Romans 2 ... Reading through the Bible

1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.  2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 

3And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?  4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 

5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 

7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 

8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,  9Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;  

10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:  

11For there is no respect of persons with God. 

12For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 

14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)   16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
 
17Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;  19And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 

21Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?  23Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 

24For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. 

25For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 

26Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 27And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? 

28For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 

29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; 

whose praise is not of men, but of God.

As long as the earth remains

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Genesis 8:22 ... While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

As long as the earth remains ... shows us the time will come the earth will not remain.

Peter describes it as follows:

II Peter 3 ...  3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 

These "scoffers" think the professed coming of Jesus to be false because they see creation as never changing from beginning of time.  They forget the flood where God destroyed all creatures except for Noah and his family and the animals in the ark.

Peter goes on to tell us the current heaven and earth are being "held in reserve" against the time to come when the wrath of God will come upon the present earth and then the present heaven and earth will be destroyed by God.  Until that time, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.  (Gen. 8:22)

II Peter 3:7... But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

The apostle Paul tells us we are not appointed to wrath as the world and the people of this world are.

I Thess. 5 ...  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

We are told in the Bible what to expect.

-The dead in Christ will rise first.  (I Thess. 4)
-Then those in Christ who are still alive on this earth will be changed in bodily form and rise to meet Jesus and all others "in the air".  We will not be on this present earth which will be destroyed. (I Cor. 15)
- The period known as the Great Tribulation will begin. Terrible woes and plagues will come upon the earth and upon those remaining on the earth.  (Revelation 8 & 11)

- After the appointed time of the woes and plagues, this heaven and earth will pass away.  (II Peter 3)

Until the removal of those who are in Christ, things will continue on this earth about like we have known them before... summer, winter, seedtime, harvest 

Several years ago, God gave me the following dream:  The earth slipped on it's axis.  People were terrified.  The government officials all over the world were meeting with scientists and religious leaders to see what might be done.  A TV newscaster was trying to tell of this happening but he was so frightened he stopped speaking, unable to finish the newscast.
  

Psalm 85 ... Viewing the works of God through scripture

1 Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land:
thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
 
2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people,
thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
 
3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath:
thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
 
4 Turn us, O God of our salvation,
and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever?
wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6 Wilt thou not revive us again:
that thy people may rejoice in thee?
 
7 Shew us thy mercy, O Lord,
and grant us thy salvation.
 
8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak:
for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints:
but let them not turn again to folly.
 
9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him;
that glory may dwell in our land.
 
10 Mercy and truth are met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
 
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth;
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
 
12 Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good;
and our land shall yield her increase.
 
13 Righteousness shall go before him;
and shall set us in the way of his steps. 

Exhortations For The Church: Vol. 2

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Vol. 2 ... #22

Angry?  Taking swift action

Eph. 4:26-27 ... Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  27 Neither give place to the devil.

I am very careful to abide by this scripture.

When I am angry, I am very quick to get very still and pray ... asking God to settle this matter and to free me from my feeling of anger "before sundown".

God always answers my prayer and settles me one way or another.

If I carry anger over without settling it before God, I risk giving place for the devil to operate in my life and in the lives of those around me.

In the OT we read about "making your children to walk through the fire" ... I think we do this when we show our anger to our household, causing them to take on our grievance, thus making them to walk through the fire of our anger.

Gal. 5 ...  19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (quarreling debating arguing), 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.

The "old man" (before we were born again) lived in these sins of the flesh, allowing our flesh (emotions) to rule in our relationships.

When we are born again, the power of the flesh is "crucified with Christ" and a new creature appears in the spirit having power to put down our own flesh and power to choose to allow the Spirit of God that is in us to reign, keeping our flesh dead, crucified with Christ so God can reign and so we can now serve God.

We do this through prayer, committing ourselves to God in prayer, asking God for wisdom as we are going through the temptation of the flesh.

The apostle James says ...

James 1:5 ... If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Turn to God immediately when you are angry.  Ask God for help.  Allow God to work with you.  And settle it before dark.

Romans 1 ... Reading through the Bible

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:  

5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:  6Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 

7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;  

10Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 

12That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.  

13Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.  

14I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
 
16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,  The just shall live by faith. 

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  20For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  

21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 

24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 

25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.  

(Concerning homosexuals and lesbians)

26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 

(Also whoremongers, fornicators, covetous, and other forms of evil)

28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;   29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  

32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

"I die daily," says the apostle Paul. (I Cor. 15)

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

In John 21, Jesus spoke three times to Peter with the instruction, "Feed my sheep."

Then we read the following:  This spake he (Jesus), signifying by what death he (Peter) should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.  Jn. 21:19

Peter would lay down his own life each time he spoke the truth of God.

The same applies to us.  Sharing truth from God causes us to become "a peculiar people" for we show the praise of God when we share truth of God.  And we are different from other people who try only to exalt themselves.  We exalt God and honor God by telling HIS truth and by living God's way.

To this we are appointed as the church.

I Peter 2 ...   9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
 
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Also we lay down our own lives and our own reputations when we speak of God and HIS way.

Thus like the apostle Paul, we die daily.

Psalm 84 ... Viewing the works of God through scripture

1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
 
2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord:
my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
 
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house,
and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,
even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.
 
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house:
they will be still praising thee. Selah.
 
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee;
in whose heart are the ways of them (HIM).
 
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well;
the rain also filleth the pools.
 
7 They go from strength to strength,
every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
 
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer:
give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield,
and look upon the face of thine anointed.
 
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,
than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
 
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield:
the Lord will give grace and glory:
no good will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
 
12 O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Exhortations For The Church: Vol. 2

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Vol. 2 ... #21

Exercise yourself unto godliness

The apostle Paul told Timothy ...

I Tim. 4 ... 7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

We exercise ourselves unto godliness as we read the Bible and godly exhortations from Bible.

It can be a battle to do this daily.

Sometimes I don't want to read Bible or writings.  But I force myself to read, one line at a time ... in a few minutes I find I am focusing again ... I keep reading, trying to apply what I am reading to my life .. examining myself by the exhortation and scripture ... When I do that, I find I don't want to stop thinking of godly things.

Heb. 10 ...  23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  

This instruction tells me we are going to need "even more" exhortations daily ... for I believe we are in a time where we see the day of the Lord approaching.  The world is so much worse now than even a decade ago. 

I find in my own life, I am doing more reading of Bible and reading of godly exhortations.

I used to watch TV in evenings but I'm finding it so difficult to find any program I want to watch on TV.  I have begun turning TV off and reading chapters from those 12 ministry books which we have published with Amazon.  I find those chapters of those books to be edifying, building me up in the faith, strengthening me spiritually, reminding me of the way God says to go.   

I do not find TV programs to strengthen me spiritually.   

We need to add more godly exercise to our lives and this we do by making spiritual reading a habit in our daily lives.

Godliness is not only profitable for us today on this present earth but Paul tells us it is profitable "in the life which is to come."  I Tim. 4:8

We are making a solid investment in the future also as we read godly writings and as we apply what we read to our daily lives, washing the thinking of this world off our souls by the Word of God.

Acts 27-28 ... Reading through the Bible

 Acts 27

1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band. 2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. 

4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. 

7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;  8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. 

9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,  10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.  

11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
 
12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. 

13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. 

14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.  15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 

18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
 
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. 

23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 

25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.   26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. 

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; 28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. 

30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.  32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 

35 And when he had thus spoken,  he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 

36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. 37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.  38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. 

39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. 40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.  41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 

42 And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. 

And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

Acts 28

1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 

3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. 

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. 8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 

9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: 10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
 
11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. 12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. 13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: 14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. 

15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. 

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. 

19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. 20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 

21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
 
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. 

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. 

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word,  Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, 26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: 27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. 

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
 
30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Work of apostle and prophet in the NT church today

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

After Jesus arose, HE gave ministry gifts to the church to help the church.

Eph. 4 ... And HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The apostle Paul is an example of the NT apostle given by Jesus after HE arose for Paul was not like the other apostles of the Bible.  Paul didn't walk with Jesus before the crucifixion as they did.  It was not until after Jesus rose from the dead that Paul was called by God and set into the ministry as an apostle.

