Ideas come into our minds and if those ideas are of God they are wonderful to think upon and to allow them to go down into our heart.
But when ideas are not of God and we allow those thoughts to get into our hearts, at some point they are likely to bear fruits and cause trouble for us and for others.
In Genesis 6:5, God said: And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
The works of the flesh of man are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: (Gal. 5:19-21)
The only thing making us better than man of Genesis 6 is Jesus who died for our sins and God giving us HIS Spirit who is good!
As we follow God's Spirit we produce the fruits of HIS Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: (Gal. 5:22-23)
Our flesh never improves no matter what we do. It is always there and is opposite from the Spirit given to us by God. So we must choose those ideas given us by the Spirit of God and when we go that way we overcome our flesh and keep our flesh down.
If we think on things of God, good goes into our hearts.
If we think of things of our own flesh, evil goes down into our hearts.
The apostle Paul said: Romans 7:19For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:
David prayed:
Psalm 51:10-12
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from THY presence; and take not THY Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of THY salvation; and uphold me with THY free spirit.
💥💥💥
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
💥💥💥
II Cor. 10
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
God taught me to examine those thoughts that come into my mind and to bring such into agreement with the word of God. God taught me to turn to HIM in prayer asking HIM about that fearful thought. Frequently after doing that God would settle me by reminding me of a scripture or a concept. And as I thought on that which God brought me it went down into my own heart and uprooted the thought that was from devil or from my own flesh.
Matthew 12Jesus said:
33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
We store up good treasure in our hearts by thinking on the Word which God sends to us by HIS Spirit.
We make our hearts good after we are born again, by thinking on those things that are of God and from God.
God taught me to meditate on the Word that HE brings to my attention by HIS Holy Spirit for that is the Word that I need at that point in time.
And also we do that Word and continue to do that Word. (Doing things appropriate to that word.)
John 8:31-32Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on HIM, If ye continue in MY word, then are ye MY disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
God reminds us of a scripture and we focus on that scripture doing that which is appropriate to the instruction of that scripture ... and continuing to do that scripture.
As we live in that scripture, it becomes a way of life to us and a part of us. And we lay up our treasure in heaven by becoming one with that Word that comes down from heaven to us.
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
2.Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3.Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest; Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
(Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
*****
Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:
v. 2Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. Work of Angels: Bible examples
Angels come down from heaven as commanded by God to do various works of God according to the will of God.
* An angel of the Lord told Zacharias that
his wife Elisabeth would bear a son and they were to call his name John. Luke 1:11-15 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him,Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
***
Luke 1:39-44
Mary, who is carrying Jesus in her womb, visits her cousin,
Elizabeth, who is carrying John the Baptist in her womb ... The baby,
John the Baptist, is filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb
as soon as Mary with the baby Jesus enter the room ...
And
Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste,
into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and
saluted Elisabeth. 41And
it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the
babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
And
she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among
women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
***
Luke 1:16-17 ... concerning John the Baptist ... And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before HIM (before Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
***
* The angel Gabriel was sent to Mary to tell her she would have a son and to call His name Jesus. Luke 1:26-38 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her,Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the
Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David:
And HE shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of HIS kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her,The
Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall
overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of
thee shall be called the Son of God.
And,
behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old
age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.
And the angel departed from her.
***
* An angel told Joseph not to fear to take Mary for his wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:18-25 Now
the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was
espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child
of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for HE shall save His people from their sins.
Now
all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the
Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and
shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which
being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name Jesus.
***
* An angel of the Lord told the
shepherds that the Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born and they could
find Him in a manger in Bethlehem.
Luke 2:8-15 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
***
* An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream to tell him to take Mary and Jesus and flee into Egypt and to remain in Egypt until the angel gave him word to return.
Matthew 2:13-14And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream,saying,
Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt,
and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young
child to destroy Him.
When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt
***
* Later an angel told Joseph to return into the land of Israel for the ruler who wanted to kill the baby Jesus was now dead.
Matthew 2:19-21But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying,
Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and go into the land of
Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
And he arose, and took the young child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
***
* When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan 40-days, angels ministered to Him.
Mark 1:12-13 And immediately the spirit driveth Him (Jesus) into the wilderness.
And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts;and the angels ministered unto Him.
***
* An angel of God moved the great stone which sealed the tomb of Jesus.
Matthew 28:2And, behold, there was a
great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and
came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
***
* An angel of God came down from heaven to free Peter from prison.
