💥 Comforted and helped by the Word given by God

 

Beth Martin, member of the body of Christ

 

Yesterday I received a Word for my son. Here is how that came about. My second son (the one whose wife left him) came over yesterday to do laundry as his dryer malfunctioned. While he was here, he said that one boss was trying to get him demoted. He later discovered that these negative thoughts about this boss that were not true. My son is working with men who gossip and there are always false reports swirling around. He is troubled listening to these reports. It causes him fear and worry. I told him that he was paranoid in his thinking .... my fleshly response. Later as we all went about our day, I was impressed with Proverbs 21 several times. I also was impressed that this relates to my son's work situation. When I looked at Proverbs 21, God is letting my son know that HE is in control of the work situation.

Proverbs 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: HE turneth it whithersoever HE will.

I shared this Word with my son. He now knows that God is helping him with this situation and thinking on this with faith is a great comfort to all of us. I pray that my son applies this to his life. 

Later as I was reading the blog for Sunday, I was especially drawn to the verse Colossians 4:3 .....

3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

I knew then that God had opened a door of utterance for me to speak the mystery of Christ to my son.

In this situation I am so grateful that God cares about my son to give this message of comfort to him. I am also thankful that I was able to hear and deliver this to him. Recently I have had a few thoughts that I am not born again and do not belong to God. I turned to Him to established my thoughts. This message confirms to me that I am hearing from Him and do belong to Him. I thank Him that I am still one of his elect.

It is amazing that this Word comforted me, my son and tied into the blog all together! I am praising Him:

Psalms 8:9  O LORD our Lord, how excellent is THY name in all the earth!

 

 💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Podcast: THY word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on January 10, 2022) 

 

If you have a problem and don't know what to do, ask God.  His answer might surprise you!

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.

I know there are many times God just puts something into my heart and leads me.

Psalm 37:4-5  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in HIM; and HE shall bring it to pass.

I've always thought this means God will put HIS desires into our hearts to lead us.  We think it is our desire but really it is HIS desire for us, when we are praying, asking HIM what we should do.

💥💥💥

When I realize I have heard a word from God, I know what to do in the situation.

* A few days ago, I felt TV news was causing some bad fruits to come forth in me.  I began praying about this.  And I heard, "If your right hand offends thee, cut if off."   I stopped watching these programs.  Immediately I found I was at more peace.  I don't like seeing things people of this world are doing and I don't like hearing their "wisdom".  

Somehow the TV evening news was causing me to react, but I find I can look at the headlines that are written of the day's world news on Internet and rarely react. (I don't often pull up the details of the story.)  So if I want to check events, I am now reading the headlines on Internet.  Sometimes they trouble me and I have to pray to be free from the concern, but mostly they do not trouble me like the TV news with all the pictures trouble me.

If something troubles us, we need to deal with it through asking God for HIS help to know what is best for us to do.

💥💥💥

*  One day, I was bombarded with thoughts:  "What if this happens to you?  What if that happens. What will happen to you if you get to where you can't walk?  What will you do?"

I cried out to God, "Help me!"

Immediately the Holy Spirit reminded me of this scripture:  "God will supply all your need." Philippians 4:19

"That's right", I responded.  And all the weight of the destructive thoughts lifted from off my shoulders.  I was at peace and had joy again!

💥💥💥

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.

The Holy Spirit says: God will supply all my need when there is a need!   Philippians 4:19

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth in all things and is also The Comforter to us.

 

💥💥💥💥💥  

💥 Scriptures:

 

John 15:4-5  (Jesus says) Abide in ME, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in ME.

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

 

 ***

 

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

***  

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

 

 💥💥💥💥💥

💥 I Thessalonians 2 (Reading through the Bible)

1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

11 As ye know how we exhorted (warned) and comforted and charged (gave instruction to) every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto HIS kingdom and glory.

