I Cor. 12
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed:and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 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. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee:nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need:but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church (to care for the church), first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts:and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
I Cor. 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth:
but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
(Providing daily encouragement for the body of Christ by the Spirit of God to help the church in the end times.)
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
I Corinthians 11
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head:for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn:but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God:but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves:is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her:for her hair is given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper:and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:this is my body, which is broken for you:this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying,
This cup is the new testament in my blood:this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
(Jesus is speaking of eating and drinking the WORD of God ... this is not the drinking of grape juice as some fleshly church leaders set up for the church ... This entire passage is speaking of eating and drinking the Word of God ... Joan Boney)
26 For as often as ye eat this bread (The Word), and drink this cup (The Word), ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread (The Word), and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself (by The Word), and so let him eat of that bread (examining himself as he reads the WORD), and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh (The Word of God) unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31 For if we would judge ourselves (by the Word of God), we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head:for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn:but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God:but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves:is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her:for her hair is given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper:and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:this is my body, which is broken for you:this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying,
This cup is the new testament in my blood:this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
(Jesus is speaking of eating and drinking the WORD of God ... this is not the drinking of grape juice as some fleshly church leaders set up for the church ... This entire passage is speaking of eating and drinking the Word of God ... Joan Boney)
26 For as often as ye eat this bread (The Word), and drink this cup (The Word), ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread (The Word), and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself (by The Word), and so let him eat of that bread (examining himself as he reads the WORD), and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh (The Word of God) unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31 For if we would judge ourselves (by the Word of God), we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
Helped by God when blocked from seeing what to do
Pam Padgett - teacher
I needed to have a door and a light replaced in my house and arranged for a small handyman business to do this work. Yesterday a man from the business told me he thought they would be able to do the work today but that he needed to check the schedule later and let me know for sure. Since I planned to be home today, it was fine with me to not know until later whether they would come, and I didn't even notice that he hadn't called yesterday.
However, late last night one of my cats got sick. She's an older cat I was very concerned and started considering what I should do and prayed asking God to help me. I felt that the cat needed to be seen by a vet today. But then I remembered that I hadn't heard back from the handyman. I felt blocked from making a vet appointment until the handyman called me, and even asked God to have him call early today so I could make the vet appointment.
Then a thought came (from the Holy Spirit) that I didn't need to wait on the handyman to call, but I could call him first thing in the morning. Of course! This was so simple and much better than what I had asked. I had been blocked by what the man said he would do (that he would call me) ... but God was able to get through the blockage and show me how to handle this.
This morning first thing I called the handyman business and the vet. A handyman was able to come today at a time when he could finish the work in plenty of time for me to get the cat to the vet appointment.
When I called the handyman today, the brother of the man I had previously talked with returned my call and also came to do the work. They work together in the handyman business. This man said his brother had become ill yesterday afternoon. I think this is why he had not called yesterday as he said he would, and he probably wouldn't have called today even if I had waited for his call.
As we face various issues and matters, we can sometimes see only one option based on what someone has said, something that has happened in the past, or how we've dealt with a similar matter in the past. It seems that we need to go in that way.
But God knows and is able to lead us in the best way as we turn to Him and lay our concerns out before Him.
I needed to have a door and a light replaced in my house and arranged for a small handyman business to do this work. Yesterday a man from the business told me he thought they would be able to do the work today but that he needed to check the schedule later and let me know for sure. Since I planned to be home today, it was fine with me to not know until later whether they would come, and I didn't even notice that he hadn't called yesterday.
However, late last night one of my cats got sick. She's an older cat I was very concerned and started considering what I should do and prayed asking God to help me. I felt that the cat needed to be seen by a vet today. But then I remembered that I hadn't heard back from the handyman. I felt blocked from making a vet appointment until the handyman called me, and even asked God to have him call early today so I could make the vet appointment.
Then a thought came (from the Holy Spirit) that I didn't need to wait on the handyman to call, but I could call him first thing in the morning. Of course! This was so simple and much better than what I had asked. I had been blocked by what the man said he would do (that he would call me) ... but God was able to get through the blockage and show me how to handle this.
This morning first thing I called the handyman business and the vet. A handyman was able to come today at a time when he could finish the work in plenty of time for me to get the cat to the vet appointment.
When I called the handyman today, the brother of the man I had previously talked with returned my call and also came to do the work. They work together in the handyman business. This man said his brother had become ill yesterday afternoon. I think this is why he had not called yesterday as he said he would, and he probably wouldn't have called today even if I had waited for his call.
As we face various issues and matters, we can sometimes see only one option based on what someone has said, something that has happened in the past, or how we've dealt with a similar matter in the past. It seems that we need to go in that way.
But God knows and is able to lead us in the best way as we turn to Him and lay our concerns out before Him.
God answers prayer
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Recently I had appointment at 11 am for TV installer to come to my house and complete the installation of my new TV.
I didn't feel at all well when I awoke. My stomach was upset. I was almost vomiting and had diarrhea. The installer was due in 30 minutes. I asked God to help me, to please cause me to recover before installer showed up at my house. I specifically prayed that during installation I wouldn't even remember being ill.
The installer was more than an hour late in arriving for the appointment! This really helped me. By the time he arrived, I was able to concentrate on the project.
During the installation I never once thought of the physical problem I had been having that morning!
After installer left, I was fine physically.
My prayer was answered in every detail.
Recently I had appointment at 11 am for TV installer to come to my house and complete the installation of my new TV.
I didn't feel at all well when I awoke. My stomach was upset. I was almost vomiting and had diarrhea. The installer was due in 30 minutes. I asked God to help me, to please cause me to recover before installer showed up at my house. I specifically prayed that during installation I wouldn't even remember being ill.
The installer was more than an hour late in arriving for the appointment! This really helped me. By the time he arrived, I was able to concentrate on the project.
During the installation I never once thought of the physical problem I had been having that morning!
After installer left, I was fine physically.
My prayer was answered in every detail.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
I Corinthians 10
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink:for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them:and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased:for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples:and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body:for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh:are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God:and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils:ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient:all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake:for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other:for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased:for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples:and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body:for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh:are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God:and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils:ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient:all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake:for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other:for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Hearing from God to do exhortations from Psalms
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Recently I got a new TV and spent a lot of time tuning the picture. I said to God: "I don't want to do TV. I want to do Bible."
I had a gentle thought, "Psalms".
The next day, again I was refining the TV picture and again I said to God: "I don't want to do more TV. I want to do Bible."
Again I was reminded: "Psalms"
After that second word, I began writing the various promises of God to the Church that are presented in Psalms.
When I started this, I had no idea at all that I was going to do exhortations on these verses. (I just thought I was going to print those verses in Psalms.)
Then at one point I asked Pam to write something that had happened to her as an example for one of the Psalms. Also the Holy Spirit was greatly expanding the writings as I wrote. It got bigger and bigger. I really didn't expect it to evolve this way.
It all reminds me of a recent dream: In the dream, I was involved in a project and it got bigger and bigger. I had no idea it was going to get so big. I was in the right place at the right time to do this work and I had the right people working with me.
As I began writing the various verses and doing exhortations on each of the promises, I remembered something my favorite aunt said to me before she died. She had asked the teacher at her church to do teachings on the Book of Psalms. He said to her, "That would take too much time." She thought, "What difference did it make how much time it took?"
My aunt would have greatly enjoyed these exhortations on Psalms. That makes me very happy to think of this.
But I love getting to do these. Nothing could please me more. I'm so grateful to God that I can do these.
And it builds me up in the faith as I know it will also build each of you who belong to God up in things of God.
It is like a fine banquet. Enjoy!
Recently I got a new TV and spent a lot of time tuning the picture. I said to God: "I don't want to do TV. I want to do Bible."
I had a gentle thought, "Psalms".
The next day, again I was refining the TV picture and again I said to God: "I don't want to do more TV. I want to do Bible."
Again I was reminded: "Psalms"
After that second word, I began writing the various promises of God to the Church that are presented in Psalms.
When I started this, I had no idea at all that I was going to do exhortations on these verses. (I just thought I was going to print those verses in Psalms.)
Then at one point I asked Pam to write something that had happened to her as an example for one of the Psalms. Also the Holy Spirit was greatly expanding the writings as I wrote. It got bigger and bigger. I really didn't expect it to evolve this way.
It all reminds me of a recent dream: In the dream, I was involved in a project and it got bigger and bigger. I had no idea it was going to get so big. I was in the right place at the right time to do this work and I had the right people working with me.
As I began writing the various verses and doing exhortations on each of the promises, I remembered something my favorite aunt said to me before she died. She had asked the teacher at her church to do teachings on the Book of Psalms. He said to her, "That would take too much time." She thought, "What difference did it make how much time it took?"
