💥 Podcast: They served their idols which were a snare to them (Psalm 106:36)

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on June 30, 2021) 

 

There are many church goers who worship various idols today.

Some church goers pray to dead people.  They think dead people watch over them and protect them.

Jesus tells us dead people are asleep.

Dead people cannot watch over anyone who is living nor do dead people answer prayers.

John 11:1  Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped HIS feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

3 Therefore his sisters sent unto HIM, saying, Lord, behold, he whom THOU lovest is sick.

4 When Jesus heard that, HE said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6 When HE had heard therefore that he was sick, HE abode two days still in the same place where HE was.

11 Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

12 Then said HIS disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that HE had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

God answers our prayers when we pray according to the will of God.

I John 5:14-15   And this is the confidence that we have in HIM, that, if we ask any thing according to HIS will, HE heareth us:  And if we know that HE hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM.

Many church goers worship their church buildings, and their preachers, and their stained glass windows, and their choirs ...  but they do not worship the word of God:

2 Timothy 3:1; 5   This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come ... 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The building is not the church.  We who are born of the Spirit of God are the church.

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

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

Some church goers make days of the week and other things into idols:   Christmas, Easter, lighting of candles, water which they call "holy", mother's day and such.

There are church goers who put objects in religion thinking these objects have certain powers:  rosaries, medallions by whom they pray to dead people, candles.

Check the New Testament Bible, for if the object of worship is not described in the NT Bible, then you are worshiping an idol.

Psalm 106:36   They served their idols which were a snare to them.

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💥 Scriptures:

 

Lamentations 3:22  It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because HIS compassions fail not.

 

***

 

Psalm 37:5-6  Commit thy way unto The Lord; trust also in HIM; and HE shall bring it to pass.

 

6 And HE shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

 

***

Proverbs 23:17-18  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.

 

18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

 

***

 

Psalm 33:8-9  Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of HIM. 

 

9 For HE spake, and it was; HE commanded, and it stood fast.

 

*** 

 

James 1:2-4  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

 

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

 

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 

 

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💥 Galatians 2 (Reading through Bible)

 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

² And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

³ But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: ⁴ And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
⁵ To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

⁶ But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
⁷ But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
⁸ (For HE that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
⁹ And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

¹⁰ Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

¹¹ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

¹² For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
¹³ And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

¹⁴ But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

¹⁵ We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

¹⁶ Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

¹⁷ But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

¹⁸ For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

¹⁹ For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

²⁰ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

²¹ I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

(You wouldn't need Christ or even God if you could save yourself by your own works.)

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💥 Podcast: They were mingled among the heathen and learned their works (Psalm 106:35)

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on July 1, 2021) 

 

When we are born again, God changes us to a new creature.  We are not like we once were.  We often do not want to do those things we once did.  Most of us who have been born again now want to read the Bible.  We also want to be with other Christians who are believers and try to do the Word of God.  We are very different after we are born again.

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.

In the Old Testament, God gave the people this instruction:

Numbers 33:50-53  And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,  Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan;  Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:  And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it.

55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

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.

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💥 Scriptures:

 

Psalms 119:90  THY faithfulness is unto all generations: THOU hast established the earth, and it abideth.

 

***

 

Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; WHO for the joy that was set before HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

***

Proverbs 27:18  Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

 

***

 

Proverbs 27:1  Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

 

*** 

 

2Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

 

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💥 Galatians 1 (Reading through Bible)

 

 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead;)

² And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

³ Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
⁴ Who gave Himself for our sins, that HE might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
⁵ To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

⁶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from HIM that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

⁷ Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

⁸ But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

⁹ As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

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

¹¹ But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

¹² For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

¹³ For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: ¹⁴ And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

¹⁵ But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace,
¹⁶ To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

¹⁷ Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

¹⁹ But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

²⁰ Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
²¹ Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
²² And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
²³ But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

²⁴ And they glorified God in me.