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Podcast: Psa. 81:12 God says: I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on July 22, 2021) 

 

It would be terrible to have to seek the counsel of humans.  And it would also be dreadful to try to figure out what to do based on our own reasonings.

We are blessed above all others for we have access to the wisdom from God.

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.

And God watches over us and leads us by the Holy Spirit who dwells in each believer.

John 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.

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

In the Old Testament, the children of Israel are examples for they fought against God and did not prosper.

Psalm 81

10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11 But MY people would not hearken to MY voice; and Israel would none of ME.

12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

13 Oh that MY people had hearkened unto ME, and Israel had walked in MY ways!

14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned My hand against their adversaries.

15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto HIM: but their time should have endured for ever.

16 HE should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

 

💥💥💥💥💥 

💥 Scriptures:

 

Proverbs 7:1  MY son, keep MY words, and lay up MY commandments with thee.

 

 ***

 

Psalms 19:14  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in THY sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

 

***

 

1 Corinthians 13:1-8  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

 

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

 

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

 

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself (to speak vaingloriously of one's achievements; to boast), is not puffed up,

 

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

 

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

 

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 

8 Charity never faileth:

 

***

 

Psalm 32:1-2  Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

 

2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Guile-using clever but dishonest methods to achieve a goal or outsmart someone; crafty deception

 

***

 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

 

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

 

 💥💥💥💥💥

💥 I Thessalonians 1 (Reading through the Bible)

 

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

² We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

³ Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

⁴ Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 

⁵ For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

(The gospel comes "in power" ... the power to change men's lives ... and not in word only.  We who believe the word of God are changed from that person we once were.)

⁶ And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

⁷ So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

⁸ For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

⁹ For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

¹⁰ And to wait for HIS Son from heaven, whom HE raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Podcast: The apostle Paul says: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine

 

(This podcast was previously published on July 24, 2021)  

 

If they ask us what we think, we should tell them what God thinks!   That is what matters.  

The apostle Paul says:

2 Timothy 4:2-4  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

If they are offended and they don't want to be around us anymore, we should understand the following:

I Corinthians 7:13  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

Though Paul is speaking the above scripture to those persons who have unbelieving mates, I also know this applies to unbelievers in general when we are around those unbelievers.

God says:

II Corinthians 6:14-18

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be MY people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

It is not that we have to argue with the unbeliever.  We just speak the truth from God and let the person make his decision.

 

💥💥💥💥💥 

💥 Scriptures:

 

Psalm 86:11  Teach me THY way, O Lord; I will walk in THY truth: unite my heart to fear THY name.

 

 ***

 

1 John 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

 

***

John 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

***

 

Proverbs 4:7-8  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

 

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

  

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Colossians 4 (Reading through Bible)

 

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

² Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

³ Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: ⁴ That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

(Turning to God constantly, asking God to give you wisdom in what you say and in what you do toward those without the church.)

⁶ Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

⁷ All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: ⁸ Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; ⁹ With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) ¹¹ And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

¹⁴ Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

¹⁵ Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

¹⁶ And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

¹⁷ And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

¹⁸ The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Podcast: Do we support sin? God forbid!

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on July 29, 2021) 

 

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

A friend is one who supports you in that which you are doing.

***

Recently a woman asked me:  "Do you support Gays and Lesbians?"

My reply:  "No!"  

And I sent the following scripture and several other scriptures to her.

Romans 1:26-28  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:

27 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.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

(I sent to her scriptures from both Old and New Testaments and told her, "This is God's view of homosexuals and lesbians and I support God's view of homosexuals and lesbians.")

This woman has not come to my house to "visit" since I responded to her.

If the unbeliever depart, let him depart.  

This is the best way I know to separate in peace from the unbeliever, speak God's truth on the subject at hand when you are with the unbeliever and the subject surfaces.

Also we keep ourselves from being deceived by thinking we can have "fellowship" in the spirit with them when one has the Spirit of God and the other has the spirit of the world and the spirit of the various church denominations.

It is the elect of God we are interested in identifying, for they have the Spirit of God as we do.

