💥 Book #12: Life in Christ Series: * Great Is THY Faithfulness, Chapter 14

 

(Order all books from Amazon:  E-books: 99 cents each)

 

Jesus says:  In This World You Will Have Tribulation.  Be of Good Cheer.  I Have Overcome This World.

 

In 1960, there was an article in the Dallas Morning News which confounded us ... there was going to be something ahead, the article said, called "plastic money," and in time we would all be using this plastic money.

We couldn't imagine such a thing.

One of the plastic cards was called "Master Card".  (The article said we would use this instead of money to purchase almost everything ... food, gas, movie tickets, clothing ...)

*****

I use it today but I never charge any amount that I do not have cash to pay for immediately.  And I never let the amount carry over to the next month.  I pay in full at each billing. 

Often people charge things they cannot pay for and then they lose their jobs and say, "If only this hadn't happened, I would have been fine."

Living the way of the world, puts you in a place for tribulation in the world. 

(There are many tribulations of this world that we can avoid by choosing not to live in the way of this world.)

Debt is one of the main traps today.

In those days (1960's), some stores had their own credit accounts, but to use a single card everywhere would make credit much easier... and it did.

It is easier to go into debt now.

*****

In 1975, when I was born again, one of the first things I recall God teaching me was to get out of debt and to stay out of debt.  

Romans 13:8     Owe no man any thing

I had borrowed about $8000  from a customer who wanted very much to buy into my business.

But she was not born again and now I was born again.

I saw such scripture as:

II Corinthians 6:14    Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers

I purposed to free myself and pay that money back as quickly as possible.

I learned to cut back on everything.  If it wasn't essential, I didn't buy it.  

For example:  If coffee cost 50 cents and I could make it at home for less, I carried it from home in a thermos or paper cup.  These are "small" things but it caught my attention and caused me to live differently. 

(I don't do this today because I'm out of debt but I did this when I was trying to get out of debt to restructure my thinking about debt and purchases.)

Of course I was praying constantly for help and wisdom.

In a short time, the debt was down to $6000.

*****

In my store, the bulk of our money was made selling jewelry. 

But when I was on a buying trip at that time, an old Navajo rug caught my eye.  I couldn't walk away from it.  I bought it for $500.

I took it to a very fine rug appraiser in Albuquerque.  

She said to me, "Joan ... you really lucked out.  Most of these old rugs are worthless but you've bought a very good rug worth about $1500 today.  You need to hold on to this, so when you return to Dallas you need to put a very high price on it so no one will buy it."

The day after I returned to Dallas, a man came to see our merchandise. 

He saw that old rug, rolled up and at the side of the wall.  He asked, "What's that?"

I told him it was just an old Navajo rug.

He said, "Let me see it."

I said, "I don't think you'd like it."

He said, "Let me see it anyway."

I rolled it out on the floor.

He asked, "How much?"

I replied, "$5000."

He said, "I'll take it."

I tried to talk him out of it.  But he insisted and began writing out a check. 

I did not overprice merchandise.  I protected my customers. 

I was really horrified in what I had done. 

I said, "I'm not going to cash your check for a week.  This will give you time to live with the rug and if you want to bring it back I will give you your check back."

He took the rug away with him.

He did not bring it back. I don't believe I ever saw this man again.

I used that money, and put another $1000 with it, to pay off the unbeliever who had invested in my business.

Never again was I in debt nor yoked to an unbeliever. 

I believe it was God who led me to buy that rug.  It was the only time I ever had a rug for sale in my shop.  My merchandise was mostly jewelry with some high quality Indian pottery.

I feel certain today the rug is worth what the man paid for it.  Art works that are really quality have a way of escalating in price through the years.  But I never overpriced any thing again.

Before I was born again, I sold a necklace that I began to have doubts about the quality of the stone and I tried to buy it back after I was born again, but they would not sell it.  I wanted to make anything right that I had done before I was born again. I would not want to defraud another person.

I Thessalonians 4:6-7    That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

I tried to run my life and my business by scripture, honoring God.

*****

Has anyone told you about the financial problem?

In 1981, I was having a meeting for the radio audience at the convention center in Seattle. 

I was in my hotel room between meetings when I received a phone call from one of our part time staff who worked for the office manager in Arlington, Texas.

