*****
Sunday, May 31, 2020
* Jesus, The Word, comes that we might have a more abundant life.
Proverbs 2
6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of HIS mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: HE is a buckler (shield) to them that walk uprightly.
(The WORD God gives to us shields us from perversions and wrong ways.)
8 HE keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints.
***
Every time we hear a Word from God and think on that Word and do that Word, we are shielded from the way that would harm us and we are taken in a way that blesses us.
As we draw nearer to the return of Jesus, we set our goal to be found by Jesus in peace, without spot, and blameless. (II Peter 3:14)
As we think on those words God gives us and do them, they take us in the ways of God and keep us from the ways of men.
We fight the concepts of men which are opposite to the way of God.
One of the most important things for us to do is to search out the Word from God and meditate on that Word and do that Word.
If we have caught our foot in a harmful net, God has a way of escape for us. As we do that shown us by God, we remove ourselves from that "net" that binds us to the evil of man.
I Corinthians 10:13 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.
First we see that there is no trap that is too strong for us. God does not allow that. We are able to get free.
Second, God knows what we need to do to free ourselves.
***
Humans stumble about not knowing what causes them to stumble. But we have the power through God to see what it is that is causing us to slip. And when we do see that, God also shows us how to avoid the trap so we can go in a straight way of good and not in evil.
***
John 10:10 Jesus says: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
When we go in the way of the flesh or devils, we are harmed. When we go in the way of the scriptures and the concepts brought to our minds by the Spirit of God we move into a more abundant life and avoid the traps.
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.
(We choose not to place ourselves in their paths.)
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.
3 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.
***
Proverbs 1
10 If sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
Examples: (Comments by Joan Boney)
During the Coronavirus of 2020, I became interested in following the happenings on television newscasts on CNN.
But I found the commentators trying to stir me up in political ways to cause me to hate the government leaders in USA.
Also I found them trying to make me think it would be good to "follow the science", which can seem to be perfect.
(I knew this was not true for I know scriptures where Paul warned Timothy not to follow science, so called.)
I Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
As I heard various doctors and scientists speak, I could tell they really didn't know what to do. They speculated. But the thing that was so bad is the newscasters and governors of states felt wise by that which these men of science and medicine were saying. And the newscasters were condemning others who questioned this way and they were even scorning those who choose to go in another way. And I could see they considered themselves wise in their own eyes in that which they were promoting. Also I could see them covering themselves by what the data reported, not risking their own opinion before other people. (I knew all these ways were against that which I read in Bible.)
* Bible teaches me to seek my wisdom from God who made heaven and earth and knows all things.
* I know how to seek wisdom from God and how to recognize that wisdom that comes to me from God.
Then I began to see these newscasters as hollow, dead men and dead women. (people without souls)
When I realized I needed to stop listening to them daily as I had been doing, my flesh resisted for it was being "tickled" by these newscasts.
I turned to God for help in escaping.
God did two things to get me loose from them.
* I became more deeply involved in Bible and exhortations and the time I was focusing on Bible ran into that news hour which I had been watching on TV.
* On one day when I finished my Bible and exhortations early, I had extra time on my hands where I could have watched the newscast as I had been doing. So what was I to do with the time? I asked God. And the concept came to me: "Take a shower and wash your hair." I did that and found it ate up the time and I no longer had interest that day in seeing what the world was doing.
(God knows the way of escape that will work for each of us.)
And after I did what God showed me I realized I had entered into doing the scriptures:
Proverbs 1:10, 15-16 If sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
(Their feet do run to evil. They can't wait to tell their enticing stories and shed the blood of other men with their own wisdom. I had avoided walking in the way with them by doing that which God showed me to do.)
I Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
Pam Padgett, member of body of Christ, also said to me that she could tell she was being corrupted by seeing newscasts. She was reminded of this scripture:
I Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
***
Another example of following God into abundance:
The ministry owned a house in Texas where I had lived for almost 20 years. When I was shown to move to Colorado in 2019, I put the house in Texas up for sale. It did not sell and 1 1/2 years passed.
In March, 2020, at the height of the Coronavirus shut down in USA, I turned to God in prayer asking God if there was anything I should do about that house in Texas.
Immediately, the concept was brought to my mind to reduce the price of the house and put it on a "special" sale for one-week.
I took this action and the house sold within 2 days.
But the selling price seemed so low.
However, when the money came to the ministry, it seemed there was so much money even with the low selling price. I was really shocked when we began working with that money. I had loaned the ministry almost all the money left to me by my dad. I was able to repay myself. I was able to repay Pam Padgett for all the extra ministry expenses incurred in the 1 1/2 years that the house did not sell. I was able to give gratuities to 5 people who helped with the house: my contractor, my former housekeeper, a real estate advisor, and 2 former realtors who had shown the house several times. And even after paying all these things, we deposited $190,000 in the ministry bank account from the sale of the house.
