* John 10

Jesus says:

1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear HIS voice: and HE calleth HIS own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when HE putteth forth HIS own sheep, HE goeth before them, and the sheep follow HIM: for they know HIS voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

*****

Comments by Joan Boney:

That person who has "always been a Christian", is probably not born again, changed by God into a new creature.

There are people who were taken to church as babies and always went to church and they think they are born again, but they have never had a personal experience with God where God changed them into a new creation.

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

Pam Padgett's great aunt Eunice had always gone to church.  When she was about 83, there was a family reunion.  Aunt Eunice stood up before all and said with great excitement:  "I'm now born again!  I thought I was born again but now I am born again."  

Her eldest daughter was sitting beside Pam when Aunt Eunice said this.  Her daughter said to Pam, 
"I don't know why mother is saying this.  She just started saying this all of a sudden.  But everyone knows mother has always been a Christian.  She cleaned the church building and when they needed her to do something she always did it at the church."

But Pam understood Aunt Eunice because Pam had been born again by God and changed and had the Spirit of God living in her.

As a teenager, one of Pam's classmates was killed on a motorcycle.  That was the first time Pam had realized someone her age could die.  She was terrified.  Somehow she knew the things she had learned in the Catholic church could not save her.  She knew her only hope was God.  She cried out in prayer:  "I know there is God the Father, and Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  But I don't know which one we are supposed to pray to.  So would you please get this to the right one?  I need help!  If there is any way you can save me, please do it."  

After that, she realized there was something "of God" now in her.  But she didn't know what it was.  It was years later when she read the following scripture in the Bible, and then she knew what it was of God that was in her.

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

We who belong to God know the voice of God when HE speaks to us by HIS Spirit, for God HIMSELF puts HIS Spirit into us so we can hear HIM.

When we are born again, we are changed by God.  It is not that we learned and then were changed.  Instantly God changed us and we know we are different now and we know we are not the same person that we were before God changed us.  Born again.

Jesus says:  

John 3:3  Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

No one can understand things of God unless he is born again by the Spirit of God.

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

The apostle Paul says:  They are "ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."  (2 Timothy 3:7)

(We had a woman like that in our church group.  After 39 years she left us.)

They try to learn things with their natural mind.  We can't learn spiritual things by our fleshly mind.  We must be born again by the Spirit of God, for it is the Spirit of God who teaches us things of God for the Spirit of God searches the heart of God to show us the things of God.

I Corinthians 2:9-13  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love HIM.

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

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

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

***

The elect of God are those persons who are chosen by God and are born again by the Spirit of God.  Then that Holy Spirit of God lives in us and we are children of God.

Ephesians 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11 In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of HIM who worketh all things after the counsel of HIS own will:

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

13 In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

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

***

The elect of God, chosen by God, changed by God:

Romans 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

2 Timothy 2:10  Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Titus 1:1  Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

I Peter 1:2  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Matthew 24:31  And HE shall send HE angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together HIS elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

***

Jesus separates HIS sheep from the goats:

Matthew 25:31-34 When the Son of man shall come in HIS glory, and all the holy angels with HIM, then shall HE sit upon the throne of HIS glory:

32 And before HIM shall be gathered all nations: and HE shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And HE shall set the sheep on HIS right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on HIS right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

***

Matthew 7     Jesus says

21  Not every one that saith unto ME, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of MY Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to ME in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from ME, ye that work iniquity.

***

We, who are born again, are different than we were before God spoke to us by HIS Spirit, and we know we are different, and we know God has changed us and we have not changed ourselves.

(If this has never happened to you, I suggest you fall down before God and beg God to have mercy on you.)

***

The apostle Paul says:  

Romans 9:15-18  For HE saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew MY power in thee, and that MY name might be declared throughout all the earth.

18 Therefore hath HE mercy on whom HE will have mercy, and whom HE will HE hardeneth.

***

After we are born again we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of God and the Spirit of God lives in us to lead us and guide us and teach us.

I Corinthians 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Romans 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

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

John 16:13  Howbeit when HE, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE will guide you into all truth: for HE shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever HE shall hear, that shall HE speak: and HE will shew you things to come.

Now we can hear the things brought to us by the Holy Spirit and we can follow HIM.

