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Many Promises of God for The NT Church
Lk. 21:33 ... Jesus says ... Heaven and earth shall pass
away: but MY words shall not pass away.
When we really understand God will destroy this current heaven and earth, surely we will be less fixed on this heaven and earth which God will destroy.
But that which God says by HIS Spirit, the Word, will not pass away. It will be forever, through all eternity. A very good investment. Like a field with great treasure which a man sells everything he has in order to obtain that field with all that treasure.
But that which God says by HIS Spirit, the Word, will not pass away. It will be forever, through all eternity. A very good investment. Like a field with great treasure which a man sells everything he has in order to obtain that field with all that treasure.
*****
Psa. 1:1-3 ... Blessed is the man that walketh
not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor
sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is
in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And
he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his
fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and
whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Why would we, who are of God, put our trust in the ungodly and what they say ... Why would we go in the "way" of sinners, doing what they do on this earth, thinking them important of our admiration ... and why would we want to be around scornful people who look down on others and think themselves to be more righteous than others.?
I want to be around the godly person ... that person who settles problems with God ... who trusts in God, not in me ...
I know it is the Word God gives me that is life and power and the way for me to go on this present earth.
I "fear" God ... knowing that if I choose to go in a way other than that shown me by God by HIS Spirit I risk everything, whereas I have a sure thing each time I go in the way God shows me, by HIS Word.
No matter what it looks like, I know God is right and HIS way is right and the way for me to go avoiding all other ways.
I want to be around the godly person ... that person who settles problems with God ... who trusts in God, not in me ...
I know it is the Word God gives me that is life and power and the way for me to go on this present earth.
I "fear" God ... knowing that if I choose to go in a way other than that shown me by God by HIS Spirit I risk everything, whereas I have a sure thing each time I go in the way God shows me, by HIS Word.
No matter what it looks like, I know God is right and HIS way is right and the way for me to go avoiding all other ways.
*****
Mt. 6:24-34 ... Jesus says ... Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Therefore I
say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what
ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put
on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls
of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet
your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of
you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye
thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil
not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his
glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass
of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he
not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take
no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal
shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all
these things.
But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you.
Take therefore
no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought
for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
To take a job for money ... to seek after jobs because you can get more money ... is the way of this world and is a very foolish way to go.
Instead learn to seek a job where you have a true interest in that type of work ... Pray, of course, for God to lead you to that job ... Get out of debt. Stay out of debt. Learn to live this way ... Many mistakes and sorrows take place when we allow ourselves to be controlled by money ... Sales feed the greedy ... Do not let money rule you. Jesus says we cannot serve God and money.
Concerning tomorrow and thoughts of tomorrow, learn to STOP and take each thought of what might happen tomorrow to God in prayer. Lay out before God all fears and doubts about tomorrow.
Basically we pray over tomorrow and act upon that which we are shown to do today.
Instead learn to seek a job where you have a true interest in that type of work ... Pray, of course, for God to lead you to that job ... Get out of debt. Stay out of debt. Learn to live this way ... Many mistakes and sorrows take place when we allow ourselves to be controlled by money ... Sales feed the greedy ... Do not let money rule you. Jesus says we cannot serve God and money.
Concerning tomorrow and thoughts of tomorrow, learn to STOP and take each thought of what might happen tomorrow to God in prayer. Lay out before God all fears and doubts about tomorrow.
Basically we pray over tomorrow and act upon that which we are shown to do today.
*****
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.
If it seems to be a weapon against you, know this: It will not prosper against you.
One time a man became angry with me and tried to get revenge by calling IRS and asking them to investigate me. IRS can be a very fearful thing to us in USA even when we are innocent.
I gave all my checks and records to the two agents and told them if there was a mistake it was simply an error done in ignorance and I would make it right.
They did not find any error.
But something wonderful to me did happen as a result of their investigation.
When we started the ministry in 1979, and set up all tax records with IRS, I declared what IRS called "a vow of poverty" so the ministry would not have to pay social security taxes for me. We didn't have any money when we started out. I was told I could never receive social security benefits if I signed this vow but I did sign it. The IRS agents said somehow that "vow" did not get filed with IRS so if I would like to buy back into the social security program, I could do so. I did want to do this since now we had money.
About 10-15 years later, I fell over a box. During surgery a bone in my leg shattered. I had to spend a month in a rehab hospital. But I had Social Security/Medicare which covered these enormous medical expenses ... thanks to that IRS investigation filed as a weapon against me.
