💥 Our help is from the Lord

 

Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

 

As we go through life on this earth, we come across various things in which we need help of some kind. Those of the world often fret and worry, trying to figure out what to do in their own wisdom.  Or they may turn to other people in an effort to know what to do.  

 

But those of us who belong to God do not need to live that way, for our help comes from the Lord.

 

Here are some recent examples of members in our church group encountering problems of some kind and God providing the needed help:

 

Barbara Preston, member of the body of Christ

1. We have a 6 month old puppy who is still not housebroken. It has been discouraging and frustrating so I turned to God recently on how to train him in the quickest way, and HE gave me the idea for my husband and me to take the puppy out more frequently during the day than we had been. 

 

We started doing this and saw an improvement on the first day!

***

2. This is kind of embarrassing but, recently I have been having a problem with constipation, mostly because I haven't been feeling well for a couple of months because of a physical problem and have not been active, much at all. Plus my appetite has decreased and I don't eat as much as I used to.
Nothing I tried, in the past, had worked very well.

 

So I asked God what I should do for this problem and I clearly heard ... Drink prune juice. 

 

I did this and it worked! 

 

(I am reminded of Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to HIS riches in glory by Christ Jesus.)

 

***

3. A while back I became extremely interested in politics which is full of hatred and lies and it was affecting me in a very ungodly way. I started hating people I didn't agree with and grieved over the things the men of this world were doing. I knew I had to get free from these things or I would be destroyed.

I repented, turned to God and asked HIM to please get me free from all this evil. I was afraid it would take a long time for God to do this because I was in such bad shape.

But I was so surprised at how quickly God freed me and I was able to turn my back on all of these evil things. I could never have done this for myself! 

 

I don't know how God did this so fast, but I am extremely grateful to be free and so thankful to HIM for HIS help and power working in my life, as it did. 

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Pam Padgett, member of the body of Christ

 

Although my driver's license was to expire before long, I had completely forgotten it.  But early one morning this week as I was talking with God about some others things, a very clear thought came from the Holy Spirit reminding me to renew my driver's license. 

 

That morning I set about to take care of this.  For the past few renewals, I was able to submit some information and pay a fee online to have the license renewed, so thought this would be a simple matter, taking only a few minutes. But when I tried to do that this time, I received a message that my picture was too old and I would need to go renew my license in person. Further, I saw that the office where I needed to go would be closed the following day. 

 

The day I was reminded to do this enabled me to go get this taken care of with no problem or delay, just days before the license expired. 

 

God helped me when I had no idea help was needed, and the timing was perfect.

 

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Sandra Chupik, member of the body of Christ

For the past couple of months the mouse to my computer was acting up. It was difficult to highlight things and after I did finally highlight something, the highlighting would go away when I lifted my finger. It was also difficult to drag an email from my junk folder to my inbox--it would take several tries before it moved. I changed the batteries and cleaned the bottom of the mouse, but those things didn't help. There was a lot of information on the internet, but I didn't understand most of it.

I asked God to get me to the right information on the internet. Soon after praying this, I had the idea to do a search on "have to press down hard for mouse to work" (until the Holy Spirit told me this I had not even realized that I had been pressing down harder and harder).  The answer was that the optical part is probably worn out which means you need to buy a new mouse. 

 

I did buy a new one and it moves smoothly and easily and has cleared up all the problems I was having.  

 

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Cathy Varner, member of the body of Christ

 

A few days ago I was driving down the road on my way to my son’s house and I began to hear a slight thumping sound. It didn’t concern me a lot, for sometimes my car will pick up a branch underneath and that will make a noise. The car didn’t seem to be lopsided, seemed to be driving ok, and the thumping wasn’t very loud. But I was wondering what was causing that and thought I’d check it out when I got gas soon.  I think I was praying for help.

I made it to the gas station, filled the tank, and was about to pull out of there, when I remembered about checking the noise. I pulled over and there was an air machine right there. I was horrified to see that the right rear tire was extremely low, almost totally flat. 

