1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. 6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one:for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
(Providing daily encouragement for the body of Christ by the Spirit of God to help the church in the end times.)
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Psalm 58 ... Prayers to God & Promises from God to the Church
1 Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation?
do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness;
ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb:
they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent:
they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;
5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers,
charming never so wisely.
6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth:
break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord.
7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually:
when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
8 As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away:
like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.
9 Before your pots can feel the thorns,
he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.
10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance:
he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous:
verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Comments by Joan Boney
When we are born again, we are given the Spirit of God. In the OT only a few had the Spirit of God.
When we are given the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Jesus, we have another Spirit.
Lk. 9 ... 51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face:and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
The Psalms are wonderful, filled with wonderful prayers and with promises from God. We read each Psalm and focus on that which fits the New Covenant. God will bring a justice, one way or another.
Romans 12 ... 14 Bless them which persecute you:bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink:for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Galatians 6 ... 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked:for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing:for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness;
ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb:
they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent:
they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;
5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers,
charming never so wisely.
6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth:
break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord.
7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually:
when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
8 As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away:
like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.
9 Before your pots can feel the thorns,
he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.
10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance:
he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous:
verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Comments by Joan Boney
When we are born again, we are given the Spirit of God. In the OT only a few had the Spirit of God.
When we are given the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Jesus, we have another Spirit.
Lk. 9 ... 51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face:and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
The Psalms are wonderful, filled with wonderful prayers and with promises from God. We read each Psalm and focus on that which fits the New Covenant. God will bring a justice, one way or another.
Romans 12 ... 14 Bless them which persecute you:bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink:for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Galatians 6 ... 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked:for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing:for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Genesis 1 ... Viewing the works of God through scripture
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light:and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good:and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament:and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear:and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas:and God saw that it was good. 11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth:and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind:and God saw that it was good. 13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth:and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night:he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness:and God saw that it was good. 19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. 21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind:and God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. 23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind:and it was so. 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind:and God saw that it was good.
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat:and it was so.
31 And God saw every thing that HE had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Works authored by God are not futile
Pam Padgett - teacher
Titus 1:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Some ideas that come to our minds which seem like good works are of our flesh rising up and are not needed, not necessary.
A couple years ago my elderly neighbor fell and broke his hip. After several weeks in a rehab hospital he was able to come back to his home, but is unable to do some of the things he once did, such as shovel snow from his driveway. (Strangely, shoveling snow is something I enjoy doing.)
The first time we had snow after my neighbor's accident I shoveled my driveway then noticed my neighbor's driveway needed to be cleared so went and shoveled it. Later my neighbor called and thanked me. He said he had arranged with a snow removal company to clear his driveway but they were having equipment trouble and had been unable to come that day. (Before this conversation, I had no idea my neighbor had arranged for snow removal)
Although my shoveling his driveway that day was no problem, this strongly reminded me that I need to be led by the Holy Spirit in "good works". For I could do something by my flesh that isn't really needed and could even cause someone trouble (such as a snow removal company coming with the expectation of having a paying job yet have no work to do.)
But when we are led by the Holy Spirit in doing something, it is necessary. We go forward in what the Holy Spirit leads us to do for these things are not futile, and they bring forth fruit as God purposed.
I have been trying to stop before doing what seems like a "good" work and to try the spirit bringing the idea, or pray and ask God for wisdom and to be stopped if this work is not of Him. Only when the work is of God is it truly a "good" work.
Comments by Joan Boney ...
I have an acquaintance who is very religious but is not born again. Her religious is based on works that she does. She does many works ... She goes about her neighborhood each morning and puts the newspapers which have been delivered onto the front porch of her neighbors houses for the entire block. She told me she would like to stop doing this work. (After a few weeks, it became a chore.) But her neighbors complimented her for doing this work and she said she would now have to do it for life.
Mt. 11 ... Jesus said ... 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
There are many fleshly works that seem good to a man ...
It is when God authors that work by the Holy Spirit that the work is good.
Mt. 7 ... Jesus says ... 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
So it can all be for naught if it is only a work of the flesh.
We certainly want to help people when help is really needed but some help can even be against the word of God.
For example: Paul said if the man would not work "neither shall he eat."
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
By giving food to non-working, able bodied men, some church groups violate this "commandment" issued by the apostle Paul by the Spirit of God.
Often I think of sending a message to an individual but I am very cautious about doing this until I try that spirit that is telling me to send the message. It can be harmful to deliver a message unless it is authored by God. When I do try the spirit, I often find it is not the spirit of God urging me to send this message.
The devil will assign many "good" works to those religious people who let him do this. Also the flesh enters into doing many works not authored by God.
So we try the spirit behind the idea to do the work ... we pray, asking God if this is what HE wants done ... We show a diligent effort to do only those works that are authored by God.
Titus 1:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Some ideas that come to our minds which seem like good works are of our flesh rising up and are not needed, not necessary.
A couple years ago my elderly neighbor fell and broke his hip. After several weeks in a rehab hospital he was able to come back to his home, but is unable to do some of the things he once did, such as shovel snow from his driveway. (Strangely, shoveling snow is something I enjoy doing.)
The first time we had snow after my neighbor's accident I shoveled my driveway then noticed my neighbor's driveway needed to be cleared so went and shoveled it. Later my neighbor called and thanked me. He said he had arranged with a snow removal company to clear his driveway but they were having equipment trouble and had been unable to come that day. (Before this conversation, I had no idea my neighbor had arranged for snow removal)
Although my shoveling his driveway that day was no problem, this strongly reminded me that I need to be led by the Holy Spirit in "good works". For I could do something by my flesh that isn't really needed and could even cause someone trouble (such as a snow removal company coming with the expectation of having a paying job yet have no work to do.)
But when we are led by the Holy Spirit in doing something, it is necessary. We go forward in what the Holy Spirit leads us to do for these things are not futile, and they bring forth fruit as God purposed.
I have been trying to stop before doing what seems like a "good" work and to try the spirit bringing the idea, or pray and ask God for wisdom and to be stopped if this work is not of Him. Only when the work is of God is it truly a "good" work.
Comments by Joan Boney ...
I have an acquaintance who is very religious but is not born again. Her religious is based on works that she does. She does many works ... She goes about her neighborhood each morning and puts the newspapers which have been delivered onto the front porch of her neighbors houses for the entire block. She told me she would like to stop doing this work. (After a few weeks, it became a chore.) But her neighbors complimented her for doing this work and she said she would now have to do it for life.
Mt. 11 ... Jesus said ... 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
There are many fleshly works that seem good to a man ...
It is when God authors that work by the Holy Spirit that the work is good.
Mt. 7 ... Jesus says ... 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
So it can all be for naught if it is only a work of the flesh.
We certainly want to help people when help is really needed but some help can even be against the word of God.
For example: Paul said if the man would not work "neither shall he eat."
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
By giving food to non-working, able bodied men, some church groups violate this "commandment" issued by the apostle Paul by the Spirit of God.
Often I think of sending a message to an individual but I am very cautious about doing this until I try that spirit that is telling me to send the message. It can be harmful to deliver a message unless it is authored by God. When I do try the spirit, I often find it is not the spirit of God urging me to send this message.
The devil will assign many "good" works to those religious people who let him do this. Also the flesh enters into doing many works not authored by God.
So we try the spirit behind the idea to do the work ... we pray, asking God if this is what HE wants done ... We show a diligent effort to do only those works that are authored by God.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Hebrews 1 ... Reading through the Bible
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever:a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed:but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever:a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed:but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Psalm 57 ... Prayers to God & Promises from God to the Church
1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me:
for my soul trusteth in thee:
yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge,
until these calamities be overpast.
2 I will cry unto God most high;
unto God that performeth all things for me.
3 He shall send from heaven, and save me
from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah.
God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
4 My soul is among lions:
and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men,
whose teeth are spears and arrows,
and their tongue a sharp sword.
5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let thy glory be above all the earth.
6 They have prepared a net for my steps;
my soul is bowed down:
they have digged a pit before me,
into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed:
I will sing and give praise.
8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp:
I myself will awake early.
9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people:
I will sing unto thee among the nations.
10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens,
and thy truth unto the clouds.
11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens:
let thy glory be above all the earth.
Comments by Joan Boney
We do not expect to be injured by the tongue of those in the church but I've often been more injured by the church than the world because we know the world will speak harmful things to us but we do not expect it from the church.
There are uncontrolled in the church, however, and devils also speak through the church people when possible. Devils certainly want to injure us and to stop us from believing in God.
God is always able to restore our souls and God does restore our souls when we are attacked. God has the antidote to the poison that comes from the tongue of others. That antidote is the Word from God in the matter at hand.
Further, we can turn grief into joy if we take a section of scripture and reread what God has done. We cannot think of two things at the same time. So when we read scripture and focus on God's power, the grief disappears and joy takes its place.
Judges 6 ... 1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord:and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel:and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. 3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; 4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. 5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number:and they entered into the land to destroy it. 6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the Lord.
7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites, 8 That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; 9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land; 10 And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:but ye have not obeyed my voice.
11 And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite:and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites:have not I sent thee?
15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
16 And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me. 18 Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.
19 And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour:the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.
20 And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
21 Then the angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the Lord departed out of his sight.
22 And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face.
23 And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not:thou shalt not die.
24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovahshalom:unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
25 And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:26 And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord had said unto him:
and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
28 And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.
29 And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.
30 Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die:because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.
31 And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning:if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar. 32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
for my soul trusteth in thee:
yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge,
until these calamities be overpast.
2 I will cry unto God most high;
unto God that performeth all things for me.
3 He shall send from heaven, and save me
from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah.
God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
4 My soul is among lions:
and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men,
whose teeth are spears and arrows,
and their tongue a sharp sword.
5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let thy glory be above all the earth.
6 They have prepared a net for my steps;
my soul is bowed down:
they have digged a pit before me,
into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed:
I will sing and give praise.
8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp:
I myself will awake early.
9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people:
I will sing unto thee among the nations.
10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens,
and thy truth unto the clouds.
11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens:
let thy glory be above all the earth.
Comments by Joan Boney
We do not expect to be injured by the tongue of those in the church but I've often been more injured by the church than the world because we know the world will speak harmful things to us but we do not expect it from the church.
