Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
(Providing daily encouragement for the body of Christ by the Spirit of God to help the church in the end times.)
Monday, November 3, 2014
Led by the Holy Spirit in what God had prepared
Pam Padgett - teacher
When the Holy Spirit leads us, we are often led step by step. We may not see past the current step, but by faith that we have heard from God we take that step. And as we go in the way we are led, we find the way prepared for us by God.
Many years ago I was working as a secretary. Although I was grateful to have a job, I started finding that I was bored. I turned to God and asked if there was something I could do that would be more interesting for me. But if HE wanted me to continue as a secretary, I'd try to be content and do my job to the best of my ability. I didn't hear to make any changes, so continued in my job.
Then one day my boss asked me if I'd setup a pc to start doing my work on it. (At the time we used only typewriters and filed everything on paper, but there was a pc in the department which no one knew how to use.) I told my boss I'd be glad to try to do this, but that I didn't know anything about computers.
Then I had the thought to ask if I could take some computer classes, and he agreed to this. I went to a nearby college and got a schedule of classes. My boss and I reviewed the computer classes and selected two which sounded like they would give me a good foundation in using a computer.
One of the classes was called "Basic". My boss and I thought this class would give a basic understanding of computers. But the first night of class as the instructor gave an overview of what we would learn, I found out we were going to learn the computer programming language called "Basic". As the instructor described programming, I knew this is what I would enjoy doing. The other class helped me setup the pc at my job and start doing my work on it, while I completed the programming class and took another at night.
After taking a couple of programming classes, and enjoying them very much, I wanted to work as a programmer. I asked God how to get a programming job and was led to send letters to several businesses telling my background. One of these businesses offered me an interview and then a job as a part-time programmer and part-time secretary. This gave me programming experience.
One day the technical lead at this company told me that the company was having financial problems and that since I was just an entry-level programmer, I would probably be the first to be laid off if finances didn't improve. I turned to God and asked what I should do. Looking for another job was something I dreaded, especially because interviews were very hard for me. Not long after praying, my attention was drawn to a class in how to interview. I believed it was the Holy Spirit drawing my attention to this, so I signed up for the two-night class.
On the first night of the interview class the instructor asked each of us what type of work we wanted to do. I told her I was looking for a computer programming job. On the second night of the class, she told me that FedEx was looking for entry-level programmers and gave me the name and phone number of a woman at FedEx.
I called the woman at FedEx and she said she would give my resume to managers looking for entry-level programmers. I immediately sent her my resume, and a few days later I received a phone call from one of the managers inviting me for an interview. After the interview, I was offered a job and worked there until I retired more than twenty years later.
Looking back, the way was completely prepared for me to change the type of work I did. At the time I didn't know what computer programming was, but this was the exact type of work that suited me. Taking each step I was shown by the Holy Spirit, the way was prepared for me to do this type of work.
When the Holy Spirit leads us, we are often led step by step. We may not see past the current step, but by faith that we have heard from God we take that step. And as we go in the way we are led, we find the way prepared for us by God.
Many years ago I was working as a secretary. Although I was grateful to have a job, I started finding that I was bored. I turned to God and asked if there was something I could do that would be more interesting for me. But if HE wanted me to continue as a secretary, I'd try to be content and do my job to the best of my ability. I didn't hear to make any changes, so continued in my job.
Then one day my boss asked me if I'd setup a pc to start doing my work on it. (At the time we used only typewriters and filed everything on paper, but there was a pc in the department which no one knew how to use.) I told my boss I'd be glad to try to do this, but that I didn't know anything about computers.
Then I had the thought to ask if I could take some computer classes, and he agreed to this. I went to a nearby college and got a schedule of classes. My boss and I reviewed the computer classes and selected two which sounded like they would give me a good foundation in using a computer.
One of the classes was called "Basic". My boss and I thought this class would give a basic understanding of computers. But the first night of class as the instructor gave an overview of what we would learn, I found out we were going to learn the computer programming language called "Basic". As the instructor described programming, I knew this is what I would enjoy doing. The other class helped me setup the pc at my job and start doing my work on it, while I completed the programming class and took another at night.
