Instruction in Righteousness: Acts 10

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, ² A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

³ He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

⁴ And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord?

And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.  ⁵ And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:  ⁶ He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

⁷ And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;  ⁸ And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

⁹ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:  ¹⁰ And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,  ¹¹ And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:  ¹² Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

¹³ And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

¹⁴ But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

¹⁵ And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

¹⁶ This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

¹⁷ Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,  ¹⁸ And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

¹⁹ While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.  ²⁰ Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

²¹ Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

²² And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

²³ Then called he them in, and lodged them.

And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

²⁴ And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

²⁵ And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

²⁶ But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

²⁸ And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

²⁹ Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

³⁰ And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ³¹ And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

³³ Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come.

Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
³⁵ But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.

³⁶ The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:)

³⁷ That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

³⁸ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.

³⁹ And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

⁴⁰ Him God raised up the third day, and shewed Him openly;  ⁴¹ Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead.

⁴² And  HE commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
⁴³ To him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.

⁴⁴ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

⁴⁵ And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

Then answered Peter,
⁴⁷ Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

*****

The Mercy of God To Show Us Our Sins So We Can Repent and Correct Our Way

Book:  Exhortations For The Church
Vol. 9, Chapter 30
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet 


On January 1, 2017, Pam Padgett's doorbell rang. (Pam is in our little church group.)  It was her neighbor Kim.  When Pam opened the door, Kim said:  "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" .... and held out to Pam a birthday card.

Pam was very shocked for it was not her birthday.

Kim explained that is what Pam's FaceBook page says.

Pam remembered when she registered several months earlier for Facebook to explore advertising our books, there was a place calling for Pam's birthday.  She didn't want to give her real birthday for "fear" of internet types of fraud and Pam also thought, "They don't need to know my birthday."  So she just put January 1 as her birthday and thought no more about it.

*****

When Pam told me the story, I said, "How embarrassing." 

Then later that night, it came to me:  "Pam lied."

I wrote her the following email.

Pam ...  I was thinking tonight of the way you went when you listed January 1 as birthday.  The first thing I said about it was it was embarrassing.  But it was really more serious than that.

I hate to say this but you showed yourself a liar to Kim because you were afraid.

At first when you told me the story, I didn't think much about it but Holy Spirit called it to my attention.

It's lying and it's lack of faith in God.

And it gives the wrong message to Kim of course.

Maybe you've already seen all this.

I'm sure you'll be shocked when you think about it.

*****

Pam responded:

This is absolutely true.  I did lie, which is very serious.  Thank you for your note.  

Such a way of darkness.  I'm very glad to have the opportunity to repent.  

*****

Pam said she felt uncomfortable when she did this but just reasoned her uncomfortable feeling away.

She said had she stopped and prayed she was sure God would have stopped her.

The HOLY SPIRIT in us puts up a STOP SIGN but sometimes we run right through it.  The fact that she felt "uncomfortable" about what she was doing that day was the Holy Spirit in her warning her. 

I have found the Holy Spirit always warns me when I am about to go the wrong way or when my speaking is getting out of control so I can pull back.

Another sign of wrong way is Pam was being led by "fear".  And she acted on that "fear" to protect herself instead of taking that "fear" to God and depending on HIM to protect her or to show her what to do.

Pam just acted by her own flesh in this much like an animal will react to a very loud sound by running away.  This is what the flesh does.

*****

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

*****

The day after this happened, I was thinking about it and how amazing it was that the neighbor saw this on Facebook and as a result brought Pam's attention to what she had done.  That is like a miracle which allowed Pam to repent and make changes to the lie printed on Facebook.


Then I remembered the following:

God says, "I will be merciful to your unrighteousness ..."  Heb. 8:12  (part of New Covenant)

Hebrews 8:12-13 ... For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.  In that HE saith, A new covenant,

*****

I realized this was the mercy of God to Pam ... and I marveled at God through this event and this scripture.

And it caused me to see that God will keep us and correct us when our way is wrong even to the end.

This is the mercy of God toward us, HIS children.

*****

BOOK: Exhortations For The Church, Volume 9
Chapter 30

Joan Boney



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*****

Damaging ourselves by holding onto anger.

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

The north side of house, that I lived in prior to my move to Colorado, that is for-sale in Texas, has a well traveled street taking people to Wall-Mart.

