A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Chris Musgrove of Future Now)
Scripture for the Day – April 17, 2020
Luke 8:18: Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.
Luke 2:46-49 says, “Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers (replies). So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I havesought you anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
We need to recognize the people worth listening to. Spiritual maturity is not a question of time and chance, it depends on us. Listening was the first thing that Jesus called “being about his Father’s business.” This is how His calling began. It started at the feet of someone who knew more than Him. It’s the same way for us; we must listen and ask questions to get the required information we need to fulfill our calling. Information is power and what you listen to and how you listen determine where you are going and how far you will get.
In the same chapter we see the fruit of listening in Luke 2:52 which says, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Someone would say, “Well, that was Jesus!” But Romans 8:11 says, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
Yes, Jesus was anointed and you can be too; but as important as the anointing is, it won’t replace wisdom and maturity. The question is to whom will you listen? More believers are influenced by television and dead human tradition than by the Word of God.
In Mark 4:9 Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him be hearing [and let him consider and comprehend]” Mark 4:23 says, “Let him be listening and let him perceive and comprehend.” To have ears to hear means to listen carefully and not be distracted.
Luke 10:38-42: Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Mary was listening and Martha was distracted. Martha was worried and troubled, but Mary had peace which came from the Prince of Peace. Mary had chosen what was better: Listening!!!
