Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Can it be of God?

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Yesterday I received in the mail something from a "pastor" in another country.  He attached his business card at the top of the materials.  On his business card he had a color photo of a long haired man which is often used by the world to protray Jesus.

There are no photos of the real Jesus for good reason.

Jesus said ... But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.  Jn. 4

The business card sent by this pastor protrays a lie.  I didn't have to read his many pages of materials.  I just threw them into the trash.

We who worship God worship in spirit and in truth.  God is light and there is no darkness in HIM.

So I know darkness cannot be of God.

And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.  13And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone. 14And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it. 15Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: 16Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, Deut. 4

We do not worship God through images ...

God is a Spirit:  and they that worship HIM must worship HIM in spirit and in truth.

If you worship God with an image, photo or object of a human figure, you cannot be worshiping God in spirit and in truth.  It cannot be of God.

Behaving wisely

Pam Padgett ... teacher

In 1 Samuel 18 we have the account of Saul doing evil to David, even trying to kill him, but David did not seek evil against Saul ...

After David killed Goliath, Saul set him over the men of war, and David went wherever Saul told him.  

1 Samuel 18:5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.


But when the women began singing about Saul slaying thousands and David slaying ten thousands, Saul became angry.  He sought to kill David, even as David was playing the harp to try to help Saul when the evil spirit from God came on him (1 Samuel 16:23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.).

1 Samuel 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand. 11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

Saul then sought for David to be killed in battle, promising to give his daughter Merab to David as a wife, if David would fight valiantly in battles.  But when Merab was to be given to David, she was instead given to another. 

1 Samuel 18:17 And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD's battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him. ..... 19 But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.


Then Saul offered to give his daughter Michal to David as a wife if David brought 100 foreskins of the Philistines, expecting the Philistines to kill David.  But David and his men killed 200 Philistines and brought the foreskins to Saul, and David was given Michal as his wife. 

1 Samuel 18:20 And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. 21 And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain. .... 25 And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. ... 27 Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

1 Samuel 18:28 And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him. 29 And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually. 30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.



Saul did evil against David, but David didn't seek evil against Saul.  David didn't deal according to the flesh.  I was reminded of the works of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit ...

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, 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.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.


David did not enter into hatred, strife, wrath, or arguments with Saul.  He didn't try to cause servants of Saul to rise up against him (seditions), nor did he try to kill Saul.  Instead, we see fruit of the Spirit coming forth, including love, longsuffering, goodness, meekness, and temperance. 

This is a strong example for us in not acting according to the flesh, not wanting to harm those who do evil to us.  But, rather, walking in Spirit ... in ways of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance …  even when others do evil against us.

I Thess. 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Wicked will not understand

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Concerning the end times ...

Daniel 12:10 ...  Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

Wicked:  those who cause harm, distress, trouble



Monday, July 30, 2012

Reverend? No man in Bible called himself this

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

The Bible is the example for the New Testament Church.  By the Holy Scriptures we know the pattern for us to live on this present earth.

There is no place in the Bible where a man called himself "Reverend".

The ministers in the New Testament called themselves by the ministry offices to which they are appointed by God: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher ... Eph. 4:11

Paul identified himself as "apostle/teacher" ... In his various letters to the churches we see this.

... Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God ... Romans 1

... Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.  I Cor. 1

... Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:  II Cor. 1

... Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:  Gal. 1

...  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Eph. 1

... Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Col. 1

... Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.  I Tim. 1

... Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, II Tim. 1

... Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness.  Titus 1

Peter:

... Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.  I Peter 1

... Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: II Peter 1

-----------------------

When a man calls himself "Reverend", or allows others to call himself "Reverend", that man exalts himself to a status unknown in the Bible examples for ministers.


God's name is "reverend" ... He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant for ever: holy and reverend is His name.  Psalm 111:9

The ministers of God in the Bible called themselves apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher 
(Eph 4).

This is proper for a minister in the New Testament church today.


Strong opinions

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

This past week, the subject of a TV show came up in a conversation and a very strong opinion was expressed.

After I got off the phone, I began to think about strong opinions about fleshly things and I felt it was better not to have such.  I asked God about this and immediately I was reminded of the following examples.

Jesus said ... I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. Jn. 5

Paul said ... 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. I Cor. 2

Strong fleshly opinions can be very harmful and destructive without cause.  They are usually born out of personal pride.  Evil can swiftly come from such.

Instead we need to express that which God has told us or that which God has shown us.  This is worth dying for.

