Daily Bread 7-25-17
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
ref - Mt 16:23 - But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Ro 8:5 - For they that are of the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Ju 19 - They be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
Pr 28:5 - Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.
Isa 40:13 - Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
Ro 11:34 - For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Jn 15:15 - Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
We are being urged over and over in the teachings of Christ and after that the Apostles to enter in to a Spiritual relationship with God. We use the excuse that we have a lack of understanding but when true Spiritual understanding comes our way, we mock it and go about our way the same as we did before. We are too bold and proud to be able to change our ways or to be transformed Spiritually. So, therefore we go about with the judgment of men on our shoulders and the ways of the world become our law book. We are unable to judge even within ourselves the difference between right and wrong because the Spirit that many of us testify of is far from us. Rather than use the word of God and listen when the Spirit of God speaks, we choose to invent our own beliefs and, in turn, sway the beliefs of many others in our paths. We are trying to do the work of Christ when Christ is not in us. When Christ is not in us we cannot expect to have any true understanding, just a repetition of someone who does, or a mimicking of someone who has done the work before us. It is completely necessary for us to understand what God's will is for us from the inside as we are not going to have men of God following after us and watching our every step. It is much more effective to have this Spirit inside of us. Well, how do I receive this Spirit you say? "I already sobbed uncontrollably at the altar for hours and I attend Church regularly. I agree with what is being taught and strive to be obedient to it, so what is missing?" Ask the Lord to reveal to you what is holding you back from having the river flowing from within. Ask him to make it known to you why that your understanding must come from another teacher rather than being able to assist other teachers Spiritually. The answers are not so far away. But when we are shown the way, through the scriptures and the Spirit of God, we must not go to our bag of carnal tricks and try to receive it. Anything Spiritual that comes will not be accepted by using the methods and ways of the world. The very information that could change our lives forever will be rejected through our own ignorance. What we must do to prepare for this Spiritual transformation is to seek for things that produce fruit of the Spirit. Knowledge? Wisdom? Power? Teaching? No, we must seek for the things that will prepare our vessels for this influx of information and will allow us to judge and not be judged. We must seek for meekness, temperance, patience, longsuffering, and the things that the word of God say are fruits of the Spirit. We must allow the Spirit of God to prepare our vessels for when he comes to abide within us. This, once again and again, can only come through prayer and obedience to that we are shown in the Spirit. So, when we are talking or instructing let us keep this in mind; "Am I talking with the power and authority of Jesus Christ, or am I speaking with the wisdom of man? Am I speaking of the things of Christ and Spiritual things from the Spirit of God, Jesus Christ, that dwells within me, or am I just trying to manufacture something that is not there and speaking through a different Spirit?" If you want to be instructed in the Spirit of God and prepared for advancement in the Kingdom of God, then it is strongly urged for you to try to attend the whole twenty one days of September meetings at The Church Of God Of The Firstborn, 720 S. Kansas Ave., Newton, KS. They begin on Sept. 10 and continue on through the end of the month. It is our belief that many will not only leave transformed Spiritually but that God will also call leaders, filled with the Holy Ghost, to help build up the temple of the Lord and support this wonderful way of life that we have been given through nothing more or less than the Word of God and his Holy Spirit!! Hope to see you all there!!! Have a great day!!!!