-March 14, 2025-
Good morning beloved, happy Friday,
“The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
(Philippians 4:9).
I have found the best way to learn something is to hear it, see it, write it down, apply it, and practice it. This is especially true of the Word of God.
Paul wrote the epistle to the Philippians, the book of living joy, from prison. It is both personal and practical. Paul was an excellent Bible teacher. He loved the saints so much and wanted them to get it. He mentions four important ways to take in God’s truth: hear, receive, learn, and see. I put them in the order that that seems to fit best.
1. Hear – God gave us two ears to hear. Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:9)! To really hear, we must listen. It takes concentration and focus. There is nothing more important than the Word, but listening to hymns and praise and worship songs are also very profitable and encouraging.
2. Receive – Once we hear and listen, we must embrace it and believe it. The words must get past our ears and reach the heart. To receive something is to take it in and understand it. Job 22:22 says,”Receive, please instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart.”
3. Learn – Once we hear and receive it, we must learn it. Learning requires both a teacher and a student. I have learned so much from my teachers and mentors in the Lord; in fact, I am still learning at age 67. Proverbs 1:5 says, “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.”
4. See – Seeing the truth practiced by our preachers and teachers helps is to follow it in our lives. Paul wrote, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” None of us are perfect, but we should try our best to show Christ in our words and actions.
When we follow this simple, yet important steps, God will give us peace in our hearts and lives. Have a blessed day hearing, receiving, learning, and seeing. Stay safe healthy.
From the ears to the heart, is where we must start.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 