Thursday, January 31, 2013

Scripture: Shared by body of Christ

Matthew 25:31-46 ... When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Philippians 2:12-15 ... Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Seeking but not following God's wisdom

Pam Padgett ... teacher

When the king of Babylon carried away the Jews to Babylon, he left a small number of Jews in Judah and set Gedaliah as governor of the land.  When Jews who were in Moab, Ammon, and Edom heard this, they also returned to Judah.  The people were well fed in the land ....   

Jeremiah 40:11 Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan; 12 Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much

One of the men, Johanan, warned Gedaliah that the Ammonites had sent Ishmael to slay Gedaliah, but Gedaliah did not believe the warning.  Ishmael killed Gedaliah and carried away the people to go to the Ammonites.  But Johanan led captains of the force rescued the people and brought them to Chimham near Bethlehem, with plans to go into Egypt because they feared the Chaldeans ...

Jeremiah 41:16 Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, even mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon:17 And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt, 18 Because of the Chaldeans:for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.

Before going into Egypt, however, they asked Jeremiah to inquire of God what they should do and said they would obey ...

Jeremiah 42:2 And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the Lord thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) 3 That the Lord thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do. 4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the Lord your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the Lord shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you. 5 Then they said to Jeremiah, The Lord be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the Lord thy God shall send thee to us. 6 Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.

The word God gave to Jeremiah was that the people should remain in the land and not be afraid of the king of Babylon, for God would be with them and deliver them ...

Jeremiah 42:7 And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah. 8 Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, 9 And said unto them, Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him; 10 If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up:for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you. 11 Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the Lord:for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand. 12 And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.

And God warned them of what would happen if they went against HIS instruction and went into Egypt ...

Jeremiah 42:13 But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the Lord your God, 14 Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:15 And now therefore hear the word of the Lord, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there; 16 Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die. 17 So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.

The people, however, did not humble themselves and obey the word of the Lord.  In pride, they accused Jeremiah of speaking falsely.  And they went into Egypt ...

Jeremiah 43:2 Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely:the Lord our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:3 But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon. 4 So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the Lord, to dwell in the land of Judah. .... 7 So they came into the land of Egypt:for they obeyed not the voice of the Lord:thus came they even to Tahpanhes.

When in Egypt, the people burned incense to other gods, doing wickedly as their fathers had done in Judah before.  God sent warnings to them by Jeremiah, but the people would not pay attention to what Jeremiah spoke, choosing to follow their own ideas and trusting in other gods for their provision ...

Jeremiah 44:16 As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. 17 But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem:for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. 18 But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. 


The word of the Lord given to Jeremiah included ... 

Jeremiah 44:26 Therefore hear ye the word of the Lord, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the Lord, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord God liveth. 27 Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good:and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them. 28 Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.

The people had asked to know the way God would have them go, but then disregarded the instructions God gave them. As they failed to believe and obey what God told them to do, they lost sight that they lacked no wine and summer fruits in the land of Judah, and that they had been given promises by God that HE would be with them, establish them, and deliver them if they stayed in the land and not go into Egypt. Instead, they trusted in Egypt and in their own ideas and turned to gods that have no power, provoking the living and true God rather than trusting and obeying HIM

 I was reminded that those who trust in themselves or others instead of God, will be cursed and in a terrible state, not even being able to see when good comes  ...

Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.

But those who trust in God, seeking and following HIS word, are established and cared for by God  ...

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 8 For 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.

God opens our eyes to understand the Bible

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Paul said:  "Now I know in part."  I Cor 13

God gives us little bits of information concerning scripture.  I just know small fragraments though I read the Bible over and over from Genesis through Revelation.

Recently Pam did a writing where she quoted a passage concerning Pilate ... When I saw that passage was coming, I said to God, "I don't understand that scripture."  And as I read it, for the first time ever, I understood what Jesus was saying.  God opened my eyes.

Jn. 19 ... When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. 7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. 8When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; 9And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 10Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Jesus was saying, "Those who delivered me to you have the greater sin because they knew you have power to kill me and yet they delivered me to you."  Jesus was also saying to Pilate, "But you would not have this power except God enabled you to have it.  Your power in this is not of yourself but of God."

