Hear & Live

SCRIPTURE
- Revelation 1:3         
"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." 

REFLECTION
- Sr. Charlene

MUSIC
-

NOTES
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PRAYER OF LETTING GO
To You do I belong, O God,
into Your hands I surrender my life.
Pour out Your Spirit upon me
that I may love You perfectly,
and serve You faithfully
until my soul rests in You.

Transcript

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SPEAKER_02 0:32

Every day we come together to listen to Scripture, to reflection, to the quiet voice of God speaking within us. But listening is only the beginning. Because the word of God is not simply something we're meant to hear and then carry on with our day. It is meant to take root in us, to challenge us, shape us, and sometimes even change the direction we are going. Sister Charlene has something to say about that in our reflection today. I'm so glad you're with us. Welcome to prayer. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

SPEAKER_01 1:40

Psalm 21. Gladness in God. O God, you have truly fulfilled my innermost longings. You have responded to my deepest needs. I asked for security, and you encompassed me with love. I looked to you for life, and you granted me life everlasting.

SPEAKER_02 2:07

I sought identity and you adopted me as your child. Whatever is of value and worth in my life has come through your rich blessings. I know that I will never lose your love. Your great power is sufficient to set me free from the things that hurt my soul. I put my trust in you. You will not let them overcome me. I find so many reasons for praising you, O God.

SPEAKER_01 3:06

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_02 3:10

As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

SPEAKER_00 3:34

Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. The word of the Lord. The first chapter serves as an introduction and a doorway, so to speak, into the whole book. It presents Jesus as the risen and glorified Christ and explains why John is writing and prepares us for the visions that follow. Yet, right at the beginning, verse 3, offers us a beautiful pearl of wisdom. The deepest blessing comes not simply from hearing God's word, but from allowing it to shape the way we live. Imagine letting God's word shape the way we live. The verse gives us three movements. Read. Revelation is meant to be proclaimed. You know, in the early church, one person would read the scriptures aloud to the gathered community. Faith begins by opening ourselves to the voice of God. Hear. Biblical hearing is about so much more than the sound that reaches our ears. To hear God's word means to receive it with an open heart. To allow it to question us, challenge us, comfort us, encourage us, and hopefully even change us. Take to heart. The deepest blessing comes when we live what we have heard. Revelation is not simply a puzzle to solve or a series of predictions to decipher. It's really a call to faithful discipleship, to live with courage, hope, and trust in every age. And so perhaps the real questions for us are not simply, can I hear? But what can I do to open myself more fully to God's word? How can I prepare not only my ears, but my heart to receive what God is saying to me? And once I've heard, what will I do with what I have heard? The message of revelation is ultimately a message of hope. Christ is present among us. Even when we may be suffering, struggling, feel uncertain, or unable to see clearly what lies ahead, we are not abandoned. God is with us. The opening words of Revelation remind us that we are blessed when we hear and keep God's word. That blessing is not reserved for those who understand every mystery or can explain every symbol. It belongs to those who listen, receive, and respond. Perhaps that's the invitation for each of us to become better listeners, not only with our ears, but with our hearts. Because sometimes the most important thing God asks of us is not simply to hear His Word, but to let it change the way we live. And that's where the blessing begins.

SPEAKER_02 8:20

And with trust we pray. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespassed against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Let us pray. May what we hear with our ears take root in our hearts and become visible in our lives. Help us not simply to know your word, Lord, but to become your word. We ask through Christ our Lord. All of Scripture is about one thing, to surrender our lives to God. And let us pray now for that gift. To you do I belong, O God. Into your hands I surrender my life. Pour out your spirit upon me, that I may love you perfectly and serve you faithfully until my soul rests in you. Every Sunday we send our subscribers an email called The Week Ahead. And it's got links and information we share with you to help you continue drawing closer to God. Stuff that we find meaningful and interesting, and so we pass it along to you. So if you're not getting it and would like to, just click the link in the show notes today or go to our Discover tab on the app, and you'll be good to go. And we promise, of course, no spam, no ads, just one email with some good stuff. Thanks for being with us today in prayer, and may Almighty God hold you and send you forth in blessing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Go in peace, brothers and sisters, and we'll see you tomorrow.