She asked me if anyone had told me about the financial problem.

"What financial problem?"  I asked.

She said we didn't have enough money to pay our radio bills for the next month.

Both the offerings and the radio station bills were handled by the office manager at that time.

She had said nothing at all to me about a problem. 

(To confess a problem would have been contrary to the doctrine of the faith movement which she was in and so was I at that time in 1981.  Very shortly after this, God removed me from that movement.)

I lived a very conservative life with no debt ever.  I spent only what I had money for and my own apartment was only $180 per month.  My car was 10-15 years old.  I only took a salary of $400 per month from ministry. 

(Today I take no salary from ministry and haven't taken any salary for more than 10 years.  I am able to meet my personal needs through my social security check of $779 per month.  I live in a house owned by the ministry... no mortgage.)

It was important to me to use as much of the offerings as possible to pay for the radio broadcasts in 1981, whereby we exhorted the church in the Word of God.

I did not know there was a problem in 1981 until this part time worker reported it to me.

*****

I began praying immediately... asking God...  "What is the problem?"

I heard one word, which was the name of the office manager.

I picked up the phone in Seattle and called her and fired her instantly.

I took control of the bills and the books and was shocked at the amount of salaries she had been paying the office workers and a tax accountant.

I called the accountant immediately and released him.  I told him we could not pay him that much money for non-profit association bookkeeping.

He replied,  "I know it's a lot of money, but in view of how much your office workers make per month, it seemed reasonable."

I explained to him that was all changing immediately.

(Later I asked an IRS agent who had seen my bookkeeping if he thought I could handle the required IRS books and non-profit organization reports and he said he thought I could.  This way I did not have to pay an accountant and I did my own reports to the IRS.)

It was possible to turn around the financial problem within the month and we always paid our radio bills on time as long as I chose to remain on radio.

In no way do I consider the office manager to have been dishonest.  She was simply unwise.  She was in the faith movement and living by their doctrine which basically said God wants people to prosper.  Therefore she was enabling everyone to prosper with our money.

That stopped the day I fired her.

When I took this action, based on that one word (her name) which I heard from God, all the office staff quit, except for that part time worker who told me of the financial problem.

One woman and her husband were being paid, what I considered to be incredible salaries.  The husband was a free-lance gospel singer who hoped to make it big with some ministry.  I didn't have music in my meetings, but he was being paid for office work by our office manager.  I received a very bitter note in response to their quitting.  They expected to remain at work for me through Christmas.  I said, "No.  You go now.  As of now you are fired."  They sent me a Christmas card and in the card they wrote and said I had ruined their Christmas.  (Nonsense.)

Thinking back on it, they should never have been hired to work for a ministry, for they were both divorced and had married after divorce ... adultery according to Bible.

Matthew 5:32    Jesus said: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

I Corinthians 7:10-11    And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:  But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

These scriptures were not taught in the faith movement, but today I would not have permitted such people to be in our ministry unless they repented and agreed with the scripture on the matter.  These scriptures did not become known to me until later.  It was the office manager who hired them but the minister is also responsible for the people allowed in the ministry.

This happened in 1981.

*****

After I wrote books, published by Amazon in 2016-2017, I sent a copy of one of the books telling about antichrist in the churches to this former office manager who was 86-years-old at that time.  I never heard any response from her.

I understand what happened.  The doctrine under which she was living was false doctrine and was the cause of her abundant distribution of our ministry money to the workers.   Also she was the type who had to think the best about everyone regardless of the facts and could only stand "good" things that made her happy.

But God knew the exact source of our financial problem, and God revealed that to me when I prayed that day in Seattle.

I took very immediate action, not sparing the fleshly feelings or "good name" of anyone.

I learned to do such from God through the following scripture which I lived by.

Paul dealing with Peter who was doing wrong: 

Galatians 2:11    But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.  v. 14  But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

*****

If you go by what God shows you and you take action according to what God shows you, things straighten out rapidly.

Since that situation in 1981, there has never been a financial problem. 

We operate this ministry within our means to pay for services or we just do not do those things.

People in the office staff threatened me:  "Just wait until you go out for meetings and have to ship boxes of tapes and have to keep up with all the contributors."

What none of us knew at that time is I would never be going out again.  God stopped that!  And those contributors left me for the most part, so there was no problem keeping up with them.

