💥 Answed prayer

 

Cathy Varner, member of the body of Christ

 

Recently I noticed that the water was not draining out very quickly from the bathtub as I took a shower. There was water collecting, almost enough to cover my feet. 

 

I think in the past I had been able to unclog this drain by using a plunger that I use specifically for unclogging drains. So I tried that but it didn’t help. I then took the drain cover off to see if there was something I could pull out that was blocking the drain. There was a wad of hair I pulled out, but it didn’t seem to be enough to cause the problem.

Just a day or so ago as I was showering and the problem was still there, I prayed, asking God to help us to know what to do about this.  

 

Shortly afterward, when I finished my shower, I noticed that the lever that you pull up to keep water from draining out seemed to be up a little, not quite all the way down, to allow water to drain out. I pushed it all the way down. Next time I showered the water drained out as it should. It was just that simple. 

 

Sometimes we don’t see until God opens our eyes to the solution. 

 

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Comments by Pam Padgett, member of the body of Christ

This reminds me of a time several years ago when I couldn't get my laptop to make a screen print. This is something I do every day when making the "yellow box" for that day's podcast on our blog. But, suddenly, the button I use didn't do anything.  I had no idea what the problem might be and cried out to God, asking HIM what I should do.

Right after praying, my attention was drawn to a very small light, just a little dot, that was on the corner of the "Fn" key. I didn't remember seeing that light before and touched that key as I looked at it. The light went out. (The light apparently indicated that the "Fn" key was active, and I must have touched that key at some time since finishing the blog preparation the previous day without realizing it, activating the key.) 

Then I was given the idea to try to make a screen print with the light off, and everything worked as normal.

God knew exactly what the problem was, that the "Fn" key had been activated as shown by the very small light.  And HE was able to draw my attention to the problem by showing me that little light. This still amazes me today after many years.  

 

 

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💥 Praying in faith

 

Beth Martin, member of the body of Christ

 

I have been reminded of this story several times recently and believe that I am to share it with you. 

 

When my son, Jared was about 8-10 years old ....... he wanted a dog. I was very busy and stressed so I said, "I will not get you a dog but if you really want one .... pray and ask God to send one to the door" ........ meaning that I did not want to lift one finger to help. 

 

A couple of months passed. 

 

One day, he came to me very excited and stated, "Mom he's here. The dog I prayed for is here at the back door!"  

 

I thought .... no way! I followed him into the living room and looked outside. Sure enough there was a small black dog just sitting there with tail wagging, waiting to be let into the house. 

 

Jared said, "Mom, I did what you said over and over. God sent me a dog! Can I keep him?" 

 

We let the dog in ... he did not jump .... he did not bark .... he was house broken ... he had a healthy shiny coat. This dog was wonderful. He was very well cared for and did not have a collar. 

 

I thought that someone will really be looking for this dog. My husband and I searched for several weeks for the owner. We live in a very rural area where there is no neighborhood.   We never found an owner ...... because Jared was the owner.   He named the dog "Hobbs". 

 

God answered the prayers of a young boy who diligently prayed in faith while his mother did not want to deal with one more thing. 

 

This wonderful dog became a cherished part of our family for many years. ... such a blessing. We all needed this dog!

For me...
Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to HIS riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 
For Jared
Matthew 11:24 Jesus says ... Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Jared and Hobbs the following winter:

  

 

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Comments by Cathy Varner, member of the body of Christ:

 

That’s wonderful. It must have done wonders in establishing his faith in God. 

 

Great that you all ended up enjoying the dog.

 

 

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💥 Podcast: Today, our way to God is through Jesus Christ. In OT God spoke to the people through HIS prophets.

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on September 15, 2021)

  

John 14:6   Jesus says:  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 to God.

When God speaks to us, we believe the Word and we agree with what God has said and we are born again and given the Holy Spirit of God when we believe the Word given to us.