Like the story of Joseph, as he said to his brothers who did evil against him ... You meant it for evil but God turned it for good.
One time a man became angry with me and tried to get revenge by calling IRS and asking them to investigate me. IRS can be a very fearful thing to us in USA even when we are innocent.
I gave all my checks and records to the two agents and told them if there was a mistake it was simply an error done in ignorance and I would make it right.
They did not find any error.
But something wonderful to me did happen as a result of their investigation.
When we started the ministry in 1979, and set up all tax records with IRS, I declared what IRS called "a vow of poverty" so the ministry would not have to pay social security taxes for me. We didn't have any money when we started out. I was told I could never receive social security benefits if I signed this vow but I did sign it. The IRS agents said somehow that "vow" did not get filed with IRS so if I would like to buy back into the social security program, I could do so. I did want to do this since now we had money.
About 10-15 years later, I fell over a box. During surgery a bone in my leg shattered. I had to spend a month in a rehab hospital. But I had Social Security/Medicare which covered these enormous medical expenses ... thanks to that IRS investigation filed as a weapon against me.
Like the story of Joseph, as he said to his brothers who did evil against him ... You meant it for evil but God turned it for good.
*****
Heb. 8:10-12 ... For this is the covenant that I
will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their
hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And
they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother,
saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know ME, from the least to the greatest.
For
I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their
iniquities will I remember no more.
The second God reveals HIMSELF to us causing us to be born again, all past sins are wiped out! We are instantly new creations.
We go forward growing in Christ, trying to do the will of God by the plan of God in the matters pertaining to this present life. As long as God leaves us on this earth, we are recreated in HIS image each time we do something according to HIS will and HIS way.
And God puts it into our heart to follow HIM.
We go forward growing in Christ, trying to do the will of God by the plan of God in the matters pertaining to this present life. As long as God leaves us on this earth, we are recreated in HIS image each time we do something according to HIS will and HIS way.
And God puts it into our heart to follow HIM.
*****
Heb. 13:5-6 ... Let your conversation be without
covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for HE hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
This is an enormous promise from God. It is also instruction which separates us from the thinking of this world and the way of other humans, freeing us from various traps and bondages of men.
We no longer have to "keep up with the Jones's nor even consider the Jonses."
It no longer matters what other people do for our influence is what God wants us to do.
We don't do such things as follow people to sales to get things. We know Jesus promises that God knows what we need and God will provide that for us as we "seek HIM", trying to do things that day that HE wants us to do.
(Have you ever noticed how people who buy things on sale can't resist telling about it ... thinking themselves wise.)
We learn to be content ... satisfied ... with what we have ... not planning for more ... this is "great gain", says the apostle Paul.
We rejoice in God's word.
That is our great treasure!
And we know God is our helper ... When we start to fear what man might do to us, we turn to God and know HE will help us.
We no longer have to "keep up with the Jones's nor even consider the Jonses."
It no longer matters what other people do for our influence is what God wants us to do.
We don't do such things as follow people to sales to get things. We know Jesus promises that God knows what we need and God will provide that for us as we "seek HIM", trying to do things that day that HE wants us to do.
(Have you ever noticed how people who buy things on sale can't resist telling about it ... thinking themselves wise.)
We learn to be content ... satisfied ... with what we have ... not planning for more ... this is "great gain", says the apostle Paul.
We rejoice in God's word.
That is our great treasure!
And we know God is our helper ... When we start to fear what man might do to us, we turn to God and know HE will help us.
*****
Isaiah 46:4 ... And even to your old age I am HE;
and even to hoar hairs (grey hair) will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will
deliver you.
The Holy Spirit in us does not grow old! HE is always there showing us what to do, teaching us all things. (Jn. 14:26 & Jn. 16:13)
As long as God choses to leave us on this earth, we will be helped by HIM.
The physical pain is temporary as is our body. And usually there is something God will show us to do to help in physical pain to ease the problem.
I found when we were revising the ministry books, I was so focused on scripture and writing and hearing what God wanted me to write, the physical pain diminished greatly!
And we never lose our access to wisdom from God.
As long as God choses to leave us on this earth, we will be helped by HIM.
The physical pain is temporary as is our body. And usually there is something God will show us to do to help in physical pain to ease the problem.
I found when we were revising the ministry books, I was so focused on scripture and writing and hearing what God wanted me to write, the physical pain diminished greatly!
And we never lose our access to wisdom from God.
*****
Phil. 4:6-7 ... Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.
This is a critical part of our life in Christ ... talking to God about our concerns.
