* Instruction in Righteousness: Jude

Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: 

² Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

³ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

⁴ For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵ I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

⁶ And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

⁷ Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

⁸ Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

⁹ Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

¹⁰ But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

¹¹ Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

(The way of Cain was to kill his brother to get what he felt he deserved and for revenge.   Balaam wanted what man could give him and went after man for reward. God finally killed him.)

(Core: Korah ... led a rebellion against Moses, saying that Moses "took too much" upon himself and made himself to be too much and didn't fulfill his promise to lead the children of Israel into the promised land.   ... Korah wanted to promote himself to be more than God had assigned him in the religious hierarchy of his time.

Numbers 16:23-40  

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,  Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.  And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.

And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their's, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

(I see same warning for us concerning staying with "wicked" ministers or congregations that approve unrighteous acts.)

So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.

If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me.

But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord. 

And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:

And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.

The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the Lord, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses.

*****

Jude 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

(Ministers who entertain the people rather than tell the people of sin that they may repent ... ministers who seek after money ... ministers who seek after reputation among men and greatness in the sight of men.)

13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints,

15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.

(These ministers speak evil against various scripture as they explain away the instruction of those scriptures.)

16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.  17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers (copiers, imitators of others) in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

(They make themselves ministers without being called by God to the ministry.)

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

24 Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

*****

BOOK: Exhortations For The Church, Volume 1: Chapter 13

Joan Boney

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*****

It was Jesus that made him whole

John 5:1-15 … After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, HE saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.  He answered them, HE that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 

Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed HIMSELF away, a multitude being in that place.

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.  The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

It is Jesus (the Word) who makes each of us whole.

Can’t we remember what we used to be? How we used to live before we were “touched” by God through Jesus through the Holy Spirit?

Paul says it in following:

I Cor. 6:9-11 … 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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  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.

*****

When God communicates with us, we are changed immediately and made whole immediately.

God has made us into a “new creature” … old things are over now, passed away.

II Cor. 5:17-18 … Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, WHO hath reconciled us to HIMSELF by Jesus Christ,

*****

God gives us the Spirit of Jesus, The Holy Spirit, to dwell in us and show us the way of God as we continue on this present earth.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of TRUTH. The Holy Spirit calls to our mind things of God, of scripture, of dreams given by God, of words given by God so that we can know the way God wants us to go when we deal with the specific issues of this present life.

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

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

*****

The Holy Spirit dwells inside each child of God.

After we are born again and have the Spirit of Jesus inside us, we have many experiences along this lifetime where the Holy Spirit reminds us of something to show us the way to go when we are dealing with an issue of this present life.

One morning I awoke after having a difficult dream. My whole countenance was disturbed by this dream.

Then I turned to God in prayer asking for help.

All of a sudden, I began thinking of Jesus.

Jesus came to earth in the flesh and died for our sins.

Jesus was placed in tomb with opening of tomb sealed with big stone. There was an earthquake and angel of the Lord moved the stone blocking the entrance to the tomb. When the women came to the tomb, two angels were there to witness to the women that Jesus was not in tomb but was raised by God from the dead.

Mt. 28:1-8 ... 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, as HE said.

Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell HIS disciples that HE is risen from the dead; and, behold, HE goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see HIM: lo, I have told you.

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring HIS disciples word. 

*****

After Jesus was raised from dead, HE appeared to more than 500 people before ascending into heaven.

Now Jesus sits at right hand of God and intercedes for us.  (Romans 8)

God will send Jesus back to get us. Those who are dead in Christ will arise from graves and meet Jesus in the air.

Those who are alive on this earth will then be changed in bodily form and given a new body which cannot be harmed. They will be changed in a blinking of the eye and arise to meet Jesus and the others who have been raised from the dead.   (I Thess. 4 & I Cor. 15)


By thinking on these truths, I was made whole again from being disturbed by the dream. Like the man at the pool, it was Jesus who made me whole.

We are continually made whole by Jesus through the Holy Spirit as we dwell on this present earth.

*****

Another example:

My neighbor was robbed. He came to tell me how thieves had broken into his house and had stolen his flat screen TV.

A day or two after hearing this story, I decided to disconnect my front doorbell. People often come to my house to try to sell me things I don’t want to buy and when they ring the doorbell, if I am asleep, it awakens me. I need a certain amount of sleep to be able to do my work assigned me by God in the church.

