HEARING TO BELIEVE
Faith comes hearing,
and hearing by the word of God.
(Romans 10:17)
You can listen to 100s of sermons. You can sing hymns over and over. You can listen for wisdom as you read the Bible for years. However, until you actually hear God's words, the words you listen to "go in one ear and out the other." Your faith in God through Jesus Christ does not grow when you only listen.
Hearing is all about receiving. Hearing is embracing God's truths as your very own. Hearing starts with listening, but goes much deeper. Hearing recognizes that it is God who is speaking words personally to you. You might say God's words "go through both ears and into your heart."
And you will be compelled by the indwelling Spirit of Christ to speak your God-given truths to your loved ones so that they might hear, too. You might say God's words "come from your heart and go through your mouth to others."
HEARING TO RELATE
Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice,
and I know them, and they follow Me.
I give them eternal life...
...and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.
(John 10:27)
Learning to listen and to hear in a relationship takes time. Are you tuning your spiritual ears to God the Father's voice through His Word, the Bible? I believe this tuning is part of being transformed into the image of God's Son (Romans 8:29). Do you hear Jesus speaking to you through the Holy Spirit during each day?
CLOSING
I hope the following examples of hearing encourage you.
* When you feel so weak, do you hear Christ saying, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)?
* When you can't see how a loved one will make it through a crisis, do you hear your Father encouraging you to Walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)?
* When you can't see how this month's bills will be paid, do you hear your Father promise, I will supply all your need according to My riches in glory by Christ Jesus My Son (Philippians 4:19)?
* When you feel so anxious about a situation, do you hear the Father calling you to pray to Him and to Make your requests made known to Me and I promise My peace will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus My Son (Philippians 4:6-7)?
* When you experience tribulation, do you hear Christ assure you by saying In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33)?
* When you feel like a failure and rejected by others, do you hear your Father affirm you, You have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in My Son...and I have made you totally accepted in My Son (Ephesians 1:3, 6)?
* When you begin to feel proud about how well you are doing in life, do you hear your Father's loving words of caution, Be careful, My child, pride comes before destruction. Keep your focus on My Son in you (Proverbs 16:18)?
God bless you!
The Miracle of Hearing 
