June 18 - Ready To Receive.

Acts 17:11
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
 
Paul and Silas had left Thessalonica, and arrived in Berea. The Berean people greeted them differently than the Jews of Thessalonia. Rather than set an uproar amongst the city, many of the Bereans chose to receive the Truth of the Gospel and many of them believed. Some believed in Thessalonica, but many believed in Berea.
 
We sit under the sound of the preaching of the Word of God on a weekly basis, and many of us believe the Truths of the messages our pastors preach unto us so faithfully. However, some choose not to believe and receive. Many stop their walk with the Lord not far past their salvation experience. Yes, they are saved and on their way to Heaven, but they choose to not receive the Word and apply it to their lives.
 
As we enter the doors of the sanctuary and sit down in our seats are we ready to receive the Word? Or do we only come out of obligation or the desire to be seen? We’ve all seen churchgoers who sit in a pew physically, yet their attention is elsewhere…the cares of life get in the way of their focus or the entertainment of their news feed seems to win their concentration. Perhaps we’ve all been there before too.
 
When you open the door to the church house, ask yourself…
When you open your Bible, ask yourself…
Am I ready to receive the Word?
We must open our hearts and minds to receive the Word of God.
 
If we are ready to receive the Word, God will bless our efforts. He will speak to our hearts with just what we need at that exact moment in our lives. Expect to hear from God, and He will answer. Be ready to receive so that you can give. God loveth a cheerful giver, and what better gift than the Truth of the Word?
 
I Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
 
 
Bible Reading:
II Kings 13-14  |  Ephesians 1  |  Psalm 139