💥 Jesus upholds all things by the Word of HIS power.

Hebrews 1:3  WHO being the brightness of HIS (God's) 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;

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John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by HIM (The Word); and without HIM was not any thing made that was made.

4 In HIM (The Word) was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

10 HE was in the world, and the world was made by HIM, and the world knew HIM not.

11 HE came unto HIS own, and HIS own received HIM not.

12 But as many as received HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on HIS name (the Word):

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld HIS glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

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The Word comes down to us today from heaven by God by the Holy Spirit of God and causes us to be born again ... changed ... children of God.

Ephesians 1

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (the Word):

4 According as HE (God) hath chosen us in HIM (Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before HIM in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ (the Word) to Himself, according to the good pleasure of HIS will,

6 To the praise of the glory of HIS grace, wherein HE hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through HIS blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of HIS grace;

8 Wherein HE hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of HIS will, according to HIS good pleasure which HE hath purposed in Himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times HE might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in HIM:

11 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:

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

13 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,

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

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The apostle Paul says:  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  (I Cor. 3:16)

Jesus says:

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; but whatsoever HE shall hear (from God), that shall HE speak: and HE will shew you things to come.

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💥 If someone defrauds you.

 

The world quickly files a lawsuit against that person who they think did wrong toward themselves.

I Corinthians 6  

1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

Recently a man came to change a cable in my TV.  When he left my house, the work he had done made the TV worse, not better.  I had already paid his company for that cable.  I told Pam Padgett if they billed us for labor, pay what they required rather than fight them.  (I'm sure at one time I would have fought the bill for unsatisfactory work.  But I have come to the decision that it is better to suffer loss than to "shame" another person and cause the unsatisfactory laborer loss.)

I would not want to be a part of causing another person harm.  

If the food is unsatisfactory at a café, just don't go back! 

Live in peace.  Go forward in peace.

I believe God will repay us and give us blessings when we resist doing evil toward them because they did evil toward us.

The way of the world is opposite to the way of God.

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Podcast: The joy of the Lord, the Word, is my strength

 

 

God strengthens and guides us by giving us HIS word in times of need as we live on this present earth.  The Holy Spirit brings to our mind various scripture to help us endure and be strengthened in faith in God in the problem.

Write out these verses and keep them before you day and night during the problem. 

We continually rejoice in HIS word which helps us and strengthens us.

Nehemiah 8:10  

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD (the Word) is your strength.

In the midst of the problem, God often sends a scripture to our mind.  That scripture restores us to the Word of God and it is our joy.  It meets our need in the problem.  Be sure to write out that scripture and keep it before you day and night for a season.  Follow the instruction given in the scripture. It is the way to go in the issue and is the way to overcoming the matter at hand.

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💥 Beware of thoughts the devil would send to your mind for these are exactly opposite from truth.

Jesus says:  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (The Word) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  (John 10:10)

The devil brings thoughts to our mind which are false prophecies.  We must not believe devils.

Jesus says: He (the devil) was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)

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In the end times, devils will be rampant on this earth speaking thoughts to us to destroy us if possible.  

I Peter 5

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that HE may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon HIM; for HE careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

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Revelation 12:12  Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

We must not believe thoughts sent by devils for they are lies and will destroy us if we allow ourselves to believe them.

Future is in the hand of God for each of us.  God has not appointed us to wrath but to salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ, The Word.  (I Thess. 5:9)

Focus on the Word given to you by God for it is truth.

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💥 Avoiding pagan traditions.

 

Mark 7  Jesus says:

7 Howbeit in vain do they worship ME, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men,

9 And HE (Jesus) said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

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The world does many traditions of men which we avoid after we are born again.

* The world participates in toasting each other, in lifting their drinking glass to wish the other person "luck".

When I am at their table and they begin to lift their glasses, I make no attempt to lift my glass.  I've found they just ignore me and go on with their tradition.

2 John

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

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.

(I rarely wish another person well when that person is a stranger to me.  He might be planning to go out and commit fornication that night after he leaves.  If I wish him well, the apostle John tells me I will be partaker of this evil doer's deeds.)

