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Tuesday, April 21, 2020

How to Welcome God’s Word into My Heart

In review of Hebrews 2:1 it says,  “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (NIV)

I am being reminded to pay attention to the truth I've heard, so that I won't drift away into false teachings. Paying careful attention is hard work. It involves focusing my mind, body, and senses. Listening to Christ means not merely hearing but also obeying. I must listen carefully and be ready to carry out his instructions.

The Bible is one of God’s great gifts to me. But a closed Bible is worthless. To reap the benefits, I have to get its truths into my life.

One way I can do that is by receiving God’s Word with an attentive, open heart. Jesus says, “Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root . . . Therefore consider carefully how you listen” (Luke 8:13, 18 NIV).

In this Scripture, the word “receive” comes from the Greek word dechomai, which literally means “to welcome.” I can welcome God’s Word like a generous host would welcome a stranger.

But that verse includes a caution, too. I need to be careful of how I listen to God’s Word. Receive it with an open, teachable attitude.

It’s more than just hearing. We all have heard someone without really listening. It’s possible that as I’m reading this devotional today, I’m reading the words but not listening to the message; while my eyes are reading, my mind may be a million miles away.

Scripture says that I should “receive” God’s Word. This is much like a Wi-Fi connection. When I have a strong connection, I can download things quickly and smoothly; when I don’t, my device might never display what I need.

God’s Word is the same way. Sometimes I don’t have a strong connection. That keeps me from really receiving God’s Word.

Sometimes I have a poor connection to the Bible because I’m just not paying attention. Other times it might be because something’s blocking that connection, maybe my relationship with God or another person is off. I need to get my relationships in order. Then I’ll find I have a stronger connection to God’s Word, and God will be able to use it to speak to me.

Hebrews 2:1 says, “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (NIV).

How can I hold on to God’s Word instead of letting it drift away? One way is by taking notes. Choose a part of this devotion that God uses to speak to me and write it on a note in my phone or in a journal.

How will I know when you’re receiving God’s Word with an open, attentive heart? I’ll start to see my life being changed. Acts 2:41 says, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day” (NIV).

In summary, pay careful attention to what I've heard, so that I don't drift away. This involves focusing my mind, body, and senses. Listening to Christ means not merely hearing, but also obeying. I must listen carefully and be ready to carry out his instructions. To reap any benefit, I need to get it's truths into my life. I need to receive it with an open and teachable attitude. It's more than hearing, it's receiving. Be careful of those things that might be blocking my reception, such as focus and other times there is something in a relationship with another that is not clear. Furthermore, I can hold onto God's Word by taking notes. I'll ultimately know when I truly receive God's Word when I see my life changed by it.

Father, thank you for helping me to prepare to listen, hear and obey you. I pray through the help of the Holy Spirit that you guide my times with you, making them attentive to what you want to tell me or things I need to do. I ask you today also for your wisdom and guidance for my day, my task, my leadership and my interactions with others. May they be filled with grace that you show me. I pray these things in your Son Jesus name, Amen.

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