The work of the NT apostle:  (that which God has shown me about apostles)

Apostles have a special anointing by God to deal with doctrine, with scripture.  Paul told us that after his death he knew many would rise up in the church to draw away disciples after themselves.  As long as Paul was among them, he kept order in the church and kept the doctrine from perversions of men who sought their own glory.  But the time would come when Paul would no longer be there.

Paul says:  Acts. 20 ... 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  

Today, so much doctrine of Bible has been twisted and removed from the churches.  

Just consider the following spoken by Jesus:  Mt. 5:32 ...  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

The man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

The apostle Paul said the following is the commandment of the LORD concerning women who have married.

I Cor. 7 ...  10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband:and let not the husband put away his wife. 

Apostles will deal with perversion of scripture.  Apostles will hold fast the doctrines of the Bible and will insist before all that these true doctrines be followed.

This is one of the major works of NT apostles.  

*****

Work of NT prophets: 

God often shows prophets sin in the church ... specific sin being committed by individuals in the church ... and prophets are sent by God to deal with such sins.

This is very difficult work, though prophets are enabled by God for the work.

The one doing the sin often strikes out at the prophet and tries to make it seem the prophet is wrong.  Therefore the prophet has to work through this and reestablish with God the truth of the message and hold fast to the message even when attacked by the wrong doer.  It is difficult.

A prophecy once spoken over me is:  "You will have to stay very close to God."  

Elijah was once very discouraged and wanted to die.  (It is not unusual to want to stop doing the work after you have been battling over sin.)

I Kings 19 ...And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
 
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 

5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. 6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. 

9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 

10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. 

And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 

14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. 

So Elijah departed and did the assignment given him by God.

There is an example in Bible of a prophet having to deliver a message and being told to "flee" after delivering the message.

It is difficult work though God sustains the one called to do this work.

The very people you are sent to help often attack and accuse you.

But you do the work because God sent you to do the work.  God has HIS ways of sustaining the prophet though the work is very hard.

Prophets are sent to the church.  The prophet brings the way of God so that person in the church can depart from the way of death and destruction.

The flesh of man wants to be exalted.  So the flesh despises the prophet who brings the way of God.

It is a very difficult work even though God sustains the prophet.  

Psalm 83 ... Viewing the works of God through scripture

1 Keep not thou silence, O God:
hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
 
2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult:
and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
 
3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people,
and consulted against thy hidden ones.
 
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation;
that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent:
they are confederate against thee:
 
6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites;
of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek;
the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assur also is joined with them:
they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
 
9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites;
as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
10 Which perished at Endor:
they became as dung for the earth.
 
11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb:
yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves
the houses of God in possession.
 
13 O my God, make them like a wheel;
as the stubble before the wind.
14 As the fire burneth a wood,
and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

15 So persecute them with thy tempest,
and make them afraid with thy storm.
 
16 Fill their faces with shame;
that they may seek thy name, O Lord.
 
17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever;
yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
 
18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah,
art the most high over all the earth.

Exhortations For The Church: Vol. 2

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Vol. 2 ... #20

Guidelines for Life

Paul gave some very good instruction to Timothy and these instructions apply to each of us today for our well being in Christ.

I Tim. 4:13 ...  13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

I Tim. 6 ... O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane (secular) and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

It is good for us to apply these guides to our life.

Acts 25-26 ... Reading through the Bible

Acts 25

1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 

2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 

4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. 

6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.  7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. 

8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. 

9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? 

10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
 
13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. 14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: 15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. 16 To whom I answered,  It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. 

17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. 18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: 19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 

20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.  21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.  

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow,  said he, thou shalt hear him. 23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth. 

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. 

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. 27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

Acts 26

1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. 

Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 

2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 

4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 

6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.  8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 

9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
 
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? 

And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 

21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
 
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 

25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 

29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. 

30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: 31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying,  This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

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But it was the will of God for Paul to be sent to Rome to testify.

Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.