The sale price seemed to be so little but it provided so much money when it was divided up.
This is like the story of the loaves and fishes:
(There seemed to be so little but they fed so many and had 12 baskets left over.)
Matthew 14
15 And when it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
17 And they say unto Him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
19 And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
17 And they say unto Him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
19 And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
It can seem to be so little, but end up being so much!
*****
* Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Great men of God in the captivity.
Daniel 3
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
*****
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:
Joshua 1:5 I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Matthew 28:20 lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
***
Joshua 1:5 I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Matthew 28:20 lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
***
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 put into our mind by God by HIS Spirit, by the Spirit of Jesus. 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.
***
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)
***
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.
***
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.
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.
So if that is the case, you must repent and pray for God to correct your own heart. For you will not likely to be able to hear correctly until you are corrected.
Otherwise: 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.
***
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.
Joshua 1:8-9 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Have not I commanded thee?
(When God brings a word to our mind by HIS Spirit or when a scripture is made to stand out to us, that is God "commanding" us and we think on that word, taking action when needed, according to that word.)
Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
*****
Instruction in Righteousness: Hebrews 1
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom HE hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also HE made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of HIS glory, and the express image of HIS person, and upholding all things by the word of HIS power, when HE had by HIMSELF purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said HE at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and HE shall be to me a Son?
6 And again, when HE bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, HE saith, And let all the angels of God worship HIM.
7 And of the angels HE saith, Who maketh HIS angels spirits, and HIS ministers a flame of fire.
8 But unto the Son HE saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom.
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of THINE hands: 11 They shall perish; but THOU remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt THOU fold them up, and they shall be changed: but THOU art the same, and THY years shall not fail.
13 But to which of the angels said HE at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
*****
Saturday, May 30, 2020
* Proverbs 1
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
***
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(The fear of the Word causes us to obey and follow the Word.)
***
10 If sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
(People today are enticed into sin by taking sides in affairs of this present world as presented by newscasters and those people they interview. Be careful. God will judge the world. We refrain from "taking sides", from judging the world. Like Abraham we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth. Hebrews 11.)
16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
***
God says:
23 Turn you at MY reproof: behold, I will pour out MY spirit unto you, I will make known MY words unto you.
***
33 Whoso hearkeneth unto ME (says God) shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
*****
* Daniel refuses to defile himself with the king's meat.
Daniel 1
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
***
(Comments by Joan Boney)
We must not defile ourselves in church groups by doing things which we see as "wrong" according to the Bible.
We must not defile ourselves in church groups by doing things which we see as "wrong" according to the Bible.
People will say, "But you have to attend church. You have to be fed also."
They do not realize that we cannot sit in a church group and be "fed" while that church group sets aside certain instruction of the New Testament Bible and sets up another doctrine opposite to the instruction of the Bible. To sit among them will bring condemnation upon us.
So we go forward trusting God to feed us ... often God will put us with another true believer ...
But we cannot stay in a church group when we know there is wrong doing in that church group.
We will not grow there in things of God but we will lose reward there.
My favorite aunt was Church of Christ. Before she died she told me she knew things were wrong at the church. But she stayed there anyway.
Later I had the following dream: I walked into a room where there was a row of baby bassinetes. I looked down into each of the bassinetes to see the babies. I was shocked to see the horribly deformed babies. At the end of the row, I saw my aunt standing there as a grown woman. But she had horrible spots and blemishes on her face.
I believe God is showing me that my aunt, who is no longer living, will be saved but lose reward. The deformed "babies" were church members who never grew up but remained babies and they were deformed, living in wrong doctrines, being deformed in spirit by these wrong doctrines.
II John
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
***
We must not stay in a church where there is wrong doing for to do so is to approve that wrong doer and to set ourselves in a position to deny portions of the scripture.
*****
Hymn: Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus our blessed redeemer
(Click forward arrow > to play music:)
1. Praise Him! praise Him!
Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, ye saints! His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! hail Him! mightiest angels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will feed His people,
In His WORD He carries them all day long;
O ye saints that live in the light of His presence,
Praise Him! praise Him!
ever in joyful song!
2. Praise Him! praise Him!
Jesus, our blessed Redeemer,
For our sins He suffered and bled and died;
He, our Rock, our Hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! hail Him!
Jesus, the Crucified;
Loving Savior, meekly enduring sorrow,
Crowned with thorns that cruelly pierced His brow;
Once for us rejected, despised, and forsaken,
Prince of Glory, ever triumphant now.
3. Praise Him! praise Him!
Jesus, our blessed Redeemer,
Heavenly portals, loud with hosannahs ring!
(portal: doorway, way in, way out)
Jesus, Savior, reigneth for ever and ever;
Crown Him! crown Him!
Prophet and Priest and King!
Death is vanquished!
Tell it with joy, ye faithful,
Where is now thy victory, boasting grave?