Before we were born again, changed by God, we followed our own ideas and we tried to learn things by our own fleshly mind.  Sometimes we watched people who seemed "spiritual" and tried to copy them.

But the most significant thing about being born again is being changed by God.  

After we are born again, we are a "different" person and we recognize that.  We no longer want to do those things we once did. Some people we were once around, we no longer want to be with.  Now we want to read Bible and hear things of God.  Now the Holy Spirit leads us by bringing ideas or scriptures to our mind and we follow HIM.

***

Jesus said to the Jews:

John 10

26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of MY sheep, as I said unto you.

27  My sheep hear MY voice, and I know them, and they follow ME:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of MY hand.

29 MY Father, which gave them ME, is greater than all; and none is able to pluck them out of MY Father's hand.

***

Have you had that personal experience with God where HE changed you, causing you to be born again as a new creature, giving you HIS own Spirit to live in you to teach you and guide you?

Are you a different person from that person you once were?

Each of us are born of the flesh of man and woman.

But we must be born of the Spirit of God to be children of God and to follow Jesus.

(Dream: 5-1-2021 ... The children of God are the ones who really matter!  Focus on them.)

*****

* Book: My God would never do that! ... Really? (God in HIS image, Volume 1)

 

In 2016, I began writing a series of ministry books on various subjects, which we published on Amazon, in both E-book and paperback.  For the next few weeks, we will show an example of the contents in each of these 18 books.  You might find these books helpful in reminding you of godly concepts used in following God.  The E-books are priced at 99-cents each in USA. Paperback books vary in prices according to the number of pages.  Free E-books are offered daily on selected books through Amazon.  At the end of this writing, you will find a link which takes you directly to Amazon if you choose to order this book. 

This is one of my favorite books, for it compares Old Testament scripture with New Testament concepts.  I have read this book at least 3 times and often keep a paperback copy in my bathroom.  It has so much OT scripture which I always love reading.

 

Joan Boney

*****

From: Chapter 1

God sees man as he really is

 

 

Here is God's view of man:   

 

Genesis 6:5  And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  

 

(Man is no different today than he was in the days of Noah, except for those men who are born again by the Spirit of God. The nature of man has not changed since God described man in the above scripture.

 

6-8  And it repented the Lord that HE had made man on the earth, and it grieved HIM at HIS heart.

 

 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth ME that I have made them.

 

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  

 

So God made a way of escape for Noah and his family! 

 

***  

 

The apostle Paul came to see himself as God viewed him.  

 

And Paul said:  

 

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing ..." Romans 7:18  

 

Here are the things our flesh does: 

 

Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; 

 

Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft (living in superstitions), hatred, variance (to vary, to argue, to debate), emulations (to strive to outdo one another), wrath (to desire to see harm done to those considered enemies), strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

***  

 

So God made another way for man to be redeemed from his own flesh.  

 

When I was baptized, after I was born again, as the minister lowered me into the water, the Holy Spirit said to me, "This is like being buried with Christ."  

 

When I came out of the water, the Holy Spirit said, "This is like being raised with Christ." 

 

After we are born again we have the Spirit of God in us. We keep the flesh "crucified" by choosing the way of the Spirit. Our flesh suffers when we do this for the flesh no longer gets to do what it wants to do. There is now a power of God in us which gives us the option of walking in the ways of the Spirit of God and keeping the flesh "under". We live in Christ when we learn to do this. 

 

*** 

 

The Holy Spirit that God gives us to live in us does the following for us:  

 

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

 

John 16:13 Howbeit when HE, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE will guide you into all truth: for HE shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever HE shall hear, that shall HE speak: and HE will shew you things to come. 

 

*** 

 

Now that we are Christians, we no longer choose to follow what our flesh wants to do. Now we walk in the Spirit by choosing to do that which the Holy Spirit brings to our mind, keeping our flesh crucified by going in the way instructed by the Spirit.  

 

Romans 6:3-4  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into HIS death? Therefore we are buried with HIM by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

 

The flesh will continue to suggest to us ways to go but we choose the way shown us by the Spirit which is the way of God. 

 

5-6 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of HIS death, we shall be also in the likeness of HIS resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with HIM, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 

 

We keep our flesh, the old man, crucified by choosing to go in the way of God in the matter pertaining to this present life.  

 

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.  

