“Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given” (Mark 4:24).
We measure everything we hear. When you take notes in church, you judge every statement made by the speaker and only write down what you judge worthy. I’ve noticed in church that as people take notes, that not everyone takes notes at the same time.
That’s because not everyone is valuing the words with the same measure. What’s important to one person may not be important to someone else.
The measure that you use, the judgment that you place on the value of what you hear determines what will eventually get into your heart. What is in your heart will be spoken and what is in your heart will show in your spiritual walk with the Lord. Everything must be measured by the Word of God and by God’s standard.
It’s unbelievable what some people use as a measure. Recently I saw a young boy with multiple piercings on his face. His lips and tongue had so much metal that he must have made it a point to avoid magnets. His hair was multi-colored and came to multiple points. His cut-off jeans still reached his ankles because his beltline had slipped so low that his underwear was exposed. His t-shirt was for someone twice his size and it was torn.
What is more astonishing than the way this guy looked is a comment that I heard from another youth standing nearby. After observing the metal-studded misdressed young man, the second boy said, “Cool!” He obviously didn’t measure “cool” with the same standard that I did.
The Bible says take heed what you hear and goes on to say we must measure the words properly.
Of course, not everyone judges style, food, color and entertainment by the same standards. But all words must be measured by one standard and one standard only.
Guard what you hear and measure every word spoken by the truth in God’s Word and then you will be using the correct measure.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.