* We are saved so we can do God's purpose on this earth

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

II Timothy 1:9   (God) Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to HIS own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

*****

To each of us, who are born of the Spirit of God, GOD has HIS own purpose for us as we live on this present earth.

To one in the body of Christ, God gives the spiritual gift of "helps".  (I Corinthians 12:28)

To another in the body of Christ, God gives the spiritual gift of "exhortations".  (Romans 12:8)

All that matters is that we each do that which is assigned to us by God and that we thereby fulfill that purpose for which God has created us.

We must not copy each other but rather we do that to which God has assigned us!

We trust God to make it clear to us where we fit.  And we stay in that assignment when we know where is it that God has placed us for that will accomplish God's purpose for us.

*****

Some are set in the church to care for the church ... but not all are.

Ephesians 4:11-12   And HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

And many who say they are ministers do not know their real calling.  I've seen men who started out saying they were "evangelists" and later said they were "pastors."

The calling doesn't change.  These men just didn't know what they were and often just copied another person.


***

After I was born again in 1975, in the night while I was asleep, I was transported into heaven where I was with God, and with Jesus, and with The Holy Spirit.  At that time I was merged into  the body of Jesus, made one with the Word of God, God and the Holy Spirit witnessing.

A few nights later, the exact same thing happened a second time. (no fleshly images just an experience in the spirit)

I had no thought of becoming a minister.  I didn't know a woman could be a minister.  And I had no concept at all of a call of God being on a person's life.

Through the next five years, God would show me.

God calls us and it is God who must reveal to us HIS assignment.

*****

The gifts of the Holy Spirit often make the calling of God clear to us and to the others who are the church.

I kept receiving "word of knowledge" when I attended the prayer group or Bible class at our church group.  (I Corinthians 12:8)

God would show me an outline of a body part on the wall and when the opportunity came in the group, I would say:  "Is anyone having a problem with stomach."  (or whatever body part I had seen outlined on the wall)

This happened over and over as I was among the church.

It was strongly recognized by the church members that the call of God was on my life.  Many saw me as a prophet.  Even my own pastor at that time identified me as a prophet.

But one thing no one knew was revealed to me later during those formative years.

I was driving along the road when God spoke to me by HIS Spirit and said, "I've called you and set you into the body of Christ as an apostle."

I was very shocked and cried out, "An apostle ... what's an apostle?"

I didn't tell anyone what I had heard but I began asking questions to the Bible teacher at our church group.  "Who are the apostles at our church group.  What do apostles do in the church group?"

When I got no satisfactory answers, then I asked God and HE showed me.

Later many pastors told me I could not be an apostle ... but I continued in that which God showed me and just kept doing the work God showed me to do in the church and I continue to this day doing that work through these writings.

Recalling that I was taken into heaven twice and merged into the body of Jesus twice, I believe this was the calling of apostle and prophet given to the church.

When we believe God has shown us what we are and what we are to do, it is not easy for man to convince us otherwise and we will greatly need that assurance from God.

We work in that area to which we believe God has set us.

*****

Hymn: There is a fountain filled with blood

(Click forward arrow > to play music:)


1  There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains:

Lose all their guilty stains, (O Lord)
Lose all their guilty stains;

And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.

2   The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away:

Wash all my sins away, (O Lord)
Wash all my sins away;

And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away.

3   Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power,
Till all the ransomed ones of God
Be saved, to sin no more:

Be saved, to sin no more, (O Lord)
Be saved, to sin no more;

Till all the ransomed ones of God,
Be saved to sin no more.

4   E’er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die:

And shall be till I die, (O Lord)
And shall be till I die;

Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.

5   When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy power to save:

I’ll sing Thy power to save, (O Lord)
I’ll sing Thy power to save;

Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy power to save.


(Click pause symbol,  "  ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)

*****

Scripture pertaining to this hymn:

Hebrews 9:22   without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. 

Blood has to be shed to pay for our sins.

Did you shed your own blood for your sins?  I didn't.

Jesus did shed HIS blood for our sins.

And only Jesus is worthy.

Revelation 5:1-10   And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.  And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And HE came and took the book out of the right hand of HIM that sat upon the throne.

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

And they sung a new song, saying, THOU art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for THOU wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by THY blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.  

And we do reign on the earth now, through Jesus, The Word, given us by The Holy Spirit who lives in us, the believers.

***

v.1   Lose all their guilty stains;

Even after we are born again, memories come to us to make us sad as we remember past sins and wish we had done better.  I've found if I just make myself think on the payment made by Jesus' blood for my sins, those bad memories vanish as I think on the way Jesus purchased me.  And when I make myself think on the following scripture I am helped greatly.