Paul said he "determined" not to know anything except Jesus Christ and HIM crucified.  Determined implies to make a firm decision in this direction.

That should be our course also, giving up our intellect in order to exalt God's view.  Deliberately resisting our personal opinions as "nothing", "dung" ... and seeking God's view on the issue.  Most secular things are unimportant anyway.  And much strife between humans can come by secular things.  It is foolish.  We can do as Paul and deliberately set our course to avoid such when it comes to secular matters.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  Phil. 4

Moderation means:   avoidance of excess or extremes ... act of making less extreme, less intense.

When it comes to secular things we need to control ourselves.

When it comes to things of God, we need to hold fast.

Most strife over secular things is just pride of man exalting itself.  We exalt ourselves when we participate in these opinions.

We exalt God when we put our own flesh down and express HIS word.

Those of us who are of God must work to keep our flesh under.

Col. 3

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.


Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.



By a deliberate act of our will, we set aside fleshly opinions which we once cherished and determine to go another way.  We lay down our lives for HIS sake and the gospel but not for our own opinions about fleshly matters.  We just give it up and purpose to go another way.

Mindful of fulfilling scripture

Pam Padgett ... teacher

Even as Jesus was suffering on the cross, right up to the end, He was mindful of fulfilling scripture, fully completing the work He had been given ...

John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Psalm 69:21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.



This reminded me that we are to be mindful of doing and completing each thing set before us and continuing in the ways of God ... running the race before us. Meditating on each word we’re given and keeping it before us, that we may do that word and allow it to fully work in our lives, fulfilling the will of God.  Not becoming weary or discouraged, but continuing until the end.

We also have the example of Paul who continued in faith until he finished his course ...

2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

We who carry the word of God are a blessing to all

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

David was moving the ark of the covenant of God ...

And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.   7And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.  

Only those appointed by God could "touch" the ark of God.

And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.   9And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? 10So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. 11And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household. II Samuel 6

The ark of God contained the Word of God.

I thought about the way the household was blessed when the Word of God was in that household and also how all in that household were blessed.

I think it is symbolic of our households.  If one of us in the household is a carrier of the Word of God and we faithfully share that word and if we live that word, our household is blessed and all those in our household are blessed.

I have certainly seen this is my own life.  After I was born again, I spoke often of that which God had given me.  My dad once said, "Joan has gone overboard in this religion thing."  My mother, who was usually negative, replied, "No ... it's OK."  Later my dad was saved and believed in God and even tried to share God with his brother.

Once when I was visiting my mother after my dad died, I opened a kitchen cabinet door and noticed some Zodiac mugs sitting there.  I began putting these mugs in a garbage bag.  My mother was watching me and said, "What are you doing ... No ... I want those mugs ... You gave those to me."  I said nothing but continued putting them into the garbage bag.  I took them to the dumpster and broke them and left them in the garbage.

When I got back to the house, I opened the Bible and read the following to my mother:

When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.  14For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. Deut. 18

After I read this, my mother said:  "Well, I guess we'd better not do that anymore."  (She believed the Word of God and was born again.)

When I owned my business in the mid-70's, I was flying to Albuquerque, NM (USA) on buying trip.  As the plane was landing I heard, "Be baptized."  I had been baptized when I was 15 but I was not born again at the time.  I had just been born again and planned to be baptized again in Dallas where I lived but after hearing that word, "Be baptized,"... I decided to be baptized there in Albuquerque where many of my relatives lived.  They are Church of Christ (and they love water baptism) so my cousin set it up for me to be baptized that afternoon at the church she attended.  My relatives gathered there.  The minister shocked me by asking me if there was anything I wanted to say.  I just began speaking by the Spirit of God.  My uncle began crying.  One of my cousins began shaking her head up and down in agreement with what I said.  After I was baptized, my uncle came to me and said:  "I've never heard anything like that which you said.  Could you write that down for me?"  After I returned to Dallas, I did write it and sent it to my uncle.  I believe my uncle was saved that day when I spoke.  He was a member of Church of Christ but I do not think he was born again until that day.  God opened his ears to hear what I was saying.

I just know that everywhere we go people are blessed because we carry the Word of God.  They may not receive what we say or they may receive what we say, but either way, we, who carry God's word, are a blessing to all.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

The ungodly who call themselves Christians

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Psalm 1 ... Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 
4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.


The "chaff" is light weight ... worthless ...