Acts 12:1-11Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
And
when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to
four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to
bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And
when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was
sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers
before the door kept the prison.
And,
behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the
prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise
up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now
I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath
delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of
the people of the Jews.
***
* An angel delivered a message to the apostle Paul, telling Paul no harm would come to him and those on the ship.
Acts 27:18-25And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
And
when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest
lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
But
after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said,
Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete,
and to have gained this harm and loss.
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
***
Genesis 28:10-12
And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he
lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the
sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for
his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Angels descend, carrying messages from God and doing works of God.
Then angels go back to heaven where God assigns them as He wills.
***
Psalm 103:20Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word.
***
(Comments
by Joan Boney ...) The night of January 10, 1980, I was asleep and
awakened by a very loud trumpet-like voice which blew 3 words into my
ear as follows: "Hartford, Seattle, KWJS" ... I believe this to have been an angel of God speaking to me.
By this and through prayer, I came to believe God was leading me to go
on radio. Within about 5 days of this word, I was broadcasting
exhortations week-days on KWJS radio. Within a year I was on radio
stations from NYC (Hartford) to Seattle.
***
Psalm 104:4 Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire:
***
Exodus 23:20-25 God says: Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for MY name (the Word) is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.
For
Mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites,
and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites,
and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off. Thou
shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their
works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their
images. And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and HE shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
***
Notice how angels deliver messages from God to individuals. Angels also do great works. It was an angel who moved the large stone from the front of the tomb of Jesus.
***
It is not so much delighting in the fact that an angel appeared to you but rather delighting and following that wordwhich the angel of God delivered to you.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
God says:
9 Have not I commanded thee?
Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Other verses in Joshua 1:
(Which I have found valid today.)
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses MY servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
💥💥💥
Psalm 1
1
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in HIS law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
💥💥💥
Deuteronomy 28
1
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the
voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all HIS commandments
which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on
high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4
Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground,
and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of
thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7
The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be
smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and
flee before thee seven ways.
8 The LORD shall command the
blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest
thine hand unto; and HE shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy
God giveth thee.
9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people
unto HIMSELF, as HE hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the
commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in HIS ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11
And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy
body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in
the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12
The LORD shall open unto thee HIS good treasure, the heaven to give the
rain unto thy land in HIS season, and to bless all the work of thine
hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13
And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt
be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto
the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to
observe and to do them:
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any
of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the
left, to go after other gods to serve them.
💥💥💥
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.
As a new Christian in 1975, God showed me the man Phinehas of the Old Testament.
Phinehas was the grandson of Aaron. He was a great man of God because he did judgments that were right in the sight of God. He was not trying to exalt himself nor please himself nor make himself look good in the sight of other men. But rather Phinehas saw evil and dealt with the evil and by his acts God was appeased.
Numbers 25:5-9 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
💥💥💥
Today we set things in order by speaking the truth of the Spirit of God to the people.
Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in HIS sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of HIM with whom we have to do.
We speak the word of God and judgment is established by the sword of the Spirit of God.
💥💥💥
So often people today want to see themselves as very nice people as they do their works and as they speak their good words to justify themselves in our sight.
Grief comes to us through such things as this.
The truth of God brings love, joy, and peace to the elect of God in a wicked world.
As we follow the Spirit of God, speaking what HE gives us to speak, we do the work of God.
But many do their own works which make them feel like nice persons and cause people to think they are good.
(And the goal of their heart is to make others see them as good as they do their "good" works and as they speak their "good" things. When we are troubled by them, it is the Spirit showing us the truth about their works and words. For the Spirit in us in not deceived by them for the Spirit sees their heart behind their works. Like Phinehas we bring judgment and set truth in the matter at hand, appeasing God by truth, and turning some from their good works to God to do HIS works instead of their own fleshly works.)
💥💥💥
Jesus says:
Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto ME, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of MY Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to ME in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in THY name? and in THY name have cast out devils? and in THY name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from ME, ye that work iniquity.
1.Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, The shadow of a mighty Rock Within a weary land; A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way, From the burning of the noontide heat, And the burden of the day.
2.Oh, safe and happy shelter! Oh, refuge tried and sweet! Oh, trysting place where heaven’s love And heaven’s justice meet *. As to the holy patriarch That wondrous dream was given, So is my Savior by the cross A ladder up to heaven.
