Luke 8:18 “Therefore consider carefully how you listen.”

How often do I give consideration to how i listen? 

Hebrews 10:26-29 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 

Good question. More severely than me? More severely than someone who accepted Christ and sinned anyway?

Luke 8:16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”

May I let my light shine for others to see, Father. 

Hebrews 9:27-28 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. 

May I never forget that people I know only have one life to live and today may be their last. Lord, make me a witness, so that others may find salvation in You.

Luke 8:15 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.

Bearing fruit requires a good heart and perseverance. 

Hebrews 8:10-11 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord, ’because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 

A time will come when faith will no longer be a struggle. We will all know the Lord our God.

Luke 8:14 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.

Worry neutralizes the work of God’s Word in my life. 

Hebrews 7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. 

Despite their failings, imperfections, and sinful nature, God places certain men as the leaders of His people. 

Hebrews 5:8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 
Even Jesus learned obedience while on Earth. May I never stop learning about God’s ways, and may I recognize that my suffering can produce an obedient attitude toward God.

Luke 8:1 Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. 
Am I proclaiming the “good news” or is the gospel I share and model one of judgment, gloom, and frustration?