I don't try to understand the Bible.  I just read the Bible and God allows me to see the real meaning from time to time.  But I do not try to figure it out with my own mind. I often tell God, "I don't understand this scripture."  Sometimes HE explains it to me and other times HE does not explain it.  I just go forward either way.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Scripture: Shared by body of Christ

Philippians 1:6 ... Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 ... Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

James 5:7-11 ... Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts:for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned:behold, the judge standeth before the door. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Find our life when we lose it

Pam Padgett ... teacher

When the kings and people of Judah did not turn from their wickedness, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon overcame Jerusalem, carried away the people to Babylon, and burned houses in the city as God had warned through the prophet Jeremiah. 

Jeremiah 39:8 And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem. 9 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.

However, those who were poor were allowed to stay in the land of Judah and were given vineyards and fields ....

Jeremiah 39:10 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

Jeremiah, having faithfully delivered the messages of God to the people warning them to turn from their evil, was kept safe and allowed to choose whether to go to Babylon, or whether to dwell with those left in the land of Judah.  Jeremiah chose to be with the people left in Judah (Jeremiah 40:6) ...

Jeremiah 39:11 Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying, 12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee. 13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's princes; 14 Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home:so he dwelt among the people.

And God  sent Jeremiah to Ebedmelech to let him know that he would be delivered by God because he trusted in God ...

Jeremiah 39:15 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 16 Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee. 17 But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the Lord:and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. 18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee:because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord.

As I read this account, it stood out to me that those who were not rich in things of this world and those who served God and those who trusted in God were delivered from going into bondage in Babylon. 

This reminded me that Jesus taught us that we find our life (our life in Him) as we lay down our life on this earth ... treasuring not things of this world, but treasuring things of God, trusting in God and obeying Him being led by the Holy Spirit ....

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 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?

Jesus is coming

Sandra Kern ... Member of body of Christ

Sunday morning I awoke from a dream where I heard:  Time shall be no more.  Jesus is coming.


Comments by Joan Boney ...

"Yea!"  I said when reading the above report.

And then I was reminded of the following words of Jesus ...

Mt. 24 ... 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.

It will be "business as usual" until that sky turns black and the powers of heaven are shaken ...And when that happens "look up" for your redemption draweth nigh.

Lk. 21 ... And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 

II Peter 3 ... Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  


I am currently having some damage repaired on outside of my house.  If Jesus is coming why do that?  We take care of business because that is what Jesus said would happen.  Life goes on until that sky turns dark.  Then look up!

Several times recently, I have found myself saying:  "If we are still here next year."

It seems I have in my heart a feeling of removal from this earth whether it be by my death or by return of Jesus.  And often in the past few weeks I have cried out, "Please come get me."  And at some point, HE will.

How old is old?

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

One day, when I still played bridge, I overheard the director ask:  How old is old?  (How old do you have to be before you are old?)

I replied:  Seventy.

She was shocked:  "Seventy?" she exclaimed.

I replied:  "That's what the Bible says."

Psalm 90:10 ... The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.




It is good to know when you are old.  I am 75.  I know I am old.  I don't try to do things one would do at age of 30.  It would be foolish.

I have many invitations from pastors in India to go to India and speak.  I know I cannot travel.  This is something I would have loved doing at a younger age.  To do it now would be foolishness.  And I know God has shown me not to travel at this point in time.  I always tell them this.  (I travel now through internet and go all over world sharing these messages.)

Psa. 90:12 ... So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Scripture: Shared by body of Christ


Philippians 2:3-8 ... Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Psalm 146:5-10 ... 5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: 6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: 7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners: 8 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous: 9 The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. 10 The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.

Proverbs 18:10 ... The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 19:27 ... Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

Kept by God even in the night

Pam Padgett ... teacher

Recently while reading in Proverbs 23, a few verses especially stood out to me, and I spent some time thinking about what we're told here ...

Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Proverbs 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.

A few nights later I had a dream which was about a woman who has shown hostility toward me since I asked her to remove my name from a distribution list she used to send what she considered to be "cute" emails about animals, but which included things that exalt animals above God.  This woman is a widow.  In the dream she mentioned going to do something with her husband.  I looked at her hand and saw a wedding ring. 

