Pam Padgett ... teacher
An angel of the Lord was sent to Manoah's wife, telling her she would
have a son who would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines, and gave instructions needed because the son was to be a Nazarite from the womb. This son was Samson.
Judges 13:2 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of
the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare
not. 3 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto
her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt
conceive, and bear a son. 4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink
not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: 5 For, lo,
thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his
head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he
shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.
His wife told Manoah what the angel said, and Manoah asked God to send the angel again to teach them what they should do ... Then
Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God
which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do
unto the child that shall be born. (Judges 13:8) God sent the angel to them ... And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him? (Judges 13:12)
13 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto
the woman let her beware. 14 She may not eat of any thing that cometh of
the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any
unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe. (Judges 13)
As I read this, it stood out to me that Manoah wanted to know what they were to do where the child was concerned, and was told the
same things already told to his wife. God gave them the information they needed
at the time, according to His will.
God knows what we need to know and provides that to us as He wills. We
may think we need to know more, and turn to God asking for more
information. If we're given nothing more at the time, we walk in the instruction we have been given, content and confident that, if anything more is needed in the future, God
will provide it.
Another example ... when Jesus spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus,
Paul asked what he should do. He was told the first thing to do ... go into the city ... and he
would be told what to do.
Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt
thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the
city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which
journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw
no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9
And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Paul went to the city as instructed, being led by those who could see
since he couldn't. For three days he was blind. Paul was shown in a vision that Ananias would
come and put his hand on him so that he would receive his sight.
Ananias was told by God to go to Paul. Ananias knew that Paul had done
many things against those who believed in Jesus, and turned to God with his concerns. God confirmed that Ananias was to go and told him that Paul was chosen by Him. So Ananias went, as he was instructed ...
Acts 9:10 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. 11 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, 12 And
hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his
hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered,
Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to
thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief
priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 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: 16 For I
will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his
hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared
unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest
receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately
there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight
forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received
meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples
which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the
synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
One day many questions started going through my mind such as "should I do this? what about that?" (I don't remember the exact questions). When turning to God with these questions, I had a thought which I believe was from the Holy Spirit "What has God told you to do?" When I focused on what I believed God had told me and doing that, not allowing my mind to wander around to other things, I was able to move forward in peace.
We walk in that which God has instructed and revealed to us at this point, doing those things, and believing
that God will give us anything else needed by the time it is needed.
(Providing daily encouragement for the body of Christ by the Spirit of God to help the church in the end times.)
Monday, July 23, 2012
God's protection
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Saul sought David to kill him.
David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. 25Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. 26And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. 27But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. 28Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. 29And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi. I Samuel 23
God causes events to happen to protect HIS anointed.
Saul sought David to kill him.
David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. 25Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. 26And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. 27But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. 28Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. 29And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi. I Samuel 23
God causes events to happen to protect HIS anointed.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Even devils recognize people of God
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Often people come to me praising the work that I do, recognizing I'm of God.
But that doesn't mean the person who recognizes me is of God.
It could even be a devil in that person that recognizes me.
We have the following examples of this in Bible ...
Acts 19 ... Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19
Mt. 4 ... Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Acts 16 ... And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
When they come to me, the basic question I have for them is, "What message is God speaking to you?"
I have the Spirit of God in me and when I hear what they say is of God in them, I can tell by the Spirit of God in me whether or not that which they speak is of God.
But just because they recognize me by what I speak does not mean I know them by the number of works they do. First, I have to hear what God would be speaking to them. When I have asked that, I've never had any answer at all from them although many have come to me saying they are of God and "praising" what I am doing and calling what I am speaking a work of God.
Often people come to me praising the work that I do, recognizing I'm of God.
But that doesn't mean the person who recognizes me is of God.
It could even be a devil in that person that recognizes me.
We have the following examples of this in Bible ...
Acts 19 ... Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19
Mt. 4 ... Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Acts 16 ... And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
When they come to me, the basic question I have for them is, "What message is God speaking to you?"