After I disconnected my doorbell, the following thought came to my mind: “They will ring your doorbell and when you do not answer they will think no one is home and they will break into your house and steal your TV.”

I cried out to God … “Help me, please”

And into my mind the Holy Spirit said: “You have insurance.”

I rejoiced, saying, “That’s right.”

It was Jesus who made me whole …

*****

Another example:

It was the time of my birthday. A woman sent me a birthday card. She placed a note in the card telling about the recent wedding of her grandson. (I have no grandson.)

She told of their recent holiday and all the people who came to dinner with her and husband. (I have no husband.)

She told of future plans with her daughter. (I have no daughter.)

Immediately, the following came to my mind by Holy Spirit: “You are dead and your life is hid in Christ.”


“That’s right,” I shouted! I was so happy. I rejoiced in Christ, in the Word of God on this subject.

Col. 3:1-4 … If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with HIM in glory.

If it had not been for the Holy Spirit reminding me of this truth, I would have been pulled down by the words of the note in the birthday card. Instead of this, I rejoiced.

*****

Nehemiah 8:10 … Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

My strength is that WORD given me by God in the various troubles that come in this present life. The joy of that WORD given me by God is my strength which overcomes that which would trouble me on this earth.

*****

Thus the apostle instructs us to do the following:

I Peter 5:7 … Casting all your care upon HIM; for HE careth for you.

*****

Scriptures

I want to get scripture more deeply inside me and I know we can do that by meditating throughout the day on key scriptures. 

You can put scriptures into an email to yourself so when you open your email throughout that day, those scriptures will be there and this will give you more opportunity to think on those scripture and do them.

Joan Boney

*****

* Staying in evil because of money

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

My cleaning woman, who comes to my house Monday afternoons, was speaking of another woman she works for and how racist this woman is thinking white people are superior to the Mexicans.  (My cleaning woman is Mexican.)

I said, "Why don't you quit?  You are so good at cleaning you could get others jobs without any problem."

She replied, "But she pays me very well." 

She said, "As soon as my daughter finishes college in one more year I am going to quit."

I was reminded of the following:

I Timothy 6:10   the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

The godly way to go is:

Romans 14:19     Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.


While it may seem like a good thing for this mother to sacrifice herself to put her daughter through college, it can't be a good thing when the mother takes in hatred and bitterness to do this.  That hatred and bitterness will come forth to her own daughter (and husband and sons), so long as she carries it inside herself.

And it is never a good thing to go in a way opposite to the Bible ... whereby following after money for any reason.

The pursuit of money can cause you to err from the faith and pierce yourself with many sorrows, as it tells us in Romans 14.

*****

We have to deal with hatred in spiritual ways.  

(Though I know the truth from Bible, I am unable to help my cleaning woman because of her church doctrine.  She is Catholic and has tried to argue with me in past when I have shared scripture.  So I can't help her spiritually.)

I know it is not good to stay in a job where evil comes into our soul, nor to keep company with friends when we are on different spiritual paths and have to argue and strive over doctrine of Bible.

In those cases we must do something to free ourselves otherwise our soul is at risk.

Some people take jobs they hate in order to get money.

Other people move from city to city to get more money.

In these cases they follow after money and are led by money rather than following after God and being led by God.  

This will not turn out well for them. 

Evil will enter into our hearts if we hate something and even those we are trying to help will see that evil and be dragged down.

It is better to have less on this earth and stay free to pursue righteousness.


Matthew 16:26   For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Diligently protect your own soul.

Flee from those persons and those things that would hurt your soul.

*****

* Instruction in Righteousness: III John

The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

² Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

³ For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

⁵ Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
⁶ Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

⁷ Because that for His name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

⁸ We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

⁹ I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.¹⁰ Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

¹¹ Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

¹² Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

¹³ I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

¹⁴ But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

*****

BOOK: Exhortations For The Church, Volume 1: Chapter 12

Joan Boney

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*****

Be strong in the grace given by God

The apostle Paul says ...

Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.   II Tim. 2:1

Paul had some type of physical problem. It seems to have been an eye disease.

He prayed 3 times for it to be removed from Him.

II Cor. 12:8-9 ... For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And HE (God) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

When it seems we can't go on, we purpose to go on through the grace given us by God to endure.