When something concerns me, and I lay it all out before God is prayer, sometimes I can actually feel a sensation of weight lifting from off my shoulders!
When I pray and God gives me a word by HIS Spirit, often later I can't even recall what it was that troubled me.
This has to be one of the miracles from God.
And it is available to each of us through prayer and faith in God.
When something concerns me, and I lay it all out before God is prayer, sometimes I can actually feel a sensation of weight lifting from off my shoulders!
When I pray and God gives me a word by HIS Spirit, often later I can't even recall what it was that troubled me.
This has to be one of the miracles from God.
And it is available to each of us through prayer and faith in God.
*****
James 4:8 ... Draw nigh to God, and
HE will draw nigh to you.
We draw near to God through prayer and Bible reading.
We also draw near to God as we think on the things we know God did for us in the past.
We also draw near to God as we think on the things we know God did for us in the past.
*****
Mt. 11:28-30 ... Jesus says ... Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of ME; for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For MY yoke is
easy, and MY burden is light.
The yoke of man is very hard ... you have to look a certain way, dress a certain way, do all manner of things (often deceptions) to be popular and approved by men ... You have to work very hard at school and at your job to outdo other people ... Enemies are all around, and why not? You are trying to beat them ... You have to acquire things to make yourself worthy but things rarely content us. We just have to keep acquiring things ...
Jesus made HIMSELF of no reputation ... Phil. 2
Jesus heard what God said and repeated that.
Jesus wasn't trying to do anything except to please God and obey God.
Even to death on a cross this is easier than pleasing men of this world.
Jesus made HIMSELF of no reputation ... Phil. 2
Jesus heard what God said and repeated that.
Jesus wasn't trying to do anything except to please God and obey God.
Even to death on a cross this is easier than pleasing men of this world.
*****
Jn. 16:7 ... Jesus
says ... Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I
go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I
depart, I will send him unto you.
The Holy Spirit is such a great comforter, bringing to our mind the thinking of God on the matter at hand.
For 18 1/2 years, my mother lived with me. The last two months of her life, I put her into a home for care. I have very bad memories over this. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of the truth about what I did.
My mother had broken hip for second time. She could not stand. She would fall in floor of her bedroom. I had to call 911 for help. Sometimes I called 911 multiple times the same day. I really could not deal with this by myself. That was truth from God.
For 18 1/2 years, my mother lived with me. The last two months of her life, I put her into a home for care. I have very bad memories over this. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of the truth about what I did.
My mother had broken hip for second time. She could not stand. She would fall in floor of her bedroom. I had to call 911 for help. Sometimes I called 911 multiple times the same day. I really could not deal with this by myself. That was truth from God.
*****
Eph. 1:10-14 ... That in the dispensation of the
fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both
which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have
obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him
who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to
the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted,
after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with
that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of HIS glory.
Didn't we trust in HIM when we heard HIM, when HE revealed HIMSELF to us and we were born again.
What about the apostle Paul when God revealed HIMSELF to Paul ... Paul was an enemy of Jesus when Jesus revealed HIMSELF to Paul.
After Jesus revealed HIMSELF to Paul, the first thing Paul said to Jesus was:
"What will YOU have me do?"
And God showed Paul what he was to do, step by step, for the remainder of Paul's life on this earth.
What about the apostle Paul when God revealed HIMSELF to Paul ... Paul was an enemy of Jesus when Jesus revealed HIMSELF to Paul.
After Jesus revealed HIMSELF to Paul, the first thing Paul said to Jesus was:
"What will YOU have me do?"
And God showed Paul what he was to do, step by step, for the remainder of Paul's life on this earth.
*****
Acts 1:8 ... But ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth.
So many Church people are frightened by any thought of the Holy Spirit. They have no idea what the Holy Spirit does for the believer. Yet this is "the power" Jesus spoke of in Acts 1:8.
I had never thought about the Holy Spirit at time I was born again. The Holy Spirit didn't mean anything to me at all. My best friend had been a Christian for many years and I'm sure she didn't know about the Holy Spirit either. She never mentioned the Holy Spirit to me. (She was raised Baptist.)
My favorite aunt was Church of Christ. I'm sure she never mentioned Holy Spirit.
The greatest gift to the church after salvation is the gift of the Holy Spirit for when the Holy Spirit comes to us HE teaches us all things, reminds us of all Jesus has said to us, guides us into all truth, and shows us things to come.
The Holy Spirit in fact is the Spirit of Jesus HIMSELF Who comes to live inside each believer so we can know the will of God in the matters at hand as we live on this present earth!