Eventually the chaff will be separated from the wheat ...Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.  The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.  Mt. 13

Paul said this concerning the church in the last days ... They will have a form of godliness.  They will run everywhere, from church to church, "always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."  People will be self-centered.  (One definition of "chaff" is a self absorbed person.)

Paul was speaking of the church in the last days in the following passage ... This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  II Tim. 3

Also in the last days, there will be a falling away from truth as the churches depart from scripture and set up their own doctrine allowing antichrist to reign in the churches themselves.

II Thess. 2 ...Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (the church groups will fall away from scripture and exalt a gospel contrary to scripture, casting aside scripture on the issue) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, (He will sit in the church doing these things) shewing himself that he is God. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.  7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.


All this happens inside the church groups.  We, who are of God, will refuse to accept doctrine contrary to scripture and we will depart from those groups.



Concerning ungodly individuals who call themselves Christians ... we will be able to recognize them because when we are around them they will speak things which grieve us.  They are like "thorns" puncturing us with their words.  And though we bring correction, they never really learn.  They just keep troubling us.  So we learn to stay away from these individuals and their church groups.


But the scriptures tell us such will happen in the later days ... so we should not be surprised or even dismayed.


We just do what we have to do to cling to the word given us by God.


But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.  II Tim. 3





Honest conversation

Pam Padgett ... teacher

1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

honest:
- that will not lie, cheat, steal
- truthful, trustworthy, fair
- free from deceit, straightforward
- being what it seems, genuine, pure
- frank and open

Most of us consider ourselves to be honest, not stealing, not trying to cheat others, not setting out to deceive others.  But we may try to protect ourselves when we are led to share truth from God with those who may ridicule, shun, or speak evil of us.  Instead of being honest ... straightforward, free from deceit, frank, and open ... we may try to hide the truth we've been given.  This is something each of us face. 

Its important for us to be honest in all areas of our lives, including allowing the truth of God to come forth when we have it. 

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

It strengthens us in being honest in all of our ways to consider that just as God provides all our physical needs, He will provide our need to be restored when people hate us.  God provides what we need to say.  God provides any need we have for people in our lives.  God provides all our needs. 

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.


While considering these things, I've heard several times "Just be honest".

Enquiring of God

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. 20And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.  21And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.  

And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 23And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. 24And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. 25And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.  I Samuel 5

The subject seemed to be the same ... same problem ... but God didn't deal the same way with the problems.

David inquired of God ... with both problems though the problems seemed the same.


Saturday, July 28, 2012

Yoked to word from God

Pam Padgett ... teacher

Jesus said ... Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:29)

A yoke connects two things so that the way one goes, the other goes as well.  When two oxen are connected together at the shoulders, when one turns, the other turns. 

When we are yoked to the word of God, we no longer go in the way we would have gone of ourselves.  Instead, when we are given a word by the Holy Spirit showing us the way we are to go in a matter, we turn to that way, getting and staying in line with the word we've been given. 

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

And we're told this yoke is easy.  Sometimes we don't think it will be easy to go in the way we believe we're being led by God.  But later as we look back, we see that the way was in fact much easier than the way we would have chosen for ourselves.

I was reminded of the following example ... at one time when I was working I was given assignments that were not interesting or challenging.  I told my manager I would be glad to take more responsibility and suggesting helping a team that had a lot of work, but he didn't make any changes.  Being frustrated, I prayed about this and was reminded of ...  Let your conversation (manner of life) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5).

As a result of hearing this scripture, I started focusing on just doing the work assigned to me (being content with what I had been assigned), and I didn't continue trying to get more exciting work assignments (coveting other assignments).  Being yoked to the word I had received in this matter took me a different way than my flesh wanted to go.  However, after a time I realized how peacefully I was able to work because I was not involved in the "exciting" work, and became thankful for what I was doing.

As we consider times God has given us a word  ... a scripture, dream, exhortation, thought brought by the Holy Spirit ... and we yielded to that word, we see that our path has become (or stayed) consistent to that word we are yoked to, and that it has been a better way for us.

Comments by Joan Boney

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,  I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.  II Cor. 6

Warning the church

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.  II Sam. 3:39

Paul said to the church ... Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.  II Tim. 4

This example shows us there is an appropriate time in the New Testament church where we warn the church, naming by name the evil doer so the church would not be deceived.

Paul said ... we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.  10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; II Cor. 5

Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. II Tim. 5

We do not protect evil doers when such are in the church.  Instead we follow this instruction given by the apostle Paul and put evil doers out of the church.  

