Renee Bonfield ... evangelist
Several years ago A woman Gertrude Brown (a Jewish lady) lived in our apartment house.
She had severe dementia and I was aware that her husband and her sister had died. They lived with her. I was a fairly new Christian at the time, and at the time we had a car. We picked up our son James from his special Saturday program. I sat in the back with him. As I leaned my head back a little, the Holy Spirit put it in my heart to visit her. I had never done anything like this before, and was asking God to help me and advise me what to say. The next Monday morning I went to her apartment. A home attendant was taking care of her. This day Gertrude's mind was as clear as a bell. When she saw me she said "Where have you been, where have you been? I've been calling for you but didn't know how to reach you." I replied "God heard you calling me, and sent me to visit you." I then began to tell her about Jesus. That He is our Messiah. I asked her if she wanted to pray with me and ask Jesus to come into her life and save her. With that she opened up her big blue eyes and said "yes, yes." We prayed. After that I asked her aid what I could bring her when I visited her again. I was told that she likes ice cream, so the next day I bought vanilla ice cream and brought it
to her, but this time her mind was completely gone. A short while after that she died.
(Providing daily encouragement for the body of Christ by the Spirit of God to help the church in the end times.)
Monday, April 30, 2012
Entering into HIS rest
Pam Padgett ... teacher
Hebrews 4: 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
While considering that we are to rest from our own works as God did from His, I recalled the following …
Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
Hebrews 4: 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
The works of God were laid out and finished from the foundation of the world. We simply need to walk in the way God has for us, the way He leads us. But this takes faith in God. Faith that God has planned out the way before us, knowing everything we will face and is able to keep us. Faith that God is able to lead us in that way. Faith that God will provide everything we need and will protect us.
We have been given the example of some of the children of Israel in the wilderness. Because of their unbelief, they were not able to enter into the rest God had for them.
Hebrews 3: 16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Psalm 78: 22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
It can seem so clear to us that they should have believed God and trusted Him to provide everything they needed in the wilderness. But we face the same temptations as we deal with the various things we face as we walk on this earth. We’re warned …
Hebrews 4: 1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
In the Bible we have read many things God has done, and we’ve experienced in our own lives ways God has led, protected, and provided for us. But, much as the children of Israel in the wilderness, fears, our flesh trying to exalt itself, and thoughts from the devil can tempt us to enter into a way of our own work … trying to work things out with our minds, trying to provide for ourselves, trusting in our own abilities, following what someone else has done … rather than turning strongly to God with our situation, waiting for His provision and guidance, trusting Him to lead us in the way He has for us, and going that way.
Hebrews 4: 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
While considering that we are to rest from our own works as God did from His, I recalled the following …
Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
Hebrews 4: 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
The works of God were laid out and finished from the foundation of the world. We simply need to walk in the way God has for us, the way He leads us. But this takes faith in God. Faith that God has planned out the way before us, knowing everything we will face and is able to keep us. Faith that God is able to lead us in that way. Faith that God will provide everything we need and will protect us.
We have been given the example of some of the children of Israel in the wilderness. Because of their unbelief, they were not able to enter into the rest God had for them.
Hebrews 3: 16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Psalm 78: 22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
It can seem so clear to us that they should have believed God and trusted Him to provide everything they needed in the wilderness. But we face the same temptations as we deal with the various things we face as we walk on this earth. We’re warned …
Hebrews 4: 1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
In the Bible we have read many things God has done, and we’ve experienced in our own lives ways God has led, protected, and provided for us. But, much as the children of Israel in the wilderness, fears, our flesh trying to exalt itself, and thoughts from the devil can tempt us to enter into a way of our own work … trying to work things out with our minds, trying to provide for ourselves, trusting in our own abilities, following what someone else has done … rather than turning strongly to God with our situation, waiting for His provision and guidance, trusting Him to lead us in the way He has for us, and going that way.
Avoiding corrupt communication
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Eph. 4
Grace: a feeling of gratitude to God.
Our words should promote a feeling of gratitude to God.
29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Eph. 4
Grace: a feeling of gratitude to God.
Our words should promote a feeling of gratitude to God.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Approved by God
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Sometimes the thought will come that I write more than the others. I discussed this with God this morning and here is what I was shown ...
The one given 5 talents produced more than the one given 2 talents but both were approved by God. But the one with the 5 talents had to produce with all the talents given to be justified in the sight of God. In the same parable of the talents, one was given one talent and he didn't produce at all but went and hid. He was called by God "an unprofitable servant."
Mt. 25
14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
.................
Also I was reminded of the following example:
Numbers 16
1Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: 2And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: 3And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? 4And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: 5And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. 6This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; 7And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. 8And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: 9Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? 10And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? 11For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
12And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: 13Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? 14Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up. 15And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them. 16And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: 17And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. 18And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron. 19And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. 20And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 21Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. 22And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
23And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 24Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 25And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. 26And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
27So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. 28And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. 29If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. 30But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. 31And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: 32And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 33They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. 34And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
35And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. 36And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 37Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. 38The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. 39And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: 40To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses. Numbers 16
Sometimes the thought will come that I write more than the others. I discussed this with God this morning and here is what I was shown ...
The one given 5 talents produced more than the one given 2 talents but both were approved by God. But the one with the 5 talents had to produce with all the talents given to be justified in the sight of God. In the same parable of the talents, one was given one talent and he didn't produce at all but went and hid. He was called by God "an unprofitable servant."
Mt. 25
14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
.................
Also I was reminded of the following example:
Numbers 16
1Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: 2And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: 3And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? 4And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: 5And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. 6This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; 7And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. 8And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: 9Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? 10And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? 11For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
12And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: 13Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? 14Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up. 15And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them. 16And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: 17And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. 18And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron. 19And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. 20And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 21Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. 22And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
23And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 24Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 25And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. 26And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
27So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. 28And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. 29If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. 30But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. 31And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: 32And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 33They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. 34And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
35And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. 36And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 37Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. 38The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. 39And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: 40To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses. Numbers 16
Avoiding achievements
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
The NFL (Football) draft was on TV starting Thursday night. For years, I have watched this but this time I did not watch it. For the past 7 months, I have abstained from "achievement" of myself and others based on the leading of the Spirit of God by the following scripture ... 14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.Gal. 6
When I went to bed, I opened my Kindle e-reader to read my book. Then I recalled I could get the results of the draft by going to ESPN Dallas on the Kindle. I did this and began to read the names of the players drafted by the Cowboys. Then I happened to see that a QB from Baylor was drafted by the Redskins (rivals of Cowboys) and I began to "fret" ... This would give us trouble for years. Then I caught myself and shut down the Web and turned to God. The next morning I awoke thinking of many things but one thing was football. I haven't thought of this in months. And as I thought of it the concern began ... Will we win? Are our players good enough? ... all nonsense but concerns. I prayed again and put it aside.
But this is the way the flesh does. If your weakness is decorating all you have to do to stir yourself up is to dip your toe into the paint can. If your weakness is alcohol, all you have to do to set your flesh on fire is to stop and gaze at the bottles on the shelf of the grocery. And so it is with each of our sins.
14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust (strong desire), and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1
The NFL (Football) draft was on TV starting Thursday night. For years, I have watched this but this time I did not watch it. For the past 7 months, I have abstained from "achievement" of myself and others based on the leading of the Spirit of God by the following scripture ... 14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.Gal. 6
When I went to bed, I opened my Kindle e-reader to read my book. Then I recalled I could get the results of the draft by going to ESPN Dallas on the Kindle. I did this and began to read the names of the players drafted by the Cowboys. Then I happened to see that a QB from Baylor was drafted by the Redskins (rivals of Cowboys) and I began to "fret" ... This would give us trouble for years. Then I caught myself and shut down the Web and turned to God. The next morning I awoke thinking of many things but one thing was football. I haven't thought of this in months. And as I thought of it the concern began ... Will we win? Are our players good enough? ... all nonsense but concerns. I prayed again and put it aside.
But this is the way the flesh does. If your weakness is decorating all you have to do to stir yourself up is to dip your toe into the paint can. If your weakness is alcohol, all you have to do to set your flesh on fire is to stop and gaze at the bottles on the shelf of the grocery. And so it is with each of our sins.
14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust (strong desire), and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1
Suffering in the flesh: What this means
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
1Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. I Peter 4
Suffering in the flesh, means controlling the flesh. Refusing to allow your own flesh to speak certain things. Refusing to allow your own flesh to do certain things. This refusal to allow the flesh to do that which it desires is to "cease from sin".
God taught me this concept with the following experience. It was the time of the Presidential elections in the United States. I was visiting with neighbors and the subject came up of the elections. I started to make a comment and then I caught myself and stopped. If I made that comment it would put fuel on a fire and that would not lead to good things. But I really wanted to make that comment. I almost had to put my had over my mouth to keep from speaking. I did not speak. But my flesh really suffered because it wanted to speak. This is what it means to "suffer in the flesh".
Works of the flesh ...
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (debating, arguing), emulations (striving to be better than others), wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal. 5
The flesh wants to do the above things. When we hold the flesh back and refuse to allow it to do these things, we "suffer in the flesh."
1Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. I Peter 4
Suffering in the flesh, means controlling the flesh. Refusing to allow your own flesh to speak certain things. Refusing to allow your own flesh to do certain things. This refusal to allow the flesh to do that which it desires is to "cease from sin".