 

 I don’t know if I’ve ever used an air machine so I went inside and asked one of the clerks about it. I went back out, put money into the machine, but before I could even begin to hook it up to the tire, that clerk came out and did it for me. He kept trying, but the tire wasn’t getting any fuller. I kept praying for help.

When he took off the old tire, there was a huge gash. It couldn’t be patched, I would need a new one. He was able to get the spare on. I had been concerned that maybe he wouldn’t because it was taking so long to jack the car up. (Later my son told me that those do take a long time). 

 

This man was so kind. He even refused to take some money I offered. I was able to get to a place and buy a tire, which my husband put on the next morning.

I have been so thankful that I was where I was when this happened. And that God had reminded me to check the car before I pulled out of the gas station. I had completely forgotten about it! I could have been way out in the country somewhere. I was right there near a gas station, and God provided a person to give me the help I needed. 

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Beth Martin, member of the body of Christ

 

Last week my husband, David, had a thought that he was not going to wake up the next day. He did not tell me about it right away because he did not want to worry me. 

 

He began to talk to me about bank accounts, where important papers were, codes to open the safe .....When I asked him why he was doing this he told me about the thought. The second night he said , "Remember to call Bob about the taxes". 

 

I became very afraid. I prayed for God to keep my husband alive and to remove my fear. 

 

I was impressed with the thought, "no weapon formed against you shall prosper."  

 

I did check to make sure he was breathing that night. The fear did leave me.

 

Isaiah 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of ME, saith the Lord. 

 

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💥 Podcast: Ahab is killed in war

 

(This podcast was previously published on, December 25, 2021) 

 

I Kings 22

29 So the king of Israel (Ahab) and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.

30 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.

(Jehoshaphat wore his royal robes into battle.)

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31 But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel (Ahab).

32 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel (for HE was dressed in his kingly robes). And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.

33 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.

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34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he (Ahab) said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.

(This brings about a prophecy of God spoken against Ahab by Elijah:  I Kings 21:19)

36 And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.

37 So the king (Ahab) died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.

38 And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the Lord which HE spake.

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This fulfilled a prophecy of God spoken against Ahab by Elijah:

I Kings 21

17 And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.

19 And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? 

And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

(They brought Ahab's body to Samaria, and his chariot where Ahab had bled in battle, and they washed the blood from Ahab's chariot and the dogs licked Ahab's blood in the place where Ahab and Jezebel stole Naboth's vineyard and had Naboth killed.)

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💥 Scriptures shared by members of the body of Christ:

 

Proverbs 21:23  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. 

 

 ***

 

Matthew 16:24-26  Then said Jesus unto HIS disciples, If any man will come after ME, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow ME.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for MY sake shall find it.

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

 

*** 

 

James 3:13  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation (manner of life) his works with meekness of wisdom.

 

*** 

 

James 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

 

*** 

 

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

 

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💥 Acts 16 (Reading through the Bible)

 

Then came he (Paul) to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:   

² Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

³ Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

⁴ And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

(They presented and established the doctrines of Christ which were to be followed in the NT church.)

⁵ And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

***

⁶ Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

⁷ After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

⁸ And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

***

⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

¹⁰ And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

***

¹¹ Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

¹² And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

¹³ And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

¹⁴ And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

¹⁵ And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

 

***

¹⁶ And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

¹⁷ The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

(What she said was true but it was by the wrong spirit and it grieved Paul.)

¹⁸ And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

¹⁹ And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul (apostle/teacher) and Silas (prophet), and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, ²⁰ And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, ²¹ And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

²² And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their (Paul & Silas') clothes, and commanded to beat them.

²³ And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

²⁴ Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

²⁵ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

²⁶ And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

²⁷ And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

²⁸ But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

²⁹ Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

³⁰ And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

³¹ And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (The Word), and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

³² And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

³³ And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

³⁴ And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

 

***

³⁵ And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

³⁶ And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

³⁷ But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

³⁸ And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

³⁹ And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

⁴⁰ And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

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💥 Podcast: God plans the killing of Ahab the evil king of Israel

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

 

I Kings 22

1 And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.

2 And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel (to Ahab).

3 And the king of Israel (Ahab) said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?

4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? 

And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.

5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? 

