John 7:15-18
The Jews then were astonished, saying,
"How has this man become learned, having never been educated?"

So Jesus answered them and said,

"My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."

The pride and arrogrance of religion knows no boundaries! The religious leaders of the day were astonished as they listened to the Son of God teach–God Himself. Because He had not attennded their schools, they declared Him uneducated.

Truth and wisdom that far exceeds anything our colleges have to offer come from studying the Words of God relying on the Holy Spirit for revelation. Out of relationship with our Heavenly Father it goes from our head knowledge to being written on our hearts. It is revealed through prayer and studying His Word revealing how much He loves us. We begin to learn the true character of God. This revelation causes us to love and trust Him. His perfect love sets us free from our fears. Consequently, out of love for Him we begin to have a transformed life of choosing His will over our own. We no longer teach and speak our own ideas and thoughts as we follow Jesus’s teachings and examples. We learn humility and an emptying out of fleshly desires in order to seek His glory alone. If we are seeking His will over our own we will have discernment to know what is of God and what isn’t.

Whose teaching are you teaching this morning? Are they truly His or a watered down version of seeking your own glory as you seek the approval of man rather than God? We must all seek truth in our inner most being to know the true answer. Are we sitting under teachers who are truly of the one true God, or are they religious leaders teaching empty head knowledge of scripture creating self righteousness, pride, and arrogance as we witness in scripture?

Let us purpose in our hearts to obey Him fully seeking His will over our own. His ways are so much higher! Let our teaching be truly His and none of our own. He requires obedience over sacrifices of dead works. Let us ultimately keep our eyes on the end of our race knowing the reward far out weighs the sacrifice; where we will hear:

"This is my beloved in whom I Am well pleased. Enter in safely home."

In His love.

Teresa Roberts

Masterpiece Fitness

276-237-6680

White roses reflect a fragile beauty of purity that is very temporary. It reminds me of our lives on this earth. May we leave the fragrance of Christ continually as we bloom basking in the "Son."