My aunt would have greatly enjoyed these exhortations on Psalms. That makes me very happy to think of this.
But I love getting to do these. Nothing could please me more. I'm so grateful to God that I can do these.
And it builds me up in the faith as I know it will also build each of you who belong to God up in things of God.
It is like a fine banquet. Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
I Corinthians 9
1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you:for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written:that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
15 But I have used none of these things:neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me:for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of:for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward:but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak:I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And 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. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:27 But 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.
3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written:that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
15 But I have used none of these things:neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me:for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of:for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward:but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak:I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And 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. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:27 But 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.
Booklet #2: Dealing with destructive thoughts (Part 3)
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
The most common destructive thought is over money. You may even see your own income decrease while expenses increase. This can be very fearful. What should you do?
-Try to ignore the thought and think of something else? No ...
-Take the view that God will take care of you, no matter what? No, there may be some action you need to take in your life...
The only safe way to deal with this matter is to turn to God asking HIM if there is some action you should take or will it be alright. After prayer we wait until we are persuaded by God and then "rest" in what we hear from HIM or if we hear to do something we take appropriate action.
I caution you to be willing after prayer to wait patiently and not to try to force the issue which could end up with your imagining the solution rather than hearing from the Spirit of God.
Many times over the past 30+ years I have had fearful thoughts come over money. Each time we must pray and be willing to make changes if needed. But it must be God who shows us what to do.
=========
Another troubling problem comes when something happens to your house and you have no idea what you should do about it. Usually we don't know who to get to fix the problem.
This happened to me this past year. My roof suffered hail damage and the insurance company was going to pay to replace the roof but who should I get to fix the roof. I didn't know what to do so I prayed. Shortly after committing this to God I heard one word (in form of thought) ... "contractor", the man who built my house. I called him and he sent two roofing companies to speak with me. I was troubled with one company but I liked the other company so I went with them though their price was higher. I feel the replacement roof is a better roof than the original roof.
========
A few days ago something troublesome happened and I failed to pray ...
My water bill failed to arrive in mail. I knew if I didn't pay on time there would be a penalty. I tried to call the water company but to get through the switchboard I had to give my 14 digit customer number which I did not have because I did not have a bill showing that number.
Then I tried to reach water company by Internet but again I couldn't get through unless I presented my customer number which I did not have. There was an emergency number and I called that and reached the mayor's office of the city of Lubbock. I was shocked. But I explained the problem and the woman listening seemed very kind.
Later I found a way to file a complaint with water company by Internet. I had no complaint but I did tell my problem by email. A reply said they would be in touch with me in 2 business days.
And I even wrote a letter to water company telling my problem and asking someone to call me and I sent it US mail.
That same afternoon I went to mail box and there was my water bill. I was so embarrassed.
The next day I received phone calls from mayor's office and water company. I apologized greatly to both. The lady at water company said they have changed their billing program and this caused delay in normal billing so she really understood my concern.
Looking back, I can't remember praying at all about this although at one point the thought did come that the bill would arrive in the mail (Holy Spirit trying to show me what would happen. Jn. 16:13)
We often frustrate ourselves needlessly by failing to pray.
(Now I have my 14 digit customer number in a notebook in case of future problem.)
===========
Jesus said ... These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jn. 16:33
God has answers to everything!
Mt. 10:26 ... Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
=============
And a universal common problem concerns other people ... family members, neighbors, friends, acquaintances, employers, co- workers ...
There is a person who has caused me great grief over and over for 30+ years. I have prayed many times over her. I have counseled her to no avail. Nothing seemed to work. But I have kept turning to God about her. I had 4 dreams showing me she was getting worse and worse. I did keep praying. Then I received a dream where there was a pier where boats dock. We were standing together at the end of that pier. I felt that was showing me at the end she will be okay. I rejoiced. And since that time I have not been troubled at all about her. When we hear from the Spirit of God we anchor our thoughts on that which we heard from God and we just keep refocusing on that word. We now have the basis for faith in the matter at hand for we have heard from God.
I have two troublesome cousins. In both cases, I believe God has shown me just to leave them alone. (I have prayed often over them.) Fortunately for me they do not live near the city where I live. One called recently. I just did not answer the phone. She didn't ask me to return her call and I didn't return her call for I know I can't communicate with her at this time in a profitable way. There are times I want to send her writings but then God reminds me of things which show me that will not work so I do not send them to her. At this point, I just feel to stay still where both cousins are concerned.
The only thing we can do where anyone is concerned is to pray, continually casting our care on God ... and to wait, doing nothing until you are fully persuaded God has shown you to something or having faith when you believe you have been shown something by God after prayer, resting in that which you believe to be from God. Nothing else will work.
===========
Then there are medical concerns and the many thoughts that come to us as a result. Each of these must be dealt with through prayer Asking God if there is any change you can make to help the situation. Sometimes is it necessary to change doctors. Whatever issue we deal with requires prayer over each issue each time it surfaces and waiting until persuaded by God to do something.
I have an eye disease (glaucoma) and have been going to a specialist for several years. At a recent appointment he said, "The pressure is very good. What I am concerned about is your loss of vision. Make another appointment in 5 months." And with that he left the room. I was terrified. I talked with God: What should I do. Can I go to another doctor who explains things to me? How could I even find another doctor? Immediately I was reminded of the man who fills the lenses prescriptions. I called and asked if there was a specialist on this side of town and found another doctor and he said my vision problem is cataracts and when they are "ripe" he can operate, and the glaucoma is to be controlled by taking eye drops and with 4 month eye exams to keep the pressure under control. (It seems the first doctor had some faulty equipment and that presented the reason for his concern over what the tests showed about my vision. The new doctor's eye-test machines did not show a major problem.)
===========
In this world, as we go through this life, we will have trouble ... but Jesus said to be of good cheer. HE has overcome this world. And as we pray and turn to God with each issue, we have a mighty advocate.
===========
Pam Padgett (Bible teacher) had the thought: "You're getting too preachy." So she acted on that thought and began watering down her teaching until it became powerless. I talked to her about the change. Then she told me of the thought that she was getting too "preachy". But she failed to take that thought to God to see if it was from Him.
Later that night I was reminded of the following scripture:
I Cor. 1:21 ... For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
After this, Pam had following experience: She awoke one morning with a terrible fear that she could not do the work of God. She cried out to God for help and the following was brought to her mind.
Isaiah 41:10 ... Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
The devil brought the negative thought to Pam and the devil brought the fear to Pam. This is what the devil does. Anti-Christ means opposite to Christ ... opposite to the will of God.
God brought the truth to Pam when she turned to HIM.
But also note that when she opened the door on the first thought by failing to turn to God, the devil then brought the fear.
We have to deal with these thoughts otherwise we open more doors for devils to attack us with thoughts that would take us opposite to the way of God.
===============
Destructive thoughts can come directly to our minds or they can come through people.
Recently a man railed out at me over the writing I've done on the Lord's supper being the handling of the word of God rather than eating crackers and drinking grape juice as many churches do.
I turned to God after the rebuke from this man. I asked God, "What about this?"
Immediately, I felt I heard from God as follows: "Think of your life during the past 30 years."
God has given me many messages and put me on Internet to deliver these messages. I haven't partaken of crackers and grape juice in a church gathering for more than 30 years. As soon as God taught me the message that the Lord's supper is not crackers/grape juice, I quit partaking of such. I deal constantly with scripture and the word from God and act upon it and am constantly supported by God and instructed by the Spirit of God in ways of God. I continually judge myself and correct myself. And this is exactly what we read in I Cor. 11. When we correctly partake of the "Lord's supper", we will judge ourselves by the Word of God through the Spirit of God. We do not judge ourselves with crackers/grape juice. There is no power at all in crackers/grape juice. This is not the Lord's supper. The Lord's supper is the Word of God. These Internet writing we do are a big table of food set by God. This is the Lord's supper. We can fill our plates daily and eat at HIS table daily at will through reading and doing these writings. Thus I was completely assured by that which I believe to be the Spirit of God on the issue at hand.
Also when I was praying about this message I had given and about the man railing out against me over the message, I had the following scripture brought to my mind.
I Peter 4:19 ... Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
And that is what I did in this.
=========
Another example of a destructive thought and what God gave me when I prayed:
In mid-April I had written several writings on Internet the same day and the thought came that I was writing too much. I turned to God with this thought, asking Him for HIS view. Immediately I was reminded by the Holy Spirit of the following instruction from the Bible. Heb. 10:25 ... exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The closer we get to the return of Jesus the worse things of this world will get. Jesus said because iniquity would abound the love of many would wax cold. Mt. 24
So as the iniquity of the world increases we need even more exhortations, not less.
This answer from God is solid and gives an anchor for faith in the matter.
=========
One of the most common fears concerns money.
