From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2004 6:48 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: February 15th Greetings

"...Samuel answered, 'Speak; for thy servant heareth.'"  1 Samuel 3:10

Here is a chosen one of God, in the place where God placed him and he is in an attitude of listening.  Since God is in control should we not accept the place where we are right now as from His hand?  Also, should we not be in an attitude of listening -- an attitude of receptivity?  Let us see what Scripture reveals of this.

Concerning receptivity:
"And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the Word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundred fold, some sixty, and some thirty."  Matthew 13:23

"And she (Martha) had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His Word."  Luke 10:39  (My explanation)  [Read Verses 38-42 for fuller understanding.]

After Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost when filled with the Holy Spirit, Scripture says: "So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were
added that day about three thousand souls."   Acts 2:41  [Read the whole
awesome account.]

"Now these (Jews in Berea) were more noble minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so."  Acts 17:11 (My explanation)  [Read verses 1-16 to see how some tried to thwart the proclaiming the Word.]

"And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the Word of God..."  1 Thessalonians 2:13

As to the hearing of Believers:
"Blessed is the man who listens to me,
 Watching daily at my gates,
 Waiting at my doorposts.
 For he who finds me finds life,
 And obtains favor from the Lord."  Proverbs 8:34-35

"He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
 Will dwell among the wise."  Proverbs 15:31

"The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,
 And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."  Proverbs 18:15

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

"But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.  Matthew 13:16

This being so, are we seekers?  Are we teachable?  Both are characteristics of a Believer's heart as we see in the following Scriptures: "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened."  Luke 11:10

"Make me know Thy ways, O Lord;
 Teach me Thy paths.
 Lead me in Thy truth and teach me,
 For Thou art the God of my salvation..."  Psalm 25:4-5

"Teach me to do Thy will,
 For Thou art my God;
 Let Thy good Spirit lead me on level ground."  Psalm 143:10

This is the Believer:
"And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the Word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance."  Luke 8:15

As the Apostle Peter says in 2 Peter 3:18,
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen."