Father, Teach Me Your Word

Planting and Watering - Part 2

1 Corinthians 3:5–7 (The Living Bible) 5 Who am I, and who is Apollos, that we should be the cause of a quarrel? Why, we’re just God’s servants, each of us with certain special abilities, and with our help you believed. 6 My work was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos’ work was to water it, but it was God, not we, who made the garden grow in your hearts. 7 The person who does the planting or watering isn’t very important, but God is important because he is the one who makes things grow.

Part 2

“Seeds are being planted and watered, but only God can cause the growth”. This is part two of a seven part series for all who are seeking Him; and is given to The Glory and Honor of He Who Sits Upon the Throne and the Lamb Who Was Slain. It is not for commercial sale or publication. A free pdf copy may be obtained by contacting us at: www.tohisgloryministry.com . All rights reserved © Copyright 2015. Each part may be copied in its entirety and distributed for private non-commercial sale or publication provided all individual scripture copyright conditions are complied with.

PRAISE AND GLORY BE UNTO OUR GOD AND KING!

. . . . “They shall all be taught of God.’ Those the Father speaks to, who learn the truth from Him will be attracted to me.” [John 6:45]

Father, teach us your ways. Open our minds that You may fill each of us Your wisdom and knowledge, that of which we are ignorant. Give us Your Heavenly Understanding and Wisdom that may direct us to that clear interpretation which is only of You by and through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You Lord.

John 6:41–45 (The Living Bible) 41 Then the Jews began to murmur against him because he claimed to be the Bread from heaven. 42 “What?” they exclaimed. “Why, he is merely Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know. What is this he is saying, that he came down from heaven?” 43 But Jesus replied, “Don’t murmur among yourselves about my saying that. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him to me, and at the Last Day I will cause all such to rise again from the dead. 45 As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They shall all be taught of God.’ Those the Father speaks to, who learn the truth from him, will be attracted to me.

Isaiah 54:13 (NASB95) 13 “All your sons will be taught of the Lord; And the well-being of your sons will be great.

We know from His Word, that those He prepares, equips and chooses have instructions to plant seeds and water the garden. The seed must be planted in good and fertile soil if it is to yield fruit, and must be watered with the Pure and Living Water of the Word. It is God, the Creator of all living things who causes growth.

1 Corinthians 3:5–9 (NASB95) 5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Please have your bible with you as you go through this entire writing. Look up each passage in your bible and read it in full and complete context. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you. Please do not skip over the passages because you may have read them in the past. Let the Holy Spirit of the Living God speak to your heart today. Thank You Lord.

We are all clay vessels created by Him and by His will exist, and were created. [Revelation 4: all of it; go and read it for yourself.]

He created us, in His Image to be One in Spirit with Him, [1 Corinthians 6:] which is also One in Truth with Him. [John 14: – 17:] [1 John 2:] Adam and Eve were created by God, and again in His image. He created them, such that they were one in spirit with the Spirit of The Father. One in Spirit, just as the Son is one in Spirit with the Father.

However, sin entered this world in the Garden of Eden. As a result the entire human race was separated from God our Creator. No longer was man’s spirit able to be connected with God’s Spirit. [1 John 3:]

We died and were separated from the presence of God living in us and with us. The world He created for us to live in oneness with Him is now a dead and dying place where evil abounds. Man no longer has dominion over this earth. Dominion was relinquished and given to Satan when Adam and Eve sinned. We now live in a fallen world of death and sin. There is no light in us, only darkness.

The Lord knew what sin would do and so from the very day that sin entered this world, He promised He would send a savior. [Genesis 3:]

Since the fall mankind was now a creature born into sin and no longer had eternal life and only grew further and further away from the Creator. God saw the evil continuing to develop in the heart of those born in this sinful world and decided to start all over with mankind and brought about the flood. Only Noah and his family survived; eight human beings in total.

Yet in only 200 years after the flood we again were rebelling and God caused us to split into smaller groups with different languages. He then decided to select a people that would be His people that a savior may come into the world.

God choose one man who had faith, Abram, later renamed Abraham by God. From Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob His chosen people came forth from the slavery in Egypt and were led by Moses and then Joshua to the land God had promised to Abraham.

It was not that God was distant from these patriarchs. Adam who walked with God was alive for the first 200 plus years of Methuselah life. Methuselah lived 600 years while Noah was alive and 100 years while his son Shem was alive. For the first 40 years of Abraham’s life Noah was still alive. Shem lived 500 years after the flood which included all of Abraham’s life, most of Isaac’s life and the first 50 years of Jacob’s life. Jacob knew of this because of the way his answer was recorded to the Pharaoh in Genesis 47: (go and read it)

Adam would have passed along the entire creation message to Methuselah who would have passed it along to Noah and Shem who both would have passed it along to Abraham. Shem would have passed this on to Isaac and Jacob as well. The patriarchs were not ignorant of who God was or what God had done in the creation of this world or the flood. They knew who He was, and what He required. But our sin nature as children, born of the flesh, is simply evil and rebellious against God.

The Law was given to Moses for our own benefit that God’s chosen people might know the Holy Standard of God’s perfection. It clearly demonstrated what was required and showed us that perfection was not obtainable by man’s efforts.

“There was none righteous no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)

Prior to the coming of the Messiah, just as today, The Lord knew those who were willing to humble themselves before Him, obeying His commands. Willing to surrender their hearts and lives to Him; those who would, Humble, Fear and Obey, those who had faith and would trust Him.

From the fall in Genesis until the coming of the Messiah, the Lord prepared, equipped and sent many prophets to His people. These prophets all had one thing in common. They were selected by God and the Holy Spirit of the Living God came “upon them” and was with them. Many miracles were performed, prophecies were made, and the power of the Living God was evident in their lives by and through the Spirit of the Father. We know scripture was written by them as prophets, but we read very clearly:

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NASB95) “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

It was God who taught His people through the prophets and the writings of the prophets His pure Word. His Word was not then; nor is now, open for any person to give an interpretation. His Word is clearly there for whoever has ears to hear, for whoever has heavenly understanding, and heavenly understanding and heavenly wisdom is only given by the Holy Spirit of the Living God. The words of the prophets, which came from the Holy Spirit, were recorded and given to the people and were taught by the priests in the Old Testament. His assigned priests had the duty and charge to teach the people His Word. So listen carefully:

Ecclesiastes 12: 9 . . . . the Preacher was wise, he went on teaching the people all he knew; and he collected proverbs and classified them. 10 For the Preacher was not only a wise man but a good teacher; he not only taught what he knew to the people, but taught them in an interesting manner. 11 The wise man’s words are like goads that spur to action. They nail down important truths. Students are wise who master what their teachers tell them.

To understand the context of what He is saying, let us continue through the remainder of the Chapter. (Please read the entire chapter, and for that matter the entire book, “fill the well within you with the pure living Water of the Word”)

Ecclesiastes 12: 12 But, my son, be warned: there is no end of opinions ready to be expressed. Studying them can go on forever and become very exhausting! 13 Here is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commandments, for this is the entire duty of man. 14 For God will judge us for everything we do, including every hidden thing, good or bad.

We must understand that just as today, for those who will seek Him, will find Him. That is His promise and His Word. He does not change.

Jeremiah 29:11–13 (NASB95) 11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Deuteronomy 4:29–30 (NASB95) 29 “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. 30 “When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the Lord your God and listen to His voice.

Prior to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, His people had been given His Word. Today we call this the “the “Old Testament”. His Word is simple, if one just reads it with eyes that can see, and ears that can hear. The entire Old Testament points to the coming of the Messiah. But, it can only be understood if the Lord opens one’s eyes to see. It can only be understood if The Lord opens ones ears to hear.

Isaiah 6:1–13 (The Living Bible) 1 The year King Uzziah died I saw the Lord! He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the Temple was filled with his glory. 2 Hovering about him were mighty, six-winged angels of fire. With two of their wings they covered their faces, with two others they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 In a great antiphonal chorus they sang, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is filled with his glory.” 4 Such singing it was! It shook the Temple to its foundations, and suddenly the entire sanctuary was filled with smoke. 5 Then I said, “My doom is sealed, for I am a foul-mouthed sinner, a member of a sinful, foul-mouthed race; and I have looked upon the King, the Lord of heaven’s armies.” 6 Then one of the mighty angels flew over to the altar and with a pair of tongs picked out a burning coal. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “Now you are pronounced ‘not guilty’ because this coal has touched your lips. Your sins are all forgiven.” 8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom shall I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go?” And I said, “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.” 9 And he said, “Yes, go. But tell my people this: ‘Though you hear my words repeatedly, you won’t understand them. Though you watch and watch as I perform my miracles, still you won’t know what they mean.’ 10 Dull their understanding, close their ears, and shut their eyes. I don’t want them to see or to hear or to understand, or to turn to me to heal them.” 11 Then I said, “Lord, how long will it be before they are ready to listen?” And he replied, “Not until their cities are destroyed—without a person left—and the whole country is an utter wasteland, 12 and they are all taken away as slaves to other countries far away, and all the land of Israel lies deserted! 13 Yet a tenth—a remnant—will survive; and though Israel is invaded again and again and destroyed, yet Israel will be like a tree cut down, whose stump still lives to grow again.”

We, every one of us, are stubborn and stiff necked when it comes to the things of God. It is our nature, we are born into sin and we are rebellious. But our God, the creator, looks at the condition of each heart, not the present condition of the unsaved heart. The earthly condition of our heart is evil and wicked above all things; the most deceitful thing there is and desperately wicked. [Jeremiah 17:9]

No; He looks at our heart through the eyes of, and with the blood covering of His Son who came to this earth and shed His blood for our sins making full payment for our transgressions. He sees what we can be, and what we will be if the curse of sin is stripped from us and we willingly surrender to Him. That is why those who seek Him will be found by Him. To those who seek Him and love Him, to those He will give understanding. Those who truly love Him will be obedient and keep His commands. You cannot love God unless you obey His commands. (All of John and 1 John; sit down and read it.)

Matthew 22:36–40 (NASB95) 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 “This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

Ears to Hear and Eyes to See

Even though it was clearly shown in His Word the coming of their Messiah was at hand, His people did not see and did not understand what was happening when He came to this earth. He does tell us that Zacharias, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna and John were given eyes and ears that were open when the time was set for Jesus to come. But, it was not by their own understanding they had this knowledge. No, it was by the Holy Spirit of the Living God that gave them ears to hear and eyes to see. Read the opening chapters of Matthew, Luke and John. He clearly tells us this.

The established “religious authorities or leaders” of the time, were the priests, the teachers of the law, the Sadducees, Pharisees and the Sanhedrin. They had been taught by those before them the meanings of and interpretation of the Law, even down to the finest points of the “jot and the tittle”. These were wise, skilled and talented lawyers, judges and priests. “Experts on the law.” They had received their “degrees” and status in the religious community by their achievements in the “higher education” system of the time. With their knowledge, wisdom, traditions and rote they debated the finer points of the law, gave interpretations, made rules and regulations and enforced the Law of Moses to their understanding.

Yet these who were supposed to be teachers and priests of The God of Israel, did not even recognize the Creator of the Universe, The Messiah standing in their very presence. They did not hear the voice of the Shepard when He spoke. They did not see the Holy Spirit of the Living God upon Him and in Him. Listen to The Lord’s stern rebuke in Luke as well as His lament, prayer and promise in Matthew:

Luke 11:39–54 (The Living Bible) 39 Then Jesus said to him, “You Pharisees wash the outside, but inside you are still dirty—full of greed and wickedness! 40 Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? 41 Purity is best demonstrated by generosity. 42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For though you are careful to tithe even the smallest part of your income, you completely forget about justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave these other things undone. 43 “Woe to you Pharisees! For how you love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the respectful greetings from everyone as you walk through the markets! 44 Yes, awesome judgment is awaiting you. For you are like hidden graves in a field. Men go by you with no knowledge of the corruption they are passing.” 45 “Sir,” said an expert in religious law who was standing there, “you have insulted my profession, too, in what you just said.” 46 “Yes,” said Jesus, “the same horrors await you! For you crush men beneath impossible religious demands—demands that you yourselves would never think of trying to keep. 47 Woe to you! For you are exactly like your ancestors who killed the prophets long ago. 48 Murderers! You agree with your fathers that what they did was right—you would have done the same yourselves. 49 “This is what God says about you: ‘I will send prophets and apostles to you, and you will kill some of them and chase away the others.’ 50 “And you of this generation will be held responsible for the murder of God’s servants from the founding of the world—51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will surely be charged against you. 52 “Woe to you experts in religion! For you hide the truth from the people. You won’t accept it for yourselves, and you prevent others from having a chance to believe it.” 53 The Pharisees and legal experts were furious; and from that time on they plied him fiercely with a host of questions, trying to trap him into saying something for which they could have him arrested.

Matthew 11:21–30 (NASB95) 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 “Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 “And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. 24 “Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.” 25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26 “Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27 “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

WHERE ARE WE TODAY?

Today, we who chose the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior no longer live under the Law. The new covenant is in effect. The Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is the new covenant; we do not live under the Law, but live under The Blood.

Mark 14:22–25 (NJB) 22 And as they were eating he took bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to them. ‘Take it,’ he said, ‘this is my body.’ 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he handed it to them, and all drank from it, 24 and he said to them, ‘This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, poured out for many. 25 In truth I tell you, I shall never drink wine any more until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.’

However, and make no mistake about it; the Law has not changed. It is still the standard of our God. We simply cannot keep it on our own. We can be just as blind as those before us. However, The Lord Jesus Christ has come! He went to the cross for our sins. He suffered and died, offering His Holy and Perfect Blood as the acceptable sacrifice for our sins. If we are born again, by the Blood of the Lamb, then the Holy Spirit of the Living God is living with us and is in us. The Spirit of God is in us just as He was with Adam and Eve before the fall. (John 14: -17: please the complete chapters) Our names can be written in the Lamb’s book of Life.

(Note: If you are not absolutely sure you are born again. Please read the full book of John and pay specific attention to chapter 3: all, Ask Him to give you understanding. He will lead you to other scriptures as well and perhaps the “Part 1 -Father, Am I Your Child?” part of this series. Regardless, unless you are a child of the King, born of the Water and the Spirit, you will not be able to understand that which is His, regardless of your position or credentials. Simply put all the human and earthy wisdom that exists is not capable of understanding heavenly things. THESE ARE HIS WORDS NOT MINE 1 Corinthians 3: )

Today we can be free from the curse of sin and death living in this sinful world, if we only believe in Him, have faith in Him and Trust in Him. Yes, we are in this sinful world but not of this sinful world. The Blood of Christ has paid the penalty for our sins, yes, all who believe. Praise God!

But we can still have ears that will not hear and have eyes that will not see. Many of us chose to be deaf, dumb and blind. We continue our lives living under the pretense of our own understanding; our own wisdom, not willing to surrender all to Him. Our appearance may be Godly, we may have the free gift of salvation, but have we truly surrendered our hearts, minds and lives to the King of the Universe?

We now have His Word published in books we call the Bible, and many of us in the western world have several copies, even electronic copies on our computers and tablets, even on our smart phones, yet we do not read what He has given us. We have the tendency to read all about it from the most popular opinion of the “Christian Community”. We may hear a portion preached every Sunday morning, but most of us seldom pick up His Word and read it in context. We seldom ask the author of our faith, The Lord Jesus Christ for His heavenly understanding. We seem to want the “cliff notes version” and want others more educated than ourselves to summarize our doctrine. We seldom for ourselves go and read His Word directly. We hear verses quoted and then we quote the same verses , out of context; following along or coming up with our “own philosophy”, a new denomination, or following attaching ourselves and our faith to the spin that fits in with what we agree is acceptable to those we want to associate with.

Many of us who are in leadership and positions of authority in the Christian community and Christian organizations are sometimes the biggest offenders of this. We learn a passage, form an opinion, and confirm our position with the religious traditions, doctrines; commentaries and teachers of the past, those we admire and then our minds are set. (Just as the religious leaders of the Lord Jesus’ time.) We do not go back to the Word again because we think we know it in depth, and then we assume “our understanding” is correct. Much of our doctrine becomes opinion based upon opinion. We may even write and publish our own “human wisdom” on this teaching or that teaching and gain many followers selling books and filling arenas. We may take it to the airwaves, and huge stage events. It may sound good and be well accepted in the Christian community. But is it His Pure Word? Or, have we put God into a box, the box of our “own understanding”, and then by doing so deny the very power of the Creator of the Universe.

QUESTION:

How then do we learn about God and God’s Pure Truth? Well the first answer might be: “We have His Word!” Praise God! We are so blessed. We do have His Word! Again; Praise God!

But that does not answer my question you say. My question is and was: “How do we learn about God?” The obvious answer would be: “We learn about God through His Word.”

Yes, we do learn about God through His Word. That is fabulous! Praise God!

However, that still only addresses half of the question. “Who is to teach us the Word of God?”

If your answer is: “The Word teaches us.” Then again I say and proclaim “Praise God”.

If we learn about God through His Word and His Word teaches us. Then why do we have so many well-meaning Christians, with exhaustive educations that have such a difficult time even agreeing upon some of the most basic truths? There are bookstores full of different Christian author’s opinions and many, many Christian denominations out there. They all seem to have, “understanding” claiming it to be from God, and most present a laundry list of credentials in academia to support their position. I single out no one; we all are sinful human beings. However:

God tells us He does not change.
God tells us He is not the author of confusion.
He tells us there is nothing new under the sun.
He is the Way, the Truth and the Light.
His Word is Truth, not half-truths. Any truth that is not completely true is not truth at all.

So why do we find ourselves in this situation today? The Lord Jesus Christ has come and paid the price for our sin. If we are born again we have the Holy Spirit of the Living God living with us and in us. All we need to do is inquire of the Holy Spirit. That is what the Word tells us. So if all the Christian leaders are inquiring of the Holy Spirit then why do all of these differences exist? The Holy Spirit does not give half-truths.

Today is no different than at the time of His first coming.

Remember we just read:

“Here is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commandments, for this is the entire duty of man.”

Written words on paper, inked on parchment, chiseled in stone or read on a computer or tablet are still words. Words, no matter the language, have definitions. These words when put together in sentences portray a meaning based upon the definition we have given them as well as our own life experiences, education, and beliefs. We use all of this to understand what is being conveyed when we read or hear. Our education and beliefs are usually shaped by those who are our parents, friends, school teachers, professors, pastors, those we admire, what we have read in books or articles, what we experience when we talk with others, what we know, or assume to know as absolute truth. If we rely upon the list above then the understanding we gain from words becomes “our understanding”.

However, this does not necessarily mean that what we understand is true or truth. It is simply “our own understanding”. We may believe it, we may act on it, we may have great intentions and many others might agree with us, but that does not make it truth. Listen to His warning:

Proverbs 3:5–7 (NASB95) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

I am sure you are asking: “But, if we cannot “rely on” or “lean on” our own understanding, then how can we understand His Word?” “If we cannot lean on or rely upon our own understanding then how do we understand?”

Simple, just what His Word says; “understanding” must come from Him. Don’t you see His Word cannot be understood using “earthly” or “carnal” wisdom? This can only happen with heavenly understanding, with His Wisdom given only by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

The Heavenly Wisdom that comes from Him is available to all of us, who are born again of the Water and the Spirit. Born again of the Living Water who is the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of Father.