Although it was in the night, I woke from the dream, and thoughts started coming that this woman is being treated better than I am, having a husband again while I am single.  But immediately the Holy Spirit reminded me of what we're told in Proverbs 23:17 ...
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.   As I thought about fearing God by choosing HIS way and HIS will for my life and knowing that HIS way is best for me, the "fire" that came with the thoughts from the devil was extinguished.
 

Then, immediately, another thought came reminding me of a man who had said and done things that grieved me greatly during the last few years I was working at FedEx.  Because FedEx is now offering financial incentives for people to quit or retire, he plans to retire and will receive a substantial amount of money in addition to retirement pay.  When I believe God led me to retire last year, this financial incentive was not offered, and the thought came that this man was treated better than me.  

As soon as this thought came, however, the Holy Spirit reminded me again reminded of Proverbs 23:17 as well as what we're told in Proverbs 23:4 ...Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.  I also was reminded of Micah 2:10 Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.  (This is the scripture that strongly stood out to me and I believe God used to show me to retire last year.)  Again, focusing on these things put to death the thoughts brought by the devil. 
  

It was unexpected to be so attacked by the devil in the middle of the night with thoughts that would bring resentment, envy, and discontentment.  But it was as though I had been strengthened and prepared before for the battle, and I was not alone in the battle as the Holy Spirit reminded me of exactly what was needed in the battle.  It wasn't that I was trying to think of scriptures, but the Holy Spirit was bringing the needed help to my mind. 

The devil is always looking for ways to harm and destroy us ...  

1 Peter 5:8-9  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

But God knows the snares that lie ahead of us and how to lead us in a way of safety ...

Psalm 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

It causes me to marvel and be very thankful to God to consider how God helps us, never leaving us, always with us, even in the middle of the night.  


Psalm 121:2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

Flesh profits nothing

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Jesus said:  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Jn. 6:63

The only way we are going to know the will of God in the various issues of this life is by the Spirit of God.  You can even search the scripture and find a scripture and try to do it and still not be in the way of God in the matter at hand.

Jesus explains:  (Ye) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. Jn. 5:38

Paul explains:  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  Romans 8:14

Real faith is not based on trying to find a scripture to stand on.  Real faith comes when the Spirit of God reminds us of a scripture as we consider an issue of this life...  Or as the Spirit of God reminds us of a dream which gives direction as we consider a specific issue...  Or as we have a thought from Spirit of God.  This is being led by Spirit.

A very real example of being led by the Spirit of God is contained in the writing "Fighting evil works on this earth"  / 1-27-13

Monday, January 28, 2013

Scripture: Shared by body of Christ

Ephesians 4:29-32 ... Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ... 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep
(die), but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ... But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep
(have died), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (die) in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

James 4:10 ... Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Psalm 16:11 ... Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 145:18 ... The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

The word of God cannot be destroyed

Pam Padgett ... teacher

God had sent Jeremiah to warn the kings and people of judgment HE would bring because of their evil deeds.  Then God told Jeremiah to write all of the words HE had spoken, giving the people another opportunity to turn from their evil way and to God ...

Jeremiah 36:1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. 3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

Baruch was called to write the words God had given to Jeremiah to speak.  Since Jeremiah was in prison, he told Baruch to read these words in the Lord's house so the people would hear them, and Baruch did this ...

Jeremiah 36:4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book. 5 And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the Lord: 6 Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the Lord in the ears of the people in the Lord 's house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.

The next year Baruch again read from the book for all to hear ....

Jeremiah 36:10 Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the Lord, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the Lord 's house, in the ears of all the people.

One who heard, Michaiah, went to the princes in the king's house and told them what he had heard.  When Baruch read these words for the princes, they were afraid and told these things to the king ...

Jeremiah 36:13 Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people. 14 Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them. 15 And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears. 16 Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words.

When the roll was read before the king, however, he destroyed the roll ...

Jeremiah 36:22 Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him. 23 And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.  

When king commanded that Jeremiah and Baruch be taken, God hid them.  And God told Jeremiah to take another roll and write the words again ...