And immediately God changes us into a new creature, not of ourselves nor of our own works, but by God will.

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.

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In the Old Testament God spoke to HIS people by HIS prophets.

Moses was called by God to come up to the mountain to be instructed by God.

Exodus 20

1 And God spake all these words, saying,

2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before ME.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate ME;

6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love ME, and keep MY commandments.

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh HIS name in vain.

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

13 Thou shalt not kill.

14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

15 Thou shalt not steal.

16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that HIS fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.

23 Ye shall not make with ME gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.

24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto ME, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record MY name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

25 And if thou wilt make ME an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

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💥 Scriptures:

 

1 Peter 4:1-2  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

(our flesh suffers when go in the way the Holy Spirit leads, not following what the flesh wants to do) 

 

2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

 

 ***

 

Proverbs 18:6-8  A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

 

7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

 

8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

 

 ***

 

1 John 5:14-15  And this is the confidence that we have in HIM (in God), that, if we ask any thing according to HIS will, HE heareth us:

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

 

 

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💥 Matthew 6 (Reading through the Bible)

 

1-4    Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.

*****

5-13    And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.

After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.

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

Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

*****

14-18    For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

*****

19-21    Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(I believe we lay up treasure in heaven each time we hear word of God and do word of God.)

*****

22-23  The light of the body is the eye:  if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  

But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

*****

24-34    No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

(Can you get an inch taller by thinking about it?)


And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 

*****

33    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

*****

34    Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

(Thoughts about tomorrow will come to us.  Instead of thinking on those thoughts, pray, settling the matter through prayer and by waiting until God brings the answer to you and then act upon that which you hear from God.)

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💥 A Word from God turns from fear to trusting God

Barbara Preston, member of the body of Christ

 

At the end of 2024, God led me and my husband to move closer to where my adult children live. This meant a move of about 175 miles from one part of the state of Virginia to another.

After we moved I realized how difficult it was going to be for me to change doctors. It has always been hard for me to start going to a new doctor, especially when I have grown to like the doctor that I have been seeing for a long time and feel comfortable with.

So I kept putting off looking for a primary care doctor where I now live who could have done, among other things, my yearly Medicare exam, renewed my medicines when they expired, or given me a consult to see another doctor when needed. I insisted that we travel back to where we used to live when I needed to see a doctor. 175 miles there and 175 miles back. My husband didn't want me to go by myself so it was a long, inconvenient trip for both of us for something that could have been handled locally.

Then suddenly everything changed ... One day recently, God spoke the following to me ... My God shall supply all your need ... followed by the thought of how I have been handling my doctors visits since we moved at the end of 2024.

At that moment it was like a light was turned on in my head and I understood immediately that by handling this situation the way I had, that I had not been trusting in God to provide for all my needs.

The whole time I had been doing this, I wasn't aware that I was not trusting God to provide for me. I believe I was operating out of an irrational fear deep inside me.

After the above was revealed to me, I made an appointment with a primary care doctor where I live and was given an appointment for next month.

When God speaks to us, there is the power to sweep away anything and everything blocking us from obeying HIM. 

 

No matter what the problem is, God has a way to reach us. And this is what HE did for me.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to HIS riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

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Matthew 11:30  Jesus says ... MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light. 

 

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Comment from Cathy Varner, member of the body of Christ

Thanks for sharing, Barbara. It’s encouraging to see how God can change our way and enlighten us to what we don’t see.

 

 

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💥 Podcast: God delivers messages to the people through Moses, HIS prophet

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on September 14, 2021)   

 

Exodus 19

1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.

3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto Myself.

(It is good for each of us to think on those things which God has done in our lives.)

5 Now therefore, if ye will obey MY voice indeed, and keep MY covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto ME above all people: for all the earth is Mine:

6 And ye shall be unto ME a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. 

These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

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Today, God speaks directly to each of us, HIS children, through the Holy Spirit of Jesus who lives in each born again person who is the elect of God.