Jesus said ...
I had never thought about the Holy Spirit at time I was born again. The Holy Spirit didn't mean anything to me at all. My best friend had been a Christian for many years and I'm sure she didn't know about the Holy Spirit either. She never mentioned the Holy Spirit to me. (She was raised Baptist.)
My favorite aunt was Church of Christ. I'm sure she never mentioned Holy Spirit.
The greatest gift to the church after salvation is the gift of the Holy Spirit for when the Holy Spirit comes to us HE teaches us all things, reminds us of all Jesus has said to us, guides us into all truth, and shows us things to come.
The Holy Spirit in fact is the Spirit of Jesus HIMSELF Who comes to live inside each believer so we can know the will of God in the matters at hand as we live on this present earth!
Jesus said ...
Jn. 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.
Jn. 16:13 ... Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is
come, he will guide you into all truth: for he
shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come.
After I was born again, my best friend told me I had to learn to quote scripture. She enrolled me in Bible Memory Association, a plan of man to learn to quote scripture. I had to memorize one scripture per week and quote it to my best friend and when that was accomplished she would turn it into Bible Memory Association for some plan they had, probably to reward me by fleshly means.
I found this to be one of the most difficult things I had ever done.
(We knew nothing about the Holy Spirit reminding us of all Jesus had said ... )
Very shortly after I was born again, I began to think on various scriptures and apply them to my life, reconstructing my way on this earth by these scriptures that stood out to me.
Then the scripture would come to my mind and I found I had no trouble at all quoting it when this happened.
This was God's plan for quoting scripture! by the Holy Spirit who reminds us of everything Jesus has said ... Jn. 14:26
A very amazing, humorous story happened one day when I was trying to get copies made at a copy store.
As I waited for my turn at the copy machine, an elderly man came up to me and began speaking to me. He said, "Little lady ... you didn't park behind that green and gold car did you?"
I replied, "No sir."
He went on to say, "That's a Baylor car." (Baylor is a Baptist University in Texas)
I said, "Okay ... "
Then he said, "You don't happen to be a Christian do you?"
I was so excited with that question for I was newly born again and I replied, "OH, YES, I am."
He said, "OH heck. I just joined the witnessing class at First Baptist Church and you are the first person I've chosen to witness to."
(He was disappointed I am a Christian!)
This is not the Holy Spirit witnessing of Jesus!
There is so much flesh in church people.
I found this to be one of the most difficult things I had ever done.
(We knew nothing about the Holy Spirit reminding us of all Jesus had said ... )
Very shortly after I was born again, I began to think on various scriptures and apply them to my life, reconstructing my way on this earth by these scriptures that stood out to me.
Then the scripture would come to my mind and I found I had no trouble at all quoting it when this happened.
This was God's plan for quoting scripture! by the Holy Spirit who reminds us of everything Jesus has said ... Jn. 14:26
A very amazing, humorous story happened one day when I was trying to get copies made at a copy store.
As I waited for my turn at the copy machine, an elderly man came up to me and began speaking to me. He said, "Little lady ... you didn't park behind that green and gold car did you?"
I replied, "No sir."
He went on to say, "That's a Baylor car." (Baylor is a Baptist University in Texas)
I said, "Okay ... "
Then he said, "You don't happen to be a Christian do you?"
I was so excited with that question for I was newly born again and I replied, "OH, YES, I am."
He said, "OH heck. I just joined the witnessing class at First Baptist Church and you are the first person I've chosen to witness to."
(He was disappointed I am a Christian!)
This is not the Holy Spirit witnessing of Jesus!
There is so much flesh in church people.
*****
Acts 2:38-39 ... Repent, and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For
the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off,
even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Isaiah 55:11 ... So shall my word be that goeth
forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper
in the thing whereto I sent it.
When I was 15, I went forward at my aunt's church, Church of Christ, and was baptized. I didn't "repent" for I didn't know I had sin. The Holy Spirit who convicts us was not at work in this matter. I just didn't want to go to hell and I thought that was the way to keep from going to hell ... to be baptized in water.
When I was 38, the Holy Spirit spoke to me in form of a thought ... "Joan ... you know those mistakes you've been making all these years? Those weren't mistakes. Those were sins."
Now I'm born again by God's Spirit.
A few weeks later I heard, "Be baptized." (This I heard in form of a thought. That is one way the Holy Spirit speaks to us.)
At the time I heard this from the Holy Spirit, I was on a plane enroute to a one day buying trip for my business in Dallas. My cousin (Church of Christ) met me at the plane.
