Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Our flesh works to destroy us if we will yield to it.
Paul explained:
I Cor. 9 ... 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Gal. 5 ... 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
When we get physically and mentally tired, it is easier to flare up in our flesh.
Paul explained that he kept "under his body" ... kept his flesh under control, bringing his flesh into subjection of the word of God.
When I problem of this life continues days and weeks we can get worn down easier and succumb to the will of our flesh (and to will of devil, for flesh and devil work together against the will of God.)
When we yield to our flesh we work against God and even become an "enemy" to God by our own flesh. To yield to hatred an strife are examples which each of us face.
James says in the midst of the temptation or trial, to pray for wisdom to help you to know how to overcome. James 1
There is a promise attached to this when we ask God for wisdom.
James 1:5 ... 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
This week, I went through a trial that was very exhausting for me.
On Monday, my Internet and phone service went out. That may not seem like much to go through, but in my case it was hard. I couldn't get to our blog to post messages. I couldn't communicate with pastors who send me emails. I couldn't send materials to Pam Padgett who puts our ministry books on Amazon. I prayed constantly as the frustration mounted.
ATT said the problem was in the modem. They sent me a new modem which arrived UPS on Tuesday. ATT said all I would have to do is unplug the modem and put the cables in the new modem following color coded plugs.
I anxiously awaited UPS delivery on Tuesday. They delivered the modem around 4 pm. I set it up immediately. It did not work.
I arranged for a man to come and set up the modem on Wednesday. That is not long to have to wait. But he could not make the modem work. So he called ATT and arranged for one of their installers to come to my house between 8-12 on Thursday.
I got up at 8 am (early for me) to be ready for the ATT installer. He did not come and noon arrived. By this time, I am really exhausted and fighting frustration. I was praying for God to help me to stay under control.
God has been teaching me not to allow my mind to focus on all the things that went wrong but rather to spend my energy getting to a solution of the problem.
I got into my car and drove to the ATT store, about 2 miles from my house. They have always been very nice to help me. A man met me at the door and asked what he could do for me. When I told him my problem, he didn't want to help me. He said their job was to sell merchandise. That I had to call ATT. That is very difficult to do for they have computer set up to keep you from speaking to a human. I asked this young man if I could get another person at the ATT store to help. Before I have gotten help and they have been very nice to me. Finally he called the installation department. He said the repair order is still open so the installation man would be at my house before 8 pm. I left the store. I was worn out!
I decided to go to Chick-fillet cafe where I had been checking emails on their free Wi-Fi for the past 4 days. After I did this, I came home. In my alley was an ATT truck. The repairman was very likable. He had much difficulty finding the problem. At one point, he even said, "Well ...I've done all I can do..." If he can't fix the problem, what can I do? Of course I'm praying through all this.
The repairman went to his truck and was gone about 10 minutes. He returned and did something and it worked. Then he offered to set up all my wireless devices (2 Kindles and a wireless printer). He ran into immediate trouble with the Kindle. He called technical support and they immediately gave him the answer to setting up the Kindle. He set up both Kindles and the printer and now everything, including the phones, worked again. This man was so nice to help, especially in the set up of the kindle devices and printer which he was probably not required to do.
It took 4 days to get back on Internet and to get phone service. I was pushed to a breaking point. If I sinned during this I know the following:
I Jn. 1 ... 9 If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I don't know if I sinned at the ATT store where the young man didn't want to help me. So I just prayed, asking God to forgive me if I had sinned.
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness "If we confess our sin" ...
I do know the attitude of this young man who had ability to help but didn't want to help, showed me what it would be like when the "iniquity" caused our love to wax cold.
Jesus said this would happen in the last days. Mt. 24 ... 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
When I left the ATT Store, I was fighting hatred in me. I was fighting through prayer, asking God to help me not to give in to my flesh.
Paul said ... II Tim. 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;
I came into a strong dose of a young man who loved himself and didn't care about others. It was very hard to endure this and to deal with such in a "godly" way.
This is certainly what it will be like in the "last days" and I think we are in the last days now.
We really have to fight our own flesh and devils who would take over.
We fight by turning strongly to God and by depending on God to get us through the situation. God is our only real help! God has the power to help and knows exactly what we need to help.
Jesus said it would get so bad in the last days that even the elect would be destroyed unless the time was shorted. Mt. 24 ... 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved:but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
I'm rarely out in the world ... This week I had a very strong dose of the world... I went to the cafe 3 days this week to use their Wi-Fi... I observed people while I was there ... Basically I found people to be very self-absorbed ... cold ... uncaring ... uninterested ... loud, boisterous ... Just what Paul told us they would be. (II Tim. 3) I'm very glad I don't have to go out there among them.
I noticed how their choice of clothing was designed to draw attention to themselves ... again, self-absorbed ... I rarely saw anyone in what I would call "modest" unassuming clothing.
I saw this same thing recently when I had to go to department store. I'm so rarely at department store it was shocking to me to see the people and what they wore, so brazen.
How can it not be the following: II Tim. 3 ... 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;
And Paul said they would have "a form of godliness" ... II Tim. 3
Often they wear crosses or tee shirts with the name of Jesus printed on the shirt. And many attend Christian type churches.
Paul also told us they would be "ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." II Tim. 3
And Paul said: II Tim. 3 ... 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.
More and more we are going to need to surround ourselves with the Word of God ... day and night!
It is very bad right now and it will get worse.
And when you live in a household with unbelievers, you have an additional problem in the flesh.
God is able to get you through this. But you must make a strong effort to hold onto God and to the people of God.