God taught me this concept with the following experience. It was the time of the Presidential elections in the United States. I was visiting with neighbors and the subject came up of the elections. I started to make a comment and then I caught myself and stopped. If I made that comment it would put fuel on a fire and that would not lead to good things. But I really wanted to make that comment. I almost had to put my had over my mouth to keep from speaking. I did not speak. But my flesh really suffered because it wanted to speak. This is what it means to "suffer in the flesh".
Works of the flesh ...
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (debating, arguing), emulations (striving to be better than others), wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal. 5
The flesh wants to do the above things. When we hold the flesh back and refuse to allow it to do these things, we "suffer in the flesh."
Covetousness
Pam Padgett ... teacher
Hebrews 13: 5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
We’re instructed to let our conversation (manner of life) be without covetousness (wanting to possess something, typically that belongs to another). Rather, we are to be content (satisfied).
While considered this instruction, and the promise that follows … for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee … I thought about how nothing on this earth is more desirable than God being with me, the Holy Spirit living within me bringing forth the exact word from God needed to help me, guide me, protect me, and keep me in the way I am to go. And, in addition, God provides everything I need.
Phil. 4: 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Nothing on this earth, nothing that we could ever want to possess, even starts to compare to these things.
While thinking about these things, I recalled what we’re told in Psalm 19 …
Psalm 19: 7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward
The law, testimony, statutes, commandment, and judgments of God proceed from the mouth of God. They show us the way we are to go and establish us in this way. There is nothing more wonderful than to know God’s way, His will, for us in each matter we are facing, and there is great reward for us if we conform our lives to His ways.
Hebrews 13: 5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
We’re instructed to let our conversation (manner of life) be without covetousness (wanting to possess something, typically that belongs to another). Rather, we are to be content (satisfied).
While considered this instruction, and the promise that follows … for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee … I thought about how nothing on this earth is more desirable than God being with me, the Holy Spirit living within me bringing forth the exact word from God needed to help me, guide me, protect me, and keep me in the way I am to go. And, in addition, God provides everything I need.
Phil. 4: 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Nothing on this earth, nothing that we could ever want to possess, even starts to compare to these things.
While thinking about these things, I recalled what we’re told in Psalm 19 …
Psalm 19: 7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward
The law, testimony, statutes, commandment, and judgments of God proceed from the mouth of God. They show us the way we are to go and establish us in this way. There is nothing more wonderful than to know God’s way, His will, for us in each matter we are facing, and there is great reward for us if we conform our lives to His ways.
Genealogies .
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Recently I was reading Mt. 1 ... Usually I just skim over those genealogies ... but this time I read them carefully ...
I noticed the line of God ... Abraham, Isaac, Jacob ... David, Solomon
I thought about Isaac, the child of the promise, and the chosen of God and how he loved Esau ...
28And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. (Gen. 25)
Isaac was of God but he loved Esau ... but the godly line was to go through Jacob not Esau. We even read in NT that God hated Esau even before he was born.
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Romans 9
Then I kept reading Mt. 1 ... and the godly line went from David through Solomon ... David had other sons but the line went through Solomon ...
David committed murder and adultery and Solomon was the result of adultery... Yet the godly line went through Solomon rather than through David's other children
I was thinking about the way our flesh wants to be perfect and works to be perfect but this is only perfection by flesh.
Perfection through God comes another way ... It comes directly through God. And in above examples, even when the flesh sinned, the line came through God thus perfection through God.
You can never achieve perfection by your own works, by your own thinking, planning goodness ...
Perfection only comes through God, as you focus on what HE says to you and you try to do that. And as you report what God says.
You can find scripture by your own mind and avail nothing. Even through it is scripture, it is "dead" when you put your hand to it. You will only yield life as it comes from the Spirit of God.
63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life Jn. 6
(As I wrote the above, I was going to quote another scripture but what I heard is the above scripture so that is what I quoted here.)
Recently I was reading Mt. 1 ... Usually I just skim over those genealogies ... but this time I read them carefully ...
I noticed the line of God ... Abraham, Isaac, Jacob ... David, Solomon
I thought about Isaac, the child of the promise, and the chosen of God and how he loved Esau ...
28And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. (Gen. 25)
Isaac was of God but he loved Esau ... but the godly line was to go through Jacob not Esau. We even read in NT that God hated Esau even before he was born.
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Romans 9
Then I kept reading Mt. 1 ... and the godly line went from David through Solomon ... David had other sons but the line went through Solomon ...
David committed murder and adultery and Solomon was the result of adultery... Yet the godly line went through Solomon rather than through David's other children
I was thinking about the way our flesh wants to be perfect and works to be perfect but this is only perfection by flesh.
Perfection through God comes another way ... It comes directly through God. And in above examples, even when the flesh sinned, the line came through God thus perfection through God.
You can never achieve perfection by your own works, by your own thinking, planning goodness ...
Perfection only comes through God, as you focus on what HE says to you and you try to do that. And as you report what God says.
You can find scripture by your own mind and avail nothing. Even through it is scripture, it is "dead" when you put your hand to it. You will only yield life as it comes from the Spirit of God.
63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life Jn. 6
(As I wrote the above, I was going to quote another scripture but what I heard is the above scripture so that is what I quoted here.)
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Judging
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
A few years ago, I was playing golf with 2 women. Both women attended church groups. One woman began complaining about people who judge other people.
Out of my mouth came these words by the Holy Spirit: If you judge someone is judging aren't you judging?
This woman gasp ... it sounded like air coming in one puff out of a balloon.
A few years ago, I was playing golf with 2 women. Both women attended church groups. One woman began complaining about people who judge other people.
Out of my mouth came these words by the Holy Spirit: If you judge someone is judging aren't you judging?
This woman gasp ... it sounded like air coming in one puff out of a balloon.
If your right eye offends you
Pam Padgett ... teacher
Matthew 5: 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Today while reading Matthew 5:29-30 I recalled again something that happened to me many years ago. I was having trouble keeping my mind under control in some area (now I don’t remember exactly what the problem was). While talking with God about this, at one point I told Him that it was so important to me to get this under control that even if it took a lobotomy (a surgical procedure for the brain), that would be ok with me. Fortunately, God had another way to help me with the problem, but I was very serious about doing whatever it took to deal with this.
Jesus told us the following about what is required to be His disciple …
Luke 14: 25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
As I read this passage of scripture today, I recalled something shared in a Bible study many years ago. One of the women told us that when she was first born again, she was told that it would cost her her life. And so it is for each of us. But which of us would choose the life we once lived and the way we were once going?
And this is a continual process, as we choose to follow what the Holy Spirit brings to our attention, allowing our lives to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. I can think of nothing I have “given up”, that I would even want today.
I’m reminded of what Paul said …
Phillipians 3: 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Matthew 5: 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Today while reading Matthew 5:29-30 I recalled again something that happened to me many years ago. I was having trouble keeping my mind under control in some area (now I don’t remember exactly what the problem was). While talking with God about this, at one point I told Him that it was so important to me to get this under control that even if it took a lobotomy (a surgical procedure for the brain), that would be ok with me. Fortunately, God had another way to help me with the problem, but I was very serious about doing whatever it took to deal with this.
Jesus told us the following about what is required to be His disciple …
Luke 14: 25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
As I read this passage of scripture today, I recalled something shared in a Bible study many years ago. One of the women told us that when she was first born again, she was told that it would cost her her life. And so it is for each of us. But which of us would choose the life we once lived and the way we were once going?
And this is a continual process, as we choose to follow what the Holy Spirit brings to our attention, allowing our lives to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. I can think of nothing I have “given up”, that I would even want today.
I’m reminded of what Paul said …
Phillipians 3: 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
End times: First warning by Jesus
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mt. 24
When you first look at the above scripture it looks like men will come (in the end times) saying "they" are Christ and will deceive many.
But this is not what Jesus is saying.
Jesus is saying these men will come saying HE, Jesus is the Christ, and because they say HE is Christ (Jesus is Lord) people in church groups will listen to them and they will deceive many.
They are like those described in Jude ...
17But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. Jude
They will come to us saying, "Jesus is Lord" ... but they do not have the real spirit of God. They put themselves into the ministry or the church group by their own will.
I once heard a businessman say that he decided he would be a minister. (He had been a pilot who was flying a plane for a famous preacher)
This pilot shut himself up in his garage and spent 2 weeks memorizing the preaching of a man he admired and he emerged a preacher. He attracted huge number of people with his singing (which was very good) and with his memorized preaching. He became very famous. But I could tell this man did not have the Spirit of God though he went through all the motions.
This man was a "mocker" ... imitator ... (Jude)
And many were deceived by him.
This is what Jesus is saying is a "sign" of the end times.
Many will come saying Jesus is Lord and they will deceive many ... These "mockers" (imitators) put themselves into the ministry or the congregation but they "separate" themselves without being separated by God as we are warned in Jude.
This is a sign of the end time.
Jesus warned us about this in Mt. 24 ...
3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mt. 24
3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mt. 24
When you first look at the above scripture it looks like men will come (in the end times) saying "they" are Christ and will deceive many.
But this is not what Jesus is saying.
Jesus is saying these men will come saying HE, Jesus is the Christ, and because they say HE is Christ (Jesus is Lord) people in church groups will listen to them and they will deceive many.
They are like those described in Jude ...
17But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. Jude
They will come to us saying, "Jesus is Lord" ... but they do not have the real spirit of God. They put themselves into the ministry or the church group by their own will.
I once heard a businessman say that he decided he would be a minister. (He had been a pilot who was flying a plane for a famous preacher)
This pilot shut himself up in his garage and spent 2 weeks memorizing the preaching of a man he admired and he emerged a preacher. He attracted huge number of people with his singing (which was very good) and with his memorized preaching. He became very famous. But I could tell this man did not have the Spirit of God though he went through all the motions.