After taking a couple of programming classes, and enjoying them very much, I wanted to work as a programmer. I asked God how to get a programming job and was led to send letters to several businesses telling my background. One of these businesses offered me an interview and then a job as a part-time programmer and part-time secretary. This gave me programming experience.
One day the technical lead at this company told me that the company was having financial problems and that since I was just an entry-level programmer, I would probably be the first to be laid off if finances didn't improve. I turned to God and asked what I should do. Looking for another job was something I dreaded, especially because interviews were very hard for me. Not long after praying, my attention was drawn to a class in how to interview. I believed it was the Holy Spirit drawing my attention to this, so I signed up for the two-night class.
On the first night of the interview class the instructor asked each of us what type of work we wanted to do. I told her I was looking for a computer programming job. On the second night of the class, she told me that FedEx was looking for entry-level programmers and gave me the name and phone number of a woman at FedEx.
I called the woman at FedEx and she said she would give my resume to managers looking for entry-level programmers. I immediately sent her my resume, and a few days later I received a phone call from one of the managers inviting me for an interview. After the interview, I was offered a job and worked there until I retired more than twenty years later.
Looking back, the way was completely prepared for me to change the type of work I did. At the time I didn't know what computer programming was, but this was the exact type of work that suited me. Taking each step I was shown by the Holy Spirit, the way was prepared for me to do this type of work.
Life grounded in Bible
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
The apostle Paul instructed:
7But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8For 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.
Paul is telling us to refuse profane traps which cause us to think we accomplish something.
Profane means: that which is not Biblical ...
Paul warns us concerning getting caught up in exercise. He says exercise profits little.
Instead train ourselves to exercise ourselves unto godliness.
Certainly we must beware of secular saying concerning the humans body. The health and long life being sought so diligently by this world has to do with things opposite to that which is in the Bible.
Jesus said: Mt. 9 ... They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
The medical profession today is eaten up by practice of "preventative medicine". They think they can prevent illnesses by regular exams.
You are also told to eat certain things and to avoid other foods.
But the Bible says ... 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. I Tim. 4
And what does Bible say concerning health and long life?
Eph. 6 ... 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
I Cor. 11 ... (cause of certain physical problems) Wrongly partaking of the Lord's supper, which is the Word of God. Eating the Word of God by reading but failing to do the word of God would be an example of this ...
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself (examine yourselves by what the scripture says and make appropriate corrections), and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (We judge ourselves by the Bible as we read it and by doing words delivered by the Spirit of God.)
Ex. 15 ... 26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
There is a time appointed for each of us when we leave this earth. Do you have to be sick to die?
Elijah wasn't. God took him up by a whirlwind. And Enoch pleased God and was translated, not seeing death.
So seriously consider it when you are confronted with taking up a worldly plan to extend life as is presented often these days. When you are confronted with exercise plans and food, is this after prayer and Bible study, or is it recommended by another human. Isa. 2 ... 22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?
We who are of God should consider that which God would say to us. There are many profane (secular) sayings which will put us in bondage for no good.
Don't we know the truth? These bodies are temporary. This life is temporary, approximately 70 years. (Psalm 90:9)
While on this earth, do we focus on that which will perish? or on that which is eternal?
Four years ago, I fell over a box, broke hip, surgery caused bone in leg to shatter. While I was in hospital a month, I never thought I would walk again. As strange as it sounds, I never even prayed about this situation. I just felt what would be would be and I just kept trying to serve God, even in hospital.
God gave dream to one of our church members showing him that I was walking, even without cane or walker. In time that is exactly what happened to me. It was the will of God that it go this way with me.
Recently Pam Padgett said to me she was amazed that I do so well physically at my age, 77 years old. I told Pam it doesn't surprise me. For more than 30 years, I have read Bible and have tried to adjust my life by what I read in Bible.
But what matters to me is serving God wherever I am and speaking the word of God wherever I am. If I can't do that, nothing really matters.
