EARS AND REARS

A while back, I ran across a statement by Pastor Rick Warren. 

“Sometimes those in our churches with the biggest ears also have the biggest rears.”

It first provoked a laugh and then starting me thinking of how true this is; so good at hearing, but also so good at sitting on my rear and doing nothing with it. I want to leave footprints, not butt-prints for the glory of Jesus. Here is another chuckle for you:

One night I had a wondrous dream,

One set of footprints here was seen,

The footprints of my precious Lord,

but mine were not along the shore

But then some stranger prints appeared,

And I asked the Lord, “What have we here?”

Those prints are large and round and neat,

But Lord, they are too big for feet

My child, He said in somber tones,

For miles I carried you alone.

I challenged you to walk in faith

But you refused and made me wait.

You disobeyed, you would not grow,

The walk of faith, you would not know

So I got tired, I got fed up,

And there I dropped you, on your butt

Because in life, there comes a time,

When men must fight and men must climb.

When men must rise and men must stand,

Or leave their butt prints in the sand.

It comes down to the endless discussion of the need for not just information, but transformation.

Jesus addresses this issue in the Sermon on the Mount when he says that those who hear but do not apply are building their house on the sand instead of the rock.  James addresses the same issue in his letter, chapter 2, verses 22-25 telling us that those who hear and do not do are deceiving themselves. Those with big rears are self-deceived-building-on sand followers.

It is so easy to take in more and more information and yet not respond in humble and quick obedience to what God is showing me.

Psalm 119:59,60-“When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.”

Okay now I am going to stop teaching and start meddling; you have been forewarned:

Questions:

1. What is the last thing that Jesus made clear he wanted you to do?
   
   
2. How long ago did he tell you this?
   
   
3. What have you done with it?
   
   
4. Have you gradually fallen into the habit of reading and studying more and applying less?
   
   
5. When you hear a speaker, watch a video, or read an article,  are you  eager to apply and see Gospel changes in your life or just eager to gather more information
   

Please be brutally honest with yourself?