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* Eating things like black-eyed-peas on New Year's Day "for luck."

The world has many pagan traditions involving eating food.

After I became a Christian, I noticed such things as this and stopped doing such.  I want my "luck" to come from God.  And I know that doing that which is right in the sight of God often causes us to appear to be wrong in the eyes of this world and often brings me persecution from those who do not follow God.

God showed me this scripture:

Genesis 14

21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

When I saw this scripture as a new Christian, I said to God, "I want to be like Abraham.  I want my 'wealth' to come from YOU."

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* Going to cemeteries and decorating graves:

I believe the spirit leaves the body at the time of death.  I don't believe my Christian relatives and friends who died in Christ are in that grave.  Their spirit leaves that dead body at the time of death.    

And I believe the following scripture testifying of the resurrection of the dead through Jesus.  

I Thessalonians 4

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with HIM.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (go before) them which are asleep (dead).

16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

When a person believes in God and Jesus Christ and he dies, I see that person sleeping in Jesus as it says in I Thessalonians 4:14.  I do not picture the dead in Christ as being in graves under the ground.

Therefore I do no go to graveyards, for to me that testifies of death rather than of sleeping in Christ.

I see it as pagan acts of the flesh of man rather than truth of God by the scriptures.

I would not sit at a grave and talk to a dead body for I know the dead are asleep and cannot hear me.  (Jesus teaches us this in John 11.)  It would, to me, be a fruitless act of flesh to do this.

John 11  

11 These things said HE (Jesus): and after that HE saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

(Jesus shows us those who die are asleep.  They cannot hear the living nor see us who still live.  They are sleeping.)

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After becoming a Christian we view things by what the Bible shows us and we put away pagan things done by this world.  There are many man made holidays that are not presented in the Bible but have been made to seem religious by men.  I avoid these for they have a semblance of truth but they are not of God.  If you cannot find such in the NT Bible, then it was made up by man and added to the church by man and not God.

I choose not to participate in religious things that are set up by men and are not commanded by God in the Holy Bible.

Jesus said:

John 4:23-24  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship HIM.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship HIM must worship HIM in spirit and in truth. 

Where is that in the NT Bible?  We ask?  Building ourselves in the Word of God by the New Testament Bible.

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Podcast: Controlling our minds through God and prayer

 

 

2 Cor. 10

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

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God gave a prophecy to the prophet Ezekiel concerning the New Testament Church and those who are born again.

Ezekiel 36  God says:

23 And I will sanctify MY great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put MY spirit within you, and cause you to walk in MY statutes, and ye shall keep MY judgments, and do them.

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💥 Isaiah 26

 

3 THOU wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on THEE: because he trusteth in THEE.

4 Trust ye in the LORD (in the Word) for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

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Think on that which God has said to you.

Joshua 1:5  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. & Hebrews 13:5  for HE hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Matthew 28:20  Jesus says:  lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. 

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ (the Word) which strengtheneth me.

Romans 8:11  But if the Spirit of HIM that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, HE that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make alive) your mortal bodies by HIS Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Romans 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:34  It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

(Both the Holy Spirit and Jesus pray for us that we will be strengthened and sustained.)

Psalm 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in HIS law (HIS Word) 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.

(It would be hard to pull down this kind of tree that drank continually from the rivers of water.)

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💥 Living as Christians.

We are born again when God speaks the Word of Truth to us by HIS Spirit and changes us by that Word.

2 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.

Things were certainly new and I was very different after God spoke truth to me.

At that time, when we are born again, God gives us a new heart and a new spirit.   God changes us!

Our heart is different.  Our Spirit is different.

God shows Ezekiel the prophet what it will be like in the days of the New Testament Church.

Ezekiel 36  God says:

23 And I will sanctify MY great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put MY spirit within you, and cause you to walk in MY statutes, and ye shall keep MY judgments, and do them.

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We then read the Bible and are recreated many times during the years by the Word through the Spirit of God. 