There are uncontrolled in the church, however, and devils also speak through the church people when possible. Devils certainly want to injure us and to stop us from believing in God.
God is always able to restore our souls and God does restore our souls when we are attacked. God has the antidote to the poison that comes from the tongue of others. That antidote is the Word from God in the matter at hand.
Further, we can turn grief into joy if we take a section of scripture and reread what God has done. We cannot think of two things at the same time. So when we read scripture and focus on God's power, the grief disappears and joy takes its place.
Judges 6 ... 1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord:and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel:and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. 3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; 4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. 5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number:and they entered into the land to destroy it. 6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the Lord.
7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites, 8 That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; 9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land; 10 And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:but ye have not obeyed my voice.
11 And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite:and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites:have not I sent thee?
15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
16 And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me. 18 Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.
19 And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour:the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.
20 And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
21 Then the angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the Lord departed out of his sight.
22 And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face.
23 And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not:thou shalt not die.
24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovahshalom:unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
25 And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:26 And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord had said unto him:
and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
28 And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.
29 And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.
30 Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die:because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.
31 And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning:if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar. 32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
Revelation from God
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
A few days ago, I God gave me a revelation concerning the following scripture:
I Jn. 2 ... 18 Little children, it is the last time:and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us:but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
============
They can go out from us in their heart while still being around in their body.
Their heart has turned from us.
=============
Often they harden their heart against us, likely being influenced by devils or their own desires.
They harden their hearts against God the same way.
We are warned in scripture: "Harden not your heart."
By this warning we can see that it is up to us in the NT church to keep our heart soft toward God and toward the people of God and toward the things of God. We likely do this by communicating.
Heb. 3 ... 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke:howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Sin is very deceitful and can influence us to harden our hearts.
Also they can listen to the wrong spirit speaking to them and turn from us as a result of the wrong spirit.
Sometimes the lust of what they want causes a person to turn from God and from us.
=========
Therefore we are warned by God not to do this... not to harden your heart against God and against the people of God.
Likely hardening your heart is done to try to feel justified in yourself or get even with another person for a perceived wrong done by that person against you.
We must instead humble ourselves ... instead of hardening our heart ...
A few days ago, I God gave me a revelation concerning the following scripture:
I Jn. 2 ... 18 Little children, it is the last time:and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us:but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
============
They can go out from us in their heart while still being around in their body.
Their heart has turned from us.
=============
Often they harden their heart against us, likely being influenced by devils or their own desires.
They harden their hearts against God the same way.
We are warned in scripture: "Harden not your heart."
By this warning we can see that it is up to us in the NT church to keep our heart soft toward God and toward the people of God and toward the things of God. We likely do this by communicating.
Heb. 3 ... 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke:howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Sin is very deceitful and can influence us to harden our hearts.
Also they can listen to the wrong spirit speaking to them and turn from us as a result of the wrong spirit.
Sometimes the lust of what they want causes a person to turn from God and from us.
=========
Therefore we are warned by God not to do this... not to harden your heart against God and against the people of God.
Likely hardening your heart is done to try to feel justified in yourself or get even with another person for a perceived wrong done by that person against you.
We must instead humble ourselves ... instead of hardening our heart ...
Acting by necessity or fear?
Joan Boney ... apostle/ prophet
This week, Pam Padgett reported having a problem with her only computer. The second I read of the problem I knew she would need to buy a back up computer immediately so she could write messages for the blog. This is what she did.
I ran into a problem this week before I heard of Pam's computer problem. I thought at the time I might need to buy a back up computer but for another reason. Extreme pain hit my left leg and knee. It was so severe I didn't know if I could walk. My cane is in another room for I need it to go to mail box daily so I leave one cane at front door. I don't usually need cane to walk in house. But this pain that hit in night was so severe I wasn't sure I could walk at all, even to bath room. But I had to walk so I did, holding onto the wall as best I could.
Then the fears struck ... what if I have to go to hospital ... how can I write exhortations on the blog ... maybe I need back up "notebook" type computer ...
That is a fear of tomorrow and what might happen.
In about a day's time, I was able to walk without pain.
I didn't want to buy a back up computer based on fear.
I turned to God in prayer asking Him to show me if I need to buy back up computer.
Now I just wait.
There is a big difference between necessity and fear of future.
The pain was probably what the world calls arthritis. It was on the leg that has a metal insert due to accident and subsequent operation. I felt it was temporary and sure enough within 24 hrs. it was gone. Now I walk well again, without pain.
It is interesting that I didn't even pray about the pain ... but I did pray about the back up computer. Writing these exhortations is very important to me.
Philemon ... 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Not only is it important that I share with you so you can be edified in things of God, but it is important for me to share for when I write these exhortations (communication of my faith) it becomes effectual to me.
When we acknowledge that good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus, faith becomes effectual to us.
This week, Pam Padgett reported having a problem with her only computer. The second I read of the problem I knew she would need to buy a back up computer immediately so she could write messages for the blog. This is what she did.
I ran into a problem this week before I heard of Pam's computer problem. I thought at the time I might need to buy a back up computer but for another reason. Extreme pain hit my left leg and knee. It was so severe I didn't know if I could walk. My cane is in another room for I need it to go to mail box daily so I leave one cane at front door. I don't usually need cane to walk in house. But this pain that hit in night was so severe I wasn't sure I could walk at all, even to bath room. But I had to walk so I did, holding onto the wall as best I could.
Then the fears struck ... what if I have to go to hospital ... how can I write exhortations on the blog ... maybe I need back up "notebook" type computer ...
That is a fear of tomorrow and what might happen.
In about a day's time, I was able to walk without pain.
I didn't want to buy a back up computer based on fear.
I turned to God in prayer asking Him to show me if I need to buy back up computer.
Now I just wait.
There is a big difference between necessity and fear of future.
The pain was probably what the world calls arthritis. It was on the leg that has a metal insert due to accident and subsequent operation. I felt it was temporary and sure enough within 24 hrs. it was gone. Now I walk well again, without pain.
It is interesting that I didn't even pray about the pain ... but I did pray about the back up computer. Writing these exhortations is very important to me.
Philemon ... 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Not only is it important that I share with you so you can be edified in things of God, but it is important for me to share for when I write these exhortations (communication of my faith) it becomes effectual to me.
When we acknowledge that good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus, faith becomes effectual to us.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Philemon ... Reading through the Bible
1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again:thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it:albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord:refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging:for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again:thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it:albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord:refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging:for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Psalm 56 ... Prayers to God & Promises from God to the Church
1 Be merciful unto me, O God:for man would swallow me up;
he fighting daily oppresseth me.
2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up:
for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
3 What time I am afraid,
I will trust in Thee.
4 In God I will praise HIS word,
in God I have put my trust; I will not fear
what flesh can do unto me.
5 Every day they wrest my words:
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves,
they mark my steps,
when they wait for my soul.
7 Shall they escape by iniquity?
in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
8 Thou tellest my wanderings:
put thou my tears into thy bottle:
are they not in thy book?
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back:
this I know; for God is for me.
10 In God will I praise His word:
in the Lord will I praise His word.
11 In God have I put my trust:I will not be afraid
what man can do unto me.
12 Thy vows are upon me, O God:
I will render praises unto Thee.
13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death:wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
Comments by Joan Boney
I will render praises unto Thee.
When I think on the Word God has given me in the issue at hand and choose to believe that Word, doing accord to that Word in an appropriate manner, I praise God in my belief and in my actions.
==========
Heb. 3 ... 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke:howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
==========
2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up:
for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
There are humans who fight the Word of God that is in us ... and devils fight the Word of God that is in us. Therefore "many" fight against us ...
Thoughts come to our mind telling us not to do that ... Thoughts come to our minds telling us to do something ...
The factor is for us to determine which thoughts are from God and do those things.
There is a woman who is not born again who troubled me greatly by her words. This went on for years, each time I saw her. I often prayed for God to deliver me. Finally God gave me a message for this woman and when I delivered that message, she left me alone.
After that, thoughts began to come that I could really help this woman. (True, I could, if she were interested in God and Bible, but she has shown no interest in either, although she attends a church group.) But would it accomplish the will of God to contact this woman, or would it just put me back into the bondage from which God had delivered me?
It is up to me to determine the answer to this.
So I tried that Spirit which was trying to get me to contact this woman and help her.
John said ... 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. I Jn. 4
After the thought came, I addressed the spirit who sent the thought, asking: Do you confess Jesus Christ is come in the flesh? and I heard: "No"
he fighting daily oppresseth me.
2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up:
for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
3 What time I am afraid,
I will trust in Thee.
4 In God I will praise HIS word,
in God I have put my trust; I will not fear
what flesh can do unto me.
5 Every day they wrest my words:
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves,
they mark my steps,
when they wait for my soul.
7 Shall they escape by iniquity?
in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
8 Thou tellest my wanderings:
put thou my tears into thy bottle:
are they not in thy book?
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back:
this I know; for God is for me.
10 In God will I praise His word:
in the Lord will I praise His word.
11 In God have I put my trust:I will not be afraid
what man can do unto me.
12 Thy vows are upon me, O God:
I will render praises unto Thee.
13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death:wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
Comments by Joan Boney
I will render praises unto Thee.
When I think on the Word God has given me in the issue at hand and choose to believe that Word, doing accord to that Word in an appropriate manner, I praise God in my belief and in my actions.
==========
Heb. 3 ... 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke:howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
==========
2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up:
for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
There are humans who fight the Word of God that is in us ... and devils fight the Word of God that is in us. Therefore "many" fight against us ...
Thoughts come to our mind telling us not to do that ... Thoughts come to our minds telling us to do something ...
The factor is for us to determine which thoughts are from God and do those things.
There is a woman who is not born again who troubled me greatly by her words. This went on for years, each time I saw her. I often prayed for God to deliver me. Finally God gave me a message for this woman and when I delivered that message, she left me alone.
After that, thoughts began to come that I could really help this woman. (True, I could, if she were interested in God and Bible, but she has shown no interest in either, although she attends a church group.) But would it accomplish the will of God to contact this woman, or would it just put me back into the bondage from which God had delivered me?
It is up to me to determine the answer to this.
So I tried that Spirit which was trying to get me to contact this woman and help her.
John said ... 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. I Jn. 4
After the thought came, I addressed the spirit who sent the thought, asking: Do you confess Jesus Christ is come in the flesh? and I heard: "No"
Finishing the race
Pam Padgett - teacher
Paul said ...