I have the Spirit of God in me and when I hear what they say is of God in them, I can tell by the Spirit of God in me whether or not that which they speak is of God.
But just because they recognize me by what I speak does not mean I know them by the number of works they do. First, I have to hear what God would be speaking to them. When I have asked that, I've never had any answer at all from them although many have come to me saying they are of God and "praising" what I am doing and calling what I am speaking a work of God.
Critical issue for us to do today
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
I have both been going through something which is like I am going to be swept away. And yet, in my case, there is no problem. Yet it got so bad that I didn't think I was going to make it to the end.
Paul knew he could be swept away ... Paul said: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. I Cor. 9
Jesus said it would get so bad that if the time were not shortened even the elect would perish.
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Mt. 24:22
Keeping control of your mind is critical. If you allow yourself to think of future or what you did in past, you can be in serious trouble. One thing each of us have to do is live in the present.
I'm keeping these two scriptures before me constantly.
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, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3
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. Mt. 6:34
Pam told me once she was thinking of what might happen in future and she heard to "stay in present reality".
We cannot afford to entertain lying vanities.
We have to stop ... consider this exact minute ... what is happening in my life right now? ... We may be surprised to find nothing is happening in our lives right now. It is a fear of future that is deadly ...or a grief over what we have done in past ...
So we have to stay sober and control our minds and live in this present time.
What will it be like before Jesus comes?
I Thess. 5 ...But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Focus on today ... that which is before us today ... That is what Paul said he did, to focus on that which was before him, meaning that which was in front of him today not tomorrow. He reached forth to do that which was "before him" immediately. Draw your mind back and focus on now and stay "sober" not letting your mind drift away to imagining tomorrow and what might happen.
It will get very bad before Jesus returns. But strangly the "badness" will be everything feeling okay ... "When they shall say, Peace and safety", then sudden destruction comes upon them ...
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Mt. 24
The destruction comes when it looks like there is no problem.
But we, who are of God, know everything is not okay. Don't we know it is getting worse out there? Certainly we see this. How much longer can it go before the cup of evil is full? For then comes the end.
In the meantime, we have to stay "sober" and endure with our minds focused on God and the word given by God.
We may reach a time we think we can't keep going. But remember the promise that for the sake of the elect the days will be shortened so we can be saved. Mt. 24:22
Check yourselves to be sure you are focused on the present and not on the past or future. Make your mind focus on today.
I have both been going through something which is like I am going to be swept away. And yet, in my case, there is no problem. Yet it got so bad that I didn't think I was going to make it to the end.
Paul knew he could be swept away ... Paul said: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. I Cor. 9
Jesus said it would get so bad that if the time were not shortened even the elect would perish.
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Mt. 24:22
Keeping control of your mind is critical. If you allow yourself to think of future or what you did in past, you can be in serious trouble. One thing each of us have to do is live in the present.
I'm keeping these two scriptures before me constantly.
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, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3
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. Mt. 6:34
Pam told me once she was thinking of what might happen in future and she heard to "stay in present reality".
We cannot afford to entertain lying vanities.
We have to stop ... consider this exact minute ... what is happening in my life right now? ... We may be surprised to find nothing is happening in our lives right now. It is a fear of future that is deadly ...or a grief over what we have done in past ...
So we have to stay sober and control our minds and live in this present time.
What will it be like before Jesus comes?
I Thess. 5 ...But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Focus on today ... that which is before us today ... That is what Paul said he did, to focus on that which was before him, meaning that which was in front of him today not tomorrow. He reached forth to do that which was "before him" immediately. Draw your mind back and focus on now and stay "sober" not letting your mind drift away to imagining tomorrow and what might happen.
It will get very bad before Jesus returns. But strangly the "badness" will be everything feeling okay ... "When they shall say, Peace and safety", then sudden destruction comes upon them ...
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Mt. 24
The destruction comes when it looks like there is no problem.
But we, who are of God, know everything is not okay. Don't we know it is getting worse out there? Certainly we see this. How much longer can it go before the cup of evil is full? For then comes the end.
