There must be something about hearing that is a big deal. Jesus said many times, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” That seems straightforward, but did you know that we tend to hear in layers? For example, maybe you go to the theatre to watch a newly released movie. Then, later when it’s released on DVD or on-demand, you watch it again. In that second viewing, you notice things you hadn’t noticed the first time. And, I’d be willing to guess that after a third viewing, you’d catch even more of the details.
Why is this important? If we hear in layers, then we need to make it a point to hear God’s Word many times over. Each time we hear—if we’re truly tuned in, engaged, and listening with our ears and our spirit inside—we’ll hear more and more nuggets of truth to apply to our lives.
Remember the parable about the four types of soil? Let’s revisit it here with a fresh take on the power of hearing… and hearing… for a moment:
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There must be something about hearing that is a big deal. Jesus said many times, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” That seems straightforward, but did you know that we tend to hear in layers? For example, maybe you go to the theatre to watch a newly released movie. Then, later when it’s released on DVD or on-demand, you watch it again. In that second viewing, you notice things you hadn’t noticed the first time. And, I’d be willing to guess that after a third viewing, you’d catch even more of the details.
Why is this important? If we hear in layers, then we need to make it a point to hear God’s Word many times over. Each time we hear—if we’re truly tuned in, engaged, and listening with our ears and our spirit inside—we’ll hear more and more nuggets of truth to apply to our lives.
Remember the parable about the four types of soil? Let’s revisit it here with a fresh take on the power of hearing… and hearing… for a moment:
And then Jesus provided the interpretation as well:
The first time we hear God’s Word, it may be like the footpath. It’s so new to us that it would be easy for the enemy to snatch it away if we don’t take further action to truly move that Word deeper into our heart.
Maybe we hear the Word or sermon again, and receive it with joy, but it still doesn’t have very deep roots yet…so when temptation comes calling, we fall away from that truth.
Then, the next time we hear it, it’s still pressured out by the distracting cares of this world.
BUT when we hear the Word yet again (for the fourth time!) —and cling to it, store it deep within our heart, and sprinkle on patience and faith—that’s when it produces a harvest in our lives!
Say this:
“Father, thank You that Your Word is rich and full of layers. I will press in, lean in and listen intently—several times over—to make sure I catch all the truth that You have for me in a message, sermon, Scripture, etc. Help me to listen until Your Word goes deep into my heart, so it can truly produce a great harvest! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
As a young couple, fresh out of Bible School with Two daughters and a third child on the way, Jeff and Beth Jones felt God's call to pioneer Valley Family Church in 1991 with a vision to make an eternal difference in Southwest Michigan. As a husband and wife team, they have always led together as visionary pastors and have shared the pulpit as Bible teachers. They are passionate about building the local church in greater Kalamazoo and the global church around the world.
Their message has always been focused on the basics of the Bible and has remained consistent since VFC's beginning. Throughout VFC's history, the goal of their teaching has been to help people live an abundant life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and through faith in God's Word. In short, it's our mission statement: we exist to help people become devoted followers of Jesus who get the Bible basics, live the life and do the stuff.
Jeff and Beth have four kids and four grandchildren. Meghan is married to Brodie Hock. Annie is married to Zack Spangler. Luke is married to Kelsey Jones. Eric is married to Alexa Jones. All of their kids and in-laws have served with them in the church for many years and each sense their own unique calling to ministry.