Paul said ...It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,  4In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?   I Cor. 5


I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?  13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. I Cor. 5

Friday, July 27, 2012

Peculiar treasure

Pam Padgett ... teacher

Psalm 135:4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

Those chosen by God are peculiar treasure to Him.  One meaning of "peculiar", and the one which I believe best fits here, is "special".  We are special treasure to God. 

Another time God spoke of His people being a peculiar treasure to Him is the following ...

Exodus 19:3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

As we go about our lives trying to obey God and go in His ways, we're often seen as strange, and sometimes even evil, to those of the world.  But to God, we are special treasure, precious to Him. 

There are various problems on this earth.  But we are precious to God, special treasure, and He helps us in whatever we are facing as we live on this earth.

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Comments by Joan Boney ...

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:   10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. I Peter 2

Several years ago, I had a dream where a group of men were sitting around a long table in a beautiful "library" type room.  They were looking at 6 or 7 magnificent stones, examining each one individually.  Then one man said,   "Then it is settled.  We will go help her."


I felt these were angels viewing specific children of God.

Protection by having no reputation

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.  I Sam. 27

So David escaped to the land of Philistines where he lived for 1 year & 4 months.

And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?  I Sam. 27:4

Reminds me of the time of Joseph in Egypt.  When his father and brethren came down to Egypt, Joseph made them abominable in the sight of the Egyptians so they could dwell separately from the Egyptians.

And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? 34That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. Gen. 46

By this, the people of God would be "abomination" to the people of the world and though they lived in the country of the people of the world, they (the world) would want nothing to do with them for they would consider them "an abomination."

Jesus made Himself, "of no reputation".   Phil. 2

he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:  Isa. 53

Jesus would not be drawing men to Him by fleshly means.  They would look upon Him and despise Him because there was no beauty that they would be attracted to him.

But to those God chose to reveal Jesus to, those would be the people of God.  But it wasn't done as man does by physical appearance or reputation among men or achievement of man.  It would all be done by the Spirit of God which would be everlasting for those who were being saved from the world.

Paul also determined not to draw men to himself by fleshly wisdom and by clever words.  Paul said:

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


Thursday, July 26, 2012

God's mercy toward HIS chosen people endures forever

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

God chose Abraham and created from him the nation of Israel.  Then Paul explained that  they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8That 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. Romans 9

So there is an elect (chosen) of God ... not of works but by the will of God.  (Romans 9)

And to the chosen of God, God's mercy endures forever.

Psalm 136 speaks of the mercy of God toward HIS chosen people.  Note the following verse and how God deliberately destroyed the first born of Egypt for the sake of HIS chosen people.  God's mercy was toward HIS own chosen people and not toward Egypt.

To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: 11And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: 12With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Psa. 136

God will do whatever is necessary to help, to protect, to deliver HIS chosen people.  His mercy endures forever toward HIS chosen people, even to the destruction of others.

Psalm  136


O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. 4To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. 5To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. 6To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. 7To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: 8The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:  9The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: 11And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: 12With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 13To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: 14And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: 15But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.  16To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. 17To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 18And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 19Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: 20And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: 21And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: 22Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: 24And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. 25Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. 26O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

The God who made heaven and earth reigns

Pam Padgett ... teacher

Psalm 135:5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. 6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

As I thought about God being above all gods and doing whatever He pleases, I recalled how God strongly showed His power to the Philistines when they took the ark of God.  In various ways God showed that He is above all and able to do what He wills.  

Their god (Dagon) fell on its face before the ark of the God ..... 

1 Samuel 5:2 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. 3 And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. 4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.

God afflicted and destroyed the Philistine people, as the ark of God was taken from one city to another. 

1 Samuel 5:6 But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof. 7 And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.

1 Samuel 5:8 ...  Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither. 9 And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.

1 Samuel 5:10 Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people. 11 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. 12 And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.


The Philistine people asked priests and diviners what they should do when they sent the ark of God back to the children of Israel.  One of the things they were told was to give glory to the God of Israel.

1 Samuel 6:5 Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

When they were ready to send the ark of God back, they began questioning whether it had been God who had brought the destruction on them.  God showed them, according to their own test, that these things had been of Him ...

1 Samuel 6:9 And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us. 10 And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home: 11 And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods. 12 And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh.

God strongly showed the Philistines that He is above other gods and does that which pleases Him.

While considering these things, I thought of how in our lives, we see various "gods" of this world "bow down" before God and be torn down when we believe what God has said.  For example ...