This man was a "mocker" ... imitator ... (Jude)
And many were deceived by him.
This is what Jesus is saying is a "sign" of the end times.
Many will come saying Jesus is Lord and they will deceive many ... These "mockers" (imitators) put themselves into the ministry or the congregation but they "separate" themselves without being separated by God as we are warned in Jude.
This is a sign of the end time.
Jesus warned us about this in Mt. 24 ...
3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mt. 24
Friday, April 27, 2012
THY will be done
Pam Padgett ... teacher
Matthew 6: 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
While reading this passage of scripture today, verse 13 stood out to me, and I recalled something that happened a few years ago. I had taken my dogs for a walk in our neighborhood, but forgot to take a plastic sack to pick up after the dogs. A young girl, approximately 9 years old, yelled at me, telling me I should clean up after my dogs.
Shortly after I returned home, the doorbell started ringing, over and over. I looked out the saw this girl, and another girl about the same age. At first I wasn’t going to answer the door, but they kept ringing the doorbell repeatedly.
Anger started rising in me. I opened the door and stepped out onto the porch, intending to start yelling, but nothing came out of my mouth. The girl again told me in a scolding way that I should pick up after my dog. Finally, words came out of my mouth … but not angry words. Very calmly I told her that I usually pickup after the dogs, but had simply forgotten to take a sack that day. Then I saw that they had left a sack with dog droppings on my porch. Instead of saying anything about this, I simply took it to throw it away. The girls walked off with nothing more being said.
I was shaken by these events, and also puzzled about how I had handled this so differently than intended, so turned to God and asked what had just happened? I heard “I have kept you from evil”
Often when I think of being delivered from evil, I think of being delivered from evil in other people. But in this case, God kept me from evil my flesh wanted to bring forth. My intention had been to deal in anger, but God kept me from doing this.
Additional comments: In addition, the spirit in the little girls was very bad, scolding me and then repeatedly ringing the doorbell, causing so much noise in my house that I was holding my ears. And when I stepped out onto the porch, the first little girl seemed ready to "fight". But God delivered me from this evil spirit as well as from my own anger. As the calm words came from my mouth and I dealt quietly with the sack they put on my porch, the girls turned and left. There was no fight.
I was reminded of the following ...
I John 4:4 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.
Matthew 6: 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
While reading this passage of scripture today, verse 13 stood out to me, and I recalled something that happened a few years ago. I had taken my dogs for a walk in our neighborhood, but forgot to take a plastic sack to pick up after the dogs. A young girl, approximately 9 years old, yelled at me, telling me I should clean up after my dogs.
Shortly after I returned home, the doorbell started ringing, over and over. I looked out the saw this girl, and another girl about the same age. At first I wasn’t going to answer the door, but they kept ringing the doorbell repeatedly.
Anger started rising in me. I opened the door and stepped out onto the porch, intending to start yelling, but nothing came out of my mouth. The girl again told me in a scolding way that I should pick up after my dog. Finally, words came out of my mouth … but not angry words. Very calmly I told her that I usually pickup after the dogs, but had simply forgotten to take a sack that day. Then I saw that they had left a sack with dog droppings on my porch. Instead of saying anything about this, I simply took it to throw it away. The girls walked off with nothing more being said.
I was shaken by these events, and also puzzled about how I had handled this so differently than intended, so turned to God and asked what had just happened? I heard “I have kept you from evil”
Often when I think of being delivered from evil, I think of being delivered from evil in other people. But in this case, God kept me from evil my flesh wanted to bring forth. My intention had been to deal in anger, but God kept me from doing this.
Additional comments: In addition, the spirit in the little girls was very bad, scolding me and then repeatedly ringing the doorbell, causing so much noise in my house that I was holding my ears. And when I stepped out onto the porch, the first little girl seemed ready to "fight". But God delivered me from this evil spirit as well as from my own anger. As the calm words came from my mouth and I dealt quietly with the sack they put on my porch, the girls turned and left. There was no fight.
I was reminded of the following ...
I John 4:4 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.
Overcoming
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Yesterday I was doing my regular daily Bible reading. I was reading in James 1. I took the following scripture and examined myself.
14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James 1
The first thing I did is to look at the meaning of the word "lust"...Basically it means, "strong desire".
So I began examining myself ... Do I have any strong desires?
In the wilderness, the people lusted after meat. They grew to hate the manna given them by God. They wanted meat. So God gave them over to their desire. God rained quail down upon them. They could eat as much as they wanted. Then we see what happen as a result of being turned over to your own lust.
Psalm 78
And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust. 19Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? 20Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people? 21Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; 22Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation: 23Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, 24And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. 25Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full. 26He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. 27He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: 28And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations. 29So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; 30They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, 31The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. 32For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. 33Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
If I have a specific lust (strong desire) ... how do I overcome.
Of course, we always begin with prayer ... asking God for help.
Then: 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Rom. 13
First: Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is THE WORD. So first, we put on the word, dressing ourselves in the Word. Take the last word spoken to you by the Spirit of God and meditate day and night in that word, doing as it instructs. Or read the Bible and when a scripture "jumps out at you" and you get hung up and can't seem to go on reading because you are thinking of that one scripture, stop and meditate upon that specific scripture, doing as it instructs.
Then: Make not provision for the flesh in the area of the strong desire. If you lust after a new house. You would refrain from Home and Garden TV shows ... You would refrain from magazines that show decorating and such... You wouldn't go to open house showing new homes ... Put away from you all things that have to do with the lust area. Focus on scripture such as: 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. II Tim. 6
And especially meditate upon any scripture brought to your mind by the Spirit of God, applying it to your own life in a proper way.
If you do these things, in time you will overcome that lust.
Yesterday I was doing my regular daily Bible reading. I was reading in James 1. I took the following scripture and examined myself.
14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James 1
The first thing I did is to look at the meaning of the word "lust"...Basically it means, "strong desire".
So I began examining myself ... Do I have any strong desires?
In the wilderness, the people lusted after meat. They grew to hate the manna given them by God. They wanted meat. So God gave them over to their desire. God rained quail down upon them. They could eat as much as they wanted. Then we see what happen as a result of being turned over to your own lust.
Psalm 78
And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust. 19Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? 20Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people? 21Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; 22Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation: 23Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, 24And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. 25Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full. 26He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. 27He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: 28And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations. 29So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; 30They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, 31The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. 32For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. 33Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
If I have a specific lust (strong desire) ... how do I overcome.
Of course, we always begin with prayer ... asking God for help.
Then: 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Rom. 13
First: Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is THE WORD. So first, we put on the word, dressing ourselves in the Word. Take the last word spoken to you by the Spirit of God and meditate day and night in that word, doing as it instructs. Or read the Bible and when a scripture "jumps out at you" and you get hung up and can't seem to go on reading because you are thinking of that one scripture, stop and meditate upon that specific scripture, doing as it instructs.
Then: Make not provision for the flesh in the area of the strong desire. If you lust after a new house. You would refrain from Home and Garden TV shows ... You would refrain from magazines that show decorating and such... You wouldn't go to open house showing new homes ... Put away from you all things that have to do with the lust area. Focus on scripture such as: 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. II Tim. 6
And especially meditate upon any scripture brought to your mind by the Spirit of God, applying it to your own life in a proper way.
If you do these things, in time you will overcome that lust.
Understanding Cain's sin
Joan Boney: apostle/prophet
3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. Gen. 4
For several years, I would read the above scripture and look at the two offerings and I just couldn't understand why Cain's offering was not accepted. I would just say to God, "I really don't understand this."
When I don't understand something, I just talk to God and wait for HIM to bring light to me by HIS Spirit. Sometimes HE will give me understanding immediately. Other times, it will be days, weeks, months, or maybe even years. Sometimes I still don't know. Understanding is from God by His Spirit. It is very dangerous to try to figure out spiritual things with your mind. You could end up with fleshly wisdom that way. I am only interested in that which God would give me by His Spirit.
There is a vast difference between fleshly wisdom and the wisdom that is from the Spirit of God.
Paul explained: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. I Cor. 2
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Concerning Genesis 4 and the offerings of Cain and Able and the reason Cain's offering was accepted by God ...
Recently God showed me to look closely at verse 7. There was something wrong with Cain's heart ... There was nothing wrong with the offering itself but the problem was sin in Cain... and the fact that God did not accept Cain's offering shows "sin lieth at the door."
I see this frequently. Someone will tell me some story thinking he did well and I know opposite and tell him and I see his "countenance" fall and most of the time that person is angry with me or resentful against me ... But I know sin lies at the door.
Sometime you just see the pride behind the email (the offering brought) ... Sometimes the person will tell of a work and you know that work is not of the Spirit of God but is of the flesh. And each time the countenance of that person falls when he fails to be praised by man.
When you have something from the Spirit of God, you have no real reason to be proud in yourself since it was given to you by God and you did nothing to earn it. God simply opened your understanding to see. Therefore Paul said: But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4For I know nothing by myself; I Cor. 4
The pride of man runs rampant when we do it of our own ideas, our own reasoning's, our own flesh.
But when the work or the understanding or the idea is from the Spirit of God, the praise goes to God for we didn't do anything but listen to the Spirit and report what we heard.
Therefore I try to restrain myself from my own reasonings when I don't understand something. I just pray and tell God I don't understand and when HE wills, in HIS time, sometimes HE gives me understanding and all of a sudden I understand that which was once hidden from me. And there are some things I still don't understand even after telling God that I don't understand.