LISTEN: Wisdom is crying from the gates of the city trying to get our attention. Don’t you see if it does not come from Him of what worth is it?

Why does He insist we use His Wisdom?

SO THAT NO MAN MAY BOAST! (1 Corinthians 1:, Ephesians 2:)

SO THAT IN OUR WEAKNESS, HIS GLORY MAY BE SHOWN! (Matthew 11:, 2 Corinthians 12:)

Matthew 11:25–30 (The Living Bible) 25 And Jesus prayed this prayer: “O FATHER, LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, THANK YOU FOR HIDING THE TRUTH FROM THOSE WHO THINK THEMSELVES SO WISE, AND FOR REVEALING IT TO LITTLE CHILDREN. 26 YES, FATHER, FOR IT PLEASED YOU TO DO IT THIS WAY! . . . 27 “EVERYTHING HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO ME BY MY FATHER. Only the Father knows the Son, and the Father is known only by the Son and by those to whom the Son reveals him. 28 Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. 29 Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”

If it were possible for “Heavenly Wisdom” to come as a result of man’s academic achievements, then how would that bring Glory to God? Why would the Father have sent the Son? Don’t you see this was the purpose of Him giving us The Law?

Listen to what He is telling us very plainly.

His Word is never subject to our interpretation of His Word, His Word clearly says this, but many chose to ignore. How can something complex beyond our ability to understand, be understood by a simple child?

His word tells us, Because He is the Word;

Because the child trusts His Father; the child knows His Father loves him and will let no harm come to him. The child loves his Father and wants nothing, but to be with Him, nothing but to sit in His lap and be loved by Him. Abba Father we love you!

Don’t you see, God’s Word is not the marks on paper written in the Bible interpreted by this church, that church or any religious institution of man? God’s word is not the words written as I see them, or as you see them with our own prejudices and preconceived meanings. They do not come to us through the filter of any man made lens. Their meaning does not change as the result of any human organization voting on what the majority think or what the enlightened ones argue. His Word is not the ink marks on paper printed in the Bible or the most ancient and accurate manuscripts even in their original language with the meanings and understanding of man.

His True and Pure Word is given to us in words we can read but it is a heavenly language we do not know and cannot understand in our carnal mind. We can only gain understanding directly from Him. It is simply not available as a result of our natural minds hard work, or diligent study. It cannot be obtained as a result of any earthly accomplishment.

The milk of the Word, the gospel message is readily available to any who ask, seek and knock. Why? Because those who do; The Father draws to the Son and opens their minds to His understanding regarding salvation. The salvation message is open and offered to all.

John 6:43–46 (NASB95) 43 Jesus answered and said to them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. 46 “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father.

However, if you are born again then you are called to be a disciple and to do so you must pick up your cross and follow Him.

Matthew 16:24–27 (NASB95) 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.

Luke 9:23–26 (The Living Bible) 23 Then he said to all, “Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me! 24 Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it, but whoever insists on keeping his life will lose it; 25 and what profit is there in gaining the whole world when it means forfeiting one’s self? 26 “When I, the Messiah, come in my glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels, I will be ashamed then of all who are ashamed of me and of my words now.

God is so awesome! The salvation message can be understood by anyone who is seeking. All it takes is a willing heart to believe. But remember our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked above all things.

Jeremiah 17:7–10 (CJB) 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in Adonai; Adonai will be his security. 8 He will be like a tree planted near water; it spreads out its roots by the river; it does not notice when heat comes; and its foliage is luxuriant; it is not anxious in a year of drought but keeps on yielding fruit. 9 “The heart is more deceitful than anything else and mortally sick. Who can fathom it? 10 I, Adonai, search the heart; I test inner motivations; in order to give to everyone what his actions and conduct deserve.”

God knows that our hearts are wicked and deceitful and mortally sick. That is why our hearts must be changed. But, we are not the ones who can change our own hearts. Listen to His Promise:

Ezekiel 36:22–27 (The Living Bible) 22 “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘The Lord God says: I am bringing you back again, but not because you deserve it; I am doing it to protect my holy name, which you tarnished among the nations. 23 I will honor my great name, that you defiled, and the people of the world shall know I am the Lord. I will be honored before their eyes by delivering you from exile among them. 24 For I will bring you back home again to the land of Israel. 25 “ ‘Then it will be as though I had sprinkled clean water on you, for you will be clean—your filthiness will be washed away, your idol worship gone. 26 And I will give you a new heart—I will give you new and right desires—and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you so that you will obey my laws and do whatever I command.

No matter how much we want to, or how hard we strive. Our hearts must change from stone to fertile soil and only He can do so. That His Pure and True Word may be planted as the seed. His Living Water must water the garden. Then He causes the growth and the yield can be 30, 60, 100 fold. So let’s take a moment to look at the soil condition or our heart from His Word.

Matthew 13:18–23 (NASB95) 18 “Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. 20 “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

“And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil this is the man who hears the word and understands it.” In order to hear, we must have “ears to hear”, given by God, and in order to understand we cannot lean on our own understanding but must gain our understanding from the Holy Spirit. No man should boast, it is God who gives the increase.

