I don’t like to leave you hanging so let’s press on today with how do we receive the Word. It is the Christmas season and what a perfect time to really begin receiving and understand more of the Word of God. Yesterday we said that…
Receiving the Word of God involves opening our hearts and believing what he has for us. Receiving then takes place as I obey His Word.
As I was reading Mark 4 one morning recently, God spoke into my heart about how to receive the Word. Look with me at Mark 4:1-25 as Jesus talks about the Seed and the Sower. Jesus talks about four kinds of seeds, but I want us to focus on the last seed in verse 8. The last seed fell on “good ground” and produce a good crop. What do you think “good ground” means to you?
Spiritually, we too must have a “good ground” to produce a spiritual crop.
Our hearts must be ready to receive.
I plant a garden each spring. The key to having a good garden begins with breaking up the ground. The ground must be broken for seed to grow. Also, you must prepare your ground with fertilizer to help the seeds to grow. Spiritually, we too must have a “good ground” to produce a spiritual crop. Our hearts must be ready to receive.
What does it take for our hearts to be ready to receive?
- Listen to instruction (wisdom) (4:3) The beginning of hearing and obeying begins with listening. Jesus pointed this out and voiced this to the people standing by Him.
- Be open to God’s Word. If we are closed minded to truth and will not be open to the Spirit of God then we will miss out on God’s blessing and our receiving.
- Repentance and brokenness. If you remember the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 you recall the story of a young man who took his inheritance and left home. His life was filled with spending and wild living. Verse 17 says, “He came to his senses,” and when he returned home he repented before his father.(v.18)
Do you think repentance and brokenness is necessary for us to receive the Word. Why so? Repentance involved: Turning from your sin and your attitudes. Before repentance there is brokenness.
God has freely given us His grace, His robe, His ring,
His shoes and His Son.
The Prodigal son experienced brokenness because he was at the end of the rope. He had exhausted all his efforts at trying to make life work and to enjoy a life apart from his father. All of us become broken at some point.
When did God break you last and how did this change your life?
Brokenness hurts. The very word describes something that is lost or hurt or damaged. Brokenness brings pain and suffering. Even humiliation may occur. What God wants to do with your brokenness is to gently mend your heart of the pain and suffering. As we listen and open ourselves to God, then our hearts can receive what we need from God’s Word.
For us to receive God’s Word freely, we must remove the objects that are a hindrance to us. Only by removing obstacles can we then receive God’s Word without any conflict. Satan’s’ job is to place any obstacles in our path to hinder our walk and growth in Christ.
The reason your heart is not able to receive the Word
is because you have obstacles in your life.
What about you. Are you struggling with obstacles in your life? What “stones, thorns” or “distractions” are keeping you from receiving the Word effectively?
Mark Keyes
Vice President of Infusion Ministries
Dave Park