I know in part; I Cor. 13
And I try to report that part that I believe to be from the Spirit of God for it is truth on the issue.
3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. Gen. 4
For several years, I would read the above scripture and look at the two offerings and I just couldn't understand why Cain's offering was not accepted. I would just say to God, "I really don't understand this."
When I don't understand something, I just talk to God and wait for HIM to bring light to me by HIS Spirit. Sometimes HE will give me understanding immediately. Other times, it will be days, weeks, months, or maybe even years. Sometimes I still don't know. Understanding is from God by His Spirit. It is very dangerous to try to figure out spiritual things with your mind. You could end up with fleshly wisdom that way. I am only interested in that which God would give me by His Spirit.
There is a vast difference between fleshly wisdom and the wisdom that is from the Spirit of God.
Paul explained: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. I Cor. 2
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Concerning Genesis 4 and the offerings of Cain and Able and the reason Cain's offering was accepted by God ...
Recently God showed me to look closely at verse 7. There was something wrong with Cain's heart ... There was nothing wrong with the offering itself but the problem was sin in Cain... and the fact that God did not accept Cain's offering shows "sin lieth at the door."
I see this frequently. Someone will tell me some story thinking he did well and I know opposite and tell him and I see his "countenance" fall and most of the time that person is angry with me or resentful against me ... But I know sin lies at the door.
Sometime you just see the pride behind the email (the offering brought) ... Sometimes the person will tell of a work and you know that work is not of the Spirit of God but is of the flesh. And each time the countenance of that person falls when he fails to be praised by man.
When you have something from the Spirit of God, you have no real reason to be proud in yourself since it was given to you by God and you did nothing to earn it. God simply opened your understanding to see. Therefore Paul said: But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4For I know nothing by myself; I Cor. 4
The pride of man runs rampant when we do it of our own ideas, our own reasoning's, our own flesh.
But when the work or the understanding or the idea is from the Spirit of God, the praise goes to God for we didn't do anything but listen to the Spirit and report what we heard.
Therefore I try to restrain myself from my own reasonings when I don't understand something. I just pray and tell God I don't understand and when HE wills, in HIS time, sometimes HE gives me understanding and all of a sudden I understand that which was once hidden from me. And there are some things I still don't understand even after telling God that I don't understand.
I know in part; I Cor. 13
And I try to report that part that I believe to be from the Spirit of God for it is truth on the issue.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
To rule people of God
Pam Padgett ... teacher
In Matthew 2, we're told a prophecy given about Jesus …
Matt. 2: 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
It stood out to me that Jesus came to rule the people of God. While considering this, I recalled that those who are called by God were chosen beforehand, predestined, to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ … conformed to the Word of God.
Romans 8: 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
As we meditate in and obey a word given to us by the Holy Spirit, that word begins to rule in our life. Ruling over our own desires. Ruling over ways of this world, even overcoming ways we have been taught since childhood. Ruling over tricks and deceptions of the devil. And, as each word given us rules in our lives, we are conformed to the image of Christ and cleansed, so that we might be presented holy and without spot before God.
Ephesians 5: 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
In Matthew 2, we're told a prophecy given about Jesus …
Matt. 2: 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
It stood out to me that Jesus came to rule the people of God. While considering this, I recalled that those who are called by God were chosen beforehand, predestined, to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ … conformed to the Word of God.
Romans 8: 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
As we meditate in and obey a word given to us by the Holy Spirit, that word begins to rule in our life. Ruling over our own desires. Ruling over ways of this world, even overcoming ways we have been taught since childhood. Ruling over tricks and deceptions of the devil. And, as each word given us rules in our lives, we are conformed to the image of Christ and cleansed, so that we might be presented holy and without spot before God.
Ephesians 5: 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
What we do when church gathers
Joan Boney: apostle/prophet
Paul, speaking by Spirit of God, told us what we are to do when we come together in the church gathering.
I Cor. 14 ...Paul said ...
26How
is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a
psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an
interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
edify means: instruct, build up, strengthen
------------------------
When the Spirit of God is speaking at the gathering of the church through whomever HE will, it is one of the most exciting things that can happen in our life.
But
all too often the Spirit of God is greatly limited due to the modern
structure which denies what Paul instructed for the gathering of the
church. Today's church meetings are usually structured so only a few
"approved" speakers speak.
We see in above scripture "every one of you" hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. (freedom for Spirit of God to speak through whom HE will)
---------------------------
"psalm" ... means prayer ... It could be sung or spoken ...
David said ... The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. Psa. 72:20
--------------------------
And Paul told us in I Cor. 14, that his instruction is the "commandment" of the Lord for the gathering of the church.
We just are not seeing this type of gathering of the church when we go to one of those buildings where the church meets today.
The closest I've ever come to seeing this pattern is in the old Wednesday night "testimonials" where it is open for anyone to give a testimony of something God has shown him or something God has done.
This is what Paul said is a commandment of the Lord for the gathering of the church.
26How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
... 37If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. I Cor. 14
---------------------
This blog is open to the church. Anyone who has something from the Spirit of God and wants to share it with us may do so.
Insomuch as possible, we are doing what Paul said was a "commandment" of the Lord for the gathering of the church.
Several years ago I had this dream ... In the dream, I had attended a church meeting. The room was filled with people. I went into balcony and there was one seat available. So I went to it and sat down. It was behind a pillar. The woman sitting next to me said, "You can't see much from that seat." I replied, "OH that's okay ... there's never much to see at these places anyway."
All too often that is the case in the gathering of the church ... there is not much to "see" from the Spirit of God because the set up is contrary to the commandment of the Lord for the church meeting and it blocks out the Spirit of God so it becomes little of the Spirit and lots of the flesh as men make up their words by their own wisdom.
It is only the words from the Spirit of God that are valid for the gathering of the church. Those words have power of God.
63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Jn. 6
---------------------------
"psalm" ... means prayer ... It could be sung or spoken ...
David said ... The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. Psa. 72:20
--------------------------
And Paul told us in I Cor. 14, that his instruction is the "commandment" of the Lord for the gathering of the church.
We just are not seeing this type of gathering of the church when we go to one of those buildings where the church meets today.
The closest I've ever come to seeing this pattern is in the old Wednesday night "testimonials" where it is open for anyone to give a testimony of something God has shown him or something God has done.
This is what Paul said is a commandment of the Lord for the gathering of the church.
26How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
... 37If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. I Cor. 14
---------------------
This blog is open to the church. Anyone who has something from the Spirit of God and wants to share it with us may do so.
Insomuch as possible, we are doing what Paul said was a "commandment" of the Lord for the gathering of the church.
Several years ago I had this dream ... In the dream, I had attended a church meeting. The room was filled with people. I went into balcony and there was one seat available. So I went to it and sat down. It was behind a pillar. The woman sitting next to me said, "You can't see much from that seat." I replied, "OH that's okay ... there's never much to see at these places anyway."
All too often that is the case in the gathering of the church ... there is not much to "see" from the Spirit of God because the set up is contrary to the commandment of the Lord for the church meeting and it blocks out the Spirit of God so it becomes little of the Spirit and lots of the flesh as men make up their words by their own wisdom.
It is only the words from the Spirit of God that are valid for the gathering of the church. Those words have power of God.
63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Jn. 6
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
apostles & prophets in the NT Church
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Eph. 4
"When he ascended up" ... after Jesus arose ... after the crucifixion and the resurrection ...
"HE gave (to the NT church) some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; ... for the work of the ministry"
-------------------------
Paul was not the last apostle, but the first New Testament apostle.
-------------------------
Many years ago, after being named by prophecy as an "apostle", I was shocked.
I said to God, "Apostle ... what's an apostle ... what does an apostle do?"
I had several confirmations that I was called as a prophet to the NT church but the apostle calling was new to me.
At this point in time (approximately 1979) there were people in our church group who identified themselves as "prophets" but I didn't know of anyone who identified himself in today's church group as "apostle". I didn't know any in our group or even in the groups I had visited.
I asked one of the Bible teachers at our church group what apostles do. His answer was rather vague.
I asked him if he knew any apostles in our church group or the other church groups and his answer was vague.
SO I BEGAN ASKING GOD ABOUT NT APOSTLES IN TODAY'S CHURCH AND I DEPENDED ON GOD TO SHOW ME WHAT THIS MEANT IN TODAY'S CHURCH ...
And I believe God showed me ...
-----------------------------
My attention was first called to Acts 15 ...
6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter
A problem had arisen in the church. After considering that problem, Peter spoke. Paul spoke. Then James gave the ruling which would be the "law" on the issue at hand.
13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. Acts 15
God showed me the work is a bit like a judge in the supreme court of the United States.
The case is presented.
The judges consider it.
A decision is reached based on the law books.
And one of the judges presents the ruling.
In the case of the church, the "law book" is the Bible.
The Holy Spirit rules.
And the "apostle" who has the ruling on the matter at hand presents it.
And in the church, we do this all the time. What about the subject of adultery? What about the subject of remarriage after divorce?
One case after another arises in the church.
God showed me that apostles are appointed by HIM to consider the case at hand and present decisions by the mouth of the Holy Spirit who calls to mind various scriptures, dreams, or other situations to shed God's light on the matter at hand.
-------------------------
God gave me one scripture to show the work of a prophet ... The scripture is in OT but it defines prophet.
13And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. Hosea 12:13
by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt ... Prophets are used by God to help individuals to get out of various traps ... to get out of various bondages ... to get free ...