There was going to be another way to travel all over the world and speak the gospel.  It was going to be done by Internet blog and by books that would be published and distributed on Amazon in e-book and paper formats!

*****

Also since 1981, I have never asked any of our church members for offerings.

The individuals in our little church group have sent money as God has prospered them.  When they retired from their secular jobs, they sent less money in offerings.  Some died and offerings ceased as a result of their deaths.

Regardless, there has been an abundance from God and no need and no want.


Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

(When we are hearing from the Holy Spirit and following HIM, Jesus is our shepherd ... and then we have no wants that are unfulfilled ... no needs)

HE maketh me to lie down in green pastures: HE leadeth me beside the still waters.

HE restoreth my soul: HE leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

*****

2016  ... To Present

At the time of this writing, I drive a 23-year-old car.  It runs very well and costs almost nothing in upkeep nor in state required insurance.  I pray often that the car last for my lifetime.  I am 80-years-old.

I do not purchase anything that would cause us to be drained of cash.  I do not put money pressure on myself nor on anyone else.  I believe this is the way God has shown me to live since I was born again in 1975.

Ministers from around the world frequently send me emails telling of their many works and begging me for money and Bibles.  I do not send money nor Bibles.  They go into works never authored by God.  When God authors the work, the way also is there to do the work.  These ministers take on works which they cannot pay for and beg others for money to pay for their works.  And they love to tell of their feeding of orphans, caring for old people ... often to use these to get more money from other people.  This is not the way of God.  We take care of those things shown us by the Spirit of God.

Jesus said:  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. 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?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from ME, ye that work iniquity.  Matthew 7:21-23

*****

At one point, the faith-movement office manager told me we could buy a Cadillac for me on monthly payments.  I was ashamed of the old car I drove because in the faith movement it seemed as if God wasn't blessing you unless you drove a nice, expensive car.  Most of the ministers I knew in that movement drove Cadillacs, Lincoln Town Cars, or Mercedes. 

My car was an old Oldsmobile with a vinyl top which was peeling off and part of the vinyl was sticking straight up into the air. 

I looked anything but blessed by God.  (can't go by appearances)  It looked awful.  But the car ran very well!  And it was very comfortable.

I continued to drive the old car,  refusing to go into debt for something we couldn't afford to pay cash for, thus continuing in what I believe God showed me when I was born again.

Romans 13:8    Owe no man any thing

I did not have a house to live in, at that time, although many said it was unwise to pay rent for apartment.  I did not choose to have mortgage and go into debt and be controlled by ways of the wisdom of this world and to be subject to the problems of this world as the world went through down-turns.

When we had enough cash I built an apartment to live in.  (1985)

Later I brought a lot  (1987) ...  and when there was sufficient money I sold the apartment and built a house (1990), in Clovis, New Mexico (USA).  No mortgage.

When I moved to Lubbock (2003), after my mother died, I sold the house in Clovis, which had doubled in value, and used that money and personal money to build the house I live in now.  This house was paid for in cash.  No mortgage.

John 16:33    These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.


If you choose to live in the way of this world, which often seems wise, you put yourself in the path of the tribulation of this world.  As things change in the world and the finances go down in this world due to various unforeseen crises, you can go down with the tribulation of the world.

I have chosen not to do that.

*****

Another thing that happened in 1981, I was en route back to Dallas from a one-week-TV-talk show in Detroit.  God said to me, by putting this thought into my mind:  "Don't do any more TV talk shows."

I was scheduled for 2 more TV talk shows:  one in Dallas and another in Phoenix

Surely God would want me to fulfill my commitment on these 2 shows, I thought.

Not so.  

"But what would I tell the host of the TV shows?"  I began to think of possible excuses.

Then I heard:  "Why don't you just tell them the truth?"

(OH no ... the truth?)

I called one station and hoped to leave a message with a secretary but the minister who was the host of the TV show came on the phone.

I said, "I'm going to have to cancel being on your show.  God has told me not to do any more TV talk shows."

"OK", said the host.  She didn't care.

*****

The ending:  Beginning in 2015

Job 42:12    So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning

I've always been a writer.  It is a God-given gift.  I was a writer even in early elementary school.  I love writing.