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💥 Podcast: They soon forgot HIS works; they waited not for HIS counsel (Psalm 106:13)

 

 

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

 

Here are several mistakes made by the people in the Old Testament as they went through the wilderness.

I Corinthians 10:6-11  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

(murmur means:  to complain, especially a continual complaining under your breathe)

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.

Psalm 106

13 They soon forgat HIS works; they waited not for HIS counsel:

14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

15 And HE gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

16 They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD.

17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

18 And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.

19 They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.

20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.

21 They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;

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💥 Scriptures:

 

Proverbs 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

 ***

 

1 John 4:15  Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

***

Matthew 5:4-6  (Jesus says) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

 

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

 

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

 

***

Proverbs 12:28  In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

 

***

 

Proverbs 8:20  (Wisdom from God says) I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 

 

21 That I may cause those that love ME to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

 

*** 

 

 1 Samuel 15:22  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

 

***

 

Philippians 3:13-14  Paul said: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

***

 

Lamentations 3:21-23  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

 

22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because HIS compassions fail not.

 

23 They are new every morning: great is THY faithfulness.  

 

   

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💥 II Corinthians 13 (Reading through Bible)

 

 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

(The 3 witnesses given to them were by Paul ... You do not need 3 different people witnessing the truth on a matter.  But if the Holy Spirit rises up with the truth 3 times, Paul is saying  every word shall be established.)

² I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

³ Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

⁴ For though He was crucified through weakness, yet He liveth by the power of God.

For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

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?

⁶ But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

⁷ Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

⁸ For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

⁹ For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

¹⁰ Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

(Paul would correct them unless they corrected themselves.)

¹¹ Finally, brethren, farewell.

Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

(We are "perfect" when we obey scripture and the Word of God correctly by the Spirit of God.)

¹² Greet one another with an holy kiss.

¹³ All the saints salute you.

¹⁴ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

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💥 Standing on the promises

(Click play symbol, > ... to start music)  

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1.  Standing on the promises of Christ my King, 
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Chorus:

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.


2.   Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

3.  Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.

4.  Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

5.  Standing on the promises I shall not fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

==
 
Music for this hymn downloaded at:  hymnal.net

*****

The following scripture pertains to this hymn:

Joshua 1:5   I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Matthew 28:20   lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.


***

v. 2   By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

The living word is that word that comes down to us from heaven.  It is put into our mind by God by HIS Spirit, by the Spirit of Jesus.  By this "living word" we know what to do.

John 6   Jesus says:

32-33   My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is HE which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

48-51   I (The Word) am that bread of life.  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven:

Jesus, The Word, is the Word that comes down from heaven.  The living word of God is the word spoken to us by the Spirit of God.  By His Spirit, God will bring to our mind ideas that show us what to do, or scriptures which show us what to do.  And when it is that Word of God, it will never fail.  We can put our trust in what we have heard from God by His Spirit.   

The living word of God is just exactly that, living, because it pertains to the exact subject we are dealing with at that moment in time. 

We can hunt for a scripture and fail. Or we can try to figure out what to do and fail. 

But we will not fail when it is the Holy Spirit bringing the concept or a scripture to our mind to guide us in the matter at hand. 

***

Here are promises from Jesus concerning the work the Holy Spirit will do for us.

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

John 16:13    Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself (of His own thinking); but whatsoever He shall hear (from God), that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.


4 things the Holy Spirit does for the believer:

- HE teaches us all things. (secular and spiritual)
- HE reminds us of all Jesus has said to us through scripture, dreams, concepts
- HE guides us into all truth.  (often one thing at a time ... you do the first thing ... then a second idea comes and you do that ... on until the matter is resolved)
- HE shows us things to come.  (often by dreams ... sometimes by just knowing)


***

v. 3   Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,  

We are freed every time we have a word from God brought to our mind by His Spirit, and when we believe and act on that word in the midst of the trial or temptation.     


