Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities. I Kings 16:26
It is possible to provoke God to anger if we continue in vanities.
vanity means:
- excessive pride or admiration of one's own appearance or achievement
- quality of being worthless or futile
- following that which produces no result and is useless
- pursuing that which is empty, without substance
The continual pursuit of vain things can be a serious problem.
Instead we are exhorted to make ourselves of no reputation as Jesus did. We have to chose to go another way.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Phil. 2
he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. Isa. 53
Jesus did not try to attract attention to Himself by His physical appearance. Nor was he impressive in schooling and such. He just went about speaking that which God gave Him and doing the works of God. And in one instance when he did a work of God the people begged Jesus to leave their town.
And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. Mt. 8
Yet God's praise of Jesus will continue forever. The labor done by Jesus will never be in vain. And we are told this: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. I Cor. 15:58
A man doing honest work and providing for his family is a labor in the Lord for that is God's assignment for the man. Gen. 3
A woman taking care of her children and husband is a labor in the Lord for that is God's assignment for the woman. Titus 2:4
For those assigned by God to care for the church, diligence in that is a labor in the Lord and will not be in vain. (I Cor. 12 / Eph. 4)
But to follow after vanities of appearance and to try to make yourselves look good to other humans in various ways can end up provoking God to anger.
(Providing daily encouragement for the body of Christ by the Spirit of God to help the church in the end times.)
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Running the race set before us
Pam Padgett ... teacher
In Hebrews 12 we're told about running the race set before us so that we don't weary and faint. Our "race" is to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God, conforming our lives to the Word of God and being led by the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
One of the things we need to do in order to run this race is to identify and deal appropriately with anything that holds us back from believing what God says to us and doing that. We must be willing to see the truth about ourselves and others in order to identify those things that would hinder us in some way. Anything that gets in the way of us doing what we believe God is leading us to do needs to be dealt with in a spiritual way, through prayer and depending on God to show us what to do.
The race we run is set before us. We run this race each day as we deal with those things brought to us that day. Not dwelling on those things that are behind us, or trying to deal with things which may, or may not, be in the future. We deal with those things needing attention today so we can continue to move forward in things of God.
Philippians 3:Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
We are to run the race with patience, continuing in those things we have been shown to do without wavering.
As we run this race, we are to look to Jesus, and considering all that He endured, so that we might not become weary and faint. Jesus knows exactly what we are going through because He was tempted in all ways as we are, and even endured the cross, yet pleased the Father in all things and did not enter into sin. Now Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father interceding for us and allowing us to come to Him boldly ... without fear of being refused ... seeking mercy and help as we face each trial.
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
As I considered that Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame for the joy set before Him, I thought of how we have been given many promises showing not only what God will do to help us, but also those things to come. Thinking on these promises strengthens and encourages us to continue in what God has said, and also helps us keep in mind how temporary this world is and what has been promised in that which is to come. Here are a few of the many promises we've been given .....
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Psalm 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
1 Thess. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Rev. 21:21 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
In Hebrews 12 we're told about running the race set before us so that we don't weary and faint. Our "race" is to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God, conforming our lives to the Word of God and being led by the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
One of the things we need to do in order to run this race is to identify and deal appropriately with anything that holds us back from believing what God says to us and doing that. We must be willing to see the truth about ourselves and others in order to identify those things that would hinder us in some way. Anything that gets in the way of us doing what we believe God is leading us to do needs to be dealt with in a spiritual way, through prayer and depending on God to show us what to do.
The race we run is set before us. We run this race each day as we deal with those things brought to us that day. Not dwelling on those things that are behind us, or trying to deal with things which may, or may not, be in the future. We deal with those things needing attention today so we can continue to move forward in things of God.
Philippians 3:Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
We are to run the race with patience, continuing in those things we have been shown to do without wavering.
As we run this race, we are to look to Jesus, and considering all that He endured, so that we might not become weary and faint. Jesus knows exactly what we are going through because He was tempted in all ways as we are, and even endured the cross, yet pleased the Father in all things and did not enter into sin. Now Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father interceding for us and allowing us to come to Him boldly ... without fear of being refused ... seeking mercy and help as we face each trial.
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
As I considered that Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame for the joy set before Him, I thought of how we have been given many promises showing not only what God will do to help us, but also those things to come. Thinking on these promises strengthens and encourages us to continue in what God has said, and also helps us keep in mind how temporary this world is and what has been promised in that which is to come. Here are a few of the many promises we've been given .....
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Psalm 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
1 Thess. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Rev. 21:21 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Evil spirit from the Lord
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him (David): for this is he. 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
14But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
I Samuel 16
When a person is disobedient to the word of the Lord, it is certainly possible that God will send to that person an evil spirit which will trouble that person.
We also see God sending a strong delusion so people will believe a lie because they had pleasure in unrighteousness and did not fear God when HE sent HIS word to them but they chose to go in their own desire which was a way of unrighteousness.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first (the falling away are people who fall away from scripture and go in another way), and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thess. 2
I have seen such people in various church groups. I've never been able to reach them with truth. The strong delusion they are under is from God because they had pleasure in unrighteousness and chose the way of unrighteousness. These people fell away from scripture when they selected a way opposite from scripture and had pleasure in that way.