Concerning physician, the key for me would be "need". If I had a lot of pain which continued over a period of time, I would go to doctor for help. Last August I had terrible pain in the leg where there was operation. I could not take a step without severe pain. I even made doctor appointment. But then I examined a thought that came to me: What can doctor do? He could give me strong medicine to override the pain. I didn't want to take such. So I cancelled the appointment. In two or three days, the pain went away. (but hopefully I would also be asking God what I should do before going to doctor.)
So Paul says: exercise yourselves unto godliness ...
exercise: daily habits, procedures
- Bible reading daily
- Pay attention to that spoken to you by Holy Spirit
- Communicate with God by speaking with God
- Think on things of God
- As needed, correct self by word of God
For you are dead ... and your life is hid with Christ ...
Col. 3 ... 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
... Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.... One definition of the word "affection" is to be influenced by ... Determine to be influenced by things above... by that which is in Bible ... and not by the way this world sees things.
The apostle Paul instructed:
7But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8For 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.
Paul is telling us to refuse profane traps which cause us to think we accomplish something.
Profane means: that which is not Biblical ...
Paul warns us concerning getting caught up in exercise. He says exercise profits little.
Instead train ourselves to exercise ourselves unto godliness.
Certainly we must beware of secular saying concerning the humans body. The health and long life being sought so diligently by this world has to do with things opposite to that which is in the Bible.
Jesus said: Mt. 9 ... They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
The medical profession today is eaten up by practice of "preventative medicine". They think they can prevent illnesses by regular exams.
You are also told to eat certain things and to avoid other foods.
But the Bible says ... 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. I Tim. 4
And what does Bible say concerning health and long life?
Eph. 6 ... 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
I Cor. 11 ... (cause of certain physical problems) Wrongly partaking of the Lord's supper, which is the Word of God. Eating the Word of God by reading but failing to do the word of God would be an example of this ...
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself (examine yourselves by what the scripture says and make appropriate corrections), and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (We judge ourselves by the Bible as we read it and by doing words delivered by the Spirit of God.)
Ex. 15 ... 26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
There is a time appointed for each of us when we leave this earth. Do you have to be sick to die?
Elijah wasn't. God took him up by a whirlwind. And Enoch pleased God and was translated, not seeing death.
So seriously consider it when you are confronted with taking up a worldly plan to extend life as is presented often these days. When you are confronted with exercise plans and food, is this after prayer and Bible study, or is it recommended by another human. Isa. 2 ... 22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?
We who are of God should consider that which God would say to us. There are many profane (secular) sayings which will put us in bondage for no good.
Don't we know the truth? These bodies are temporary. This life is temporary, approximately 70 years. (Psalm 90:9)
While on this earth, do we focus on that which will perish? or on that which is eternal?
Four years ago, I fell over a box, broke hip, surgery caused bone in leg to shatter. While I was in hospital a month, I never thought I would walk again. As strange as it sounds, I never even prayed about this situation. I just felt what would be would be and I just kept trying to serve God, even in hospital.
God gave dream to one of our church members showing him that I was walking, even without cane or walker. In time that is exactly what happened to me. It was the will of God that it go this way with me.
Recently Pam Padgett said to me she was amazed that I do so well physically at my age, 77 years old. I told Pam it doesn't surprise me. For more than 30 years, I have read Bible and have tried to adjust my life by what I read in Bible.
But what matters to me is serving God wherever I am and speaking the word of God wherever I am. If I can't do that, nothing really matters.
Concerning physician, the key for me would be "need". If I had a lot of pain which continued over a period of time, I would go to doctor for help. Last August I had terrible pain in the leg where there was operation. I could not take a step without severe pain. I even made doctor appointment. But then I examined a thought that came to me: What can doctor do? He could give me strong medicine to override the pain. I didn't want to take such. So I cancelled the appointment. In two or three days, the pain went away. (but hopefully I would also be asking God what I should do before going to doctor.)
So Paul says: exercise yourselves unto godliness ...
exercise: daily habits, procedures
- Bible reading daily
- Pay attention to that spoken to you by Holy Spirit
- Communicate with God by speaking with God
- Think on things of God
- As needed, correct self by word of God
For you are dead ... and your life is hid with Christ ...