I have had many financial concerns during the past years. Each time the fear comes, I turn to God. I ask God if there is anything I need to do. Do I need to cut back in my spending in any area? Most often God will give me a scripture after I pray and by that I know what to do. But each time the fear comes concerning money I pray again.
==========
Recently I was writing an exhortation for the church and the thought came: "It won't do any good to write these things."
Immediately another thought came that was true: "By the foolishness of preaching it pleased God to save them that believe." 1 Cor. 1
The devil sent the first thought to stop the work of God.
The Holy spirit spoke the second thought to show the truth from God and the will of God.
Paul says we must bring every thought to the obedience of Christ (obedience of the Word). This is the essence of the subject of Taking Thoughts Captive.
The most common destructive thought is over money. You may even see your own income decrease while expenses increase. This can be very fearful. What should you do?
-Try to ignore the thought and think of something else? No ...
-Take the view that God will take care of you, no matter what? No, there may be some action you need to take in your life...
The only safe way to deal with this matter is to turn to God asking HIM if there is some action you should take or will it be alright. After prayer we wait until we are persuaded by God and then "rest" in what we hear from HIM or if we hear to do something we take appropriate action.
I caution you to be willing after prayer to wait patiently and not to try to force the issue which could end up with your imagining the solution rather than hearing from the Spirit of God.
Many times over the past 30+ years I have had fearful thoughts come over money. Each time we must pray and be willing to make changes if needed. But it must be God who shows us what to do.
=========
Another troubling problem comes when something happens to your house and you have no idea what you should do about it. Usually we don't know who to get to fix the problem.
This happened to me this past year. My roof suffered hail damage and the insurance company was going to pay to replace the roof but who should I get to fix the roof. I didn't know what to do so I prayed. Shortly after committing this to God I heard one word (in form of thought) ... "contractor", the man who built my house. I called him and he sent two roofing companies to speak with me. I was troubled with one company but I liked the other company so I went with them though their price was higher. I feel the replacement roof is a better roof than the original roof.
========
A few days ago something troublesome happened and I failed to pray ...
My water bill failed to arrive in mail. I knew if I didn't pay on time there would be a penalty. I tried to call the water company but to get through the switchboard I had to give my 14 digit customer number which I did not have because I did not have a bill showing that number.
Then I tried to reach water company by Internet but again I couldn't get through unless I presented my customer number which I did not have. There was an emergency number and I called that and reached the mayor's office of the city of Lubbock. I was shocked. But I explained the problem and the woman listening seemed very kind.
Later I found a way to file a complaint with water company by Internet. I had no complaint but I did tell my problem by email. A reply said they would be in touch with me in 2 business days.
And I even wrote a letter to water company telling my problem and asking someone to call me and I sent it US mail.
That same afternoon I went to mail box and there was my water bill. I was so embarrassed.
The next day I received phone calls from mayor's office and water company. I apologized greatly to both. The lady at water company said they have changed their billing program and this caused delay in normal billing so she really understood my concern.
Looking back, I can't remember praying at all about this although at one point the thought did come that the bill would arrive in the mail (Holy Spirit trying to show me what would happen. Jn. 16:13)
We often frustrate ourselves needlessly by failing to pray.
(Now I have my 14 digit customer number in a notebook in case of future problem.)
===========
Jesus said ... These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jn. 16:33
God has answers to everything!
Mt. 10:26 ... Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
=============
And a universal common problem concerns other people ... family members, neighbors, friends, acquaintances, employers, co- workers ...
There is a person who has caused me great grief over and over for 30+ years. I have prayed many times over her. I have counseled her to no avail. Nothing seemed to work. But I have kept turning to God about her. I had 4 dreams showing me she was getting worse and worse. I did keep praying. Then I received a dream where there was a pier where boats dock. We were standing together at the end of that pier. I felt that was showing me at the end she will be okay. I rejoiced. And since that time I have not been troubled at all about her. When we hear from the Spirit of God we anchor our thoughts on that which we heard from God and we just keep refocusing on that word. We now have the basis for faith in the matter at hand for we have heard from God.
I have two troublesome cousins. In both cases, I believe God has shown me just to leave them alone. (I have prayed often over them.) Fortunately for me they do not live near the city where I live. One called recently. I just did not answer the phone. She didn't ask me to return her call and I didn't return her call for I know I can't communicate with her at this time in a profitable way. There are times I want to send her writings but then God reminds me of things which show me that will not work so I do not send them to her. At this point, I just feel to stay still where both cousins are concerned.
The only thing we can do where anyone is concerned is to pray, continually casting our care on God ... and to wait, doing nothing until you are fully persuaded God has shown you to something or having faith when you believe you have been shown something by God after prayer, resting in that which you believe to be from God. Nothing else will work.
===========
Then there are medical concerns and the many thoughts that come to us as a result. Each of these must be dealt with through prayer Asking God if there is any change you can make to help the situation. Sometimes is it necessary to change doctors. Whatever issue we deal with requires prayer over each issue each time it surfaces and waiting until persuaded by God to do something.
I have an eye disease (glaucoma) and have been going to a specialist for several years. At a recent appointment he said, "The pressure is very good. What I am concerned about is your loss of vision. Make another appointment in 5 months." And with that he left the room. I was terrified. I talked with God: What should I do. Can I go to another doctor who explains things to me? How could I even find another doctor? Immediately I was reminded of the man who fills the lenses prescriptions. I called and asked if there was a specialist on this side of town and found another doctor and he said my vision problem is cataracts and when they are "ripe" he can operate, and the glaucoma is to be controlled by taking eye drops and with 4 month eye exams to keep the pressure under control. (It seems the first doctor had some faulty equipment and that presented the reason for his concern over what the tests showed about my vision. The new doctor's eye-test machines did not show a major problem.)
===========
In this world, as we go through this life, we will have trouble ... but Jesus said to be of good cheer. HE has overcome this world. And as we pray and turn to God with each issue, we have a mighty advocate.
===========
Pam Padgett (Bible teacher) had the thought: "You're getting too preachy." So she acted on that thought and began watering down her teaching until it became powerless. I talked to her about the change. Then she told me of the thought that she was getting too "preachy". But she failed to take that thought to God to see if it was from Him.
Later that night I was reminded of the following scripture:
I Cor. 1:21 ... For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
After this, Pam had following experience: She awoke one morning with a terrible fear that she could not do the work of God. She cried out to God for help and the following was brought to her mind.
Isaiah 41:10 ... Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
The devil brought the negative thought to Pam and the devil brought the fear to Pam. This is what the devil does. Anti-Christ means opposite to Christ ... opposite to the will of God.
God brought the truth to Pam when she turned to HIM.
But also note that when she opened the door on the first thought by failing to turn to God, the devil then brought the fear.
We have to deal with these thoughts otherwise we open more doors for devils to attack us with thoughts that would take us opposite to the way of God.
===============
Destructive thoughts can come directly to our minds or they can come through people.
Recently a man railed out at me over the writing I've done on the Lord's supper being the handling of the word of God rather than eating crackers and drinking grape juice as many churches do.
I turned to God after the rebuke from this man. I asked God, "What about this?"
Immediately, I felt I heard from God as follows: "Think of your life during the past 30 years."
God has given me many messages and put me on Internet to deliver these messages. I haven't partaken of crackers and grape juice in a church gathering for more than 30 years. As soon as God taught me the message that the Lord's supper is not crackers/grape juice, I quit partaking of such. I deal constantly with scripture and the word from God and act upon it and am constantly supported by God and instructed by the Spirit of God in ways of God. I continually judge myself and correct myself. And this is exactly what we read in I Cor. 11. When we correctly partake of the "Lord's supper", we will judge ourselves by the Word of God through the Spirit of God. We do not judge ourselves with crackers/grape juice. There is no power at all in crackers/grape juice. This is not the Lord's supper. The Lord's supper is the Word of God. These Internet writing we do are a big table of food set by God. This is the Lord's supper. We can fill our plates daily and eat at HIS table daily at will through reading and doing these writings. Thus I was completely assured by that which I believe to be the Spirit of God on the issue at hand.
Also when I was praying about this message I had given and about the man railing out against me over the message, I had the following scripture brought to my mind.
I Peter 4:19 ... Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
And that is what I did in this.
=========
Another example of a destructive thought and what God gave me when I prayed:
In mid-April I had written several writings on Internet the same day and the thought came that I was writing too much. I turned to God with this thought, asking Him for HIS view. Immediately I was reminded by the Holy Spirit of the following instruction from the Bible. Heb. 10:25 ... exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The closer we get to the return of Jesus the worse things of this world will get. Jesus said because iniquity would abound the love of many would wax cold. Mt. 24
So as the iniquity of the world increases we need even more exhortations, not less.
This answer from God is solid and gives an anchor for faith in the matter.
=========
One of the most common fears concerns money.