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Runners in a race continue on, putting one foot in front of the other, staying on the path for the race which leads to the finish line. Not allowing anything to pull them aside from that way. Not becoming complacent or lazy, nor giving up, but moving forward until they finish the course, getting to the finish line.
Similarly, each day we need to deal with what is before us, taking each step we are shown to take by the Holy Spirit. For we are assured that being led by the Holy Spirit keeps us in the way we are to go for that day, and is completely sufficient for that day, bringing us to where we need to be at that time which is ever closer to the end of our "course".
In running this race Paul told us he fought a good fight. We also continually must fight to not be pulled from the way of God. Our own flesh and that of other people, as well as thoughts the devil brings to our mind all try to pull us another way, often very subtly.
One area we constantly need to deal with is fearful thoughts. Fearful thoughts ... sometimes seemingly "little" fearful thoughts ... come and if we're not diligent to turn to God with those thoughts, we find we're dealing with matters influenced by the fear rather than being led by the Holy Spirit. And these fearful thoughts wear at us, troubling us, always there in the "back of our minds". There is no peace until we turn to God to see how to handle the fear.
Not long ago my elderly neighbor called. He had been watching the news and heard about small wild fires that had started several miles from where we live. He was very stirred up and fearful. At first it seemed so silly to me that he was concerned about fires so far away and I started to ignore it. But then I was reminded (by the Holy Spirit) that these fears would affect me. As we spoke I began praying. I realized that I had not even been aware of these distant fires because I hadn't been watching news nor reading the newspaper. There was not a fire problem we needed to deal with where we live. I was also reminded of how both my neighbor and I were easily able to leave when fires came within a few miles of our homes a few years ago. I was even able to get all of my older animals away safely. I told my neighbor these things. These fears were unfounded in all directions.
Another area we need to continually deal with is being wise in our own eyes. When I'm facing a problem of some kind, I'm very aware of how wrong, and perhaps dangerous, my own ideas may be and how much I need God's wisdom and guidance. During these times I find that I pray about even small decisions.
But a little while after a problem is resolved, its easy to forget to pray. Its as if we think we have everything in hand when, in fact, we continually need to turn to God in all of our ways.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
Recently when dealing with one of my dog jumping on a neighbor who brings her dogs to play with mine, I found myself getting frustrated. Nothing I thought of worked. Then I remembered to pray and was led to discuss the problem with a trainer. The trainer suggested putting a leash on the dog during these play times. If the dog jumped, I am to hold the leash, restraining the dog. When the dog calms down, I allow her to play unrestrained. This has worked very well.
When I saw that I had tried to be wise in my own eyes in this it concerned me. When I prayed about this, I saw other things I was doing by my own wisdom and asked God to help me remember to turn to Him in all my ways. Interestingly, it was as if a weight was lifted that I hadn't been aware of.
Paul also told us he kept the faith, believing and teaching those things he was taught by God. Many things Paul taught brought hatred toward him from those who didn't believe. But he didn't change or soften what he had been taught. He held onto, and preached, those things that God spoke to him.
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Comments by Joan Boney
A problem which I had failed to pray about has to do with telephone solicitors. They trouble me greatly and no way that I go seems to leave me in peace. I realized I was trying to figure this out myself.
I asked God to help me with this problem.
I believe that will work and when they call and I pray and do what I believe God shows me to do it will be the right thing.
There is no one right way to go. I need to pray each time this happens and go in the way I am shown at that time if I am to follow God.
That is the case with many things that happen to us.
We want one answer forever.
It is amazing how angry some people get when we say we asked God about something. These people, often people who attend church, think we should know what to do ourselves in all things.
But I know I don't know what to do. And when I do what I don't know, it doesn't work. When I ask God and follow HIS Spirit, it always works!
Prayer is humbling.
But turning to God continually is the one answer.
Paul said ...
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Runners in a race continue on, putting one foot in front of the other, staying on the path for the race which leads to the finish line. Not allowing anything to pull them aside from that way. Not becoming complacent or lazy, nor giving up, but moving forward until they finish the course, getting to the finish line.
Similarly, each day we need to deal with what is before us, taking each step we are shown to take by the Holy Spirit. For we are assured that being led by the Holy Spirit keeps us in the way we are to go for that day, and is completely sufficient for that day, bringing us to where we need to be at that time which is ever closer to the end of our "course".
In running this race Paul told us he fought a good fight. We also continually must fight to not be pulled from the way of God. Our own flesh and that of other people, as well as thoughts the devil brings to our mind all try to pull us another way, often very subtly.
One area we constantly need to deal with is fearful thoughts. Fearful thoughts ... sometimes seemingly "little" fearful thoughts ... come and if we're not diligent to turn to God with those thoughts, we find we're dealing with matters influenced by the fear rather than being led by the Holy Spirit. And these fearful thoughts wear at us, troubling us, always there in the "back of our minds". There is no peace until we turn to God to see how to handle the fear.
Not long ago my elderly neighbor called. He had been watching the news and heard about small wild fires that had started several miles from where we live. He was very stirred up and fearful. At first it seemed so silly to me that he was concerned about fires so far away and I started to ignore it. But then I was reminded (by the Holy Spirit) that these fears would affect me. As we spoke I began praying. I realized that I had not even been aware of these distant fires because I hadn't been watching news nor reading the newspaper. There was not a fire problem we needed to deal with where we live. I was also reminded of how both my neighbor and I were easily able to leave when fires came within a few miles of our homes a few years ago. I was even able to get all of my older animals away safely. I told my neighbor these things. These fears were unfounded in all directions.
Another area we need to continually deal with is being wise in our own eyes. When I'm facing a problem of some kind, I'm very aware of how wrong, and perhaps dangerous, my own ideas may be and how much I need God's wisdom and guidance. During these times I find that I pray about even small decisions.
But a little while after a problem is resolved, its easy to forget to pray. Its as if we think we have everything in hand when, in fact, we continually need to turn to God in all of our ways.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
Recently when dealing with one of my dog jumping on a neighbor who brings her dogs to play with mine, I found myself getting frustrated. Nothing I thought of worked. Then I remembered to pray and was led to discuss the problem with a trainer. The trainer suggested putting a leash on the dog during these play times. If the dog jumped, I am to hold the leash, restraining the dog. When the dog calms down, I allow her to play unrestrained. This has worked very well.
When I saw that I had tried to be wise in my own eyes in this it concerned me. When I prayed about this, I saw other things I was doing by my own wisdom and asked God to help me remember to turn to Him in all my ways. Interestingly, it was as if a weight was lifted that I hadn't been aware of.
Paul also told us he kept the faith, believing and teaching those things he was taught by God. Many things Paul taught brought hatred toward him from those who didn't believe. But he didn't change or soften what he had been taught. He held onto, and preached, those things that God spoke to him.
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Comments by Joan Boney
A problem which I had failed to pray about has to do with telephone solicitors. They trouble me greatly and no way that I go seems to leave me in peace. I realized I was trying to figure this out myself.
I asked God to help me with this problem.
I believe that will work and when they call and I pray and do what I believe God shows me to do it will be the right thing.
There is no one right way to go. I need to pray each time this happens and go in the way I am shown at that time if I am to follow God.
That is the case with many things that happen to us.
We want one answer forever.
It is amazing how angry some people get when we say we asked God about something. These people, often people who attend church, think we should know what to do ourselves in all things.
But I know I don't know what to do. And when I do what I don't know, it doesn't work. When I ask God and follow HIS Spirit, it always works!
Prayer is humbling.
But turning to God continually is the one answer.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Titus 3 ... Reading through the Bible
1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis:for I have determined there to winter. 13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis:for I have determined there to winter. 13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Psalm 55 ... Prayer to God & Promises from God to the Church
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God;
and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me:
I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked:
for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4 My heart is sore pained within me:
and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me,
and horror hath overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove!
for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7 Lo, then would I wander far off,
and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
8 I would hasten my escape
from the windy storm and tempest.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues:
for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof:
mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof:
deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it:
neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
13 But it was thou, a man mine equal,
my guide, and mine acquaintance.
14 We took sweet counsel together,
and walked unto the house of God in company.
15 Let death seize upon them,
and let them go down quick into hell:
for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
16 As for me, I will call upon God;
and the Lord shall save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:
and he shall hear my voice.
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me:
for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them,
even he that abideth of old. Selah.
Because they have no changes,
therefore they fear not God.
20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him:
he hath broken his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart:
his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and HE shall sustain thee:
HE shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction:
bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days;
but I will trust in thee.
Comments by Joan Boney
It is so important for us to take our concerns (troubles) to God rather than to take them to other humans.
God knows exactly what we need to restore us. God knows what we should do in the trouble. Flesh and blood man does not have that complete knowledge and is often powerless. God is always able.
And we must keep faith that God can reach us with HIS answers. God has a way of making us to understand when we call on HIM.
That is our faith in God.
I do not curse the wicked. They curse themselves. They do not fear God.
The righteous are blessed, for the righteous fear God, believing God knows best for them at all times. Therefore the righteous obey God regardless of how it looks. The righteous are afraid not to obey God. This is the fear of the Lord.
and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me:
I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked:
for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4 My heart is sore pained within me:
and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me,
and horror hath overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove!
for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7 Lo, then would I wander far off,
and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
8 I would hasten my escape
from the windy storm and tempest.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues:
for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof:
mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof:
deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it:
neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
13 But it was thou, a man mine equal,
my guide, and mine acquaintance.
14 We took sweet counsel together,
and walked unto the house of God in company.
15 Let death seize upon them,
and let them go down quick into hell:
for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
16 As for me, I will call upon God;
and the Lord shall save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:
and he shall hear my voice.
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me:
for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them,
even he that abideth of old. Selah.
Because they have no changes,
therefore they fear not God.
20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him:
he hath broken his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart:
his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and HE shall sustain thee:
HE shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction:
bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days;
but I will trust in thee.
Comments by Joan Boney
It is so important for us to take our concerns (troubles) to God rather than to take them to other humans.
God knows exactly what we need to restore us. God knows what we should do in the trouble. Flesh and blood man does not have that complete knowledge and is often powerless. God is always able.
And we must keep faith that God can reach us with HIS answers. God has a way of making us to understand when we call on HIM.