Hebrews 1:2-3  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by HIS Son, WHOM HE hath appointed heir of all things, by WHOM also HE made the worlds;

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1 Peter 2

1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

(spiritual sacrifices: seeking God's will; giving up our own ways and fleshly desires in order to go in HIS ways; following the ways shown us by HIS Spirit.)

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on HIM shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe HE (Jesus Christ the Word) is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; 

(God chose each of us by opening our understanding to the Word, making us HIS own.  After we understood we chose Him, HIS way.  But first HE, God caused us to see, caused us to understand the truth of the Word.  Thus God chose us.  We did not choose God until after God revealed HIS own truth to us.)

that ye should shew forth the praises of HIM who hath called you out of darkness into HIS marvellous light:

(We praise God and exalt God each time we share with other people that which God has done for us.)

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

(God chose us having mercy on us.  Romans 9:16-18  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 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.  Therefore hath HE mercy on whom HE will have mercy, and whom HE will he hardeneth.)

God chose us and revealed HIMSELF to us, not of any goodness in us but because of goodness in HIM.  Therefore we are continually grateful to God for our salvation!

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God opened our eyes to believe in Jesus, The Word.  And God gave us HIS Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us and to remind us of everything The Word has said to 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 (from God), that shall HE speak: and HE will shew you things to come.

I Corinthians 2

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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I John 4

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.

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The Holy Spirit of God brings to our mind scriptures and concepts to show us what to do as we deal with the problems of this present life.  As we go in the way shown us by the Holy Spirit, we produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit by our actions and we do the will of God as we do that which the Holy Spirit shows us to do and to say.

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:

Romans 8:1   There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

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

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💥 Scriptures:

 

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

 ***

 

Psalm 31:7-8  I will be glad and rejoice in THY mercy: for THOU hast considered my trouble; THOU hast known my soul in adversities;

 

8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: THOU hast set my feet in a large room. 

 

***

 

Proverbs 17:15  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.

 

***

 

Psalm 107:1-3  O give thanks unto the Lord, for HE is good: for HIS mercy endureth for ever.

 

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom HE hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

 

3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

 

***

 

1 Timothy 2:1-4  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

 

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

 

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

 

4 WHO will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

 ***

 

Revelation 21:7  God says ... He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be MY son.

 

 

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💥 Matthew 5 (Reading through the Bible) Jesus begins showing what the NT church will be.

 

1-16    And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him:  And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

(When we speak godly words, showing the way of God, if they turn from the way of the world and turn to God, they glorify God instead of glorifying the world.  By our godly words which we speak, we bring light and give opportunity for them to turn into the way of God.)

*****

17-20    Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

(The law is fulfilled through Jesus, the Word.  We do not remove "the law" but rather by Jesus, by following HIM and resisting our own flesh, we end up fulfilling the law.)

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

*****

21-24    Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

*****

25-26  Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

*****

27-30    Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

*****

31-32    It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

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.

*****

33-37    Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

Nor by the earth; for it is His footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

*****

38-48    Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

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💥 God leads and guides in the best way to go

Sandra Chupik, member of the body of Christ

 

Psalm 32:8  I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with MINE eye.

Several weeks ago, I bought a new "bed in a box" mattress. I was thinking of buying it online with "white glove" delivery, but each time I prayed I was reminded of a local store who carried that brand. I bought a bed frame from them approximately 17 years ago and the sons of the owners delivered it and were very polite and helpful.

When I went to the local store to order the mattress and pillows the owner said that her two sons were still doing deliveries, so I asked her if they could also move the old frame and mattress to the guest bedroom and place the new frame and mattress in the master bedroom. She said they would do that. But when I asked if they could also attach a headboard that needed holes to be drilled, she asked if I had a drill. I said I had a drill and that I also had the original brackets that came with the old frame. (A few months ago I had prayed that God would help me find these old brackets and HE did!) She never said one way or the other, but I hoped they might do this. I did not have brackets for the other headboard so I planned to leave it unattached until a later date. 