Col. 3 ... 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
... Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.... One definition of the word "affection" is to be influenced by ... Determine to be influenced by things above... by that which is in Bible ... and not by the way this world sees things.
II Timothy 1:14
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Comments by Joan Boney
We "keep" that good thing by focusing on that called to our attention by the Holy Spirit. We hold fast to that. We think of that, building our faith in that brought to our mind by the Holy Spirit. Keeping it before us day and night for a season so that good word will not be stolen from us. Building a root system in that word.
Mk. 4 ... 4 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
We share the good word of God with others. Instead of praise, this often brings rebuke from man. We are often surprised but we should not be surprised for this is the "suffering for the sake of the word." We suffer with Christ (the Word) this way.
By focusing on that given us by the Holy Spirit, we build a deep root system.
And when we suffer for the sake of the Word, we commit ourselves to God in prayer in the suffering for HIS keeping and we focus on anything given us by the Holy Spirit in the suffering.
We hold fast to the Word we spoke ... and we hold fast to the encouragement given us by the Holy Spirit when we suffer for speaking the Word.
Comments by Joan Boney
We "keep" that good thing by focusing on that called to our attention by the Holy Spirit. We hold fast to that. We think of that, building our faith in that brought to our mind by the Holy Spirit. Keeping it before us day and night for a season so that good word will not be stolen from us. Building a root system in that word.
Mk. 4 ... 4 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
We share the good word of God with others. Instead of praise, this often brings rebuke from man. We are often surprised but we should not be surprised for this is the "suffering for the sake of the word." We suffer with Christ (the Word) this way.
By focusing on that given us by the Holy Spirit, we build a deep root system.
And when we suffer for the sake of the Word, we commit ourselves to God in prayer in the suffering for HIS keeping and we focus on anything given us by the Holy Spirit in the suffering.
We hold fast to the Word we spoke ... and we hold fast to the encouragement given us by the Holy Spirit when we suffer for speaking the Word.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
I John 4:4-6
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.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.
Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.
Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1 Corinthians 2:9-12
1 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.
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.
To: Abhaya Cihatria / From: Joan Boney
Your air-mail letter was received yesterday where you requested Booklets 1-5.
We do not have these available in paper.
These you can get by clicking on the booklets on internet on our blog page ... right hand side of the page.
You can make copies of these if you desire to do so.
Joan Boney
We do not have these available in paper.
These you can get by clicking on the booklets on internet on our blog page ... right hand side of the page.
You can make copies of these if you desire to do so.
Joan Boney
After we deliver the Word, we must also stand on the Word
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
When we share the word of God given to us, we can expect thoughts to come to try to cause us to back down from that which we have shared or to be sorry. This is a persecution for the word's sake. Unless we keep a very deep root system, we can be swept away. Therefore we must work at that root system for the word's sake so we can cling fast to that word in times of temptation.
For example: I share daily on this blog. I rarely hear from any person who reads these exhortations. One could be discouraged. Thoughts would come, "It doesn't do any good to share." (This is thought from devil to try to discourage sharing.)
How would I fight discouragement and keep sharing these writings daily?
First, I would focus on that which I know God told me to do. God gave me a dream (March 2012). In this dream I was shown to go on internet and do these writings. Within 3 days we were on Internet writing these exhortations. We have written daily since that dream.
God says: Have not I commanded you to do this?
Certainly the answer is "YES" ... This is what God showed me to do.
So the answer to the devil who would discourage me, if possible, is: "God showed me to do these writings therefore I did them."
Second, there is a scripture in Hebrews which tells us to exhort one another daily, and even more as we see the day of the Lord approaching.
Heb. 3 ... 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Heb. 10 ... 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
So when the devil would try to bring thoughts to me to discourage me from writing to you on this blog, I choose to remember that dream where God showed me to go on blog and write exhortations to the church ... and I choose to remember the instruction given to exhort one another daily and so much the more as we see the Day of the Lord approaching ... (Heb. 3 & Heb. 10)
Each of us must develop an appropriate root system into the Word of God upon which we can rest, especially after we have shared the Word of God with other people.
My mother had the following dream: She said I came to visit and I had a very large white RV. I was watching over the vehicle carefully, circling it and protecting it.