In 2015, around Thanksgiving (November), I kept having the thought to purchase a Kindle e-reader.

I kept putting this out of my mind because I had a perfectly good first generation e-reader and didn't need new e-reader.

But the thought kept coming back over and over even though I kept reasoning it away.

Finally, I bought a new Kindle Fire. 

It turned out to be much more complicated than my first-generation Kindle and when I couldn't find instructions for basic needs that I could understand in the available user manuals, I would ask Pam Padgett and she would tell me by e-mail what to do.  As the e-mails stacked up on various basic subjects of how to use a Kindle Fire, I realized we had a book here, for non-computer generations.

We wrote the book and published it on Amazon in both e-book & paper.

Graphically Illustrated Kindle Fire 8 Guide:  (for non-computer generations)

When I realized how easy it was to publish on Amazon, I began writing ministry books and publishing them in both e-book and paper books on Amazon.

God used the Kindle book guide to get my attention to publishing ministry books on Amazon.

Thus another avenue for speaking the word of God in all the world opened for me without my having to leave my house and without paying anything for publishing! 

*****

God once said to me:  "One step at a time... one step at a time  ... it is enough."

But we have to take that first step before we can take step number two!

*****

Scriptures:

 

Galatians 2:20   I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave HIMSELF for me. 

 

***

 

1 Timothy 4:7  But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

***

 

Ephesians 5:18-19  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 

 

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

 

 ***

 

John 1:18-20  Of HIS own will begat HE us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of HIS creatures. Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 

 

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. Gen. 25:5

Genesis 25

6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

The sons of the concubines, like Hagar's offspring, cannot rule with the son of the promise, Isaac.

7 And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. (175 years)

8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. 

***

9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;

10 The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.

11 And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi.

***

16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.

17 And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.

18 And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.

19 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac:

20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.

21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.

23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old (60) when she bare them.

27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

How does God feel about Jacob and Esau?  The following scripture tells us.

Romans 9

6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.

10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of HIM that calleth;)

12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

 

18  Therefore hath HE mercy on whom HE will have mercy, and whom HE will HE hardeneth.

  God creates as HE wills in each family.  We just accept what is.  It is the will of God, one spiritual, the other not.  It was done by God.

Can you accept that?  the elect of God ... many church people can't accept that.

***

Esau sells his own birthright for a bowl of pottage.

 

Genesis 25

 

And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.  (Edomites are of Esau)

31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

 

That is like saying, "What good is it for me to be a Christian?"

 

When the king of Sodom made an offer to Abraham, Abram said: And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, 23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:  (Gen. 14)

 

***

Genesis 25

 

33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

Later Esau sought his birthright with tears but tears availed him nothing.

Hebrews 12

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

 

***

 

Moses chose the unseen over that which was seen.

Hebrews 11

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Book #12: Life in Christ Series: * Great Is THY Faithfulness, Chapter 13

 

(Order all books from Amazon:  E-books: 99 cents each)

 

What is does it mean?  The mark of the beast in Revelation.

 

Recently, in a book I am writing, I wrote the following:

But as in the days of Elijah, God has some reserved to HIMSELF who will not bow their knee to "Baal", to the beast of Revelation, to today's thinking of this world ... and will continue to hold fast to scripture from the Bible unto the end and the return of Jesus.  In Elijah's day, there were 7000 reserved by God, who had not bowed their knees to the false prophet Baal. 

I saw immediately:  the ones having the mark of the beast, the number of a man, 666 ... are those who follow today's thinking of this world, discarding Bible to substitute the thinking of the world on the issue at hand.

For example:   A woman who attends a Catholic church was talking with me and the subject was homosexuals and lesbians.

I told her they are turned over by God to a reprobate mind to do these unnatural acts.

She grew silent and seemed to be thinking, and then she replied, "But what about those who say they have always been this way?"

Taking on the things man says is taking on the mark of the beast.

Revelation 13:18 ... Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

I was very disturbed by what she said for it was against Bible which explains truth to us.

Romans 1:26-27   For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

After I was home alone, I talked to God, telling HIM how upset I was by what this woman said.  It was as if she had been listening to TV talk shows where homosexuals and lesbians had been telling about themselves to justify themselves.

My attention was drawn to the fact that homosexuals and lesbians go against nature ... they choose to go against nature.  Bible doctrine.