Jeremiah 36:26 But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the Lord hid them. 

27 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, 28 Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.   ....  32 Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.


The roll of the book could be destroyed, but the word of God could not be destroyed. 

While thinking about this account, I thought of persecutions Christians have suffered for the sake of the gospel for hundreds of years, yet the word of God cannot be stopped or destroyed.  When the apostles started teaching about Jesus they were imprisoned and warned to stop, but they continued.  Gamaliel, a Pharisee, warned those trying to stop the apostles that if what the apostles were speaking and doing was of God, they would not be able to stop it, for they would be fighting against God ...

Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
  

 

Being born again

Renee Bonfield ... evangelist

I was born again in the winter of 1979. I didn't know what to do, so I got down on my knees praying and asking God how I can learn more about his Son Jesus. I was praying out loud, and then out of my mouth came "For all the words in the world can only come from the Lord." After that I kept asking "where would I find all the words in the world?" Then it hit me. In the Bible. 
At that time we had one Bible in the house, a 1901 American Standard version which Wheeler (husband) used when he studied the Bible at College. I tried many times to read it but didn't understand what I was reading, so I prayed asking God what to do about this. 
Then in 1980 I had taken James (autistic son) to a hospital in our neighborhood for extra speech therapy and occupational therapy as I felt he wasn't getting enough at school. On one of the days, James' speech therapist came out of her office holding a

Gideon Bible and asked me if I knew anyone who would like to have one as many were given to her. I immediately said "Yes, I would." The minute I began to read it, it felt like this was the Bible for me. I felt that this was a gift from God, and I used it for several years, underlining and highlighting scriptures. I since purchased other KJV Bibles, and put my Gideon Bible on a shelf.

On October 16, 1989 I had the following dream about Wheeler's sister Sylvia: In this dream Sylvia phoned me and said that she became born again. I was thinking of a way I could go to her house and baptize her.

Sylvia is now 85 years old. Her first husband died of stomach cancer, and she's been married to her second
husband, Ben for several years. Both Sylvia and Ben observe Jewish doctrine. They went to Bible study for a while (Old Testament only) and currently go for Torah study every Saturday. The Torah is a parchment scroll containing the Pentateuch which is the first five books of the O.T. also known as the first five books of Moses.

Last week Sylvia had surgery on one of her legs. Last Sunday I went to visit her. I asked God what I could
bring Sylvia. Every time I prayed I kept getting the same answer "The Gideon Bible." So this is what I brought her. I began to worry about her family coming to visit her and that I might not have the opportunity to give it to her. I didn't want to give it to her in front of other people. I asked God to please make a way for me to give her this Bible without anyone else there. Would you believe that no one else showed up for all the time I spent with her. First she said, no this is your Bible. Then I said, "I want you to have it." I didn't think she would ever read it, but the next evening I spoke with her on the phone and she said she started to read the Bible and found it very interesting. I've been rejoicing ever since, and thanking God for showing me to give her this Bible.

The following scripture kept coming to me: I Cor 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God that giveth the increase. 7: So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase.

Reply to Renee by Joan Boney ...

Renee:  I think you may have "baptized" your sister-in-law by giving her the word of God.

Sounds strange but as I read your dream where she said she had been born again and you baptized her, I thought, "She will baptize her by giving her the Word of God."
One time I had a dream that I baptized my dad.  He had recently been born again but not baptized.  I got call shortly after that dream saying he had fallen on floor and my mother said I needed to come immediately it was very bad.  My dad's 1/2 brother picked me up at airport and took me to Clovis.  I didn't think for a second he would have died because of my dream where I baptized him.  But when we reached the house, he had died.

Later I learned that my dad just listened over and over to the taped messages I was sending to the church at that time.  I knew he was baptized by the word spoken on those messages.  And I realized I had baptized him, but by the word.

God divides the light from the darkness

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Gen. 1 ... In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.


As I was reading this, I thought of how God took us out of darkness when HE revealed Himself to us and how HE separated us from the darkness that we had walked in and made us different so that we no longer fit in darkness as we once did.  Never again would we be as we once were.  We would not fit into the groups of people that we did before we were translated into light.  Those things we once loved we now saw as evil and avoided.  We, as light, are divided from the darkness of this world.  We will never be the same again.