I knew this was the ministry I had been given by God and I was watching, not allowing anything to hurt that ministry, keeping the assignment, protecting the assignment from outside things that could harm it.
We must not allow the things given us by God to be stolen away from us. We keep those things by focusing on that which God has shown us which is opposite to that which the devil speaks to us in thoughts. Choosing to believe what God has shown us.
When we share the word of God given to us, we can expect thoughts to come to try to cause us to back down from that which we have shared or to be sorry. This is a persecution for the word's sake. Unless we keep a very deep root system, we can be swept away. Therefore we must work at that root system for the word's sake so we can cling fast to that word in times of temptation.
For example: I share daily on this blog. I rarely hear from any person who reads these exhortations. One could be discouraged. Thoughts would come, "It doesn't do any good to share." (This is thought from devil to try to discourage sharing.)
How would I fight discouragement and keep sharing these writings daily?
First, I would focus on that which I know God told me to do. God gave me a dream (March 2012). In this dream I was shown to go on internet and do these writings. Within 3 days we were on Internet writing these exhortations. We have written daily since that dream.
God says: Have not I commanded you to do this?
Certainly the answer is "YES" ... This is what God showed me to do.
So the answer to the devil who would discourage me, if possible, is: "God showed me to do these writings therefore I did them."
Second, there is a scripture in Hebrews which tells us to exhort one another daily, and even more as we see the day of the Lord approaching.
Heb. 3 ... 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Heb. 10 ... 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
So when the devil would try to bring thoughts to me to discourage me from writing to you on this blog, I choose to remember that dream where God showed me to go on blog and write exhortations to the church ... and I choose to remember the instruction given to exhort one another daily and so much the more as we see the Day of the Lord approaching ... (Heb. 3 & Heb. 10)
Each of us must develop an appropriate root system into the Word of God upon which we can rest, especially after we have shared the Word of God with other people.
My mother had the following dream: She said I came to visit and I had a very large white RV. I was watching over the vehicle carefully, circling it and protecting it.
I knew this was the ministry I had been given by God and I was watching, not allowing anything to hurt that ministry, keeping the assignment, protecting the assignment from outside things that could harm it.
We must not allow the things given us by God to be stolen away from us. We keep those things by focusing on that which God has shown us which is opposite to that which the devil speaks to us in thoughts. Choosing to believe what God has shown us.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Revelation 22
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse:
but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it;
and his servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face;
and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light:
and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me,
These sayings are faithful and true:
and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book:
worship God.
10 And he saith unto me,
Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.
I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say,
Come.
And let him that heareth say,
Come.
And let him that is athirst come.
And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith,
Surely I come quickly.
Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen. (Let it be so)
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse:
but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it;
and his servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face;
and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light:
and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me,
These sayings are faithful and true:
and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book:
worship God.
10 And he saith unto me,
Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.
I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say,
Come.
And let him that heareth say,
Come.
And let him that is athirst come.
And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith,
Surely I come quickly.
Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen. (Let it be so)
2 Tim. 1:12
2 Tim 1 12.... for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.
Following the Word of God causes us to walk in light
Pam Padgett - teacher
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Jesus, the Word, is light. When a word is brought to our attention by the Holy Spirit we have light in the matter, showing us the way to go. We walk in light as we pay attention and go in the way we're shown by that word, leaving the way of darkness (even when we didn't know we had been going in the way of darkness).
Two of the words God has recently been working with me by His Spirit are:
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, ...
One of the ways we stay sober is to pay attention and believe truth the Holy Spirit shows us about those we come in contact with.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Friends are on the same side, have common bonds of affection, approve/support/encourage each other, wish success for each other.
One of my neighbors has a small dog-grooming business in her home. I worked with her more than 20 years ago and I had seen her as a kind person, especially when I saw how she and her husband cared for their dogs. When she started dog grooming, I took my dogs for her to groom and even gave her number to another neighbor who needed to have a dog groomed. I saw her as a "friend" and wanted to support and encourage her in her business, even feeling a sort of obligation to do this.
