Dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus the Christ,

“11) He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12) To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”  Matthew 13:11-12 (NLT)

“11) To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.  12) For whoever has [spiritual wisdom because he is receptive to God’s word], to him more will be given, and he will be richly and abundantly supplied; but whoever does not have [spiritual wisdom because he has devalued God’s word], even what he has will be taken away from him.” Matthew 13:11-12 (AMP)

“11) You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn’t been given to them.  12) Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness. Any trace of receptivity soon disappears.”  Matthew 13:11=12 (MSG)

The WORD is far more accessible than it ever has been, yet such doesn’t guarantee understanding because revelation of the information therein by the power of the Holy Spirit is neither for the non-believer nor the calloused whose hearts are hardening (Hebrews 3:7-13; Psalm 95:7-8). Recently, I happened upon a video wherein a person was fervently describing who God doesn’t hate and the perils of “religion”. By the WORD we know that “God is Love” 1 John 4:16 and, as succinctly reiterated, “God doesn’t just have love, He is Love. Love is not a feeling it is a person . . .”. 1 Therefore, by minimal comprehension of agape (divine or unconditional love), we already know that God doesn’t hate people. Rather, it is behavior contrary to God’s will and His way that He hates. For it is written, the word that goes out from God’s mouth never returns void (Isaiah 55:11 & 45:23); hence His standards don’t shift with the whims of man (i.e., male, female). It is the use of free-will with which GOD created man in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), that opens the door to peril. Further, it is man’s tendency to interject rules and regulations that result in “religion” sans the likeness of its chief cornerstone (Isaiah 28:16; Ephesians 2:20; 1Pe 2:6-8) Who is the only begotten Son of LOVE. Believers strengthen their ability to 2 Corinthians 10:5 through quality time with God and study of His Word. That is, in the same way we gain insight about the qualities of others via relationship (conversing [talking and listening to] and spending quality time with) is the same way we may come to know the characteristics of GOD. It is by relationship with God the Father through Christ Jesus that we come to know the essence of LOVE who is GOD. The things of the Sovereign Lord God Almighty are revealed to us by His Names: “Elohim – God; Yahweh – The LORD; El Elyon – God Most High; El Roi – God Who Sees; El Shaddai – God Almighty; Yahweh Yireh – The LORD Will Provide; Yahweh Nissi – The LORD Is My Banner; Yahweh Shalom – The LORD Is Peace; Yahweh Sabaoth – LORD of Host (angelic armies & all the heavenly powers); Yahweh Tsidkenu – The LORD Is Our Righteousness; Attiq Yomin – Ancient of Days 2, Jehovah Rophe – Our Healer” 3 (as well as many others). And God’s will and His way are revealed to those who seek His face. The more we grow in the knowledge of Abba Father, the more grateful for His faithfulness, compassion and mercy towards us. The more we grow in the knowledge of Jesus the Anointed One and His perfect obedience to the will of Abba Father on our behalf, the more we grow in our love for Him and endeavor to keep His word (John 14:23; Ephesians 3:18-19). The more we come to know the Holy Spirit with Whom we are sealed by the finished work of Christ Jesus, the more we love His patience in counseling, comforting, and reminding us of all things Jesus (2Co 1:22; Galatians 3:14b; John 14:26).

Speak the promise . . . Harriet

 1 Copeland, K. (2004). LOVE Confessions: Activating the Power of the Love of God Through the Spoken Word. (Compact Disc). Fort Worth, TX: Kenneth Copeland Publications.

2 Zondervan. (1997). Life Application Study Bible: New International Version. (p. 541). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

3 Dollars, C. (2002). Jehovah Rophe: Our Healer. College Park, GA: Creflo Dollar Ministries.