1 Corinthians 15 ... Reading through the Bible

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
 
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 

4 And that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, HE was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep (dead). 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
 
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
 
12 Now if Christ be preached that HE rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that HE raised up Christ: whom HE raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep (dead) in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
 
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by MAN came also the resurrection of the dead. 

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at HIS coming. 

24 Then cometh the end, when HE shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when HE shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For HE must reign, till HE hath put all enemies under HIS feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 

27 For HE (God) hath put all things under HIS (Jesus') feet. But when HE (God) saith all things are put under HIM (Jesus), it is manifest that HE (God) is excepted, which did put all things under HIM (Jesus). 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto HIM (Jesus), then shall the Son also himself be subject unto HIM (God) that put all things under HIM (Jesus), that God may be all in all.
 
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
 
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
 
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 

36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened (made alive), except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased HIM, and to every seed his own body.
 
39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
 
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. 

It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.

There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; THE LAST ADAM ... A QUICKENING SPIRIT.
 
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
 
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 

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

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Righteousness through faith

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. Romans 4:2

God revealed Himself to Abraham.  

Gen. 12 ... 1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him;

The apostle Paul was doing many "good" works for the Pharisees as he rounded up believers in Jesus and brought them to the chief priest to put them in prison.  All of a sudden, God revealed HIMSELF to Paul.  Paul then believed on Jesus and the righteousness of God took place in Paul's life, replacing his own righteous works which he had been doing.

Acts 9 ... 1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus:and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

*****

God gave Abraham the sign of circumcision after Abram believed God and obeyed God.

They circumcised the babies in the Jewish faith.  (8 days old)

This is similar to the way Catholics baptize babies.  

But circumcision and baptism do not cause you to belong to God.

We are baptized after we believe, after God opens our eyes and reveals HIMSELF to us.  Baptism is a sign that we now believe God.

We believe ... then are baptized ... 

*****

There are some people today who want to join the church and they go forth and are baptized.

But this does not make you a member of God's children.

This does not cause you to have the Spirit of God.

Jude ...  17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers (imitators) in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

***** 

We believe in God and that makes us a child of God.

Therefore we are saved by faith in God and what HE has said and done, not in that which we do and have done.

The work of God is to believe God, says Jesus.  

Jn. 5 ... Jesus says ... 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 

We "hear" and then we "believe" ... 

Therefore a person could go forth and join a church and be baptized and still not be of God.  It happens all the time with emotional young people at churches.  Certainly baptism of infants, as the Catholic do, does not make that baby a child of God.

We believe God and believe in what God says and then we are baptized as a sign of our belief in God.

Acts 9 ... 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 

*****

Baptism is a sign of our death ... and new life.   For after we believe God, that which we were before dies, we are crucified with Christ the Word.  

When we are lowered into the water it is like being buried with Christ.

When we are raised from the water it is like being raised with Christ.

It is all a sign of the old man dying and the resurrection of the new man, created in God and true holiness.

Romans 6 ...  3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Psalm 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.

Scornful:  
   - one who shows contempt toward a person he considers to be despicable or unworthy
   - looking down on someone and complaining about such in a derogatory way
   - one who shows strong displeasure against another person, considering self to be more noble, worthy, righteous than another person
   - one who speaks of a person in a disrespectful way, making fun of that person such as saying:  "Can you believe he would have said that?"

*****

But his delight is in the law of the Lord;
and in HIS law doth he meditate day and night.
 
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.

Prosper:  
   - succeed, turn out well 
   - flourish, grow strong and healthy
   - thrive

*****

The ungodly are not so:
but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
 
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
 
For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous:
but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

1 Corinthians 14 ... Reading through the Bible

1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  

Edification:
   - to build, construct
   - to build up in the faith in God; to instruct in ways of God
   - teach in a way that improves in knowledge of God

Exhortation:  
   - an address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something
   - to urge earnestly by advice or warning

Comfort:  
   - easing of a person's feeling of grief or distress
   - helping ease feelings of pain or distress
   - cause to feel less worried, upset, frightened, angry

*****

4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
 
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 

7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?  8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 

9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 

12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
 
Edify:
   - to build the church in the faith in God
   - to strengthen the church in the ways of God


13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.  

16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.  

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
 
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
 
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
 
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 

*****

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm (prayer), hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. 

Let all things be done unto edifying.


Edify:
   - Building the church in the faith in God and in the ways of God


27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 

29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
 
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

(We see in above verse Paul was addressing out of control women for they were asking questions and interrupting the Spirit of God in the gathering of the church.  Phillip had 4 daughters who did prophesy.   Acts 21:9 ... Prophesy is for the church.  Therefore these 4 daughters would have to speak in the church to prophesy.)


36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
 
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.  

People trouble themselves over so many strange things

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

People trouble themselves over so many futile things.. for about 40 decades and 2 wars it was over communists...don't hear much or anything about that anymore.

Sometimes I glance over the list of current "happenings" reported on internet CNN Breaking News...I just read headlines and am amazed at the quarreling ...I rarely pull up the details of a story.

Yesterday I prayed that Donald Trump not make any decisions that would lead us into a "Gone With The Wind" situation.



I Tim. 2 ... 1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

And after praying this, I continued my day in peace

Then I had to go send package and found I was thinking how glad I am that we have food amply available (Reading "Gone With The Wind" made impression on me.)

Having food and raiment let us therewith be content.  I Tim. 6

Hopeful that this next "National" clothing catalogue will have some dresses that suit me...can use a couple more...so inexpensive, length longer, cool fabrics suitable for warm weather ...easy to order without leaving house...

No needs...simple wants easily obtained...Walmart...cake & pies ...

Drive in foods mostly...

Good, excellent really...

Concerning fear of wars, Jesus said ... Mt. 24 ... 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars:see that ye be not troubled:for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

The way we keep from being troubled  is by turning to God in prayer and by doing that which the apostle Paul told us to do.

Phil. 4 ... 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

1 Corinthians 12-13 ... Reading through the Bible

I Cor. 12

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
 
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that ONE and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as HE will.
 
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by ONE Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into ONE Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.
 
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him. 

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?  20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
 
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church (to care for the church), first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.


I Cor. 13

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
 
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself (to speak vainglorious of one's achievements; to boast), is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
 
8 Charity never faileth:

but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when THAT WHICH IS PERFECT is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
 
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Taking control of life through God

Pam Padgett ... Member of Body of Christ / Spiritual gift of helps

In January, 2017, I was trying to publish with Amazon, Vol. 10 of Exhortations For The Church.  

After uploading the file for the eBook version, I checked the previewer which shows what the book will look like.  I noticed that the Table of Contents could not be pulled out from the side of a reader as it should.  This would make it hard for a person to move around in the book.  After checking my file and not finding a problem I called the support department for Amazon's eBook publishing (called KDP). 

The man I spoke with seemed to want to help.  But although I tried to explain to him that we've published many books without this problem and that other people on their forum have reported the same problem, he was convinced that the problem was with my file and he didn't look into any other possible reasons for the problem.   Instead, he kept suggesting that I try various things to "fix" my file.  I tried what he suggested, but nothing worked. 

I became aware that I was getting frustrated and that my flesh was rising up.  I prayed for God to help me. 

As I prayed I "knew" that I needed to back off and terminate this conversation, even though the problem was not resolved.  

So I thanked the man for trying to help and ended the call. 

After the call I continued praying, asking God to help me get my flesh under control and also to help with the book problem.   It didn't take long before I was calmed. 

Then I had an idea to try something else which, interestingly, landed up confirming that the problem was with KDP, not with my file. 

I called KDP support again to give this additional information.  As I called there was no strife, such as trying to prove anyone to be wrong, but there was peace and even a joy (I didn't think about it at the time but, of course, these are fruits of the Spirit).  God certainly answered my prayer of getting my flesh under control. 