That is our faith in God.
I do not curse the wicked. They curse themselves. They do not fear God.
The righteous are blessed, for the righteous fear God, believing God knows best for them at all times. Therefore the righteous obey God regardless of how it looks. The righteous are afraid not to obey God. This is the fear of the Lord.
Helped in stressful situation
Pam Padgett - teacher
A few days ago I started my day as usual, calmly reading the blog and meditating on a scripture that stood out to me.
But then I turned on my computer. Immediately there was an error message saying that a cooling fan in the computer was not working. The message included a warning that damage could be done if the computer was not shut down. The computer is only about three years old and there have been no problems, and no signs of possible problems, with it. It was shocking to find out that the computer could suddenly not be used. I had no way to share messages I may have. This was a big concern to me, and I prayed asking God to help me.
I spoke with a man at a computer repair place. The repair is not expensive, but a needed part would have to be ordered and it would take about a week to get the part. I checked with another computer repair place but they, also, would need to order the part.
I obviously needed to get a computer to use while this one was being repaired. Soon after praying I had realized that I needed to get a backup computer, but I hadn't realized I would need to get one immediately.
Going from a quiet morning to suddenly needing to immediately get a backup computer was jarring, and I continued asking God to help me and give me wisdom in what to do.
The post office is near the computer repair place and I stopped there to mail a package and buy stamps. While standing in line a woman I met in a dog class more than a year ago came in the line behind me. We have not seen each other since that class but I remembered how much this woman enjoys dogs. We asked about each others' dogs.
Then she went on to tell me how it came about that she has her dogs. This woman has a disease that affects her physically in multiple ways including making it difficult for her to walk, and this disease gets progressively worse. She said that because of her physical condition she had not considered having a dog. But one day this woman's sister said that she and the woman's daughter had both been praying and believed they were shown that this woman needed a dog. This woman immediately said she couldn't care for a dog. But her sister asked her to consider a dog they had found. This is a small dog, doesn't shed, and doesn't bark. It would be very easy to care for.
She reluctantly agreed to see if it might work for her to have this dog. She found she was able to care for the dog and enjoyed having it very much.. About a week after getting the dog her niece stopped by and liked the dog and offered to take it if the woman didn't want it, but the woman said "Oh no! This is my dog!" Within just a week she couldn't let the dog go! Soon after this she got another dog and she enjoys each of them and enjoys watching the dogs play together.
As she told this story it was so obvious how much help these dogs have been to her. She didn't think she could possibly take care of a dog, but it turned out that she was able to care for this type of dog and they are such a joy to her.
I rejoiced as I heard this story and how this woman was helped. And it caused me to be thankful to God and to remember HIS mercy toward us.
For the rest of the day, even while looking for and selecting a backup computer, I was so aware of God's help and mercy toward us. This calmed me greatly. Later I remembered having prayed asking God to help me with all of this, and realized I had been given the exact help I needed to calm me and direct my thoughts to God.
I also found a computer that is working out well. Instead of getting a laptop as I had assumed, as I prayed my attention kept being drawn to a notebook computer. This is something I had never even thought of, but which is working very well as a backup computer for what I need.
A few days ago I started my day as usual, calmly reading the blog and meditating on a scripture that stood out to me.
But then I turned on my computer. Immediately there was an error message saying that a cooling fan in the computer was not working. The message included a warning that damage could be done if the computer was not shut down. The computer is only about three years old and there have been no problems, and no signs of possible problems, with it. It was shocking to find out that the computer could suddenly not be used. I had no way to share messages I may have. This was a big concern to me, and I prayed asking God to help me.
I spoke with a man at a computer repair place. The repair is not expensive, but a needed part would have to be ordered and it would take about a week to get the part. I checked with another computer repair place but they, also, would need to order the part.
I obviously needed to get a computer to use while this one was being repaired. Soon after praying I had realized that I needed to get a backup computer, but I hadn't realized I would need to get one immediately.
Going from a quiet morning to suddenly needing to immediately get a backup computer was jarring, and I continued asking God to help me and give me wisdom in what to do.
The post office is near the computer repair place and I stopped there to mail a package and buy stamps. While standing in line a woman I met in a dog class more than a year ago came in the line behind me. We have not seen each other since that class but I remembered how much this woman enjoys dogs. We asked about each others' dogs.
Then she went on to tell me how it came about that she has her dogs. This woman has a disease that affects her physically in multiple ways including making it difficult for her to walk, and this disease gets progressively worse. She said that because of her physical condition she had not considered having a dog. But one day this woman's sister said that she and the woman's daughter had both been praying and believed they were shown that this woman needed a dog. This woman immediately said she couldn't care for a dog. But her sister asked her to consider a dog they had found. This is a small dog, doesn't shed, and doesn't bark. It would be very easy to care for.
She reluctantly agreed to see if it might work for her to have this dog. She found she was able to care for the dog and enjoyed having it very much.. About a week after getting the dog her niece stopped by and liked the dog and offered to take it if the woman didn't want it, but the woman said "Oh no! This is my dog!" Within just a week she couldn't let the dog go! Soon after this she got another dog and she enjoys each of them and enjoys watching the dogs play together.
As she told this story it was so obvious how much help these dogs have been to her. She didn't think she could possibly take care of a dog, but it turned out that she was able to care for this type of dog and they are such a joy to her.
I rejoiced as I heard this story and how this woman was helped. And it caused me to be thankful to God and to remember HIS mercy toward us.
For the rest of the day, even while looking for and selecting a backup computer, I was so aware of God's help and mercy toward us. This calmed me greatly. Later I remembered having prayed asking God to help me with all of this, and realized I had been given the exact help I needed to calm me and direct my thoughts to God.
I also found a computer that is working out well. Instead of getting a laptop as I had assumed, as I prayed my attention kept being drawn to a notebook computer. This is something I had never even thought of, but which is working very well as a backup computer for what I need.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Titus 2 ... Reading through the Bible
1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works:in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works:in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Psalm 54 ... Prayers to God & Promises from God to the Church
1 Save me, O God, by Thy name (Thy Word),
and judge me by Thy strength.
2 Hear my prayer, O God;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers are risen up against me,
and oppressors seek after my soul:
they have not set God before them. Selah.
4 Behold, God is mine helper:
the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies:
cut them off in Thy truth.
6 I will freely sacrifice unto Thee:
I will praise Thy name, O Lord; for it is good.
7 For HE hath delivered me out of all trouble:
and mine eye hath seen His desire upon mine enemies.
Comments by Joan Boney
Only by God am I delivered out of trouble ... When I think on HIM, on HIS Word and on HIS Works, sorrow turns into joy.
and judge me by Thy strength.
2 Hear my prayer, O God;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers are risen up against me,
and oppressors seek after my soul:
they have not set God before them. Selah.
4 Behold, God is mine helper:
the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies:
cut them off in Thy truth.
6 I will freely sacrifice unto Thee:
I will praise Thy name, O Lord; for it is good.
7 For HE hath delivered me out of all trouble:
and mine eye hath seen His desire upon mine enemies.
Comments by Joan Boney
Only by God am I delivered out of trouble ... When I think on HIM, on HIS Word and on HIS Works, sorrow turns into joy.
Letter from member of body of Christ
From Joseph Meriweather
Today I would like to say that yesterday I did not ¡!Bridle my mouth as it say in psalms 39:1 I Said I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with Biddle while the wicked is before me.
I had ask the wife to do something and she refuse and she start mocking me. Before I know it I was cursing uncontrollable. I was so angry. Then I ask God to forgive me. That very night I dream I was so drunk I could not stand up. Then I woke up. I kept thinking I was not sober in the whole thing
==========
Comments by Joan Boney
Which of us haven't done things similar to this ...
As I read Joseph's report, God reminded me of Ephesians 6 ... I believe God was saying to put on the whole armor of God daily ... We dress ourselves in this armor just as we dress ourselves in clothing before we go out. We wouldn't think of going out without dressing physically. I believe God is saying that we must dress ourselves in spirit daily before going out among people of this world. We must figure out a way to do this in our lives.
Eph. 6 ... 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Overcoming and keeping ourselves is work. We are in the most difficult of all wars. It doesn't look like war. There are no guns, in most of our lives. There are no planes, bombs, enemy dressed in uniforms ... so we tend to relax and get sloppy ... and even think we don't need to meditate daily on scripture since there "is no problem" ... We don't see problem so we don't pray. We pray when we are strongly aware of problem ahead. But we don't see problem until we run into the problem.
Things are going to get much worse toward the end. Paul says: 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; II Tim. 3
Paul tells us this: in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; II Tim. 3
Jesus said it would get so bad no flesh would be saved, unless the days were shortened. But for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Mt. 24:22
==========
I've been through terrible battles with individuals, several individuals over short space of time and close together. In each battle, God helped me to deliver messages and to endure.
Then God began restoring me for the work to which I am called by getting me to focus on certain scripture. As I stopped and seriously considered these scripture over a two day period I was strengthened and reestablished by God in the way I was to go. (Each of us must allow God to work with us by settling down and looking at those things that stand out to us as we read the Bible or the scriptures on the blog.)
First, we must relax and read Bible (or blog). We have to calm down. What's the hurry? Our flesh tries to get us to stop reading and do those many secular things about us. I often have to make myself slow down in order to dress properly in the Word of God.
==========
Here is how God worked with me.
I was reading the blog, that which was published that day.
II Tim. 3:14 ... 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned ...
I began thinking "of whom" I have learned ... Who taught me to do what I do? I know it was God who taught me what HE wanted me to do in the body of Christ. And I've been doing it for more than 30 years. Many times I am discouraged and want to quit. It is very hard work contending with individuals to turn them to God's way. But it is God who wants me to do this and taught me how to do this. I began thinking of the many things God used, the scriptures, to teach me what to do and how to do it. By the time I finished considering this, I knew I had to continue doing this.
The next day, God continued to reinforce what HE wanted me to do. I was reading the blog and the following stood out to me. Paul said in Titus 1:3 ... 3 But hath in due times manifested His word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
God chose to manifest HIS word through preaching ...
1 Corinthians 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.
And like Paul, that preaching is committed to me by the commandment of God ...
I considered how I had been taken into heaven twice and merged into the body of Jesus, made one with the Word of God, twice ... equipped by God for this work.
Then I was put on radio by an angel speaking call letters of the radio station to me as I slept in the night, awakening me to the work God wanted done.
