Book Title: Living Continually In Peace While We Wait For The Return Of Jesus
(From: "Life in Christ Series, book #23")
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(Comments by Pam Padgett, member of the body of Christ)
Most
of us need to do projects at various times in our lives. The projects
may be as simple as painting a room, or may be much more involved, such
as renovating a house.
I've
been involved in many projects, at home and when working at a secular
job, and have found that when I try to deal with a project on my own, without turning to God for help, stress, frustration, and confusion follow. Projects done like this consume me.
But
when I turn to God throughout the project, seeking HIS wisdom and
guidance and being established by HIM in what to do, the project is
successful, and I am filled with joy, peace, and gratitude toward God. A much better way!
Joan Boney,
who has lived at my house since 2019, has seen me deal with many
projects and has noticed that they have worked out well. She asked me
to share how I approach projects.
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An important foundation before beginning any project is inward
assurance that God knows what is best for me at all times and is able
to lead me in what to do as I turn to HIM, seeking HIS wisdom.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
* If I need to find someone else for the work, how should I go about
finding and recognizing the "right" person to work
on this project. This may, or may not, be someone who has worked
on a previous project. God knows the best person to do the work and is able to lead me in finding that person.
Often when I see or use the shades, I thank God for them, knowing HE worked this all out for me.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established (by God).
So I discuss
what I'm thinking of doing with God.
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When considering doing a project, some of the things which often come out as I discuss it with God are:
* Is this something I should do?
My own flesh may have been stirred up by something I've seen on TV or
heard from someone I've talked with. Devils also bring ideas.
So it is important to know whether this project is authored or approved by God for me to do.
* Projects can be disruptive, take effort, and require time. Do I have
the time and energy to do the project at this time? Can I, and those in my house, handle the
disruption?
* Do I have money to do the project?
* Am I excited to do the project, or does the thought of the project bring stress or a sense of dread?
I
find that my way is often established as I talk with God honestly about
the project like this and pay attention to things brought to my
attention by the Holy Spirit.
***
>> Sometimes a "STOP" sign may be revealed, something indicating that the way I'm thinking of going will not work or is not best for me at this time. It's important to be
willing to back off a project when needed.
Example: Several times I tried to remodel my kitchen after my flesh would get stirred up by kitchens I had seen on TV. Each time I tried to do this, however, I would be stopped in some way.
So I did nothing. Then in 2022 when the oven stopped working, I was
led by God to replace the oven, cook top, countertop, sink, and faucet
and to install a backsplash.
This updated the kitchen with little disruption. I like the way the kitchen looks now, and it is easy to work in.
Many
times I have thanked God that I was stopped from the remodel I so
wanted to do at one time, for I can see the layout I had planned would
have been harder to work in and was unnecessary for the amount of
cooking I do.
>> I may be given something that confirms this is the right way to go.
Example:
In 2024 I was considering putting motorized window shades in my
kitchen. The windows are behind a corner sink and I need a step-stool
to reach them.
There would be little disruption in having shades installed, and I had plenty of money to purchase them. "But is this something I should do at this time?" I asked God.
One
morning a day or two later I was at the kitchen sink. The sunshine was
coming through the east-facing window so strongly that it was
uncomfortable to work at the sink. While considering whether to just finish what I was doing
later, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit of having prayed about
whether to have shades installed at this time, pointing out that this was the answer to that prayer. I was being shown to move forward with having shades installed now.
>>
At other times I may be led to gather more information about some
aspect of the project, and that information makes the way clear.
The
sidewalk leading to my front door had become dangerously uneven. One
neighbor almost fell when coming to my porch. I was considering having
the sidewalk replaced and prayed about this. My attention was drawn to
an advertisement for a company that does "mud jacking". I didn't
know anything about this so called to gather more information. They
sent someone to look at my sidewalk, and it was determined that mud
jacking would work well. It would take just a couple hours to do, was
very inexpensive, and there was almost no disruption. I hired them to
level the sidewalk. It was much easier than having the sidewalk torn out and new concrete poured. This was done more than 12 years ago, and there has been no further problem with the sidewalk.
When it is God leading us to do a project, we can move forward in peace rather than in the uncertainty of our own ideas.
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If I believe I'm led by God to do this project, pray about HOW to do the project:
* Can I and should I do the project work myself, or do I need to find someone to do all, or part, of the project?
* Projects often have multiple things that need to
be done. What is the best sequence to do these things?
In
2024 we were preparing for a home church meeting to be held in July at my house. I had prayed about what projects to do and how to do them. The sequence of projects was made clear ... the stair banister needed to be replaced and a bedroom painted before new carpeting was installed.
I was led in finding a carpenter to replace the banister and he did a wonderful job.
I
enjoy painting and planned to do that
myself. However, Joan was concerned this would be too much work for me
to do. She mentioned her concern a few times. So I prayed, asking God
who should do
this work? I was given the concept "How is it charity to do something
that troubles and concerns another person just because you want to do it?" By this, I knew to hire someone to paint the room.