To agree with the thinking of this world is to take on "the number of a man", the mark of the beast, the thinking of man instead of the doctrine of Bible.

This world teaches man things opposite from Bible (antichrist ... against Christ). 

They like to call drunkenness a disease.  According to Bible drunkenness is a work of the flesh, a sin.

I Corinthians 6:9-10    Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (homosexuals), nor abusers of themselves with mankind,  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Humans today approve all manner of divorce and remarriage.  They also approve men marrying divorced women, against that said in Bible.

Matthew 5:32    Jesus said:   But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

I Corinthians 7:10-11    And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:  But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

The way of man is the mark of the beast of Revelation ... the number of a man ... the thinking of man.

*****

Scriptures:

Psalms 103: 1-5   Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless HIS holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all HIS benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

 

***

James 1:3-4  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

 

 ***

 

Romans 12:19-21  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

***

 

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Report of a supernatural "joy" from God that came upon me last night.

Comments by Joan Boney:

I was watching Episode 10 of a production on Netflix:  Hitler: Circle of Evil

All of a sudden something happened.  Great joy came upon me and I knew it was from God.  It was sort of like when I was taken into heaven twice.  I didn't want to go back to earth.  And truly I never went back to the person I was before this happened.

***

Recently I have to put 2 women away from me and out of our church group.  Please read the report of this on blog (click the following):  Sunday December 29, 2024  💥  Recently I put 2 women out of our little church group:  One for railing against me and the other for idolatry toward me.

(Before continuing with this report, you need to go back and read that blog.)

💥💥💥

I could write to each of these women separately but then I would have to write again and report to our little church group and then write it again on blog, so I'll just write to each of them on the blog today.

First to Barbara Preston:  The railing is attached to James 3: Sweet water, bitter water.

James 3  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

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

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.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

💥💥💥

Barbara Preston: railing

You can be one of the nicest, sweetest, compassionate people I've ever seen.  Then I've seen you foolishly rail out like a mad woman.  (This ought not to be for anyone one in the church to do.)

But the answer is God.  Only God knows the holes in your life and in each of our lives and only God can fill up those holes where needed.  So far that has not completely happened with you.

You are like a highway with pot holes.  Those holes need to be filled in by God.  

If I were you I would sincerely cry out to God over and over, pleading with HIM to help me.  I would do this in a very intense way until He did it.  Sort of like in the scripture given us in Luke 18.

1 And HE (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;  5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God avenge HIS own elect, which cry day and night unto HIM, though HE bear long with them?

8 I tell you that HE will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall HE find faith on the earth?

💥💥💥

Sandra Chupik  ... Idolatry

Your problem is so much like the children of Israel when they insisted that Aaron make them a god when Moses disappeared and didn't come back and they didn't know where he was.

Moses they say is their God and who knows where he is?

They didn't see it was God who delivered them from  Egypt.  So when something went wrong they murmured against Moses.

You think you must do everything yourself.  You make a "token prayer" to God but you really don't believe God will do it.  So you must do it and therefore it frustrates you and you turn to other people for help (making them your god) and it frustrates them.

Barbara once said to me, "I just can't be involved in Sandra's decorating problems."

If you see God helping, you don't have to get us to help.  You don't see God.  So you try to make us into gods since you can't trust God.

I believe God can straighten this out in you.

I see part of the problem but not nearly all of the problem.  I would help if I could but I can't because I don't know.  But God knows everything.  You have to see that and make HIM your God.

💥💥💥

I Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

God might have to do this to save both of you.

I know God destroyed Don's flesh.  He told me this.  And I think God destroyed Linda's flesh over what I think was idolatry toward me.  (I didn't know that was the problem at the time.)

I would think God would have already shown both of you some of your problems and I would think God would have already healed some of these.  You haven't told us and I think you should do that, giving glory to God, just send email to Pam or me as report when you feel God has helped you.

As long as you keep what God does hidden, you go deeper into the abyss.  To find your life you must be willing to lose your life.  Right now I see you, Sandra as having no life so not much to lose. (I was shocked when you came to Clovis for that is what I saw then.  You having no real life in Christ.  It was all a façade.)  

