John 9:25-26
We spend most of our lives asking, and demanding that the circumstances, people, and things in our lives change. But, when they do, we question it.
You and I might have the faith to ask for change, but do we have the faith to believe it once it’s done? Do we declare it finished? Or, are we bent on drudging up old stuff?
25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” (John 9:25-26)
As I was reading in John 9 about the Blind man who was given sight by Jesus, I was convicted. We see the radical conversion, the miracle that Jesus performs and then the section title after that in my Bible was, “The Pharisees Investigate the Healing.”
How often do I spend more time investigating the work Christ has done in others lives than celebrating it?
I remember when my oldest went from the most difficult child in the world to a professing believer that had made huge strides in every area of his life, I asked myself, “Is this too good to be true?”
I remember many instances in our marriage where one of us changed, and we were slow to receive that change.
Victory should be celebrated, let’s stop investigating whether Jesus has truly made the blind see, and instead, give him the glory for it! We are all here to change, may we strive to worship him when we do. #chasingsacred
![I have seen post after post about Christians speaking in love. But, what about Christian’s listening?
[share and save to encourage others]
I still remember my counselor asking me if I listen just to listen or if I listen with a preconceived idea of the right answer?
To be completely honest, I have found myself to do the latter. Before she said that, I rarely listened with a blank mind and heart. Instead, I listened and interjected to lead someone to a conclusion. (Yikes! I hope it’s not just me that has done this)
So, let’s start by doing what this passage instructs us to do and let’s listen to the Word of God with a soft heart and an open mind. Are you seeing the text plainly?
“18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen.” (Luke 8:18)
This phrase jumped out at me. Consider how you listen. We have just been told the parable of the Sower where we hear how the Word of God (the seed) lands on 4 different types of soil.
For a moment, I want you to imagine yourself as each of the types of soil.
The Word is first snatched up by the devil (maybe this is distraction, time-management, or anything else that steals your time away from spending time in Gods presence)
Secondly, you receive the Word with joy but times of testing come and you no-longer ascribe to it.
Thirdly, life gets in the way-business pursuits, lifestyle, money, or pleasures take the place of time spent in his Word.
Lastly, you receive the Word of God-and you hear and understand. One translation says, “15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” HEAR the Word.
You produce a crop because you retain the information.
The hearing of the Word of God is so important. Are you going to the Word to HEAR what God has to say or are you studying it to back-up what you want to say? Let us learn in 2021 to be believers that speak truth in love, but also LISTEN to hear! #chasingsacred](https://www.chasingsacred.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)