 

8-10 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with HIM: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 

 

For in that HE died, HE died unto sin once: but in that HE liveth, he liveth unto God. 

 

Now we live unto God, choosing God's way instead of the way of our flesh.  

 

11-12  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

 

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 

 

Now we ask God not to let us do that! We pray to God asking God to keep us from saying that! 

 

Instead of exalting ourselves over other people, we come to want to help those other people that they can know God as we know God.  

 

Every time the Holy Spirit shows us the way of God and we choose to go in that way of God, we are recreated in the image of Christ, the Word.

 

***** 

 

 

 

Click here to purchase this book from Amazon.com

 

*****

 

 

All books in the Life in Christ series are available in E-book version and paperback from
Amazon.com
Type Joan Boney in the Amazon search box to purchase these books 

 

*****

Hymn: I serve a risen Savior (HE lives! HE lives! Christ Jesus lives today!)

(Click forward arrow > to play music:)



1.  I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always here. 

Chorus:

He lives! He lives! 
Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me 

along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.


2.  In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary,
I never will despair;

I know that He is leading,
Through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing
Will come at last.

3.  Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him,
The Help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
So good and kind.


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

*****

Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:

Matthew 28:1-6  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.  

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 

HE is not here: for HE is risen, ...

***  

Before the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus said to HIS disciples:  

John 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth ME no more; but ye see ME: because I live, ye shall live also.

When we are born again, we are sealed with the HOLY SPIRIT of JESUS. The Spirit of Jesus lives in us when we belong to God.

Ephesians 1:3-14    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  According as HE hath chosen us in HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before HIM in love:

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

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

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

Wherein HE hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;  Having made known unto us the mystery of HIS will, according to HIS good pleasure which HE hath purposed in HIMSELF:

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times HE might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in HIM:  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of HIM who worketh all things after the counsel of HIS own will:  That we should be to the praise of HIS glory, who first trusted in Christ.  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in WHOM also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of HIS glory.

The Holy Spirit of Jesus lives in us.

And the Spirit of Truth in us does the following for us:

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

John 16:13   Howbeit when HE, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE will guide you into all truth: for HE shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever HE shall hear, that shall HE speak: and HE will shew you things to come.

***

Salvation to impart ... 

This world wants freedom to sin.

We want freedom from sin.

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

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

The Holy Spirit of Jesus, living in us, leads us away from temptation by reminding us of scripture and concepts of God, so we can choose to go in HIS way and can reject the way of other humans as we live on this earth.

We are recreated in the image of Jesus each time we choose to go in the way of the Word while living on this earth.

We are fully equipped to follow God because the Spirit of Jesus lives in us to remind us of the way of God.

John 14:6   Jesus saith unto him,  I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME.

(Jesus, The Word, is the way to go.)

John 15:1-8   Jesus says:  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  Every branch in ME that beareth not fruit HE taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, HE purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in ME, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in ME.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in ME, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without ME ye can do nothing. 

If a man abide not in ME, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in ME, and MY words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is MY Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be MY disciples.

***

John 8:31-32   If ye continue in MY word, then are ye MY disciples indeed;  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

***

Proverbs 4:23   Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

*****

Podcast: Exhort one another and even more as you see the day of the Lord approaching (Heb. 10:25)

 

 

Are we drawing nearer to the return of Jesus, "the day of the Lord"?

Do we see increased wickedness in this world today?  Do we see churches fall away from scripture and set up other doctrines which makes them "antichrist", the apostate church of the end times?

(Every church I've tried to attend since 1980, has omitted teachings on divorce & remarriage, and homosexual & lesbian, and antichrist in the end times.)

As we see an increased wickedness of this world and an increase in churches omitting scripture and setting up other doctrines in the churches, we see the day of the Lord approaching.

In the following scripture we read:

Hebrews 10:25  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 in the Bible, we are instructed to "exhort" one another even more as we see the day of the Lord approaching.

(Exhort means:  to urge earnestly by advice and warning)

It is not that we speak too much, as devils would tell us.  But rather we need to speak even more godly things to edify the church in the last days.

(Paul once spoke till midnight to that church group.  Acts 20:7)

So we speak and don't hold back!

2 Tim. 4:2-4  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

*****

Hebrews 6

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.

