Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
A woman in our church group couldn't seem to get back on her feet after a wedding that she went to the first of this month. Day by day, I would speak with her by phone. Finally, I began slipping away. I was reminded of Mt. 25:
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
Each of us want to help the other person when we see need. But each of us also have to go to God and be established by God. And if we let that which God speaks slip, or if we handle the word given us by God in an incorrect manner, we will get weaker and weaker. We bring "damnation" upon ourselves when we do this, failing to partake of HIS body and HIS blood correctly. For the word given us is "The Lord's Supper".
The following does not pertain to crackers and grape juice. The following pertains to eating and drinking the word of God (the body and blood of Jesus Christ) correctly.
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (examine yourselves by the word of God making needed corrections in your life by the word of God) 29For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. I Cor. 11
When we see one among us slipping, and we reach out to help, but that person just keeps slipping, we have to let go at some point otherwise we will go over the cliff with him. It is up to each one of us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Phil. 2
Each of us have to build our faith in God by considering that which God has done for us and what the Word says to us.
We have to reject lying vanities which come in the form of thoughts. We cling to the truth in the issues at hand.
If we do opposite, we will be swept away.
Paul said:
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. I Cor. 9
I suspect it is difficult for us to imagine that the apostle Paul could have been a castaway ... But Paul knew he could be a castaway even after preaching to others. Therefore he said he had to "keep under his body and bring it into subjection" ... we have to deal with destructive thoughts properly.
A few days ago, I had a very strong destructive thought come to my mind. The thought was opposite to what the Bible says. But the thought seemed very real. (lying vanity)
I took a couple of scriptures and saw they were opposite to that thought and I chose to believe the scripture and cast aside the thought which was opposite to the scripture. (now I can't even remember what the lying vanity was)
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. Jonah 2:8
Each of us have to take thoughts captive. Paul explained:
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting 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 Cor. 10
The Bible tells us the truth. The Holy Scriptures are inspired by God. You can compare the lying vanity to the Holy Scriptures and you should be able to see the truth in the matter at hand. Then you choose to believe what the Bible says about the issue at hand. Thus you reestablish yourself by the word of God
Each of us must do this for ourselves continually ... bringing into captivity every thought ... to the obedience of the Word of God. No one can do this for us. We must do it for ourselves.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Roman 12
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