Shortly after the house was placed on market, I had an open vision of a man driving past the house on that street, stopping, backing car up to house, and staring at the property. 


***

On Sunday June 2, 2019, the following thought came to Pam Padgett:

"Is there a for-sale sign on that side of house?"

Pam thought, "Surely there is!" 

(Pam also had this thought a few times before as to whether there was a sale sign on the north side of the house, but she ignored it for it seemed so impossible for there not to be a sign placed on the busily traveled street adjacent to the house. This time she mentioned this thought to me. It was God bringing this thought to Pam so we could correct one of the problems concerning the house in Texas.)

We contacted a friend in Lubbock and she said there is no for-sale sign on North side of property.

(Later another friend in Texas told me by phone that she thought it strange not to have a for-sale sign on the north side of the house because you could not see the sign placed on the front of the house due to the cul-de-sac.)


***

We contacted realtor immediately.

She put a for-sale sign on North side of house, but made a negative remark saying due to the evergreens, it was hard to see a sign on that side of house.

Ridiculous! (I thought) She has at least 100 feet of space and at least 2 clear areas at that side for visibility.

I was livid. I saw realtor's remark as an attempted justification for incompetence. 

(Later I realized she could have told me the problem when she saw the problem and could have ask me if I would approve cutting back some of the branches which blocked the view of the for-sale sign. Instead realtor ignored the need and did not put any for-sale signs at that side of house. God had to tell us the problem ... and HE did!)

***

I responded immediately as follows: 

"Put three signs if needed, but make it work! This is ridiculous!"  Joan 

(I was annoyed, puffed-up against the realtor, and angry!)

***

There are times we can be so upset that we really don't want to let that anger go.  

This is how I reacted concerning realtor's failure to put sign on north side of house.  

I became puffed up against the realtor and I became "scornful" thinking how foolish realtor was in failing to do such a basic thing in house selling.

But we cannot go forward in clarity of mind while holding onto anger.  Anger damages us.  And we can fall into sin.  So we must be willing to get over our anger.  

And we fall into sin when we are scornful. 

Scorn is to think yourself wise and another foolish and to go about thinking:  "How could she have done that ... Can you believe she did that?"

And when we are scornful, we will also want to tell others how foolish that person was ...  all this is living in scorn rather than delighting in resolving the problem.

God will help us to rid ourselves of the bad feelings and sins,  especially if we are willing.

James 3:14-18  if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

***

Later I sent email, as follows, whereby I apologized to realtor:

"I apologize to you concerning being upset over the sign on the north side of house. What I should have done is to recommend cutting back the trees where the view was blocked. Finally I realized this and repented and called Betsy and she went over immediately and borrowed clippers from a neighbor and cut back the foliage. She sent us a picture after she had made corrections to the trees. Even more might need cut back. I have told Tom."

***

Before bedtime that first night, my anger began breaking and lifting from me ... but it took two or three more days before I was willing to be fully healed in this matter. 

God had shown us a miracle and I was focusing on the error made by realtor rather than the miracle performed by God in showing us the problem so it could be corrected! 

To harden our hearts and hold onto our pride and scorn, blocks us from seeing and from entering into the miracle performed by God.

***

Here are two examples from Bible of disciples missing an entire miracle performed by Jesus and later being rebuked by Jesus. 

Matthew 14:13-21 when the people had heard thereof, they followed HIM (Jesus) on foot out of the cities. 

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and HE healed their sick. 

And when it was evening, HIS disciples came to HIM, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 

Mark 6:37 And they say unto Him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? 

(The disciples had a plan ... but Jesus had another plan. Hardness of heart came upon the disciples in this strife and later Jesus rebuked them for failing to see this miracle HE performed in feeding the multitude. We are in danger when we refuse to give up our anger and scorn. We can see a little scorn here for we see the disciples thought it ridiculous that Jesus would tell them to give 5000 men something to eat.) 

***

Matthew 14   And they say unto HIM, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

He said, Bring them hither to ME.

And HE commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, HE blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

***

Later Jesus will show the disciples how they blocked out the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 .. and it even caused them to become dull of hearing so they could not understand a warning given by Jesus.

