we know from Isaiah 55:11 is that Scripture doesn’t return void. God is always producing fruit when we’re in the Word. We know we are to hear it and take it in.
Now, the times I’ve seen most spiritual growth in my own life are when I’m convinced that God’s truth is the only thing I have to cling to. It is like Psalm 119:130-131 says:
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.
All I long for is intimacy with God and time in the Word. I find such relief in the encouragement and testimonies from the Bible, and it is like a balm to my heart. It’s no surprise that God uses those times when I’m panting after Him to produce growth. Like David, I know what it is like to have my only hope be the truth of God:
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. (Psalm 119:147-148)
When I have stumbled across something game-changing in this life or have a bright hope, there is little I can do to keep myself from sharing this great news. It’s like that with Scripture, too. Not only are we supposed to hear it for ourselves, we are to tell others about it. We internalize truth and learn it well when we are compelled to live those truths out and to teach them to other people. Like the parable of the Lamp in Luke 8:16, we should let that light shine so that it illuminates the way for others. We can’t only be Hearers of the Word, but also Doers (James 1:22) and Tellers.
Lord, let us pant after You. Let us be brightened by the hope of Scripture and let that hope leak out of our mouths in the way we tell other people about You.
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84 thoughts on "it is for hearing and telling"
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Lord, thank you for the truth of your word!
Beautiful timing the Lord has. I want to pant after him. “pant
I honestly needed this today. I have been struggling with trying to reconnect with God and have felt like I am not hearing anything, especially since I am faced with a decision, but I think this devotion just helped me understand what it is I need to do.
I work as a nurse in an oncology/hospice unit. I see a lot of death – all ages, all religions, all lifestyles… Each one of our lives eventually comes to a close. I see nurses who are burdened by the sense of hopelessness that unfair deaths can bring upon us. Nurses who ask “why?” and don’t hear an answer. I see nurses who think that amidst their personal hardships, life cannot get any better, and their life will never be once they once dreamt of. These souls need Christ, yet their hearts are hardened. Lord, grant me the words to say and the courage to speak! So often I am met with eye rolls or awkward silence. Sometimes even hostility toward God. How do I continue to speak life to these people without pushing them away? How can I be a vessel for Him? I want to be His hands and feet.
Thank you so much for your honesty and vulnerability, Jen. I hear your heart for others and for God’s kingdom through your words and the struggle they relate, and I praise God that you are fast becoming the strong, compassionate, faithful woman that He desires you to be. Keep pressing, keep wrestling for His guidance, and know that your care and efforts for your coworkers will not be in vain. Your entry brought to my mind the scene in Acts where the early believers gathered together to pray for boldness after seeing God do amazing things (and also facing some true opposition in this world). Satan is the chief of discouragement, and he often chooses to operate through the systems and constructs of this world (as opposed to God’s kingdom). Don’t give him a bit of gratification! Keep pressing into God’s words- especially when He describes the kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 5-7) and pray for boldness to share the riches you find in Christ and His Truth with efficacy. Every moment of time, every ounce of effort you give to sharing this gospel will be used in HUGE, eternal ways by our loving Father. He is fighting for your coworkers- He will not stop. Thank you for being faithful to the promptings God has given you to share with them. I’m so blessed by your testimony here, and I am praying for you. Much love, my beautiful sister.
Well said, Dara!
I love it when God shows me something brand new in a passage I’ve read a hundred times! I always looked at the parable of the sower as if the seed (God’s word) was being thrown upon the “soil” of the unsaved, and their receptiveness of the gospel to salvation. That application can certainly be made, but that’s not all it’s talking about. Every heart, saved or lost, is a patch of soil. We hear or read the Word often, at church or in personal devotions, but whether it grows into a beautiful plant in our life depends on the state of the soil in the garden of our hearts. Do we need to throw out some rocks? Pull some weeds? I’ve been guilty of dismissing this parable’s significance for me because I’m already saved. I pray God will help me to clean up my garden to make room for him to grow something amazing in me for his glory!
Dara, I have never thought of it that way. I love that.
