Purpose to Retain - John 8:51
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by Carl H. Stevens
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man keep my saying, he shall never see death." The average Christian enjoys a message, but has no method of retaining what he has heard. Only a few minutes after hearing the Word, he is unable to remember it.
If he cannot remember what he has heard, how will he ever apply it when trials or difficulties come his way? A lack of concentration is the reason for much cosmic activity during spirit-filled preaching. Believers need to go beyond this activity by having a plan to purpose to retain the Word of Life. Taking notes is a good beginning. Having a system for categorically filing these notes is better.
Accept God´s grace to give you a capacity to develop your ability to listen. As you begin to receive, you will recall the information at a later time. Be careful how you hear (2). Be more ready to hear (3). Be careful what you hear (4). Concentration on the Word of God is the highest form of worship. Why? Because Jesus esteems His Word even above His name (5).
What will this do for your life? First, it will increase your faith (6). Secondly, faith in your life will bring more faith (7). Thirdly, the word of God in your soul will regulate your emotions and give you power over sin (8). Finally, the benefits will pour over into every detail of your life!
John 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
Ecclesiastes 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
Mark 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
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