Another KDP support man took this second call.  After I explained the problem he put me on hold for several minutes.  When he came back on the phone I was surprised at all he told me he had done to look into the problem.  He confirmed that the problem was with KDP and said he had taken screen prints and was writing up details of the problem to send to their engineers. 

Today when reading in 1Thess. 5 verse 6 stood out to me ... Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.   I thought again of what happened yesterday and how our flesh is always ready to rise up and try to lead us in a way that exalts the flesh and is opposite to ways of God.  (works of flesh:  strife & debate, quarreling and arguing... Gal. 5)

But we are exhorted to continually watch, to be alert. 


And I looked up the word "sober".  One of the definitions in the dictionary stood out to me ... serious, implies a concern for what really matters

It can seem very important to get a problem resolved.  But what really matters is handling whatever we're dealing with as God wants us to, being led by the Holy Spirit, not letting the flesh rule in the matter.  

And I'm so grateful that we can turn to God when our flesh is rising up and HE helps us. 

Exhortations For The Church

Amazon.com
Paperback & e-Book

Vol. 3 ... #16
Gird up the loins of your mind

Several times today, I would be reading a godly exhortation and a thought about a person would enter to draw my mind away from the godly exhortation.

Each time that happened, I would stop and pray ... and then I would pray again asking God to remove that person from my mind.

And several times, I heard:  "Gird up the loins of your mind."  

This is a scripture:

I Peter 1 ...  13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Corinthians 11 ... Reading through the Bible

1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
 
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 

3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 

4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 

5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 

7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 

11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
 
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 

14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 

16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

*****

17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 

20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 

 *****

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which HE was betrayed took bread: 24 And when HE had given thanks, HE brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is MY body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of ME. 

25 After the same manner also HE took the cup, when HE had supped, saying, 

This cup is the new testament in MY blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of ME.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till HE come.  

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
 
33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

Comfort in mutual faith shown by another

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

When another person speaks showing delight in God and faith in God, we who hear that person speak of God are comforted by that mutual faith.

Paul said this in Romans 1 ... 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

There is a woman who lives 1/2 way around the world from me.  I've never met her but when I write on our blog and she is moved by the Spirit of God, she often responds to me with single word emails ... Sometimes she says, "Sure" ... Sometimes she has said to me, "Amen."  I find her single word responses to be very uplifting for I know they are of the Spirit of God in her rejoicing over the message reflecting God and HIS ways for us on this present earth.

I am not comforted in the flesh of another person such as having some other human with whom I can go out to dinner.  

Exhortations For The Church: Vol. 3

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Vol. 3 ... #15
Jesus spoke those things HE heard from God ...
That is what we should do also

Jesus says:

Jn. 8:26 ... HE (God) that sent ME is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of HIM.

Jn. 8:28 ... I do nothing of MYSELF; but as my Father hath taught ME, I speak these things. 

When a person speaks of his own thinking, his own wisdom, that person seeks his own glory.  We see people on TV do this all the time from newscasts to sporting events.  They often try to think of something clever to say.  I usually just have to mute the sound, not being able to stand their pride.

We are like that too, when we speak clever things from our own flesh.  We are seeking our own glory when we do this.

But when we report that which we have heard from the Spirit of God, we seek God's glory ... and often humans will despise us when we attribute something we have heard to God.

Each of us who have the Holy Spirit in us hear directly from God from time to time.  Ideas will come to our minds from God.  But ideas also come to our mind from our own flesh and sometimes devil will give us an idea which seems good to us for Paul says devil appears "as an angel of light".  (II Cor. 11)

We should never speak words of devils, unless God has given a word to fight that word given by devil.  And most of the time words from our own flesh will puff us up and pride and arrogance will be the fruit.

We should speak what God says to us just like Jesus did.  And we can do that if we learn to be aware of the Holy Spirit when HE puts a thought into our mind. 

Example:  A few years ago, my cat died.  That night I cried out to God saying, "I need help."  Immediately the following thought came into my mind:  "Get on Internet and purchase a Siamese Cat."  