That’s awesome! I love how you worded that. That’s a great way to look at it.
YES DARA!! Thank you for that!!!
Thank you for this. Very much a blessing to me :)
Oh God thank you for reminding me where I want to be rather than where I was!
Spreading his word is what we are supposed to do! I can hear my brother saying this and at that time I disagreed with him. Thinking that was left to those that were called such as ministers and priest etc. We all should share God’s word in some way! Like when we were children we were taught ‘sharing is caring’. I get it finally, my dear brother. Thank you, I so needed this!
I love this! :)
This made me think, can others see Christ though me the way I think they do? I needed this today.
I loved this! It was a message I needed to hear today.
Really connected with this, I want to internalize His word so I can think of it when I am quick to anger
The exact lesson I taught my kids in church last week…how neat it is to see God’s way of teaching me the same truth.
This really blessed me this evening. Thank you and praise God!
I’ll admit I’ve been planted on the rock but I pray to have roots and be reminded everyday of His light.
The idea of being an aroma really resonated with me! If God’s word is in our heart, as we live our lives and love others, they will hopefully experience that aroma. So thankful we don’t have to be a salesperson!
Yes! I have been praying over and over lately how I want to carry the fragrance of Christ with me wherever I go!
I’ve learned so much from this today
Stay encouraged to plant a seed in good soil; rather than the soil with thorns or the rocky soil. In the good soil we hear and we actually produce!! This was such a great passage to read; it put reading Gods word everyday in a different perspective for me.
I love the parable of the sower! I long to be good soil always and lead others to good soil by shining a light.
I have never actually shared the Word. But I can not wait to do it because i can not wait to see what an impacted The Word has on that person(s).
I really needed this today. I read my bible daily but I haven’t been feeling like I absorb anything lately….
This was perfect to read today! I have two very good friends that are in tough places: one is having doubts and the other is not living a life that reflects loving Jesus. These verses are perfect for this time for them.
Such a good reminder to myself that it isn’t enough to just hear, but that I have to really reflect and learn.
Really shows that not everyone you share the word to is going to listen and take it in but all you can do is follow God and pray!
Loved today’s reading!
Like this passage, often find myself among the thorns and not maturing so that is my constant prayer for this week.
Amen!!
This was my first time reading this parable it definitely was a reality check. I pray that God continues to work on my heart.
I love The Lord and when I read this parable like Mae’s Mom says I always check myself and if I am truthful there are times that I have been like seed on rocky soil and amongst the thorns, but what I pray is that as I grow in knowledge of The Word my faith gets stronger and I may be good fruit to all around me…
This was such an encouragement to me and helped me to see my faith in a new light. I love this app!
The seed parable always makes me check myself. It is so easy to myself in rocky soil, among the thorns or on the road.
My small group at church just started a study on James, and the first week of study really helps you to understand the setting that James, the brother of Jesus, lived in when he wrote the book and how it relates to today’s culture. The first century and the twenty-first century may have some MAJOR differences, but, as Christians, we struggle with the exact same problems as they did, such as being afraid to share our faith, dealing with hate from the world, and temptations. The parable from Luke about the seeds just goes to show that the Bible is never changing and will be applicable forever! What a wonderful verse to really put my faith in perspective. :)
I found this to be such an encouragement to me. Thank you. I have been going through a very difficult time and it is hard to see anything else. Resting in His word encourages my faith and I love the idea that even when we do t “feel” like we are connecting to His word their are seeds still being planted within us.
Praying for you Jaime! Lifting you up girl!
I watched an incredible sermon by Steven furtick where he took the 4 different soils and applied them to each persons heart. So each of us at one point is each of those 4 soils. It’s an incredible message :)
I have been struggling a bit about the idea of losing ones salvation, and it seems like john 10:28-29 and the verse in Luke, specifically verse 13 seem to contradict each other. One is basically saying that once you are in the kingdom of God you can never leave and the other is saying that people can hear the word, be excited about it and believe it but then have no root and ultimately perish. Thoughts on this?