God often changes our heart on a matter as we live on this earth.

And I often pray this over me:

Psalm 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

For sometimes the ways of the world rub off on me as I am with worldly people or as I read secular books or as I see TV news reports, and I know I run the risk of contamination in my thinking.  I also know I can trust God to cleanse my heart and my spirit on the issue at hand, so I put my trust in God by praying this, asking God to cleanse me.

But at the time we are born again by God by HIS Spirit, believing the Word HE speaks to us, we are truly made into new creatures and we walk then in the Word of God as we live on this earth.

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John 3  Jesus says:

3 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

5 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

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.

If you have not been changed by God by HIS Spirit, pray, asking God to please cause you to be born again by HIS will and by HIS power.

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Podcast: God has not given us the spirit of fear: but of power and love and a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7)

 

 

II Timothy 1:7   For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

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Fear is usually from devils who want to torment us and cause us to doubt God.

The devil often uses fear to draw us away from the plan of God.  And our own flesh is often filled with fear by things we have heard other people say.

To deal with fear when it comes, we need to turn to God in prayer, asking God to help us.  HE will!

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and brings truth to us.    There is no truth in the devil.  Jesus says, He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.  (Jn. 8:44)

Devils bring thoughts of fear to our minds.  Usually devils speak opposite to the word God has given us.

God has given us:  power, and love, and a sound mind  (2 Tim. 1:7)

I often pray:

Psalm 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

And I pray for God to show me the truth on the issue at hand that I may follow HIM.

The devil is often a "false prophet" telling us what is going to happen to us.

When fear comes, remember to look for devils.

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💥 Romans 14:19

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

* peace:

     - freedom from civil disturbance

     - harmony in personal relations

     - state of tranquility or quite

     - freedom from war or violence

     - calmness; untroubled mind

* edify:

    - instruct or improve spiritually, morally

    - build or instruct in the faith in God and knowledge of the way of God

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💥 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psa. 119:105)

Romans 12:1-2

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

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I often ask myself:  "What has God told me or shown me about this situation?"

For that is truth!

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Podcast: God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us

 

 

 

Ephesians 3:20

Now unto HIM that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

What is "the power" that worketh in us?

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The power that worketh is us is the power of the Holy Spirit of God who teaches us all things, reminds us of all that Jesus, the Word, has said to us, guides us unto all truth, and shows us things to come.

John 14:26  Jesus says:  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; but whatsoever HE shall hear (from God), that shall HE speak: and HE will shew you things to come.

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The Holy Spirit of God lives inside each believer and helps us to know what to do by bringing to our mind ideas even when we are doing a secular project.

I Corinthians 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  

The Holy Spirit is "the helper" to show us the way to go in issues of this present life.  He simply brings ideas to us to show us God's thinking concerning our projects and also wisdom from God in spiritual concepts.

HE is the "Spirit of truth."

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One time, a young man said that the Bible is too legalistic.

I began talking with God about this.

The Holy Spirit then told me the truth from God's view.  HE said, "The people of the world want freedom to sin.  The people of God want freedom from sin."  

The Word of God gives us freedom from sin when we do that which the Word says to do.

And the Holy Spirit reminded me of this scripture.  The Words of Jesus.

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:

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

Also I am reminded of this as I write this:

Proverbs 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

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John 10:10  (Jesus says:)

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (the Word) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The Holy Spirit searches the heart of God to show us the will of God in the issues of this present life bringing the Word of God to our minds on the situations life.

I Corinthians 2

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by HIS Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 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.

12 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.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

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Sometimes we will start to do something but will have "no peace" about what we are about to do.

Or we might have "no joy" in that plan.

These should be "stop signs" for us.  Back off and pray again for God's wisdom.

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

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If we yoke ourselves to a plan of man, we might be uncomfortable in that which we are about to do.  The Holy Spirit is trying to warn us.

Matthew 11  (Jesus, The Word, says:)

28 Come unto ME, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take MY yoke upon you, and learn of ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light.