An example: A teacher at our church group had begun going to bar at night. Somehow I found out about it and I told him to do following: "Before leaving for the bar, sit down with Bible and write out an exhortation for me and mail it to me."
He did this for about 6 days and then he stopped.
He told me he was losing his desire to go to the bar so he stopped sending the daily exhortation to me.
Had he continued in this plan, I believe he would have been completely free from the desire to go to the bar.
But he didn't continue because he knew it was going to stop him and he really wanted to continue in the going to bar.
Over and over, I have been used this way with church people who are trapped in some problem.
and by a prophet was he preserved. Hosea 12:13
Not only does that NT prophet help a person to get out of a bondage on this earth, but NT prophets are used to warn individuals (or the entire church) concerning problems that lie ahead so bondages can be avoided.
The pastor at a church in Colorado told me the following story about a man in his congregation that he believed to be a prophet ...
Pastor said he was caught up in a sin and everyone in the church knew about it and various church members warned pastor and their warnings had no power at all.
One day a man from his congregation came in, sat down, pointed a finger directly at pastor and began to speak about pastor's sin ...
Pastor told me this man's words were like a sword piercing his heart ...
That sounds like a NT prophet to me.
---------------------------
God took me to Bible to show me NT prophet Agabus and his work ...
27And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Acts 11
10And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. Acts 21
-------------------------------
Years ago, I was visiting in Clovis, NM, where my mother lived.
Two women from a Baptist church took me to eat. They began talking about their church and the big, new building project at their church.
One woman in their church spoke against pastor and the project.
Alice looked at me and said, "What do you think is wrong with this woman?"
Out of my mouth came these words ... "Maybe she's a prophet ..."
Not another word was spoken about this woman nor about the big building project.
------------------------------
One of the prophets at our church group years ago visited another church as "guest" speaker. She said after she spoke, pastor called for elders and various leaders in the group to come to front of the congregation where he had them gather together to pray for the secular business pastor and one of the elders were starting together.
Ava (the prophet) said she began to be sick at her stomach and she fled the room as pastor and the others were caught up in their secular project and in blessing their secular project.
Ava said God frequently made her sick at her stomach when something was wrong.
I think she went back and warned them.
Within a year that business had gone bankrupt and the pastor and elder were suing each other.
-----------------------------
Apostles deal with various "legal" rulings before the church.
One frequently ruling has to do with the following scripture.
32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Mt. 5:32
3 forms of adultery ...
- the husband who divorces a "faithful" wife causes that faithful wife to commit adultery if she remarries after the divorce.
- the faithful wife commits adultery when she marries another man.
- the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
I attended a secular function a few years ago. There were place cards and I was seated next to a man who was wearing one of the biggest crosses I have ever seen on an human.
This man quickly identified himself as the retired pastor at Indiana Baptist Church.
He began speaking of Indiana Baptist Church and how the congregation was just growing and growing and they didn't have place to seat all the people even though they had built a bigger building several times.
Out of my mouth came following: If you would start teaching that the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery 1/2 of the people would leave you and you wouldn't need more seating.
His mouth fell open.
I got up and fled the building before the dinner was served.
Prophet in NT church.
------------------------------
When I was on radio in Seattle, I had received judgment type messages and was speaking them on radio. I had a meeting at the Seattle center and the radio station manager was outside my meeting room door waiting for me as I approached the building.
George said, "Joan, you have many wonderful messages. Just speak those. If you continue to speak what you are currently speaking I don't know what might become of you. We might have to put you off the air."
Without taking any thought at all, the following came out of my mouth.
"George ... If I don't speak the message I believe to be from God I don't have a message and I may as well be off the air."
-----------------------------
14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Lk. 21
-----------------------------
Did they put me off the air in Seattle?
Yes.
But several of my stations around the United States left me on the air until I decided to discontinue radio broadcasts in 1984.
-------------------------------
I was born again August 5, 1975.
I was sitting on a bed reading a book and Holy Spirit spoke following to me.
"Joan, you know all those mistakes you've been making all these years? ... Those weren't mistakes ... Those were sin."
I gasp ... SIN ???
I believe that was when I was born again.
A few days after that, I was asleep and was "transported" into heaven as I slept. I knew I was with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. At that time I was "merged" into the body of Jesus, made one with WORD of God.
A few days after this happening, the exact same thing happened again.
I believe I was "ordained" by God as apostle/prophet in those two experiences and equipped for the ministry to which I would function ... NT apostle and prophet.
God gave me spiritual gifts to use in the church for the church ... two gifts ... gift of exhortation and word of knowledge ... both for the church. (I Cor. 12)
8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Eph. 4
"When he ascended up" ... after Jesus arose ... after the crucifixion and the resurrection ...
"HE gave (to the NT church) some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; ... for the work of the ministry"
-------------------------
Paul was not the last apostle, but the first New Testament apostle.
-------------------------
Many years ago, after being named by prophecy as an "apostle", I was shocked.
I said to God, "Apostle ... what's an apostle ... what does an apostle do?"
I had several confirmations that I was called as a prophet to the NT church but the apostle calling was new to me.
At this point in time (approximately 1979) there were people in our church group who identified themselves as "prophets" but I didn't know of anyone who identified himself in today's church group as "apostle". I didn't know any in our group or even in the groups I had visited.
I asked one of the Bible teachers at our church group what apostles do. His answer was rather vague.
I asked him if he knew any apostles in our church group or the other church groups and his answer was vague.
SO I BEGAN ASKING GOD ABOUT NT APOSTLES IN TODAY'S CHURCH AND I DEPENDED ON GOD TO SHOW ME WHAT THIS MEANT IN TODAY'S CHURCH ...
And I believe God showed me ...
-----------------------------
My attention was first called to Acts 15 ...
6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter
A problem had arisen in the church. After considering that problem, Peter spoke. Paul spoke. Then James gave the ruling which would be the "law" on the issue at hand.
13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. Acts 15
God showed me the work is a bit like a judge in the supreme court of the United States.
The case is presented.
The judges consider it.
A decision is reached based on the law books.
And one of the judges presents the ruling.
In the case of the church, the "law book" is the Bible.
The Holy Spirit rules.
And the "apostle" who has the ruling on the matter at hand presents it.
And in the church, we do this all the time. What about the subject of adultery? What about the subject of remarriage after divorce?
One case after another arises in the church.
God showed me that apostles are appointed by HIM to consider the case at hand and present decisions by the mouth of the Holy Spirit who calls to mind various scriptures, dreams, or other situations to shed God's light on the matter at hand.
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God gave me one scripture to show the work of a prophet ... The scripture is in OT but it defines prophet.
13And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. Hosea 12:13
by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt ... Prophets are used by God to help individuals to get out of various traps ... to get out of various bondages ... to get free ...
An example: A teacher at our church group had begun going to bar at night. Somehow I found out about it and I told him to do following: "Before leaving for the bar, sit down with Bible and write out an exhortation for me and mail it to me."
He did this for about 6 days and then he stopped.
He told me he was losing his desire to go to the bar so he stopped sending the daily exhortation to me.
Had he continued in this plan, I believe he would have been completely free from the desire to go to the bar.
But he didn't continue because he knew it was going to stop him and he really wanted to continue in the going to bar.
Over and over, I have been used this way with church people who are trapped in some problem.
and by a prophet was he preserved. Hosea 12:13
Not only does that NT prophet help a person to get out of a bondage on this earth, but NT prophets are used to warn individuals (or the entire church) concerning problems that lie ahead so bondages can be avoided.
The pastor at a church in Colorado told me the following story about a man in his congregation that he believed to be a prophet ...
Pastor said he was caught up in a sin and everyone in the church knew about it and various church members warned pastor and their warnings had no power at all.
One day a man from his congregation came in, sat down, pointed a finger directly at pastor and began to speak about pastor's sin ...
Pastor told me this man's words were like a sword piercing his heart ...
That sounds like a NT prophet to me.
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God took me to Bible to show me NT prophet Agabus and his work ...
27And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Acts 11
10And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. Acts 21
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Years ago, I was visiting in Clovis, NM, where my mother lived.
Two women from a Baptist church took me to eat. They began talking about their church and the big, new building project at their church.
One woman in their church spoke against pastor and the project.
Alice looked at me and said, "What do you think is wrong with this woman?"
Out of my mouth came these words ... "Maybe she's a prophet ..."
Not another word was spoken about this woman nor about the big building project.
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One of the prophets at our church group years ago visited another church as "guest" speaker. She said after she spoke, pastor called for elders and various leaders in the group to come to front of the congregation where he had them gather together to pray for the secular business pastor and one of the elders were starting together.
Ava (the prophet) said she began to be sick at her stomach and she fled the room as pastor and the others were caught up in their secular project and in blessing their secular project.
Ava said God frequently made her sick at her stomach when something was wrong.
I think she went back and warned them.
Within a year that business had gone bankrupt and the pastor and elder were suing each other.
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Apostles deal with various "legal" rulings before the church.
One frequently ruling has to do with the following scripture.
32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Mt. 5:32
3 forms of adultery ...
- the husband who divorces a "faithful" wife causes that faithful wife to commit adultery if she remarries after the divorce.
- the faithful wife commits adultery when she marries another man.
- the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
I attended a secular function a few years ago. There were place cards and I was seated next to a man who was wearing one of the biggest crosses I have ever seen on an human.
This man quickly identified himself as the retired pastor at Indiana Baptist Church.
He began speaking of Indiana Baptist Church and how the congregation was just growing and growing and they didn't have place to seat all the people even though they had built a bigger building several times.