Matthew 16:5-12  And when His disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

(error in thinking on part of disciples)

The disciples had witnessed Jesus feeding the 5000 but they hardened their hearts and failed to see this miracle because they wanted Jesus to send the multitude away and Jesus went against the plan put forth by the disciples.

Jesus rebukes them.

Which when Jesus perceived, HE said unto them,

O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Then understood they how that HE bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

***

Strife can cause us to fall into sin if we allow it to do so.

It is more critical for us to give up the strife and to go forward in peace than it is to hold on to the incorrectness we think other person did in the matter at hand.

***

My neighbor told me he had always hated his stepmother. 

(Neighbor was in his 70's when he told me this story.) 

He said one day, he was sitting on his porch thinking about how much he hated his stepmother, when he realized it did no good to hate her ... and as he thought on this, the hatred simply vanished!  A miracle of God. (I suspect he was born again when he let that hatred go.)

***

Lust to have "the best" can lead us to unwise purchases. 

I did this once concerning buying a TV.  I thought I was buying the best brand and it turned out to be a lemon and the dealer even defrauded me as he would not calibrate the TV as he promised to do.

I lived for about a year with an extremely distorted picture on a very expensive TV. 

Then one day, as I was trying to help the picture by adjusting the settings, the Holy Spirit helped me by saying, "You don't have to put up with this." 

I realized that was right ... I didn't have to put up with that TV ... I could buy another TV... I had plenty of money in my savings to pay for another TV, even though the defective TV had cost me a lot of money and was only 1 year old at that time. 

When they brought the new TV, I told installer to just carry away the previous TV though it had been very expensive.  (I just wanted that TV removed so it would not be called to my attention and cause me to be annoyed further.) 

Where I wanted to blame the dealer who sold me the defective TV, it was my own lust to "have the best" which led me into the problem.

James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

***

Finally, by the will of God, I gave up the anger against the dealer and had a TV which actually had a very good picture which did not trouble me anymore.

I lost money ... but peace is more important than money.

***

We make mistakes, and maybe even sin, but God heals us when we will let HIM and God restores us. 

John 5:6  When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, HE saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 

*****

.

Hymn:  Victory in Jesus

 Piano music unavailable at this time

1.  I heard an old, old story how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.

Chorus: 

O victory in Jesus (The Word), my Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.


2.  I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.

3.  I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing and the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory.

*****

Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:

Hebrews 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.


Romans 5:7-8   For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.


Hebrews 10:14   For by one offering HE hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.


Only Jesus is worthy.  Only HIS blood is worthy to buy us and pay for our sins.

I didn't shed any of my blood to pay for my sins.  (We cannot pay for sins by our good works.)

But Jesus did shed His blood to pay for my sins and also to pay for your sins.

***

Revelation 5:1-5   And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
 
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.


Revelation 5:9-12  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for THOU wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by THY blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

***

 I John 1:7   But if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ HIS Son cleanseth us from all sin.

*****

Instruction in Righteousness: Acts 9

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, ² And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

³ And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

⁴ And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

⁵ And he said, Who art thou, Lord?

And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

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.

(Paul speaks more of this encounter in Acts 26)

Acts 26:9-22       I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in ME.19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

***

Back to Acts 9:

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.

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.

²¹ But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

²² But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

²³ And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

²⁴ But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

²⁵ Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.


***

²⁶ And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

²⁷ But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

²⁸ And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

²⁹ And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

³⁰ Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

³¹ Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.


***

³² And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. ³³ And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

³⁴ And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed.

And he arose immediately.

³⁵ And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.


***

³⁶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

³⁷ And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

³⁸ And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

³⁹ Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

⁴⁰ But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise.

And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

⁴¹ And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

⁴² And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

⁴³ And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

*****

The Wisdom of God Concerning Money and the Pursuit of Money

Book:  Exhortations For The Church
Vol. 9, Chapter 29
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet 


Many people grow up learning to pursue money ... seeking better paying jobs ... desiring more money ... And often those same people hate going to work at those jobs... They never really see themselves fitting the following where Paul warns us about the "love" of money.  They never realize it is "the love of money" driving them to areas which are harmful to themselves.  They think the warning concerning "the love of money" applies to rich people and not to average or poor people.

Paul says ...

I Timothy 6:6-12  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
 
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

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Jesus says we cannot follow God and money (mammon) at the same time.