Trusting in money is torn down as we believe and conform our lives to  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Wisdom of this world is torn down as we believe in and conform our lives to  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.  And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (1 Corinthians 3 18-20)

And, by believing and acting according to the word of God, we praise God and confess that He is above all. 


Vengeance belongs to God

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Saul was hunting David to kill him.  At one point, Saul went into cave and went to sleep and David had opportunity to kill Saul but chose not to do so.

David said to Saul ...The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. I Sam. 24:12

Most people of the world welcome the opportunity to do harm to enemies.  I notice on TV there are many shows with the theme of taking revenge.  Often I will not watch these knowing how much the flesh would like to take revenge.  I don't want to feed my flesh on this issue by watching shows about revenge.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12



Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Speaking with harshness when needed

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Recently I spoke with harshness with a man who said he is a minister.  He fled.  In thinking about this, I was wondering if I spoke too sharply to him and then I was reminded of Pam.  When she first came across my path I spoke very sharp correction to her.  She repented of what she said was being a very puffed up type of letter she had written to me.  And I knew that if this man was of God, he would repent and come back and talk with me exhibiting another spirit.

And I was reminded of how Paul spoke sharply to the church when needed.

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. II Cor. 12

I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: II Cor. 13

(In this example, we see the devil bringing thoughts to accuse  ... and the Holy Spirit bringing truth to set us straight in the matter at hand and to show us the will of God and to keep us on track.)




Pour your heart out to God

Pam Padgett ... teacher

Hannah's husband, Elkanah, had two wives.  One wife, Peninnah, had children, but Hannah had none.  Peninnah provoked Hannah because she had no children, causing distress to Hannah, so Hannah went to the temple and poured her heart out to God. 

1 Samuel 1:9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. 12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.

13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.


Hannah pouring her heart out to God, asking Him for what she desired, reminded me that this is also what we are to do when we are troubled ...

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

In 1 Samuel 1 we also have an example of the faithfulness of God to help us when we come humbly to Him as, through Eli the priest, Hannah was told her request was granted, and her sadness was removed.

1 Samuel 1:17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

Those faithful to God

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?  Prov. 20:6

Very few who say they are of God are faithful to God.  Most will not turn when confronted with godly correction.  Most will cling to their own way of life, thus "proclaiming their own goodness."  And so many exalt man over God and therefore hide the word of God in order to please other humans and in order to look good in the sight of other humans.  They are more faithful to man than to God.  And some love things of this world more than things of God.  Thus Jesus says:  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Mt. 7

But a few do cling to God!  And those who care more for the word of God than anything or anyone else are faithful to God even if it costs them reputation among men and wealth.

The person who is faithful to God recognizes the fact that the word of God is more important than anything else.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.  Mt. 13

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Let this mind be in you

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Phil. 2

- made himself of no reputation
- was a servant to God
- humbled himself by obeying God
- suffered even the despicable (and painful) death of the cross

The apostle Paul said we are to have this same mind which was in Christ Jesus.

It could be that we are near the return of Jesus.  There are a few things we need to focus on between now and then.  First is to make yourself of no reputation.  Stop trying to be something and have humans praise you.  Avoid things that cause you to achieve in the sight of men.  Count it all dung as Paul did. (Phil. 3)  Actively deal with this subject of the flesh wanting to exact itself in appearance before men.  Take all necessary steps to put this desire under and to keep it under.

And be sure you are doing this:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before (those thing before us today), 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Phil. 3

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Mt. 6;34

Focus on today.  Stop making all those plans for tomorrow.  Concentrate on that which is before you right now, today and do that.  Control your mind when it tries to shoot forth unto tomorrow.  And stop thinking of that which you did in the past.  If you think of past, think of that which God did.

Actively pursue the above instructions immediately and keep doing them.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  Col. 3

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will,  we shall live, and do this, or that. 16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
James 4


And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  James 6:8




Deceitful riches of reputation

Pam Padgett ... teacher

John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

As I thought of the chief rulers who believed in Jesus but didn't confess Him for fear of not being allowed in the synagogue, I was reminded of the parable Jesus told in which some seeds fell among thorns ... He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (Matthew 13: 22)

Riches of this world are deceitful, promising more or better than is actually the case.  To the chief rulers it was more important to have the praise of men and be allowed to continue in the synagogue than to confess that they believed in Jesus.  They held the "riches" of their reputation among men of greater value than the praise of God that will last forever.