3.There lies beneath its shadow, But on the farther side, The darkness of an awful grave That gapes both deep and wide; And there between us stands the cross, Two arms outstretched to save, Like a watchman set to guard the way From that eternal grave.
4. Upon that cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see The very dying form of One, Who suffered there for me; And from my smitten heart, with tears, Two wonders I confess, The wonders of His glorious love, And my own worthlessness. 5. I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His WORD; Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss, My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the cross.
(Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
***
* where heaven’s love And heaven’s justice meet: heaven's love is shown by God's sacrifice of His Son, and Jesus' willingness to die for us. Heaven's justice requires payment for our sins for it to be just. The only payment sufficient to justify our sins is the blood of Jesus.
***
Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:
Hebrews 9:22 ... and without shedding of blood is no remission. ***
John 14:6 Jesus says: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME.
The way of life and truth is The Word of God.
When we go that way, we live in HIM, doing that which HE says.
***
Psalm 119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:130The entrance of THY words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. *** II Timothy 3:16-17All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. *** I Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear (from God) , I judge: and MY judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent ME.
💥💥💥
Jesus, the Son of God, could do nothing without hearing from God the Father.
Certainly I can do nothing unless I hear from God the Father.
God gives me information and direction and I simply do that which I hear to do.
This is the foundation of: Building your house on the word from God.
and (we)talk of THY power; To make known to the sons of men HIS mighty acts,
💥💥💥
Comments by Joan Boney:
We can check ourselves, and others, by the above scripture:
* Are we talking about that which God has done in our lives? Are they telling us that which God has done?
* Are we showing the works of God when we speak? Are they showing the works of God by their words?
💥💥💥
Examples:
# 1. I saw the British Open Golf Tournament in July.
Are we talking about what God has done? Yes: No: X
Are we showing the works of God? Yes: No: X
💥💥💥
#
2. As I looked at my 25 year old car, I was thinking about having new
upholstery put on front seat, and I had the following bought to mind: "Or you could just buy a new car." I could buy a new car. I had sold my house in Texas and had the cash in the bank from the sale of the house.
Are we talking about what God has done? Yes: X No:
Are we showing the works of God? Yes: X No:
Mt. 11:30 God's yoke is easy. God's burden is light.
Jn. 16:13 The Holy Spirit "guides you".
💥💥💥
#
3. I began having trouble finding food to eat. Nothing seemed to
taste good. I'm 83. I began praying asking God to help me and show me
what to do. I began thinking about buying an outdoor grill. I had the money so I could pay cash. Several times in the next few weeks, I thought of a grill. I bought a grill.
Are we talking about what God has done? Yes: X No:
Are we showing the works of God? Yes: X No:
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.
💥💥💥
# 4. Pastor wanted to build a new church building. I asked Him: What did God say to you about this? Did God show you to build a new building? Pastor
did not answer me at all. Two times pastor asked me to come see his
building and "bless" his building. Pastor's wife said they really
wanted me to come see their work that they were planning. Never did either of them mention anything about God.
Do we have any evidence that God is leading them to do this? Yes: No: X
💥💥💥
# 5. I had a dream: A woman was singing. I said, "It's a little voice, but it is a nice little voice." Then in the dream there was a blog and I saw it was a way to communicate with the church.
Blog: no cost to publish
Blog: goes all over the world instantly
Blog: no censor of materials written (complete freedom in writing)
Do we have any evidencethat God led me to start a blog? Yes: X No:
💥💥💥
# 6. Man comes to our house to do extermination work. He identifies himself to me as a Christian. Then this man says, "You could always pray that the mice would go to the house of neighbor that you hate." I replied: "I don't have any neighbors that I hate." Later he began telling me that he goes on ministry trips to different cities each summer. I asked: "And how did God tell you to do this?" He had no answer to this question.
Is this man talking about what God has done? Yes: No: X
Is this man showing the works of God? Yes: No: X
💥💥💥
#7. I saw a new TV series that has potential.
Are we talking about what God has done? Yes: No: X
Are we showing the works of God? Yes: No: X
💥💥💥
#
8. An announcement was made at church of a ministry trip with the
singles class at church. As a young woman, Pam Padgett signed up for
this trip. There was no mention of "how" they were to "minister". The church was several hundred miles away, on the other side of the state.
No one knew what they were to do to "minister" when they arrived at the church.