God taught me that if something is very complex or overly expensive, I need to stop and pray again asking God for wisdom.  For God's way is "easy" and HIS burden is "light".

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My cleaning woman came to me and said, "Don't you ever feel you have to keep up with the Jones'?"

I was a little shocked by this question and I asked her to repeat it.

She said, "Don't you ever feel you need to outdo other people ... or to have a car as good as they have?"

I thought seriously about this and then replied, "No ... I don't believe I do."  

"Emulations" is a sin of the flesh.

(emulate: to equal or excel over another person)

Galatians 5

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

James 3

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

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.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

So if we have envy or strife, we can pray as David did:

Psalm 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

(I've often prayed this over myself when I've encountered this world and their wisdom and plans.  And God has always helped me and restored my thinking to HIMSELF and HIS ways.)

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💥 2 Timothy 4

7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

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💥 Being sensitive to the Spirit of God.

Jesus says the Holy Spirit will teach us all things, guide us into all truth, remind us of everything HE has said, and show us things to come.  (Jn. 14:26 & Jn. 16:13)

We must learn to follow the Holy Spirit of God as we go forward on this present earth.

The apostle Paul warns us:

II Timothy 3

1 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.

13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Deception is one of the key things that will happen in the end times.

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The Holy Spirit in us is The Spirit of Truth.

When we feel uncomfortable about a person or a plan, there is likely something wrong and God is trying to warn us.

Pray.  Reestablish your thinking with God.  Ask God to confirm the direction if it is HIS will to do that thing over which you feel uncomfortable.

Recently I was trying to work with a man and from the beginning of the time I met him, I felt troubled when we spoke.  I never had a specific reason I just felt troubled.  I believe this was God warning me.  And nothing that we were trying to do in the project turned out well.  Each time he came to do work, I felt troubled.  We often try to explain such away by thinking, "It's just me."  But when that continues, especially after prayer, something is wrong and it is usually best to cancel the project.

Commit your thoughts and feelings to God and ask HIM to guide you and to give you wisdom.

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

Proverbs 3:16  Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

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Podcast: Rejoice in that season given by God

 

 

 Ecclesiastes 3

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

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Psalm 84:11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will HE withhold from them that walk uprightly.

God is both a sun and a shield.

God leads us in the way to go.  And God shields us from that which would harm us.

Trust in God.  Turn to God.  Put your faith in God.

We recognize when the plan is of God:

Matthew 11:28-30  (Jesus says)

28 Come unto ME, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take MY yoke upon you, and learn of ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light.

If the plan is overly complex, difficult, and putting a financial hardship on me, I always know I don't have the plan of God for me.  I stop and pray again.

James 3

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

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.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

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💥 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.

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💥 Some people hunt for a "word" for a solution rather than putting their trust in God.

Humans often trust in themselves rather than putting their trust in God.

They pray and then begin hunting a Word from the Bible which seems to fit the solution to their problem.  They often trust in themselves rather than trusting in God.

God taught me to pray and then to trust HIM to bring to me the solution.

John 5:30  Jesus said:

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear (from God), I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

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If we pray according to the will of God, our prayer will be answered.

I John 5

14 And this is the confidence that we have in HIM, that, if we ask any thing according to HIS will, HE heareth us:

15 And if we know that HE hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM.

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A young man asked me if I would pray that he get the job for which he was interviewing.  I told him I would not pray this for him because I didn't know if it was the will of God for him to get that job.  I would pray for the will of God to be done.  He did not get the job.

Sometimes I know the will of God in the matter at hand.   Other times I do not know the will of God in a specific situation.

If we pray, "according to the will of God", God will hear us and it will be done.

Now I know to seek the will of God in the matter at hand before I pray.

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As a young woman, I wanted to marry.  I prayed often to marry.  But I never considered if it was the will of God for me to marry.

I dated several men but it just never worked out.  Often I was depressed because my prayer was not answered.  I did not know the scripture in I John 5 concerning praying according to the will of God.  There was a call of God on my life, and apparently to do the work to which God called me, I would not marry.  

(Most people do marry and it is the will of God but in my case it was not so.)

