What Makes It Sustainable

 Today is day 3 of our monthly fast, and we're concluding our study on listen.

We began with a posture of repentance, and made the distinction between hearing and actually listening. Let's explore the importance of sustainability in our walk with the Lord. If you have grown up in church, or attended church for some time, you have been privy to many messages about the truth of God, His goodness, grace, mercy and redemptive power. And these are all very compelling facts about God that should propagate actionable change and surrender in the lives of his children. 

But what happens when what we hear or rather listen to does not change our course of action? If we can challenge ourselves to discover the root of our lack of desire, or intention towards God, we can begin the heart change that is imperative to serving Him in Spirit and Truth. 

 “Hear then the parable of the sower.  When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”(Matthew 13: 18-23)

The beginning of the above passage verse 19 says "when anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart." Let us zoom in on "does not understand." A synonym for the word understand is perceive. And remember yesterday's focus on perceiving with the ear means listening, which essentially means obedience. When we are not perceptive we lack the fortitude we need to withstand the schemes of the enemy set up to ensnare us. 

If you can relate to hearing truth over and over, and yet when you examine your life you see a lack of fruit consistent with repentance, then it's time to surrender. The word that is sown on good soil (meaning a heart of flesh submitted to God) is received by the hearer, who then perceives it and commits to walking in obedience. And that obedience bears fruit consistent with repentance. Hallelujah! Are you bearing fruit? 

May you read and pray the scriptures below

Matthew 3:8

"Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;"

Psalm 51:10

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

James 1:22

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Today let us continue to examine our hearts. Ask Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any area that is lame. May we not become accustomed to religious duty that we miss God cultivating a new heart within us. We are created for His glory. May our lives reflect that truth.