Luke 8:10 – “He said, “You have been given a teachable heart to perceive the secret, hidden mysteries of God’s kingdom realm. But to those without a listening heart, my words are merely stories. Even though they have eyes, they are blind to the true meaning of what I say, and even though they listen, they won’t receive full revelation.”

As I rose before my usual early hour, I felt uneasiness in my spirit. Many of my friends and acquaintances are engaged in extreme spiritual warfare, and my heart is breaking for them. I was reminded of Peter and John’s act at the Gate Beautiful and a revelation contained in Peter’s words and actions.

The illustration in Luke 8, the parable of the Sower and types of soil, captured my thoughts with this understanding: ‘Listen with the heart.’ In verse 10, Jesus said, “You have been given a teachable heart to perceive the secret hidden mysteries of God’s kingdom realm. But to those without a listening heart, My words are merely stories.”

Many struggle within, and when pressure is applied, the fruit of the heart overflows.  We struggle with how to help those who are struggling.   In Luke 6, Jesus compared our lives to fruit trees.  We can only give what we have or what we truly are.

Luke 6:44 – “Every tree will be revealed by the quality of fruit it produces.”   In verse 45, “For the overflow of what had been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words.” In verse 46, He emphasized that it is not what we claim to be but what we truly are that reveals the heart.  

The proof is in the pudding. We can’t hide the overflow. Love for God is impossible to hide. It is evidenced by love for others.   We cannot truly give what others need until we give God our whole hearts.   What they need is not simply natural.  Anyone can address material needs, but only God can address the needs of the heart.  We can only give what we have and what we are.

• If we want to bring others to wholeness, we must be made whole ourselves.
• If we want to see the captive freed, we must be set free!
• If we truly give God our lives, we receive His life and can then give that to others.

We need to gaze into the mirror of the Word, and as we see our glaring needs, we give them to Jesus.   We exchange our deficiencies for His wholeness.   It is out of that flow of wholeness that we give to those in need.   We are to flow through channels of grace!   What we need and what they need is at our disposal.   Our part is total surrender.   Then, out of our transformation, we give, and that gift releases the flow of wholeness.

Allow the Holy Spirit to bring you to wholeness so you can bring others into the presence of the Living LORD!