Then 30 years later, in a dream, God showed me to do the work we now do on the blog.
I have to continue.
This when I went on reading the blog, I saw this instruction: Titus 3 ... 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
I stopped and considered what this was saying.
- Continue as you have been taught
- Exhort them: urge earnestly by advise and warning
- Convince them: cause someone to believe firmly in the truth of something ... The root meaning of "convince" is to overcome / to conquer ... leaving no margin for doubt
gainsayers are those who speak again / those who oppose
==========
Also this in Titus 1 stood out to me ... "rebuke them sharply" that they may be sound in the faith ... v. 13
I looked into the meaning of the word "rebuke" ...
- express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behavior or actions / force them back / repress / cause them to back down
rebuke is the strongest of the corections among the words admonish, censure, reprimand, reproach, scold.
Sometimes you must take very strong action based upon the severity of that which they are doing. Other times you can simply "admonish" them, a gentle warning. It all depends on what they are doing.
By the time I worked through this I knew again what God wanted me to do.
==========
Each of us must seriously address scripture daily. Think on that which is said. Look up key words in dictionary for God can use this to expand your thinking on that scripture. Take time to look into scripture daily. By this God leads us and strengthens us by HIS Spirit daily. Even then it can blow up in our face but God always restores us when we step on a bomb.
It does take daily work, I find.
And we have to consider our way. There may be some things it is better if we do not do. There might be TV shows it is better not to watch. There might be people it is better not to talk with.
We do whatever we have to do to overcome this day. And focus on today, not tomorrow. Take care of today. That is very important.
And we can really be helped by remembering this.
Jn. 10 ... Jesus said ... 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
God keeps us to salvation ... we are commissioned to overcome daily through God ... We dress ourselves in HIM, in HIS Word.
As we think on HIS Word daily, we succeed in all that we do.
Psalm 1 ... 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
We who have the Spirit of God are, as Paul says, "well able" to overcome. We overcome through God as we think daily on God.
Today I would like to say that yesterday I did not ¡!Bridle my mouth as it say in psalms 39:1 I Said I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with Biddle while the wicked is before me.
I had ask the wife to do something and she refuse and she start mocking me. Before I know it I was cursing uncontrollable. I was so angry. Then I ask God to forgive me. That very night I dream I was so drunk I could not stand up. Then I woke up. I kept thinking I was not sober in the whole thing
==========
Comments by Joan Boney
Which of us haven't done things similar to this ...
As I read Joseph's report, God reminded me of Ephesians 6 ... I believe God was saying to put on the whole armor of God daily ... We dress ourselves in this armor just as we dress ourselves in clothing before we go out. We wouldn't think of going out without dressing physically. I believe God is saying that we must dress ourselves in spirit daily before going out among people of this world. We must figure out a way to do this in our lives.
Eph. 6 ... 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Overcoming and keeping ourselves is work. We are in the most difficult of all wars. It doesn't look like war. There are no guns, in most of our lives. There are no planes, bombs, enemy dressed in uniforms ... so we tend to relax and get sloppy ... and even think we don't need to meditate daily on scripture since there "is no problem" ... We don't see problem so we don't pray. We pray when we are strongly aware of problem ahead. But we don't see problem until we run into the problem.
Things are going to get much worse toward the end. Paul says: 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; II Tim. 3
Paul tells us this: in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; II Tim. 3
Jesus said it would get so bad no flesh would be saved, unless the days were shortened. But for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Mt. 24:22
==========
I've been through terrible battles with individuals, several individuals over short space of time and close together. In each battle, God helped me to deliver messages and to endure.
Then God began restoring me for the work to which I am called by getting me to focus on certain scripture. As I stopped and seriously considered these scripture over a two day period I was strengthened and reestablished by God in the way I was to go. (Each of us must allow God to work with us by settling down and looking at those things that stand out to us as we read the Bible or the scriptures on the blog.)
First, we must relax and read Bible (or blog). We have to calm down. What's the hurry? Our flesh tries to get us to stop reading and do those many secular things about us. I often have to make myself slow down in order to dress properly in the Word of God.
==========
Here is how God worked with me.
I was reading the blog, that which was published that day.
II Tim. 3:14 ... 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned ...
I began thinking "of whom" I have learned ... Who taught me to do what I do? I know it was God who taught me what HE wanted me to do in the body of Christ. And I've been doing it for more than 30 years. Many times I am discouraged and want to quit. It is very hard work contending with individuals to turn them to God's way. But it is God who wants me to do this and taught me how to do this. I began thinking of the many things God used, the scriptures, to teach me what to do and how to do it. By the time I finished considering this, I knew I had to continue doing this.
The next day, God continued to reinforce what HE wanted me to do. I was reading the blog and the following stood out to me. Paul said in Titus 1:3 ... 3 But hath in due times manifested His word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
God chose to manifest HIS word through preaching ...
1 Corinthians 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.
And like Paul, that preaching is committed to me by the commandment of God ...
I considered how I had been taken into heaven twice and merged into the body of Jesus, made one with the Word of God, twice ... equipped by God for this work.
Then I was put on radio by an angel speaking call letters of the radio station to me as I slept in the night, awakening me to the work God wanted done.
Then 30 years later, in a dream, God showed me to do the work we now do on the blog.
I have to continue.
This when I went on reading the blog, I saw this instruction: Titus 3 ... 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
I stopped and considered what this was saying.
- Continue as you have been taught
- Exhort them: urge earnestly by advise and warning
- Convince them: cause someone to believe firmly in the truth of something ... The root meaning of "convince" is to overcome / to conquer ... leaving no margin for doubt
gainsayers are those who speak again / those who oppose
==========
Also this in Titus 1 stood out to me ... "rebuke them sharply" that they may be sound in the faith ... v. 13
I looked into the meaning of the word "rebuke" ...
- express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behavior or actions / force them back / repress / cause them to back down
rebuke is the strongest of the corections among the words admonish, censure, reprimand, reproach, scold.
Sometimes you must take very strong action based upon the severity of that which they are doing. Other times you can simply "admonish" them, a gentle warning. It all depends on what they are doing.
By the time I worked through this I knew again what God wanted me to do.
==========
Each of us must seriously address scripture daily. Think on that which is said. Look up key words in dictionary for God can use this to expand your thinking on that scripture. Take time to look into scripture daily. By this God leads us and strengthens us by HIS Spirit daily. Even then it can blow up in our face but God always restores us when we step on a bomb.
It does take daily work, I find.
And we have to consider our way. There may be some things it is better if we do not do. There might be TV shows it is better not to watch. There might be people it is better not to talk with.
We do whatever we have to do to overcome this day. And focus on today, not tomorrow. Take care of today. That is very important.
And we can really be helped by remembering this.
Jn. 10 ... Jesus said ... 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
God keeps us to salvation ... we are commissioned to overcome daily through God ... We dress ourselves in HIM, in HIS Word.
As we think on HIS Word daily, we succeed in all that we do.
Psalm 1 ... 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
We who have the Spirit of God are, as Paul says, "well able" to overcome. We overcome through God as we think daily on God.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Titus 1 ... Reading through the Bible
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith:Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true.
Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15 Unto the pure all things are pure:but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith:Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true.
Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15 Unto the pure all things are pure:but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Psalm 53 ... Prayers to God & Promises from God to the Church
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity:
there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men,
to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back:they are altogether become filthy;
there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge?
who eat up my people as they eat bread:
they have not called upon God.
5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was:
for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee:
thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!
When God bringeth back the captivity of his people,
Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Comments by Joan Boney
When people speak foolishly, I am grieved.
When God is exalted, I am joyful.
Often I awaken in the morning praying for God to bring me joy by HIS Word.
It is a type of "captivity" to be troubled by their words. Joy comes from God's words and from HIS acts. I make myself think on that and I am helped.
Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity:
there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men,
to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back:they are altogether become filthy;
there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge?
who eat up my people as they eat bread:
they have not called upon God.
5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was:
for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee:
thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!
When God bringeth back the captivity of his people,
Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Comments by Joan Boney
When people speak foolishly, I am grieved.
When God is exalted, I am joyful.
Often I awaken in the morning praying for God to bring me joy by HIS Word.
It is a type of "captivity" to be troubled by their words. Joy comes from God's words and from HIS acts. I make myself think on that and I am helped.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
II Timothy 4 ... Reading through the Bible
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee:for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil:the Lord reward him according to his works:15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me:I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear:and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom:to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus abode at Corinth:but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee:for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil:the Lord reward him according to his works:15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me:I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear:and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom:to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus abode at Corinth:but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Why would God have Paul speak of Alexander the coppersmith?
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
At the end of the epistles written by Paul there are often things that don't seem relevant to the church today.
For example, in the epistle quoted in today's writings, Paul spoke of Alexander the coppersmith.
How is this relevant today?
This is one of the scriptures God used when HE showed me I had to speak of judgment in ministries and in other people who did wrong in the church, naming by name the violators, telling before all the church of the evil doing by them in the congregation, warning the church to beware of these people.
Paul said ... 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil:the Lord reward him according to his works:15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. II Tim. 4
We warn the church, naming by name the one to beware of, when God shows us the evil in the church. We do not protect the evil doer and allow him to continue to be held in esteem. He is exposed before all the church when he does his evil in the church.
God showed me this by the example given in the Bible of Paul dealing with Alexander the coppersmith.
There are many times I've been taken to the end of Paul's epistles to be shown what to do in the church. These words of salutation, naming people from centuries ago, seem meaningless to us today, but God put them into the Bible.
II Tim. 3 ...16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
At the end of the epistles written by Paul there are often things that don't seem relevant to the church today.
For example, in the epistle quoted in today's writings, Paul spoke of Alexander the coppersmith.
How is this relevant today?
This is one of the scriptures God used when HE showed me I had to speak of judgment in ministries and in other people who did wrong in the church, naming by name the violators, telling before all the church of the evil doing by them in the congregation, warning the church to beware of these people.
Paul said ... 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil:the Lord reward him according to his works:15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. II Tim. 4
We warn the church, naming by name the one to beware of, when God shows us the evil in the church. We do not protect the evil doer and allow him to continue to be held in esteem. He is exposed before all the church when he does his evil in the church.
God showed me this by the example given in the Bible of Paul dealing with Alexander the coppersmith.
