Sunday, August 4, 2019

Let us follow after those things that make for peace and things whereby we can edify one another in God.


Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

God chooses us and sets us into the body of Christ and God makes HIS intention toward us very clear by that which He has given us as follows:

Ephesians 1:12-14    In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of HIM who worketh all things after the counsel of HIS own will:

That we should be to the praise of HIS glory,
who first trusted in Christ.

In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: 


in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of HIS glory.


***

By giving us The Holy Spirit, God shows how serious HE is concerning us.

When an earthly king sends a letter, he often puts "his seal" on the envelop showing that letter is from him, the king.

God puts HIS seal in us showing we are from HIM.

God's seal is the Holy Spirit which God puts inside each person who believes in HIM.

Romans 8:1    There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Our own flesh, which has led us since we were born on this earth,  leads us into adultery, fornication, drunkenness, envy, arguing, striving for things of this world, hatred, and many other evils.

Once we have the Spirit of God, we have another way to go, though our flesh is still there trying to lead us.  But by choosing the way of the Spirit we control the flesh.  And through God we can do this.

It is as simple as praying:  "God ... please don't let me say that!  ... Please don't let me do that!"

For usually before we say something that would hurt another person, we recognize what we are about to say is likely going to be harmful.

Ephesians 4:29    Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

***

If you are "in love" with someone, you can't help but speak of that person and reflect that person.

If we are in love with God and the Word of God, the same is true.  And we desire to show HIM and HIS glory to other people. 

The Spirit of God that is in us now leads us to walk and to desire to walk in love, joy, peace, gentleness, faith, goodness, meekness.  (Galatians 5:22-23   Fruits of the Spirit)

The spirit in this world is not that way.  It is the nature of man to hate, to exalt himself, to fight and to strive.

But now that we are of God we have another Spirit in us and we have opportunity to choose that Spirit rather than our own desire in dealing with matters of this life and people of this life.

***

I Corinthians 9:24-27   Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.  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. 

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

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.


***

But I do warn us:  The flesh and the nature of the flesh is always there, just waiting to take control over the Spirit.

The apostle Paul warns us to keep our flesh under control!  It can be challenging, especially if we feed the flesh constantly by over attention to things of the flesh.

Recently the following portion of scripture caught my attention and I thought on it:

"All these things shall be dissolved."  (II Peter 3:11)

If all these things will be dissolved, why am I trying so hard to get these things?  What should I be seeking?

Isaiah 55:2    Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto ME, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Incline your ear, and come unto ME: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

***

Even fame and recognition of men on this earth lasts for such a short period of time, a decade perhaps ... but then what?

Through all eternity is another matter entirely.

Psalm 111:10   The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do HIS commandments: HIS praise endureth for ever.

***

Those things we hear from God will endure forever ... and we lay up our treasure in heaven when we do that which we hear from the Spirit of God and choose HIS way.

This is a really good investment!


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