I told her, "Jeanne ... If you can set it up at church, I will be baptized this afternoon before I return to Dallas."
She replied: "But you've already been baptized."
"But I wasn't born again," I responded.
(She had no idea what I was talking about. But she did set it up at her church for me to be baptized.)
The minister asked me if I would like to say anything. About 15 of my relatives were in attendance. I was surprised for Church of Christ never lets women speak at the church, except at Sunday school which for some reason they think to be different from the main service.
I just began speaking by the Holy Spirit. I think I probably spoke about being born again.
My uncle began crying.
As the minister lowered me into the water, the Holy Spirit said to me:
"This is like being buried with Jesus."
As I was raised from the water, the Holy Spirit said:
"This is like being raised with Jesus."
My uncle came to me at the end of the service and said: "I've never heard anything before like you said. Can you write that out and send it to me?"
I replied, "I think so."
I think my uncle was likely born again at that time when he heard me speak by the Holy Spirit.
The power of God is in the work of the Spirit of God which HE often does through us.
When I was 38, the Holy Spirit spoke to me in form of a thought ... "Joan ... you know those mistakes you've been making all these years? Those weren't mistakes. Those were sins."
Now I'm born again by God's Spirit.
A few weeks later I heard, "Be baptized." (This I heard in form of a thought. That is one way the Holy Spirit speaks to us.)
At the time I heard this from the Holy Spirit, I was on a plane enroute to a one day buying trip for my business in Dallas. My cousin (Church of Christ) met me at the plane.
I told her, "Jeanne ... If you can set it up at church, I will be baptized this afternoon before I return to Dallas."
She replied: "But you've already been baptized."
"But I wasn't born again," I responded.
(She had no idea what I was talking about. But she did set it up at her church for me to be baptized.)
The minister asked me if I would like to say anything. About 15 of my relatives were in attendance. I was surprised for Church of Christ never lets women speak at the church, except at Sunday school which for some reason they think to be different from the main service.
I just began speaking by the Holy Spirit. I think I probably spoke about being born again.
My uncle began crying.
As the minister lowered me into the water, the Holy Spirit said to me:
"This is like being buried with Jesus."
As I was raised from the water, the Holy Spirit said:
"This is like being raised with Jesus."
My uncle came to me at the end of the service and said: "I've never heard anything before like you said. Can you write that out and send it to me?"
I replied, "I think so."
I think my uncle was likely born again at that time when he heard me speak by the Holy Spirit.
The power of God is in the work of the Spirit of God which HE often does through us.
*****
Isaiah 55:11 ... So shall MY word be that goeth forth out of MY mouth: it shall not return unto ME void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
God sends HIS Word to accomplish HIS purpose ... not our purpose. God will do as HE pleases.
God hardened Pharaoh's heart. Pharaoh was appointed to destruction. (Romans 9)
Another example:
Acts 9 ... And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
A remarkable story from the Old Testament ...
I Kings 17 ... And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
Another plan from God to Elijah ...
And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
God sends HIS Word to accomplish HIS purpose ... not our purpose. God will do as HE pleases.
God hardened Pharaoh's heart. Pharaoh was appointed to destruction. (Romans 9)
Another example:
Acts 9 ... And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
A remarkable story from the Old Testament ...
I Kings 17 ... And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
Another plan from God to Elijah ...
And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
*****
Isaiah 55:7 ... Let the
wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him
return unto the LORD, and HE will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for HE
will abundantly pardon.
We cannot keep going in our own way or the ways of this world when we belong to God. The world's ways are wicked ... seeking money, fame, reputation among men, and other deceits.
*****
Isaiah 55:12-13 ... For ye
shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and
the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field
shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD
for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
You can't go if there is no joy.
I'm not speaking of fleshly happiness.
I'm speaking of something else.
I went through several days of trial and struggle with our little church group as they spoke vain religious puffed up nonsense. I rebuked them sharply and temporarily they sobered up. Grief came upon me as I thought of them. I would awaken in the mornings and be so sad, like some terrible thing was about to befall me. I cried out to God for help as I had been crying out to God for help all through the struggle with our church group. I had no joy. It was all gone. I prayed for God to restore my joy, somehow.
Then I was reminded of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (Dan. 3)
I was writing something at the time. I went to Daniel 3 to quote what they pronounced and I became so very joyful when I heard their words again, for I've read this many time.
I realized my joy comes from that which these truly godly people say ... Esther, Abraham, David ...
FOCUS ON THEM.