Out of my mouth came following: If you would start teaching that the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery 1/2 of the people would leave you and you wouldn't need more seating.
His mouth fell open.
I got up and fled the building before the dinner was served.
Prophet in NT church.
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When I was on radio in Seattle, I had received judgment type messages and was speaking them on radio. I had a meeting at the Seattle center and the radio station manager was outside my meeting room door waiting for me as I approached the building.
George said, "Joan, you have many wonderful messages. Just speak those. If you continue to speak what you are currently speaking I don't know what might become of you. We might have to put you off the air."
Without taking any thought at all, the following came out of my mouth.
"George ... If I don't speak the message I believe to be from God I don't have a message and I may as well be off the air."
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14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Lk. 21
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Did they put me off the air in Seattle?
Yes.
But several of my stations around the United States left me on the air until I decided to discontinue radio broadcasts in 1984.
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I was born again August 5, 1975.
I was sitting on a bed reading a book and Holy Spirit spoke following to me.
"Joan, you know all those mistakes you've been making all these years? ... Those weren't mistakes ... Those were sin."
I gasp ... SIN ???
I believe that was when I was born again.
A few days after that, I was asleep and was "transported" into heaven as I slept. I knew I was with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. At that time I was "merged" into the body of Jesus, made one with WORD of God.
A few days after this happening, the exact same thing happened again.
I believe I was "ordained" by God as apostle/prophet in those two experiences and equipped for the ministry to which I would function ... NT apostle and prophet.
God gave me spiritual gifts to use in the church for the church ... two gifts ... gift of exhortation and word of knowledge ... both for the church. (I Cor. 12)
Flesh profits nothing
Pam Padgett ... teacher
John 6: 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
word:
-- a distinct meaningful element of speech or writing
-- a message
-- an account of the truth
Yesterday I sent an email and thoughts came telling me that it was not good. When I turned to God and asked Him if the message was of Him, I was reminded of two very concrete things … that I had prayed before starting to write the email, asking God to help me share only what was His will, and how a part of the email was something I had never even thought of before, but it came forth while writing the email and I believe it was authored by the Holy Spirit. A short time later, someone also reported that the message in that email shined some light on an issue.
It stood out to me that the word from God is real. When we turn to Him, He is able to answer us with things we can grasp. There is something distinct, a message, something that shows truth about the matter. We can safely walk in the way we’re led by what God gives us. In this case, I was able to cast down this thought, as we’re told in II Corinthians 10:5, and go in the way of the things God had shown to me, believing that the message in the email was of God.
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; II Corin. 10
But we need to depend on God to show us the truth about the thought, rather than trying to work it out in our own minds. Last night while talking with Joan I said something, and then was immediately reminded of how similar this sounded to something someone else had said and the problems that resulted. Rather than turning to God, I reasoned with my mind that I had done the same thing, and apologized … but there was no problem because I had not been led by a destructive spirit in what I said. It looked similar to the other situation, but wasn’t.
Only by turning to God, and allowing Him to sort these things out, can we know truth in the matter and know how to move forward.
John 6: 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
word:
-- a distinct meaningful element of speech or writing
-- a message
-- an account of the truth
Yesterday I sent an email and thoughts came telling me that it was not good. When I turned to God and asked Him if the message was of Him, I was reminded of two very concrete things … that I had prayed before starting to write the email, asking God to help me share only what was His will, and how a part of the email was something I had never even thought of before, but it came forth while writing the email and I believe it was authored by the Holy Spirit. A short time later, someone also reported that the message in that email shined some light on an issue.
It stood out to me that the word from God is real. When we turn to Him, He is able to answer us with things we can grasp. There is something distinct, a message, something that shows truth about the matter. We can safely walk in the way we’re led by what God gives us. In this case, I was able to cast down this thought, as we’re told in II Corinthians 10:5, and go in the way of the things God had shown to me, believing that the message in the email was of God.
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; II Corin. 10
But we need to depend on God to show us the truth about the thought, rather than trying to work it out in our own minds. Last night while talking with Joan I said something, and then was immediately reminded of how similar this sounded to something someone else had said and the problems that resulted. Rather than turning to God, I reasoned with my mind that I had done the same thing, and apologized … but there was no problem because I had not been led by a destructive spirit in what I said. It looked similar to the other situation, but wasn’t.
Only by turning to God, and allowing Him to sort these things out, can we know truth in the matter and know how to move forward.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Wolves dressed like sheep
Renee Bonfield ... evangelist
In today's blog April 23 Joan quoted a scripture from Mt. 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the
child of hell than yourselves.
This reminds me of a time when I was a fairly new Christian. -- Two women rang my bell. I opened the door and they were each carrying a Bible. I was so excited to see people with a Bible that I invited them in to my apartment. At first hey hadn't told me with whom they were affiliated, but after a while I knew that they were Jehovah Witness's which they admitted to after I asked them. All of a sudden the above scripture Mt. 23:15 came to me. I looked it up and read this to them. I told them that this is what God put into my heart for them. After that they left.
They came like wolves in sheeps clothing.
In connection with compulsive shopping I came across the following scripture today. -- Is. 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? harken
diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
In today's blog April 23 Joan quoted a scripture from Mt. 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the
child of hell than yourselves.
This reminds me of a time when I was a fairly new Christian. -- Two women rang my bell. I opened the door and they were each carrying a Bible. I was so excited to see people with a Bible that I invited them in to my apartment. At first hey hadn't told me with whom they were affiliated, but after a while I knew that they were Jehovah Witness's which they admitted to after I asked them. All of a sudden the above scripture Mt. 23:15 came to me. I looked it up and read this to them. I told them that this is what God put into my heart for them. After that they left.
They came like wolves in sheeps clothing.
In connection with compulsive shopping I came across the following scripture today. -- Is. 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? harken
diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Eating flesh of Jesus
Annette Langan ... Member of body of Christ
I have been reading the following scriptures lately with wonder and amazement
Heb. 1: 14 .. (concerning angels)
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Jn. 6:53-66
53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 61When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
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Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Dream: (approximately 1982) ... Several men were seated around a conference type table in a beautiful library type building. They were examining jewels. There were several different stones in the center of the table. Finally one man looked at the jewels and said, "Then it's settled. We will just go help her."
I knew these men were angels though they just looked like normal men.
I knew the "jewels" were members of the body of Christ.
The angels were on assignment to help the members of the body of Christ.
I have been reading the following scriptures lately with wonder and amazement
Heb. 1: 14 .. (concerning angels)
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Jn. 6:53-66
53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 61When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
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Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Dream: (approximately 1982) ... Several men were seated around a conference type table in a beautiful library type building. They were examining jewels. There were several different stones in the center of the table. Finally one man looked at the jewels and said, "Then it's settled. We will just go help her."
I knew these men were angels though they just looked like normal men.
I knew the "jewels" were members of the body of Christ.
The angels were on assignment to help the members of the body of Christ.
God speaks to us by HIS Spirit
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
1Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun ... Joshua 1
Today the Lord God speaks unto us by HIS Spirit which dwells in us. HIS Spirit knows the will of God in each of the specific issues that pertain to us. And HIS Spirit reveals to us the "heart" of God on the matter at hand. I Cor. 2
But sometimes fleshly desires are opposite to the will of God. And sometimes other spirits speak thoughts softly into our ears, copying the Holy Spirit, trying to imitate the Holy Spirit.
So we have to beware ... and "try the spirits" whether they are of God ... I Jn. 4:1 ... John says, "Believe not every spirit ..."
We have the example in the Bible showing that the devil spoke to Jesus and the devil even quoted scripture to Jesus ... but Jesus knew it was the devil and not God so HE resisted that which the devil spoke. Mt. 4
1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Mt. 4
In Luke 4 ... we read ...13And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
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We have the amazing example of the girl following Paul about ...
16And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. Acts 16
Notice that everything this girl said was correct ...These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
But Paul was grieved ...
Paul knew it was another spirit speaking through this girl though everything spoken by her was correct.
I've had this happen many times. There are some messages that seem right in content but I am troubled when I hear these messages.
We have to go with the spirit that is in us for that Spirit in us is greater than the spirit of the world. Often a person will say Jesus is Lord but when speaking we recognize "another spirit" in them. We do not follow strange spirits because we are the sheep. Jn. 10 ...4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. ...I'm learning not to reason the troubling away when I am troubled but rather to stop and turn to God for HIM to confirm it to me one way or another.
Try the spirits whether they are of God ... just ask God. HE will show us when we belong to HIM.
Jesus warned us that in the last days "many" would come saying "Jesus is Lord" and they would deceive many. Mt. 24:5
We have to be sensitive to the spirit behind the message.
1Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun ... Joshua 1
Today the Lord God speaks unto us by HIS Spirit which dwells in us. HIS Spirit knows the will of God in each of the specific issues that pertain to us. And HIS Spirit reveals to us the "heart" of God on the matter at hand. I Cor. 2
But sometimes fleshly desires are opposite to the will of God. And sometimes other spirits speak thoughts softly into our ears, copying the Holy Spirit, trying to imitate the Holy Spirit.
So we have to beware ... and "try the spirits" whether they are of God ... I Jn. 4:1 ... John says, "Believe not every spirit ..."
We have the example in the Bible showing that the devil spoke to Jesus and the devil even quoted scripture to Jesus ... but Jesus knew it was the devil and not God so HE resisted that which the devil spoke. Mt. 4
1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Mt. 4
In Luke 4 ... we read ...13And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
------------
We have the amazing example of the girl following Paul about ...