Since learning to seek the will of God and pray according to God's will, all my prayers have been answered when I have prayed so far as I can recall.

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From approximately 1978 through 1982, I attended a faith movement church.  We were taught to claim scripture over that which we wanted.  (I don't recall anyone mentioning seeking the will of God.)  I found a scripture to claim concerning marrying:  (Isaiah 34:16)  None shall want her mate.

I claimed this scripture daily for many months.

I became more and more depressed because it wasn't working for me.

God gave me the following to show me my error:  "How is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?"  (NIV  I Peter 2:20)

And then I understood what I had done wrong.  I wanted to marry.  I did not consider what was the will of God.  It was what I wanted.  But it was not God's will for me.

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Here is the way Jesus taught us to pray:

Matthew 6

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be THY name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

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I repented of my error which was done in ignorance.

We must pray "according to the will of God."

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Podcast: Ideas that are from God

 

 

Sometimes we will schedule something but then have no real peace or joy about doing that thing which we planned.  When this is the case, back off, put the plan on hold, pray again.

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It may be that you have the wrong plan.  Or it could be that you are trying to work with the wrong person in executing the plan.

If the worker troubles you, just ask God to change your heart if you are wrong.  After prayer, if you are still uncomfortable about the worker, know that you need to find someone else to do the work.  Trust God to sort it out for you.  Do not go forward as long as you find the worker troubling.

Recently I made the mistake of allowing a man to do a small job for me and it had to be undone and redone after this man finished his work.  I had no reason to be troubled by this worker but the two times he came to do the work, I was immediately troubled by him without any real reason to be troubled.  The Spirit in us will warn us by causing us to "feel" uneasy.  

(Sometimes God will even warn us by giving us a dream to show us we are going the wrong direction.)

This was such a minor job, I think I just went through the STOP signs.  

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Paul said:  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.  (I Thess. 5:21)

How do we "prove" the plan?

Proverbs 16:3  Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

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I once asked a young woman, "After you pray, how do you know which ideas that come to you are from God?"

(She was speechless.  Apparently she had never thought about this.)

If you pray, "What should I do about this?"  Ideas will likely come to your mind as to what you could do.  

Ideas can be from God sent by HIS Spirit.  The devil can send you ideas.  Your own flesh with it's desires can bring ideas.

So how do you know which ideas are from God?

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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, 

 * without hypocrisy.

If the idea is overly complex, difficult, burdensome, exceedingly expensive, I always know I am not going in God's plan.  

Back off.  Pray again.  Be sure you are trusting that God will bring you the way for you to go. 

And evaluate the plan by this:  God's yoke is easy and HIS burden is light.  (Mt. 11:30)

- easy:  achieved without great effort; presenting few difficulties 

Example: I allowed a man to change out a cord on my TV which was supposed to upgrade the picture to 4K or 8K.  But when he finished, the TV picture was not good.  My previous picture was much better.  I was sick that I had allowed this man to do this.  But before he came to do the work, I dreaded the thought that he would be coming to make this change.  I went through the warnings which God was trying to give me and allow this man to come do the work.

God knew how upset I was.  An idea came:  just install your previous cables and allow the cable that goes from TV to sound processor to hang down behind the TV without having to hide that cable behind the wall.  Then you can see immediately if the video problem will be resolved.

I still had the old cables so I could do this without problem.  And if I allowed the cables to come outside the wall it was just a matter of plugging them in to test the video picture!

I did this that same day and the TV picture was very good.  Later when someone comes to work here, he can easily drop the cable down the wall, hiding the cable.

This plan brought me peace and immediate comfort and it worked!  

God brings us ideas which help us greatly and are filled with peace.

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💥 God's yoke is easy! (Mt. 11:30)

We can recognize ideas that are from God by paying attention to the following facts:

If the plan is from God, it is an easy plan.  If we dread the situation, there is something wrong with the arrangement, God is warning us.

Unfortunately, we sometimes try to explain our feeling away by saying, "Oh ... it's just me.  I can get used to it."