In the meantime, we have to stay "sober" and endure with our minds focused on God and the word given by God.
We may reach a time we think we can't keep going. But remember the promise that for the sake of the elect the days will be shortened so we can be saved. Mt. 24:22
Check yourselves to be sure you are focused on the present and not on the past or future. Make your mind focus on today.
Unmoved
Pam Padgett ... teacher
When Paul knew that bonds and afflictions would come to him when he went to Jerusalem, he still went ... not being moved by those things nor counting his life dear ...
Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
dear: regard with deep affection; cherish (protect and care for lovingly)
Paul wasn't moved by those things that were to happen to him, for he wasn't trying to protect or care for his life on this earth. He was focused on finishing the work God had given him to do, and finishing it with joy.
Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Rev. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Comments by Joan Boney ... When we speak truth of the word of God to people around us, we often lose our lives "for the sake of the gospel". When we know the truth on the matter at hand we need to be courageous to speak the truth. Often we hold back because we know it will offend them if we speak. We somehow justify not speaking. But why are we on this earth if not to speak God's truth on the issues that surface? We witness to the word of God when we speak truth.
When Paul knew that bonds and afflictions would come to him when he went to Jerusalem, he still went ... not being moved by those things nor counting his life dear ...
Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
dear: regard with deep affection; cherish (protect and care for lovingly)
Paul wasn't moved by those things that were to happen to him, for he wasn't trying to protect or care for his life on this earth. He was focused on finishing the work God had given him to do, and finishing it with joy.
Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Rev. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Comments by Joan Boney ... When we speak truth of the word of God to people around us, we often lose our lives "for the sake of the gospel". When we know the truth on the matter at hand we need to be courageous to speak the truth. Often we hold back because we know it will offend them if we speak. We somehow justify not speaking. But why are we on this earth if not to speak God's truth on the issues that surface? We witness to the word of God when we speak truth.
There is a time to flee
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. 2But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: I Samuel 19
And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither ... And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. Gen. 38
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. Isaiah 26
There are times when the evil is so bad we will simply hide ourselves.
I find my flesh to be very weak. Sometimes God will just separate me.
If you dread going into something, maybe you shouldn't go. It is not weak faith to stay home! Everything depends upon what God wants, on what God tells you to do.
And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. 2But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: I Samuel 19
And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither ... And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. Gen. 38
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. Isaiah 26
There are times when the evil is so bad we will simply hide ourselves.
I find my flesh to be very weak. Sometimes God will just separate me.
If you dread going into something, maybe you shouldn't go. It is not weak faith to stay home! Everything depends upon what God wants, on what God tells you to do.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Nothing hidden from God
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. 2But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: I Samuel 19
When HE sent his disciples out into the world, Jesus said ... Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. Mt. 10:26
The Holy Spirit in us guides us into all truth about issues of this present life.
We have information given us from God as needed. We just need to focus on what God has shown us for it is truth.
For example: After my mother died, my cousin wanted me to move to Albuquerque where she lives. But God gave me a dream showing me I could not go though my cousin's house. So I moved to Lubbock, Texas. And this has been a good place for me to live.
There is a woman from Bridge Center that I felt drawn toward like a daughter. And I often felt kindly toward this woman. But then God gave me a dream showing me this woman was having sex with another woman. (I don't believe she is doing that but what she is doing is like that in the sight of God and God warns me about her so I would not be deceived concerning her.) ... Several months passed and I began again to feel kindly toward this woman. She has 3 cute dogs which I find appealing since I am animal lover. I even considered talking with her. But just as I considered this, God gave me another dream about her. In this dream, I was walking down hall and met this woman. This woman was even worse than she had been before. She was very short and very fat and very deformed. She could hardly walk she was so deformed. I knew this was the truth about her. She was much worse and it would not be a good thing to try to talk with her. I left her alone.
Another example: There had been a woman among our church group who was very destructive. She was removed from our group. Recently God gave me a dream showing me "negative" concerning her and I knew there had been no change and she is still destructive. I know God will show me her condition even though I'm not around her.