***

Do I support the churches where pastors perform wedding ceremonies between a divorced woman and a man?

I do not support these churches for Jesus said:  "Whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery."  

(Matthew 5:32  Jesus says:  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.)

***

Do I support churches where they teach the divorced woman that she can remarry?

"No."  Multiple scriptures show that the divorced woman who remarries while her husband is still living is an adulteress.

Romans 7:2-3  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

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.

I Corinthians 7:39  The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

Mark. 10:6-12  Jesus says:  But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.  7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;  8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

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

10 And in the house HIS disciples asked HIM again of the same matter.

11 And HE saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

***

  

I am a Christian.  I support the elect of God who are born again by the Holy Spirit of God,  those who live by the Bible, and those who demonstrate that they pray and follow the Holy Spirit of God and the Holy Scriptures.

Paul said concerning those who show a form of godliness but deny the power of God, just turn away from such.  That is what I do when I encounter such persons.  (2 Timothy 3:5)  

But if I do encounter them, I speak as the door opens in the conversation to speak, I speak the word of God to them.

***

Many people love their church buildings and their pastors and their stained glass windows and their choirs but they do not love the Word of God.  By their actions we see they are not of God though they love the religious trappings.  I do not support these persons. 

***

I support the elect of God and live in peace and fellowship with the elect of God. 

 

*****

I believe we must begin to distinguish between "the elect of God" and church goers, for these are not the same.  Many are church goers, putting themselves into the church by their own will.  The elect of God are those persons chosen by God to whom God has revealed HIS truth and they have the Holy Spirit living inside of them.

Notice these scriptures in the New Testament Bible where the term "elect" is used.

2 John 1:13  The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

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

Luke 18:7  And shall not God avenge HIS own elect, which cry day and night unto HIM, though HE bear long with them?

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

Mark 13:22  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

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

Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

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

2 John 1:1 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;

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom HE hath chosen, HE hath shortened the days.

Matthew 24:31 And HE 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.

Mark 13:27 And then shall HE send HIS angels, and shall gather together HIS elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

 

***

 

The elect of God are those who are chosen by God and God has revealed HIS truth to them, causing them to be born again by HIS Spirit and they are changed by God into new creatures immediately.

 

2 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.

Has this happened to you?

Only God can do this.

(I suggest you fall down before God asking God to please have mercy on you if you have not had this experience with God.)

 

 

💥💥💥💥💥 

💥 Scriptures:

 

James 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love HIM.

 

 ***

 

Psalm 3:1-3  Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

 

2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

 

3 But THOU, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

 

***

1 John 4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent HIS only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through HIM.

 

***

 

Psalm 27:14  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

 

  

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Colossians 3 (Reading through Bible)

 

 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

⁵ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

⁶ For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

⁷ In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

⁸ But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

⁹ Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
¹⁰ And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of HIM that created him:
¹¹ Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ (the Word) is all, and in all.

¹² Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

¹³ Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

 (Thanking God is a great weapon of spiritual warfare.  When we begin to feel down, if we begin to thank God for that which we are grateful, devils flee from us.)

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
²¹ Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
²² Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

²⁵ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 When we encounter problems and turn to God, HE helps us

Pam Padgett, member of the body of Christ 

 

Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

A few months ago during a routine dental cleaning, a dentist told me there was decay under a bridge in my mouth and that the bridge would need to be removed, the decay removed, and another bridge made. This was the first time I had seen that dentist. A few days later, he filled a small cavity in another tooth, and that procedure was so painful that I didn't want him to do the extensive work needed for the bridge.

So I prayed and asked God to help me find a dentist to do this work. I landed up going to 3 other dentists for consultations about the bridge. With each of them, it was like my eyes were opened to a problem ... except the 3rd dentist and I scheduled an appointment for him to do this work.

