DAY 12 of MASS INDOCTRINATION with Brother Eli Soriano. 24th Oct. 2023... Tuesday.
Greetings, my dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord and a warm greetings to my cherished family MCGI. Today marks the 12th Day of our Mass Indoctrination journey, where we gather to enrich our understanding of the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Under the guidance of Brother Eli Soriano in today's teachings, we studied the profound Doctrines of our Lord Jesus Christ, on the subject of a heart that seeks for God.
Overview:
God is the one who puts the desire in us to seek after him.
We are instructed by scripture to seek after God.
The Kind of man you are based on how you receive the word.
God is able to change any heart.
Brother Eli Soriano
Today's session with our dear brother was truly remarkable. He began by explaining that when we feel a strong desire to seek the Lord, it's not something we conjure up ourselves; rather, it's a gift from God, who has planted that longing within us.
Romans 2:4 KJV
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Philippians 2:13 KJV
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
These scriptures taught us that God guides and instills in us the urge to seek Him and follow His will. It's not something people naturally have within them. Usually, our innate desires lean towards acquiring possessions, pursuing personal goals, and seeking pleasure. With children, they tend to have a strong desire to play.
Colossians 3:1-3 KJV
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Acts 17:26-27 KJV
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; [27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
According to the scriptures, we have a responsibility to actively search for the Lord. When we make the effort to seek Him, we will ultimately discover His presence in our lives.
Ephesians 2:11-13 KJV
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; [12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: [13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
In this scripture, Paul emphasized that there are people in the world who are living without a connection to God. However, through the redemptive power of our Lord Jesus Christ's sacrifice, we are brought nearer to God. This again shows our responsibility to actively seek a relationship with the Lord.
We also came to the realization that when someone starts seeking the Lord, they may face temptations from the devil, trying to make them quit or give up. The devil can use various means, like influencing a person's parents or those in positions of authority, to create obstacles. Let's take a closer look at this particular scripture to understand it better.
Acts 13:7-10 KJV
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. [8] But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. [9] Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, [10] And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
In this scenario, there's a person who genuinely wants to find and connect with the Lord, but another individual, who is being influenced by the devil, tries to stop them. However, it's reassuring to know that in such situations, God remains steadfast in delivering those who are sincerely seeking Him.
What Kind of Man are you
Today, our dear Brother Eli Soriano shared a profound lesson from the book of Matthew:
Matthew 13:3-9 KJV
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; [4] And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [5] Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: [6] And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. [7] And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: [8] But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. [9] Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Luke 8:11-15 KJV
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. [12] Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. [13] They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. [14] And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. [15] But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
The parable of the sower taught us that there are four types of people, each with different kinds of hearts when they encounter the word of God.
- The Way Side Heart:
As per the scriptures, the first type of person has a heart where, when they hear the word of God, the devil intervenes to make them forget it. This prevents the word from taking root in their hearts and leading them to salvation.
1 Peter 5:8 KJV
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
The Rocky Heart:
These individuals are described as having hard hearts in the scriptures. They're the ones for whom the word of God doesn't deeply take root. They may believe when they hear it, but when faced with trials and temptations, they abandon the word and drift away from it.Thorny hearts:
The Bible characterizes these individuals as being driven by worldly ambitions and desires. They have a strong affection for worldly pleasures, indulgences, and wealth. Consequently, they find it challenging to follow and obey the teachings of God's word.The Good Heart:
These are the people who, when they hear the word of God, not only remember it but also faithfully follow and obey it. My hope is that both you and I will be counted among this group.
Therefore, through this teaching, we can all take a moment to reflect on ourselves and understand the kind of people we are and the state of our hearts.
The wonderful part of this is that, regardless of the type of heart you currently have, God has the ability to transform it into a good one.
Ezekiel 36:26-28 KJV
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. [28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Brother Eli Soriano explained that just as a scientist can perform a physical heart transplant, it's entirely possible for God to bring about a transformation in our character and being. It's entirely possible, my dear brothers and sisters.
1 Timothy 2:4 KJV
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
God's desire is for all people to find salvation and discover the truth. So, when we actively seek Him and request a change of heart by embracing His teachings, our hearts will undoubtedly undergo a transformation.
1 Timothy 1:13-15 KJV
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. [14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Apostle Paul, who once admitted to being a blasphemer and persecutor, experienced God's mercy and underwent a profound transformation, finding acceptance from Christ. He, as a former sinner, was changed for the better. This means, regardless of the state of your heart at the moment, our God has the power to change it and transform you into a remarkable person who loves and seeks the Lord, faithfully obeying His commandments.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the spirit of our God, we are made holy and righteous. God bless you and may the peace of God be with you. I hope to see you tomorrow as we continue the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ by Brother Eli Soriano.