Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psa. 119:105
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Mt. 25
The foolish failed to keep oil in lamps ... Oil is word of God, daily reading Word of God, paying close attention to that part of the Word that the Holy Spirit speaks (that part of the word illuminated to you) ... then daily applying Word of God by doing it.
faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2
Abraham is given to us as an example of a man having faith in God.
Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; Gen 12
First, God spoke to Abram and told him what to do. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
You can't have real faith unless first God speaks to you by HIS Spirit. Faith must be based on what God has spoken to you by HIS Spirit.
You can't just build on that which you read with your flesh even if what you read is a scripture. Jesus said the following of the Pharisees ... 39 (You) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. Jn. 5
Faith starts with the Holy Spirit speaking to us. After we are persuaded it is God speaking by His Spirit, then we apply that Word to our lives in an appropriate manner.
You cannot have "faith" based on what you think or on hunting a scripture to prove your own desire or your own thoughts.
Faith comes by first hearing what God says to you personally by His Spirit about the issue at hand. Then after you establish it was God speaking, you must act on the word given you, taking appropriate action in your life. Then after all is done, share the example with others because: That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Philemon verse 5
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