When they delivered the new frame and mattress it took them a long time to move the old things to the guest bedroom and to set up the new frame and mattress in the master bedroom. It was a very hot day and even though the house was cool, they were sweating by the time they finished. I asked about the headboard and showed the man who seemed to be in charge that I had the original brackets for the old frame, but he shook his head, said "No...that my brackets would not work." I smiled and thanked them (knowing there would be another way to go) and they left.

All I could think of was to put 2" x 5' boards between the frames and headboards to provide enough space to make changing the sheets easier. But when I prayed for wisdom, the Holy Spirit gave me the idea to double check the brackets sold on the "bed in a box" website. The website stated that the brackets they sold would only work with the headboards they sold. But when I did an online chat, I was told that their brackets would work on the frame I had bought which was their latest model. (The brackets did not work on their older models.)

I immediately called the owner and asked her to order the brackets and asked if they could install the headboards using these brackets. She said "I don't see why not." She called two days ago and said the brackets were in and they could be there in 30 minutes. 

They came at 6 pm and worked until 7:30 pm. They did not show any resentment at having to come back. They removed the new mattress, installed the new brackets and headboard onto the new frame, being very careful to get them centered, then put the mattress back. Then they removed the old mattress, drilled holes in the headboard, installed the original brackets I had saved 17 years ago, and put the old mattress back. (They told me that the new brackets would not have worked on the old frame.) They even vacuumed the sawdust created by the drill. The owner had said there would be no charge, but I gave each of them a nice tip and thanked them.

I have been marveling over the fact that God led me so strongly. I don't believe the "white glove" delivery people would have done the extra things that were done by these very skilled local men. And I now have both headboards attached to their frames.

I did not get panicky or upset throughout this whole project. I simply followed God's instructions, focusing on what HE said, resting in HIM, confident that HE would show me the way to go.

 

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💥 Podcast: Old Testament and New Testament governments compared

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on September 13, 2021)   

 

The Old Testament and the children of God:

Moses selected men from the tribes of Israel and they assisted him in judging the people.  There were 600,000 men (plus women and children) in the wilderness so it became too much for Moses to do all the work alone.  

Moses' father-in-law suggested another plan for Moses in dealing with the people.

Exodus 18

8 And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.

9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom HE had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

10 And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, WHO hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly HE (God) was above them.

12 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

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13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.

14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?

15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:

(The people in the Old Testament did not have the Holy Spirit so they went to a prophet to inquire of God in the matter at hand.)

16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and HIS laws.

17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.

24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.

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(There were 600,000 men ... plus women and children.)

25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.

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Later in the Old Testament, God set up men, and even women, to judge HIS people and to show them the way to go as they lived on this present earth.

The prophets of God, such as Moses, were used by God to judge HIS people and show them the laws of God which were right in the sight of God.

The prophets were given the Holy Spirit of God in the Old Testament, but the people and even the kings of Israel and Judah, had to come to the prophet to inquire of God and seek the will of God.  

Today, in the New Testament, all who belong to God are given the Holy Spirit so we go directly to God through Jesus to inquire of the will of God.

But this was not the case of the Old Testament.

God set up judges.

Here is one of those judges set by God:

Judges 4  (Deborah: a judge over Israel)

1 And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.

2 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.

3 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.

4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.

9 And she said, I will surely go with thee:

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The judges of Israel were selected by God.  But after a season, the people of Israel demanded that they be given a king to rule over them as the other nations had.

God did not like this and God told them what their king would do to them but they insisted on having a king to rule, so God gave them a king.

I Samuel 8

7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected ME, that I should not reign over them.

8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken ME, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

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The first king given by God was Saul.  

But Saul disobeyed God. 

I Samuel 15

 

1 Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over HIS people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.

2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.