 

Most who say they are Christians have nothing of God to offer.  It is a structure they have constructed to look like a spiritual person, like a movie set where they are playing out a religious person's scene.

God can fix everything for each of us and then we tell what God did for us.

But if your reputation is precious to you, you won't tell.

It is not until we are willing to be seen as nothing at all important that we can share things real that God has done with us.

Joan Boney

PS  I said to Pam ...

Do you see Barbara as a godly woman?  

Do you see Sandra as a godly woman?

Pam thought seriously ... and then answered, "No."

I think a church woman desires to be a "godly woman."  But sometimes they build a façade like a stage set and put themselves into that picture and try to show themselves as being good without actually having anything that is from God.

We should show God ... What God has told us and done in our lives ... But if we do that we might not appear to be as "good" as we picture for the role we are trying to portray as our image to other people.  

But God has taught me to tell what HE has done in my life and what HE has said to me.  And when I do that it might make me seem foolish, or much less in the eyes of people, but I do that anyway because that is what God has taught me.  It shows God in me.  It does not show me to be God.

 

***

I believe my own mother filled the role God created a woman to be.

* She was truly a help-meet to my dad.  I think my  cousin was truly a help-meet to her husband.  And my aunt was a help-meet for her husband. 

 

Genesis 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.   

* My mother wanted to go out and get a job and my dad said, "No ... I want you to stay home and take care of Joan."

Before he died, my dad said to me, "I've been thinking about my life and I believe I've done OK because I made enough money so your mother could stay home and take care of you."

My mother once said to my dad, "You're ruining her.  No man will ever be able to give her all the things you give her."  But there would be "no husband."  God had another plan for me.  Neither did I need to play with dolls for I wouldn't be dressing small babies.  God had another plan for me.

***

I view most woman as evil ... I see them measuring the situation by "what can I get from a husband... not by how can I be a help-meet to my husband."  I view them as scheming, coy women, lying and tricking, focused on make up and that which makes them look good.

Proverbs 31:10-12 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

My mother said, "I've never known what to do with you."

Some of us do not fit the mold.  God has other plans for us!

Most women marry and have children.  and then try to fulfill themselves.  

My dentist sent us an email today telling us she needs to spend more time with her 3 very young children so she sold her dental practice but will still work a little there.  I sent her an email telling her I see this as godliness and rejoice.

The main thing is godliness and that comes from being born again and following God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Bible in godly ways. 

***

Once a church woman who knew I was dating said to me,  "What did he give you?  flowers, jewelry, candy?"

The truth was nothing.  I had never even thought of such a thing as this!

Apparently I missed 101 of the lesson on how to be a woman.

And my mother taught me not to cry.  If I did cry, she beat me with a switch from a tree which she kept on the refrigerator.  Crying is one of the weapons women usually learn to use to get what they want from a man!

But after I was taken into heaven twice, I was made one with Jesus the Word and then all I thought of was the Word, God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, the Bible, and the church.

But I greatly admire women who are faithful to their own husbands and care for and teach their children in godly ways, living in godliness!

  

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 * Rebekah

Abraham's servant is about to go to the land of Abraham's father to find a wife for Isaac, the child of promise.

 

Genesis 24 

 

7 (Abraham says)   The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; HE shall send HIS angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.

💥💥💥

Has God ever spoken to you?  Review such and list what you can recall.  It will build your faith.

* August 5, 1975 ... God said:  "Joan, Joan ... You know those mistakes you've been making all these years?  Those weren't mistake.  Those were sins."  Changed my life completely!  I was given by God a new heart and a new spirit.  Born again with that.  Now all I wanted to do was read Bible.  Attend church.  Learn about God. And be with other Christians. And speak of the great things God has done for me and for others.  And that is same today.  These are the things that matter!

* 2019 ... I was looking at the seat covers on my old 1996 car.  I began thinking about getting new seat covers.  The Holy Spirit said:  "Or you could just buy a new car."  Felt like I was hit by a lightning bolt.  I'd never though of doing that.  But I could get new car.  I'd just sold the house in Texas and the money from the sale of the house was sitting there in the bank.  I had no debt of any kind.  I could buy a new car and pay cash for the car.  Dream given to me that night.  I bought a new car in the dream.  The next day I went to look at cars and bought a new car.  (God knows future.  If I was going to need that money in future I knew God wouldn't have told me this about a car.)  I like to have assurance from God on things like this.  I'm 87 now.)

