Having Ears To Hear

HAVING EARS TO HEAR

Lord, I don’t trust myself to hear you accurately. I am afraid of putting anything down in this two way prayer conversation, except for scripture. I know your Word is true, always reliable, and always instructive. I trust you communicate with us through your Holy Word. However, everything beyond that is a question mark for me. I am not sure if your Holy Spirit is prompting me to get a message from you, or it is my own mind that is making something up that I think you would say. Please help me to have a conversation with you around this today.

Dear child, I like that you don’t trust yourself to hear me accurately. I enjoy your humility in this area. I also like that you stay very close to my Holy Word, Scriptures. And I like that you want to have a conversation with me.

GOD’S WORD IS RELIABLE

Lord, these scriptures speak to me:
1. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 NIV
2. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 NIV
3. “But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 NIV
4. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 NIV

Dear child, this one is the reason why you need to stay close to my Holy Word when engaging in conversations with me: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV

Father God, what does it mean that it is “living and active?”

Child, the research you have done you can share here.

OK, Lord. But I don’t want people to think I am the Biblical scholar. I am just pulling together what is sound theological doctrine. Here is what I have: Hebrews 4:12 emphasizes the power and relevance of God’s Word, as found in the Bible. It is three main things:

GOD’S WORD IS LIVING, ACTIVE, AND TRANSFORMATIVE

LIVING: God’s Word is a dynamic and enduring source of truth and guidance, highly relevant and applicable to the lives of Christ-followers in every age and circumstance. The Word of God inspires, teaches, and transforms lives as it conveys the wisdom and will of God.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

ACTIVE: The Word of God actively works in the hearts and minds of those who read it. Through the Holy Spirit, God’s Word has the power to convict, challenge, comfort, and change individuals, helping them to grow in their faith, understanding, and relationship with God.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” James 1:22-25 NIV

TRANSFORMATIVE: God’s Word has a lasting impact on those who genuinely seek to understand and apply its teachings. It brings personal transformation, as well as impacts communities when people live according to its principles.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 NIV

Dear child, all the above is true. My Word is always true. You can rely on my Word to guild you.

GOD CAN GIVE US SPECIAL WORDS FROM HIM IF WE LISTEN

Lord God, give me a special word right now please, that is beyond your scriptures. Some word to better inform my day today, or to better help others. I want to learn to hear you and the gentle promptings of your Holy Spirit.

Dear child, as you are practicing two-way prayer, you need to wait more. Pause after you pray to me, and listen more deeply for me stirring the Holy Spirit that lives inside of you. “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:4-5 NIV

ALL WISDOM COMES FROM US LISTENING TO CHRIST AND HIS HOLY SPIRIT

Yes, Father. I want your wisdom in all things. Please give all of us ears to hear you, and the patience to wait on you for the answers. Amen.

Your aspiring servant,
Daniel M.
9 May 2023