But the Holy Spirit brought to my attention truth which showed me that she is of the world going in ways of the world. We're not going the same way. We're not friends. I was even shown that she doesn't consider us friends as she didn't return a phone call for over a month, and then only when she was stirred up about something else. And I was reminded that I haven't been completely satisfied with the way she cut my dog's hair shorter than we had discussed.
By following the words I was given ... to be sober and not be a friend of the world ... I was able to start walking in light (truth) in this matter, instead of the darkness of deceiving myself where this neighbor is concerned. And my feeling of obligation to take my dog to this neighbor for grooming was torn down.
My obligation is to serve God and go in the way He leads me by the Holy Spirit. This also is light.
When considering where to take my dog for grooming, I considered the grooming area at the pet store near me. I had once heard the dog trainer mention that one of the women there was a very good groomer.
But instead of blindly following what this trainer had said, I turned to God and asked where to take the dog to be groomed. (Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5-6)
I was reminded of a groomer I had used some years ago and made an appointment. When I took my dog there, the way she handled the dog put me at ease immediately and she cut the hair as we discussed.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Jesus, the Word, is light. When a word is brought to our attention by the Holy Spirit we have light in the matter, showing us the way to go. We walk in light as we pay attention and go in the way we're shown by that word, leaving the way of darkness (even when we didn't know we had been going in the way of darkness).
Two of the words God has recently been working with me by His Spirit are:
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, ...
One of the ways we stay sober is to pay attention and believe truth the Holy Spirit shows us about those we come in contact with.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Friends are on the same side, have common bonds of affection, approve/support/encourage each other, wish success for each other.
One of my neighbors has a small dog-grooming business in her home. I worked with her more than 20 years ago and I had seen her as a kind person, especially when I saw how she and her husband cared for their dogs. When she started dog grooming, I took my dogs for her to groom and even gave her number to another neighbor who needed to have a dog groomed. I saw her as a "friend" and wanted to support and encourage her in her business, even feeling a sort of obligation to do this.
But the Holy Spirit brought to my attention truth which showed me that she is of the world going in ways of the world. We're not going the same way. We're not friends. I was even shown that she doesn't consider us friends as she didn't return a phone call for over a month, and then only when she was stirred up about something else. And I was reminded that I haven't been completely satisfied with the way she cut my dog's hair shorter than we had discussed.
By following the words I was given ... to be sober and not be a friend of the world ... I was able to start walking in light (truth) in this matter, instead of the darkness of deceiving myself where this neighbor is concerned. And my feeling of obligation to take my dog to this neighbor for grooming was torn down.
My obligation is to serve God and go in the way He leads me by the Holy Spirit. This also is light.
When considering where to take my dog for grooming, I considered the grooming area at the pet store near me. I had once heard the dog trainer mention that one of the women there was a very good groomer.
But instead of blindly following what this trainer had said, I turned to God and asked where to take the dog to be groomed. (Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5-6)
I was reminded of a groomer I had used some years ago and made an appointment. When I took my dog there, the way she handled the dog put me at ease immediately and she cut the hair as we discussed.
Hope for us ...
I Cor. 15 ... 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Comments by Joan Boney
The people of this world, and many church people also, have a strong focus on the human body and "preserving" the humans body.
But no matter what you try to do the humans body, our flesh, is a corruptible matter and will, in time, putrefy and decay.
The ancient Egyptians thought they could preserve their bodies by embalming the bodies. They thought they would use their bodies in the next life.
The terrorist bombers today blow themselves up thinking they will be in paradise that same day.
We, who are of God, believe the Bible. Paul shows us in the above scripture that these bodies of flesh are "corruptible", will putrefy and decay. They will never be suitable for eternal life. These bodies are just temporary. We will all be changed from these bodies much as a person changes garments. We will be changed by God in the blink of an eye ... not by anything we do or work at. It will just be done instantly at the return of Jesus and we will rise, but these bodies will not rise with us. We will no longer be housed in these current physical bodies which putrefy.
Comments by Joan Boney
The people of this world, and many church people also, have a strong focus on the human body and "preserving" the humans body.
