How God Speaks // Prayer Will Change Your Life [Part 4 of 5]

“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 11:15

FOUR ATTITUDES YOU NEED TO HEAR GOD:   

1. Cultivate an mind.  

“While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up.’” Luke 8:4-5   

“Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” Luke 8:12  

“The hard pathway, where some of the seed fell, represents the hard hearts of some of those who hear God’s message; Satan comes at once to try to make them forget it.” Mark 4:15 (LB)  

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:21  

2. Allocate time to .  

“Other seed fell on shallow soil with rock beneath. This seed began to grow, but soon withered and died for lack of moisture.” Luke 8:6 (LB)  

“Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.”  Luke 8:13     

“The stony ground represents those who enjoy listening to sermons, but somehow the message never really gets through to them and doesn’t take root and grow. They know the message is true, and sort of believe for a while; but when the hot winds of persecution blow, they lose interest.” Luke 8:13 (LB)  

“Happy is the person who loves the Lord’s teachings. He thinks about those teachings day and night. He is strong, like a tree planted by a river. It produces fruit in season. Its leaves don’t die. Everything he does will succeed.” Psalm 1:2-3 (NCV)   

3. Eliminate the .  

“Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.” Luke 8:7  

“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” Luke 8:14  

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a

“The thorny ground represents the hearts of people who listen to the Good News and receive it, but all too quickly the attractions of this world and the delights of wealth, and the search for success and lure of nice things come in and crowd out God’s message from their hearts, so that no crop is produced.” Mark 4:18-19 (LB)   

4. with what God says.   

“Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” Luke 8:8 

“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Luke 8:15  

 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 

Watch today’s service at www.vineyardchurch.com

All scripture from the New International Version unless otherwise noted