I have had many financial concerns during the past years. Each time the fear comes, I turn to God. I ask God if there is anything I need to do. Do I need to cut back in my spending in any area? Most often God will give me a scripture after I pray and by that I know what to do. But each time the fear comes concerning money I pray again.
==========
Recently I was writing an exhortation for the church and the thought came: "It won't do any good to write these things."
Immediately another thought came that was true: "By the foolishness of preaching it pleased God to save them that believe." 1 Cor. 1
The devil sent the first thought to stop the work of God.
The Holy spirit spoke the second thought to show the truth from God and the will of God.
Paul says we must bring every thought to the obedience of Christ (obedience of the Word). This is the essence of the subject of Taking Thoughts Captive.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
I Corinthians 8
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge.
Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge:for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God:for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge:for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God:for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Booklet #2: Dealing with destructive thoughts (Part 2)
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Sometimes destructive thoughts can even be silly and humorous they are so absurd. This happened to a church friend many years ago. She was a magnificent singer. People like her protected their voice at all times. One day she was in her car at stop sign and the thought came, "Wouldn't a cigarette taste good right now?" She sat there for a few seconds "entertaining" that thought and then came alive and literally screamed, "NO ... a cigarette wouldn't taste good right now." (She had never smoked a cigarette in her entire life.)
Most destructive thoughts are far more serious and bring fear or dread.
Dread is a very important matter which must be dealt with each time it surfaces.
To dread means:- uneasiness in face of something ahead
It is so very important to commit the issue to God in prayer when we dread something that lies ahead. Sometimes we are going in a wrong way and God will lead us to make changes to completely remove the planned event. We have to be willing to change. Even when we have given our word to someone, if we dread that which lies ahead, we might need to get out of the situation. Two scriptural examples are as follows.
Prov. 6 ... My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 3Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. 4Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
Mt. 14 ... At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 2And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 3For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. 4For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 7Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. 8And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. 9And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. 10And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
There are times it is better to cancel the dreaded meeting or event when possible.
Only through asking God, can we be assured in what we should do in such cases
Here is an example I had many years ago of "dread" ...
I had closed my business in Dallas because I was persuaded I was to go into the ministry. But I had no where to go. For six-months I lived off the money from the sale of the business merchandise. I stayed at my apartment and read Bible during this time.
A job opened at Christ for the Nations school in Dallas. I prayed, of course, and seriously considered the job. It was Dean of Women at the college. But I found I just didn't want to go there. (dread) At one point the thought came, "You just don't want to be that far away from Neiman-Marcus (a department store)" That was so silly. I hardly ever went to Neimans and rarely purchased anything there. I knew the devil was trying to get me to take that job. I declined the job and continued staying at home with no prospects for employment but I did have money from my business. About a month later, God awoke me in the night with what I believe to have been the loud voice of an angel with the words: Hartford, Seattle, KWJS ... This caused me to go on radio and within a very short time, I was on radio from east coast to west coast of USA. This was the plan of God for me and not Christ for the Nations where the dread was.
=========
Here is a wonderful example of working through dread by turning to God. This is a report from Pam Padgett, in our church group and a teacher to body of Christ.
Pam says ... Many years ago when I first started going to college, God showed Himself strong on my behalf. My older sister had been at college two years when I started attending the same school. She dated a man who was a member of a fraternity, and had become a member of the fraternity's "women's auxiliary", assisting with fraternity social functions. She was very excited for me to join the social circles she was in, and especially wanted me to meet members of the fraternity.
The first week of school my sister invited me to go to a student bar where many of the fraternity guys gathered on Thursday nights. I went, but found what was going on there to be so bad (lewdness, drunkenness, etc.) that I was unable to stay and I walked back to the dormitory.
A week or so later my sister asked if I'd go to an outdoor luau with one of the freshmen "pledges" at the fraternity. The luau site was about 20 miles away near a river, and there would be a campfire. The setting was very appealing to me, plus I was excited about having a date, and I agreed to go.
Then, a few days before the luau, my sister told me that arrangements had been made for one of the other fraternity guys to take me to the luau because my date would be spending the day at the luau site building a hut for us ... a young man I had never even met was building a hut "for us"!
Suddenly the reality of this luau became very clear to me. This was not going to be people sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows. The lewdness and drunkenness I had seen at the student bar was probably mild compared to what would be going on at this luau ... and I wouldn't be able to walk home.
I told my sister that I couldn't go along with this and did not want to go, but she kept insisting that it was too late for me to back out, that it was too late for this guy to find another date.
I turned very strongly to God, asking Him to somehow get me out of this situation. There seemed no way out. At one point I asked God to let me have appendicitis, preferring to be in a hospital having surgery than to go to this luau.
The morning of the luau I woke up and checked to see if I might have any pain that would indicate appendicitis, and was disappointed that I felt fine. I kept praying for God to somehow work this out. Time was really running out! When I looked outside, it was raining a little, but not much. However, the rain became heavier and heavier as the day went on.
Around 2 pm I received a call from the fraternity guy who planned to take me to the luau site. He told me how sorry he was to have to tell me this, but the luau had to be cancelled. The luau site had been totally flooded, washing away all the huts that had been built, which would include the hut my date had built for us. He told me how long the luau had been held at this same site (many years) and, although there had been rain at times in the past, nothing like this had ever happened before, flooding and causing the luau to be cancelled.
I rejoiced, knowing that God had delivered me.
===========
(Continued: Joan Boney)
Recently, I was watching the Ken Burns TV series on The Civil War (1860-65 in USA). As I watched the mistreatment of slaves I was so upset and found myself being pulled deeper into this conflict until I was reminded of the following scriptures which set me in the way of God and removed me from the "good" (and bad) of this world.
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.
By these two scriptures, I knew that I was not to involve myself in the strife and worldly disputes even when those things are unfair and terrible, for the kingdom of God is not of this world. We, like those who have gone before us, look for a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness (II Peter 3).
We will never be able to make this present world righteousness no matter what we do.
And John said: And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness I Jn. 5:19
And Paul said this world would not get better but worse.
II Tim. 3 ... 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 Peter 3 ... Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
So by this, I freed myself from my own emotions and preferences and from the campaigns of worldly men who think they do good.
To be continued tomorrow ...
Jesus provided the way for us to be children of God
Pam Padgett - teacher
After Jesus rose from the dead, He spoke with Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre ...
John 20:16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Jesus' message for the brethren spoke of the Father as my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Reading this reminded me that by His life, death and resurrection, Jesus provided the way for us to be children of God. All of our sins are paid for. And because of what Jesus has done, those who are called by God are born again by His Spirit living in us and leading us, enabling us to serve God rather than continuing to serve the flesh and go in the ways of this world.
Those who are led by the Holy Spirit are children of God.
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
... 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
After Jesus rose from the dead, He spoke with Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre ...
John 20:16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Jesus' message for the brethren spoke of the Father as my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Reading this reminded me that by His life, death and resurrection, Jesus provided the way for us to be children of God. All of our sins are paid for. And because of what Jesus has done, those who are called by God are born again by His Spirit living in us and leading us, enabling us to serve God rather than continuing to serve the flesh and go in the ways of this world.
Those who are led by the Holy Spirit are children of God.
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
... 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Monday, January 26, 2015
I Corinthians 7
1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me:It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence:and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband:and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry:for it is better to marry than to burn.
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband:and let not the husband put away his wife.
12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord:If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband:else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases:but God hath called us to peace. 16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. 18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it:but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For 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. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord:yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. 27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh:but I spare you.
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short:it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it:for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not:let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
38 So then he that giveth in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth not in marriage doeth better.
39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment:and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence:and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband:and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry:for it is better to marry than to burn.
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband:and let not the husband put away his wife.
12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord:If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband:else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases:but God hath called us to peace. 16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. 18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it:but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For 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. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord:yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. 27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh:but I spare you.
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short:it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it:for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not:let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
38 So then he that giveth in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth not in marriage doeth better.
39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment:and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
Booklet #2: Dealing with destructive thoughts (Part 1)
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Most of us have the experience where all of a sudden we realize we are a little down ... Very often the cause for this is taking in some form of destructive thought. These fearful thoughts often come through TV shows, books, memories, or by something said by another person. Since they trouble us we don't want to think about them, so too often we "sweep them under the rug" to get them out of our minds only to have a depressed feeling surface later.
In the Bible we have scriptures telling us how to deal with troubling thoughts. And if we will deal with these immediately, we will not suffer as we do when we try to ignore these thoughts which trouble us. But it takes a diligence to deal with destructive thoughts.
Part 1: Taking Thoughts Captive
We have to do what Paul instructed in the following scripture:
Phil. 4:6 ... Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
The first step is to turn to God with the trouble area and pray. Let your requests in the matter be made known unto God. What would you like God to do in your behalf?