The times are very dangerous now. I think we are living in the times Paul spoke of as "perilous". II Tim. 3
And I believe God has shown me what we must do to endure these times. We must learn to live the following two scriptures.
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, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3
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 Mt. 6:34
We must learn to live in the present, between the past and future.
I have made several copies of these two scriptures to keep them around my house so I can focus on them throughout the day and learn to live them. I know they are critical in area of keeping my mind controlled and also living in peace.
Pam used to work for Fed Ex and when she first started working there the company allowed them to fly on the cargo planes in the jump seat which was in the cockpit with the pilots. On one flight, an automated voice began to say, "Pull up ... Pull up ... Pull up". The pilot took immediate action pulling the nose of the plane up toward the sky.
Sometime after this, Pam said she began to allow her mind to wander to what might happen in future and also began to think of things she had done in past and she heard ... "Pull up ... pull up ... pull up" And she got control of her mind and focused on present.
We are going to have to learn to live in the present to endure. We cannot allow our minds to race forward into what might happen in the future. Nor can we wallow in what we have done wrong in the past.
It will take discipline, but we can do it if we set our minds to do it and if we meditate in the above scriptures day and night. For meditating in the scriptures enables us to do the scriptures.
Jesus says ... Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Lk. 21
And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. 2But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: I Samuel 19
When HE sent his disciples out into the world, Jesus said ... Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. Mt. 10:26
The Holy Spirit in us guides us into all truth about issues of this present life.
We have information given us from God as needed. We just need to focus on what God has shown us for it is truth.
For example: After my mother died, my cousin wanted me to move to Albuquerque where she lives. But God gave me a dream showing me I could not go though my cousin's house. So I moved to Lubbock, Texas. And this has been a good place for me to live.
There is a woman from Bridge Center that I felt drawn toward like a daughter. And I often felt kindly toward this woman. But then God gave me a dream showing me this woman was having sex with another woman. (I don't believe she is doing that but what she is doing is like that in the sight of God and God warns me about her so I would not be deceived concerning her.) ... Several months passed and I began again to feel kindly toward this woman. She has 3 cute dogs which I find appealing since I am animal lover. I even considered talking with her. But just as I considered this, God gave me another dream about her. In this dream, I was walking down hall and met this woman. This woman was even worse than she had been before. She was very short and very fat and very deformed. She could hardly walk she was so deformed. I knew this was the truth about her. She was much worse and it would not be a good thing to try to talk with her. I left her alone.
Another example: There had been a woman among our church group who was very destructive. She was removed from our group. Recently God gave me a dream showing me "negative" concerning her and I knew there had been no change and she is still destructive. I know God will show me her condition even though I'm not around her.
The times are very dangerous now. I think we are living in the times Paul spoke of as "perilous". II Tim. 3
And I believe God has shown me what we must do to endure these times. We must learn to live the following two scriptures.
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, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3
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 Mt. 6:34
We must learn to live in the present, between the past and future.
I have made several copies of these two scriptures to keep them around my house so I can focus on them throughout the day and learn to live them. I know they are critical in area of keeping my mind controlled and also living in peace.
Pam used to work for Fed Ex and when she first started working there the company allowed them to fly on the cargo planes in the jump seat which was in the cockpit with the pilots. On one flight, an automated voice began to say, "Pull up ... Pull up ... Pull up". The pilot took immediate action pulling the nose of the plane up toward the sky.
Sometime after this, Pam said she began to allow her mind to wander to what might happen in future and also began to think of things she had done in past and she heard ... "Pull up ... pull up ... pull up" And she got control of her mind and focused on present.
We are going to have to learn to live in the present to endure. We cannot allow our minds to race forward into what might happen in the future. Nor can we wallow in what we have done wrong in the past.
It will take discipline, but we can do it if we set our minds to do it and if we meditate in the above scriptures day and night. For meditating in the scriptures enables us to do the scriptures.
Jesus says ... Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Lk. 21
Delivered by promises from God
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. II Peter 2
The word given us by God pertains to both life (here and now) and godliness (for this world and hereafter).
