“Taught of God”

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Possessing the Divine Premium

“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9

Note here that the great apostle of Jesus didn’t liken being “taught of God,” to simply laying up head knowledge. Some who are self-serving hireling are misled to believe that simply being a type of talking head for Jesus is what is important. That is, just learning the facts so that you can speak them and have people follow you in building a local church business. Nonsense. God specializes is changing and transforming the lives of His few obedient true servants who lay down their lives to follow Christ daily. When a person is truly being “taught of God,” that person is not only learning the words of God but he’s also being transformed into the image of Christ, the Son of God. That is what God “predestine(d)” His people to be – “conformed to the image of his Son.” (Romans 8:29)

He who “is love” teaches those who truly walk with Him how to love. This is the pillar fruit of all who know the LORD. The absence of His love toward others is proof of an apostate heart.

Are You a Talking Head or Love Walking Disciple?

While knowing God’s Word is ultra important and makes us a more useful vessel, being a doer of His Word is even more important. Obviously, we can perhaps not separate the two because we must know His Word in order to do it. Yet, doing His Word requires the blessed power of the Holy Spirit who ministers in our lives as they are laid down, crying “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) Presenting our lives a living sacrifice to the LORD is our reasonable service and is obeying the Word (Romans 12:1). – “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22) Here the Bible informs us that the person who is not a doer of God’s Word is deceived. This would mean that the LORD is calling that person to lay down his life – to fall prostrate before His Majesty, waiving all of his rights. Head knowledge never translates into character until we choose to obey His Word by laying down our lives to prefer the LORD and others above ourselves – just like Jesus did (Philippians 2).

Are you willing to lay down your life?

It has been wisely stated that “One cannot lead another where he’s not himself willing to go.”

To go to seminary is clearly to be taught of mere men while walking as a disciple of Christ is being taught of God. The LORD’s method of preparing a man to be used of Him is not seminary. No, instead, it’s a life of the regular disciple who daily takes up that cross and follows Christ through thick and thin, through victory and sometimes defeat. Now, many take the world’s method over God’s. They vainly surmise that they can go to a so-called higher learning institution like Bible College or seminary and simply learn facts about the Bible. They are led to believe that if they simply say all the right things that they will be a success – as the world measure success.

“Knowledge puffeth up but charity edifieth (builds others up).” 1 Corinthians 8:1

It’s only as the LORD changes, transforms and fills the man that He will use that man. God doesn’t send people to seminary – men do that! It’s a total waste and puts the student into a place of needing to repent of and denounce such worldly wisdom. The LORD inducts each of His children into the school of the Holy Ghost and Word at the moment He saves them. THAT is God’s way of preparing His children to be used of Him.

The LORD prepares the man in proportion to how that man obeys Him in the taking up of the cross daily. That is, setting himself aside and giving the LORD reign! – “He must increase but I must decrease” is the life truth of all who are walking with and being further prepared to be used of God (John 3:30). Be not deceived: There are no shortcuts!

When a person is truly being “taught of God,” that person is not only learning the Words of God but also he’s being transformed into the image of Christ, the Son of God.

Truly walking in God’s love requires that “daily” cross and divine raising up Jesus and His apostles often spoke of (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 9:23-24; John 12:24-25; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20; 6:14, etc.).

The emphasis of Bible colleges and seminaries is to learn mere head knowledge and how to market your community. They prepare men to be church business, franchise owners. That’s all they can do. Only the LORD himself can make a disciple as that individual obeys, walks with, and abides in Christ. Seminary emphasizes the self-serving aspects of running a business which includes seeming as if you know the things of God – to the unlearned listeners. Walking in God’s love is ignored for the self-loving purpose of filling the building.

But walking in God’s love is high priority in the divine economy and that won’t change – ever. Loving God and ones neighbor is the highest priority (Matthew 22:37-39).

Becoming a true disciple of Christ means setting aside self-will and walking in His love. This is foundational and permeates the lives of all of Christ’s few, authentic disciples. It’s only they who are qualified to be used of God. They are “prepared unto every good work” and “meet (fit) for the master’s use.” (2 Timothy 2:21).

Learning Love

GOD’s LOVE can only emanate from our lives as we seek the face of He who “is love.” (1 John 4:7-8, 16-18)

Drink this one in:

“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” 1 John 4:14-21

The LORD is not impressed if we give, feed the poor, prophesy, and even give our bodies to be burned, if we are not one with Him. When we are born again and presently abiding in Christ, His love will permeate our lives.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (KJV)

The daily cross Christ commanded is the key to being filled with God’s love. Study love. Learn love. Do love! Walk in love!

Prayerfully read Philippians 2:3-10 every morning for the next week.

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Abiding

Safety in Wise Counsel [podcast]

“Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.” Proverbs 20:18

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalms 37:23

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12

“Safety” in wise counsel from God’s wisdom, Word, and including at times with the help of His beloved saints.

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14

“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.” Proverbs 21:31

“For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 24:6

Caprice means a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior.

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:13-18

The Power and Blessings of God's Wisdom [podcast]

Proverbs 3:13-23 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy […]

Judgment to Come Necessitates the Crucified Life [podcast]

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 In light of “eternal judgment” (Hebrews 6:2), the apostle speaks here of his preparation for it. Paul knew that eternal damnation awaited him if he dared not keep under his body, to crucify the deeds of the body to “bring it into subjection” by the daily crucified life. Keeping under our bodies speaks of a continual essential. Keeping under means subduing the old man by crucifying it daily. “For […]

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“Let Brotherly Love Continue” [podcast]

“Let Brotherly Love Continue.” Hebrews 13:1

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:2

1 John 4

God Is Love

“7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

1 Corinthians 13

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”

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5 Aspects of the Mind of Christ [podcast]

5 Components of the Mind of Christ from Philippians 2

Jesus Christ made Himself of no reputation.
He took upon Him the form of a servant.
He was made in the likeness of men.
He humbled Himself.
He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:2-10

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

At Gethsemane the death before the cross, before His death on the cross occurred.

“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42

“He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8

Living in the mind, the disposition of Christ means you are truly following Him.

As Christ’s disciple, your devotion, your love is first to Him, then to your neighbor, not self (Matthew 22:37-39). You are commanded by the Savior to set self aside and to lift others above yourself—to prefer, to put God and others first. Those who do so, experience true freedom, liberty.

Being one with Christ, who gave all to save you, means your life is over—you now live to serve the LORD and others, not self (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3).

Have you poured prayerfully over Philippians 2:3-5 today? If you will begin every day this week pouring prayerfully over this passage, asking the LORD to internalize it in your heart, God will begin to deeply instill the very “mind of Christ” into your innermost disposition.

Part of the dying…. IS GOD calling us to Himself, to forsake this world, including the attempt to save an unrepentant nation long in rebellion against Him – America?

Prayer: LORD, I want to walk in the disposition You walked in on earth. I will esteem You and others above myself. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s Grow Together! Sign up here to begin receiving the Moments with Our Master email devotional that is sure to help you grow in His grace and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:2; 3:18). It’s sent out for the edification of the body of Christ. Sign Up HERE.

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ARE YOU WALKING IN THE MIND OF CHRIST? WHAT IS THE MIND OF CHRIST? “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5 The Messiah, the Man and His mind we are blessed to know, to be known by, and to follow is seen in Philippians 2. Read it in the morning beloved of God. Life change! Father, please bless Your beloved children with “the mind of Christ.” In Jesus’ name, amen! Jesus left His world with the Father in the pristine and glorious perfection of Heaven to come this is fallen world and show […]

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