I don’t have a definite answer but I do know a few people who claim to be saved and like the verse says, they get excited and everything but after a while that newness disappears and they’re back to the old life. My thoughts are they never truly surrendered to begin with. They claim to have received salvation but they aren’t making Christ Lord of ALL. They want what he can offer but they don’t want to dig deep roots and obey. Just my thoughts. Anyone else?
I definitely agree with what Miranda is saying. I would also like to add that verses 13 & 14 in the Luke excerpt are speaking of two different kinds of people. Verse 13 speaks of those with no root that fall away in the time of judgement. Whereas verse 14 speaks of those who are choked by life’s worries and they do not mature. Notice that the one kind of person falls away, while they other just doesn’t mature. I believe that the first type of person described (as Miranda said) never truly believed and surrendered and so their salvation wasn’t (and couldn’t have been) taken from them. And then the second kind of person just didn’t mature. So they did believe and were saved, and since their salvation couldn’t be taken from them, when the world’s worries and pleasures came, the simply didn’t mature.
I hope that helps :) good luck sister
This has been my favorite night of this study. It’s amazing! I needed to hear the Parable of the Sower. It’s completely up to me whether I am like the good soil or the soil in which roots die quickly. I know exactly what I have to do to make my soil the best it can be, and it all starts with studying the Word. I pray my soil and all of yours grows stronger and richer each day, yielding seeds and plants that grow to be huge!!
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Kerri! We love having you here!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Thanks for sharing. I often felt ashamed when I read a scripture or when I went to church and felt unchanged. But, now I know God’s word never comes back void!
Amen! I\’m so thankful that it never comes back void :) Thanks for joining us today!!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
So amazing! You are so right when you sat that God reaches out to us during tough times. It is during the harder moments of life that we strive to obey Him and truly feel His presence. It is our job to carry that throughout our lives no matter what type of season we are in, although it can be challenging. Our mission is to listen and obey!
Loved this! I recently heard encouragement from Kay Arthur to truly pursue the Word… This study has confirmed this over and over! How PRECIOUS is God’s Word! His living Word. :)
What we hear from the Word is not just for us! I thought that was an awesome point! As we are poured into, we need to pour out into others!
Love that, Betsie! Let’s pour out into others!! ☺️
Amazing devotional. The past two days I felt myself fading away and a little while ago my mom asked me if I had been reading my devotional a because I’ve been so bitter. The past two days and it his devotional helped put things into perspective. Jesus knows!!
Wow, Jillian! You (and your Mom) have seen how His word changes you! May you keep thirsting after it each day! And a verse before bed is like a mint on your pillow!
I see myself in the rock and thorns. Oh how I pray to remain on good soil!
If you grew up in church, you've heard the Parable of the Sower. Verse 10 really stuck out to me. "he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. God, desires for us to be hearers of his word at the most intimate level. As followers of Christ, we know the secrets of the kingdom of God, therefore, it is our responsibility to share these secrets with others who may just see a parable.
"All I long for is intimacy with God and time in the Word…It’s no surprise that God uses those times when I’m panting after Him to produce growth."
This was a "duh" moment! The times I've grown the most are when I am digging deep into His Word and into prayer. Lately, it's seemed more of a routine, check-it-off-the-list sort of thing for me. Please pray that my fervor would reawaken, that I would literally get giddy about the Word.
God is so good. How am I keeping Him to myself?
Rachel, that is exactly how I feel right now (sigh). This afternoon I've really lacked the fervor I've had in the past few weeks for reading His word. Praying this for the both of us! That He'd bring our full focus back to Him!
45–152 I call out at the top of my lungs, “God! Answer! I’ll do whatever you say.” I called to you, “Save me so I can carry out all your instructions.” I was up before sunrise, crying for help, hoping for a word from you. I stayed awake all night, prayerfully pondering your promise. In your love, listen to me; in your justice, God, keep me alive. As those out to get me come closer and closer, they go farther and farther from the truth you reveal; But you’re the closest of all to me, God, and all your judgments true. I’ve known all along from the evidence of your words that you meant them to last forever.