I did that.  And all the grief I had felt over Samantha left immediately.  I had not planned to get another cat for I was 74-years-old at the time she died and I knew another cat would likely outlive me.  But my plan was not a good plan for me so God changed my plan.

Example:  A man in our little church group was considering adding another storage building to hold his stuff.  The following thought (from Holy Spirit) came into his mind:  "Why don't you just get rid of the stuff?  

Example:  Several years ago, I was playing golf with two women, a Methodist woman and a Church of Christ woman.  The Methodist woman began speaking about people who judge others.  Out of my mouth came the following word by the Holy Spirit:  "If you judge people are judging aren't you judging?"  The woman gasped!  It was as if someone poked a hole in a balloon that had been filled with hot air.

Example:  God had given me some judgment type messages to speak to various big-time ministers.  These ministers surround themselves with "body guards" to keep people from getting near them and they hire people to go through the mail to keep people from reaching them.  Although I was relatively well known at that time in ministry circles, I couldn't get the messages from God to these ministers.  So I just began speaking these messages on my radio broadcasts, naming the minister by name.  Then the message reached these ministers.  Hate mail from their followers poured in to our office.  I was having a meeting in Seattle during this time.  The manager of the radio station was waiting outside the meeting room door.  He had always been friendly to me but this time he threatened me.  He said, "Joan, you have many good messages.  Just speak those messages.  If you keep speaking these judgment messages, I don't know what is going to happen to you.  We might have to put you off the air."    Without any thought at all, I spoke the following, yet not I but Holy Spirit spoke these words through me.  "George, if I don't speak the message I believe to be from God then I don't have a message and I may as well be off the air."

1 Corinthians 10 ... Reading through the Bible

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
 
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.  

10 Neither murmur ye (complain), as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition (warning), upon whom the ends of the world are come.
 
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
 
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 

15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
 
18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?  20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
 
23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient (proper; necessary): all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.  (They do not strengthen a person nor build him up in Christ)

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
 
25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
 
27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
 
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 

32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Our hope

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Romans 1:3-4 ... 3 Concerning HIS Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

After Jesus was raised from the dead, HE appeared to more than 500 people (according to Bible) before HE ascended into heaven. (I Cor. 15)


We, who believe, are the children of God.  And our belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead carries us to believe that those who believe in God will be raised from the dead.  

And we know God raised us from the dead people of this present world and put us into the church and gave us HIS Spirit that we might no longer be servants to our own flesh and ideas but now we can serve God through HIS Spirit which dwells in us who belong to God.


We have the hope and assurance of the resurrection ... and the many comforts of the word of God given us by HIS Spirit.

As Abraham believed in God, we, too, believe in God and the power of God for we have witnessed God's power when God changed our lives, causing us to be born again and making us into "new creatures" in HIS Spirit.


When God called on Abraham to slay Isaac, Abraham did not hesitate for he had witness of resurrection from the dead.  

Heb. 11 ... 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac:and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 

For Isaac was born in spite of the dead womb of Sarah and the physical body of Abraham who was 100 at the time.

Isaac was born of the promise of God to Abraham.

We are born of the promise of God to us who believe in the resurrection of the dead from God, creator of all life, through Jesus Christ.

We focus on the hope ... and take comfort and assurance in this hope. 

Psalm 109 ... Viewing the works of God through scripture

1 Hold not THY peace, O God of my praise;
 
2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me:
they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred;
and fought against me without a cause.
4 For my love they are my adversaries:
but I give myself unto prayer.
5 And they have rewarded me evil for good,
and hatred for my love.
 
6 Set THOU a wicked man over him:
and let Satan stand at his right hand.
7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned:
and let his prayer become sin.
8 Let his days be few;
and let another take his office.
9 Let his children be fatherless,
and his wife a widow.
10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg:
let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.

11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath;
and let the strangers spoil his labour.
12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him:
neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.
13 Let his posterity be cut off;
and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.
14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the Lord;
and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
15 Let them be before the Lord continually,
that HE may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
16 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy,
but persecuted the poor and needy man,
that he might even slay the broken in heart.
17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him:
as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment,
so let it come into his bowels like water,
and like oil into his bones.
19 Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him,
and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
20 Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the Lord,
and of them that speak evil against my soul.