There are many times I've been taken to the end of Paul's epistles to be shown what to do in the church. These words of salutation, naming people from centuries ago, seem meaningless to us today, but God put them into the Bible.
II Tim. 3 ...16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Psalm 52 ... Prayers to God & Promises from God to the Church
1 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?
the goodness of God endureth continually.
2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs;
like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3 Thou lovest evil more than good;
and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
4 Thou lovest all devouring words,
O thou deceitful tongue.
5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever,
he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place,
and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
6 The righteous also shall see, and fear,
and shall laugh at him:
7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength;
but trusted in the abundance of his riches,
and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God:
I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it:
and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
Comments by Joan Boney
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief
mischief: troublemaking / a person who habitually causes difficulty or problems
There are certainly people like this in the world, and even in the churches.
When such a person is apparent, usually I end up just leaving that person alone. If I do try to speak with such, I am grieved. So I learn to just not call such. They eat me alive when I do. My grief over their words is overwhelming and I do not approve of being overwhelmed needlessly. They will not hear me and they boast in their own way and run me over and bite me with their word. Grief, not joy, results. Trouble replaces peace without avail. Usually best to avoid them and continue in peace.
==========
I will wait on Thy name (the Word); for it is good before Thy saints.
the goodness of God endureth continually.
2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs;
like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3 Thou lovest evil more than good;
and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
4 Thou lovest all devouring words,
O thou deceitful tongue.
5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever,
he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place,
and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
6 The righteous also shall see, and fear,
and shall laugh at him:
7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength;
but trusted in the abundance of his riches,
and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God:
I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it:
and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
Comments by Joan Boney
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief
mischief: troublemaking / a person who habitually causes difficulty or problems
There are certainly people like this in the world, and even in the churches.
When such a person is apparent, usually I end up just leaving that person alone. If I do try to speak with such, I am grieved. So I learn to just not call such. They eat me alive when I do. My grief over their words is overwhelming and I do not approve of being overwhelmed needlessly. They will not hear me and they boast in their own way and run me over and bite me with their word. Grief, not joy, results. Trouble replaces peace without avail. Usually best to avoid them and continue in peace.
==========
I will wait on Thy name (the Word); for it is good before Thy saints.
Perilous times
Pam Padgett - teacher
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Paul warns that perilous times would come. Perilous times are full of danger or risk. One of the ways the peril comes is through people who are covetous.
Reading this I thought of how many of the people I know want more and more people to be around them, including me. It isn't that they want to hear things of God, but they want another person. Regardless of how many others are around them, they seek one more person to be with them.
Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
They love things of this world, not things of God. There is no life in them, and the life I have is drained if I sit quietly as they bring forth their worldly talk, and I am grieved. Even more dangerous, if I continue to sit quietly taking in their words, what they say with pleasant smiles on their faces begins to sound ok. When I speak something of God, there is awkwardness and often hostility.
Either way, I find myself trying to get away as quickly as possible, needing to get away from the death so I can have life, to allow God to restore me.
Last summer my niece called saying my mom had been taken to the hospital and was in serious condition. They live in another state, several hours drive from where I live. She obviously called so I could go there and even said she was sure my parents would like to see me. I immediately thought I probably "should" go.
But when I stopped and turned to God, I heard that everything my parents needed was already provided, and that for me to go there would be like stepping into an ant hill of fire ants. I tried the spirit bringing this thought and believed I was being led and warned by the Holy Spirit to stay home and not go, and this is what I did.
After my mom was released from the hospital, she told me on the telephone how well cared for she had been at the hospital and how many people had come to see her. The nurses at the hospital had even commented on the number of visitors she had.
I would have been one more person in the parade of people, and my parents would have loved this. They seek what appeals to their flesh, but don't love real things of God.
And I would have been stung, as by fire ants, by what was said and done by those who were there (including my parents). To have gone there, following my flesh and not the Holy Spirit, would have profited nothing and would have been perilous to me.
To the flesh it seems wrong to not go be with my seriously ill mom. But to not go is the way I was led by the Holy Spirit. I think this is an example of "enduring hardness" so we can serve God ...
2 Tim. 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
They covet us, our flesh, and our flesh may rise up to join with them in the situation as well.
But because we belong to God, we are able to keep our own flesh under control. And we can turn to God to see what HE wants us to do in the specific matter and keep our eyes on the way God leads us, which is the way of life not peril for us. That we may keep ourselves free to hear from God by the Holy Spirit and obey Him ... to please Him as a good soldier.
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Paul warns that perilous times would come. Perilous times are full of danger or risk. One of the ways the peril comes is through people who are covetous.
Reading this I thought of how many of the people I know want more and more people to be around them, including me. It isn't that they want to hear things of God, but they want another person. Regardless of how many others are around them, they seek one more person to be with them.
Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
They love things of this world, not things of God. There is no life in them, and the life I have is drained if I sit quietly as they bring forth their worldly talk, and I am grieved. Even more dangerous, if I continue to sit quietly taking in their words, what they say with pleasant smiles on their faces begins to sound ok. When I speak something of God, there is awkwardness and often hostility.
Either way, I find myself trying to get away as quickly as possible, needing to get away from the death so I can have life, to allow God to restore me.
Last summer my niece called saying my mom had been taken to the hospital and was in serious condition. They live in another state, several hours drive from where I live. She obviously called so I could go there and even said she was sure my parents would like to see me. I immediately thought I probably "should" go.
But when I stopped and turned to God, I heard that everything my parents needed was already provided, and that for me to go there would be like stepping into an ant hill of fire ants. I tried the spirit bringing this thought and believed I was being led and warned by the Holy Spirit to stay home and not go, and this is what I did.
After my mom was released from the hospital, she told me on the telephone how well cared for she had been at the hospital and how many people had come to see her. The nurses at the hospital had even commented on the number of visitors she had.
I would have been one more person in the parade of people, and my parents would have loved this. They seek what appeals to their flesh, but don't love real things of God.
And I would have been stung, as by fire ants, by what was said and done by those who were there (including my parents). To have gone there, following my flesh and not the Holy Spirit, would have profited nothing and would have been perilous to me.
To the flesh it seems wrong to not go be with my seriously ill mom. But to not go is the way I was led by the Holy Spirit. I think this is an example of "enduring hardness" so we can serve God ...
2 Tim. 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
They covet us, our flesh, and our flesh may rise up to join with them in the situation as well.
But because we belong to God, we are able to keep our own flesh under control. And we can turn to God to see what HE wants us to do in the specific matter and keep our eyes on the way God leads us, which is the way of life not peril for us. That we may keep ourselves free to hear from God by the Holy Spirit and obey Him ... to please Him as a good soldier.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
II Timothy 3 ... Reading through the Bible
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth:men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further:for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured:but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And 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.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth:men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further:for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured:but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And 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.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Psalm 51 ... Prayers to God & Promises from God to the Church
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:
according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
(New covenant, God says: Heb. 8 ... 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts:and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord:for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.)
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,
and done this evil in thy sight:
that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest,
and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:
and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
(Jesus said ... John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.)
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness;
that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins,
and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.
(Prayer of David)
11 Cast me not away from thy presence;
and take not thy holy spirit from me.
(God had removed HIS Holy Spirit from Saul and had given HIS Holy Spirit to David. David had sinned greatly by having Uriah killed so he could have Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, openly as his wife. Though Bathsheba was pregnant by David at the time David sent Uriah to the front lines to have him die in battle.)
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways;
and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation:
and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips;
and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it:
thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:
a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion:
build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering:
then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Comments by Joan Boney
This psalm is a psalm of David. We see much of the Old Testament in this psalm. While psalms are wonderful for us to read and think on, the New Covenant had not been made for the writers of the psalms. We live in the New Covenant with better promises and we must be aware of that and focus on that even as we read these psalms.
This is something I often pray: 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness;
For when I have to deliver correction to church people and "strive" with them over the way of God, often my joy is diminished as I view their sins. I frequently pray, asking God to restore my joy and quickly so I can read Bible in joy and go forth in joy and peace and exhort the church with the spiritual gift of exhortation which I have been given by God.
12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;
joy: feeling of great pleasure and happiness
When I think of my salvation, great joy floods into me and overcomes me. When I think of the Word God gives me in troubles of this life, I have great joy and am overwhelmed by that joy.
Then the sins of humans, especially sins of church people, pulls me down and steals joy from me.
But God always restores the joy when I turn to HIM in prayer. And again the Word is joy to me.
And I know the following:
Prov. 3 ... 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies:
and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
==========
Psalm 51:6 ... Thou shalt make me to know wisdom
God causes me to have wisdom to be able to go in the way of God in the issues of this life.
And the only thing that really matters in situations is: "God, what do YOU want me to do?"
Going in that way authored by God in the specific trial of life is going in wisdom.
according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
(New covenant, God says: Heb. 8 ... 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts:and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord:for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.)
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,
and done this evil in thy sight:
that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest,
and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:
and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
(Jesus said ... John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.)
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness;
that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins,
and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.
(Prayer of David)
11 Cast me not away from thy presence;
and take not thy holy spirit from me.
(God had removed HIS Holy Spirit from Saul and had given HIS Holy Spirit to David. David had sinned greatly by having Uriah killed so he could have Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, openly as his wife. Though Bathsheba was pregnant by David at the time David sent Uriah to the front lines to have him die in battle.)
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways;
and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation:
and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips;
and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it:
thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:
a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion:
build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering:
then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Comments by Joan Boney
This psalm is a psalm of David. We see much of the Old Testament in this psalm. While psalms are wonderful for us to read and think on, the New Covenant had not been made for the writers of the psalms. We live in the New Covenant with better promises and we must be aware of that and focus on that even as we read these psalms.
This is something I often pray: 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness;
For when I have to deliver correction to church people and "strive" with them over the way of God, often my joy is diminished as I view their sins. I frequently pray, asking God to restore my joy and quickly so I can read Bible in joy and go forth in joy and peace and exhort the church with the spiritual gift of exhortation which I have been given by God.
12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;
joy: feeling of great pleasure and happiness
When I think of my salvation, great joy floods into me and overcomes me. When I think of the Word God gives me in troubles of this life, I have great joy and am overwhelmed by that joy.
Then the sins of humans, especially sins of church people, pulls me down and steals joy from me.
But God always restores the joy when I turn to HIM in prayer. And again the Word is joy to me.