The appointment to have the bridge and decay removed was earlier this week.  For several days before the appointment, I kept feeling this was going to be a major amount of work, more than anticipated, and had prayed many times over the appointment. I wasn't led to cancel the appointment, but it was strongly in my heart to pray for this dentist, asking God to give the dentist wisdom and skill as he worked in my mouth, and that the dentist would do everything needed but nothing that was not needed.

I very much liked the way this dentist worked. He told me to let him know if I felt anything, that he didn't want there to be any pain at all. I feel the same way!

It turned out that the decay was far more extensive than x-rays had shown, and he had to do a lot more work than initially thought. He explained to me what he had found and needed to do, then continued working calmly and patiently, not rushing, and quietly hummed as he worked. And it wasn't painful to me.

As he worked, I was reminded of how I had felt this was going to be a major procedure and had been led to pray for the dentist. I have no doubt this was from the Holy Spirit and it comforted me to know this.

Also, the decay was so extensive that that tooth can no longer be used to support a new bridge. The dentist was able to secure a temporary bridge and gave some options for how to proceed for a permanent solution. (Each option has pro's and con's which he discussed.)

So I've been praying, asking God for wisdom in making this decision.

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

 

I'm so thankful we can turn to God when various problems of this life come up, knowing HE knows the best way for us to go and is able to communicate that to us.  

 

 

 💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Podcast: The role of the elect of God as we wait for the coming of Jesus

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on April 25, 2022) 

 

This world today is active and violent in trying to accomplish their purposes, none of which have anything to do with us, the elect of God, as we wait for Jesus to return.

The apostate churches are big and powerful looking, but their power is of man and not of God.

The elect of God, those individuals to whom God has revealed HIMSELF, do not seem to have any power when it comes to the world or to the apostate churches.  But our hope is in God!  God is power. 

The apostle Peter told us what we are to be diligent to do as we wait for the return of Jesus.

2 Peter 3:14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Being in peace does not in any way mean we support the apostate churches today, nor do we support the works of the world which go against that which we read in the Bible.  If we try to appease either the world or the apostate churches, we will be in danger of going down with them at the judgment of Christ.

When they try to come among us as they speak contrary doctrines and tell of their many "good" works, we simply remain steadfast in the upholding of doctrines of the Bible and I have found they no longer want to come "visit" with me and they don't want personal conversations with me so I remain waiting in peace, untroubled by them.

Many times I have sent the word of God to various church goers, Catholics, Church of Christ, Baptists, non-denominational ... and they have stayed away from me en-mass. (continuing in their denominations)  while I continue in the peace of the word given me by God, continuing to exhort the elect of God through Internet by blog and Podcasts.

Recently there was a brief moment of attempted communication between me and a Catholic woman.  But a great wall seems to exist keeping us from fleshly "fellowship" that we might have pursued, left to our own devices.  God spared me!  She said, "I'll call you this weekend."  I called on God asking HIM to "help me".  There was no phone call that weekend.

Our flesh does get stirred up as we desire to renew communications with them, but how can light fellowship with darkness?  It is not possible.

Only when we are truly one Spirit are we able to fellowship as the elect of God.

When we are the elect of God, born again, and they are the church goers, there is a great gulf between us.

Amos 3:3   Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

So we continue our wait for the return of Jesus speaking to the elect of God.

It seems important at this point in time for us to differentiate between the elect of God and the church goers.

Jesus is coming to gather the elect of God to HIMSELF.

Matthew 24:30-31  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And HE 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.

If the church goers become born again by the Spirit of God, then we are one Spirit with them and we are all the elect as we await for Jesus, and in some individual cases this could happen.  But I doubt this will happen with entire church groups.

The elect will never be able to share with the church goers because we are different spirits, although we will speak as led by the Holy Spirit given the opportunity to speak.  (After I speak I see them withdraw.)

We cannot pretend to have fellowship with this world or with the church goers who do not have the Spirit of God else we are continually troubled by them.

Light and darkness cannot co-exist.

But we can be at peace away from them, putting our trust in God.

2 Corinthians 6

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be MY people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 

💥💥💥💥💥