So
I prayed, asking God who to hire to paint the room? I was reminded of
the "Next Door" website and looked to see what nearby painters were
recommended.
The
first painter I called was pleasant to talk with and seemed very
competent, quickly understood what needed to be done, used quality
paint, charged a reasonable price, and was able to do the work before
the carpet was installed. I hired him. The job was done as scheduled and the end result was better than I could have done. Having them do the work also freed me to take care of other things.
* What materials are needed to do the project? Where should I get each
of these things? Ask God to lead me to the exact items that will be
best for the project. HE knows exactly what is needed.
While
looking for materials for a project, I try to pay attention to what stands out to me and whether I really like the product.
Sometimes I see something and recognize God has
already put that in my heart! When I find something I like, I check
more closely into such things as size, price, availability.
We need to be careful about seeing something less
expensive and trying to convince ourselves it will be "OK" if it's not
something we really like.
In
the project to get new shades for my kitchen, the
first window covering company I contacted sent a woman to my home. She
told me how quickly they could have the shades made and installed and
that they were currently offering a sale with considerable savings on
the price of shades. Although some of the options shown to me would
probably be "OK", none of them were something I really liked and was
excited about ... none of the options made me smile. So I didn't purchase anything from that company.
In
praying about what to do next, I was reminded of a new, nearby, window
covering store. I went there one afternoon. The shades in one of their
displays strongly attracted my attention. It was as if this style of
shade had previously been put in my heart without my knowing it! This company was not
offering sale prices, but I could easily afford the shades. Also, it would
take several weeks for the shades to be made and installed, but that
time frame was no problem for my project.
The shades were installed very
professionally and I am delighted with the way they look and work.
It is now very easy to work in the kitchen even on extremely sunny
mornings. At the same time, I also purchased shades for the breakfast
nook and master bath and they have worked out great as well.
Kitchen shades
I find that
when God is leading me, HE goes before me and prepares the way with the needed ideas, plans,
people, and products. It just "works," and it is
exciting to see everything come together.
(JB) I'm so amazed at the way Pam goes about projects. Often she will come to me and say, "Someone is coming to the house tomorrow at 2 pm to talk with me about completing part of the basement." I know Pam has worked it out with God because that is what Pam always does.
She usually does not entangle me with the project nor trouble me at
all. She just quietly does it and I'm always amazed at how easy it is
and how pleasant.
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Pam says:
If a problem is encountered while doing the project, stop and turn to God, asking what to do.
In 2018 I was living alone (with 2 dogs and 1 cat) in my house. It was put in my heart to remodel the main level of my house so there would be a bedroom and handicap-accessible shower. At that time, all bedrooms were on an upper level of the house, requiring the use of stairs to get to the bedrooms.
I didn't know why this was in my heart to do and wondered if something
might be about to happen to me which would prevent me from using the
stairs.
I began praying about this potential project.
A shower could be added to the existing half-bath.
For
a bedroom, there was a room on the main level of the house which I had
setup as a theater room with a 57" TV and sound system. A double
doorway was between this room and the room with a fireplace.
The theater room could be made into a bedroom by making a solid wall where the double doorway was, adding a single doorway on an adjacent wall, and adding a closet. The fireplace area was too small to accommodate the sound equipment and TV, so I was praying about selling those things.
I
hadn't mentioned this potential project to anyone. Then one evening
Joan Boney called me on the telephone (she was living alone in Texas at
the time).
She told me she was planning to get a new TV and asked if I would like her current 70" TV. I
told her I was considering selling the equipment I had because I may be
making a bedroom out of the theater room and there was not room in the
fireplace area for a large TV and sound equipment.
As we spoke, Joan was given the idea of putting an "alcove", recessed about 2 feet, where the double doorway was. The TV and sound equipment could be placed in the alcove. What a wonderful idea! I was thankful to God for this idea, and began drawing plans with an alcove.
I
hired a man named Scott to do the framing and drywall. He began by
removing the double doors and making an opening in the adjacent wall for
the new single door. He also prepared for framing the alcove the
following day by putting tape on the floor where the alcove walls would
be.
The next morning at 4am, I was awakened with excitement to see the construction area. I began walking through the area, when suddenly my eyes were opened to a problem ... the new single door would not be able to fully open because of the alcove wall!
I began praying fervently. Everything was already torn up! What could we do about this serious problem?
As I prayed, an idea came to my mind from the Holy Spirit ... Change the shape of the alcove.
I
began putting tape on the floor with the new shape that was put in my
mind and was delighted that, not only would this allow the door to fully
open, but it would still accommodate the TV and sound equipment and
would be a much more interesting design.
By
the time Scott arrived at 7am, I was able to show him the problem and
the solution I had been given. He was very happy that the problem had
come to light before he had started framing, and he made the needed
adjustments.