God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. I Jn. 1

And if we belong to HIM, we are changed when HE reveals HIMSELF.  And when we are changed we become light and as light, we depart from darkness and often the darkness will depart from us.  Everything is different.

It is not that we see light.  We are light.  The change is instant.  We are no longer as we once were.  We don't grow into it.  We don't achieve it by works.  God changes us when we are chosen by HIM.  Salvation is of God by HIS will.  Certainly we grow but there is an instant change at the first touch of God.

There is a big difference between trying to change and being changed.  God speaks to us and we are changed just as the light was created in the beginning.  And when this happens we are at the beginning.

Trying to change is our flesh doing the work.  And this will not work.

Being changed is not of ourselves.  It is God doing HIS work.  Therefore we are HIS workmanship, created by HIS Spirit.

If you have already been changed by God, you know what I am speaking about.  But the creation must be from God by HIS Spirit.  We cannot do it of our own will.

Romans 9 ... Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For 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. 9For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.   13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14What shall we say then?  Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.


I Peter 2 ... But 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:   

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Scripture: Shared by body of Christ

Ephesians 2:8-10 ... For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Proverbs 23:4-5 ... Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Proverbs 23:17 ... Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.

Turning to God in times of trouble

Pam Padgett ... teacher

In Psalm 142 we have an example of turning to God in the midst of trouble.  This man
laid the matter out before God, turning to and trusting in God in the midst of the trouble ....   

Psalm 142:1 I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. 2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.  

The way of God in dealing with problems is not to be strong in ourselves or in other people, nor to try to ignore or minimize the problems we are facing.  The way of God is to turn to Him with our whole hearts, honestly laying out the problem before Him, and asking for His help and guidance.   


Although this man was overwhelmed by the trouble, God knew each detail about the situation ....  

Psalm 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.  

God knows even traps laid by the devil and our enemies that we are unaware of.  Nothing is hidden from God, and He guides us knowing the best way for us to go.   


Even though other people abandoned him, God did not ... 
 
Psalm 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. 5 I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

Regardless of what other people may or may not do to help us in the midst of our trouble, God is with us.  God guides, protects and provides for us as we deal with various matters on this earth.  We look to Him as our refuge and portion. 



While considering these things, I was also reminded of the following ...

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

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Fighting evil works on this earth

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Recently I was watching a TV series on PBS concerning the Abolition movement that happened in the USA just before the Civil War.

When we see the evils done by humans against humans we want to fight.

But as I watched this, I was reminded of these scriptures:

Concerning Jesus ... Mt. 12:19 ... He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.  

Jn. 18:36 ... Jesus said ...   My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

I Cor. 7 ... Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Scripture: Shared by body of Christ

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ... Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And 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. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Hebrews 10:35-39 ... Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Translated by God into the Kingdom of HIS Son

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Col. 1 ... Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 

Translated means to be changed.

God just changed us.  And after we were changed we sought things of God.  It wasn't that we changed by our efforts, by reading Bible or going to church.  The change occurred and then we sought things of God.  This is what it means to be translated into the kingdom.  This is also what it means to be born again.

We are not born again by our own will.  There is an elect of God.  We know this by the following:

Romans 9 ... For 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. 9For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.   13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14What shall we say then?  Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.


If you have had this experience of sudden or real change, then you were probably "translated" in to the kingdom by God and not by anything you did.  It was just by the will of God.

At the end of our lives on this earth a similar change will occur.  There will be another translation by God where we shed these earthly bodies and take on heavenly bodies.

Paul explains:

I Cor. 15 ... Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

It will be a very fast change.  "In the twinkling of an eye" ... If you blink your eyes, it will be that fast. And then we will be taken off this present earth.

