Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

He is Not Far Off

Acts 17:27 that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

Are those not beautiful and comforting words? How wonderful it is to know that the Lord Christ Jesus is not far off from us, if we seek him. But for so many they never seem to find him, he seems very far off to them, so is God lying to us?

1Cor.13:8 Love never fails.
Seeking What?

What are we seeking according to God's inspired words above? Is it the truth? The true religion on earth? A prophet on earth? An old teaching buried in a cave? What are we to be seeking? Perhaps, the two are connected? If one is not seeking the right thing then perhaps that is why they have never found the comfort of Christ Jesus?

2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Isaiah 40:1 "Comfort, comfort my people," says your God.
1.
Well clearly, we are to seek the Lord, Christ Jesus, but why? (Acts 17:27 that they should seek the Lord) Well, not to over simplify things, it is because he is the only means for salvation God has given to humans on this earth (he is not lacking in power to save us completely).

There is no other door to God, no other road to God's kingdom, no other truth to God's kingdom, but what God has placed in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 6:2 for he says, "At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you."{Isaiah 49:8} Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

Acts 4:12 There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"
Seeking Truth

Billions upon billions of people have been mislead in our times, and in the past by seeking the written truth only; leaving them not to believe in any truth! However, one little change in wording by so called self-appointed teachers of written truth, we can find ourselves deceived, and without the comfort of Christ Jesus and God's Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 51:19 These two things have happened to you. Who will bemoan you? Desolation and destruction, and the famine and the sword; how shall I comfort you?

John.5:39 "You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me. 5:40 Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life.
5:41 I don't receive glory from men.

2
Jer.17:5 Thus says Yahweh: Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from Yahweh.
17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited.
17:7 Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, and whose trust Yahweh is. 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat comes, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Yes, Christ is the truth, and he is also the very Word of God, seeking truth sounds more appealing to our flesh than seeking Christ the truth. But what truth are we seeking if Christ the truth is not far off from anyone of us?

Rom.10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith says this, "Don't say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'{Deuteronomy 30:12} (that is, to bring Christ down); 10:7 or, 'Who will descend into the abyss?'{Deuteronomy 30:13} (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.)" 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;"{Deuteronomy 30:14} that is, the word of faith, which we preach: 10:9 that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10:10 For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 10:11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed."{Isaiah 28:16}

Can God's truth be found on this earth in a religion, or a person, and/or in some hidden document not yet unearth? Well, here is the big confusion for many; what truth are we seeking? Analytical truth on the written word based upon deduction? Or rather the truth found in Christ Jesus, the Spirit, our new living way?

3
2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace.

Not A Sheep Lost

God wants a personal relationship with us, he wants us to come to him and ask, he does not mock, or humiliate us, God is love. But we must also have faith, even if its as small as a muster seed, we must believe his Son Christ Jesus is not far off from us, and will help us by various means to come to know his Father YHWH in truth and Spirit.

Matthew 6:7 In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.

Mark 11:25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.

Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 8:15 As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."{Exodus 16:8}

We are told its up to us to believe that not a hair of our head will not be accounted for by God's love for us, not one sheep will be lost by the great Shepard of our souls, Christ Jesus, can we believe that much?

John.10:11 I am the good shepherd.{Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:11-12,15,22} The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

4

Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

In other words, when we see the creation, when we see the marvels of God's love in children, animals, and in humans are we not moved in our own heart to want a personal relationship with such a good and wonderful God? Who would not want that is the real question, or are we seeking something else?

Rom. 1:20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.

First Love

So many have gotten caught up in the religious fray, the wrangles over truth, and doctrine, and they have lost their first love of why they sought God in the first place? Let us be honest here, can we serve God on analytical truth? Have we every had a loving relationship with anyone that only returns to us analytical truth?

Matthew 7:1 "Don't judge, so that you won't be judged.

Luke 19:22 "He said to him, 'Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant! You knew that I am an exacting man, taking up that which I didn't lay down, and reaping that which I didn't sow.