The
solution I was given by God resulted in a very attractive alcove for
the TV and sound equipment, so much better than I originally planned.
View of Alcove with Adjacent Door
It
made me especially grateful to God that HE was watching over the
project, waking me at 4am, showing me the problem, and giving me the
solution before framing began.
Although
we didn't know it at the time, Joan would not be able to live alone at
her house in Texas after a fall in December, 2018. She moved to the new
bedroom in February, 2019, and has commented multiple times how much
she likes it.
Joan's Bedroom:
"Back side" of the alcove
Joan's TV and sound equipment in her room
Joan's closet with desk
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On
larger projects, I'm often first given the general plan, the
"big picture". After that, the more detailed parts of the plan (such as wall color or finishes) start to
unfold and fall into place.
This doesn't concern me, and I'm often grateful to God that I don't
have the
entire plan all at once for it would probably overwhelm me. I try to
just take each step that is in front of me.
God knows
how best to lead each of us in whatever we're doing. We simply take each step HE shows us to take.
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As we work on projects, many thoughts come to us. Some of these are from God but some from a devil or our own flesh.
It is so important for us to try the spirit bringing a thought to us so we can know whether to go in the way of that thought.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits
whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into
the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world.
***
Here
is an example of my failing to try the spirit bringing thoughts to me
and thereby allowing devils to lead me to go a wrong way in a project.
Turmoil and confusion were rampant until God got me set on the right
path.
In
2022 the kitchen tile backsplash was being installed. The tile
installer asked me if I wanted the tile to go around the windows
or just to the window sill? His recommendation was tiling to the
window-sill. I liked the idea of having tile go around the windows, but
a thought came telling me that having tile around the windows would be
too much tile in that area and would look "busy". I didn't try the spirit bringing that thought, and I didn't know what to do.
I
began to pray asking for help in making this decision. After praying, I
kept having a thought (from the Holy Spirit) to ask Joan what she thought would be better
where tile around the windows was concerned. But another thought came
(from a devil) that I shouldn't trouble Joan with this matter. Again, I didn't try the spirits bringing these thoughts.
By not dealing in a godly way by trying the spirits that brought thoughts to my mind and allowing God to
establish me in what to do, I was confused and didn't know what to do.
About that time, the tile installer had done what he could without knowing what I
wanted done in the window area. So I hurriedly made a decision to
have the tile go only to the window sill.
Fortunately, as the installer began doing this, Joan came to see the tile. (I believe Joan was led by God to come help me.) She immediately commented that she thought it looked "choppy" to have the tile go only to the window sill. As soon as she said this, the Holy Spirit reminded me that I had been given the word "choppy" earlier but didn't try the spirit bringing that thought. Instead, I ignored it.
Fortunately, as the installer began doing this, Joan came to see the tile. (I believe Joan was led by God to come help me.) She immediately commented that she thought it looked "choppy" to have the tile go only to the window sill. As soon as she said this, the Holy Spirit reminded me that I had been given the word "choppy" earlier but didn't try the spirit bringing that thought. Instead, I ignored it.
(When you "try the spirit" and hear "Yes" then you know that idea is from God.)
What confusion and turmoil I brought on myself by not trying the spirits that were bringing thoughts to me!
Tile around windows
I
have no doubt that to have the tile go only to the window sill would
have continually bothered me.
Devils will certainly try to lead us, often with very subtle thoughts, to make decisions that will torment us. But God leads us in ways of peace and
life.
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.
We say to that spirit: "Do you confess Jesus Christ is come in the flesh?" After I ask this, as John said to do, "Yes" or "No" comes to my mind.
See chapters 4 & 5 of this book concerning "Trying the spirits to see if they are from God."
***
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
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Comments by Joan Boney:
I Timothy 6:10 "The love of money is the root of all evil:"
God has taught me many things about dealing with money.
I owned a business in American Indian Arts between the years of 1971-1979.
Women would often come into my shop to purchase jewelry. Their usual approach was to point at an item and ask, "How much is that?"
In buying items, that is the last thing I ask.
(They don't even know if they like the item and it's, "How much is that?")
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God taught me this way: First, determine if you even like the item. Then, in your own mind, how much would you be willing to pay for that item, if you like it. Then last, "How much does that item cost?"
Do not allow money to rule over you ... You rule over money.
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I was born again August 5, 1975. God said to me: "Get out of debt and stay out of debt."
Within about 6 months, God gave me a plan to get fully out of debt.
I was never again in debt. God enabled me to build 4 houses and to purchase 2 cars paying cash for each. It is a wonderful way of life. I also taught our church group to live this way.
So when I do a project, I have the money in my savings account to pay for the items before I ever design the project. If I do not have the money, I wait until I have saved the money for the project.
I do not shop "sales".
When money enters your decision, I often find money leads the wrong
way. Have the money first, then begin all the decision making.
Joan Boney
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