I Thess. 4 ... But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (concerning those who have died), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep.  16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

But those who are alive on this earth at the coming of Jesus will be changed before being removed according to I Cor. 15:51-52.  We will not have these current bodies.  We will shed these bodies and be translated (changed) into another body.  (Read I Cor. 15)

Friday, January 25, 2013

Scripture: Shared by body of Christ

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ... Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Proverbs 8:32-36 ... Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Psalm 138:3 ... In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

Hated for the sake of the word of God

Pam Padgett ... teacher

Jesus taught that as He was hated, so we will be hated if we believe in Him and uphold His word.  We must endure the various tribulations we face, continuing in the faith, throughout our lives ...

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Jesus gave teachings and instructions that help us to endure persecutions.  We are reminded that Jesus has gone before us in being hated.  If we are following Him, we will be treated as He was ...

Matthew 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

Jesus gave us help in dealing with the fears that come to us when we are persecuted, teaching that the truth about each situation we face will be revealed at some point; it cannot be hidden ... those who hate us have no power over our souls so we must not fear them, but fear God ... and God cares deeply for us and is watching over each detail of our lives; we are not abandoned ...

Matthew 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

We are assured that enduring persecutions because of the word of God is not in vain, for is we speak and act before men according to the word of God, Jesus will confess us before the Father.  But if we don't, Jesus will deny us before the Father. 

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

And Jesus prepared us to be hated even by our own families ...

Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

As we are persecuted because of the word of God, we "lose" our life among those of the world as they shun, hate, and try to harm us.  Jesus taught us, however, that when we lose our life among those of the world, we find our life (our life in Him) ...

Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

We are also strengthened by Paul reminding us that the suffering we endure on this earth doesn't compare to the glory to come ...


Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

And Peter exhorted us to rejoice and not be ashamed when we suffer for the sake of the word of God ...

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Making every minute count

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Recently I was talking with a medical doctor and she said she was reading the Classics and mentioned "Ulysses" by Homer.

When I returned home, I downloaded a sample of Ulysses (I've never read it) and found immediately it spoke of many gods ... I just deleted this from my e-reader.

As I thought about this woman and her interests and how she had to feel she was making the most of her spare time, I thought of the way of the world and how they often do this.

But we are servants of God ... and as a "servant" we simply read the Bible and do what stands out to us as we read the Bible and then we simply remain still and wait until the Holy Spirit brings to our attention something to do before we do it.

Most things people do will amount to nothing at all in the day of judgment.

But we have the following statement for direction:

I Cor. 15:58 ... Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

And we have the examination done by Solomon and his judgment after he examined his own works on this earth.

Eccl. 1 ... I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.  14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

And Solomon concluded:

Eccl. 12 ... Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

And Jesus said ...

Mt. 7 ... Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them,  I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

And as we wait to hear from the Holy Spirit or as we wait for return of Jesus, we remember the following concerning the wise and the foolish:

Mt. 25  ... Jesus said ... Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

We keep oil in our lamps by reading the Bible, paying attention to that which the Holy Spirit speaks, doing that which HE instructs, and waiting in faith, ceasing from our own works.  (Heb. 3-4)

Recently I heard this instruction from the Holy Spirit:  "You don't have to believe anything except that which is in the Bible and that which the Holy Spirit speaks."

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Scripture: Shared by body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:4-12 ... Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

Hebrews 4:14-16 ... Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

This world cannot compare to what lies ahead

Pam Padgett ... teacher

Yesterday I recalled a dream I had many years ago, in approximately 1977 ...

There was a large number of us wearing white robes in the presence of God, although I didn't see God in the dream.  We were all praising God ... that was our entire focus.  Although we saw each other, our attention was not drawn to one another, but to God.  I was happy there were so many of us praising God, because HE is so worthy of praise.  It was wonderful there

(I didn't want to wake up from the dream; I kept wanting to go back, rather than waking up to this world.) 

Although its been around 35 years since having this dream, it is still so clear to me how wonderful it was in the dream. 

We can sometimes get caught up in activities, things, and relationships of this world.  But nothing of this world is nearly as wonderful as what God has prepared for us and being with HIM forever.

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 we go off the road

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Recently I had the following dream:  I was driving on a two lane highway and I kept falling asleep and the car drifted off the road and when I hit the thistles along the side of the highway I would awaken and pulled the car back onto the road.  Several times this happened.  Then all of a sudden the road ended.  The car was out in space.  There was a beautiful cliff ahead.  I commented to God about how beautiful HIS creation was.  Down below there was valley with tall pines and open space.  