16And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. Acts 16
Notice that everything this girl said was correct ...These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
But Paul was grieved ...
Paul knew it was another spirit speaking through this girl though everything spoken by her was correct.
I've had this happen many times. There are some messages that seem right in content but I am troubled when I hear these messages.
We have to go with the spirit that is in us for that Spirit in us is greater than the spirit of the world. Often a person will say Jesus is Lord but when speaking we recognize "another spirit" in them. We do not follow strange spirits because we are the sheep. Jn. 10 ...4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. ...I'm learning not to reason the troubling away when I am troubled but rather to stop and turn to God for HIM to confirm it to me one way or another.
Try the spirits whether they are of God ... just ask God. HE will show us when we belong to HIM.
Jesus warned us that in the last days "many" would come saying "Jesus is Lord" and they would deceive many. Mt. 24:5
We have to be sensitive to the spirit behind the message.
Overcoming church
Pam Padgett ... teacher
In Revelation 3 when writing to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, they were given the following promise.
Rev. 3: 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Through much of my life, I was a fairly active person, traveling as much as possible and hiking or skiing when at home. I can remember reading this passage of scripture some years ago and thinking how awful being a pillar in the temple of God would be … a pillar would be completely still!
But my life is much more still now, and I am very content. I no longer desire to travel whenever an opportunity arises. My “activities” consist mostly of taking the dogs for walks, going to the store as needed, and going to lunch once in a while with various people I once worked with. This isn’t a change I set out to make for myself, and there aren’t even physical limitations. Its just how my life is at this time, and I am quite satisfied.
And now when I think about being a pillar in the temple of God, I understand much more what a wonderful reward is promised here to those who overcome.
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Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
4Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. Psa. 65
I was born again August 5, 1975.
I was chosen by God but I was not satisfied with the goodness of HIS house ...
I wanted to marry. Everyone around me was praying for me to marry. I found numerous scriptures to "stand on" ... "none shall want his mate" ... and such ... I dated several men. One just disappeared after saying, "Joan, don't stop praying about our marrying."
I knew it was God stopping this.
One day a man I was dating was scheduled to come by to pick me up. Before Bob arrived, I heard the following which I believed to be from Spirit of God ... "You can have all the money you want but you are not going to have this ..." (I felt HE was saying I was not going to marry Bob ... but really HE was saying I would not be marrying anyone.)
I was about 35 when this happened.
When I was about 68, I met a man and we were going to be married in September, 2003 ... We broke up 2 months before the wedding. I was very upset. A few years later I was thanking God that I didn't marry Howard and to this day, I thank God I didn't marry Howard ... but I was upset at the time!
Finally, at 74 years old, I believe I am satisfied with the goodness of God's house!
And though I spent many years at a younger age upset with God because I believed HE was keeping me from marrying as I wanted to do, now I am grateful to God that HE kept me from marrying.
In Revelation 3 when writing to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, they were given the following promise.
Rev. 3: 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Through much of my life, I was a fairly active person, traveling as much as possible and hiking or skiing when at home. I can remember reading this passage of scripture some years ago and thinking how awful being a pillar in the temple of God would be … a pillar would be completely still!
But my life is much more still now, and I am very content. I no longer desire to travel whenever an opportunity arises. My “activities” consist mostly of taking the dogs for walks, going to the store as needed, and going to lunch once in a while with various people I once worked with. This isn’t a change I set out to make for myself, and there aren’t even physical limitations. Its just how my life is at this time, and I am quite satisfied.
And now when I think about being a pillar in the temple of God, I understand much more what a wonderful reward is promised here to those who overcome.
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Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
4Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. Psa. 65
I was born again August 5, 1975.
I was chosen by God but I was not satisfied with the goodness of HIS house ...
I wanted to marry. Everyone around me was praying for me to marry. I found numerous scriptures to "stand on" ... "none shall want his mate" ... and such ... I dated several men. One just disappeared after saying, "Joan, don't stop praying about our marrying."
I knew it was God stopping this.
One day a man I was dating was scheduled to come by to pick me up. Before Bob arrived, I heard the following which I believed to be from Spirit of God ... "You can have all the money you want but you are not going to have this ..." (I felt HE was saying I was not going to marry Bob ... but really HE was saying I would not be marrying anyone.)
I was about 35 when this happened.
When I was about 68, I met a man and we were going to be married in September, 2003 ... We broke up 2 months before the wedding. I was very upset. A few years later I was thanking God that I didn't marry Howard and to this day, I thank God I didn't marry Howard ... but I was upset at the time!
Finally, at 74 years old, I believe I am satisfied with the goodness of God's house!
And though I spent many years at a younger age upset with God because I believed HE was keeping me from marrying as I wanted to do, now I am grateful to God that HE kept me from marrying.
God is my comfort
Pam Padgett ... teacher
While considering that God is my comfort ...
I was reminded of how God used a dream that Joan had reported to comfort (strengthen) me when I saw the live 9/11 attacks broadcast. A TV was on in a conference room at work, and several people were there watching the broadcast. It was shocking to see the events unfold, and many people were visibly disturbed. But I kept recalling a dream Joan had reported in 1999 in which ... I, Joan, looked toward the skyline of New York City and it was gone. The only thing I could see was dust rising from the ground. It was like implosion dust when buildings fall in on themselves.
This part of the dream could have been a commentary for what we were seeing on TV. Recalling this while seeing these events unfold, was very calming and stabilizing to me. God knew exactly what was going to happen. It comforted me that He had given this dream to Joan, and had her report it to us, long before 9/11.
Another time I was comforted by a dream ...
I had a dream in which my grandmother who lived in Oklahoma died, but no one told me this had happened. Some months later, while talking with my mom, she casually mentioned that my grandmother had died. When I asked when she had died, I learned it had been some weeks before.
Because of the dream, I was not disturbed that no one had told me when she died. God had known this was going to happen, and had shown mercy toward me by preparing me for it to happen.
=======================================================================
Joan Boney... apostle/prophet
God gave me 3 dreams which turned out to be the destruction of the World Trade Center twin towers ...although at the time I had the dreams I didn't know they pertained to World Trade Center. When the event happened 9/11, I recalled each of these dreams.
Joan Boney / Dream / December 22, l981 . In this dream, I was in a tall, glass building. Something began to happen outside...Then we were sitting on the floor. From time to time the building would shake. It was as if "bombs" were exploding outside. There were several moments where the shaking was increased as if the main attack was around our building. At one point I thought the building might fall on us. I remember thinking that this was not the first "bombing" but was the second. (The 1st bombing of the World Trade Center took place in early 1990's)
It was very clear to me that life as we had known it was over.
-------------------
Joan Boney / Dream / 1-10-99 . In this dream, my mother and I were in New York City. I looked out my hotel room and saw something strange happening. Things were falling. It was like a loading dock and items began falling off the dock all by themselves.
Then in the dream, we were in New Jersey. I looked toward the skyline of NYC and it was gone. The only thing I could see was dust rising from the ground. It was like implosion dust when buildings fall in on themselves.
--------------------------------
After the fall of the Twin Towers, they would show the scene from New Jersey looking back to Manhattan ... The mushroom cloud type of dust where Twin Towers had been looked exactly like the above dream.
--------------
Then I had another dream which I would recall each time they showed on TV the ambulances and police cars racing toward the Twin Towers the day of the destruction ... This dream was given me in approximately 1982, but I didn't know what it was until 9/11 and the TV coverage then I remembered the dream of almost 20 years earlier...
I was in a diner and something happened ... one ambulance after another went past ... sirens everywhere
------------------
I don't know why God would give me these dreams about the destruction of 9/11 ... but one thing was clear in the dream ... Life would never be the same for us again.
While considering that God is my comfort ...
I was reminded of how God used a dream that Joan had reported to comfort (strengthen) me when I saw the live 9/11 attacks broadcast. A TV was on in a conference room at work, and several people were there watching the broadcast. It was shocking to see the events unfold, and many people were visibly disturbed. But I kept recalling a dream Joan had reported in 1999 in which ... I, Joan, looked toward the skyline of New York City and it was gone. The only thing I could see was dust rising from the ground. It was like implosion dust when buildings fall in on themselves.
This part of the dream could have been a commentary for what we were seeing on TV. Recalling this while seeing these events unfold, was very calming and stabilizing to me. God knew exactly what was going to happen. It comforted me that He had given this dream to Joan, and had her report it to us, long before 9/11.
Another time I was comforted by a dream ...
I had a dream in which my grandmother who lived in Oklahoma died, but no one told me this had happened. Some months later, while talking with my mom, she casually mentioned that my grandmother had died. When I asked when she had died, I learned it had been some weeks before.
Because of the dream, I was not disturbed that no one had told me when she died. God had known this was going to happen, and had shown mercy toward me by preparing me for it to happen.
=======================================================================
Joan Boney... apostle/prophet
God gave me 3 dreams which turned out to be the destruction of the World Trade Center twin towers ...although at the time I had the dreams I didn't know they pertained to World Trade Center. When the event happened 9/11, I recalled each of these dreams.
Joan Boney / Dream / December 22, l981 . In this dream, I was in a tall, glass building. Something began to happen outside...Then we were sitting on the floor. From time to time the building would shake. It was as if "bombs" were exploding outside. There were several moments where the shaking was increased as if the main attack was around our building. At one point I thought the building might fall on us. I remember thinking that this was not the first "bombing" but was the second. (The 1st bombing of the World Trade Center took place in early 1990's)
It was very clear to me that life as we had known it was over.
