II Peter 2:20-22 A warning:
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
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None of us can return to our past way of life. If we do, Peter says the end will be worse for us than the beginning.
- If you have been wise in your own eyes, failing to call on God for wisdom, to go back to past ways will be deadly. We must go forward in God's wisdom.
- If you worry and fret over tomorrow, instead of turning to God in prayer and depending on God to give you HIS wisdom, you fail to put your faith in God and are trying to trust in yourself to figure tomorrow out. This will be deadly for you and will separate you from the body of Christ for they are those who trust in God and not in themselves.
- If you worry and fret over tomorrow, instead of turning to God in prayer and depending on God to give you HIS wisdom, you fail to put your faith in God and are trying to trust in yourself to figure tomorrow out. This will be deadly for you and will separate you from the body of Christ for they are those who trust in God and not in themselves.
- If you have been a drunkard, you must not return to drunkenness.
- If you were a fornicator or adulterer, you must not return to these sins.
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I Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (homosexuals), nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
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Hebrews 10:26-31 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.
And again, The Lord shall judge His people.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
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Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in The Lord with all thine heart, lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him and HE shall direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him and HE shall direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
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Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Although I've been writing exhortations for the church for many years, and even though God has given me spiritual gift of exhortation, I still (usually) pray before writing, asking God for wisdom, how to write the exhortation.
I'm very aware there are several different ways an exhortation could be written. I want to write the way God wants it written.
Concerning spiritual gifts ...
Romans 12:6-8 ... Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry (serving), let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
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Juliett Walton ... Member of body of Christ
Recently I changed my healthcare provider. I was waiting for the package with detailed information on what is covered. I also needed a prescription refilled. The information I had was limited. I made several calls to my doctor's office and to the new provider to verify if my prescription could be filled.
The information I needed came in the mail today. I made another call concerning my prescription. Shortly after this,I got a call to let me know that my doctor had approved my prescription with new provider. Before this I was thinking that I made a mistake and should have stayed with the old provider. Today I got a letter from my new provider with the plan that I am in. I found it on the internet. The plan seems to be OK.
I thank God for the information that came in the mail today and also for the response from doctor's office.
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Cathy Varner ... Member of body of Christ
A few days ago my husband was running errands before work (he works nights) in a neighboring town. I asked him to buy a certain item, giving specific details, and saw in the morning that he’d bought the wrong kind.
I started to get irritated, but prayed, asking God to help me not to fret over this, that the receipt could be found and I’d be able to make an exchange at the same type store he’d bought it at but that is closer to where we live.
Though this seemed like such a minor thing, I thought I should pray about it ... since Joe was sleeping and I thought I’d have to check his pants pockets for the receipt, which would likely be laying by his side of the bed, should I wait til he woke up, so I wouldn’t disturb him.
Soon after this, I looked up and saw his wallet on a living room shelf where he often puts it. I hadn’t even thought of that. I looked inside and there were several receipts, including the one I needed.
So I went ahead and took it to the store near us and made the exchange, before Joe woke up, and the anger was gone.
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Pam Padgett ... Member of body of Christ
Tuesday night I received an email from CreateSpace saying that the documentation we provided showing that I was authorized to published the new ministry book on Joan's behalf was not sufficient.
After reading this I wanted to send a response right away. But I could tell this was my flesh trying to rise up, wanting to lash out in my response, wanting to strive.
I began crying out to God, asking HIM to help me keep my flesh under control.
The concept that I didn't need to respond right away was given to me.
This helped me step back from doing anything in response to CreateSpace right then, and instead to ask God to show me what to do about publishing a paperback version of the book.
The next day as I continued praying about how to get the book published, it became clear to publish the book on KDP, another area of amazon where Joan has an account. By late that afternoon the paperback version of the book was again available on Amazon.
The following day it was in my heart to respond to the CreateSpace people, but in a totally different way. I no longer wanted to lash out or strive with them, but to just peacefully wrap up this matter. I prayed for God to lead me in this.
I told them that we've moved this book to KDP so that they would know they don't need to be concerned about this any more, and also asked if they would take care of removing this book from CreateSpace.