Matthew 6:24-25 ... No man can serve two masters:for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.

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. 

... 33-34  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.

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Pam Padgett tells this interesting story ...

When I was in high school I wore eye glasses.  At one point I decided I wanted to get contacts to use instead of glasses, thinking they would make me look more attractive.  But my mom told me I couldn't get contacts because they were too expensive.  So I decided to get a job to earn money to buy contacts myself.

In the small town where we lived there was a fast food place called Dairy Boy.  My older sister had worked there in the past and really liked it, so I thought this would be fun for me as well.  They hired me, but I found I didn't like the job.  At first I tried to explain away that I didn't like working there, such as that I just needed to get used to it.  Finally, I realized that I just hated working there and decided to quit.   

But I didn't quite have enough money saved for contacts, and this was like a hook for me. 

Foolishly I worked another couple weeks.  I was miserable this whole time, and know it would have been far better for me to have just quit when I realized how much I hated this job and not keep working until I had the money for the contacts.

(And after putting myself through this, I landed up not even getting the contacts.  My mom wouldn't allow me to buy them.)

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Much harm can come to us when we set about to pursue money.

It is far better to pursue something that interests you where you find your work interesting to you.

My dad was a mechanic.  He loved working with motors.  His brother was a farmer.  Had my dad tried farming, he would have been miserable.

Most of us had to get a job to pay our bills, but to seek the job that paid the most money would be following after money and that usually leads to much unnecessary trouble.

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Later Pam Padgett had the following happen and turned to God with the concern:

Many years ago I didn't know what kind of work I wanted to do, but had very strong secretarial skills and accepted a job at a bank as a secretary. 

My manager was an attorney and CPA and I found the work interesting for the first couple years.

But then I found that I was becoming bored with the work. 

So I turned to God and told Him how bored I was and asked if there was any kind of work I could do that would be interesting to me.

About that time (approximately 1986) my manager asked if I would setup and start using two PCs that had been given to our department but were not being used.  One had never been taken out of the box. 

I told my manager I'd be glad to do this, but that I didn't know anything about computers. 

I asked about taking some computer classes, and he agreed. 

I got a list of courses offered at a community college and reviewed it with my manager.  We selected two courses.  One course was called "Basic" and we both thought this would be a good choice since I needed a "basic" understanding of computers.

But the first night of the Basic class, I learned that the class taught the computer programming language called "Basic".  As soon as the instructor started talking about programming, I knew very strongly that programming is what I wanted to do, that it "fit" me.

As I drove home that night I kept thanking God and saying "This is it!"  I knew God led me to a kind of work that would be interesting to me.  I landed up programming more than 20 years and very much enjoyed this work.

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If you are a Christian and hate the work you do, but you keep doing this work for the money, it is that "love of money" leading you.  You feel trapped by bills, debt and such and think you have to stay at that job.  The example of Pam praying and letting God lead her is a good example for you.

Paul says:  "The love of money is the root of all evil." 

And Jesus tells us seek first the "kingdom of God" and HIS righteousness ... I think that means to pray, asking God to help us to see how to get where HE wants us. 

Certainly if you are in debt you need to learn another way of life where you live within your means.

 If you don't know how to go about doing these things to free yourself, consider doing the following:

James 1:5 ...  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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Most parents set up plans to teach their children "the value of money", never realizing their plans may take their children in the wrong direction and create in the child "a love of money".

When I was a child, I asked my dad to give me an allowance.

He would not do that.  He said he would give me whatever I needed and that I should just ask him.

That is so much more like we learn to do as we become Christian adults and turn to God asking HIM for various needs to be provided.

And remember what Jesus said:  God knows we have need of these things!   Matthew 6

Sometimes that which we think we need would not be good for us nor would it fit in with the plans God has for our lives.

But we read in Bible that no good thing will God withhold from us who walk uprightly.

Get out of debt if you have debt.  Seek God and HIS will for you daily.  Resist all plans to follow after money knowing that this can bring much unneeded trouble and grief upon you and can even damage your soul, giving place to various sins of envy and temptations of this world.

Don't bring trouble upon yourself!

Learn the way of God and live that way concerning money.

Free yourself, if needed.

I Timothy 6:17-19 ... Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the LIVING God, WHO giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 

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John 18, Jesus said:  "MY kingdom is not of this world."  