1 John 4:8 He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.

Probably not! Is that what we see in God's creation? The world we live in is in darkness, it is veiled to God's love, it is hidden in legal terms, and analytical deductions to where a person no longer loves -

5
-his neighbor as themselves so the truth of our neighbor is hidden to us because we really don't want to know them any further then what we have to put up with them in!

2Tim. 3:1 But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. 3:2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3:3 without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,
3:4 traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

There is no real truth or relationship (interchange of spirit) in that type of a thinking. So the question is what are we seeking the truth on paper and hearsay, or a relationship with our heavenly Father in love? (Which is Spirit and Truth)

Luke 7:38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Luke 7:44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.

Luke.7:41 "A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
7:42 When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?"
7:43 Simon answered, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most." He said to him, "You have judged correctly."

6.

Luke. 7:47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."

Yes, our first love for God, and Christ was their love for us that moved us to love them. All the stuff in between found in us, in our fears of our flesh, and in this world separates us from the God's of love. We have put a milestone on our own neck by seeking truth on paper over the love of God, and Christ Jesus who is the truth in Spirit by personal association.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

We have unwittingly made truth our God (paper), our Savior while leaving our first loved witness in all the creation by Spirit. We have been shown God is not far off, he has never broken his word to us, but we refuse him for pride of our own flesh found on paper.

1 John 3:11 For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;

Revelation 2:4 But I have this against you, that you left your first love.

Pride of The Flesh

God does not love someone because of their flesh. We all know that, but do we actually believed that? Why then do we look to great teachers in a religion, to their books, why do we favor powerful ones in the flesh over lowly truth of spirit found in men, why do we want to be validated by association with famous people?

7

We know the truth, but we don't accept it, then how can we have a relationship with Christ, who empty himself into a slaves form, and was humiliated in his flesh by those loving law over truth? Can we be moved to love for God when whats in our own hearts rejects the real truth of God?

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

Philip.2:5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,
2:6 who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, 2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.

James.3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.

Why do we think Christ put the type of final test upon the sheep and the goats in how they treated the least one of his brothers? What does that tells us about truth and Spirit, that is, God's love?

1Cor. 1:26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;
1:27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;
1:28 and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:
1:29 that no flesh should boast before God.

8

Matt. 25:32 Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 25:33 He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 25:34 Then the King will tell those on his right hand, 'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
25:35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.
25:36 I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.'
25:37 "Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?
25:38 When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?
25:39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?'
25:40 "The King will answer them, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers{The word for "brothers" here may be also correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."}, you did it to me.'
25:41 Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;
25:42 for I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;
25:43 I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in; naked, and you didn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'
25:44 "Then they will also answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn't help you?'
25:45 "Then he will answer them, saying, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn't do it to one of the least of these, you didn't do it to me.'
25:46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

9
What truth are we seeking? The pride of our flesh, which demands certain so called truths before we allow ourselves to love each others and God?

James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn't God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?

James.4:1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members?
4:2 You lust, and don't have. You kill, covet, and can't obtain. You fight and make war. You don't have, because you don't ask.
4:3 You ask, and don't receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures.
4:4 You adulterers and adulteresses, don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Here is a good example of pride of our flesh. A person find a religion, they study in that religion, they give their time and money to that religion, and they love being apart of that religion with its association. They assume that the religion is God's direction on earth for them in this life.

Understandably, so their religion talks about God all the time and studies about him all the time. But at the same time the conduct of the people in their religion is anything but Christ like in Spirit and truth, they are shown time and again that Christ, or God does not do the things being done in their religion, or did Christ apostles.

Isaiah 28:17 I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line. The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place.

10

Matt. 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
7:16 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

But something awful happen to them in their life in that religion, they seek God, because he is not far off, he sends his Holy Spirit to comfort them to come to him in truth and Spirit. God further points them in the right direction, books, people and other things coming into their lives as need be to help them cope, and to show them none of this awful stuff was from God.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that Yahweh your God, he is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with them who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can't deny himself."