We escape through the promises of God when we focus on what God has said and believe what God has said.
God said to HIS people, to HIS chosen:
I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:5 / Heb. 13:5
Paul said ... What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: Isaiah 26
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8For 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.
Jeremiah 17
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. II Peter 2
The word given us by God pertains to both life (here and now) and godliness (for this world and hereafter).
We escape through the promises of God when we focus on what God has said and believe what God has said.
God said to HIS people, to HIS chosen:
I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:5 / Heb. 13:5
Paul said ... What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: Isaiah 26
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8For 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.
Jeremiah 17
This is your rest
Pam Padgett ... teacher
As various people come across my path, I hear of many activities they are involved in. Although at one time I, too, was busy and rushing around, my life now is very different. I didn't set out to have a quieter, less active life. This has resulted as I've tried to do what I believe God was leading me to do along the way, and I am very grateful for the life I now have.
A big change in the past year for me has been retiring. I had been praying for several months about various problems at my job, and then one day the following strongly stood out to me ... Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction. (Micah 2:10) Although it was hard to imagine not working, I committed to God whether to look for another job. So far, I don't believe I've been led to do this, and can afford to not work.
Another scripture that was brought strongly to my attention by an exhortation some months ago is But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13) To try to do this was very frightening to me at first, but God has helped me do as He has instructed. As we share with each other, I find that I spend more time reading the Bible and meditating in scriptures.
My desire to do worldly activities has diminished, yet I am quite content and grateful to God for the way I believe He has led me. Frequently I thank God that I'm not rushing around doing other things.
While thinking about these things, I was reminded of Martha's sister Mary and that Jesus said she had chosen the "good part". As we try to do whatever God has shown us to do, choosing to follow Him instead of ways of the flesh, we find those things that are not important are sorted out and that we have chosen that part which is good.
Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Comments by Joan Boney ...
I've had several dreams recently and in each dream I'm shown secular things are "futile".
In each dream there has been activity but the end has been futility.
Our flesh loves excitement, change, action ... but God keeps showing me these things are futile.
The end time church described by Paul in II Tim. 3 was a church that was selfish and a church where they just kept learning but were never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Futile. All the running from one place to another to hear the word of God and running from one preacher to another to hear the word of God and yet never really coming to the knowledge of the truth leaves a people who have a "form of godliness" but they are not actually godly.
Those who are godly are those who hear from God and focus on that which they have heard, making appropriate changes based on that word they heard, being recreated in the image of that word.
For example, we are greatly recreated when we set our lives according to the following word spoken by Paul ...
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, Phil. 2
If we are of God, let us set our life toward that way ... checking ourselves ... making ourselves of no reputation among other humans. This recreates us in the image of Christ. Also this should free us to speak the word of God when we are with other people, instead of holding back the truth from them. One reason we hold back is we want them to think well of us and inwardly we know they will despise what we say and maybe even despise us if we speak truth.
As various people come across my path, I hear of many activities they are involved in. Although at one time I, too, was busy and rushing around, my life now is very different. I didn't set out to have a quieter, less active life. This has resulted as I've tried to do what I believe God was leading me to do along the way, and I am very grateful for the life I now have.
A big change in the past year for me has been retiring. I had been praying for several months about various problems at my job, and then one day the following strongly stood out to me ... Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction. (Micah 2:10) Although it was hard to imagine not working, I committed to God whether to look for another job. So far, I don't believe I've been led to do this, and can afford to not work.
Another scripture that was brought strongly to my attention by an exhortation some months ago is But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13) To try to do this was very frightening to me at first, but God has helped me do as He has instructed. As we share with each other, I find that I spend more time reading the Bible and meditating in scriptures.
My desire to do worldly activities has diminished, yet I am quite content and grateful to God for the way I believe He has led me. Frequently I thank God that I'm not rushing around doing other things.