The thinking of this world is often:  "Just grit your teeth and do it."  (That is not what God teaches us.)

James 3 

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

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.

18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

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God warns us:

If the project is complex, difficult, overly expensive ... pray and look for another plan.

That sub that recently exploded:   5 men closed up in a tube without any seating would immediately signal "not easy" for those of us who understand following God.  The mother of the youngest young man who was killed said he did not want to go but went anyway to "bond" with his father.

Sadly there are many who go by reasoning of themselves and others without heeding warning facts.

Also if we are troubled by another person, even without cause, beware ... this could be God warning us about that person.

These are STOP SIGNS.  To explain them away could cause us great harm.  God uses such things to warn us.

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  Matthew 11  Jesus says

28 Come unto ME, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take MY yoke upon you, and learn of ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light.

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💥 God sends HIS Word to us by HIS Holy Spirit and HE leads us, showing us what to do.

 

Avoid conjuring with your own reasonings.  Let God show you.

We can depend on God.  At some point, God will make it clear to us what we should do.

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

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After I pray, sometimes God opens my eyes immediately to see what to do.  Other times I have to wait.  

In the l990's, I built a house in Clovis, New Mexico (USA).  Unknown to me, the contractor changed the size of the kitchen to be able to get the house plan to fit onto the lot.

The kitchen floor space was such that if my mother and I were working at the same time in the kitchen, we kept running into each other.

I asked God what I should do.  Every time my mother and I were in the kitchen at the same time, I silently prayed again, asking God what to do.

One day, I went into the kitchen and I saw immediately what to do.  

There was a walk-in pantry in the kitchen.  I could move the pantry to the attached garage and put the refrigerator in the space where the pantry had been.  This instantly opened the floor space in the kitchen and there was no more problem.

(It cost relatively little to do this and the workers were available for the job.)

God's yoke is easy and HIS burden is light.  (Mt. 11:30)

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In 2022, Pam Padgett was diagnosed with bladder cancer.  The doctor told Pam she would have to have 4 chemotherapy treatments followed by surgery to remove her bladder.

(Pam asked God if there was any other way to deal with this problem other than removing her bladder.)

One day, Pam was reading some information given to her by the chemo pharmacist.  There was a statement from the cancer society saying:  "A combined treatment of chemo with radiation treatments may be as effective in dealing with this cancer as surgically removing the bladder."

Pam felt God had answered her prayer showing her another way to go in dealing with this problem.

Her doctors did not recommend this treatment in Pam's situation.  But they agreed to do this if that is what Pam wanted.

The treatments began in mid-December and went through mid-January. In April, 2023, they did 2 tests to evaluate the results of the chemo/radiation treatments.

The cancer was gone!  Both exams showed no sign of cancer in Pam.  (And she still had her bladder!)

To read the full report of Pam's story and how God led Pam step by step:  Click here.

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When we turn to God and HE shows us what to do and we do HIS Word, it works!

The gates of hell cannot stand against that Word sent to us by God!  (Mt. 16:17-18)

 

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Podcast: Ordained to serve God before they were born

 

 

The prophet Jeremiah was ordained to God even when he was in the womb.

Jeremiah 1

4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

9 Then the LORD put forth HIS hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put MY words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

God said to Jeremiah:

16 And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken ME, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.

17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.

19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.

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The mother of Samuel gave him to God even before he was conceived in the womb.

I Samuel 1

9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.

10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if THOU wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

After that, when they returned home, Hannah conceived and a male child was born.  When he was weaned, he was presented to Eli the priest and he lived in the temple and served God all the days of his life.  And God gave Hannah other children, male and female.

24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.

25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.

27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of HIM:

28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

I Samuel 2

1 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside THEE: neither is there any rock like our God.

6 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: HE bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: HE bringeth low, and lifteth up.

8 HE raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and HE hath set the world upon them.

9 HE will keep the feet of HIS saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall HE thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and HE shall give strength unto HIS king, and exalt the horn of HIS anointed.

11 And Elkanah (Hannah's husband) went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.

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