Acceptance by the Pharisees sounds empty, "dead", and fleeting to us today.  But our flesh wants acceptance by those we know.  And, if we withhold speaking truth from God in order to be accepted by them, we find the situation, and even ourselves, being empty and dead as well.  

Acceptance and praise of man are deceitful riches, and cannot compare to what God has prepared for those who love Him and lay down their lives to serve Him.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

When God puts HIS desires into your heart

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Psalm. 37:4

God will put HIS desires into your heart when you delight in HIM.


Monday, July 23, 2012

Angel of the Lord

Pam Padgett ... teacher

An angel of the Lord was sent to Manoah's wife, telling her she would have a son who would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines, and gave instructions needed because the son was to be a Nazarite from the womb.  This son was Samson.

Judges 13:2 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. 3 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. 4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: 5 For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

His wife told Manoah what the angel said, and Manoah asked God to send the angel again to teach them what they should do ...  Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born. (Judges 13:8)  God sent the angel to them ... And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him? (Judges 13:12)

13 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware. 14 She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.
(Judges 13)

As I read this, it stood out to me that Manoah wanted to know what they were to do where the child was concerned, and was told the same things already told to his wife.  God gave them the information they needed at the time, according to His will. 

God knows what we need to know and provides that to us as He wills.  We may think we need to know more, and turn to God asking for more information.  If we're given nothing more at the time, we walk in the instruction we have been given, content and confident that, if anything more is needed in the future, God will provide it. 


Another example ... when Jesus spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul asked what he should do.  He was told the first thing to do ... go into the city ...  and he would be told what to do. 

Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

Paul went to the city as instructed, being led by those who could see since he couldn't.  For three days he was blind.  Paul was shown in a vision that Ananias would come and put his hand on him so that he would receive his sight.

Ananias was told by God to go to Paul.  Ananias knew that Paul had done many things against those who believed in Jesus, and turned to God with his concerns.  God confirmed that Ananias was to go and told him that Paul was chosen by Him.  So Ananias went, as he was instructed  ...

Acts 9:10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.



One day many questions started going through my mind such as "should I do this?   what about that?" (I don't remember the exact questions).  When turning to God with these questions, I had a thought which I believe was from the Holy Spirit "What has God told you to do?"   When I focused on what I believed God had told me and doing that, not allowing my mind to wander around to other things, I was able to move forward in peace.


We walk in that which God has instructed and revealed to us at this point, doing those things, and believing that God will give us anything else needed by the time it is needed.

God's protection

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Saul sought David to kill him.

David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. 25Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.  26And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. 27But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.  28Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.  29And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi. I Samuel 23

God causes events to happen to protect HIS anointed.


Sunday, July 22, 2012

Even devils recognize people of God

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Often people come to me praising the work that I do, recognizing I'm of God.

But that doesn't mean the person who recognizes me is of God.

It could even be a devil in that person that recognizes me.

We have the following examples of this in Bible ...

Acts 19 ... Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19

Mt. 4 ... Then 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. 

Acts 16 ... And 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.  

When they come to me, the basic question I have for them is, "What message is God speaking to you?"

I have the Spirit of God in me and when I hear what they say is of God in them, I can tell by the Spirit of God in me whether or not that which they speak is of God.

But just because they recognize me by what I speak does not mean I know them by the number of works they do.  First, I have to hear what God would be speaking to them.  When I have asked that, I've never had any answer at all from them although many have come to me saying they are of God and "praising" what I am doing and calling what I am speaking a work of God.


Critical issue for us to do today

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

I have both been going through something which is like I am going to be swept away.  And yet, in my case, there is no problem.  Yet it got so bad that I didn't think I was going to make it to the end.

Paul knew he could 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

Jesus said it would get so bad that if the time were not shortened even the elect would perish.

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Mt. 24:22

Keeping control of your mind is critical.  If you allow yourself to think of future or what you did in past, you can be in serious trouble.  One thing each of us have to do is live in the present.

I'm keeping these two scriptures before me constantly.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  Mt. 6:34

Pam told me once she was thinking of what might happen in future and she heard to "stay in present reality".

We cannot afford to entertain lying vanities.

We have to stop ... consider this exact minute ... what is happening in my life right now?  ... We may be surprised to find nothing is happening in our lives right now.  It is a fear of future that is deadly ...or a grief over what we have done in past ...

So we have to stay sober and control our minds and live in this present time.

What will it be like before Jesus comes?

I Thess. 5 ...But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.