While thinking about these things, I was reminded of Martha's sister Mary and that Jesus said she had chosen the "good part". As we try to do whatever God has shown us to do, choosing to follow Him instead of ways of the flesh, we find those things that are not important are sorted out and that we have chosen that part which is good.
Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Comments by Joan Boney ...
I've had several dreams recently and in each dream I'm shown secular things are "futile".
In each dream there has been activity but the end has been futility.
Our flesh loves excitement, change, action ... but God keeps showing me these things are futile.
The end time church described by Paul in II Tim. 3 was a church that was selfish and a church where they just kept learning but were never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Futile. All the running from one place to another to hear the word of God and running from one preacher to another to hear the word of God and yet never really coming to the knowledge of the truth leaves a people who have a "form of godliness" but they are not actually godly.
Those who are godly are those who hear from God and focus on that which they have heard, making appropriate changes based on that word they heard, being recreated in the image of that word.
For example, we are greatly recreated when we set our lives according to the following word spoken by Paul ...
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, Phil. 2
If we are of God, let us set our life toward that way ... checking ourselves ... making ourselves of no reputation among other humans. This recreates us in the image of Christ. Also this should free us to speak the word of God when we are with other people, instead of holding back the truth from them. One reason we hold back is we want them to think well of us and inwardly we know they will despise what we say and maybe even despise us if we speak truth.
Friday, July 20, 2012
God provides for HIS people
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
When God led the children of Israel out of Egypt, God provided manna (food) in the wilderness for 40 years and God brought water out of the rock for them to drink. There was no natural provision available so God gave supernatural provision that they could eat and drink and be sustained both in body and spirit. (They lived perfectly healthy lives without salads and such items people today think needful.)
We have another example of this in 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. 2And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4And 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. 6And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. 7And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
The drought prophesied by Elijah dried up the brook being used by Elijah. So God made another provision for Elijah.
And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 9Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 10So 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. 11And 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. 12And 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.
God had sent Elijah to a woman who was about to perish. Yet she was going to be used by God to provide for Elijah and it was going to save her and also her son.
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. 14For 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. 15And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 16And 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.
I Kings 17
God does not forsake HIS people. If a supernatural act is required, God performs it. Nothing is too hard for God.
For those of us who belong to God, we have many promises that God will provide for us as long as we live on this earth.
Paul says to the people of God ... But my God shall supply all your need ... Phil. 4:19
Build yourself up in the faith in God by thinking on all God has done for you in the past years and by the many promises of God written in the scriptures.
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. II Peter 2
When God led the children of Israel out of Egypt, God provided manna (food) in the wilderness for 40 years and God brought water out of the rock for them to drink. There was no natural provision available so God gave supernatural provision that they could eat and drink and be sustained both in body and spirit. (They lived perfectly healthy lives without salads and such items people today think needful.)
We have another example of this in 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. 2And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4And 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. 6And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. 7And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
The drought prophesied by Elijah dried up the brook being used by Elijah. So God made another provision for Elijah.
And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 9Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 10So 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. 11And 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. 12And 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.
God had sent Elijah to a woman who was about to perish. Yet she was going to be used by God to provide for Elijah and it was going to save her and also her son.
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. 14For 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. 15And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 16And 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.
I Kings 17
God does not forsake HIS people. If a supernatural act is required, God performs it. Nothing is too hard for God.
For those of us who belong to God, we have many promises that God will provide for us as long as we live on this earth.
Paul says to the people of God ... But my God shall supply all your need ... Phil. 4:19
Build yourself up in the faith in God by thinking on all God has done for you in the past years and by the many promises of God written in the scriptures.
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. II Peter 2
Jerusalem
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel: I Kings 11
There are people today who go to Jerusalem and make over Jerusalem.
But here is what we read in the New Testament.
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. I Peter 3
And in Revelation we read of the "new" Jerusalem which "cometh down from heaven." Rev. 3
It is not the old Jerusalem which we seek. It will never be filled with righteousness. The flesh of humans lives there. It is that new Jerusalem which comes down from heaven that will be filled with righteousness.
The people who go to the current Jerusalem on holy trips go to a desert and do not know what they worship.