7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

***

2 Peter 2

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

💦💦💦💦💦

* By HIS Spirit God instills in us love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.

 

Comments by Joan Boney:

As we follow the Spirit of God in the issues of this present life, we find we change through the years.

God puts in us the fruits of the Spirit of God.  Gal. 5:22-23

We are often surprised that we didn't react the way we once did when things happen.  We're not as hostile as we once were.  We're not as violent.  We have more patience.  All this is from within.  It is not that we tried to develop these traits.  They developed inside of us as time passed, as we followed the Spirit of God.

Hebrews 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put MY laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to ME a people:

That is because God has caused the fruits of the Holy Spirit to come forth in us.

Galatians 5:23-23   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

We even end up fulfilling the law of God as we walk in the ways shown us by God's Spirit who lives in us.

*****

Hymn: I love to tell the story

(Click forward arrow > to play music:)


 1.  I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory,
Of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story,
Because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else can do.

Chorus:

I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
of Jesus and His love.


 2.  I love to tell the story;
More wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies
Of all my golden dreams,
I love to tell the story,
It did so much for me;
And that is just the reason
I tell it now to thee.

3.  I love to tell the story;
’Tis pleasant to repeat
What seems each time I tell it,
More wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story;
For some have never heard
The message of salvation
From God’s own holy Word.

4.  I love to tell the story;
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story,
That I have loved so long.


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

*****

Scripture pertaining to this hymn:

Philemon v.6    That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

***

Romans 5:5-9   ... the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

But God commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

***

Concerning telling the story of Jesus ... 

Every time I share that which God has shown me, I tell of God and His power to help us and guide us as we live on this present earth.

It seems I'm almost always sharing something with people who come to the house to work.  

And wherever I am, I share as the subject arises.

I never plan anything.  I just pray for God to have me say what HE wants me to say and it seems there is always something HE wants me to say.

I speak as issues and scripture are brought to memory.  This is the way the Holy Spirit leads me.

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Podcast: Jesus says: Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God

 

 

 

Unless you are born of God's Spirit, changed by God into a new creature, you cannot see things of God.

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

Jesus says:  Jn. 3:3   Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

5-6  Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

When we enter this world as little babies, we are born of the flesh of man with a fleshly resemblance to our parents and relatives.

When we are born of the Spirit of God, we are then like the Spirit of God, and we can understand things of God by HIS Spirit who dwells in us.

And as we follow that which the Spirit of God brings to our mind, we produce the fruits of the Spirit of God.

Gal. 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

It is not that we learn to do the fruits of the Spirit.  We do the fruits of the Spirit because the Spirit of God who now lives in us is showing us what to do and we follow HIM, doing that which HE shows us to do.

John 3:4  Nicodemus saith unto HIM, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

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

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

When we are born again by God by HIS Spirit, we are instantly changed into another person, born again.

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

God reveals Himself to us and we are instantly changed.  

We are no longer like we once were.  Now we have the Spirit of God in us to lead us in things of God.  Now we want to read Bible and now we want to go to church and hear things of God.  And we want to be with people of God instead of being with those people of the world where we were before.

I Cor. 6   Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Most people in church groups are not born again.  They went to church and joined the church but they were not changed by God instantly into another person.  They just tried to be godly.  They learned by their own flesh at church.  They tried to copy other people at church. They are imitations of people of God.  They are not of God for to be of God you must be born of the Spirit of God.

Many ministers do not have the Spirit of God.  They just put themselves into the ministry by their own will by going to Bible school or seminary.  They are not really called by Jesus and set into the ministry.

Those who are born of the Spirit of God, are taught by God.

*****

After we are born of God having HIS Spirit, we do not try to be godly.  We are godly, for God lives in us after we are born again!

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

I Corinthians 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

***

Paul explains this to us in the following scripture:

Romans 9

6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.

10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of HIM that calleth;)

12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew MY power in thee, and that MY name might be declared throughout all the earth.

18 Therefore hath HE mercy on whom HE will have mercy, and whom HE will he hardeneth.

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* Ephesians 4

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

(edifying:  building the other person in the ways of God and in the grace of God)

Most secular conversations stir up fleshly things that cause worry or concern or jealousy or lust of the flesh and are even harmful;  

James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

***

Comments by Joan Boney:

I constantly pray for God to give me that which HE wants spoken.