I John 1:7     But if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

We walk in the light of the Word which is given us by the Holy Spirit and when we do that Word we are recreated in the image of Jesus, The Word.  Over and over as we choose to go in the way of the Holy Spirit we are recreated into the image of Jesus.

It is a choice made by us for the flesh and devils never go away so we are constantly confronted with choosing the way of God shown us by the Spirit of God

When we are born again we are changed immediately and given the Holy Spirit of God to enable us to please God and to serve God.  It is the Holy Spirit who reminds of us scripture and concepts to show us what to do that we may please God.  

Before we were born again we pleased our own flesh.

Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft (trusting in superstitions), hatred, variance (to vary/debate), emulations (to compete against another), wrath (hold ill will against), strife, seditions, heresies,  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.

So it is impossible to please God by our own thinking, unless we have the Spirit of God and are subduing our thoughts to HIM.

I Corinthians 2:14    But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

After we are born again by the Spirit of God by the will of God, we are a new creature.

II Corinthians 5:17    Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Now we can serve God instead of serving our own flesh.  The power of God lives in us by the Holy Spirit so now we can know the will of God.  God has equipped us to go in HIS way and now we want to do right in the sight of God.

God's spirit shows us the will of God.

I Corinthians 2:10 ... for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Galatians 5:22-23     But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:

Our own flesh and devils still work together against God to take us another way.

But now we have the power of God to choose God's way.

*****

Instruction in Righteousness: Hebrews 13

Let brotherly love continue.

² Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

³ Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

⁴ Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

⁵ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for HE hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

⁶ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

⁷ Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

⁸ Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

⁹ Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

¹⁰ We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.  ¹¹ For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

¹² Wherefore Jesus also, that HE might sanctify the people with HIS own blood, suffered without the gate.

¹³ Let us go forth therefore unto HIM without the camp, bearing HIS reproach.

¹⁴ For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

¹⁵ By HIM therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to HIS name.

¹⁶ But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

¹⁷ Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

¹⁸ Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

¹⁹ But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

²⁰ Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ Make you perfect in every good work to do HIS will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in HIS sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

²² And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

²³ Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

²⁴ Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints.

They of Italy salute you.

²⁵ Grace be with you all. Amen.

*****

Abide in HIM

Book:  Exhortations For The Church
Vol. 12, Chapter   15
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet


I John 2 

27-28   But the anointing which ye have received of HIM abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in HIM.

And now, little children, abide in HIM; that, when HE shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before HIM at HIS coming.

Abide:

- comply with

- obey

- observe

- follow

- keep to, hold to

- conform to

- adhere to

- stick to

- stand by

- act in accordance with

- uphold

- heed

- accept

- go along with

- respect

- defer to

We must do the Word of God and not just hear the Word of God.

That Word must become a part of our lives.

Only then are we abiding in HIM.

*****

BOOK: Exhortations For The Church, Volume 12
Chapter 15

Joan Boney



E-book: $.99

Paperback: $7.99

(USA Prices)

Order from: Amazon.com

*****

Scriptures presented in today's blog

(Recommend:  Think on these things.)


II Timothy 1:9   (God) Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to HIS own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

***

Ephesians 4:11-12   And HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

***

Hebrews 9:22   without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.  

***

Revelation 5:1-10   And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.  And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And HE came and took the book out of the right hand of HIM that sat upon the throne.

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

And they sung a new song, saying, THOU art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for THOU wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by THY blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.  

***   

I John 1:7     But if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

***

Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft (trusting in superstitions), hatred, variance (to vary/debate), emulations (to compete against another), wrath (hold ill will against), strife, seditions, heresies,  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.

***

I Corinthians 2:14    But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

***

II Corinthians 5:17    Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

***

I Corinthians 2:10 ... for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 

*** 

Galatians 5:22-23     But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:

***

I John 2:27-28   But the anointing which ye have received of HIM abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in HIM.

And now, little children, abide in HIM; that, when HE shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before HIM at HIS coming. 

***

Hebrews 13:  Presented today

*****

Establishing judgments concerning matters of this present life.

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

After we are born again, we must not continue to live as we did before we were born again.

Now what God thinks is important to us and by the Bible we see the thinking of God concerning the issues pertaining to this present life.

We answer these questions by the Bible.

* What does God say about adultery and fornication?

* What does God say about divorce and remarriage?

* What does God say concerning homosexuals?

* Does our "luck" still come from various superstitious acts or do we choose now to put our trust in God concerning our futures?