Focus on today ... that which is before us today ... That is what Paul said he did, to focus on that which was before him, meaning that which was in front of him today not tomorrow.  He reached forth to do that which was "before him" immediately.  Draw your mind back and focus on now and stay "sober" not letting your mind drift away to imagining tomorrow and what might happen.

It will get very bad before Jesus returns.  But strangly the "badness" will be everything feeling okay ... "When they shall say, Peace and safety", then sudden destruction comes upon them ...

But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  Mt. 24

The destruction comes when it looks like there is no problem.

But we, who are of God, know everything is not okay.  Don't we know it is getting worse out there?  Certainly we see this.  How much longer can it go before the cup of evil is full?  For then comes the end.

In the meantime, we have to stay "sober" and endure with our minds focused on God and the word given by God.

We may reach a time we think we can't keep going.  But remember the promise that for the sake of the elect the days will be shortened so we can be saved.  Mt. 24:22

Check yourselves to be sure you are focused on the present and not on the past or future.  Make your mind focus on today.





Unmoved

Pam Padgett ... teacher

When Paul knew that bonds and afflictions would come to him when he went to Jerusalem, he still went ... not being moved by those things nor counting his life dear ...

Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.


dear:  regard with deep affection; cherish (protect and care for lovingly)

Paul wasn't moved by those things that were to happen to him, for he wasn't trying to protect or care for his life on this earth.  He was focused on finishing the work God had given him to do, and finishing it with joy.  

Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Rev. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.


Comments by Joan Boney ...  When we speak truth of the word of God to people around us, we often lose our lives "for the sake of the gospel".  When we know the truth on the matter at hand we need to be courageous to speak the truth.  Often we hold back because we know it will offend them if we speak.  We somehow justify not speaking.  But why are we on this earth if not to speak God's truth on the issues that surface?  We witness to the word of God when we speak truth.

There is a time to flee

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. 2But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: I Samuel 19

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither ... And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. Gen. 38

Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.  Isaiah 26

There are times when the evil is so bad we will simply hide ourselves.

I find my flesh to be very weak.  Sometimes God will just separate me.

If you dread going into something, maybe you shouldn't go.  It is not weak faith to stay home!  Everything depends upon what God wants, on what God tells you to do.


Saturday, July 21, 2012

Nothing hidden from God

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. 2But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:   I Samuel 19

When HE sent his disciples out into the world, Jesus said ... Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.  Mt. 10:26

The Holy Spirit in us guides us into all truth about issues of this present life.

We have information given us from God as needed.  We just need to focus on what God has shown us for it is truth.

For example:  After my mother died, my cousin wanted me to move to Albuquerque where she lives. But God gave me a dream showing me I could not go though my cousin's house.  So I moved to Lubbock, Texas.  And this has been a good place for me to live.

There is a woman from Bridge Center that I felt drawn toward like a daughter.  And I often felt kindly toward this woman.  But then God gave me a dream showing me this woman was having sex with another woman.  (I don't believe she is doing that but what she is doing is like that in the sight of God and God warns me about her so I would not be deceived concerning her.)  ... Several months passed and I began again to feel kindly toward this woman.  She has 3 cute dogs which I find appealing since I am animal lover.  I even considered talking with her.  But just as I considered this, God gave me another dream about her.  In this dream, I was walking down hall and met this woman. This woman was even worse than she had been before. She was very short and very fat and very deformed.  She could hardly walk she was so deformed.  I knew this was the truth about her.  She was much worse and it would not be a good thing to try to talk with her.  I left her alone.


Another example:  There had been a woman among our church group who was very destructive. She was removed from our group.   Recently God gave me a dream showing me "negative" concerning her and I knew there had been no change and she is still destructive.  I know God will show me her condition even though I'm not around her.

The times are very dangerous now.  I think we are living in the times Paul spoke of as "perilous".  II Tim. 3

And I believe God has shown me what we must do to endure these times.  We must learn to live the following two scriptures.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil   Mt. 6:34

We must learn to live in the present, between the past and future.  


I have made several copies of these two scriptures to keep them around my house so I can focus on them throughout the day and learn to live them.  I know they are critical in area of keeping my mind controlled and also living in peace.

Pam used to work for Fed Ex and when she first started working there the company allowed them to fly on the cargo planes in the jump seat which was in the cockpit with the pilots.  On one flight, an automated voice began to say, "Pull up ... Pull up ... Pull up".  The pilot took immediate action pulling the nose of the plane up toward the sky.

