“I was reading in Mark’s gospel this morning,” Stan began, “and I saw that Jesus in just six words laid out something that is absolutely crucial to my walk with Him.”
“Six words?” I responded. “What did Jesus say?”
“He said, ‘Take care what you listen to’.”
Continuing, Stan said, “And, I think, when Jesus said I am to be careful what I listen to, that it includes who I listen to.”
“I, along with you, my friend, are constantly bombarded by sounds and voices that have a single purpose to take our focus off of God and put it on self, the world, the flesh, and the devil.”
“How it is delivered certainly has changed over time, but the message is the same as it was in the garden when Eve was deceived by the serpent.”
“Satan lied to Eve about God, she believed him rather than standing firm with God, and things went from bad to worse until God sent His Son to take care of the problem.”
“Satan,” Stan continued, “was the deceiver in the garden, and he is still the deceiver, doing what deceivers do.”
“Which is what?” I asked.
“Deceive and try to deceive,” Stan replied. “That is why it is so absolutely crucial for me to take to heart what Jesus said in being careful about who and what I listen to.”
“God has given me His Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Counselor, the voice of God. I choose to listen to Him. And I pray each day for the wisdom and commitment to follow through with that choice.”
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And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to.” Mark 4:24.
Then the Lord said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:13.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving me your Holy Spirit to live within me to guide me in all things. Thank you He is willing to guide me with His gentle voice. I confess that too often I choose not to listen to Him, but to listen to the voices of self, the world, the flesh, and the devil. Please forgive me. And please lead me in truly being careful in choosing who and what I listen to. Lead me in listening only to you. Not only listen, but follow in obedience. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Things to think (and journal) about:
- What is your biggest take-away from this devotional?
2. What does what you read say about God and about us as His people?
3. What is God saying to you to do personally?
4. Who can you share this with to make a difference?
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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.
Waiting for the Train 