* Do we continue to decorate graves on Memorial Day with the people of this world?  What are we telling others if we do this?

*  Is it ever a good thing to defraud another person to get ahead as this world does?

* Is our salvation in the church or is our salvation in God?  

* Are we witnessing to the church we attend or to God?

*  What is really important to us?

*****

Amos 5:15     Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate:

A "judgment" is a decision.

All our decisions must be based on that which God thinks, on that which we have heard from God, always remembering the Bible is the inspired word of God.

II Timothy 3:16-17   All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

***

God leads us by HIS Word which HE speaks to our mind concerning the issues of this life.  

I have often been lead by God by having simple instruction or information brought to my mind.

God works this way in many situations,

An example:  I was injured in a fall at my house in Texas on December 6, 2018.  As the ambulance workers were moving me by gurney past the front door of my house, I heard a word which I knew to be from God.  "You'll never see this house again."  I believed this and put that house up for sale.  When I was released from the rehabilitation hospital on February 24, 2019, I went directly to my new home in Colorado, 450-miles away.

Another example:  I was thinking of how much I would like to have a wood-burning fireplace.  I had the following word brought to my mind, "You can have this."  I had never considered changing my gas logs to wood burning until I heard this word which I believed to be from God by HIS Spirit.

I Corinthians 2:11-12   For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.   Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

After hearing this word, I thought about this change to wood-burning.  I could easily afford to do this. The workers were available.  It could be done immediately.  I had never before thought of making this change.

Is that a word from God?  How do I know?

James 3:17   the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

I also know the following about the wisdom that is from other sources.

James 3:14-16    But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.   For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

If you are trying to out-do another person, you are really in danger of making wrong decisions.

If the proposed project will cause a financial burden, you are in danger.

If there is any hypocrisy involved in the issue, you are in danger.

These are sign-posts for us helping us in our judgments.

Normally prayer comes first unless we are certain God has shown us what to do.

If there is anything in the issue that conflicts with a previous word which we believe to be from God, then we should hold up on the project.

For example:  If we have asked God to help us to get out of debt, and some "opportunity" presents itself that would require us to go into more debt, that is an opportunity we might want to pass by.

Proverbs 16:25     There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

When we aren't sure, we can always ask God to confirm that way that we are considering.

*****

Borrowing money to make money is a very serious, often used way of this world, which man has devised to gain more riches.

But in the Bible we are rightly warned:

I Timothy 6:5-12    Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

vv. 17-19    Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

***

The greatest gift you can give your children is the way of godliness.

Being ruled by God is the only thing that is really important.

This earth and all it's riches will be destroyed in the day of the Lord.

II Peter 3:10-14    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

*****

* Reaping the fruits of disobedience to the Word of God

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Proverbs 16:25    There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

***

God created man then woman.

They both had the instruction from God.

The serpent brought a way opposite to that which God instructed and the man and the woman chose to go in the way of the serpent.

As a result of this disobedience to the Word spoken by God, all suffered.


Genesis 3:14-19    And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:   And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

16 Unto the woman HE said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

17 And unto Adam HE said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

*****

Romans 6:7-8     Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.   For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

*****

Matthew 7: 24-27    Jesus says: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

*****

Matthew 7:13-14     Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

*****

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.

The "fear of the Lord" is having a reverential fear of that which God says ... a fear of that Word of God.  For He is God.  And by HIS Word, He rules and guides us.  To hear that Word and to deliberately choose another way, is to court disaster.

We begin true wisdom when we learn to fear God's Word and thereby choose to go as instructed by that Word of God.

*****

Hymn: Standing on the promises

(Click forward arrow > to play music:)


1.  Standing on the promises of Christ my King, 
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Chorus:

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.


2.   Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

3.  Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.

4.  Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

5.  Standing on the promises I shall not fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,
Standing on the promises of God.


(Click pause symbol,  "  ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)

*****

The following scripture pertains to this hymn:

v. 2   By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

The living word is that word that comes down to us from heaven.  It is "the Word" that is put into our mind by God, by HIS Spirit, by the Spirit of Jesus.  "That Word" can come by our being reminded of a scripture or a dream, or it can just be a concept showing what us what to do or giving us truth concerning the matter at hand.  By this "living word" we know what to do.

John 6   Jesus says:

32-33   My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is HE which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

48-51   I (The Word) am that bread of life.  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven:

Jesus, The Word, is the Word that comes down from heaven.  The living word of God is the word spoken to us by the Spirit of God.  By His Spirit, God will bring to our mind ideas that show us what to do, or scriptures which show us what to do.  And when it is that Word of God, it will never fail.  We can put our trust in what we have heard from God by His Spirit.   