But they are stuck on seeking truth in their ways, setting things right by the truth on paper instead of truth and Spirit, they've been wronged legally and they have the truth from the scriptures to prove it and moreover, they want to save others from such a terrible mistake that was done to them.

Romans 10:2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

Isa. 40:14 Who did he take counsel with, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?

11.

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says Yahweh.55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

But that was not how God helped them? Proving a religion is wrong that does not bring a person to God, why do we think there are some 50-some thousand Christian's religion today in our world (legally)?

1Cor.13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing.

God, first loves us, he comes to us in Christ Jesus, in Spirit and truth, (comfort) we are moved to love him, which gives us a relationship with God, who is love. If we don't know love, we don't know God. We can know truth, a partial truth, found in our bibles, but not a complete truth (the light), because without Christ and God's Holy Spirit the bible is not the truth, and that is why we have so many different Christian's religion on earth today (by doctrine).

Romans 5:5 and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Fear Lacks Love and Faith

A sheer searching for God based on truth (legal), as many religion promote to come to God, causes us fear, it causes a lack of faith, and love for God, why? Christ appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, he was blinded by the light,(not the law in loved) Christ Jesus.
12.
Saul was humbled because God sent him a nobody to remove the curse of blindness from his eyes (a lowly thing with a kind spirit). Saul was an important man, he was proud, and very educated, as an attorney of the Jewish religion.

Luke.18:9 He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.
18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 18:12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.' 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Saul was not going to accept the Christ, because his mind was a legal mind based on a written relationship with God, and Christ did not add up in his legal analytical mind. There was no love for God in Saul's mind, he was a truth upholder! He was a strong man of justice, he had a burning zeal for the letter of the law.

2Cor. 3:14 But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away. 3:15 But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 3:16 But whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

But now he faced truth and Spirit in a blinding light of Christ power in endless life.

13
Saul was rebuked by the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven in Spirit and truth. His flesh was weak and not powerful as he had built himself up into believing by law! He felt, seen and heard the power of the Spirit as it permeated his entire body just as so many prophets of God experience in past times.

Daniel.10:5 I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose thighs were girded with pure gold of Uphaz:
10:6 his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 10:7 I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men who were with me didn't see the vision; but a great quaking fell on them, and they fled to hide themselves.
10:8 So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 10:9 Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground. 10:10 Behold, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 10:11 He said to me, Daniel, you man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright; for to you am I now sent. When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling. 10:12 Then said he to me, Don't be afraid, Daniel; for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard: and I am come for your words' sake.

Saul conscience was cut to the heart for his evil persecution of Christ and his brothers on earth, when he felt truth and Spirit in his corrupt flesh. God extend love to Saul, and sonship, and Saul was moved to loved God and Christ greatly for such undeserved kindness.

14

Act. 9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
9:2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
9:3 As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
9:4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
9:5 He said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.{TR adds "It's hard for you to kick against the goads."} 9:6 But{TR omits "But" } rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
9:7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. 9:8 Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9:9 He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank. 9:10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias!" He said, "Behold, it's me, Lord." 9:11 The Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah{or, Judas} for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 9:12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight." 9:13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem. 9:14 Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name." 9:15 But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake." 9:17 Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, who -

15
- appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
9:18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.
9:19 He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
9:20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
9:21 All who heard him were amazed, and said, "Isn't this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!"

But did you note? Who was in charge of this conversion? Who knew exactly what Saul needed to come to know? Christ! Where was the analytical argument about the doctrine of true religion preached in this conversion one of the greatest conversion ever recorded in God's word the bible? It was missing, words are not needed much in Spirit and truth conversions!

Proverbs 26:21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

1 Corinthians 11:16 But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God's assemblies.

Titus 3:2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.

Do we understand the flesh matter nothing to God or Christ its values us nothing in our personal relationship with God? But as long as our pride of our flesh thinks we must have a relationship from our flesh and other to know God and seek Christ we will not be found, we will not come to know the real truth of the Spirit that God is love.
16
1 John 5:6 This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

John 6:63 It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good.