*****

I had a young friend who was 44 when I met him and he was diagnosed with the disease ALS one month after I met him. This is a terrible disease, a creeping disease, inch by inch paralyzing the human body. David lived approximately 4 years. He told me he had said he would never be in wheelchair. He kept falling. So he went to wheelchair. He could not overcome this disease by will power. But I witnessed David overcoming this disease by living in the grace of God. He became totally paralyzed, but you would never have known anything was wrong with him when you spoke with him by phone. I never heard any bitterness from him. Only by the grace given by God to endure could David have continued in this with a good attitude until he died.

*****

When I consider my life, I often consider the grace given by God to get me through the day. And often I know I overcome through HIS grace just by thinking about grace of God.

When Paul tells Timothy to be strong in the grace given by God, these are not idle words of salutation.

This instruction is for each of us in whatever circumstance we are in ... overcome through God's grace ... just by thinking about grace from God to endure.

I am acquainted with 3 recent widows. Two of these women are church goers and have been all their lives. But when they speak of their dead husbands, they show themselves to be dragged down, not overcoming.

In our church group we have one recent widow. I called her shortly after her husband died and I have spoken with her several times since then. I have never heard anything coming from her but joy. It certainly appears she is living in the grace of God.

*****

Scriptures

I want to get scripture more deeply inside me and I know we can do that by meditating throughout the day on key scriptures. 

You can put scriptures into an email to yourself so when you open your email throughout that day, those scriptures will be there and this will give you more opportunity to think on those scripture and do them.

Joan Boney

*****

* Keeping the commandments of God

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet


I John 2:3-5 And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him.

But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him.

I was changed instantly when I was born again in 1975.

I wanted to read Bible and not just read Bible but I was always looking for a scripture that I could do in my life.

Even to this day, 43-years later, I still love to see scripture that I can apply to my life.

*****

Some very evil doctrines have come into our church groups today saying we no longer have to keep the commandments of God since we are not under the law.

The "man of lawlessness", antichrist, preaches this lawlessness against God's word in today's churches.

*****

But much of the writing in the New Testament concerns commandments of God for the church today, the NT church.

I Corinthians 7:10-11 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

Paul wrote to the NT church telling them the above scripture is "the commandment of the Lord."

Jesus explained the rule of God to the people:

Matthew 5:32  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Jesus is telling the husband, if you divorce a faithful wife and she remarries, she will commit adultery but you will be the cause of her adultery and the man who marries a divorced woman will commit adultery.

Mark 10:6-12  But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;  And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

And HE saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.


Matthew 19:9  And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.


The man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

*****

In Romans 1, we read about men and women who commit "vile affections" toward those of same sex, homosexuals and lesbians. Some churches today are teaching that homosexuals and lesbians are just born that was but that is not what God says in Bible.

Romans 1:25-27  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 

***** 

To continue in previous sins after you are born again is to deny the price paid for salvation. If you do that, there is no more sacrifice for your sins.


Hebrews 10:26-31  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 

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?

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.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

***** 

Don't be deceived by that which many pastors are teaching today. 

The NT rules set forth for the church do apply to us today. 

If you continue in sins, you will damn yourself. 

For it is the Word of God who judges you, whether you do good or bad. 

*****

* Instruction in Righteousness: II John

The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

² For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

³ Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

⁴ I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

⁵ And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

⁶ And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. 

This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

⁷ For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

(I think this has something to do with thinking you do not have to do the commandments of God today. It is definitely antichrist to fall away from scripture.  II Thessalonians 3-4)

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

⁹ Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

¹⁰ If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

¹¹ For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

¹² Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

¹³ The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

*****

BOOK: Exhortations For The Church, Volume 1: Chapter 11

Joan Boney

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*****

Growing old gracefully through God

Many people cling to the past and try to make things the way they were in the past. Women often try to cling to dead husbands. Men often cling to former professions and glories.

The apostle Paul said: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded:  Phil. 3:13-15

The life on this earth is very temporary. The various seasons of our life are very temporary. We are young. Then we are old. Both young and old have lives to live in Christ.

We encounter problems and we overcome by turning to God and by doing what HE shows us, or by enduring through grace if HE shows us that. Either way we grow in God and become conformed to the image of God through those problems as we overcome through God.

*****

In my late 70's, I found I really liked being old. By this time, I had learned, through experience with God and the Bible, that most things I had fretted about in the previous years just don't matter.

What does matter is living each day through Christ, seeking what word and information HE would give me that day through prayer, Bible reading, and paying attention to that brought to my mind by the Holy Spirit.