21 But do THOU for me, O God the Lord, for THY name's sake:
because THY mercy is good, deliver THOU me.
22 For I am poor and needy,
and my heart is wounded within me.
23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth:
I am tossed up and down as the locust.
24 My knees are weak through fasting;
and my flesh faileth of fatness.
25 I became also a reproach unto them:
when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.
 
26 Help me, O Lord my God:
O save me according to THY mercy:
27 That they may know that this is THY hand;
that THOU, Lord, hast done it.
 
28 Let them curse, but bless THOU:
when they arise, let them be ashamed; 
but let THY servant rejoice.
29 Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame,
and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.
 
30 I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth;
yea, I will praise HIM among the multitude.
31 For HE shall stand at the right hand of the poor,
to save him from those that condemn his soul.

1 Corinthians 9 ... Reading through the Bible

1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

 

3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

 
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The avenue to corruption

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

The apostle Paul show us how corruptions develop ... Paul says ...

Eph. 4 ... 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 

Young women at early ages (such as 14-17) often follow after vain, romantic ideas of how wonderful it will be to be married, how much honor it will bring to her if she can marry such & such.  Often these ideas are based on foolishness and if they continue to deepen in her desires they can be extremely destructive to her and to others and result in much depression and despondency if she accomplishes her fleshly pursuits.  She awakens to find the horrible fact that it was all wrong!  But now she is trapped in a marriage and life that she despises.  (And when she fails to get the person she desires, corruption of that desire often disrupts her life for many years and turns her to an unreasonable bitterness.)


Men and women both often lust after power, money, possessions, fame, praise of other humans.  These desires, when followed, grow and produce much corruption and perversion.

Paul explains ... 

Eph. 4 ... 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard HIM, and have been taught by HIM, as the truth is in Jesus  (The Word).


And Paul tells us, to put off these fleshly lusts which are the clothing of the "old nature of man". 

Eph. 4: 23 ... And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

(After God:  Not your image of God but rather after those things God has taught you for these are righteousness and "true" holiness.)

If your world seems empty, it is probably because it is empty.

These worldly things do not fulfill the humans even when we obtain them.  We are only fulfilled when we are rejoicing in things of God.  Things of God are eternal.  Things of this world are temporary.  That which is temporary will vanish.  That which is eternal will continue forever.

Jesus said:  "MY kingdom is not of this world."  (Jn. 18) 

Neither is our kingdom of this world.

Like those who have gone before us, we consider we are just "strangers and pilgrims" on this earth, just passing through.  (Heb. 11:13)

So if we are trying to fulfill ourselves with another human or a job, we are going to reach a time our life will feel very empty.

Therefore Paul tell us ...

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.

Psalm 108 ... Viewing the works of God through scripture

1 O God, my heart is fixed;
I will sing and give praise,
even with my glory.
 
2 Awake, psaltery and harp:
I myself will awake early.
3 I will praise THEE, O Lord, among the people:
and I will sing praises unto THEE among the nations.
 
4 For THY mercy is great above the heavens:
and THY truth reacheth unto the clouds.
 
5 Be THOU exalted, O God, above the heavens:
and THY glory above all the earth;
6 That THY beloved may be delivered:
save with THY right hand, and answer me.
 
7 God hath spoken in HIS holiness;
I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem,
and mete out the valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is MINE; Manasseh is MINE;
Ephraim also is the strength of MINE head;
Judah is MY lawgiver;
9 Moab is MY washpot;
over Edom will I cast out MY shoe;
over Philistia will I triumph.
 
10 Who will bring me into the strong city?
who will lead me into Edom?
11 Wilt not THOU, O God, who hast cast us off?
and wilt not THOU, O God, go forth with our hosts?
 