I was so focused on getting the book published on KDP that I had forgotten about my flesh initially trying to rise up so strongly. But seeing how different I am now, I remembered this.
God helped me wonderfully in keeping my flesh under control.
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Barbara Preston ... Member of body of Christ
Earlier today my husband said he needed to go to Lowe’s to buy something. I wanted to make some bean soup in my slow cooker tomorrow so I needed to go to the grocery store to buy the ingredients that I didn’t already have plus some other things. There’s a grocery store across the street from Lowe’s that I frequently go to so we went together.
One thing I wanted was some ham to put in the soup. A while back I found a particular brand of ham which we both like and is available in the right size for the amount of soup I make.
I had prayed before I got to the store that I would be able to find it there. I thought I remembered buying it there once before.
There was plenty of ham at the store I was at today but not what I was looking for. Sometimes I have bought ham for soup and it tastes too strong for me or has a texture I don’t like and then I end up not liking the soup so I wanted to stay with the product I liked.
Both of us like the soup better with this ham in it, but since I wasn’t able to find it today, I decided to just make it without any ham this time.
But right after we left the store, I was reminded of another grocery store that is about 3 miles up the highway. I asked my husband if we could go there (I thought he was in a hurry to get home). He said, "Okay".
I went to the meat dept. and found exactly what I was looking for.
By reminding me of this other store, God had a way to work this out better than I had thought.
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Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Sunday morning, I awoke at 9:30 ... even before getting out of bed I checked Kindle emails.
There was a email from Betsy (bridge center) telling me Betty had been found on floor unconscious and had been taken to hospital.
Betty is 86-years-old and was director at Bridge Center when I was there. I had taken several copies of writing to her during those years and Betty said to me, "I like everything you write."
Betty's grandfather was a Baptist preacher.
I felt very connected in Spirit to Betty.
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Betsy didn't know which hospital Betty was in.
Betsy said if Betty was in ICU they probably wouldn't let me in.
I said to Betsy, "I am an ordained minister of Jesus Christ and they might let me in."
This is the first time I've ever told that to anyone at Bridge Center.
Betsy said, "Oh, I forgot about that. They probably will let you in."
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I called the hospital I thought Betty was most likely in. I identified myself as an ordained minister.
The person who answered the phone at hospital confirmed Betty was there and gave me the room number.
I needed to know if Betty was conscious, for it would do no good for me to go there if she was unconscious.
The operator connected me with the nurses station.
After telling her I needed to know if Betty was conscious, she connected me with the nurses station on the floor where Betty was. I explain to this nurse I needed to know if Betty was conscious so I could deliver some Bible to her which would give Betty peace if she was going to die.
Each person I spoke with at hospital was extremely nice.
I also explained I am partially crippled and it might be difficult for me to get to the room. I was then told they have Valet Parking.
I found Valet Parking but since it was Sunday they were closed.
I found a very big parking complex which connected to hospital by a walk way across the adjacent street. I found a parking place on the first floor and walked to elevators and went to 5th floor, since Betty was in 501.
At fifth floor, it opened onto a dead end parking garage hallway.
I got back on elevator and went back to first floor ... I said to God, "I need help."
Since it was Sunday morning, I hadn't even seen any person I could ask about how to get into the actual hospital.
When the elevator reached first floor and the door was opened, there was a woman standing there waiting to get on elevator. She was carrying a brief case and was very well dressed. When I told her what I was wanting, she quickly replied, "I'll take you to that hospital area and room." (It was a very big hospital, actually several hospitals.)
I was walking with a cane.
I told her I am a minister of Jesus Christ and was trying to get to Betty to tell her what the Bible says happens to us when we die so Betty could be in peace about dying.
The second I mentioned "BIBLE", this woman lit up. I could tell she loved the Bible.
She took me to the wing of the hospital where Betty was. It was a long walk.
I had a canvas tote bag and had placed our newest book, "Preparing Yourself for the Return of Jesus," in that bag. I was planning to give it to Betty so she would have something to read while in hospital.
