Pastor’s Blog 6.6.18

Have you read your Bible lately? The answer of coarse should be, “well of course I have.” But for many believers that is not the case.

Every time I begin to prepare for a message or even write this blog, I start to pull a scripture reference and it never ceases to amaze me at how I can’t stop at a verse! Before I know it I am copying the chapter and then the book! God’s word is a treasure indeed if you have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Matthew 13:10-17

10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. NKJV

If we continue in the word of God we will remain sensitive to his voice and the voice of His Word. Did you ever notice in verse 15 it says “they closed their eyes” this removes the “victim card” for not being able to perceive the word of God.

That’s why Jesus told us in John 8:31-32

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed . 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” NKJV

I will not settle for any form of Christian religion that does not set me free! “If I’m not free, it’s on me!” That’s a motto I want to live by. Jesus already did the work so if I have not entered into His rest, it’s on us not him. The word and the Holy Spirit are here as the gold mine and our will and discipline are the pick and shovel to dig down deep and find the treasure of absolute freedom!

“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God!” I want to hear don’t you! If I want to hear someone I have to move into a proximity of their voice. Remember what the Lord told Joshua:

Joshua 1:8-9

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” NKJV

I am in Los Angeles for a couple of days for the memorial service of my Mother-n-law. As I drive around this area, I see a sea of lost souls. The sidewalks of downtown LA are tent cities for the homeless. I absolutely realize how blessed I am – my ears have heard and because of this I have a heart that can understand the ways of God. I am sitting in a Starbucks writing this and there is a homeless man ten feet from me talking to himself.

We who know the Lord and have a sound mind are so blessed indeed!

“Count your many blessings name them one by one” and you’ll feel better for sure!

Love ya!
Pastor Dave