But no matter what you try to do the humans body, our flesh, is a corruptible matter and will, in time, putrefy and decay.
The ancient Egyptians thought they could preserve their bodies by embalming the bodies. They thought they would use their bodies in the next life.
The terrorist bombers today blow themselves up thinking they will be in paradise that same day.
We, who are of God, believe the Bible. Paul shows us in the above scripture that these bodies of flesh are "corruptible", will putrefy and decay. They will never be suitable for eternal life. These bodies are just temporary. We will all be changed from these bodies much as a person changes garments. We will be changed by God in the blink of an eye ... not by anything we do or work at. It will just be done instantly at the return of Jesus and we will rise, but these bodies will not rise with us. We will no longer be housed in these current physical bodies which putrefy.
I John 5
18We 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.
19And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 2
0And 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.
21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Comments by Joan Boney
We who are of God keep ourselves by the Spirit of God WHO is in us. The Holy Spirit in us reminds us of the way of God as we are making decisions and we "keep ourselves" by choosing to go in the way of God in dealing with the issues of this life.
19And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 2
0And 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.
21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Comments by Joan Boney
We who are of God keep ourselves by the Spirit of God WHO is in us. The Holy Spirit in us reminds us of the way of God as we are making decisions and we "keep ourselves" by choosing to go in the way of God in dealing with the issues of this life.
Extortioners in the church groups today
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
I was born again in August, 1975. At that time I attended a small church in Dallas where my best friend and her husband went. One of the preachers at that church was very respected by my friend and her husband. At one service, I heard this preacher say: "I really hope no one comes asking me to give him a refrigerator or something." (This preacher said he was really financially burdened at that moment and if someone came asking him to give to him, he would have to do it.)
Apparently this preacher did not understand being led by the Spirit of God.
He was expressing that he would have to do something because of the letter of the law.
But Jesus didn't come to burden us.
Mt. 11 ... Jesus says ... 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Many times during the week, I receive calls from people asking me to give to something. (I have never yet given to anyone who calls this way.)
When we printed our email address on Internet with these writings, I received multiple emails per day from men who said they are pastors, asking me to give to them. (I never gave to any of them.)
How is it I didn't feel required (burdened) to give?
I didn't hear from the Spirit of God to give.
I would have to hear from the Spirit of God to know it was God's will to give.
Consider this scripture:
II Thess. 3 ... 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
Several years ago, I was coming out of a store and was approached by a tall man asking me if I would give him a dollar so he could buy some gas for his car.
I looked at this man and he seemed to me to be able bodied.
I said to him: "NO ... You go get a job and work and earn money for gas."
I've received many letters from men who say they are pastors, listing their many religious works, asking me for money.
But ...
Psa. 23:1 ... The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
These religious people who beg us for money to keep their works going look at us as their "god" ... They see us as their source.
Psa. 37 ... 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
In all the times secular and religious types have asked me for money, I have not yet been told by God to give money to them and often I am reminded of scripture showing me not to give to them.
There is a Catholic woman who is an acquaintance and her mailbox is loaded daily with what she would call junk mail asking for money. She is wealthy and often gives to secular and religious people and thinks it to be good work for her to give this way. But she is filling her mail box with more begging from them and she hates receiving this mail and she is troubled by them and she complains often about this. She is the reason for their begging.
When we are born again, having the Spirit of God, we see all these things through the eyes of God and not by the letter of the law. We do not feel guilty nor forced into giving. When we do give it is because we are led by God to give and not forced by thinking we have to give as was this preacher who hoped no one asked him for a refrigerator.
At church gatherings, I have often seen pastors practice extortion when the offering plate is passed in the congregation. Some pastors threaten the congregation with scripture telling you that if you fail to give, God will not bless you. They use subjects such as 100-fold return to try to get people to give more than they have to give. But 100-fold return was not set forth in scripture concerning giving offerings at church. Here is the proper use of the scripture concerning 100-fold return.
Mt. 19 ... 27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
When the call of God is on your life and you choose to obey that call, you are set up for 100-fold return of that which you have forsaken in order to follow HIM and answer that call that is on your life.