Phil. 4:7 ... 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
When we fail to deal in a spiritual way with negative thoughts, we may end up "forsaking our own mercy." Job. 2:8 ... They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Example: Recently I wrote something as a teaching example. It was something that happened with another person. Although I have no reason to think this person would ever read anything I would write, still there was a fearful thought. "What if he sees this. He might be angry that I wrote this." (Although I did not use his name, he would know it was what he did.)
Immediately I began praying. I asked God not to let this hurt this man in any way. It was not written to hurt anyone but rather to give the church an example of how things can go wrong if you follow the wrong spirit which I'm persuaded this man had done in this case.
James 4:7 ... Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
We submit ourselves to God in prayer as we take the problem to God.
If we are reminded of a scripture after prayer, we "stand" on that scripture, building our faith on that scripture, thereby resisting the devil with the word God has given us in the matter after we pray. And we have the promise that the devil will flee from us.
Many of the destructive thoughts that come to us are from spirits of the devil. And those spirits will often bring thoughts which are opposite to God, thus the thoughts are "anti" Christ, opposite to the Word.
Paul explains: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; II Cor. 10
When something troubles people of the world they use fleshly ways to deal with the trouble. Some clean out closets. Some go shopping. Some pick up phone and share their troubles with another person. These people "war after the flesh".
But our weapons are "mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." Brick by brick, as we pray over the situation, we remove that wall that has been build over the years by this type of problem.
"Casting down imaginations" ... Haven't we often been troubled over nothing? Sometimes these imaginations can eat up our lives and cause us to be in a type of paralyses. But we have a secure weapon if we will use it. When we belong to God we have access to the power of God which never fails. All we have to do is turn to God in prayer and pour out our hearts to God in prayer. And Paul says when we do this, the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (the word which comes to us after prayer). We place our faith in what God gives us on the matter at hand.
Sometimes I can even feel the weight lift from my shoulders after I pray when I have been troubled over something.
And there are many "high sounding thoughts" that come exalting themselves against the knowledge we have of God. These are "anti-Christ" ... opposite to the word of God. Nevertheless these are troubling thoughts and must be dealt with through prayer.
Our first way of escape is to STOP ... AND PRAY ...
Sometimes we remember to pray over the "big" things ... but ignore the "little" things ...
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
Song of Solomon 2:15
It is important to take those little things that trouble us to God also.
in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Phil. 4:6
When we fall asleep and let the troubles pile up without prayer, we put ourselves in danger.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, I Peter 5
One of the aspects of "pure religion" in the sight of God is to keep ourselves unspotted from the world.
James 1:27 ...Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit (judge) the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
This is all a part of taking thoughts captive to bring them into obedience of God.
(One thing I would warn you about. It is not sufficient to just read this writing. You must now do this writing to make your act complete. Therefore I encourage you to examine yourself immediately. Is there any fear? Is there any thing you dread in future? Is there any thing troubling you? You must take each problem area and turn to God and lay the problem out before God, asking HIM for help ... Asking God what HE wants you to do ... then you wait until you believe you have heard from God and then take appropriate action.)
To be continued tomorrow ...
Most of us have the experience where all of a sudden we realize we are a little down ... Very often the cause for this is taking in some form of destructive thought. These fearful thoughts often come through TV shows, books, memories, or by something said by another person. Since they trouble us we don't want to think about them, so too often we "sweep them under the rug" to get them out of our minds only to have a depressed feeling surface later.
In the Bible we have scriptures telling us how to deal with troubling thoughts. And if we will deal with these immediately, we will not suffer as we do when we try to ignore these thoughts which trouble us. But it takes a diligence to deal with destructive thoughts.
Part 1: Taking Thoughts Captive
We have to do what Paul instructed in the following scripture:
Phil. 4:6 ... Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
The first step is to turn to God with the trouble area and pray. Let your requests in the matter be made known unto God. What would you like God to do in your behalf?
Phil. 4:7 ... 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
When we fail to deal in a spiritual way with negative thoughts, we may end up "forsaking our own mercy." Job. 2:8 ... They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Example: Recently I wrote something as a teaching example. It was something that happened with another person. Although I have no reason to think this person would ever read anything I would write, still there was a fearful thought. "What if he sees this. He might be angry that I wrote this." (Although I did not use his name, he would know it was what he did.)
Immediately I began praying. I asked God not to let this hurt this man in any way. It was not written to hurt anyone but rather to give the church an example of how things can go wrong if you follow the wrong spirit which I'm persuaded this man had done in this case.
James 4:7 ... Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
We submit ourselves to God in prayer as we take the problem to God.
If we are reminded of a scripture after prayer, we "stand" on that scripture, building our faith on that scripture, thereby resisting the devil with the word God has given us in the matter after we pray. And we have the promise that the devil will flee from us.
Many of the destructive thoughts that come to us are from spirits of the devil. And those spirits will often bring thoughts which are opposite to God, thus the thoughts are "anti" Christ, opposite to the Word.
Paul explains: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; II Cor. 10
When something troubles people of the world they use fleshly ways to deal with the trouble. Some clean out closets. Some go shopping. Some pick up phone and share their troubles with another person. These people "war after the flesh".
But our weapons are "mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." Brick by brick, as we pray over the situation, we remove that wall that has been build over the years by this type of problem.
"Casting down imaginations" ... Haven't we often been troubled over nothing? Sometimes these imaginations can eat up our lives and cause us to be in a type of paralyses. But we have a secure weapon if we will use it. When we belong to God we have access to the power of God which never fails. All we have to do is turn to God in prayer and pour out our hearts to God in prayer. And Paul says when we do this, the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (the word which comes to us after prayer). We place our faith in what God gives us on the matter at hand.
Sometimes I can even feel the weight lift from my shoulders after I pray when I have been troubled over something.
And there are many "high sounding thoughts" that come exalting themselves against the knowledge we have of God. These are "anti-Christ" ... opposite to the word of God. Nevertheless these are troubling thoughts and must be dealt with through prayer.
Our first way of escape is to STOP ... AND PRAY ...
Sometimes we remember to pray over the "big" things ... but ignore the "little" things ...
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
Song of Solomon 2:15
It is important to take those little things that trouble us to God also.
in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Phil. 4:6
When we fall asleep and let the troubles pile up without prayer, we put ourselves in danger.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, I Peter 5
One of the aspects of "pure religion" in the sight of God is to keep ourselves unspotted from the world.
James 1:27 ...Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit (judge) the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
This is all a part of taking thoughts captive to bring them into obedience of God.
(One thing I would warn you about. It is not sufficient to just read this writing. You must now do this writing to make your act complete. Therefore I encourage you to examine yourself immediately. Is there any fear? Is there any thing you dread in future? Is there any thing troubling you? You must take each problem area and turn to God and lay the problem out before God, asking HIM for help ... Asking God what HE wants you to do ... then you wait until you believe you have heard from God and then take appropriate action.)
To be continued tomorrow ...
Pleasures for evermore
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
On this present earth, we get something new in our lives and for a short time we are excited about it and before long we have forgotten it and pursue something else which is exciting to us.
But in heaven it will be so different. There the excitement will never fade away.
Psalm 16 ... Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
On this present earth, we get something new in our lives and for a short time we are excited about it and before long we have forgotten it and pursue something else which is exciting to us.
But in heaven it will be so different. There the excitement will never fade away.
Psalm 16 ... Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
I Corinthians 6
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another.
Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you:but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient:all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats:but God shall destroy both it and them.
Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price:therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another.
Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you:but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient:all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats:but God shall destroy both it and them.
Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price:therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Faith comes by hearing from God
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Romans 10:17 ... faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Yesterday I heard a word from the Spirit of God and I did that word as soon as possible.
Today I have no additional word from the Spirit of God so I continued in the words I have already heard.
This is the way faith operates.
When we hear a word from the Spirit of God we focus on that word, taking appropriate action according to that word.
But we cannot act upon a word until we first hear that word. And when we hear no new word, we continue in that word previously given to us. When we need to hear something, we will hear something. God is able to reach us. We just pay attention and keep doing that which we have already been shown to do.
The most recent word I have had concerns a TV. It was only 1 year old but had picture problems. I tried to locate the dealer but could not find him in phone book nor on internet. I could not get this fixed by the company. So for a year I had struggled with the picture, trying to adjust it by using the settings of contrast, brightness, sharpness, color, tint ... As I was trying to adjust the picture recently, I heard the following gentle word, as if someone stood over my shoulder watching me struggle with the ongoing problem: "You don't have to live with this." I thought about this concept and said: "That's right!" ... I have money and can buy another TV. The humans rationalizes that this TV is only a year old. But it really makes no difference if you can't get it fixed and if you have money to replace it and especially if you have heard from God on the matter. And I believe this instruction was from God by HIS Spirit and was sent to make my life better and to keep me from having to deal with this troubling area which can be resolved. I heard this word around 7 pm. As soon as possible (the next day), I went out and purchased a new TV.