Does that mean we are not to study and read His Word? OF COURSE NOT! Exactly the opposite, we must fill the well within us, we must listen and hear His Word. But the growth in our “heavenly understanding” comes from God.

Why would any of us want to study something as valuable as the Pure Word of God and then seek advice and counsel from others rather than from The Source? Both the ability to understand and the Author is readily available to any who ask. Perhaps you simply did not know this, or never realized this? PRAISE GOD! He has now revealed this truth to you. Go and ask Him directly. Let Him confirm this truth to you, His Word will do so time and time again.

How Wonderful, How Marvelous! If you are born again you have the private tutor of the Holy Spirit living with you and in you. He will teach you and give you understanding if you are willing to listen; if you are willing to put away your own religious interpretations and carnal understandings. He will give you “heavenly understanding”. The Holy Spirit is your private tutor, guide, coach and helper able to teach and show you the heavenly language of the Father and give you understanding of His Word. “Wisdom is calling.” We must come to Him with the faith of a child, totally trusting our Father, knowing that His Word and promises are true. Knowing that He loves us beyond measure and allow Him to purge from each of us the earthly wisdom of man and teach us the Wisdom of God.

He will give us heavenly Wisdom, insight and understanding, not the wisdom of this world, but “Heavenly” Wisdom that comes from The Father, just as He promised! He must be the one to give us Wisdom. Go and read John 6:, 14:, 15:, 16: and 17:. The promise is right there. His instructions to you and I are no different today than they were in the past. He does not change.

Who is it that He delights in sharing His secrets with.

Psalm 25:4–14 (The Living Bible) 4 Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. 5 Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you. 6 Overlook my youthful sins, O Lord! Look at me instead through eyes of mercy and forgiveness, through eyes of everlasting love and kindness. 8 The Lord is good and glad to teach the proper path to all who go astray; 9 he will teach the ways that are right and best to those who humbly turn to him. 10 And when we obey him, every path he guides us on is fragrant with his loving-kindness and his truth. 11 But Lord, my sins! How many they are. Oh, pardon them for the honor of your name. 12 Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best. 13 He shall live within God’s circle of blessing, and his children shall inherit the earth. 14 Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises.

What about “Heavenly Wisdom”?

Proverbs 8:1–36 (The Living Bible) 1 Can’t you hear the voice of wisdom? She is standing at the city gates and at every fork in the road, and at the door of every house. Listen to what she says: 4 “Listen, men!” she calls. “How foolish and naive you are! Let me give you understanding. O foolish ones, let me show you common sense! 6 Listen to me! For I have important information for you. Everything I say is right and true, for I hate lies and every kind of deception. 8 My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing of evil in it. 9 My words are plain and clear to anyone with half a mind—if it is only open! 10 My instruction is far more valuable than silver or gold.” 11 For the value of wisdom is far above rubies; nothing can be compared with it. 12 Wisdom and good judgment live together, for wisdom knows where to discover knowledge and understanding. 13 If anyone respects and fears God, he will hate evil. For wisdom hates pride, arrogance, corruption, and deceit of every kind. 14 “I, Wisdom, give good advice and common sense. Because of my strength, kings reign in power, and rulers make just laws. 17 I love all who love me. Those who search for me shall surely find me. 18 Unending riches, honor, justice, and righteousness are mine to distribute. 19 My gifts are better than the purest gold or sterling silver! 20 My paths are those of justice and right. 21 Those who love and follow me are indeed wealthy. I fill their treasuries. 22 The Lord formed me in the beginning, before he created anything else. 23 From ages past, I am. I existed before the earth began. 24 I lived before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters onto the earth, 25 before the mountains and the hills were made. 26 Yes, I was born before God made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. 27 “I was there when he established the heavens and formed the great springs in the depths of the oceans. I was there when he set the limits of the seas and gave them his instructions not to spread beyond their boundaries. I was there when he made the blueprint for the earth and oceans. 30 I was the craftsman at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. 31 And how happy I was with what he created—his wide world and all his family of mankind! 32 And so, young men, listen to me, for how happy are all who follow my instructions. 33 “Listen to my counsel—oh, don’t refuse it—and be wise. 34 Happy is the man who is so anxious to be with me that he watches for me daily at my gates, or waits for me outside my home! 35 For whoever finds me finds life and wins approval from the Lord. 36 But the one who misses me has injured himself irreparably. Those who refuse me show that they love death.”

Proverbs 1:7–9 (The Living Bible) 7 How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord! Only fools refuse to be taught.

Proverbs 12:1 (The Living Bible) 1 To learn, you must want to be taught. To refuse reproof is stupid.

Galatians 1:12 (The Living Bible) 12 For my message comes from no less a person than Jesus Christ himself, who told me what to say. No one else has taught me.

Isaiah 54:9–17 (The Living Bible) 13 And all your citizens shall be taught by me, and their prosperity shall be great.

