Do you have an ear to hear? // Grace Space // Sharnita Gates

Hey everyone, and welcome back to the Grace Space where we are being fruitful and multiplying, and we're multiplying the word of God into our hearts. So if you're new to this space, go get your Bibles, get your canvas of your heart, come with a, a heart that is not leaning to your own understanding, but we are going Trust in the Lord with all our hearts that He's going to write the understanding, the vision on our hearts. So get your colors and let's study. Let's really study to show ourselves approved. So that's what we do in this gray space as we go through the word. And today we've been in Matthew 11 for a little minute now, but in our getting. We are getting new revelations and new understanding every day because we're not trusting in our own. Because we can just say, hey, we got an understanding, but do we truly have an understanding? Because we want, we want to open up our spiritual ears to hear what the Lord is saying. And he, he speaks every, you know, in every way as far as what we need to be taught. So sometimes we, we can read a scripture multiple times, it could be for our correction, it could be for our rebuke, it could be for training, or even to teach us something new. So we always come with an open heart to receive new insight and vision, and in our hearts on what we— what God is speaking to us in, in on today. And he's— look, So get your canvases, let's go through. We're going to go through Matthew 11, verses 11 through 15. And we've been touching on in Matthew 11, it's been— if we've been talking about the tribute to, uh, John the Baptist, but not just the tribute to John the Baptist, Jesus speaking to John's disciples. And now we have John, who— John the Baptist, who is in prison. And so he can only hear. So what about what Jesus is doing, um, the things that's going on? But when he sends his disciples to Jesus, and Jesus is preaching and teaching to a multitude of people, including his disciples, He tells John, he sends the message to John through the disciples and say, go and tell what you see and what you hear. And he said, wait, what you see and hear, go tell John because he's not able to see it. But you're seeing those 6 things. You're seeing the blind get healed. You're seeing the, the poor being preached the gospel. And so he's paying, he's, he's paying tribute to uh, John the Baptist, because then he proceeds to speak to the multitude and, and advise them that, you know, blessed is he that, you know, you know, they hear that, you know, some people may get offended by what is being, you know, spoken. But he said, blessed are those who not offended in me. And so, but also have an ear to hear and see. So And then it's like, who did you come to see? Did you come to see, you know, a reed shaking in the wind, just, you know, um, or did you come to see a, um, a prophet? And he's like, a prophet? Yeah, yeah, a prophet. And he says that, um, because it was written, it was already written. Um, so that, um, he said he would send his messenger before him to make the way. So now we're at verse 11 of Matthew 11. And he said, verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there have not risen a greater than, uh, risen a greater than John the Baptist. Notwithstanding He is least in the kingdom of heaven. It is notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias which was for to come. And you know, you have some that say Elijah. He that has ears to hear, let him hear. But whereunto shall I liken this generation? And of this generation. Has even in this now time thinking about the generation, and I just when when Jesus said he that has ears, he that has ears to hear, let him hear. So think about who has people want to hear. Or even if they don't, they have an ear. What he's saying, let them hear. If they have an ear, if they can hear, let them hear. It doesn't matter if they're, you know, not listening. Even if they're not listening, you can still have an ear to hear. So we open up our ears to really receive, and we have to, we have to take in consideration on how people hear. Everybody hears differently. I could be speaking right now and somebody is listening and they, they hear something totally different. But that's the beauty of why God said, he that has an ear, let him hear. Um, and he said, whereunto shall I liken this generation? So now where we are as adults, um, what's coming on, you know, we have— I think we're at— we have the Millennials, we have Gen Z. And so this is where we are now when it comes to the generation, and He said, but whereunto, um, it is like unto children sitting in the markets and calling unto their fellows and saying, we have piped unto you and ye have not danced. We have mourned unto you and you have, you have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say he has a devil. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, behold, a man gluttonous and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. That right there is— it is a lot. It says a lot because he's saying, you know, as far as people— people, as you hear and see things, people are going to see and hear things differently. Like some people said, um, John came, he came not eating, or, you know, he didn't lament, he didn't, you know, he didn't, um, he did not dance. Um, and for John, they said, um, he came neither eating nor drinking. So it, it's just like people are watching And they're saying, okay, they're not doing this, they're not doing that. Um, but we just had Jesus to say there was people— the blind is seeing, the deaf is, you know, hearing, the, um, the, the poor is being preached the gospel, the lepers are cleansed. Um, so the lame walk. So you're seeing all these things, but they're saying this person has not danced. This person has not lamented. This person has deviled. So the focus is all wrong. So just thinking about our generation, like, where where is our focus? Where is our focus when when it comes? Are we seeing even to this day? Are we seeing the blind blind eyes being opened? Are we seeing the deaf you know hearing hearing the word of God? and, and, and receiving the, the kingdom of heaven. And so even to this day, we still have to reflect on this because now when Jesus said, go and make disciples of all nations, he, he gave a command. He came, he came to show us the love of God. God so loved the world that he gave us his Son, um, so that we can have eternal life. So really Really doing this study today is we're going to reflect on how we, we focus on what we focusing on. Are we focusing on the word of God, or are we focusing on what others may be doing? And it's just even this example of how easy it was to see that some people are, you know, looking at the children sitting in the marketplace and calling unto their fellows. Some are saying, um, okay, we did this, we did this, and but you did not do this. But Jesus, like, um, they just heard him tell— go tell John, you know, that the— what he see, what, you know, that they see, like, this is going on, and not just go by hearing. We, you know, he said although that they are seeing, they don't see. Although you hear, you don't understand. So, and so it's— we have to make sure when we see, we, we've seen the right thing. So that's what we're going to reflect on today. That's what I'm, I'm getting it from this, is really reflecting on what you see. Are you seeing the right thing? Are you seeing, um, the, the goodness of Christ really prevailing in the earth, you know? Still, are you still seeing? Are you— have you— when was the last time you've seen the, um, blind eyes open? Or, you know, someone even shared their testimony, um, with you? Or, you know, shared something with you that shows how, how Jesus is moving? I can truly say I have. I can truly say I have. Um, because for even for me receiving sight and my ears being open, so when you hear those fervent prayers, those, those prayers, uh, you know, those bold prayers, like I pray even if you're listening right now, I pray that your ears are open to hear and to hear that what I'm saying is, is sometimes we have to really reflect on are we looking at the good, the, the, the works of Christ. Can we see Christ? Do we see Christ in everything? Are we devoting ourselves to doing what the word says and not what the world is doing? And so we're still taking those L's out of the world and coming back with the word. So he said, he, he constantly says, this is like a reminder. He who has an ear let them hear. If you have an ear, hear, you know, um, actively listen, because these are the words of Christ. And he, you know, his words are still, um, speaking to us even today. And so just— he said, so we have those things. So yeah, he, he identified children, he identified, um, personnel. He, he— like us, we can be, you know, saying or seeing other people doing this, or saying I did this and you did that. Um, and then he spoke on, uh, John the Baptist, on who he just paid tribute to, and, and who was suffering in prison, um, not even able to see it. Um, and this— and then he said, as even they were saying that about Jesus, even saying, um, the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, behold, a man gluttonous and a winebibber, a friend of publicans. So they started looking, but he said, but wisdom is justified of her children. So we now, we can go read in Proverbs where it speaks about Lady Wisdom. And the wisdom that I, I want to share on today when it comes to Proverbs, like, I think I went over it yesterday, but Starting with wisdom, you ask for wisdom, and then you have to— then comes the instructions. A lot of times, like, I have knowledge of this. Like, right now we are still in the process of asking for wisdom as we go through these scriptures. We are asking for wisdom and we're waiting for instructions. The instructions are being provided. It's just going to take us to really incorporate and invite the Holy Spirit into us to really incorporate patience and self-control and joy and peace, incorporate those things into our personal lives. So as we go through and study the word, we, we receive those instructions because this is, this is the, the basic instructions. And then as we continue to study, we'll receive the Understanding, and then once we have understanding, then we have knowledge. So even if we have, even if we stay in Matthew 11 for five weeks, we are still wait. You know, it's a it's a process, and order matters. So if we do that, just think about the patience, the love, because now we're hearing the word of Christ. Um, over and over, we're getting a wider understanding. So the, the repetitions, we're, you know, this is good, we're renewing our mind. You know, we've probably read this scripture probably 3 times since the— in the past week and really got a new revelation on our mind, like really understanding, like Sometimes when we see someone doing something, like today devoting ourselves to— like, if I see somebody doing something, am I— is that really what I'm supposed to be focusing on? Or am I supposed to be focusing on the widows and the orphans? Am I supposed to be focusing on the blind and the deaf, the lepers, the poor, and actually going and preaching them the gospel and teaching the