3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Saul did not fully obey that instruction which God delivered to him by the prophet Samuel.

So God took the kingdom away from Saul.

And God anointed David to be king over His people.

After David, Solomon was king.  

Then the kingdom was divided into 2 parts: Judah & Israel ...  and there were 2 kings, one over each part of the children of Israel.  

Some did right in the sight of God while others did evil.

Throughout the Old Testament the prophets, selected by God, carried judgments of God to the kings and to the children of Israel.  The kings and the people came to the prophets to inquire of God during the period of the Old Testament.

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The New Testament Church:

All those individuals who are born again by God are given the Holy Spirit to lead them and guide them in the New Testament church and this changes everything and sets up a different order in the New Testament church today.

I Corinthians 3:16  

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

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The New Testament church is set up by Jesus from heaven as follows:

Ephesians 4:8;11-12  Wherefore HE saith, When HE (Jesus) ascended up on high, HE led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  11 And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

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Paul was one of these New Testament apostles given to the church from heaven after Jesus arose.

Acts 9:1-9  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME?

5 And he said, Who art THOU, Lord? 

And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt THOU have me to do? 

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

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Paul tells more about that which Jesus said to him in the following scripture:

Acts 26

15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? 

And HE said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in ME.

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Today there are still prophets in the New Testament church.  We see several examples in the New Testament Bible of prophets working in the New Testament church after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

See Acts 11 and Acts 21 where Agabus, a prophet, comes to the New Testament  churches to do the work of God.  

Also the apostle Paul took Silas, a New Testament  prophet, with him on his ministry journeys.  

And in the book of Acts, we see prophets speaking to the churches to confirm the Word of God to the New Testament  church.

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Acts 11:27   And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

Acts 15:32  And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

Acts 15:40  And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

Acts 17:4  And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

I Corinthians 14:29  (In the gathering of the church, Paul says.)  Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

Acts 13:1  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

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In the New Testament Bible, there are no such things as: pope, cardinals, archbishops, priests, vickers, ministers of music.  No minister called himself "Reverend" in the Bible.  Ministers in the New Testament  Bible identified themselves as apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher.  They did not wear special garments as in the Old Testament.

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And in the New Testament church, we have elders/bishops (the same office), and governments inside the church caring for the church: (as follows)

I Corinthians 12:27-28 

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28 And God hath set some in the church (some are set to work in the church and care for the church), first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

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Titus  1  (elders/bishops)

4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

(elder and bishop are titles used interchangeably and are the same office in the church)

8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

I Timothy 3

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

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1 Timothy 3  (deacons)

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a all good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

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Today there are many denominations of churches set up by men by their own will, bringing division to the body of Christ as Paul told us in I Corinthians 3.

I Corinthians 3  (Paul says)

1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

(One says, "I'm Methodist."  Another says, "I'm Baptist."  dividing the body of Christ by their denominations.)

Ephesians 4

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, WHO is above all, and through all, and in you all.

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And there is the end time apostasy today in the church groups where they have fallen away from specific scripture and have set up their own church doctrines which are opposite from the doctrine of Christ in the Holy Bible.

The apostle Paul said this apostasy in the church where antichrist reigns in the churches had to happen before Jesus could return.

II Thessalonians 2:3-4  

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (of the Lord) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

(In 1982, I was reading the above scripture and God explained to me:  "The falling away are not people leaving the church groups.  The falling away are the church groups leaving the scriptures.")

Paul said this would come in the end time churches:

Paul speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus. 

Acts 20:29-30  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.   Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

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God will destroy the antichrist churches of the apostasy when Jesus returns.

II Thessalonians 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of HIS mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of HIS coming:

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When Jesus returns, HE will raise the dead in Christ and HE will send HIS angels to gather the elect of God who are still alive on this present earth.

I Thessalonians 4

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

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

Matthew 24

31 And HE (Jesus) shall send HIS 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.

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