Sometimes as we are going through life, we find ourselves doing things the way of other humans and then we awaken and pull back from that way because that way is rough.  We get back on the smooth highway which is the way of God.

There are many different areas which seem right to humans but are not the way of God.  We might participate with them briefly but when we awaken we get back on the way of God.

Recently I ran across this in the medical field.  I have been taking sleeping pills each night since my accident two years ago.  I have to go to doctor once a year to get pills during the year.  She wants to do preventive medicine but from the first time I went to her I explained she might not want to work with me because I wasn't going to do yearly tests doctors want to do.  She said she would work with me.  The last time I went to her, I agreed to have blood test.  But this concerned me and I prayed.  The morning of the test, I went to her office and got the papers to take to the lab.   The office worker in the lab explained that only one of the 4 tests was approved by medicare insurance and I might have to pay for the other 3 tests.  When I asked what these tests were, he said he was not permitted to tell me.  So I decided not to take any tests and I left.

(Mt. 9:12 ... Jesus said ... They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick... The way of the medical world in USA today is to do what they call preventive medicine where they look for illness when there is no sign of illness.  I don't participate in preventive medicine.  Their way seems wise to them but I view it as a way of thorns and thistles.  I choose not to go this way based on the above words of Jesus.)

After leaving the lab, I was reminded of the dream of falling asleep and hitting the thistles and awakening and pulling back onto the highway.

Also concerning the highway dream, at the end of the road, I was on the road.  I would hope this would show me that at the end of my life I was on the road of God, on HIS paved highway.

And the road itself was narrow, 2 lanes.  And there were no other cars on the road, no traffic.

Mt. 7 ... 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. 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Scripture: Shared by body of Christ

Proverbs 19:21 ... There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

Hebrews 11:1 ... Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Philippians 2:3-4 ... Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.


We wrestle not against flesh and blood

Pam Padgett ... teacher

Jeremiah spoke what God gave him to speak, warning the people of judgment of God to come upon them unless they turned from their evil ways ...

Jeremiah 26:1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the Lord, saying, 2 Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord 's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord' s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word: 3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings. 4 And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, 5 To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened; 6 Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth. 7 So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord.

As a result of speaking these things, they were against Jeremiah and took him to be put to death ...

Jeremiah 26:8 Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die. 9 Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

The princes of Judah heard the accusations against Jeremiah and Jeremiah's response, and found no cause for Jeremiah to be put to death ...

Jeremiah 26:10 When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king's house unto the house of the Lord, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the Lord 's house. 11 Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.

12 Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. 13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. 14 As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. 15 But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.

16 Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.

While reading of those seeking to have Jeremiah put to death without cause, for doing what God told him to do, I recalled how the chief priests looked for a way to have Jesus put to death without cause, for speaking truth from God ...   

Luke 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

Luke 23:1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. 3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it. 4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. 5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

As Jesus and Jeremiah did and spoke according to the will of God
to turn His people from their sins and to deliver them, they were accused without cause, the devil stirring up hatred against them. 

Although most of us don't face physical death today as a result of obeying God, we face hatred and ridicule without cause, the devil trying to stop us from doing and speaking according to the will of God. 

I was reminded that Paul told us that we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, spiritual wickedness in high places ...

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  


And Paul counseled us to be strong in the Lord, putting on the whole armor of God, daily preparing (arming) ourselves and purposing to walk in those things which allow us to stand against what the devil uses to stop us, that we might do the will of God ...
 
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

We arm ourselves with truth, determining to not deal in lies or deception and to speak those things we are led to speak by the Holy Spirit, letting it shine as light to those around us.  We keep ourselves in peace, controlling our flesh which would rise up in conflict and hatred, and turning to God with those things that disturb us seeking His way to restore peace in our lives.  We believe and live by the word of God, and deal with thoughts brought by the devil by turning to God and replacing the devil's lies with God's truth in our hearts.  We trust in the blood of Jesus, not our own works, for our salvation.  We read and meditate in the word of God.  We pray, turning to God with all of our cares and depending on Him.