And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

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7 And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of HIM?

8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. 

And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

9 Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.

10 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

(But these were not the prophets of God.)

11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.

12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king's hand.

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13 And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.

(He is saying to the prophet:  Don't speak the Word of the Lord but speak good words to the king.)

14 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.

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15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? 

And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

16 And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?

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Then Micaiah the prophet of God speaks to Ahab:

17 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.

18 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

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The prophet Micaiah says:

I Kings 22

19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: 

I saw the LORD sitting on HIS throne, and all the host of heaven standing by HIM on HIS right hand and on HIS left.

20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? 

And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.

22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? 

And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. 

And HE (God) said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

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24 But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?

25 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

26 And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;

27 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

28 And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.

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29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.  

(To war against the king of Syria)

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💥 Scriptures shared by members of the body of Christ:

 

Psalms 12:6  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 

 

 ***

 

Psalm 86:4-5  Rejoice the soul of THY servant: for unto THEE, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

5 For THOU, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon THEE.

 

 ***

 

Psalm 119:130  The entrance of THY Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

 

*** 

 

Psalm 20:7  Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (The Word)

 

*** 

 

2 Corinthians 6:14-18  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.

 

*** 

 

2 Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

 

 

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💥 Acts 15 (Reading through the BIble)

 

 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

² When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

(This is one of the main things the apostles do in the church ... set church doctrine ... establish church doctrine for the New Testament church.  )

³ And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

***

⁴ And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

⁵ But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

⁶ And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

***

⁷ And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

⁸ And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them (the Gentiles) witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us;

⁹ And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

¹⁰ Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

¹¹ But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

¹² Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

***

¹³ And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

¹⁴ Simeon (Peter) hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name.

¹⁵ And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, ¹⁶ After this I (The Word) will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I (The Word) will build again the ruins thereof, and I (The Word) will set it up:  ¹⁷ That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

¹⁸ Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.

(The apostle James then presents the ruling that will govern the doctrine in this matter for the NT church.)

¹⁹ Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

(The apostle James had the decision which would set the doctrine in the New Testament church for them to follow concerning circumcising the Gentiles ... the decision was not to circumcise the believing Gentiles.)

²⁰ But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

***

²² Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

²³ And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.

²⁴ Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, "Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law:"  to whom we gave no such commandment:

²⁵ It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶ Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (The Word).

²⁷ We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

²⁸ For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; ²⁹ That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

³⁰ So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

³¹ Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

***

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

³³ And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

³⁴ Notwithstanding it pleased Silas (a prophet to the NT church) to abide there still.

³⁵ Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

***

³⁶ And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

³⁷ And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

³⁸ But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

³⁹ And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;  ⁴⁰ And Paul chose Silas (a prophet), and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

⁴¹ And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

(Confirming the churches in the doctrine of Christ, THE Word of God.)

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Comments by Joan Boney:

By prophecy, God told me:  I have ordained you and called you as an apostle.

I was very shocked.  I had no idea what this meant.  I asked Bible teacher at our church what the apostles do in NT church.  He didn't know.  

Then I asked God about apostles and what they do today in the church today.

God took me to this section of scripture, Acts 15, to show me how HE anoints apostles concerning the doctrine of Christ for the NT church and gives rulings concerning doctrine to the NT apostles for the church.

***

 NT apostles consider the issues, consider the Bible, are guided by the Holy Spirit to the ruling on the doctrines.  And when fully persuaded, state the doctrine to the congregation.

***

For example:  Can women remarry after divorce?

(What do the scriptures say?)

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

(If the divorced woman remarries she will commit adultery.)

* 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.

(If wife does leave husband, she must remain unmarried or return to husband.)

*  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.  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.

*  Matthew 16:11-12   And HE (Jesus) saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

* Mark 10:6-9   Jesus says:  from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 

***

The churches today explain away these scriptures to permit women to divorce and remarry.

The explaining away of scripture allows antichrist (the opposite to Christ, the Word) to come inside the church and to rule, eliminating the real doctrine of Christ which is stated in the Holy Bible.

What do these scriptures say to the woman? 

- if your husband divorces you and you remarry, you commit adultery.