There is such turmoil going on in my heart and mind right now that sometimes I feel as though I literally can't see the light. I have been so abundantly blessed by God, and I am so thankful for all the ways that he blesses me each day, right down to the air that I breathe. During this time, I find myself crying out to God so often, just get me through this moment, this day, and let me find rest in you. I am thankful for this time, because I am finding comfort in God and God alone, so I praise Him for drawing me near. For He is the closest of all to me, and I know that His Word will last forever. All I need and desire can be found in Him, and I praise him in this very moment for His Word. May his Word dwell in me so that I am not just a hearer of the word, but a doer of His Word as well.
Praying for you, Shelia. It grieves me to hear that you are in turmoil, but I completely understand how this turmoil can make it so that you only find comfort in Him and Him alone. I pray that the Lord would bring you close right now and that he'd show you just how much he truly delights in and loves you. He is our helper and our place of refuge in the storm. Lifting you up in prayer, that the Lord would give you insight on this pain and strengthen you in this storm.
I finally caught up today – having to read two days today. BUT GOD, is so faithful, and His timing is always perfect. He revealed to me that during this move I somehow packed my Lamp. I tucked it away and began walking the along the path (as a bystander), which lead me to the rocks, then straight into the thicket of thorns. Without the Lamp to guide my steps, I landed in the thorns. The seed – the Word – grew for a moment, but was then choked out. BUT GOD, He is so good. He reveals this to me to remind me of where I am supposed to be, and how to get there. I am (we are) to be in the center of the room as a beacon of Hope. I am (we are) to be walking the center of the path with His lamp to guide us. I am (we are) to be the Light for those who are lost and are seeking the Way home.
Thank you Jesus for revealing where I went wrong, and how to get home. Thank you Jesus for the Sisters who have gone before me and gave me a Light to follow. Thank you Jesus for reminding me who I am (we are) in You.
Janee, I just love your Spirit-led posts! They are a constant encouragement. You are so correct about our Light shining right in the "center of the room as a beacon of Hope". As moths are attracted to a flame, Jesus' love shown through us should have the same effect on the broken, lost, and unbeliever. Are you a Pastor or Minister? I hope so, because God continuously speaks a Word through you.
Oh Stephanie, your words humble me so. No, I am not a pastor or minister – just a girl writing a book about being broken, lost and an unbeliever. I was all of that, and it wasnt that long ago that I denied His existence. But God… The minute I stopped running from Him, He took what the World threw away and repurposed it for His good. Isn't that what He does with us all?
Im glad I could encourage you Stephanie – it truly is all I desire to do with my words. And again, your words are a great encouragement to me. Thank you my friend, and God bless you!
I agree with Stephanie. Janee, your words always spark something in me even when I'm tired from the day and not as faithful as I should be with God's word and seeking His face. Praying that the Word of God would continue to flourish in all of us.
Oh Anna, I agree with your simple, yet profound prayer – That the Word of God would continue to flourish in all of us. Isnt that why we are here?
Oh Jesus, I thank you for the heart of Your Daughter. Lord, she has been such a blessing to me. Lord, I pray you hear her cries today; soothe her anxieties; and brighten the Lamp You have placed at her feet. Lord, You have called her to a great and wonderful mission. I pray Lord, that not only do doors to opportunities fly wide-open, but that doors to hearts be open as well. We know Your message is foolish to those who are perishing, but we also know that those who are perishing need You. Lord, give her the words to speak – words that will soften the heart – and tear the veil between this World and Yours. God, we love you…and are so blessed by you bringing us all together here. Lord, keep us all safe, as You send us out to do the Work of Your Will.
Feed your faith and starve your doubt!
Jessica Love thanks so much for sharing what is on your heart.
I love : let us hear in a way that allows us to be changed. This was for me.
Our communication with god and others are very diffrent in the way he communicates with us.
We speak and merily listen and then speak more. He listens(open in ear and heart) and then speaks(either in that moment or with time). I am now learning how to LISTEN. My prayer is that I would hear in a way not just to understand but to be changed.
#shereadstruth Thankyou :)
I've noticed that my hunger for the Bible has increased in the last few weeks, following along with the plans has fueled the desire in my heart for more. Thank you She Reads Truth ladies for your ministry.
Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” Luke 8:18
The word "how" is what stuck out to me in this verse. It speaks to the condition of my heart when I'm hearing. It gets at the fact that sometimes the way I hear is not with an open heart — that I am not always thirsting for instruction and longing to be changed. And if I'm not careful, if I don't listen with a hearing spirit, I can get away from what I have already gained in him. I must continue then to keep hearing in a way that allows me to receive Christ more fully and hear in a way that allows me to be changed.
As verse 10 says, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God." May I hear God's words in such a way that I treasure them for the magnificent secrets that they are! And may I share his words and love widely, so that those who are meant to hear and understand will come to know him!
Amen, Jessica. Sometimes I get into a feeling of frustration or exasperation because I feel the need to seek God, but also the laziness of not really wanting to, so when I go to read His word, I do it more out of feeling guilty rather than hearing from Him– I'm praying that when I do seek His word, it would be with the right motives. Lord, help me fight against the flesh and want to seek your word even when I'm feeling tired and stir crazy!
Been there, done that. Just thankful for the seasons of growth that come from sticking with it along the way. God is faithful, AnnaLee!
Lord, help me to remember HOW good your Good News is – so good, that I shouldn’t be able to help but share. I want to be a hearer, a doer, & a teller of it!
Set a fire down in my soul, that I can't contain and I can't control,
I want more of You, God, I want more of You, God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujQJQnxTFjc
Let that be my prayer today! More of You, God!! I need more of You! When that fire grabs hold of us, we can't help but share it! ♥
Thank you for sharing Candacejo….what an awesome song that makes me want more of him!
Thank you for the YouTube link! :) let that be my prayer today as well.
Oh, my, I hit the wrong thumb! I LOVE this! Thank you for sharing.
How simplistic, but oh how powerful. Thanks for sharing.
Oh yes, Lord, set a fire down in my soul, I want more of you….the cry of my heart and soul today. Thank you for sharing this link today. Loving this song, so simple but oh so powerful. Blessings to all this beautiful day!
Glad you all enjoyed it, it is one of my favorites that they sing at church!
Feel so convicted, it’s so true when we have something new or exciting in our lives its all we talk about, all were desperate to share on Facebook etc. Yet the best news, the Good news we have lost that passion for. We have almost become desensitised to it. Church last night was amazing for me. A fresh start to set fire (literally) to whatever was holding us back or separating us from God. We took communion and were anointed with oil. We prayed over each other to be filled with the Holy Spirit once more. I want to go to work and share how amazing our God is.
Love these verses today Psalms 119:147-148 NLT
I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.
Lord let my thinking turn into action!
Praying for you that the breath of God fan the flame of your Holy Spirit Fire. That your flame be a a light in the center of the room for all to see. That it cast no shadow, but extinguish all darkness. God bless you for your desire for more of the Holy Spirit – He will honor your prayers Clair. It pleases Him for you to cry out for more of Him.
I'm right there with you, Claire! I feel like my own fire has burnt down to embers, and that I'm less passionate about sharing the Gospel than I should be. Praying for us both to be hungering for Him more and more!
Man, that is soooo true! I want to share so much about god and His love and goodness on Facebook, but find that I often focus on His commandments first when sharing with others who He is, rather than His love. This is a convicting reminder and challenge to stand firm in His truth in His Love! That no one adhere to His commandments outside of His strength within them to change them and His transforming power. First we know Him, Then He transforms us. Not the other way around. He knew us in Our sin and sent His Son to die for those sins so we may have relationship with Him, not because of anything we do or did! Man, it is such a good reminder. And I love the Panting part, because often I do not take the time to be in His word and other days I feel sooooo thirsty for his word and unable to be satiated. But that is only because in heaven His word will become manifest and pure and fully complete! :-) what a sweet promise to share with everyone! And to remember that there are no perfect words to share Him perfectly with others. It is our heart that must be aligned sand He gives the power to His words to transform lives to His glory. :-). And welcome us to His blessed family and kingdom as joint heirs! Woo ee! :-)