Neither is our kingdom of this world.

Consider carefully those things spoken by the apostle Paul in I Timothy 6 for this is the way of God for those who belong to God.

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BOOK: Exhortations For The Church, Volume 9
Chapter 29

Joan Boney



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God watches over us and helps us with those things that pertain to us.

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

We have 2 incredible happenings showing God's intervention to help us in the past two weeks.

Both concern the house that is in Texas which we put up for sale when I had an accident in December, 2018, and was being rolled past my front door of the Texas house and heard this from God:  "You'll never see this house again."

After hearing that, I put the house up for-sale, not knowing at that time where I would be going but believing that word concerning my leaving the property in Texas.


***

The first realtor, whom we hired in December, 2018, didn't make effort to get the property ready for showing, It was March before we realized what was happening.  I was too ill after surgery to focus on the Texas house.

We switched to another realtor in April, 2019.

In the six weeks after listing the house with second realtor, not one person asked to view the property.

The realtor said she was baffled.  Pam and I didn't understand what was going on with the house.

God brought the following to Pam's mind:  "Did that say 2 bedrooms."  (on the Internet listing) 

There are 4 bedrooms.

Pam thought, "Surely not!"   But Pam did check the listing and it did say on the Internet listings that the house had 2 bedrooms.

No wonder we'd had no inquiries from potential buyers.

We contacted the realtor immediately.  

 She made corrections and within two days she showed the house.

I asked realtor about having an open house and also about having realtor tour of house.

After I asked, realtor scheduled open house for next weekend.


***

Second disclosure from God.

The north side of house has well traveled street taking people to Wal-Mart.

Shortly after the house was placed on market, I had an open vision of a man driving past the house on that street, stopping, backing car up to house, and staring at the property.

On Sunday, the following thought came to Pam:

"Is there a for-sale sign on that side of house?"

Pam thought, "Surely there is!" 

(Pam also had this thought before but ignored it.  This time she mentioned it to me.)

We contacted a friend in Lubbock and she said there is no for-sale sign on North side of property.

Insanity!

We contacted realtor immediately.

She put a for-sale sign on North side of house, but made a negative  remark saying due to the evergreens, it was hard to see a sign on that side of house.  Ridiculous!  She has at least 100 feet of space and at least 2 clear areas at that side for visibility.

I was livid.  I saw realtor's remark as an attempted justification for her incompetence.

I responded immediately as follows:

Put three signs if needed, but make it work!  This is ridiculous!  Joan

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There are times we can be so upset that we really don't want to let that anger go.  But we cannot go forward in clarity of mind while holding onto anger.  Anger damages us.  So we must be willing to get over our anger.  God will help us to rid ourselves of the bad feelings if we are willing.

James 3:14-18    if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Before bedtime, my anger began breaking and lifting from me ... but next day I also had to get over it by focusing on those things God showed me about the matter ... and also by reviewing God's mercy in showing us the problem so we could make corrections, for none of us realized what was happening with the house.  It was the mercy of God in our behalf that it was resolved!  And that is what really matters.

Also to harden our hearts and hold onto our pride and scorn blocks us from seeing and from entering into the miracle performed by God.   

God is helping us.


***

When we put house on the market (December, 2018), my contractor recommended a realtor.  We listed with that realtor.  He wouldn't return our emails or phone calls.  We found later that he did not even have the house prepared for viewing.  We dismissed him in March and got second realtor.  She had house cleaned and took photos but apparently she copied first realtors data which was incorrect.  And she failed to put realty sign on the side of the house where traffic would see that the property was "for sale".

These realty errors came to light when the Lubbock property tax department changed our tax status from non-profit to taxable.  

This was like a bomb falling.  We filed an appeal.  If we had to pay taxes on this property before it sold it would end up costing us over $700 for every month the property did not sell.  It caused us to focus on trying to sell the house as soon as possible.

At that point, I was reminded of the following scripture.  

Romans 8:28   And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose. 

Though the tax change seemed evil, it did cause us to focus on the sale of the property and when we turned to look, God showed us the two significant problems ... with the house listing and realty signs.

Basically this shows you can trust God even when the humans around you show themselves to be less than competent. 

So ... 

If God be for us, who can be against us?   Romans 8:28

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