12 Give us help from trouble:
for vain is the help of man.
 
13 Through God we shall do valiantly:
for HE it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Exhortations For The Church: Vol. 3

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Vol. 3 ... #13
God bearing witness with signs following

Jesus said ... The Father that sent ME beareth witness of ME.  Jn. 8:18

Once John the Baptist sent his disciples to see if Jesus was the ONE promised or should they look for another.

Lk. 7 ... 20 When the men were come unto HIM, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto THEE, saying, Art thou HE that should come? or look we for another? 21 And in that same hour HE cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind HE gave sight. 22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 

Jesus talked about signs following us who believe in HIM.

Mark 16 ... 15 And HE said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In MY name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 

Signs do follow us who believe.  

I thought about this in my own life and God reminded me of the following "signs" that followed me.

- Pam Padgett told me she was given a dream from God.  In that dream, I (Joan Boney) was her "supervisor" ...

- Barbara Preston in our little church group, was praying, asking God to show her if anything was hidden from her concerning the subject for which she was praying ... I became very troubled about Barbara's situation and called her to tell her the something was hidden from her.    (after I told her that which had been hidden, she confessed that morning she had been praying, asking God to show her if something was hidden from her.)  This is a sign to both Barbara and to me concerning the calling that God has on my life in the ministry to the church.

- When I was baptized the second time, after being born again, the minister at the church asked me if I would like to say anything before I was baptized.  I began telling my relatives who had gathered at the church building to witness my baptism how I had been born again and God told me to be baptized.  I just spoke as led by the Spirit of God.  My uncle, seated in the audience, began crying.  One of my cousins was moving her head up and down saying "YES, YES", as I was speaking.  After the baptism, my uncle came to me and said, "I've never heard anything before like you were saying.  Could you write that out and send it to me?"  I believe this uncle was born again as I spoke.

- Toward the end of his life, my father, who had never gone to church, wrote to me saying, "Come see me and we will go to church."   I had sent him a set of tape recordings from my radio broadcasts, and my mother said he wouldn't stop listening to these recordings ... He listened to them over and over.  He had a stroke and was physically handicapped at that time.  I suspect he was born again as he listened to those recordings.


- My mother who did not go to any church, came to me saying:  "I want to have a faith like yours."  I had read scripture to her and she believed the scripture and said, "Then I guess we'd better not do that anymore."  (Deut. 18 ... concerning things like horoscopes)  I believe she was born again as I read these scripture to her.  My uncle, the one who was likely born again as I was baptized, wrote me after this saying, "You're mother has changed ... she has really changed."  That is what being born again is about ... changed but changed by God ...

- I was dating a man who worked for a Christian Book publisher.  Bob was probably not born again at that time.  One of the authors for Revelle publishing came to Dallas and Bob had to supervise her time in Dallas.  Bob knew this woman, Dale Evans Rodgers, was very religious.  Bob knew I was very religious.  So he asked me to go to dinner with them when he took her to dinner.  It was just the 3 of us.  Dale and I got along very well ... both of us were excited about God and we talked constantly and freely about God.  We took Dale back to her hotel and Bob got out of the car and they started walking toward the hotel entrance.  Dale stopped and returned to the car where I was sitting and she said to me, "I don't know how I know this but you are going to be mightily used by God.  You are going to have to stay very close to HIM."

I know there have been other signs following me ... often people have said to me, "We know the hand of God is upon you." ... and it is.

God had HIS plan for me and HE taught me as HE teaches all HIS people and HE raised me up to do HIS work which I believe strongly centers around helping the church in the end times as the iniquity of this world increases around us... for one of the main needs for us is in area of "godly exhortations" ... which I do constantly ...

See on amazon.com ... Joan Boney ... list of books, currently 13 ministry books ... exhorting the church in the ways of God and helping the church focus constantly throughout the day on things of God which is critical in end times.

Also see blog:  Jesus Ministries Exhortation ... presenting daily writings exhorting church in ways of God with current warnings as they arise from day to day.  The great advantage to having this blog is it going all over the world instantly and I am able to write fresh warnings that same day they are published.

*****

I'm sure you also have "signs following" if you have Holy Spirit and follow God.  

If you ask God to show you, I believe HE will.