-------------------
Joan Boney / Dream / 1-10-99 . In this dream, my mother and I were in New York City. I looked out my hotel room and saw something strange happening. Things were falling. It was like a loading dock and items began falling off the dock all by themselves.
Then in the dream, we were in New Jersey. I looked toward the skyline of NYC and it was gone. The only thing I could see was dust rising from the ground. It was like implosion dust when buildings fall in on themselves.
--------------------------------
After the fall of the Twin Towers, they would show the scene from New Jersey looking back to Manhattan ... The mushroom cloud type of dust where Twin Towers had been looked exactly like the above dream.
--------------
Then I had another dream which I would recall each time they showed on TV the ambulances and police cars racing toward the Twin Towers the day of the destruction ... This dream was given me in approximately 1982, but I didn't know what it was until 9/11 and the TV coverage then I remembered the dream of almost 20 years earlier...
I was in a diner and something happened ... one ambulance after another went past ... sirens everywhere
------------------
I don't know why God would give me these dreams about the destruction of 9/11 ... but one thing was clear in the dream ... Life would never be the same for us again.
Monday, April 23, 2012
When minister says, "Send me your prayer requests."
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
II Kings 6 ... a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. 15And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
Romans 8 ... 31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-------------
In the early 80's, I was on radio and at one point had an ad agency "helping" me. At one point the representative from the agency was meeting with me and he said, "We just have one suggestion." (Their suggestions were anything but suggestions.)
He said, "Add to your envelopes, SEND ME YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS."
I was horrified ... and replied, "I don't want to do that!"
The people in the room were shocked and the agency rep said, "You don't?"
I replied, "NO ... they should pray. I don't want them sending their prayer requests to me."
The agency rep responded, "Well ... you're missing a good opportunity for when they send their prayer request they will usually enclose money."
I refused to do this and the agency quickly withdrew from representing me. I thought I had failed for this was a very big name agency and handled many big ministers.
But God showed me I had not failed but succeeded ... for what had happened is I had resisted the same kind of temptation Jesus resisted when the devil appeared to Him, tempting HIM.
8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Mt. 4
----------
Concerning prayer ...I am shocked that so many ask me to pray for them ... Why don't they just pray? Doesn't God answer their prayers? Why do they think I can get something for them if they can't get it by prayer? Don't they have faith?
We go to God through Jesus (not through another person) ...
When I have a need, I just pray.
18For through HIM we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Eph. 2
-------------
When we pray we must do so in "faith" ... which means we have to have the will on God on the matter at hand. If we pray according to HIS will, it will be answered. If we pray according to our own will, it will not be answered. I prayed according to my own will that I would marry. It was not answered as I willed because it was not the will of God though I found numerous scriptures to justify my prayer. It was not the will of God for me. So no matter how many times I prayed or people in our church at the time prayed, it was not answered because it was not the will of God.
We have same example in the apostle Paul ... 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
II Cor. 12
Then we have the example of Jesus praying that He would not have to go to the cross ...
41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Lk. 22
So that which is the will of God in the matter at hand will be done.
II Kings 6 ... a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. 15And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
Romans 8 ... 31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-------------
In the early 80's, I was on radio and at one point had an ad agency "helping" me. At one point the representative from the agency was meeting with me and he said, "We just have one suggestion." (Their suggestions were anything but suggestions.)
He said, "Add to your envelopes, SEND ME YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS."
I was horrified ... and replied, "I don't want to do that!"
The people in the room were shocked and the agency rep said, "You don't?"
I replied, "NO ... they should pray. I don't want them sending their prayer requests to me."
The agency rep responded, "Well ... you're missing a good opportunity for when they send their prayer request they will usually enclose money."
I refused to do this and the agency quickly withdrew from representing me. I thought I had failed for this was a very big name agency and handled many big ministers.
But God showed me I had not failed but succeeded ... for what had happened is I had resisted the same kind of temptation Jesus resisted when the devil appeared to Him, tempting HIM.
8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Mt. 4
----------
Concerning prayer ...I am shocked that so many ask me to pray for them ... Why don't they just pray? Doesn't God answer their prayers? Why do they think I can get something for them if they can't get it by prayer? Don't they have faith?
We go to God through Jesus (not through another person) ...
When I have a need, I just pray.
18For through HIM we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Eph. 2
-------------
When we pray we must do so in "faith" ... which means we have to have the will on God on the matter at hand. If we pray according to HIS will, it will be answered. If we pray according to our own will, it will not be answered. I prayed according to my own will that I would marry. It was not answered as I willed because it was not the will of God though I found numerous scriptures to justify my prayer. It was not the will of God for me. So no matter how many times I prayed or people in our church at the time prayed, it was not answered because it was not the will of God.
We have same example in the apostle Paul ... 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
II Cor. 12
Then we have the example of Jesus praying that He would not have to go to the cross ...
41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Lk. 22
So that which is the will of God in the matter at hand will be done.
Teaching from Bible
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Several years ago, I visited a small church and the pastor was speaking to the full assembly just prior to dismissing the group to their "Sunday School" classes.
Pastor was very disturbed and said, "A terrible thing has happened. Our Sunday School teaching materials did not come in this week. Everyone pray that we get our teaching books. Since they didn't come in, you teacher are just going to have to teach by the Bible."
I quickly prayed that the teaching books never come in.
Several years ago, I visited a small church and the pastor was speaking to the full assembly just prior to dismissing the group to their "Sunday School" classes.
Pastor was very disturbed and said, "A terrible thing has happened. Our Sunday School teaching materials did not come in this week. Everyone pray that we get our teaching books. Since they didn't come in, you teacher are just going to have to teach by the Bible."
I quickly prayed that the teaching books never come in.
Dealing with thoughts
Pam Padgett: teacher
Recently, I was dealing with some thoughts brought by the devil, asking God to show me HIS truth.
The Holy Spirit reminded me of two scriptures,
I Corinthians 2:12 ...Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Romans 8:26 ...Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
As I considered the truth that the Holy Spirit dwells in me and teaches me the words I am to speak, and that the Holy Spirit helps me in the areas of my weaknesses (infirmities), I was very aware of life coming back to me. The lies from the devil were put to death, and truth from God restored life in me. I turned to God and thanked Him for this, and was reminded of what we're told in John 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life. Jn. 6:63
Sunday, April 22, 2012
They will never know but God does
Renee Bonfield ... evangelist
I was at the supermarket. At the last minute I picked up a TV Guide and forgot to pay for it. At the time it sold for .50 cents. I walked two blocks from the store toward home, and kept thinking "They will never miss the money." However, I felt so awful that I knew I had to go back to the store. I went to the same
checker and proceeded to hand her the money explaining that I left the store and forgot to pay. She said "That's OK you don't have to give me the money. No one is going to know about this." I replied "Oh yes, God will know and I have to pay for this." After much arguing on her part, she finally took the money.
I was at the supermarket. At the last minute I picked up a TV Guide and forgot to pay for it. At the time it sold for .50 cents. I walked two blocks from the store toward home, and kept thinking "They will never miss the money." However, I felt so awful that I knew I had to go back to the store. I went to the same
checker and proceeded to hand her the money explaining that I left the store and forgot to pay. She said "That's OK you don't have to give me the money. No one is going to know about this." I replied "Oh yes, God will know and I have to pay for this." After much arguing on her part, she finally took the money.
My refuge
Pam Padgett ... teacher
Psalm 142: 5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
That God is my portion in the land of the living stood out to me while reading Psalm 142. I turned to God and ask for help in understanding this … how He is my portion? I was reminded that God is my ….
-- provision
-- protection
-- comfort (console, strengthen, give hope to)
-- wisdom
-- desire
(I was reminded of Psalm 42:1-2, which describes my heart …nothing on this earth compares to God and His word As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? )
-- deliverance
-- rock (solid, firm, unchanging)
-- guidance
-- help
I found it very faith-building to consider each of these things, and to be reminded of specific examples of how God is each of these things in my life.
Psalm 142: 5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
That God is my portion in the land of the living stood out to me while reading Psalm 142. I turned to God and ask for help in understanding this … how He is my portion? I was reminded that God is my ….
-- provision
-- protection
-- comfort (console, strengthen, give hope to)
-- wisdom
-- desire
(I was reminded of Psalm 42:1-2, which describes my heart …nothing on this earth compares to God and His word As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? )
-- deliverance
-- rock (solid, firm, unchanging)
-- guidance
-- help
I found it very faith-building to consider each of these things, and to be reminded of specific examples of how God is each of these things in my life.
No good thing in flesh
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Paul said ... 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: Rom. 7
The flesh has to be kept under control as long as we are on this earth.
----------------------------
Today, I thought, "I'll send a printed copy of the blogs to Betty (director at bridge center)
It seemed like such a good idea. I often took writings to Betty and she told me, "I like everything you write."
And to make things even "better" I reported that yesterday we have 186 hits in USA and even more important 2 hits from Germany.
I wrote a cover letter telling her what we were doing now. Enclosed printed blogs. Put the envelop on cabinet to take to mail. And then I prayed asking God if this is what I should do.
(You will note that I did all this ... then after it was done, and ready to mail ... I prayed)
I was reminded of hewn stone and how when we touch something we end up corrupting it.
"OH ... "
(I looked this scripture up ...)
25And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. 26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon. Ex. 20
------------------
"Nevermind" ..........
I took the printed material out of the package ... threw the addressed envelop and cover letter in trash.
-------------
UPDATE: The day after I threw the envelop in trash, I realized I was "free" to send the material to Betty minus the cover letter which made me look good.
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