Good morning hearing ones!

Even though we usually take 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 to describe a stronghold as a negative thing, I want to exhort you today to develop a good stronghold based on the Word of God.  A stronghold is a framework.  So, receive the Word of God like James 1:19-22 (NLT) tells us to ~ It says,

  • Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.  So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.  But don’t just listen to God’s word.  You must do what it says.  Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Also, let God’s Word correct you.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) says,

  • All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Family, the Lord wants to rescue you!  The Word of God is your answer.

In Matthew 6:24-33, Jesus tells us that worry dominates the mind of the unbeliever.  As a believer, we’re to cast all of our cares and worries on Him, once and for all (1 Peter 5:7 AMPC).

It’s so important in these last days where many false prophets and false religions exist, that we don’t have itching ears.  We want to instead have EARS TO HEAR.  2 Timothy 4:3 says,

  • For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.  They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

Did you know that hearing is under our control?  The Scripture says that anyone who has EARS TO HEAR, let him hear.  It’s your choice.  Determine to grasp what’s being said.  Get your “catchers” out, on purpose, with intent to follow and obey.  Let’s learn to not formulate our own answers on what’s being said. 

Jesus said in Mark 4:14,

  • The sower sows the Word.  

Jesus was sowing to many groups of people.  He tells us in Matthew 13:9-12,

  • Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”  His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”  He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.  To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge.  But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.

Understanding is God-given.  Proverbs 4:5-7 says,

  • Get wisdom!  Get understanding!  Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.  Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you.  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom and in all your getting, get understanding.

Jesus tells us in Mark 4 that the more closely we listen, the more understanding we’ll be given.  Let’s choose to be the good soil Jesus talks about and not the wayside, the stony ground or the thorny ground.  Mark 4:20 says,

  • But these are the ones sown on good ground; those who hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit; some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred.

I exhort you today to hear, listen, understand and bear good fruit in your lives for the kingdom of God.  

Having ears to hear,

Lisa Gordon

Assistant Pastor

Jesus City Church