Vessels of God

Do we understand the Good News of Christ is being declared from heaven down to us; by what? By powerful spirit being? Do we honestly connect the dots that is why we don't have a war with flesh in blood, but powerful evil spirit in heavenly places? God need not flesh to preach or build massive printing plants, think?

Ephesians 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Heb.1:7 Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire."{Psalm 104:4}

Heb.1:14 Aren't they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Do you have a special vessel that is very useful to you? Does it makes your life easier, you carry important things in it, you pick up things and put in it? It helps with your daily chores? A good vessel helps us, its useful, -

17
- but it not the things we are putting into it that we want or need. It a neutral object that helps us do certain important task, for holding value products for us.

Rom. 9:22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath made for destruction, 9:23 and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,

1 Thessalonians 4:4 that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

We that love Christ are vessels for God's glory, but why? Because we are dead in our flesh, we are dead to this world, we then can be filled with the useful things of God. We are not the things put in us, those are gifts we carry for others. We are not the truth, we may carry the truth of God, which is, the Spirit.

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.

We are not carrying things of Christ and the world at the sametime making us a polluted vessel of no usefulness at all to God.

2 Timothy 2:21 If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master's use, prepared for every good work.

1 John 4:5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.

1 John 3:13 Don't be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

18
John 4:10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."

John 4:13 Jesus answered her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again,

John 4:14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

Religion, is of the flesh, found on this earth the flesh are the thieves that steal the things put in God's vessels for personal gain. They see truth as making them more (gains in the flesh), making them important, building their business and/or government, they worship a vessel instead of Christ. They make themselves the pour outer of the life sustain and saving waters given freely to all coming to the Christ.

Rev.22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" He who hears, let him say, "Come!" He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.

The light in God's anointed is not theirs, why boast in our flesh if we did not earn it? We love God because he first loved us, we give waters because Christ tells us to, he pour out blessings on those earnestly seeking him, we are not in charge, we are not the angel declaring the Good News, we are not the find Sheppard.

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

19

Revelation 14:6 I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people.

There is only one Sheppard! Now that is offensive to the flesh is it not? But there is no flesh in Christ from many under-shepherds that is a false teaching, now isn't it? The under-shepherds can't be truth and Spirit, but they can be a vessel carrying the treasure of truth and Spirit in them, if they belong to Christ?

Romans 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.

Romans 8:8 Those who are in the flesh can't please God.

1Cor. 4:1 So let a man think of us as Christ's servants, and stewards of God's mysteries. 4:2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards, that they be found faithful. 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment. Yes, I don't judge my own self.

There is one seed of Christ, one vine of Christ, one Tree of God, not many bodies of Christ. There are not many shepherds in Christ, Christ is the one shepherd the head of the congregation, the Word of God. In other words, the spokesman of God, there are not many mouths in Christ, but one.

1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.

1 Corinthians 8:6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.

20

Heb.1:1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
1:2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.
1:3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

We are God's vessels we are useful to God provided we, that is, our flesh is dead in Christ, and we are neutral as a vessel so we can be used as Christ mouth, headship, to pour out to others God's truth, so they can come to the one shepherd of God, Christ Jesus, and not our own originality, that is, our will.

Matt.18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Luke.17:6 The Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, 'Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
17:7 But who is there among you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say, when he comes in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down at the table,'
17:8 and will not rather tell him, 'Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me, while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat and drink'?
17:9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded? I think not.
17:10 Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.'"

21.

If we are a shepherd of God's children, we are not self-appointed, we are given the gift of Christ in us to tell the truth of what is coming from Christ mouth.

That decision to seek the Lord is left to us, what are we seeking? The Christ, or a truth found in men, in religion, in a government, in a ancient writings or a relationship with the God of love?

Has God's love moved our heart, then he is not far off!

John.6:67 Jesus said therefore to the twelve, "You don't also want to go away, do you?" 6:68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
6:69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God."