As I write this, summer has arrived in Texas. It is forecast to be 102 tomorrow. I have air conditioning for which I thank God. It is very comfortable for me inside my house and for that I thank God. I have food and clothing. God has given me all that I need. 

And I have the Spirit of God inside me to live in me and show me God's way on this earth. And I thank God for that.

One day during the heat spell, I went into my garage and water dripped onto my head. I looked up and saw I was standing under drain pipe to air conditioning system which is upstairs over the garage. It was about 6 pm, too late to call plumber. I put large plastic pan on floor to catch the water.

There was a time this would have greatly troubled me and I would have troubled others.

This time, I knew this really didn't matter. I emptied the pan before going to bed and called the plumber the next morning and he came that afternoon and fixed the problem.

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As you grow older you know you are preparing to leave this present earth. 

Hopefully you purpose to live in peace until you are removed and you keep yourself without spot daily as Peter told us to do. That is what really matters. 

Fixing these physical houses is basically futile for Peter says they will be destroyed. 

And these physical bodies are temporary. We do not take these physical bodies we have now into heaven says Paul in I Cor. 15. Therefore do we really want to fret ourselves over things that are going to be destroyed anyway? Focus on that which is important. Peter tells us what is important.

II Peter 3:10-14 ... But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.

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And while I remain on this earth, I keep focusing on the assignment God gave me which is exhorting the church daily in ways of God.

We need to be faithful to God to the end in our assignments.

As long as you have a mate and children, those are your assignments.

Some are appointed by God to serve in the church, caring for the church. We hold fast daily to that assignment as we are on the earth.

If you think you have no assignment from God, then focus on II Peter 3:14 as your assignment.

Build yourself up daily in the faith by the Holy Scriptures, setting a firm foundation by faith in God and HIS Word.

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Scriptures

I want to get scripture more deeply inside me and I know we can do that by meditating throughout the day on key scriptures. 

You can put scriptures into an email to yourself so when you open your email throughout that day, those scriptures will be there and this will give you more opportunity to think on those scripture and do them.

Joan Boney

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Joahua 1:7-9    Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Have not I commanded thee? 

(Isn't it God who told you to do that which you are currently doing?)

Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

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Psalm 1:1-3    Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in HIS law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

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* If you dread something.

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Recently I had an appointment for a man to come to my house to reset my sound equipment.

It was scheduled for 11 a.m.  I could do this but it would rush me a little and burden me.

I became increasingly concerned about this and began praying, asking God to help me with this and with another problem connected with the appointment.

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

Philippians 4:6    Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.


A few hours after talking to God about this matter and the points which troubled me, I called the store where I had scheduled the appointment and changed the appointment to 1 pm, which gave me ample time to do my work and get ready before the worker arrived.  Also I was able to confirm that I would need only one worker, not two, so I could keep the labor cost under a more reasonable control.

After doing this, order was restored in my life and I was at complete peace.

It is very difficult for me to schedule anything before noon because I take medications at night and need to sleep soundly without concern for having to make myself get up earlier than normal.

Sometimes we will try to do what is convenient for others but is unwise for us.

Usually I never allow anyone to schedule appointments until after 1 pm.

There are things unwise for me.

When I do something where there is "dread", I know I have entered into a plan that is not of God and most often I make other arrangements when doing such.

Dread: 

- to be anxious about
- concerns, foreboding about the situation
- to be worried and uneasy about

Often we "yoke" ourselves to appointments that are unwise ... either the wrong day or wrong time or with the wrong person.

If we pray, asking God for wisdom, HE will give wisdom to us and we can make appropriate adjustments.

There is no reason to allow the situation to control us ... instead we control the situation to make it compatible with our life.

God's yoke is easy and HIS burden is light.  Matthew 11

James 3:17   But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

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* Instruction in Righteousness: I John 5

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of Him.

(Jesus, the Word, is the Messiah.  We are saved by the Word when we believe the Word and act on that scripture.)

² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.

³ For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.

⁴ For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
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⁵ Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

⁶ This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

⁷ For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

⁸ And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water (the Word), and the blood: and these three agree in one.

⁹ If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son.

¹⁰ He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.

¹¹ And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  (the Word)

¹² He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

¹³ These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

¹⁴ And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, HE heareth us:
¹⁵ And if we know that HE hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.

¹⁶ If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

¹⁷ All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

¹⁸ We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

¹⁹ And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

²⁰ And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

²¹ Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

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