The Perceptive Art Of A Receptive Heart Series

That’s why I have always taken notes when someone is preaching or teaching. Studies have shown that you retain less than 10% of what you hear, but you retain up to 40% of what you write down. When you have God’ Word memorized and hidden in your heart, you are less likely to sin.

One of the best ways I’ve learned to memorize scripture is by writing it down several times. Albert Einstein said, “A short pencil is better than a long memory.”

In the first chapter of Psalms, the profile of a righteous man is given. Verse 2 says, “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” The only way you can meditate on the Word is when you have it hidden in your heart. So the next time you have trouble sleeping, try taking God’s versed. I’m not talking about medicine, I’m talking about how you should think, “This verse said, ‘Cast all your cares on the Lord for he cares for you.” That’s they best versed!

B. Obey God’s Word immediately

What’s the main difference between the people who have hard hearts, shallow hearts, crowded hearts, and the one who has an open heart? The person with the open heart hears it and does it. James wrote, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (James 1:22-24)

For years I didn’t really understand the connection between the mirror and the Word, but a few months ago, I was in a hurry. I had shaved and when I looked in the mirror I saw I had left a big glob of shaving cream in front of my right ear. I thought, “I need to wipe that off.” But I was in such a hurry to get dressed that I forgot about the glob. I came up to the church and met with a number of people. I couldn’t understand why they kept breaking eye contact and glancing at my right ear. Later in the day I was talking to one of our staff members and they said, “Hey, David I think you have some shaving cream left on your face.” I immediately remembered looking into the mirror—but I didn’t obey what the image in the mirror told me.

When you hear or read something from God’s Word, obey God immediately. Don’t put it off, or otherwise you might be walking around with a spiritual glob you can’t see.

C. Spread God’s Word continually

When you have a hunger for God’s Word, you will listen intently, memorize consistently, and obey immediately. The way you know you have truly received God’s Word is when you change places in this parable. What do farmers do with seed? They eat some of it, but most of it, they plant again. When you receive God’s Word, and it takes root, it will produce fruit. And you change from being one of the soil types to become the farmer. And wherever you go you’ll be sharing the seeds of the Gospel.

CONCLUSION

Are you hungry for God’s Word? The Bible compares itself to nourishing food. We’re invited to “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8) You must develop a healthy appetite for God’s Word. When you’re served a meal in a fine dining restaurant your server may say, “Bon appétit.” That’s French for “good appetite.” Why don’t they say, “Good food?” The value of the food will be in direct proportion to the depth of your appetite. The food will only be good if you have an appetite for it. The server can place a delicious meal in front of you, but if you’ve just eaten a dozen Krispy Kremes you probably don’t have a bon appetite. You’re full of junk food.