When we believe we have a word from God we can have the necessary faith to move according to that which we have heard.
=========
Just before Thanksgiving Day (USA), I received a greeting card from a woman. She told me she was having 25 people in for Thanksgiving dinner. She told me she and husband were going to daughter's house for Christmas. She told me grandson married in October. She has what looks like a very full life and I have no one. As I was thinking about this, I heard the following in form of thought ... This was sent to me by God through the Holy Spirit: "You are dead and your life is hid with Christ." I thought a second and replied: "That's right!"
Faith comes by hearing that word from God by HIS Spirit concerning the matter at hand. When God speaks to us then we have the foundation needed for faith in the matter.
I turned to Col. 3 ... 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:6 For which things 'sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free:but Christ is all, and in all.
God keeps us by the Word given to us by HIS Spirit, usually brought to us in the form of a thought.
Faith is based upon that Word we have heard from the Spirit of God.
============
On January 10, 1979, an angel of the Lord stood over my as I slept and spoke three words into my ear: "Hartford, Seattle, KWJS"... It was like a trumpet blowing in my ear. I jumped out of bed. I wrote these words on notepad, not wanting to get them wrong. KWJS turned out to be a radio station. "God are you telling me to go on radio? I wouldn't know how to do that." "Call the radio station manager." (gentle thought) ... So that is what I did. Within a week I was on radio.
First comes the word from God ... then faith based upon that word.
===========
In March, 2012, I had a dream ... A woman was singing to a small group of people. It was a nice little voice. It was a little voice but a nice little voice. Somehow the blog was brought into the dream. I realized it was a way to speak to the people. After I awoke, I asked Pam Padgett to set up a blog for us on Internet so we could speak to the church. It has been a nice "little" voice for the past 3 years and it has gone all over the world instantly and cost us nothing to print the messages daily.
Faith to do this came by the word delivered to me by the dream.
=============
So faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
Don't try to do anything until you've heard to do it. Even Jesus said he could do nothing until HE heard from God. Jn. 5:30
Jesus said .... Jn. 5:30... I can of mine own self do nothing:as I hear (from God the Father), I judge:and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Romans 10:17 ... faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Yesterday I heard a word from the Spirit of God and I did that word as soon as possible.
Today I have no additional word from the Spirit of God so I continued in the words I have already heard.
This is the way faith operates.
When we hear a word from the Spirit of God we focus on that word, taking appropriate action according to that word.
But we cannot act upon a word until we first hear that word. And when we hear no new word, we continue in that word previously given to us. When we need to hear something, we will hear something. God is able to reach us. We just pay attention and keep doing that which we have already been shown to do.
The most recent word I have had concerns a TV. It was only 1 year old but had picture problems. I tried to locate the dealer but could not find him in phone book nor on internet. I could not get this fixed by the company. So for a year I had struggled with the picture, trying to adjust it by using the settings of contrast, brightness, sharpness, color, tint ... As I was trying to adjust the picture recently, I heard the following gentle word, as if someone stood over my shoulder watching me struggle with the ongoing problem: "You don't have to live with this." I thought about this concept and said: "That's right!" ... I have money and can buy another TV. The humans rationalizes that this TV is only a year old. But it really makes no difference if you can't get it fixed and if you have money to replace it and especially if you have heard from God on the matter. And I believe this instruction was from God by HIS Spirit and was sent to make my life better and to keep me from having to deal with this troubling area which can be resolved. I heard this word around 7 pm. As soon as possible (the next day), I went out and purchased a new TV.
When we believe we have a word from God we can have the necessary faith to move according to that which we have heard.
=========
Just before Thanksgiving Day (USA), I received a greeting card from a woman. She told me she was having 25 people in for Thanksgiving dinner. She told me she and husband were going to daughter's house for Christmas. She told me grandson married in October. She has what looks like a very full life and I have no one. As I was thinking about this, I heard the following in form of thought ... This was sent to me by God through the Holy Spirit: "You are dead and your life is hid with Christ." I thought a second and replied: "That's right!"
Faith comes by hearing that word from God by HIS Spirit concerning the matter at hand. When God speaks to us then we have the foundation needed for faith in the matter.
I turned to Col. 3 ... 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:6 For which things 'sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free:but Christ is all, and in all.
God keeps us by the Word given to us by HIS Spirit, usually brought to us in the form of a thought.
Faith is based upon that Word we have heard from the Spirit of God.
============
On January 10, 1979, an angel of the Lord stood over my as I slept and spoke three words into my ear: "Hartford, Seattle, KWJS"... It was like a trumpet blowing in my ear. I jumped out of bed. I wrote these words on notepad, not wanting to get them wrong. KWJS turned out to be a radio station. "God are you telling me to go on radio? I wouldn't know how to do that." "Call the radio station manager." (gentle thought) ... So that is what I did. Within a week I was on radio.
First comes the word from God ... then faith based upon that word.
===========
In March, 2012, I had a dream ... A woman was singing to a small group of people. It was a nice little voice. It was a little voice but a nice little voice. Somehow the blog was brought into the dream. I realized it was a way to speak to the people. After I awoke, I asked Pam Padgett to set up a blog for us on Internet so we could speak to the church. It has been a nice "little" voice for the past 3 years and it has gone all over the world instantly and cost us nothing to print the messages daily.
Faith to do this came by the word delivered to me by the dream.
=============
So faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
Don't try to do anything until you've heard to do it. Even Jesus said he could do nothing until HE heard from God. Jn. 5:30
Jesus said .... Jn. 5:30... I can of mine own self do nothing:as I hear (from God the Father), I judge:and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
I Corinthians 5
1 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. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For 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, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To 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.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:10 Yet 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.
11 But 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.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
NASB ... I Cor. 5
1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife. 2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.
3 For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so- called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.
NIV... I Cor. 5
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate:A man is sleeping with his father's wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?
3 For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. 4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked person from among you."
3 For 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, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To 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.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:10 Yet 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.
11 But 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.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
NASB ... I Cor. 5
1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife. 2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.
3 For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so- called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.
NIV... I Cor. 5
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate:A man is sleeping with his father's wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?
3 For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. 4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked person from among you."
Turning to God
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
About 3 weeks ago, I was trying to tune picture on TV. (I've been having problem with picture for several months.)
As I worked on getting picture better, I heard gentle voice in form of thought: "You don't have to put up with that."
I stopped what I was doing and considered what I had just heard. I thought of the money that has accumulated monthly from my social security check and I realized what I had heard was true and I replied: "That's right!"
I went to store immediately and purchased a TV. The man at the store said it would only take a few days to get the set into Lubbock. He said it could be installed the first of the following week. I heard nothing at all from the store and the first of the following week arrived. I called the store and the TV had not arrived. A few more days passed and I heard nothing from the store. I called the store and they said it should be in that day or the next. I waiting 3 more days and heard nothing from the store. At this point I asked God to help get the TV in and to help get an installation schedule with the sound guy who would be installing the set. I called the store toward the end of the 2nd week and asked about the TV and the man said, "Oh ... is that that 70" TV." He didn't seen to know me nor the order and was very casual about the whole thing. I replied "yes" it was. He then said, "It just came in." Nothing had been done to set up installation. He said he would get with the installer. The way things were going I suspected that would put us into the 3rd week and even then installer might not have time to do the installation immediately. At this point, I heard to call the installer myself. I tried that spirit to see if it was from God and it was. I knew the name of the installer. I go to his wife's beauty shop. I called the installer and he said he would go to the store the next day and pick up the set and come to my house around noon to do the installation. Since I am paying the installer for the installation I felt it was totally in order for me to call him and set this up with him. Technically I'm hiring the installer.
I believed God led me all the way in this situation and I was so happy to have a firm schedule with the installer for I know how difficult this can be with sound install people.
About 3 weeks ago, I was trying to tune picture on TV. (I've been having problem with picture for several months.)
As I worked on getting picture better, I heard gentle voice in form of thought: "You don't have to put up with that."
I stopped what I was doing and considered what I had just heard. I thought of the money that has accumulated monthly from my social security check and I realized what I had heard was true and I replied: "That's right!"