2018 ... I fell in hallway of my house in Texas.  I knew I was badly injured, likely broken hip and very badly wrist bent backward.  When I tried to crawl to phone in next room the pain was so terrible I just stopped.  But I would likely die there because no one was due to come to my house for a week.  I lived alone at that time. As I thought on these things, God spoke to my mind by the Holy Spirit and said:  "You can do this."  Because of that word, I started inching my way down the tile hall way.  It took 4 1/2 hours to get to phone.  A Kindle tablet was charging, while lying on floor beside phone. Turned out I couldn't use the phone but if I could get to Tablet I might be able to send email to our church. I was almost unconscious but managed to send "garbeled email", "Help ... fell ... send ambulance."

Our church group is from former radio audience and people live all over the United States.

Pam Padgett, in Colorado, 450 miles away, sent immediately confirmation.  I heard the ambulance workers at door.  As they rolled me past the front door to take me to hospital, I heard a word from God.  "You'll never see this house again."  (From hospital, I put house up for- sale.)

There are many other examples where God has spoken to me.

If you had ever heard from God, write examples down and think on these.  It will really help build your faith in God helping you in time of need.  It will also give you faith that you belong to God.  We all need that in the time that is coming upon this earth.

2020 ... When I went to buy a new car, we were test driving an Acura MXD, and I heard a clear word from God.  "You should drive a Mercedes."

But I let the word slip and didn't tell Pam what I had heard and we bought the Acura.

Almost immediately we had trouble when riding in that car.  I've had 7 broken bones in my body and am partially crippled.  The Acura was a rough riding car.  I came to understand I needed a car with air suspension.  We drove that car for 3 1/2 years and every time we were out an met a car I would wonder that "that" car rode like.  Finally we'd had enough.  We decided to sell the Acura and buy a car that had a very good air suspension.  I think it was then that I remembered what God had said to me and told Pam.  We drove several brands of cars but finally got to Mercedes.  Some of the lower levels of Mercedes weren't much better than the Acura.  The salesman said, "You're going to have to drive an S-class."  He went to get the S-class.  As soon as I sat down, even before Pam started the motor, I said, "Now this is a car!"

 

(It was like driving on smooth glass.)

God knows what will work for us in our situation and God tells us!

The car was very expensive, listing at $125,000.  (I had $300,000 in bank from sale of house in Texas.  But most of us don't want to spend our money.)

God gave me 2 scriptures to encourage me.

Psalm 84:11  For the LORD God is a sun (Showing us what to do) and shield (Keeping us from doin that which would harm us.) : the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will HE withhold from them that walk uprightly.  

I Timothy 6:17  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;

By this scripture, I felt God was showing me it would be all right to spend the money and I wouldn't need it in future.  To hold onto money would do me no good.  Faith is to turn loose when we believe God is leading us.  We will fall if we try to provide for yourself rather than having faith that God will provide for us. 

We took the car for a test drive into the nearby Rocky Mountains driving over many curved roads.  As we started out, Pam said:  "I'd really have to love a car to pay this much for one." 

I watched her behind the wheel.  (I can't drive.)  The way Pam was driving was like a race course driver.  I could tell she was having the time of her life driving that car.

On the way down, Pam said:  "I really love this car."

The dealer lowered the price to $117,000 ... and we sold the Acura for $30,000 ... So that caused the Mercedes to cost $87,000.

We've never had a moment of regret ... only joy and comfort and fun!  and knowing that God will not withhold from us and will bless us exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think ... Ephesians 3:20

It is just that we have to have faith and do that word that we hear from God by HIS Spirit.

After 3 1/2 years we finally did it!

(This is no big-deal with God but it is with us.)

God sends HIS people out with joy and gladness!  We are God's children and we show it!  Victory belongs to us. We follow what HE says.

Romans 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

💥💥💥

 

 

Genesis 24 

 

10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.

12 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.

13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:

14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.

(God will help us with our projects when we call on HIM.)

15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.

17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.

18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.

19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.

 

(This woman has an heart even toward the need of the beasts, the camels.)

20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

***

21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.  (Yet she said almost exactly the same words the servant asked God to have the "right" woman say so he could recognize this was the woman appointed by God to be HIS master's son's wife.)