Should there be a question about this "ministry trip" and who authored this? God or man?
💥💥💥
# 9. In 1982, I was reading the following scripture from 2 Thessalonians 2:3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (of the Lord) shall not come, except there comea falling awayfirst,
As I read this scripture, I heard these words which I believed to be information from God: "This
falling away are not people leaving the churches. This falling away are the churches leaving the scripture."
Today is there evidenceof
churches having left portions of scripture and having set up new
doctrines opposite to the instruction of the Bible in their groups?
Yes: X No:
Was this information given to me in 1982 likely a word of knowledge from God based on the evidence seen today in churches? Yes: X No:
💥💥💥
The apostle Paul said:
I Thessalonians 5:21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Do you do that concerning the things you say to others? Yes: No:
Do you evaluate what others say to you? Yes: No:
💥💥💥
One
of our neighbors told Pam Padgett to tell me "hello" and also to tell
me how much she enjoyed hearing the story of my old car.
Evaluation:
This neighbor didn't mention the scriptures which I sent to her
concerning homosexuals and lesbians though I sent many scriptures on
this subject to her: Romans 1:26-28; Genesis 13:13; Genesis 19; I Kings
22:46; I Kings 15:12; 2 Kings 23:7; I Kings 14:24
A
few days before this neighbor told this to Pam, I became aware of how
much deception people carry to us and I began praying for God not to let
me to be deceived or deluded.
After hearing the message from this neighbor, I was at first glad ... but
then I was reminded that she said nothing about enjoying what I wrote
where I shared those scriptures concerning homosexuals and lesbians!
I
believe this tells the truth about this woman. She does not delight in
the scriptures, the Word of God. But she wants to delight in that
which she sees humans do.
Many church going people are like this.
We need to pray that we not be deceived nor deluded by people.
For these are indeed "perilous times".
2 Timothy 3
1-4 This know also, that in the last daysperilous timesshall
come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
without
natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
(They
tell you where they go to church. They love their buildings and
delight in their stained glass windows and in their pastors, but they do not love the Word of God!)
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (God teaches us.)
15 And that from a child thou hast knownthe holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
💥💥💥
And Jesus says:
Matthew 7:21-23 Not
every one that saith unto ME, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom
of heaven; but he that doeth the will of MY Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to ME in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in THY name? and in THY name have cast out devils? and in THY name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from ME, ye that work iniquity.
1.Low in the grave He lay — Jesus my Savior! Waiting the coming day — Jesus my Lord!
Chorus:
Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes. He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever in His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
2.Vainly they watch His tomb Jesus, my Savior! Vainly they seal the dead— Jesus my Lord!
3.Death cannot keep his prey— Jesus, my Savior! He tore the bars away— Jesus my Lord!
(Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
*****
Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:
Matthew 27:59And when Joseph had taken the body (of Jesus), he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Matthew 27:62-66 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.Command
therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest His
disciples come by night, and steal Him away, and say unto the people,
He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the
first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. ***
Matthew 28:1-4In
the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the
week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (These women also prepared and brought to the tomb fine smelling spices, for when the body decays there is a stink and they wanted to cover up that odor. They didn't know there would be no decaying body where Jesus was concerned for God would not "suffer" Jesus' body to see corruption as other flesh saw corruption. Jesus' body and soul were removed by God from the tomb.) And,
behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord
descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door,
and sat upon it. His (the angel's) countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. ***
Luke 24:1-7 Now
upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came
unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and
certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how HE spake unto you when HE was yet in Galilee,Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
***
Acts 13:35-37Wherefore he (David) saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. For
David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell
on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But HE, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
When they entered the tomb of Jesus, His body was gone as well as His Spirit. God did not allow Jesus' body to decay the way of normal flesh.
If something would be harmful to us, to our salvation, God will stop us!
When a stop sign appears in the highway, don't be afraid to stop.
God will sort through it and restore our souls.
I Cor. 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
The elect of God are kept by God. Something will stop us when we need to be stopped.
When I asked God, "What grieves the Holy Spirit?" I was reminded of the following scripture.
John 6:63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
I believe we grieve the Spirit of God when we do works of our own flesh which are not authored by God. Often we are trying to make ourselves look good to other people. Or we are doing something to show our own flesh that we are really "nice" people.
Romans 7:18 Paul says: For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:
💥💥💥
Ephesians 4 shows us how we are to live and what we are to do on this earth.