I went to store immediately and purchased a TV. The man at the store said it would only take a few days to get the set into Lubbock. He said it could be installed the first of the following week. I heard nothing at all from the store and the first of the following week arrived. I called the store and the TV had not arrived. A few more days passed and I heard nothing from the store. I called the store and they said it should be in that day or the next. I waiting 3 more days and heard nothing from the store. At this point I asked God to help get the TV in and to help get an installation schedule with the sound guy who would be installing the set. I called the store toward the end of the 2nd week and asked about the TV and the man said, "Oh ... is that that 70" TV." He didn't seen to know me nor the order and was very casual about the whole thing. I replied "yes" it was. He then said, "It just came in." Nothing had been done to set up installation. He said he would get with the installer. The way things were going I suspected that would put us into the 3rd week and even then installer might not have time to do the installation immediately. At this point, I heard to call the installer myself. I tried that spirit to see if it was from God and it was. I knew the name of the installer. I go to his wife's beauty shop. I called the installer and he said he would go to the store the next day and pick up the set and come to my house around noon to do the installation. Since I am paying the installer for the installation I felt it was totally in order for me to call him and set this up with him. Technically I'm hiring the installer.
I believed God led me all the way in this situation and I was so happy to have a firm schedule with the installer for I know how difficult this can be with sound install people.
Those alive from the dead
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Romans 6:13 ... yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
"as those that are alive from the dead" ... Think of how it feels to be no longer with the dead ... How grateful you would be ... This is how we feel toward God when HE has revealed Himself to us and caused us to be born again ... we are no longer a part of those dead people of this world ... now we are alive! Gratitude to God ...
Recently at beauty shop, my operator began her normal questions ... "did you do anything interesting over the holidays" ... I replied, "Just the same things I always do." Sounds boring and lifeless to active, worldly people. But what they do not realize is while I am dead to the world, I am alive to God in ways they could not possibly imagine. Even the day she asked this question, I had been renewed by reading Bible ... shown things by God from Bible ... edited some former writings and while not changing what was previous written, I had several things to add to the examples previously given ... alive in Christ though dead to the world and my life is hidden from the people who ask me what I've been doing!
Col. 3 ... 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Gal. 2 ... 20 I am crucified with Christ:nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Romans 6 ... 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once:but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
When I was baptized the second time, the minister lowered me into the water and the Holy Spirit spoke the following thought to me: "This is like being buried with Christ."
That is exactly what it represents. I was dead and being buried in that water ... symbolic of being dead with Christ, buried with Christ ... no longer alive to this world and fleshly sins ... crucified with HIM ... No longer allowing sin to reign in me ...
When I came out of the water, the Holy Spirit said: "This is like being raised with Christ."
I no longer have to allow sin to rule over my flesh. Now there is another way. I do not have to allow my flesh to do what it wants to do. I do not have to allow my tongue to speak as it wants to speak. Being raised with Christ gives me a power to serve God rather than to serve my flesh as I once did.
People alive from the dead are very grateful to God who raised them from the dead.
Romans 6:13 ... yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
"as those that are alive from the dead" ... Think of how it feels to be no longer with the dead ... How grateful you would be ... This is how we feel toward God when HE has revealed Himself to us and caused us to be born again ... we are no longer a part of those dead people of this world ... now we are alive! Gratitude to God ...
Recently at beauty shop, my operator began her normal questions ... "did you do anything interesting over the holidays" ... I replied, "Just the same things I always do." Sounds boring and lifeless to active, worldly people. But what they do not realize is while I am dead to the world, I am alive to God in ways they could not possibly imagine. Even the day she asked this question, I had been renewed by reading Bible ... shown things by God from Bible ... edited some former writings and while not changing what was previous written, I had several things to add to the examples previously given ... alive in Christ though dead to the world and my life is hidden from the people who ask me what I've been doing!
Col. 3 ... 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Gal. 2 ... 20 I am crucified with Christ:nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Romans 6 ... 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once:but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
When I was baptized the second time, the minister lowered me into the water and the Holy Spirit spoke the following thought to me: "This is like being buried with Christ."
That is exactly what it represents. I was dead and being buried in that water ... symbolic of being dead with Christ, buried with Christ ... no longer alive to this world and fleshly sins ... crucified with HIM ... No longer allowing sin to reign in me ...
When I came out of the water, the Holy Spirit said: "This is like being raised with Christ."
I no longer have to allow sin to rule over my flesh. Now there is another way. I do not have to allow my flesh to do what it wants to do. I do not have to allow my tongue to speak as it wants to speak. Being raised with Christ gives me a power to serve God rather than to serve my flesh as I once did.
People alive from the dead are very grateful to God who raised them from the dead.
Friday, January 23, 2015
I Corinthians 4
1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment:yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified:but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts:and then shall every man have praise of God.
6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us:and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. 9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death:for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands:being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:13 Being defamed, we intreat:we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers:for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts:and then shall every man have praise of God.
6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us:and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. 9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death:for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands:being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:13 Being defamed, we intreat:we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers:for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Divorce / remarriage: What the Bible says
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Here is what the Bible says concerning divorce and remarriage.
Jesus said ... Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. Mt.19:9
Notice Jesus is speaking to men.
There are different commandments for men than there are for women. It may not seem "fair" to your flesh but this is the way it is.
If the wife is committing fornication, the man can divorce her and remarry without committing adultery.
But Paul (by the commandment of the LORD) said if the wife leaves her husband, the wife is to remain unmarried or return to her husband.
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. I Cor. 7
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Jesus said ... But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Mt. 5:32
- man who divorces "faithful" wife will be the cause of her adultery if she remarries.
- "faithful" wife will commit adultery if she remarries
- man who marries divorced woman commits adultery
_____________
Paul speaking by the commandment of God to the New Testament church ...
Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Romans 7
It is very important to note that Paul was speaking this to the NT Church ... and Paul, in I Cor. 7, said what he was speaking was the commandment of the Lord for the NT church.
Some say today that we are not under the law so one can divorce and remarry. But that is not what Paul said and Paul said it is a "commandment of the Lord" for the NT church.
I Cor. 7 ...10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband:and let not the husband put away his wife.
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And Jesus explained ... Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female. And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Mt. 19:4-6
At the time of sexual intercourse, the two become one flesh ...
Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. I Cor. 6
Men are warned that even if they have sex with a prostitute, they will become one flesh at time of sexual intercourse.
Only death can separate flesh ... And this was a plan of God, that two would become one flesh at time of sexual intercourse.
Concerning the differences between men and women, from the beginning there was a difference. Society can rebel and try to make it seem that the sexes are the same, "equal", with same rules pertaining to both but this is not what Bible shows us.
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 19And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Gen. 2
Different happening for men and women ...
And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
13And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done?
And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
16Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Gen. 3
For the divorced woman, if she remarries she commits adultery. (Mt. 5:32)
For the married woman, if her husband dies, she can remarry, but only "in the Lord" (someone who is born again) ... And Paul warns that it is his opinion that she will be better off if she does not remarry after her husband died. (I Cor. 7)
For the man, if his wife is committing fornication, he can remarry. But this does not apply to the woman who's husband is committing fornication ... If she leaves her husband she is to remain unmarried or be reconciled with her husband. I Cor. 7 ... This is the only way shown us in the New Testament.
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What if the woman divorced and remarried before knowing the above scriptures? We have a case in our church group where the woman divorced and remarried and is still married to the second husband. We have never told her to leave her second husband. But we do ask her to speak the truth from the Bible to others concerning this subject (the woman who divorces and remarries commits adultery and the man who marries the divorced woman commits adultery), and she has been faithful to do this.
We have two other women who divorced. They remained unmarried after seeing the truth of the scriptures. One woman was twice divorced.
Another woman, before she was born again, divorced and wanted to remarry. Though she was not born again at the time, she went to a pastor and asked if she was permitted to remarry after divorce. Pastor said she could remarry after divorce. This is not what the Bible teaches. This woman told me this story and showed some bitterness toward that pastor though she did say if he had said she could not remarry she would have likely just gone to another pastor and asked him. As she told me this story of going to the pastor to see if she could remarry, I clearly heard: "Wasn't she committing forniction with this man she wanted to marry?" I asked her this question and she replied, "Yes".
Today in the USA churches, you would find few pastors who disapprove remarriage after divorce though the Bible does not approve such for women.
It reminds me of a statement reported on national TV news where they had asked the pope of the Catholic Church about homosexuals and he had replied he knew nothing to forbid homosexuality. I was shocked and cried out at the TV, "What about Romans 1 in the Bible?"
Romans 1 ... 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections:for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Also we read in Bible that homosexuals along with adulterers and fornicators will not inherit the kingdom of God.
I Cor. 6 ... 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (homosexuals), nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
NASB ... I Cor. 6 ... 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
NIV ... I Cor. 6 ... 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
And I Cor 6:11 says ... 11 And such were some of you:but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
But after you are born again you no longer continue in that sin, nor do you approve others who commit these sins.
To the woman taken in adultery, Jesus forgave her but Jesus also told her, "Go, and sin no more." Jn. 8
To continue in that sin after you are born again, would be very serious.