Jeremiah 31:31–34 (NASB95) My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 “They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

1 Corinthians 2:6–16 (NASB95) 6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 9 but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

There are many more passages from His Word. In fact it is difficult to read the Word of God and not see this if your eyes have been opened. Please go back and read these passages, read them in context, read them asking, knocking and seeking Him. Put aside all other opinions or understandings you may have and seek Him. His promise to us has not changed, He will teach us.

John 14:16–26 (NASB95) 16 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 “After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. 20 “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. 24 “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

MAN’S OPINION

One must admit that man’s opinions can be endless? Some important truths about salvation and the milk of the Word are there, yes I agree. But just as the teachers of The Lord Jesus’s time, or at the time of Solomon, it does not matter whose opinion you want to solicit, no matter how well intentioned that person may be; man’s opinion is still man’s opinion, and that includes your opinion as well as mine.

His voice, the voice of the Good Shepard is always One, or in full agreement with The Father. His Word is the only place we will find absolute truth.

So why do we, in this day and age sort through the endless number of man’s opinions when we seek Him? If we are born again, a child of the King, then the only one who can change the soil of our hearts, Ezekiel 36:, teach us and give heavenly understanding of His Pure Word. Is the Word, just as His Word says. He is the Word and only by the sacrifice of the cross has He cleared the way that He may give us the Holy Spirit to teach us. The Word is not the written marks on a paper to be interpreted or understood with human wisdom; the Word is not a specific translation of The Bible. The Word is not the endless opinions you can find on a computer screen, in books or pamphlets, or listening to radio or television. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and He is:

The Word of God; Wisdom Calling at the Gate (Proverbs 8:)

The Word of God; knocking and the door of your heart. (Matthew 7:, Revelation 5:)

The Word of God who is the Rock. (Psalm 18:, 78:, 42:, Isaiah 30:, Matthew 21:, Mark 12:, )

The Word of God who is the Foundation of our faith. (1 Peter 2:, Acts 4:, Luke 20:)

The Word of God is God with Us, Emanuel. (Matthew 1:, Isaiah 7:)

The Word of God is the Light of the world. (John 8:)

The Word of God is the Way. (John 14:)

The Word of God is Truth. (John 14:)

The Word of God bears our heavy burdens. (Matthew 11:)

The Word of God is the Lamb that was slain. (Revelation 5:)

The Word of God shed His Blood for us. (Revelation 5:)

The Word of God broke the seals and opened the scroll. (Revelation 5:)

The Word of God purchased men for God. (Revelation 5:)

The Word of God has the fullness of the Father. (Colossians 1:, 2:)

The Word of God created all things. (John 1:, Colossians 1:, Romans 11:)

The Word of God is with God. (John 1:, John 14:)

The Word of God is God. (John 1:)

THE WORD OF GOD IS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST MESSIAH. LORD OF LORDS! KING OF KINGS!

Let Him Teach You! Let the Holy Spirit of the Living God Teach You!

Read His Word. Read it in Context. Read whole chapters and books. Fill the well within you with the Pure Word of God. Know His Word. Know His Truth. Ask Him to write it on your heart. Accept no substitute, strive to know and fellowship with those who know and live this pearl of wisdom, holding it above all others in everything they do. Recognize those who are of God, by the fruit they bear. Test all spirits. Those who are His are simply sign posts pointing to the Savior of the world. He must increase, we must decrease.

If you are a Christian Pastor or Leader reading this, then these are truths plainly stated in the Word of God, if you have ears to hear and are willing to accept instruction from the Holy Spirit. This entire message is confirmed in His Word and is confirmed by His Word.

If this is something you did not know, or have never recognized until now, then Praise God. Seek Him, repent and turn from human wisdom and ask Him to take away from you everything that is not of Him, and allow Him to begin to fill you with His Holy and Pure Word. Embrace the refiner’s fire, ask Him to winnow, prune and sift you. This is the true Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3: He is your loving Father and He knows your heart. He knows if you have been crying out to Him asking Him to show you more of Him.

If this writing is something that does not line up with your opinion, yet you are truly seeking Him with all your heart, soul and mind. Then, please go to Him and Him alone. On your face, with the faith of a child and ask Him to reveal His Truth to you and His will for your life. It is His promise given to you. If you ask with a contrite heart, He will answer, He will show you His Pure Truth if you are willing, truly willing from the heart. Ask Him to confirm everything from His Word. Do not seek outside sources until you have the heavenly discernment to know His Voice.

His Word is His Word and He will confirm everything in His Word. He will never contradict His Word. The doctrines of man may tickle many ears, and have large followings, even selling out arenas. But again that does not necessarily make it His Truth.

The question to each of us without exception: Are you willing to trust Him? Are you willing to take up your cross and follow Him? If you do your life will change, but you must be willing.