22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;

23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?

24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.  (Rebekah's relative.)

25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.

26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.

27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

28 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.

29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.

30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.

31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.

32 And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.

33 And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.

34 And he said, I am Abraham's servant.

35 And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.

36 And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.

37 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell: 38 But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.

39 And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.

40 And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send HIS angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:

41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.

42 And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:

43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;

44 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.

45 And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.

46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.

47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.

48 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.

49 And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.

50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.

51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.

52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.

53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.

54 And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.

55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.

56 And he (Abraham's servant) said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.

57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.

58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.

59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.

60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.

 

(The servants of God:  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... All who follow God and serve God will be blessed by God and God will cause them to reign over men and will bless all the works of their hands... 8The 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:

(Debt makes us "beneath" ... therefore we will not have debt.  It would cause us to be opposite to the will of God ... beneath and not above ...)

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.

 

***

When the world sees a man of God and does well by that man of God, God will bless him also.  Rebekah was wise to go with a man who demonstrated that he worshipped God.  (Notice several time during these events the servant fell and worshipped God.  That shows us to whom that servant belongs.)

 

Genesis 24

61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.

63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.  (Showing proper respect for her master and Lord.)

65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.

66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.

67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

 

(Every thing in proper order.)

With Isaac & Rebekah God will create the 12 tribes of Israel, which carries on to the end of this present world... the children of the promise of God, the seed of Abraham from which even the Gentiles will come to trust in God through Jesus.

 

The beginning of all that matters on this earth.  The children of God, the inheritance of God, the church of the living Christ!

 

There is no other God.

Build your faith and understanding of God by spending time with the examples given in this writing.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Book #12: Life in Christ Series: * Great Is THY Faithfulness, Chapter 12

 

(Order all books from Amazon:  E-books: 99 cents each)

 

The Power of God that is in the Believer by The Holy Spirit

 

Jesus said:  Acts 1:8    But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We, who belong to God walk through this present life.  From time to time we have a dream from God or the Holy Spirit will bring to our mind a concept so we can know the truth about an issue of this present life.  Or the Holy Spirit will remind us of a scripture.

When that happens, the power of God is upon us by that truth from God and with that revealing we have then the power to witness unto HIM.

Before receiving that word, we have no power.

This happens to us over and over as we live on this earth.  It is not just a one-time happening.  God is continually giving us HIS truth by HIS Spirit who lives in us.

*****

People of the world often seek a special power through superstitions. 

They gather for dinner and click glasses together thinking there is some kind of power in this.  They cross themselves thinking there is some kind of power or they light candles or they put ribbons around trees.  These are works of their own imaginations as they try to connect themselves with that power.

But we who are of God know that power for it is the power of the Holy Spirit that is in us and HE rises up in us according to the will of God to reveal truth to us as needed.

I Corinthians 2:4-16    And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.  But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

For 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.

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.

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

We cannot conjure nor make the Holy Spirit speak and reveal things.  He speaks not because of what we do.  He speaks only by the will of God to speak.  When God wants us to know, HE speaks by HIS Spirit to us.  And HE is the Spirit of truth.

*****

Ephesians 3:20    Now unto HIM that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

The power that works in us is the power of the Holy Spirit who does the following in us:

- He teaches us all things ... John 14:26

- He reminds us of all that Jesus has said ... John 14:26

- He guides us into all truth ... John 16:13

- He shows us things to come ... John 16:13

*****

Even before the day of Pentecost and before speaking in tongues, the Holy Spirit was given to the disciples.

It was after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus from the dead, that Jesus appeared to HIS disciples before HE was taken into heaven.

John 20:20-22     And when HE had so said, HE shewed unto them HIS hands and HIS side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
And when HE had said this, HE breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Jesus had already ascended into heaven in a cloud before the Day of Pentecost.  Tongues did not happen until the Day of Pentecost.  

The Holy Spirit was given before the gift of tongues.

*****

Scriptures:

I Thessalonians 5:5-10  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 

(watch:  be alert, pay attention, including paying attention to what we do and what we allow in our lives)

7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with HIM. 

 

***

 

Psalm 127:1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

 

 ***

 

 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. 

💥💥💥💥💥