- do not leave your husband:  but if you do leave your husband you must remain unmarried or return to your husband.

- if you divorce your husband and marry another man, you commit adultery

***

NT apostles will redirect individuals to what the scriptures tell us by the Holy Spirit to restore our thinking to ways set by God HIMSELF.

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💥 Podcast: Great evils of Jezebel. Pronouncement of God brought against Ahab and Jezebel

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on, December 23, 2021) 

 

II Corinthians 5

9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of HIM.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;

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I Corinthians 10

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

We will be "rewarded" for that which we do on this earth, whether it be good or evil.

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I Kings 21

1 And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.

2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.

3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.

4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?

6 And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.

7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.

9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:

10 And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

11 And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.

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They killed Naboth and after he was dead Ahab, king of Israel, went to take possession of Naboth's vineyard.

I Kings 21

17 And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.

19 And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? 

And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

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20 And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?

And he (Elijah) answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.

21 Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,

22 And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked ME to anger, and made Israel to sin.

23 And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.

24 Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.

25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

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I Kings 21

26 And he (Ahab) did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

27 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

28 And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before ME? because he humbleth himself before ME, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.

 

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💥 Scriptures shared by members of the body of Christ:

 
Psalm 121:1-2  I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
 

2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 

 

 ***

 

I Corinthians 9:26-27  Paul said ... I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

 ***

 

Nahum 1:7  The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and HE knoweth them that trust in HIM.

 

*** 

 

2 Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

 

***

 

1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

***

 

Isaiah 40:8  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand forever.

 

 

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💥 Acts 14 (Reading through the BIble)

 

1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

² But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

³ Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

⁴ But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

*** 

 ⁵ And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,⁶ They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: ⁷ And there they preached the gospel.

(If they won't receive you as you share The Word, just go elsewhere.)

***

⁸ And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

⁹ The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and (Paul) perceiving that he had faith to be healed, ¹⁰ Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet.  And he leaped and walked.

¹¹ And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

¹² And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

¹³ Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

¹⁴ Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes (making themselves look as nothing in the flesh), and ran in among the people, crying out,

¹⁵ And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

¹⁶ Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

¹⁷ Nevertheless  HE left not HIMSELF without witness, in that HE did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

¹⁸ And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

¹⁹ And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

²⁰ Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

***

²¹ And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

²² Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

²³ And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

***

²⁴ And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

²⁵ And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

²⁶ And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

²⁷ And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how HE had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

²⁸ And there they abode long time with the disciples.

 

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💥 Watch and be ready for the return of Jesus

 

Pam Padgett, member of the body of Christ

 

Each day members of the body of Christ are welcome to send, by email, scriptures as led by the Holy Spirit, to be published on this blog.   These emails usually start coming early each day.  

 

But on Sunday, November 8, 2026, no emails were received by mid-afternoon.  This had never happened before and strongly caught my attention.  I checked that I was able to receive emails (I was).  

 

Then a thought came that perhaps Jesus had returned and other members of the body of Christ had been removed from the earth, but I had been left.  This was very sobering!

 

Shortly after this, emails began coming, which I was glad to see.

 

But this experience caused me to examine myself ... If Jesus returned at this moment, would I be ready?   

 

Several passages of scripture in the New Testament tell us to watch (I believe we need to watch ourselves, what is in our hearts, what we are doing and speaking) and to be ready for the return of Jesus.  

 

However, we can get involved in things of this life and may lose track of what is truly important.  

 

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Here are some scriptures we have been given in this regard, that we might review and check ourselves: 

 

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

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

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.

 

== 

 

Matthew 24:42-44  Jesus says:  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

 

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Matthew 25:1-13  Jesus spoke this parable for us:  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 

 

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Luke 12:35-40  Jesus says:  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

 

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Mark 13:28-37  Jesus spoke this parable for us:  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.

30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but MY words shall not pass away.

32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

36 Lest coming suddenly HE find you sleeping.

37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

 

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Luke 21:34-36  Jesus says:   And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

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I Thessalonians 5:1-9  Paul exhorted us:  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 

 

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I Peter 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

 

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Revelation 3:1-3  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith HE that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

 

 

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