There was a novel written by a French author by the name of Martin Page. The title of the novel "How I Became Stupid", which was printed in 2001. In a brief synopsis of that book, it tells of a man, who attempts many different methods of dumbing himself down, so that his mind can be at peace. One of the most important themes confronted in the novel is the question of an age-old saying that "Ignorance is Bliss" and "What You Don't Know Can't Hurt You." The novel raised the question of what is the source of happiness? Truth and individuality, or ignorance and conformity. The author of the book may have raised these questions in the book, but the questions raised are questions man has been dealing with from the fall of man. And it is because of man's fall into sin that these questions have been raised. If man had never fallen into sin, then these questions would never have arisen, because there would be no need, for man would be happy with the true source of his happiness and peace. But sometimes a person will never know what he/she had in his or her possession until what was in his or her possession was lost. Some have been blessed to find again that happiness, but many are still left searching for that joy and happiness through many things that this world has presented as its' answer to the source of the happiness they have lost. And so man in his search for happiness have traveled from place to place, trying this and that in the hopes of finding that which will make him happy to be at peace. From the lost of man's happiness and peace to where he has searched to restore his joy, men was led to walk further from his joy, because he did not recognize, or he could not distinguish between what the world offers to make him happy and that which made man happy to be at peace. And if men cannot find the source of their happiness, then how can they be at peace. In most cases, when someone has lost something most dear and important to him or her, the place that is most often successful in finding that, which is lost is the same place where the person last had that happiness in his/her possession. And since man has been searching for his happiness ever since he lost his happiness, then men must go back to where the happiness was last in his possession to find and restore his joy, which means back to the beginning. To look back at the beginning to find and restore our happiness, which was lost, we need to turn to The Word of GOD to receive from Him insight to help us find again our joy and happiness and our peace. And through Solomon the servant of God's Word, The LORD said by HIS Word, "Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it [is] better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She [is] more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, and all her paths [are] peace. She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her. The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet." (Proverbs 3:13-24). From The Counsel of The Word through His servant Solomon, The Wisdom of God is given to us for our Understanding. And as we look carefully, we will find that man lost his happiness, because he did not recognize, or distinguish What was his True Treasure of his soul, which made him happy. It is revealed that we are made happy when we find Wisdom and by Wisdom we get Understanding. The wealth of Wisdom and Understanding is better than the wealth of silver and the gain of gold, or even more precious than rubies. And if one were to place all the treasures of the world for one to desire on one side for the choosing, and place The Wisdom and Understanding of God on the other, it is revealed that they cannot compare. For The Wisdom and Understanding of God has length of days in the right hand, and riches and honor in the left. The ways of Wisdom and Understanding are ways of pleasantness and paths are peace. Wisdom and Understanding is a Tree of Life to them that lay hold upon Wisdom and Understanding. It is also revealed that everyone, who retains, or keeps Wisdom and Understanding, they will be happy. To encourage us to retain Wisdom and Understanding, it was revealed that The LORD by Wisdom founded the earth, and by Understanding has HE established the heavens. As to a son HE said, "....let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet." (Proverbs 3:21-24). The Counsel given to man was to keep Wisdom and Understanding and Life, or Length of days and riches and honor would be unto his soul. But as we have seen for thousands of years since the fall of man, many have lost The Gift of Life GOD commanded man to keep. The question is.... "Why?" What men don't know about the soul, is detrimental to those, who know it not. Why is it so detrimental to the souls of man in not knowing why men have lost their loved ones, and even their own lives for the pass few thousands years? It should be obvious and apparent that by not keeping the command of The Counsel of GOD by HIS Word to retain Wisdom, men lose also the gifts, which are retained by keeping Wisdom and Understanding. Not only do men lose these gifts, but by not following the ways of Wisdom, they do not have The Gift of pleasantness to walk in the path of Peace, hence the wars that rages in one generation and continue to another. Through His servant Solomon, it was revealed that The LORD by Wisdom founded the earth, and by Understanding HE has established the heavens. For it is written, "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. These [are] the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and [there was] not a man to till the ground. But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:1-7). As God commanded man to keep and retain Wisdom, HE also by HIS Word of Wisdom commanded him to not do something. For it is written, "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:16,17). From this command we see that every tree in the graden was freely given to eat, including The Tree of Life, Which is Wisdom. But the only tree that man was forbidden to eat of its' fruit was the tree of knowledge of good and evil, because its' fruit brought death. As we looked at The Treasures of Wisdom, we concluded that if one were to place all the treasures of the world for one to desire on one side for the choosing, and place The Wisdom and Understanding of God on the other, it is revealed that they cannot compare. For The Wisdom and Understanding of God has length of days in the right hand, and riches and honor are in the left. And now if we add the tree of the knowledge of good and evil to the picture, we see that all the things that cannot be compared to Wisdom is in the middle and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is in the opposite direction to The Wisdom and Understanding of God. By retaining and keeping Wisdom, man would receive all the gifts given by Wisdom and Understanding. But if man rejects Wisdom to retain and keep and eat the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, then man would receive the gift given from eating its' fruit. For of this type of tree, it is written, "Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" (Proverbs 18:21). And "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit" (Proverbs 15:4). Through the servant of Wisdom, it was revealed by