Psalm 84:5–12 (NASB95) 5 How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion! 6 Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings. 7 They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appears before God in Zion. 8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah. 9 Behold our shield, O God, And look upon the face of Your anointed. 10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O Lord of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Again, If you seek Him and are willing to be used by Him, then fill the well within you with the Pure and True Word, allow Him to winnow, sift and prune. Ask Him to turn up the heat and allow the refiner’s fire to remove the dross. Consider the cost carefully, your life will change, and in ways you cannot imagine.

If you are willing, there may be those He puts in your path to plant seeds and water the garden with His Pure Living Water, listen for His directions. Go where He sends you and say what He tells you to say, not what is human wisdom or human understanding, but listen for His voice and say that which He gives you.

The Holy Spirit of the Living God will show you those who are His. Do not strike out on your own. Remember, it is God and God alone that causes the growth in us and in others. Our hearts must become fertile soil, He must change hearts.

He is the vine, we are the branches. We must embrace the heat of the refiner’s fire, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire to burn the chaff and the needless branches. The fire is necessary to purge from us all of the dross we are so unwilling to give up. It is the pure, true and living water of the Word that causes the growth. Fill the well within you with His Pure Word, it is “pure gold refined seven times”. (Revelation 3:) It can only be obtained from Him.

Isaiah 66:1–2 (NASB95) 1 Thus says the Lord, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? 2 “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.

Father, teach us Your Way and Your Word, give us Heavenly Understanding. Change our stony hearts into good soil. Let the seeds you and those who are yours plant and water, grow yielding 30, 60 100 fold. It is to your Glory, and by your will that they will grow. Thank you Father. AMEN

If you are truly convinced in your heart that what you have just read is true. If you are born again and truly want to be His disciple, set aside time each day and Ask the Holy Spirit of the Living God to open your ears to hear, and your eyes to see that which is Him. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to baptize you with His Holy refiners fire to burn away the chaff and allow the Holy Spirit to give you heavenly understanding about heavenly things.

It is He and He alone that you need.

It is the work that He does in you that will last. These are the treasures that moths and rust will not destroy. His work in you will stand up to the fiery darts of the evil one. These are the treasures to store up in Heaven.

Believe His Promise: He, the Holy Spirit of the Living God is your teacher.

Matthew 7:7–11 (The Living Bible) 7 “Ask, and you will be given what you ask for. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Anyone who seeks, finds. If only you will knock, the door will open. 9 If a child asks his father for a loaf of bread, will he be given a stone instead? 10 If he asks for fish, will he be given a poisonous snake? Of course not! 11 And if you hard-hearted, sinful men know how to give good gifts to your children, won’t your Father in heaven even more certainly give good gifts to those who ask him for them?

Proverbs 8:1–13 (The Living Bible) 1 Can’t you hear the voice of wisdom? She is standing at the city gates and at every fork in the road, and at the door of every house. Listen to what she says: 4 “Listen, men!” she calls. “How foolish and naive you are! Let me give you understanding. O foolish ones, let me show you common sense! 6 Listen to me! For I have important information for you. Everything I say is right and true, for I hate lies and every kind of deception. 8 My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing of evil in it. 9 My words are plain and clear to anyone with half a mind—if it is only open! 10 My instruction is far more valuable than silver or gold.” 11 For the value of wisdom is far above rubies; nothing can be compared with it. 12 Wisdom and good judgment live together, for wisdom knows where to discover knowledge and understanding. 13 If anyone respects and fears God, he will hate evil. For wisdom hates pride, arrogance, corruption, and deceit of every kind.

Please do not fall into the trap of leaning on your own understanding! Do not consider other sources unless they totally line up with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit has sent you to them. Yes, including this one.

Seek His Face!

John 6:43–46 (The Living Bible) 43 But Jesus replied, “Don’t murmur among yourselves about my saying that. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him to me, and at the Last Day I will cause all such to rise again from the dead. 45 As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They shall all be taught of God.’ Those the Father speaks to, who learn the truth from him, will be attracted to me. 46 (Not that anyone actually sees the Father, for only I have seen him.)

All Glory Honor and Praise unto our Lord and King. www.tohisgloryministy.com

Hbs;

Kim Ford, 1/23/2015

This is nonsalable media prepared by To His Glory Ministry issued as a bulletin to be used for planting seeds and watering the garden. All scripture quotations are cited when used. All to the Glory, Praise and Honor of our Lord and King Jesus.

(CJB) – Complete Jewish Bible, Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. www.messianicjewish.net/jntp Distributed by Messianic Jewish Resources International. All rights reserved. Used by Permission.

(NAS95) – Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission

(NJB) The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). New York: Doubleday.

NOTE: Just as the Lord may use this writing to plant seed and water the garden in you, He has used others in my life to do the same. Encouragement, confirmation, tears, emotion and discipline are all a part of the process of His refiner’s fire. Strive that you may be found worthy. Embrace His love and His correction, allow the Holiness of God to purify you and remove the dross which envelopes all of us until He removes it with His Blood and refiner’s fire. Thank you Lord. With love and appreciation for those He has used in my life, my heartfelt thanks to PW and others.

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