These are helpful to our faith in this evil time.

1 Corinthians 8 ... Reading through the Bible

1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge.  Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.  2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 

3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in HIM; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by HIM.
 
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
 
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

God gives spiritual gifts to benefit the church

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

God made every provision for the church to function in fullness, giving various supernatural gifts to the church to help the church so we would not be deceived by the fleshly thinking of humans.

After the crucifixion and resurrection, God gave the church HIS Spirit to live inside each individual who belongs to God so that by HIS Spirit we might know things of God.

And after the resurrection Jesus gave to the New Testament Church the gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher ... Eph. 4 ... 11 And HE 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:

And God gave "specific" gifts of the Holy Spirit to individuals within the church ... and from time to time we will hear an individual speak a "word of knowledge" from God that we are enlightened in a matter ... or we hear an individual speak "a word of wisdom" from God that we know truth ...

An example of a word of wisdom ... A woman wrote me telling me that her mother divorced and remarried and she wanted to tell me the circumstances of her mother's divorce ... I turned to God and asked HIM for help and I heard, "Focus on the scripture, not on the circumstances."  

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.

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

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A woman in our little church group had a dream and thought she was supposed to sell her house and move, she knew not where ... 

A prophet (Barbara Preston) in our group, read the writing telling of this dream and Barbara was terrified by this woman's plan to sell her house and move.  Barbara told the woman she thought the dream was telling her "Don't move."  The woman had put her house on the market after having the dream, but after Barbara spoke, the woman took her house off the real estate listings.  The woman was greatly helped because Barbara spoke.

God uses prophets in the church to help the church, often prophets bring correction to individuals.

And there is a power of God in the words spoken by a prophet.

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Are there prophets in the NT church since all who are of God in the NT church have the Spirit of God?  Are there still prophets?

What does the New Testament show us about this?  

Eph. 4 ... 
Acts 21 (Agabus a prophet) ...
Acts 15:32 (Judas & Silas, prophets)

Silas (a prophet) often accompanied Paul (an apostle/teacher) on his trips to the churches.  Acts 16:25, Acts 17

We see prophets in the New Testament being sent by God to the churches, working in the New Testament churches.  This shows us we have prophets today in the New Testament church.

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Individuals are given various spiritual gifts to help the New Testament church ...

I Cor. 12 ...   1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant... 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as HE (God) will.

Romans 12 ... 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Sometimes the church group fails to know God gives these gifts therefore room is not made for the gifts to surface in the church group.

Sometimes individuals who have been given that spiritual gift fail to understand they have that gift and they keep silent, withholding the gift from the church.

But the gifts are there.

Sometimes a person will fail to exercise the spiritual gift thinking, "God didn't tell me I'm a prophet."  

God didn't tell me I'm a prophet either but I am.   The fruit that comes from me has confirmed this over and over many times as I operate by faith in God, correcting individuals, edifying the individuals in the way of God.  The fruit is there.    

Paul explains that not all are "apostles" or "prophets" but some are ... and Paul speaks of other spiritual gifts in this scripture:  I Cor. 12 ... 28 And God hath set some in the church (to care for the church), first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

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In one church I regularly attended a Sunday School class ... After the teacher taught, he never failed to say, "Does anyone have a word from the Lord?" 

 (He opened the door for the Holy Spirit to speak through the individuals in the class and to give an opportunity for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to come forth in the group that day.)

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It doesn't have to be in the church group for these gifts to come forth.  I have often spoken by the spirit of God by phone, by email, by letter, by Internet.

If a "gift" of the Holy Spirit is in us then by faith we exercise the gift by speaking whether in writing or by verbal communication. 

It is important to me that I let none of those words or concepts given me by God slip.

These are entrustments given by God for the benefit of the church. 

Mt. 25 ...  14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

We are entrusted by God, with various things from God.  We must deal faithfully and in faith and properly with such as God gives us.  These gifts from God are not given to pump us up in giving the word, but rather that the church might be edified and helped.  Each of us must deal wisely with that given us by God.