And I know the following:
Prov. 3 ... 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies:
and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
==========
Psalm 51:6 ... Thou shalt make me to know wisdom
God causes me to have wisdom to be able to go in the way of God in the issues of this life.
And the only thing that really matters in situations is: "God, what do YOU want me to do?"
Going in that way authored by God in the specific trial of life is going in wisdom.
Checking ourselves by that which Paul instructed
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
II Timothy 2 ... Paul said:
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
There are certain things I avoid. Some of these things even appear necessary but I find if I start them I am consumed by them. I consider: "Are these really necessary?"
For example: Some vandals damaged the outside of the back of my house by throwing eggs at the house. Painting will correct the damage. Then it expands when you consider painting. "The house is 10 years old and the original paint needs covered with new paint." Further expansion: "And the front of the house which was repainted about 3 years ago doesn't match the original paint exactly so you could paint the front at the same time you paint the damaged areas." As I thought on these things I found I got weighed down more and more, burdened. And certainly when I am burdened I can't read Bible and write these exhortations to church. And contractor who said he would paint the house for me did as he often does. He tells me he will do something and months pass and he never shows up to do the work. The weeks began to drag on and when I would think of the painting and how contractor had not come to do the work, I began to fret.
Is it really necessary to do this painting? The Holy Spirit got my attention. While it seems necessary, in case you would want to sell the property ... or if you died and the church leaders had to have the property painted to sell the property ... there is another simple, undisturbing way to handle this. A realtor could get the property ready for sale. That wouldn't trouble anyone. And realtors usually know painters and repair people.
I felt such great relief when the Holy Spirit gave me this idea.
We can see how one secular thing often leads to another until it becomes like a cancer growing. And all these secular things trouble us and draw us away, putting our thoughts and hearts toward things of this world.
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.
The inside of my house is liveable as it is now. There is always something inside I could do ... but why trouble myself to make something "perfect" on this earth?
The important thing is keeping my mind free to read the Bible and exhort the church.
Paul told us a "good soldier" refuses to be entangled with the affairs of this life. I thought of the way Pam Padgett refused to be involved with the community problems when the golf course which is directly behind her property closed.
Here is Pam's testimony:
Pam writes: The community where I live was built around a golf course. The golf course closed about a year and a half ago, with the owner of the land saying he wanted to sell it. Last summer residents in our community started meeting to plan what to do in the event the owner sold the land to a developer who would build houses on what is now open land. They wanted to prepare to fight this happening, to keep the space open, without houses.
At first my flesh was stirred up to get involved. But when I turned to God with this, I was shown a different way:
I was reminded to take no thought for the future but to seek to do the will of God and trust Him for what I need and what is best for me ...
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
And I was given a word: people try to preserve the way things are now as much as possible. But all these things we see now are temporary and will be destroyed at the end of the world. We might prize things of this world such as open spaces, but these things have no eternal value and are futile.
Because of these things I did not get involved in the meetings.
(Some time after this I heard that conflicts came forth in the community meetings as various people wanted their own ways to be followed. I was so grateful to God that HE led me another way. )
Later another problem came up where the golf course land is concerned. When the golf course was open, there was a maintenance crew that kept the course mowed. Now that the course is closed, this is no longer done. The owner of the golf course land gave permission for any homeowners to mow the area behind our homes to keep the weeds from becoming a problem to us. However, some homeowners wanted to fight to make the golf course owner mow the land.
But it was put in my heart to just pay my lawn mowing people to also mow the area behind my property. This only needed to be done once, and it cost very little and was not a financial burden at all. Rather than getting involved in struggling with the golf course owner to do this, it was taken care of very simply, quickly, and peacefully by doing what God showed me to do.
==========
(Comments by Joan Boney)
And so many of these secular things that trouble us have to do with the future and what might happen. If we allow ourselves to get entangled with doing something now because of what might happen, we trouble ourselves needlessly and allow ourselves to be drawn away by secular things.
We need to focus on today ...
==========
Also Paul says to us ...
II Tim. 2 ... 16 But shun profane and vain babblings:for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker:
profane:
- relating to that which is not sacred or Biblical ... secular things
vain:
- useless, producing no results
- have no meaning nor likelihood of fulfillment
- devoid of real worth
- that which shows excessively high opinion of appearance, abilities, worth
To me, an example of profane and vain babblings is TV newscast and newspapers. If I allow myself to peek at these, I find I am drawn in and troubled needlessly or I become puffed up with worldly information and think I know something.
It is amazing how people think it is important to keep up with what is going on. Why? If I need to know something I find God always tells me. These worldly things are just flesh ticklings.
Here is a really fun story. Pam Padgett is a Denver Broncho football fan. Last season one of their key players was injured. Pam remembered the name of a former player and she went to Internet to see what he was doing at that time. Maybe he could fill in for the injured player. She found the information about him on Internet. Now what? Pam has no connection at all with the people who hire football players for Denver. She just sat there stunned that she had done this. We both laugh when we think of this!
But that is what news does to us. Even if we don't take secular action, our mind is weighted down needlessly and we are drawn away from Bible and troubled without cause.
When I was born again in 1975, God showed me not to watch any TV ... neither go to plays nor sporting events ... I just read Bible and attended church for about 3 years ... One day at the end of this period of time, someone mentioned "Jimmy Carter." I said: "Who's Jimmy Carter." I'd never heard of him. He had just been elected president. The people standing there couldn't believe I'd never heard of him. I found it didn't make any difference at all to me that I didn't know his name even though he was now president of the United States. But it made a very big difference that I was focused on Bible during that period of time.
==========
Many troubles come to people over things that don't matter anyway.
But godliness with contentment is great gain ... I Tim. 6 ...
And Jesus says ... 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me (the Word) ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jn. 16
It is unwise and even harmful to fill our minds and hearts with secular things which trouble us needlessly and draw us away from peace of God and studying Bible.
==========
Paul says: Profane and vain babblings will increase unto more unglodliness and their word will eat as doth a canker ...
Canker is: fungal rot ... corrupting influence that is difficult to eradicate ... cancer ... tumor
Some problem occur because we are doing things to allow problems to come to us without cause and without results ... our flesh is just curious (and out of control).
==========
It is the way of the people of the world to saturate themselves in profane and vain babblings. Paul says for us to "avoid" such.
There is a Catholic woman that I met when I played bridge. After I quit bridge, she continued to call me and talk with me and she often asked me to go to lunch with her. This woman is not born again. She is very interested in the news of the world and in local news. She spoke continually of such when I went out with her. She is not interested in Bible and did not show interest when I spoke of things God had done. She wanted the flesh to excel and even though I spoke of God doing such and such for me, when she later mentioned the story she eliminated God and just told of my flesh doing these things. I just got to the point I couldn't face hearing her. I pled with God to deliver me. One entire day after having gone to eat with her and hearing her, I was so grieved by her that I just stayed in bed all day and talked with God, pleading for deliverance from her.
The next morning, I awoke with a message for her which I delivered to her by email. "At some point, you are going to see that the way you are going is totally wrong and you will be so ashamed." I enclosed the first 7 or 8 verses of Psalm 37 as the right way to go. She called me and said, "I don't understand that message." I told her I can't give her understanding. Only God can give understanding. (implying she should turn to God and ask HIM to give her understanding.) I told her Psalm 37 (which I had sent to her with the message) shows the right way to go. The Word of God freed me for she hasn't called me to "visit" nor has she asked me to go to lunch with her since I delivered that message.
... avoid profane and vain babblings ... II Tim. 2
Another example: My cousin, Jeanne, is a life time Church of Christ member. But she doesn't want to talk about spiritual things. She wants to talk about people. (not evil talk but just talk about what people are doing) I hate hearing what people are doing unless there is a spiritual example in what they are doing which shows God working.
This cousin called me and wanted me to come visit her. She is 93 years old now and lives 200 miles from where I live. (She is getting ready to die.) I replied to her telling her I would do this if she wanted to talk about spiritual things but to talk about fleshly things (people) would not be profitable.
She sent me a railing letter ... I read the first few sentences of what she wrote and threw it away. I didn't want to take in any more of her words.
Later I wrote two letters to her telling of spiritual experiences I had with her mother and with God. (To read these letters see archive: Letter to cousin) She did not respond. I haven't talked with her since then nor heard from her since I sent the letters. That was in September, 2014.
Another example: Yet another cousin called me telling me her husband died. I felt so sorry for her because they were married 65 years. She has to be devastated.
I had not talked to this cousin in more than 2 years. At one point she clearly showed me she didn't want to talk with me. So I have left her alone. Her husband was sick for over a year with cancer before he died. She only called after he died. So I was even spared from his illness.
Now what? If I called this cousin, I know she would "unload" on me and pull me down to no avail. So I wrote her a note, telling her to call on God when she is overwhelmed with grief. (no reply from her) I wrote her another note telling her many people I know here in Lubbock have gone to assisted living homes. The report is they like it. They have lots of other people to talk to (she loves to talk) and they have social events planned at the home. (no reply from this cousin) Later I told her about my experience in the rehab hospital after my accident and how glad I was to be there where I could get help until I could function on my own. (no reply)
God reminded me of two dreams HE had given me about this cousin. In one dream, God told me I could not go out through her house. In a recent dream, this cousin was accusing me of wrong doing even though I had not been in the damaged area of her house. She refused to hear me and just kept accusing me.
I know to leave her alone which I have done. I am comforted by God concerning her because I was reminded that she has plenty of people to help her where she lives. She has 2 adult aged sons. An adult age granddaughter. And she has her "friends" there.
Another example: A woman I went to high school with sent me a note telling of a 60th high school reunion she was planning. She mentioned gathering in a near by town for dinner. She asked what we thought of this plan (the note was sent to all, not a personal note).
I just threw it in the trash and did not respond.
The last thing I would want to do is gather with people and try to talk about secular things that happened more than 60 years ago. I didn't even like high school when I was there. I managed to graduate a year early so I could leave. They had a library at the school, but no books! It was just a large room with empty book shelves. It was a country school, grades 1-12 in same building. None of the people were mean to me. I think I was just bored there. And I've never liked talking about people. I did like college when I got there.
==========
I really do what I can to shun profane and vain babbling because I know such is harmful to me, eating away at me after I speak with the ones who speak these things. And I am harmed without reason by hearing them whether they are people I know talking or people talking on TV. I avoid their words.
