#1884 1002 13W

            Being taught and trained by God is like taking a correspondence course from a Teacher who lives at a distance; but God Acts 17:24 "who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.”  He Acts 17:27 “be not far from every one of us.”  God is skilled in training us, and we can begin this course regardless of our prior knowledge or our lack of ability.  This training is done by the Holy Spirit—Who is with us all the time.

            Any minister of God’s Truth must be a graduate of God’s school.  They must be saved and remain in that position of trust on God—for healing without drugs or medication.  They must prove that God will supply their needs without laid up finances, government assistance, or fund raising programs.  A minister should be taught by God, and be trusting Him in faith for everything.

            The qualifications for a servant of God today, are the same as they were in the Bible.  Someone who is learning a trade is not made a foreman the first day—that position is given to those who have been trained in all details of the work.  2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

            A minister of God must not distort the Word of God, but correctly preach the entire Truth concerning faith righteousness; divine healing; financial trust; prophecy; and living by faith in God every day.  Many religious leaders today do not interpret the Scriptures accurately, because they do not understand the principle of trust on God correctly. 

            If a passage of Scripture only infers something, we cannot base our teaching on it.  All doctrines must be founded on positive statements—especially those on divine healing, as it is a matter of life and death, and of great spiritual power—or denying its power.

            All too many take a single passage of Scripture—that infers something, and then use it to oppose divine healing.  They say that Jesus told us to take medicine—referring to where the Pharisees were complaining about Jesus eating with sinners.  The Lord knew their hearts and said to them Matthew 9:12 “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.”

            He meant that the unbelieving Pharisees send for a doctor when they are sick, because they think they need one; so Jesus was going into the homes of sinners and publicans because they need Him.  Jesus used a human illustration to make an important point—He was not teaching on divine healing in this passage.  There is, however, direct teaching on healing in many other verses—Matthew 8:8; Mark 5:34; Luke 18:42; John 5:9; Acts 3:16; James 5:15.

            A servant of God must not ask for money, like many religious organizations do—1 Peter 5:2-3 “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

            A minister is instructed to teach the whole counsel of God, which is sure to bring opposition or touch a sore spot.  The entire Truth of God means the complete death of the old way—and the accepting of His new way.  Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”  We must have the old way removed from our heart; and the new way accepted in faith.

            No person or religious organization has any right to change the meaning of God’s Word.  No matter where we are located on this globe, God’s Truth remains the same—nothing can alter His plan of life—that we must die to the old way, and live for the new way.  John 12:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit”—always learning from God’s teaching.

            We are to trust God for healing, and not trust on medication, surgery, or some new drug.  The Blood of Jesus Christ is all that is given to us for healing in the entire Bible—and it is sufficient.  Isaiah 53:5 ”He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”  Jesus proved this truth when He Matthew 8:16-17 “healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.’"

            God says to keep our surplus cash in heaven.  It is amazing how attached we are to our money, but everyone must learn God’s rule, which is to give to the poor, and thus place our money in heaven.  The world thinks it is terrible to give money away and receive nothing in return—but it is the greatest exchange we will ever make.  We need the spiritual vision to see it, and the inspiration of the Spirit to accept it.

            Following the way of the world in money matters, will take us to the lake of fire; but if we follow the plan of the Word, it will lead us to God’s kingdom.  God is to take the place of our money.  The widow of Zarephath gave a little flour and oil, to receive the great God of heaven in return—and this was during a serious three-year famine.  We ponder if we would have made that choice—had we been in her place.

            One meal was all she had between her and death; but today we live in a land of abundance.  No one would miss a meal, if they trust God right.  The widow gave up her last visible means of support—and chose God.  It was a dangerous risk, and foolish in the eyes of the world.  Unbelievers strive to get all they can; hold on to it for as long as they can, and only give what they have to.

            The teaching of God includes following scriptural advice.  Hebrews 13:17 “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.”  Jesus sent His disciples to proclaim God’s Truth, and added Matthew 10:40 "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

            Jesus commissioned His disciples Mark 16:15-16 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”  Jesus said 17-18 that signs would follow those who believe—demons being cast out; protection from evil, and people healed by the divine power of God when conditions are met.

            The teaching of God includes meeting circumstances of life scripturally.  Every trial or test is an instrument used by God to teach a valuable lesson—far more important than any other type of learning.  Our spiritual eyes can be opened to see what we never saw before.  God allows things to happen to show us where we are, and how we can be delivered.  Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”  Only God really knows our heart.

            We often wonder why God allowed something to happen to us—but not realizing that we are often guilty of the very thing we accuse others of doing.  No human being ever born is different from another in heart—every heart is wicked—until God changes or converts it.  Any sin in our heart must be brought to the surface, so we can repent of it.

            Simon’s synagogue taught that he was okay as Abraham’s descendant.  This same type of teaching deceives multitudes today—that church membership and outward morality makes an individual ready for heaven.  Millions believe that if they do not harm people; if they pay their debts; and if they belong to a church, they will go to heaven—even though they are not trusting God for healing; and not trusting Him in faith for finances—but rather are borrowing money or asking for it.

            Jesus said that outright sinners would enter the kingdom of God ahead of outwardly religious Scribes—who only professed faith in God—because sinners are much more likely to realize their need of repentance, than those who think they have no need of repentance.  Millions think they are ready for the kingdom, even though they are in rebellion, and oppose Jesus’ teaching on many issues.

            When the Holy Spirit teaches us, like He taught Simon Peter, things really become plain to us.  Jesus was teaching from Simon’s boat, while Peter washed his nets.  Simon may have thought how different the teaching was from what his synagogue had taught.  Jesus told him Luke 5:4, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”

            Peter was experienced in fishing and said 5-6 “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.  And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net broke.”

            It was a spiritual awakening to divine power.  Luke 5:8 “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”  Peter realized that he had not been in a saved position—his religious teaching did not really explain who God was.  It was an empty profession of faith.

            Whatever we are going through—we will not enjoy peace until we learn to meet things right.  Luke 10:6 ”If the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it,” but if we tolerate things just so long, then resort to our own way, the victory is lost.  When we have said our last word, and done our last deed, God is able to work.

            God is so jealous of our eternal welfare, that He does not allow us to have peace at the expense of it.  As He allowed things to happen to Job, His great love and mercy allows things to happen to us, until we are willing to meet things right, and have Him change our heart. 

            This teaching of God is more valuable than anything this sin-cursed world has to offer.  Job 23:10 “When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”  It will be worth it all.  1 Peter 1:7 "These [various tests and trials] have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  Nothing on earth can compare to the value of being taught by God!