[Isabelle Tubbs]

This week’s devotional reminded me of the importance of our response to God and His Word. It is not enough to just listen or even just to understand; we must let His Word change our lives. Truly allowing God to change us is not just doing good deeds (although those are very important), it affects who we are, what we say, and what we think. The people in the verses from Matthew 13 mentioned in the devotional did hear Jesus’s message. They did not leave right away when He started talking. However, after He spoke, that is when they walked away. In some cases, it can apply to the entire message of salvation. In other cases, it can apply to some of the things God speaks to us daily. When He speaks to us, we must listen, obey, and take it to heart, instead of in our heart “walking away.” This is much easier said than done, but the change that comes from doing this will be amazing.