But the more I talked to this hospital administrator, the more I felt she loved the Bible and might want to read this book, so I showed her the book and asked her if she would like to have the book.
She excitedly said, "OH, yes!"
(I gave the book to the hospital administrator.)
Before we reached the room where Betty was, I told this hospital administrator that I didn't know if I could find my way back to my car ... also the pain in my leg had begun to surface. I asked the administrator if anyone could take me back to my car in a wheelchair.
She replied, "Absolutely!"
She got me to Betty's room and she went straight to nurses station and brought a young man to Betty's room and as he was standing there she told me he would take me to my car when I finished talking with Betty.
(This hospital administer had great authority.)
I asked the young man if he could connect my Kindle to hospital Wi-Fi so I could get to Bible.
He said he could ... and he did.
(He also told me he was sure he could find a paper Bible for me to use if I couldn't get to my internet Bible. I checked while he was standing there and I was able to connect and pull up Bible on Kindle. I later learned I had already downloaded Bible so didn't need internet.)
Betty was conscious and recognized me.
I quickly told her I had some Bible to share with her and she really needed to know these things in Bible for they would help her.
I explained to Betty what death is ... how it is simply falling asleep. When we go to sleep and awaken the next day, we can't imagine where all the time went as we slept.
I read the following to Betty.
Concerning the death of Lazarus.
John 11 ... 1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha... 11-13 These things said HE (Jesus): and after that HE saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
Then said His disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that HE had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that HE had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
(Now Jesus shows that death is simply like falling asleep.)
Jesus then raised Lazarus from the dead.
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Then I read the following scripture to Betty ... telling Betty what happens to the believer in Jesus after he dies, according to the Bible.
I Thessalonians 4:13-15 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.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.
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 (precede) them which are asleep (dead).
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.
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 (precede) them which are asleep (dead).
(Not all will have died before Jesus returns. Some will still be alive when Jesus returns but the dead in Christ will be raised first then those who believe in Jesus and are still alive will be raised.)
I Thessalonians 4:16-17 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:
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.
This present heaven and earth will be destroyed by God.
II 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.
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
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?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
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?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.
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So I told Betty that we, who believe in Jesus, do not have to fear death ... death is like sleeping ... When Jesus returns, HE will raise us from the dead.
At that time, we will be given new "spiritual" bodies ... We will not have the physical bodies we now have for these fleshly bodies we now have will be changed into spiritual bodies at the blink of an eye ... with the flesh gone, we will no longer have physical pain nor sorrow nor death for it is the physical body that causes us to have these problems.
The apostle Paul explains in Bible that we will be changed into spiritual bodies.
I Corinthians 15:50-52 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed,
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.
At that time, we will be given new "spiritual" bodies ... We will not have the physical bodies we now have for these fleshly bodies we now have will be changed into spiritual bodies at the blink of an eye ... with the flesh gone, we will no longer have physical pain nor sorrow nor death for it is the physical body that causes us to have these problems.
The apostle Paul explains in Bible that we will be changed into spiritual bodies.
I Corinthians 15:50-52 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed,
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.
(Blink ... that is how fast we will be changed into our new spiritual bodies.)
And God allowed the apostle John to see where we would be taken by Jesus ...
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.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
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.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
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.
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.
And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
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After telling Betty these things from Bible, I told her ... Therefore there is no reason for those who believe in Jesus to fear death!
Death is simply a falling asleep.
When Jesus returns, HE will awaken the dead and give them their new "spiritual" bodies and take them to heaven to dwell with God forever in the new heaven and the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Betty was amazed ... she didn't know these things from Bible.
I then left her room. As the young man took me by wheelchair to my car, I asked him the name of the wing where Betty was located.
He replied: ICU (intensive care unit)
I was shocked.
Not only did they let me into Betty's room, they let me stay and I completed all the scriptures from Bible to show Betty there was no need for a believer in Jesus to fear death!
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We encourage you to share with the body of Christ times God has helped you.
Send to:
joanboney37@gmail.com
Or to:
Jesus Ministries
9201 Genoa Ave.
Lubbock, TX 79424
USA
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