Sometime after this, Pam said she began to allow her mind to wander to what might happen in future and also began to think of things she had done in past and she heard ... "Pull up ... pull up ... pull up"  And she got control of her mind and focused on present.

We are going to have to learn to live in the present to endure.  We cannot allow our minds to race forward into what might happen in the future.  Nor can we wallow in what we have done wrong in the past.

It will take discipline, but we can do it if we set our minds to do it and if we meditate in the above scriptures day and night.  For meditating in the scriptures enables us to do the scriptures.

Jesus says ... Settle 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



Delivered by promises from God

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. II Peter 2

The word given us by God pertains to both life (here and now) and godliness (for this world and hereafter).

We escape through the promises of God when we focus on what God has said and believe what God has said.

God said to HIS people, to HIS chosen:

I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  Joshua 1:5 / Heb. 13:5

Paul said ... What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  Romans 8:31

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.   4Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:  Isaiah 26

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Jeremiah 17

This is your rest

Pam Padgett ... teacher

As various people come across my path, I hear of many activities they are involved in.  Although at one time I, too, was busy and rushing around, my life now is very different.  I didn't set out to have a quieter, less active life.  This has resulted as I've tried to do what I believe God was leading me to do along the way, and I am very grateful for the life I now have. 

 A big change in the past year for me has been retiring.  I had been praying for several months about various problems at my job, and then one day the following strongly stood out to me ... Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.  (Micah 2:10)  Although it was hard to imagine not working, I committed to God whether to look for another job.  So far, I don't believe I've been led to do this, and can afford to not work. 

Another scripture that was brought strongly to my attention by an exhortation some months ago is  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  (Hebrews 3:13)   To try to do this was very frightening to me at first, but God has helped me do as He has instructed.  As we share with each other, I find that I spend more time reading the Bible and meditating in scriptures.

My desire to do worldly activities has diminished, yet I am quite content and grateful to God for the way I believe He has led me.  Frequently I thank God that I'm not rushing around doing other things. 

While thinking about these things, I was reminded of Martha's sister Mary and that Jesus said she had chosen the "good part".  As we try to do whatever God has shown us to do, choosing to follow Him instead of ways of the flesh, we find those things that are not important are sorted out and that we have chosen that part which is good.    

Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Comments by Joan Boney ...

I've had several dreams recently and in each dream I'm shown secular things are "futile".


In each dream there has been activity but the end has been futility.


Our flesh loves excitement, change, action ... but God keeps showing me these things are futile.


The end time church described by Paul in II Tim. 3 was a church that was selfish and a church where they just kept learning but were never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  Futile.  All the running from one place to another to hear the word of God and running from one preacher to another to hear the word of God and yet never really coming to the knowledge of the truth leaves a people who have a "form of godliness" but they are not actually godly.

Those who are godly are those who hear from God and focus on that which they have heard, making appropriate changes based on that word they heard, being recreated in the image of that word.

For example, we are greatly recreated when we set our lives according to the following word spoken by Paul ...


Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation,  Phil. 2


If we are of God, let us set our life toward that way ... checking ourselves ... making ourselves of no reputation among other humans.  This recreates us in the image of Christ. Also this should free us to speak the word of God when we are with other people, instead of holding back the truth from them.  One reason we hold back is we want them to think well of us and inwardly we know they will despise what we say and maybe even despise us if we speak truth.

Friday, July 20, 2012

God provides for HIS people

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

When God led the children of Israel out of Egypt, God provided manna (food) in the wilderness for 40 years and God brought water out of the rock for them to drink.  There was no natural provision available so God gave supernatural provision that they could eat and drink and be sustained both in body and spirit. (They lived perfectly healthy lives without salads and such items people today think needful.)

We have another example of this in I Kings 17 ...

And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.  2And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 

So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 6And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. 7And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. 

The drought prophesied by Elijah dried up the brook being used by Elijah. So God made another provision for Elijah.


And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 9Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.  10So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 12And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

God had sent Elijah to a woman who was about to perish.  Yet she was going to be used by God to provide for Elijah and it was going to save her and also her son.

And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.  15And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.  16And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah. 
I Kings 17

God does not forsake HIS people.  If a supernatural act is required, God performs it.  Nothing is too hard for God.

For those of us who belong to God, we have many promises that God will provide for us as long as we live on this earth.

Paul says to the people of God ... But my God shall supply all your need ... Phil. 4:19

Build yourself up in the faith in God by thinking on all God has done for you in the past years and by the many promises of God written in the scriptures.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. II Peter 2