David, saying, "Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish" (Psalms 1:1-6). NOTICE that from these three passages of Scripture above from Proverbs and Psalms, we see that the tongue has power to cause to continue the flow of life, but if there is perverseness therein, there is breach, or an end to the spirit, which results in death. Through David it was revealed that a man is blessed if he walks not, or does not follow in the counsel of the ungodly, or someone, who is unlike God, who sit in the seat of the scornful. The man is blessed when he delight in the law of the LORD and in His law he meditates day and night. Through these passages, it is revealed the way of the ungodly and the way of the blessed. Through His servant Solomon, The Word of Wisdom said, "O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips [shall be] right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness [is] an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth [are] in righteousness; [there is] nothing froward or perverse in them. They [are] all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate" (Proverbs 8:5-13). Because of The Counsel given to men through His servant Solomon, Wisdom said, "Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed [are they that] keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death" (Proverbs 8:32-36). As it was stated above, that man lost his happiness, because he did not recognize, or distinguish What was his True Treasure of his soul, which made him happy, and gave him favor of The LORD. All down through the ages, Christ, The Wisdom of GOD has been giving to those, who serve Him Treasures of His Wisdom and Understanding, to be given to the hearts of men who were in darkness to His Truth, Which is given of excellent things. And because of these excellent things, His servants with Paul said, "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (2 Corinthians 4:1-7). In connection with Paul in presenting This Excellent Treasure from his vessel, John testified to us of The Word of God, Who said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it]. If ye love me, keep my commandments And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (John 14:12-17). Notice that Paul stated that "...the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, to keep them from receiving The Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the sanctuary of their souls. In the light of this condition of men in darkness to the need of their souls, The Light of The Word shining through John said, "...He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also". And in doing the works of the ministering and manifesting The Truth to every man's conscience, Paul said, "...the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us". It was for this reason of doing the works that Paul said, "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:5,6). For it is written, "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. "There was a man sent from God, whose name [was] John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all [men] through him might believe. He was not that Light, but [was sent] to bear witness of that Light. [That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:4-13). As it was revealed by The Word through His servant Paul, "...if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Corinthians 4:3,4). In looking back at the beginning of this study, we find that man lost his happiness, because he did not recognize, or distinguish What was his True Treasure of his soul, which made him happy. And as long as the enemy of the souls men can keep men from recognizing The True Treasure of his soul, men are lost in darkness to The Truth, because they are cut off from receiving The Wisdom and Understanding of God, Who has length of days in the right hand, and riches and honor in the left. For it was revealed to Adam by GOD through HIS Word of that forbidden tree that, "...in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:17). And The Word of Wisdom said, "...he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death" (Proverbs 8:36). Yet, it is written, "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to [him that is] far off, and to [him that is] near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him. But the wicked [are] like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. [There is] no peace, saith my God, to the wicked" (Isaiah 57:15-21). "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." But Jesus said to His disciples, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). Notice that Jesus declared to His disciples that He was leaving something of Him with them, and what He was leaving with them was something that the world could never give, or take away, because although He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, the world knew Him not, because it could not see The True Treasure of their souls, and had no Knowledge, no Wisdom, no Understanding of Him, for the enemy had blinded the minds of them that believed not. It was for this reason that John was moved by The Light in him to say that "...the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not" (John 1:5). Yet, Jesus said to those disciples, who believed on Him, "...ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (John 14:12). And because John knew Him, he testified of Him and said, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error" (1 John 4:1-6). With The Wisdom of Understanding of GOD'S Word in his heart, Luke testified of The Word of Truth, Who said, "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and [he] to whom the Son will reveal [him]" (Luke 10:16-22). Notice that John testified that "...he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us" (1 John 4:6). John was not speaking of one person, who knew God and heard them, or one person, who is not of God, and heard them not. He was speaking of whosoever knew of God and would hear them, who bear witness of Him. And whosoever was not of God, and would not hear the witness of Him through them. To confirm this, Jesus said, "...whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it" (Matthew 7:24-27). Through John's testimony, The Word testified to us and said, "...when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning" (John 15:26,27). Notice from where it was that John came, to bear witness of The Light that we might believe on Him, Who "...lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9), and Who it is that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John also said, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:1-5). From Luke's witness of The Word of Wisdom, The Word said, "...no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and [he] to whom the Son will reveal [him]" (Luke 10:22). It is The Son, Who gives the light of the knowledge of The Glory of GOD, to shine out of the hearts of men, who received Him, Who is The Word of GOD, Who reveals HIS Glory to men. And it is The Light of The Knowledge of The Glory of The Father, WHO shines out of HIS Word Wisdom and Understanding of The Knowledge of His Glory to those, who receive HIS Word. To confirm this, Jesus presented a question to His disciples, saying, "...Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some [say that thou art] John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:13-18). To confirm that no one has knowledge of The Son of GOD, unless The Father reveals Him, it was revealed through John of The Word of God, Who testified of The Father and said, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:44-47). Because the sanctuary of the souls of men are being kept in darkness to The Truth of GOD and The Wisdom of HIS Word, it was revealed to the disciples that they were blessed to receive What many had not received. Luke testified to us of What GOD had revealed to them by HIS Word. He said, "And he turned him unto [his] disciples, and said privately, Blessed [are] the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them]" (Luke 10:23,24). Notice that it was revealed to the disciples that they were blessed to see and hear what many had desired to see and hear. The question again is this, Why is it so detrimental to the souls of man in not knowing why men have lost their loved ones, and even their own lives for the pass few thousands years? The answer is revealed by GOD in HIS Word through John, who said, "...the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him" (Revelation 12:9). John also testified of The Word of Wisdom, Who reveals The Truth to men. For it was revealed to him why the world is kept in darkness that men might not comprehend The Truth of The Light of GOD'S Word in the souls of men. For The Word said, "...rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child]" (Revelation 12:12,13). As long as the world is kept in the dark to The Truth of GOD'S Word, then the enemy will cause the souls of men to suffer lost, because he continues to deceive the hearts of men, to choose death rather than The Gift of Life from GOD. To confirm this we look again at the testimony of The Word of Wisdom through His servant Paul, who said, "...if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Corinthians 4:3,4). For it was revealed through John that "...God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God" (John 3:16-21). As The Father sent HIS Son into the world to save the world through Him, Jesus sent His disciples to save men through them. And through Luke, who testified of Him, The Word of Wisdom said, "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:16-20). Notice that Jesus said to His disciples that He gave them Power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. And because His Power was in them to overcome all the power of the enemy, they were rejoicing over the enemy’s submission to them. But Jesus said, "rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." The angels, who fought in heaven against the enemy, they also rejoiced, because they overcame the enemy to cast him out from among them. But the minds of the Inhabitants of this earth have been blinded to see not The Light and Power of GOD in The Written Words of GOD to their souls. To keep man from overcoming him, the enemy of the souls men have sought to keep men from receiving The Light of GOD'S Word in their souls. Yet, through John, who bore witness of The Light, "...which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:9-13). Notice that the gospel is hid, or that, which the gospel reveals to men is hidden from their minds, because they have been led to follow the counsel of error, and not The Counsel of The Wisdom of GOD in and by HIS Word, to receive the favor of The LORD by HIS Word. If men do not repent of the wrongs they are doing to their own souls, of sinning against GOD and HIS Word of Wisdom, then they are saying by their rejection of HIS Word that they know not that they live by Him, or that they hate The Gift of Life GOD has given to them and choose rather the gift the enemy desires to give them, which is death. In his gospel to the children of Israel, Paul testified and said, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down [from above]:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? "The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by [them that are] no people, [and] by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people" (Romans 10:1-21). As The Father said through HIS Word to His disciples, "...I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them]" (Luke 10:24). To these words John said, "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 John 1:3-10). Through His servant Matthew, Jesus testified and said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33). As a disciple of Christ, John testified of Him and said, "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also" (1 John 4:15-21). It is in receiving HIS commandments of Love for one another that Jesus revealed to us through His servant John and said, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:21-23). By His servant Solomon, who testified of The Word of Wisdom it was said, "Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches" (Proverbs 24:3,4). Today, many are still searching for The Peace and Happiness that comes only from One Source found in connection with GOD through the receiving of HIS Word of Wisdom. By looing every where else other than The True Source of Peace for their souls, men are led to compare the things of this world, and place them on the same equal value with That of The One, Who is able to give them far more than what they have chosen instead of HIS Word. By rejecting The counsel of GOD in HIS Word of Wisdom in their souls, men are rejecting GOD'S Will to keep HIS Law of Love, which binds the hearts of men together in brotherly love, peace, joy and happiness to The LORD our GOD by HIS Word, Who perfects HIS Will in us. But if men are led to reject The counsel of GOD in HIS Word of Wisdom, and they keep not HIS Law of Love in their souls, GOD has revealed the result in the things of nature that all may understand The Truth of HIS Word. For through His servant David, The Word of Wisdom said, "Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish" (Psalms 1:1-6). Notice that a man that is blessed is "...like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season" (Psalms 1:3). But the ungodly, or the sinner, or those, who walk in the counsel of the ungodly are like the chaff, which the wind drives away, and they shall not stand in the judgment, or in the congregation of the righteous, because they shall perish. When a tree loses a limb, it is cut off not from the outside, but from the inside out, because the limb has lost its' connection to the source of life which give it the waters of life to bear its' leaves and its' fruits. Through John, who bore HIS Fruit of Wisdom and Understanding, The Word of GOD said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another" (John 15:1-17). Are we receiving The Wisdom of GOD, Who fills the sanctuary of our souls with The Fruit His Knowledge and Understanding, to be established as a dwelling place for both The Father and Himself? I pray that we will seek to keep sound wisdom and discretion, to follow The Words of Wisdom that has the length of days in the right hand, and riches and honor in the left to lead in the paths of Peace and pleasantness, to be blessed by Him to obtain favor of the LORD to have Everlasting Life unto our souls. Amen.

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