gospel? So it's really that doing that reflection, doing that devotion, and then it gives us a strategy and approach because he said, because, but wisdom is justified of her own children. So as far as when we're talking about just the sharing in the word, and even when he said like, as far as who, where am I, my mother, my father, Anyone who does the adult, um, is about the Father's business is family. So you think about when you, you're speaking to someone and you're, you're speaking about wisdom, you're speaking about Proverbs, those are the, the, your, your children, you know, especially if they're new to the faith. Um, it— you could be 45 years old and it— you not necessarily calling you a child, but when we are born again, you start back at that, that level. which is that it gives you that ability to grow. And this— that's, that's why I love this gray space, because it gives us the ability to grow and grow in the word. Now imagine how when we would get the instructions on how to live and live eternally and really give God our, our yes and our will, and, you know, and his, his will be done. So his plan gives us that hope and for a future. Now, if we want to do our own hope and for our future, you know, hope in ourselves, hope in the world, that's not what we're going to do. We're still taking the L out of the world and coming back with the word. And so the word says that he came to give us hope and for our future, and those are based off of his plans. So even when we feel like we're being harmed or we're going through suffering, um, so I can only imagine even when they was like, um, We have piped unto you. We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced. I know they're feeling a little, you know, a little harmed, you know. But if they look and say, okay, well, have my eyes been open to something new? Have my ears heard? And I understand something differently. Have I been cleansed of some of the things that was plaguing me? And so we can look at it and say that's the power of this new agreement that Christ has come after he preached the kingdom of God and then brought us the kingdom of heaven. So really diving into the word and doing, doing the good work. This is the— now we have the good news. Now we have the good work. And so that we could be a workman approved unto God. So let's, let's, let's identify, let's reflect on our ways because his ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts. So let's reflect on our thoughts. Are we thinking like them? Are we thinking like, okay, I did this and you didn't do this? Or are we thinking about, wow, God, you get the glory for the eyes that are open? Let's reflect on that and then devote ourselves to being in alignment with hearing and continuing to open up our ears to hear, um, what, what Christ is saying to us. And let wisdom, uh, be just— you know, be justified of her own children. So as we continue to ask for wisdom, we're going to receive wisdom. And then, you know, wisdom will be justified of her children. So continue to study to show yourself approved. Do not get, you know, um, do not walk away. Stand firm. Be on your guard. Stand firm. Be courageous. Be bold. But do everything in love and stay in love with the word of God. And so that is our strategy and approach. Stay in love with having an ear, saying, I'm going to get an understanding in all my getting. I can get a, um, a taco, I can get something to drink. Can we get understanding? Let's get an understanding because we, we are blessed to be a blessing. And he said, blessed are they who is not offended by me. So as long as we don't get, don't take, you know, get offended. And I think that was, that was the word. What are you taking offense to? And even if you do take it, take offense, realize it. Like, I'm taking offense to this. So it's not necessarily what is it, what I've, I've heard. I mean, I'm thinking on something like I'm probably taking offense to, um, what that person is doing. But really, is it really? I shouldn't be taking offense to that. I should be thinking about how my— I'm able to hear this word right now in this gray space to really reflect on, um, the fact that I am able to hear, hear Christ, his word still speaking, and that somebody is, is preaching to the poor. That's a blessing because he said blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall, um— oh, I want to say inherit the earth. Let's go to it. The Beatitudes. This remember, remember we gotta remember. And so I don't wanna, um, I don't wanna get it. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. For blessed is the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. And the kingdom of heaven is what Christ brought us. So if you are poor in spirit, then you— yours is the kingdom of heaven, to be able to hear the good news, to be able to receive the word of Christ and receive an understanding, and, you know, and really eat thereof, of the life the Tree of Life and get life and life more abundantly. So remember, if you are poor in spirit, if you're poor in love, you know, joy, peace, patience, self-control— even self-control— gentleness, faithfulness, you know, the sun rises on the just and the unjust. So if even if you are poor in those areas Yours is the kingdom of heaven. And that's something we can— our strategy and approach is when we're poor in any of those areas of the spirit, if our spirit is low, remember, yours is the kingdom of heaven. So that's our grace space for today, the reflection, the devotion, the strategy and approach. And thank you. Thank you. For joining. We are blessed to be a blessing, so be blessed. See you next time. Bye.