==========
While writing this exhortation, I received a phone call. My cleaning woman called to tell me she will not be able to come to my house to clean today. YEA ... I can go on with my work, reading Bible, and not be interrupted. Nothing better for me than this!
II Timothy 2 ... Paul said:
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
There are certain things I avoid. Some of these things even appear necessary but I find if I start them I am consumed by them. I consider: "Are these really necessary?"
For example: Some vandals damaged the outside of the back of my house by throwing eggs at the house. Painting will correct the damage. Then it expands when you consider painting. "The house is 10 years old and the original paint needs covered with new paint." Further expansion: "And the front of the house which was repainted about 3 years ago doesn't match the original paint exactly so you could paint the front at the same time you paint the damaged areas." As I thought on these things I found I got weighed down more and more, burdened. And certainly when I am burdened I can't read Bible and write these exhortations to church. And contractor who said he would paint the house for me did as he often does. He tells me he will do something and months pass and he never shows up to do the work. The weeks began to drag on and when I would think of the painting and how contractor had not come to do the work, I began to fret.
Is it really necessary to do this painting? The Holy Spirit got my attention. While it seems necessary, in case you would want to sell the property ... or if you died and the church leaders had to have the property painted to sell the property ... there is another simple, undisturbing way to handle this. A realtor could get the property ready for sale. That wouldn't trouble anyone. And realtors usually know painters and repair people.
I felt such great relief when the Holy Spirit gave me this idea.
We can see how one secular thing often leads to another until it becomes like a cancer growing. And all these secular things trouble us and draw us away, putting our thoughts and hearts toward things of this world.
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.
The inside of my house is liveable as it is now. There is always something inside I could do ... but why trouble myself to make something "perfect" on this earth?
The important thing is keeping my mind free to read the Bible and exhort the church.
Paul told us a "good soldier" refuses to be entangled with the affairs of this life. I thought of the way Pam Padgett refused to be involved with the community problems when the golf course which is directly behind her property closed.
Here is Pam's testimony:
Pam writes: The community where I live was built around a golf course. The golf course closed about a year and a half ago, with the owner of the land saying he wanted to sell it. Last summer residents in our community started meeting to plan what to do in the event the owner sold the land to a developer who would build houses on what is now open land. They wanted to prepare to fight this happening, to keep the space open, without houses.
At first my flesh was stirred up to get involved. But when I turned to God with this, I was shown a different way:
I was reminded to take no thought for the future but to seek to do the will of God and trust Him for what I need and what is best for me ...
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
And I was given a word: people try to preserve the way things are now as much as possible. But all these things we see now are temporary and will be destroyed at the end of the world. We might prize things of this world such as open spaces, but these things have no eternal value and are futile.
Because of these things I did not get involved in the meetings.
(Some time after this I heard that conflicts came forth in the community meetings as various people wanted their own ways to be followed. I was so grateful to God that HE led me another way. )
Later another problem came up where the golf course land is concerned. When the golf course was open, there was a maintenance crew that kept the course mowed. Now that the course is closed, this is no longer done. The owner of the golf course land gave permission for any homeowners to mow the area behind our homes to keep the weeds from becoming a problem to us. However, some homeowners wanted to fight to make the golf course owner mow the land.
But it was put in my heart to just pay my lawn mowing people to also mow the area behind my property. This only needed to be done once, and it cost very little and was not a financial burden at all. Rather than getting involved in struggling with the golf course owner to do this, it was taken care of very simply, quickly, and peacefully by doing what God showed me to do.
==========
(Comments by Joan Boney)
And so many of these secular things that trouble us have to do with the future and what might happen. If we allow ourselves to get entangled with doing something now because of what might happen, we trouble ourselves needlessly and allow ourselves to be drawn away by secular things.
We need to focus on today ...
==========
Also Paul says to us ...
II Tim. 2 ... 16 But shun profane and vain babblings:for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker:
profane:
- relating to that which is not sacred or Biblical ... secular things
vain:
- useless, producing no results
- have no meaning nor likelihood of fulfillment
- devoid of real worth
- that which shows excessively high opinion of appearance, abilities, worth
To me, an example of profane and vain babblings is TV newscast and newspapers. If I allow myself to peek at these, I find I am drawn in and troubled needlessly or I become puffed up with worldly information and think I know something.
It is amazing how people think it is important to keep up with what is going on. Why? If I need to know something I find God always tells me. These worldly things are just flesh ticklings.
Here is a really fun story. Pam Padgett is a Denver Broncho football fan. Last season one of their key players was injured. Pam remembered the name of a former player and she went to Internet to see what he was doing at that time. Maybe he could fill in for the injured player. She found the information about him on Internet. Now what? Pam has no connection at all with the people who hire football players for Denver. She just sat there stunned that she had done this. We both laugh when we think of this!
But that is what news does to us. Even if we don't take secular action, our mind is weighted down needlessly and we are drawn away from Bible and troubled without cause.
When I was born again in 1975, God showed me not to watch any TV ... neither go to plays nor sporting events ... I just read Bible and attended church for about 3 years ... One day at the end of this period of time, someone mentioned "Jimmy Carter." I said: "Who's Jimmy Carter." I'd never heard of him. He had just been elected president. The people standing there couldn't believe I'd never heard of him. I found it didn't make any difference at all to me that I didn't know his name even though he was now president of the United States. But it made a very big difference that I was focused on Bible during that period of time.
==========
Many troubles come to people over things that don't matter anyway.
But godliness with contentment is great gain ... I Tim. 6 ...
And Jesus says ... 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me (the Word) ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jn. 16
It is unwise and even harmful to fill our minds and hearts with secular things which trouble us needlessly and draw us away from peace of God and studying Bible.
==========
Paul says: Profane and vain babblings will increase unto more unglodliness and their word will eat as doth a canker ...
Canker is: fungal rot ... corrupting influence that is difficult to eradicate ... cancer ... tumor
Some problem occur because we are doing things to allow problems to come to us without cause and without results ... our flesh is just curious (and out of control).
==========
It is the way of the people of the world to saturate themselves in profane and vain babblings. Paul says for us to "avoid" such.
There is a Catholic woman that I met when I played bridge. After I quit bridge, she continued to call me and talk with me and she often asked me to go to lunch with her. This woman is not born again. She is very interested in the news of the world and in local news. She spoke continually of such when I went out with her. She is not interested in Bible and did not show interest when I spoke of things God had done. She wanted the flesh to excel and even though I spoke of God doing such and such for me, when she later mentioned the story she eliminated God and just told of my flesh doing these things. I just got to the point I couldn't face hearing her. I pled with God to deliver me. One entire day after having gone to eat with her and hearing her, I was so grieved by her that I just stayed in bed all day and talked with God, pleading for deliverance from her.
The next morning, I awoke with a message for her which I delivered to her by email. "At some point, you are going to see that the way you are going is totally wrong and you will be so ashamed." I enclosed the first 7 or 8 verses of Psalm 37 as the right way to go. She called me and said, "I don't understand that message." I told her I can't give her understanding. Only God can give understanding. (implying she should turn to God and ask HIM to give her understanding.) I told her Psalm 37 (which I had sent to her with the message) shows the right way to go. The Word of God freed me for she hasn't called me to "visit" nor has she asked me to go to lunch with her since I delivered that message.
... avoid profane and vain babblings ... II Tim. 2
Another example: My cousin, Jeanne, is a life time Church of Christ member. But she doesn't want to talk about spiritual things. She wants to talk about people. (not evil talk but just talk about what people are doing) I hate hearing what people are doing unless there is a spiritual example in what they are doing which shows God working.
This cousin called me and wanted me to come visit her. She is 93 years old now and lives 200 miles from where I live. (She is getting ready to die.) I replied to her telling her I would do this if she wanted to talk about spiritual things but to talk about fleshly things (people) would not be profitable.
She sent me a railing letter ... I read the first few sentences of what she wrote and threw it away. I didn't want to take in any more of her words.
Later I wrote two letters to her telling of spiritual experiences I had with her mother and with God. (To read these letters see archive: Letter to cousin) She did not respond. I haven't talked with her since then nor heard from her since I sent the letters. That was in September, 2014.
Another example: Yet another cousin called me telling me her husband died. I felt so sorry for her because they were married 65 years. She has to be devastated.
I had not talked to this cousin in more than 2 years. At one point she clearly showed me she didn't want to talk with me. So I have left her alone. Her husband was sick for over a year with cancer before he died. She only called after he died. So I was even spared from his illness.
Now what? If I called this cousin, I know she would "unload" on me and pull me down to no avail. So I wrote her a note, telling her to call on God when she is overwhelmed with grief. (no reply from her) I wrote her another note telling her many people I know here in Lubbock have gone to assisted living homes. The report is they like it. They have lots of other people to talk to (she loves to talk) and they have social events planned at the home. (no reply from this cousin) Later I told her about my experience in the rehab hospital after my accident and how glad I was to be there where I could get help until I could function on my own. (no reply)
God reminded me of two dreams HE had given me about this cousin. In one dream, God told me I could not go out through her house. In a recent dream, this cousin was accusing me of wrong doing even though I had not been in the damaged area of her house. She refused to hear me and just kept accusing me.
I know to leave her alone which I have done. I am comforted by God concerning her because I was reminded that she has plenty of people to help her where she lives. She has 2 adult aged sons. An adult age granddaughter. And she has her "friends" there.
Another example: A woman I went to high school with sent me a note telling of a 60th high school reunion she was planning. She mentioned gathering in a near by town for dinner. She asked what we thought of this plan (the note was sent to all, not a personal note).
I just threw it in the trash and did not respond.
The last thing I would want to do is gather with people and try to talk about secular things that happened more than 60 years ago. I didn't even like high school when I was there. I managed to graduate a year early so I could leave. They had a library at the school, but no books! It was just a large room with empty book shelves. It was a country school, grades 1-12 in same building. None of the people were mean to me. I think I was just bored there. And I've never liked talking about people. I did like college when I got there.
==========
I really do what I can to shun profane and vain babbling because I know such is harmful to me, eating away at me after I speak with the ones who speak these things. And I am harmed without reason by hearing them whether they are people I know talking or people talking on TV. I avoid their words.
==========
While writing this exhortation, I received a phone call. My cleaning woman called to tell me she will not be able to come to my house to clean today. YEA ... I can go on with my work, reading Bible, and not be interrupted. Nothing better for me than this!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)