***

v. 4   Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

God speaks to each of His children by His Spirit which lives inside each child.  The Holy Spirit brings thoughts from God to our minds to show us the way of God and the will of God as we live on this earth.

We overcome the trials and temptations of this present earth as we hear from the Holy Spirit daily, and take appropriate action to the instruction given by the Spirit.

You do have to be careful.  For the devil will try to imitate God and bring thoughts to your mind which are opposite to the way God wants you to go.  And often our own fleshly preferences will bring thoughts to us which seem good to us, but are opposite to the way God wants us to go. 

James 3:14-16   ... But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

So if that is the case, you must repent and pray for God to correct your own heart.  For you will not likely to be able to hear correctly until you are corrected.

Otherwise:  Prove all things by prayer and Bible.  If you will ask God to confirm the way to go and to make it clear to you which thought is HIS, and if you will take time before you act, it will be made clear to you which thought is from God.  Also in the Bible we have a scripture which tells us how to recognize the wisdom that is from God.

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

***

v. 5   List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,

Once we have established that a thought is from God, we must focus on that thought and rest in that word that we have heard from God concerning the matter at hand after doing that instruction in an appropriate way.  Often, we have to keep that word before us day and night to be strong enough to continue in that direction.  

Joshua 1:8-9   This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 

Have not I commanded thee? 

(When God brings a word to our mind by HIS Spirit or when a scripture is made to stand out to us, that is God "commanding" us and we think on that word, taking action when needed, according to that word.)

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

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💥 Podcast: HIS truth shall be thy shield and buckler (Psalm 91)

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on July 28, 2021) 

 

The apostle Paul tells us not to live as the pagans live.  When someone dies, Paul urges us to sorrow not as those persons who have no hope.  Instead believe in the resurrection of the dead in Christ.  And show that truth.

I Thessalonians 4:13-17   But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with HIM.

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

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.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Why do we meet them in the air?

This present heaven and earth will be destroyed by God.  We will meet in the air for we will be taken to that new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.

II Peter 3:10-13 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.

Those who have been raised from the dead and those who have been raised from off this present earth meet Jesus in the air and are taken to that new heaven and new earth which is created by God for the saints of God, new Jerusalem.

Revelation 21:1-5    And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

***

I Corinthians 15:49-52  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

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💥 Scriptures:

 

Psalm 31:24  Be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

  

 ***

 

Proverbs 25:11  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

 

***

Jeremiah 17:7-8  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

 

8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

 

***

 

Ephesians 5:15-17  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

 

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

 

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

 

Circumspectly:      

- careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences

- cautious, watchful and discreet, prudent

 

*** 

 

Psalm 56:9-11  When I cry unto THEE, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

 

10 In God will I praise HIS word: in the LORD will I praise HIS word.

 

11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

 

 

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💥 II Corinthians 12 (Reading through the Bible)

 

 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

² I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
³ And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
⁴ How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

(JB ... This type of thing happened to me shortly after I was born again in 1975.  I was asleep in the night and I was "transported" into heaven.  I was with God, with Jesus, with Holy  Spirit.  I saw no physical images.  It was an experience in the spirit.  At that time I was "merged" into the body of Jesus, made one with the word of God, God and Holy Spirit witnessing.  A few nights later, the same thing happened again.  I believe this had to do with the 2 ministry offices, apostle/prophet, to which I am assigned by God ... also It gave me a very strong anointing in handling Bible, strictly for the purpose God had for me to do on this earth... no credit to myself... just the will of God for me.)

^{II Corinthians 12:5} Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

⁶ For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

⁸ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

⁹ And HE said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

¹¹ I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

¹² Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

¹³ For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

¹⁴ Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

¹⁵ And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

¹⁶ But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

¹⁷ Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
¹⁸ I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

¹⁹ Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

(edify:  to build you up in the word of God and in the ways of God.)

²⁰ For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

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

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