The living word of God is just exactly that, living, because it pertains to the exact subject we are dealing with at that moment in time. 

We can hunt for a scripture and fail. Or we can try to figure out what to do and fail. 

But we will not fail when it is the Holy Spirit bringing the concept or a scripture to our mind to guide us in the matter at hand. 

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Here are promises from Jesus concerning the work the Holy Spirit will do for us.


John 14:26    But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:13    Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself (of His own thinking); but whatsoever He shall hear (from God), that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.


4 things the Holy Spirit does for the believer:

- HE teaches us all things. (secular and spiritual)
- HE reminds us of all Jesus has said to us through scripture, dreams, concepts
- HE guides us into all truth.  (often one thing at a time ... you do the first thing ... then a second idea comes and you do that ... on until the matter is resolved)
- HE shows us things to come.  (often by dreams ... sometimes by just knowing)


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v. 3   Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,  

We are freed every time we have a word from God brought to our mind by His Spirit, and when we believe and act on that word in the midst of the trial or temptation.  

Even doing nothing can be freeing.  If there is a problem and you pray and you do not see anything to do, then don't do anything!

Example:  The ministry owns the house where I lived in Texas.  We wanted to change realtors and we thought we had a realtor but that didn't work out.  We didn't know what to do.  Even after prayer, we had no idea what to do.  We just sat there.  (We did send an email telling our contractor in Texas that the second realtor was not going to work out.)  As soon as the contractor read that email, he called us.  He said he would help us find a realtor.  Then he called us the following morning telling us that he had talked with another builder and he thought he might have a realtor for the house.  Contractor said he wanted to meet with the realtor at the property to see if she really liked the house and if he approved her for us he would pass her on to us.

It is amazing how my faith in God soared with this.  By doing nothing, we saw God do something in a way I had not seen before.  

Another example:

Several years ago, I received a birthday card from a high school friend.  In the card she enclosed a note telling me all the plans she had for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.  She was going to be with her husband, her daughter, and her grandchildren, celebrating.  

Instantaneously, the Holy Spirit brought to my mind these words, "You are dead, and your life is hid with Christ."  

I replied to the Holy Spirit, "Yes!"

Then I realized that if I had not heard from the Holy Spirit in this matter, I might have been a little bit depressed or down because I don't have a husband, or daughter, or grandchildren.  Nor did I have any plans for the holidays.  I was going to be alone.  

But God delivered me from depression or sadness by bringing His word on the matter by His Spirit.  

Colossians 3:1-4  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

 
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v. 4   Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

God speaks to each of His children by His Spirit which lives inside each child.  The Holy Spirit brings thoughts from God to our minds to show us the way of God and the will of God as we live on this earth.

We overcome the trials and temptations of this present earth as we hear from the Holy Spirit daily, and take appropriate action to the instruction given by the Spirit.

You do have to be careful.  For the devil will try to imitate God and bring thoughts to your mind which are opposite to the way God wants you to go.  And often our own fleshly preferences will bring thoughts to us which seem good to us, but are opposite to the way God wants us to go.

Prove all things by prayer and Bible.

If you will ask God to confirm the way to go and to make it clear to you which thought is HIS, and if you will take time before you act, it will be made clear to you which thought is from God.

Also in the Bible we have a scripture which tells us how to recognize the wisdom that is from God.

James 3:17   But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

We must pay attention to those things spoken to our minds by the Holy Spirit in order to follow God.  And we do overcome daily with the Spirit's sword.


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v. 5   List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,

Once we have established that a thought is from God, we must focus on that thought and rest in that word that we have heard from God concerning the matter at hand after doing that instruction in an appropriate way.  Often, we have to keep that word before us day and night to be strong enough to continue in that direction.    

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Instruction in Righteousness: Hebrews 12

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

(The race set before us ... God sets before us different assignments... what is important for each of us is to know our assignment and do that work.)

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

³ For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

⁴ Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

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⁵ And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: ⁶ For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom HE receiveth.

⁷ If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

⁸ But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

⁹ Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

¹⁰ For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but HE for our profit, that we might be partakers of HIS holiness.

¹¹ Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

^12-13 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;   And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 

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¹⁴ Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

¹⁵ Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

¹⁶ Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. ¹⁷ For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

¹⁸ For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, ¹⁹ And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

²⁰ (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:  ²¹ And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

²² But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  ²³ To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

²⁴ And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

²⁵ See that ye refuse not HIM that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven:
²⁶ Whose voice then shook the earth: but now HE hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

²⁷ And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire.

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