And the same people who think something special dwells in Jerusalem or in the past in things they can see with their natural eye pass by us who are of God and carry the Spirit of God and are thus the temple of God today.
These people who follow the old Jerusalem and buildings made by men cannot see the real things of God.
But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel: I Kings 11
There are people today who go to Jerusalem and make over Jerusalem.
But here is what we read in the New Testament.
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. I Peter 3
And in Revelation we read of the "new" Jerusalem which "cometh down from heaven." Rev. 3
It is not the old Jerusalem which we seek. It will never be filled with righteousness. The flesh of humans lives there. It is that new Jerusalem which comes down from heaven that will be filled with righteousness.
The people who go to the current Jerusalem on holy trips go to a desert and do not know what they worship.
And the same people who think something special dwells in Jerusalem or in the past in things they can see with their natural eye pass by us who are of God and carry the Spirit of God and are thus the temple of God today.
These people who follow the old Jerusalem and buildings made by men cannot see the real things of God.
Help from God
Pam Padgett ... teacher
Psalm 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
One of the definitions of "help" is "to improve". To try to improve ourselves according to what is considered better in the sight of man is of little worth, being of the flesh.
But, as the Holy Spirit works in our lives, opening our eyes to changes we need to make in order to live according to the Word of God and we make those changes, we are conformed to the image of Christ. We're helped, changed for the better, improved, according to the will of God. For, when God chose us, He determined that we should be conformed to the image of Christ.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Psalm 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
One of the definitions of "help" is "to improve". To try to improve ourselves according to what is considered better in the sight of man is of little worth, being of the flesh.
But, as the Holy Spirit works in our lives, opening our eyes to changes we need to make in order to live according to the Word of God and we make those changes, we are conformed to the image of Christ. We're helped, changed for the better, improved, according to the will of God. For, when God chose us, He determined that we should be conformed to the image of Christ.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Honor from God
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
God says ...
them that honour ME I will honour, I Sam. 2:30
God says ...
them that honour ME I will honour, I Sam. 2:30
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Provoking God with vanities
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities. I Kings 16:26
It is possible to provoke God to anger if we continue in vanities.
vanity means:
- excessive pride or admiration of one's own appearance or achievement
- quality of being worthless or futile
- following that which produces no result and is useless
- pursuing that which is empty, without substance
The continual pursuit of vain things can be a serious problem.
Instead we are exhorted to make ourselves of no reputation as Jesus did. We have to chose to go another way.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Phil. 2
he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. Isa. 53
Jesus did not try to attract attention to Himself by His physical appearance. Nor was he impressive in schooling and such. He just went about speaking that which God gave Him and doing the works of God. And in one instance when he did a work of God the people begged Jesus to leave their town.
And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. Mt. 8
Yet God's praise of Jesus will continue forever. The labor done by Jesus will never be in vain. And we are told this: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. I Cor. 15:58
A man doing honest work and providing for his family is a labor in the Lord for that is God's assignment for the man. Gen. 3
A woman taking care of her children and husband is a labor in the Lord for that is God's assignment for the woman. Titus 2:4
For those assigned by God to care for the church, diligence in that is a labor in the Lord and will not be in vain. (I Cor. 12 / Eph. 4)
But to follow after vanities of appearance and to try to make yourselves look good to other humans in various ways can end up provoking God to anger.
in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities. I Kings 16:26
It is possible to provoke God to anger if we continue in vanities.
vanity means:
- excessive pride or admiration of one's own appearance or achievement
- quality of being worthless or futile
- following that which produces no result and is useless
- pursuing that which is empty, without substance
The continual pursuit of vain things can be a serious problem.
Instead we are exhorted to make ourselves of no reputation as Jesus did. We have to chose to go another way.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Phil. 2
he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. Isa. 53
Jesus did not try to attract attention to Himself by His physical appearance. Nor was he impressive in schooling and such. He just went about speaking that which God gave Him and doing the works of God. And in one instance when he did a work of God the people begged Jesus to leave their town.