And often I judge my words by this:  Did what I write or speak show the other person the way of God?  Did that word build the other person in faith in God?  Did my words bring edification to the other person?

(edify:  to build in the faith in God)

Did I show what God did in my words?  

Did I speak what God wanted spoken?

***

Sometimes we have to correct another person.

I try to do this in the right spirit, without bitterness and without malice,

***

Often I have to use the example of what some other person did, to instruct the church and to warn the church.

God showed me the apostle Paul warning the church in the following, and even naming the offender by name.

II Timothy 4

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto HIS heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The words of the New Testament Bible are important examples used by the Spirit of God to show us what we also must do.

We must keep ourselves at all times regardless of the actions of other people.

***

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

I believe we grieve the Holy Spirit if we misuse the Word of God.

***

In training me, God showed me sometimes we must speak harshly.

Matthew 23:33  Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees:  Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

John the Baptist also spoke harshly to the scribes and Pharisees:

Matthew 3:7-10 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

To the church, the apostle Paul said:  

II Corinthians 12:21   And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.  

bewail:  express with deep regret and sadness; mourn over; grieve over; express with great sorrow; beat one's breast about; show disappointment over their actions

***

We must deal with that other person in the way God shows us to deal with him.

Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

***

An exterminator came to our house to do some work.  Almost immediately he began telling us that he is a Christian.  

The problem at the house was with mice.  We had seen some mice inside the house.

The exterminator said, "You can always pray that the mice go to the house of a neighbor that you hate."

I was very shocked that a man who said he is a Christian would say this.

I replied, "I don't have any neighbors that I hate."

(He did not appear to see his evil that he had spoken.)

He went on to tell us about ministry work that he does from time to time going from city to city.  He started naming the cities and I stopped him and asked, "How did God show you to do this work?"  

He froze ... and he could not answer my question.

I told him I did not believe God sent him to do these things.

The Holy Spirit brought the following scripture to my mind.  I believe this applied to this man:

Matthew 7:21-23  Jesus said:  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

I think at one point I told this man to leave my room.

As he left, in a happy, carefree, flippant way he said, "Have a good day."

I replied, "You go to hell."

I believe that got his attention.  He fled to his vehicle and sat in it until Pam took his check to him. 

Without a word he then drove away.

*****

Hymn: I know that my Redeemer lives

(Click forward arrow > to play music:)


1.  I know that my Redeemer lives
And ever prays for me;
A token of His love He gives,
A pledge of liberty. 

2.  I know that my Redeemer lives,
A quick’ning Spirit He;
I know eternal life He gives—
Amazing grace—to me.

3.  I find Him lifting up my head;
He brings salvation near;
His presence makes me free indeed,
And He will soon appear.

4.   He wills that I should holy be:
What can withstand His will? 
The counsel of His grace in me
He surely shall fulfill.

5.  Jesus, I hang upon Thy word:
I steadfastly believe
Thou wilt return and claim me, Lord,
And to Thyself receive.


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

*****

Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:

v. 1   I know that my Redeemer lives
And ever prays for me;

Hebrews 7:25   Wherefore HE is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by HIM, seeing HE ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Romans 8:24-34    For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?   But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

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

And HE that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because HE maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

For whom HE did foreknow, HE also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of HIS Son, that HE might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover whom HE did predestinate, them HE also called: and whom HE called, them HE also justified: and whom HE justified, them HE also glorified. 

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 

He that spared not HIS own Son, but delivered HIM up for us all, how shall HE not with HIM also freely give us all things?

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, WHO is even at the right hand of God, WHO also maketh intercession for us.

***

v. 2  I know that my Redeemer lives,
A quick’ning Spirit He;


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

 John 16:13  Howbeit when HE, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE will guide you into all truth: for HE shall not speak of HIMSELF; but whatsoever HE shall hear, that shall HE speak: and HE will shew you things to come.

***

v. 3  His presence makes me free indeed,
And He will soon appear.

Ephesians 1:12-14 ...  That we should be to the praise of HIS glory, who first trusted in Christ.  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of HIS glory.

John 8:31-32   Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on HIM, If ye continue in MY word, then are ye MY disciples indeed;  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18   But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (die) in Jesus will God bring with Him. 

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

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

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


Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

***

Job 19:25   For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that HE shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

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