Let them be my friends. Joy will go through the roof with them! Spend time with them.
I'm not speaking of fleshly happiness.
I'm speaking of something else.
I went through several days of trial and struggle with our little church group as they spoke vain religious puffed up nonsense. I rebuked them sharply and temporarily they sobered up. Grief came upon me as I thought of them. I would awaken in the mornings and be so sad, like some terrible thing was about to befall me. I cried out to God for help as I had been crying out to God for help all through the struggle with our church group. I had no joy. It was all gone. I prayed for God to restore my joy, somehow.
Then I was reminded of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (Dan. 3)
I was writing something at the time. I went to Daniel 3 to quote what they pronounced and I became so very joyful when I heard their words again, for I've read this many time.
I realized my joy comes from that which these truly godly people say ... Esther, Abraham, David ...
FOCUS ON THEM.
Let them be my friends. Joy will go through the roof with them! Spend time with them.
*****
Phil. 4:19 ... Paul says ... But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches
in glory by Christ Jesus.
John the Baptist was rebuking the Pharisees and John knew they would begin to claim they were the chosen of God and God was their Father and John said: and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Lk. 3:8
With God there is no need. If God had to do so to have children, he could raise up these stones as children.
As children of God, all we need is provided by God.
Once a law firm offered me $10,000 free service.
When I talked to God about this HE reminded me of the following:
Gen. 14:21-22 ... And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
Abraham was determined to trust in God and he did not want what man could give to him. He wanted his riches to be from God.
I felt exactly same and purposed the same.
I have emails frequently from men who say they are pastors begging for money. The expect humans to pay for their works. They are extremely fleshly, saying they are of God but not really believing in God "the spirit". They believe what they see with their natural eye. I do not send money to them.
I believe God will supply all my needs as Paul said and God does do this.
With God there is no need. If God had to do so to have children, he could raise up these stones as children.
As children of God, all we need is provided by God.
Once a law firm offered me $10,000 free service.
When I talked to God about this HE reminded me of the following:
Gen. 14:21-22 ... And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
Abraham was determined to trust in God and he did not want what man could give to him. He wanted his riches to be from God.
I felt exactly same and purposed the same.
I have emails frequently from men who say they are pastors begging for money. The expect humans to pay for their works. They are extremely fleshly, saying they are of God but not really believing in God "the spirit". They believe what they see with their natural eye. I do not send money to them.
I believe God will supply all my needs as Paul said and God does do this.
*****
Isaiah 57:13 ... he that
putteth his trust in ME shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy
mountain.
It is a deliberate choice to trust in God. We often face such choices. We can go this way and trust in another human whose breath is in their mouth and are taken away at a moment. Or we can turn away and turn to God and put our trust in God and like Esther, "If I perish, I perish."
Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we can choose to die rather than worship man and idols.
Daniel 3 ... Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon ... Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not do this. When the king confronted them, they made the following incredible statement before the king.
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and HE will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we can choose to die rather than worship man and idols.
Daniel 3 ... Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon ... Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not do this. When the king confronted them, they made the following incredible statement before the king.
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and HE will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
*****
Psalm 91:1-16 ... He that dwelleth in the secret
place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say
of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely
he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under HIS wings shalt thou trust:
HIS truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the
terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence
that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A
thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it
shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the
reward of the wicked.
Because
thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy
habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any
plague come nigh thy dwelling. For HE shall give his angels charge over thee, to
keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash
thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young
lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because
he hath set his love upon ME, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on
high, because he hath known MY name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer
him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With
long life will I satisfy him, and shew him MY salvation.
Deliberately choosing to set our love upon God, upon HIS Word.
*****
James 1:5 ... If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Each time I sit down to write, I am praying first, asking God for help.
When I look at a scripture, I often am praying, asking God to show me what I need to see from that scripture.
I don't consider I am able of myself to do these things. But God promises, if we ask HIM, HE will give us wisdom, so I ask.
When I look at a scripture, I often am praying, asking God to show me what I need to see from that scripture.
I don't consider I am able of myself to do these things. But God promises, if we ask HIM, HE will give us wisdom, so I ask.
*****
Proverbs 3 ... Trust in the LORD with all thine
heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge
him, and HE shall direct thy paths.
I would rather have God direct my paths than to trust in myself to figure out what to do.
Some people are proud of their own wisdom.
When I think of the things I figured out before I was born again, I am ashamed.
Some people are proud of their own wisdom.
When I think of the things I figured out before I was born again, I am ashamed.
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