Gifts from God, Ears

 Ears to hear.

As we enter the Holiday Season, we are discussing some very important gifts we receive from our Father. No. I'm not talking about the new gaming console or the newest must-have gift of the year. No. We are talking about gifts that we receive from God, that He only gives to His children so that they may grow closer to Him and become wise in His ways to do His works here on earth. Without these gifts, it would be impossible to even get to know God or any of His ways. We read this in His Word.

“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not." Jeremiah 5:21

Jesus explain that this is why He spoke to people in parables.

“To you, it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them, it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears, they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." Matthew 13:11-17

Last time we talked about the gift of "Eyes to see" Today we will be discussing "Ears to hear." We know that the Word declares that faith comes by what?

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17

Remember, Jesus was talking to the religious leaders of the day when He made these statements.

"Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word." John 8:43

Why? He goes on to make it even more clear. Well, after He calls them the children of satan. He said this.

"Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." John 8:47

God is the only one that can open your ears to hear His Word and His voice.

"The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both." Proverbs 20:12

Hearing God is not a natural state of man. We are not able to hear anything that is of God if we are not of God. It is impossible. Only by God calling us out, giving us "Eyes to see, ears to hear, and a spirit to understand," we cannot even hear the words that are spoken.

When you read the Word and you see Jesus telling a parable, sometimes, you may even think that the people Jesus is talking to are stupid. It may be clear to you what He is talking about, however, to those He is talking to, it is far from clear. They are not stupid people. These were the rulers of the synagogues and the "experts" in the Bible. The Torah or the Law. They could quote it word for word, yet? Jesus called them the children of the devil and said they can not hear Him because they are not of God.

This is why some people seem to fail to understand you when you try to share the Word with them. I remember thinking to myself a few times, how can that person not understand these simple things I'm trying to share. It is not because they are stupid. It is because they are not physically capable of hearing what you are saying. It would be like someone coming to me and speaking Japanese to me. I will not understand what they are saying. Moreover, I will not even understand the words themselves. Why? I'm not Japanese.

When God calls us out of the world, we become His children. We become citizens of heaven. We can now understand heavenly language and we can now speak heavenly language as well. We can hear the wisdom of God that the world sees as foolishness.

"Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”" 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

God gifts us this very important and very precious gift of having ears to hear.

"For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

We are His children. Adopted into the Family of God. He gives us good gifts. He wants to have a relationship with us. He hears us. He wants us to have the ability to hear Him. The only way this is possible is that He opens our ears.

How do we receive these eyes to see, and ears to hear? It comes with the Spirit to receive. The Spirit of adoption. The Spirit of life. The Holy Spirit. More on this next time. Do you have ears to hear? Eyes to see? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He has risen from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!