Heb. 10 ... 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses 'law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
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Pam Padgett ... teacher
During the last months of college, I rented a room in a house owned by a woman I met in the singles group of the church group I attended at the time. This woman had been divorced twice and had a young daughter. At first she seemed content to remain unmarried and raise her daughter. But then she started looking for another husband. I shared with her scripture that tell us that a divorced woman commits adultery if she remarries, such as
Matthew 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I (Jesus) say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Mark 10:11 And he (Jesus) saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
Romans 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
After sharing these scriptures, I was shocked when she told me that she didn't care what the Bible says, she knew what she believed. I moved from her house shortly after this.
The place I moved was quite a distance from where this church group met. Although I continued to attend the Sunday services and would sit in the area of the auditorium where the singles group sat, I no longer attended the singles meetings. I heard this divorced woman was engaged to a man I also knew from the singles group. I went and spoke with him, sharing scriptures such as Matthew 5:31-32 showing that they would commit adultery if he married her since she was divorced. He said he would consider these things, but he did not stop the engagement.
Then I heard that the maid of honor at the wedding was to be a woman I also knew. I went and spoke with her, sharing scripture about the adultery that would be committed by this marriage. She said she knew it was wrong for them to marry but they would get married whether or not she was the maid of honor, so she was going to do it.
About this time, I went to one of the Sunday morning services. I arrived before any of the other singles, and sat in the area where we usually sat. But no other singles came to sit there. Right before the service began, I looked around and saw that the singles were sitting a few pews behind me. I thought this strange, but didn't think a lot about it. The next Sunday I sat in the "new" singles area, but they sat in the "old" singles area. The following week, I got there shortly before the service began, and went to where the singles were sitting. Without saying a word, those I sat next to got up and moved away from me. It was obvious they wanted nothing to do with me, but I had no idea why. I cried out to God asking what was going on? Had I done something wrong? For a few weeks I didn't hear anything, and didn't know why I had become an outcast from the singles.
Then after the service one Sunday morning, a woman I didn't know very well stopped me and said she had a message from God for me. The message she delivered was that God knew how I was being treated by those in the singles group, and that I needed to know it was because of what I had spoken about this divorced woman remarrying and that this was what HE had wanted me to do. I was so helped by this message, now knowing why I was being shunned and that it was for doing good in the sight of God. It was also very helpful to realize so strongly that God was watching over me, and the mercy and kindness God had shown to me in having this woman deliver this message to me.
Here is what the Bible says concerning divorce and remarriage.
Jesus said ... Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. Mt.19:9
Notice Jesus is speaking to men.
There are different commandments for men than there are for women. It may not seem "fair" to your flesh but this is the way it is.
If the wife is committing fornication, the man can divorce her and remarry without committing adultery.
But Paul (by the commandment of the LORD) said if the wife leaves her husband, the wife is to remain unmarried or return to her husband.
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. I Cor. 7
-----------------------
Jesus said ... But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Mt. 5:32
- man who divorces "faithful" wife will be the cause of her adultery if she remarries.
- "faithful" wife will commit adultery if she remarries
- man who marries divorced woman commits adultery
_____________
Paul speaking by the commandment of God to the New Testament church ...
Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Romans 7
It is very important to note that Paul was speaking this to the NT Church ... and Paul, in I Cor. 7, said what he was speaking was the commandment of the Lord for the NT church.
Some say today that we are not under the law so one can divorce and remarry. But that is not what Paul said and Paul said it is a "commandment of the Lord" for the NT church.
I Cor. 7 ...10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband:and let not the husband put away his wife.
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And Jesus explained ... Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female. And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Mt. 19:4-6
At the time of sexual intercourse, the two become one flesh ...
Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. I Cor. 6
Men are warned that even if they have sex with a prostitute, they will become one flesh at time of sexual intercourse.
Only death can separate flesh ... And this was a plan of God, that two would become one flesh at time of sexual intercourse.
Concerning the differences between men and women, from the beginning there was a difference. Society can rebel and try to make it seem that the sexes are the same, "equal", with same rules pertaining to both but this is not what Bible shows us.
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 19And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Gen. 2
Different happening for men and women ...
And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
13And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done?
And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
16Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Gen. 3
For the divorced woman, if she remarries she commits adultery. (Mt. 5:32)
For the married woman, if her husband dies, she can remarry, but only "in the Lord" (someone who is born again) ... And Paul warns that it is his opinion that she will be better off if she does not remarry after her husband died. (I Cor. 7)
For the man, if his wife is committing fornication, he can remarry. But this does not apply to the woman who's husband is committing fornication ... If she leaves her husband she is to remain unmarried or be reconciled with her husband. I Cor. 7 ... This is the only way shown us in the New Testament.
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What if the woman divorced and remarried before knowing the above scriptures? We have a case in our church group where the woman divorced and remarried and is still married to the second husband. We have never told her to leave her second husband. But we do ask her to speak the truth from the Bible to others concerning this subject (the woman who divorces and remarries commits adultery and the man who marries the divorced woman commits adultery), and she has been faithful to do this.
We have two other women who divorced. They remained unmarried after seeing the truth of the scriptures. One woman was twice divorced.
Another woman, before she was born again, divorced and wanted to remarry. Though she was not born again at the time, she went to a pastor and asked if she was permitted to remarry after divorce. Pastor said she could remarry after divorce. This is not what the Bible teaches. This woman told me this story and showed some bitterness toward that pastor though she did say if he had said she could not remarry she would have likely just gone to another pastor and asked him. As she told me this story of going to the pastor to see if she could remarry, I clearly heard: "Wasn't she committing forniction with this man she wanted to marry?" I asked her this question and she replied, "Yes".
Today in the USA churches, you would find few pastors who disapprove remarriage after divorce though the Bible does not approve such for women.
It reminds me of a statement reported on national TV news where they had asked the pope of the Catholic Church about homosexuals and he had replied he knew nothing to forbid homosexuality. I was shocked and cried out at the TV, "What about Romans 1 in the Bible?"
Romans 1 ... 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections:for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Also we read in Bible that homosexuals along with adulterers and fornicators will not inherit the kingdom of God.
I Cor. 6 ... 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (homosexuals), nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
NASB ... I Cor. 6 ... 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
NIV ... I Cor. 6 ... 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
And I Cor 6:11 says ... 11 And such were some of you:but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
But after you are born again you no longer continue in that sin, nor do you approve others who commit these sins.
To the woman taken in adultery, Jesus forgave her but Jesus also told her, "Go, and sin no more." Jn. 8
To continue in that sin after you are born again, would be very serious.
Heb. 10 ... 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses 'law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
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Pam Padgett ... teacher
During the last months of college, I rented a room in a house owned by a woman I met in the singles group of the church group I attended at the time. This woman had been divorced twice and had a young daughter. At first she seemed content to remain unmarried and raise her daughter. But then she started looking for another husband. I shared with her scripture that tell us that a divorced woman commits adultery if she remarries, such as
Matthew 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I (Jesus) say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Mark 10:11 And he (Jesus) saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
Romans 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
After sharing these scriptures, I was shocked when she told me that she didn't care what the Bible says, she knew what she believed. I moved from her house shortly after this.
The place I moved was quite a distance from where this church group met. Although I continued to attend the Sunday services and would sit in the area of the auditorium where the singles group sat, I no longer attended the singles meetings. I heard this divorced woman was engaged to a man I also knew from the singles group. I went and spoke with him, sharing scriptures such as Matthew 5:31-32 showing that they would commit adultery if he married her since she was divorced. He said he would consider these things, but he did not stop the engagement.
Then I heard that the maid of honor at the wedding was to be a woman I also knew. I went and spoke with her, sharing scripture about the adultery that would be committed by this marriage. She said she knew it was wrong for them to marry but they would get married whether or not she was the maid of honor, so she was going to do it.
About this time, I went to one of the Sunday morning services. I arrived before any of the other singles, and sat in the area where we usually sat. But no other singles came to sit there. Right before the service began, I looked around and saw that the singles were sitting a few pews behind me. I thought this strange, but didn't think a lot about it. The next Sunday I sat in the "new" singles area, but they sat in the "old" singles area. The following week, I got there shortly before the service began, and went to where the singles were sitting. Without saying a word, those I sat next to got up and moved away from me. It was obvious they wanted nothing to do with me, but I had no idea why. I cried out to God asking what was going on? Had I done something wrong? For a few weeks I didn't hear anything, and didn't know why I had become an outcast from the singles.
Then after the service one Sunday morning, a woman I didn't know very well stopped me and said she had a message from God for me. The message she delivered was that God knew how I was being treated by those in the singles group, and that I needed to know it was because of what I had spoken about this divorced woman remarrying and that this was what HE had wanted me to do. I was so helped by this message, now knowing why I was being shunned and that it was for doing good in the sight of God. It was also very helpful to realize so strongly that God was watching over me, and the mercy and kindness God had shown to me in having this woman deliver this message to me.
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