And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. Mt. 8
Yet God's praise of Jesus will continue forever. The labor done by Jesus will never be in vain. And we are told this: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. I Cor. 15:58
A man doing honest work and providing for his family is a labor in the Lord for that is God's assignment for the man. Gen. 3
A woman taking care of her children and husband is a labor in the Lord for that is God's assignment for the woman. Titus 2:4
For those assigned by God to care for the church, diligence in that is a labor in the Lord and will not be in vain. (I Cor. 12 / Eph. 4)
But to follow after vanities of appearance and to try to make yourselves look good to other humans in various ways can end up provoking God to anger.
Running the race set before us
Pam Padgett ... teacher
In Hebrews 12 we're told about running the race set before us so that we don't weary and faint. Our "race" is to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God, conforming our lives to the Word of God and being led by the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
One of the things we need to do in order to run this race is to identify and deal appropriately with anything that holds us back from believing what God says to us and doing that. We must be willing to see the truth about ourselves and others in order to identify those things that would hinder us in some way. Anything that gets in the way of us doing what we believe God is leading us to do needs to be dealt with in a spiritual way, through prayer and depending on God to show us what to do.
The race we run is set before us. We run this race each day as we deal with those things brought to us that day. Not dwelling on those things that are behind us, or trying to deal with things which may, or may not, be in the future. We deal with those things needing attention today so we can continue to move forward in things of God.
Philippians 3:Jesus. 13 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.
Matthew 6:34 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.
We are to run the race with patience, continuing in those things we have been shown to do without wavering.
As we run this race, we are to look to Jesus, and considering all that He endured, so that we might not become weary and faint. Jesus knows exactly what we are going through because He was tempted in all ways as we are, and even endured the cross, yet pleased the Father in all things and did not enter into sin. Now Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father interceding for us and allowing us to come to Him boldly ... without fear of being refused ... seeking mercy and help as we face each trial.
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
As I considered that Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame for the joy set before Him, I thought of how we have been given many promises showing not only what God will do to help us, but also those things to come. Thinking on these promises strengthens and encourages us to continue in what God has said, and also helps us keep in mind how temporary this world is and what has been promised in that which is to come. Here are a few of the many promises we've been given .....
Hebrews 13:5 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.
Psalm 91:14 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. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
1 Thess. 4:16 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.
2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Rev. 21:21 1 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.
In Hebrews 12 we're told about running the race set before us so that we don't weary and faint. Our "race" is to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God, conforming our lives to the Word of God and being led by the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
One of the things we need to do in order to run this race is to identify and deal appropriately with anything that holds us back from believing what God says to us and doing that. We must be willing to see the truth about ourselves and others in order to identify those things that would hinder us in some way. Anything that gets in the way of us doing what we believe God is leading us to do needs to be dealt with in a spiritual way, through prayer and depending on God to show us what to do.
The race we run is set before us. We run this race each day as we deal with those things brought to us that day. Not dwelling on those things that are behind us, or trying to deal with things which may, or may not, be in the future. We deal with those things needing attention today so we can continue to move forward in things of God.
Philippians 3:Jesus. 13 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.
Matthew 6:34 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.
We are to run the race with patience, continuing in those things we have been shown to do without wavering.
As we run this race, we are to look to Jesus, and considering all that He endured, so that we might not become weary and faint. Jesus knows exactly what we are going through because He was tempted in all ways as we are, and even endured the cross, yet pleased the Father in all things and did not enter into sin. Now Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father interceding for us and allowing us to come to Him boldly ... without fear of being refused ... seeking mercy and help as we face each trial.
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
As I considered that Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame for the joy set before Him, I thought of how we have been given many promises showing not only what God will do to help us, but also those things to come. Thinking on these promises strengthens and encourages us to continue in what God has said, and also helps us keep in mind how temporary this world is and what has been promised in that which is to come. Here are a few of the many promises we've been given .....
Hebrews 13:5 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.
Psalm 91:14 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. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
1 Thess. 4:16 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.
2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Rev. 21:21 1 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.
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