Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Romans 8
16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with HIM, that we may be also glorified together.
We suffer "with HIM" each time we see someone going opposite to the way of God.
When a man takes a job to get more money to give his family a better life, we suffer, knowing the love of money is the root of all evil. II Tim. 3
We suffer when a man is going to divorce a faithful wife, for Jesus said that man will be the cause of her adultery if she remarries. Mt. 5:32
We suffer when we hear someone speak ill of the word of God and mock the word of God, thinking himself to be wise. For we know the whole world walks in darkness, and light and life are in the Word by HIS Spirit.
We suffer when man does something and thinks himself wise, for we know that all wisdom comes from God and if we are wise it is because God enabled us to be wise.
Each time we suffer these ways, we suffer for the sake of the Word of God.
In each suffering, we are restored by the Spirit of God bringing to our attention the right way that we can rejoice in the Word.
When I think of rejoicing in the WORD, I think of the following examples:
* When a woman sent me a Birthday Card where she told me of all her activities with husband, daughter, grandson, The Holy Spirit called to my attention immediately THE WORD as follows:
"You are dead and your life is hid with God in Christ." Col. 3
I shouted, "That's right!" (I have no husband, daughter, grandson ... it appears to others that I have no life ... But my life is hid with Christ and when HE appears my life will appear with HIM.)
* When a young man called the Bible "legalistic", the Holy Spirit rose up in me to give the truth as follows:
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Mt. 7:13-14
The world hates the Bible, for the world desires freedom to sin, and to be approved by other in their sins.
This was the case in the days of Noah as Noah was building the ark. This was the case in Sodom and Gomorrah in the days of Lot. And this is the case today.
The word gives us God's way, freedom from sin.
We rejoice in that.
The more abundant life, is not a life of sin. That life is death and destruction.
The more abundant life is the life given us by God through HIS Word by HIS Spirit.
Jn. 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.
The Word (Jesus) comes to us to give us life ... Life is in HIM ... and as we choose to follow HIM, believing that Word given us, we then enter into a more abundant life as we live on this present earth.
For example: Is it better to seek after goods of this earth or to be content with that which we have?
I Tim. 6
6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
The flesh craves excitement. And there is a temporary excitement over new things. But does it really make your life on this earth better? Or have you just fallen into a manufacture's trap?
I John 2
15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
The more abundant life, is not a life of sin. That life is death and destruction.
The more abundant life is the life given us by God through HIS Word by HIS Spirit.
Jn. 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.
The Word (Jesus) comes to us to give us life ... Life is in HIM ... and as we choose to follow HIM, believing that Word given us, we then enter into a more abundant life as we live on this present earth.
For example: Is it better to seek after goods of this earth or to be content with that which we have?
I Tim. 6
6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
The flesh craves excitement. And there is a temporary excitement over new things. But does it really make your life on this earth better? Or have you just fallen into a manufacture's trap?
I John 2
15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.