Willful giving is from the heart because we are so grateful to God for our salvation and we are very happy to express this through our gift. We do not have to be forced to give by words of a preacher who makes us feel guilty or causes us to be afraid that God will withhold blessings if we do not give. This is extortion.
Paul said: 9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
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 idolater, 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? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. I Cor. 5
Many TV and radio preachers are extortioners.
Many pastors in church groups are extortioners.
Such should be put out of the church. I Cor. 5
Most of these religious extortioners will use scripture to try to force you to give to them.
Beware.
I was born again in August, 1975. At that time I attended a small church in Dallas where my best friend and her husband went. One of the preachers at that church was very respected by my friend and her husband. At one service, I heard this preacher say: "I really hope no one comes asking me to give him a refrigerator or something." (This preacher said he was really financially burdened at that moment and if someone came asking him to give to him, he would have to do it.)
Apparently this preacher did not understand being led by the Spirit of God.
He was expressing that he would have to do something because of the letter of the law.
But Jesus didn't come to burden us.
Mt. 11 ... Jesus says ... 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Many times during the week, I receive calls from people asking me to give to something. (I have never yet given to anyone who calls this way.)
When we printed our email address on Internet with these writings, I received multiple emails per day from men who said they are pastors, asking me to give to them. (I never gave to any of them.)
How is it I didn't feel required (burdened) to give?
I didn't hear from the Spirit of God to give.
I would have to hear from the Spirit of God to know it was God's will to give.
Consider this scripture:
II Thess. 3 ... 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
Several years ago, I was coming out of a store and was approached by a tall man asking me if I would give him a dollar so he could buy some gas for his car.
I looked at this man and he seemed to me to be able bodied.
I said to him: "NO ... You go get a job and work and earn money for gas."
I've received many letters from men who say they are pastors, listing their many religious works, asking me for money.
But ...
Psa. 23:1 ... The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
These religious people who beg us for money to keep their works going look at us as their "god" ... They see us as their source.
Psa. 37 ... 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
In all the times secular and religious types have asked me for money, I have not yet been told by God to give money to them and often I am reminded of scripture showing me not to give to them.
There is a Catholic woman who is an acquaintance and her mailbox is loaded daily with what she would call junk mail asking for money. She is wealthy and often gives to secular and religious people and thinks it to be good work for her to give this way. But she is filling her mail box with more begging from them and she hates receiving this mail and she is troubled by them and she complains often about this. She is the reason for their begging.
When we are born again, having the Spirit of God, we see all these things through the eyes of God and not by the letter of the law. We do not feel guilty nor forced into giving. When we do give it is because we are led by God to give and not forced by thinking we have to give as was this preacher who hoped no one asked him for a refrigerator.
At church gatherings, I have often seen pastors practice extortion when the offering plate is passed in the congregation. Some pastors threaten the congregation with scripture telling you that if you fail to give, God will not bless you. They use subjects such as 100-fold return to try to get people to give more than they have to give. But 100-fold return was not set forth in scripture concerning giving offerings at church. Here is the proper use of the scripture concerning 100-fold return.
Mt. 19 ... 27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
When the call of God is on your life and you choose to obey that call, you are set up for 100-fold return of that which you have forsaken in order to follow HIM and answer that call that is on your life.
Willful giving is from the heart because we are so grateful to God for our salvation and we are very happy to express this through our gift. We do not have to be forced to give by words of a preacher who makes us feel guilty or causes us to be afraid that God will withhold blessings if we do not give. This is extortion.
Paul said: 9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
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 idolater, 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? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. I Cor. 5
Many TV and radio preachers are extortioners.
Many pastors in church groups are extortioners.
Such should be put out of the church. I Cor. 5
Most of these religious extortioners will use scripture to try to force you to give to them.
Beware.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Revelation 21
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:
for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;
and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said,
Behold, I make all things new.
And he said unto me, Write:
for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me,
It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying,
Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. 17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper:
and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl:
and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it:
and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie:
but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;
and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said,
Behold, I make all things new.
And he said unto me, Write:
for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me,
It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying,
Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. 17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper:
and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl:
and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it:
and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie:
but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
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