Jesus lives!
No longer thy portals are cheerless;
Jesus lives, the mighty and strong to save.
(Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
*****
Scripture pertaining to this hymn:
Romans 5:5-9 the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
But God commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
But God commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
(We didn't shed our blood for our sins, but Jesus shed His blood to pay for our sins ... without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins Hebrews 9:22 ... we cannot hope to pay for our sins and our wrong actions by our good works ... only by shed blood are we redeemed from sin and cleansed)
Revelation 5:1-14 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 I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto HIM that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped HIM that liveth for ever and ever.
***
Luke 24:1-8 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
(The dead human body decays and stinks. They brought spices to cover the odor of death. But God was not going to suffer the body of Jesus to see corruption as other flesh sees corruption.)
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
HE is not here, but is risen: remember how HE spake unto you when HE was yet in Galilee,
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
And they remembered HIS words,
*****
Instruction In Righteousness: Philemon
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
*****
Friday, May 29, 2020
* Some preach that man is basically good. But what does God say in the Bible?
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Genesis 6
5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.
(I find it grieves me also when I see the wickedness of man.)
7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
***
II Peter 2
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
***
Paul tells us in the last days, the wickedness will increase on this earth.
II Timothy 3
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
I John 5
***
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? (We do not judge the world.) do not ye judge them that are within? (We are to judge the evil in the church.)
13 But them that are without God judgeth.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
***
I John 5
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
***
God judges the world. We judge the church:
I Corinthians 5
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? (We do not judge the world.) do not ye judge them that are within? (We are to judge the evil in the church.)
13 But them that are without God judgeth.
Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
(We have to judge that brother in the church when he is doing evil.)
***
We have to walk away from the evil done in this world when we see that evil.
We have often made the mistake of thinking we can change the evil. (I've done this in past in the church.)
But as we grow closer to the end and the return of Jesus, we must be aware of keeping ourselves that we not allow ourselves to be swept away by the evil that men do.
Before the Coronavirus, I rarely looked at any TV newscast. I sometimes checked the written headlines of news on internet without taking into my own heart the evil being done by men in this world.
During Coronavirus, I began watching TV newscasts to see what was happening in this very unusual event.
But I became aware that I was living more in disturbance than I was living in peace.
I am also very aware that I do not have to judge this world. (I Corinthians 5 tells us that.)
Therefore I do not have to take sides, as the newscasters would try to get us to do. I can refuse to judge the matter and change the TV to another channel, preferably one showing animals, dogs and cats!
So I have begun "watching myself" and keeping myself from being pulled into worldly conflicts for these things bring destructions to both sides in the issue, neither side being godly.
For example: In May, 2020, in Minneapolis a policeman contributed to the death of a black man by putting his knee on the neck of the black man's neck while the black man said he was in pain and couldn't breath.
Then the protesters arose to seek vengeance for the death of the black man. I was aware of the evil being done also by the protesters, for I know the scriptures:
Hebrews 10
30 For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto ME, I will recompense, saith the Lord.
For example: In May, 2020, in Minneapolis a policeman contributed to the death of a black man by putting his knee on the neck of the black man's neck while the black man said he was in pain and couldn't breath.
Then the protesters arose to seek vengeance for the death of the black man. I was aware of the evil being done also by the protesters, for I know the scriptures:
Hebrews 10
30 For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto ME, I will recompense, saith the Lord.
We can simply refuse to judge the world, walking away, knowing God will judge everyone involved on both sides and God knows the hearts of all in the issue at hand, we do not know. And we are told not to judge the world, but we are to judge the church. I Corinthians 5.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
But if there is evil in the church, we must judge that evil, refusing to keep company with that evil doer when he is called a brother and is doing evil, as Paul told us.
I Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
***
In the end time, what is important for us?
II Peter 3
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
So keeping ourselves is that which is important. To do that we must judge the "wicked brother" in the church ... but we must not put ourselves in a position where we are "taking sides" in the world.
And we must walk away after we see church people doing evil.
Titus 3:10-11 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
(If they don't turn at your first and second admonition, just walk away from them, knowing they will not turn.)
Don't keep trying to correct that church person. After the first and second admonition to him, reject him. Just stay away from him.
***
In the Bible, we are told to pray for "the king" and those in authority ... but we are not told that we have to vote for him.
I Timothy 2
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
I had a Baptist friend who was the most political person I've ever met.
She rejoiced that she could register her granddaughter to vote for the worldly elections at her Baptist church. (I was horrified that a church would do such a thing.)
Later I shared I Timothy 2:1 with her. I told her I thought this would help her concerning her political angers.
She said it did help.
A few years later, she told me she had come to realize there is no solution in politics.
We, who are born again, are as strangers and pilgrims as we pass through this world.
Hebrews 11
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for HE hath prepared for them a city.
Work constantly to "live in peace", without spot and blameless in the sight of God.
*****
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