Paul says:
21 If so be that ye have heard HIM, and have been taught by HIM,as the truth is in Jesus(in The Word):
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
(Mostly my flesh wants to tell them things they will want to hear rather than telling the the truth. But that is my flesh and usually God doesn't let my flesh get by with doing that.)
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
(Devil brings thoughts and ideas to us. We must not act on those thoughts or ideas for this gives place for the devil to operate in our lives. God brings thoughts to us and devil brings thoughts to us. We learn the difference and resist those thoughts brought by the devil and we follow those thoughts brought by God.)
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
(edify: to build, especially in things of God)
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
💥💥💥
Here is truth: Often we don't want to speak the words of God, the truth, for that might make us look bad to the human and they might be offended with us.
What we want to do is to speak things that please the human and makes the human feel good about that which he has done or is doing.
Also by speaking those "good" things, we see ourselves as "nice" people.
But instead of yielding to our flesh, we yield to the Spirit speaking what HE wants us to speak, and doing what the Spirit wants us to do, because we know that the Spirit carries the will of God to us.
I Cor. 2:11-13For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak,
Therefore we know the Spirit of God shows us the will of God in the matter at hand and we speak and do that instead of yielding to our own flesh and what our flesh wants us to do and say.
💥💥💥
Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus says:
21 Not every one that saith unto ME, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of MY Father which is in heaven.
(Unless God authors our work, we do evil even in our "good" works.)
22 Many will say to ME in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in THY name? and in THY name have cast out devils? and in THY name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from ME, ye that work iniquity.
💥💥💥
If we follow the Spiritwe will do what the Spirit shows us to do and that will be the will of God. And God will be exalted in that which we do and in that which we say.
John 6:63 Jesus says: It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
When fearful thoughts come to us they are often from devils. Those thoughts are usually trying to get us to do something and especially to "push" us into doing something.
Do not give place to the devil.
When we act by a thought sent by a devil, we give place for the devil to operate in our lives.
(Remember the devil is a liar and the truth is not in him, so when devil brings a thought telling us what someone is thinking or doing concerning that which we said or did, the opposite is often true.)
John 8:44 Jesus said: He (the devil) was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
(Imaginations are often from devils who want to torment us.)
Instead, we should turn to God with fears and ask God to settle us. For if we speak when we are afraid, often we bring confusion and evil and end up tormenting all who hear us.
So when we are troubled, we should take that concern to God in prayer and see what God would have us do in the issue.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1. When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way; While we do His good will, He abides in us still, And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, For there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.
2.Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His WORD quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, Not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. 3.Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, Not a frown or a cross, But is blest if we trust and obey. 4. But we never can prove The delights of His love, Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, And the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey. 5. Then in fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet, Or we’ll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do; Where He sends, we will go, Never fear, only trust and obey. (Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
*****
Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do HIS commandments: HIS praise endureth for ever.
The fear of the Lord is a deep respect for God and The Word.
When we "fear" God, we are basically afraid to go in a way opposite to God's Word for we have an inner understanding that God knows what is best and to violate what HE says is to go in a way of self destruction.
Therefore our trust is based on the awe we have for God.
And we obey God, doing what HE says to us by HIS Spirit.
***
In December, 2018, at the age of 81, I fell at my house.
As the ambulance people were removing me and we reached the front door, I heard the following word in the form of a thought that came to my mind: "You'll never see this house again."
I believed that thought was from God.
Therefore I believed there would be another way for me to go if I survived the accident.
I put my house up for sale even as I was awaiting surgery.
A church person said to me, "I don't see how you can do that." (I don't think she understood faith in God.)
I explained to her that when you believe you have heard from God and there is a way to go, you simply obey ... no hesitation.
I never looked back and I never saw that house again.
I did not know where I would go when I put the house up for sale but I knew God would work it out for me and reveal it to me and God did within a few weeks. A woman in our little church group took me (and my cat) into her house to live in Colorado. She is a very godly woman and prays over everything! It is a great joy for me to live in a house with such a person.
My life was made better after my accident, not worse.
God had a plan for me and I knew HIS plan was all that mattered.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
*****
Acts 17 ... NIV Original Translation ... God chooses the exact places we will live and the times we will live there.
KJV Acts 17:26 … And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
(God determines the times we live and the places we live.) 27-28 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though HE be not far from every one of us: 28 For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.