And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him (David): for this is he. 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
14But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
I Samuel 16
When a person is disobedient to the word of the Lord, it is certainly possible that God will send to that person an evil spirit which will trouble that person.
We also see God sending a strong delusion so people will believe a lie because they had pleasure in unrighteousness and did not fear God when HE sent HIS word to them but they chose to go in their own desire which was a way of unrighteousness.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first (the falling away are people who fall away from scripture and go in another way), and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thess. 2
I have seen such people in various church groups. I've never been able to reach them with truth. The strong delusion they are under is from God because they had pleasure in unrighteousness and chose the way of unrighteousness. These people fell away from scripture when they selected a way opposite from scripture and had pleasure in that way.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Jesus reveals Himself to His people
Pam Padgett ... teacher
In John 4 is an account of Jesus going through Samaria as he traveled to Galilee.
John 4:5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. 7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
This was the area Jacob had given to Joseph generations before, and the well that was there was known as Jacob's well. But Jesus didn't draw attention to these things as he spoke to the Samarian woman. As Jesus spoke with the woman, He told her about Himself, even revealing to her that He is the promised Messiah.
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 4:19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
Some people journey thousands of miles to see places where various
events in the Bible took place, as though this is a spiritual thing to
do. Jesus told us that things of the flesh ... things we can see with
the eye ... profit nothing. It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)
It is the Word of God that brings life. When the Holy Spirit in us draws our attention to a word, that word is life to us as we look into what we're being told and go in that way. As we turn from our ways and go in the way we're led by God, we worship Him.
John 4: 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
In John 4 is an account of Jesus going through Samaria as he traveled to Galilee.
John 4:5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. 7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
This was the area Jacob had given to Joseph generations before, and the well that was there was known as Jacob's well. But Jesus didn't draw attention to these things as he spoke to the Samarian woman. As Jesus spoke with the woman, He told her about Himself, even revealing to her that He is the promised Messiah.
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 4:19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
It is the Word of God that brings life. When the Holy Spirit in us draws our attention to a word, that word is life to us as we look into what we're being told and go in that way. As we turn from our ways and go in the way we're led by God, we worship Him.
John 4: 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Chosen by God
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 2And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. 3And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. I Samuel 16
The elect of God ... those chosen by God ...
And Saul (Paul), yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, Acts 9
God said this concerning Paul ... he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. Acts 9
For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8That 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. 9For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10And 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. 13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Roman 9
As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. Jn. 17
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Jn. 6:44
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? Romans 9
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will Eph. 1
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Romans
9:18
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. I Peter 2
And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 2And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. 3And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. I Samuel 16
The elect of God ... those chosen by God ...
And Saul (Paul), yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, Acts 9
God said this concerning Paul ... he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. Acts 9
For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8That 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. 9For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10And 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. 13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Roman 9
As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. Jn. 17
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Jn. 6:44
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? Romans 9
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will Eph. 1
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Romans
9:18
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. I Peter 2
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Pay close attention
Pam Padgett ... teacher
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
We're told to take heed ... pay close attention and give careful notice ... to whether we have unbelief in our hearts.
After reading this verse, I stopped and asked God to help me examine myself. Do I really believe in God and what He has said? I was reminded of various scriptures and considered whether I really believe each of these, whether I was doing what was instructed in them, whether there is evidence in my life that I believe what we're told.
John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Jesus is the Word ... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
We believe in Him as we believe each word brought to us by the Holy Spirit. This is the work of God we've been given to do.
We can judge whether we believe by what we do with the word. When we believe it, we act according to that word. And we will end up being changed in some way, conformed to that word.
For example, if we believe what we're told in Romans 3, we will believe that the blood of Jesus has paid for our sins and we will not do things to try to pay for our sins ourselves.
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
If we believe what we're told in Proverbs 3, we will try to turn to God with each matter, trusting Him to show us what to do, rather than trying to work out in our own minds what to do.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
James explains that we deceive ourselves if we hear the word, but don't act according to it.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
We're told to take heed ... pay close attention and give careful notice ... to whether we have unbelief in our hearts.
After reading this verse, I stopped and asked God to help me examine myself. Do I really believe in God and what He has said? I was reminded of various scriptures and considered whether I really believe each of these, whether I was doing what was instructed in them, whether there is evidence in my life that I believe what we're told.
John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Jesus is the Word ... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
We believe in Him as we believe each word brought to us by the Holy Spirit. This is the work of God we've been given to do.
We can judge whether we believe by what we do with the word. When we believe it, we act according to that word. And we will end up being changed in some way, conformed to that word.
For example, if we believe what we're told in Romans 3, we will believe that the blood of Jesus has paid for our sins and we will not do things to try to pay for our sins ourselves.
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
If we believe what we're told in Proverbs 3, we will try to turn to God with each matter, trusting Him to show us what to do, rather than trying to work out in our own minds what to do.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
James explains that we deceive ourselves if we hear the word, but don't act according to it.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Prove all things
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay; 6Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand. Judges 12
God got my attention with the above scripture to say to me, "There is always a way to test them ..."
There are many deceivers today who come to us saying, "Jesus is Lord" ... saying they are "ministers" ...
There are deceivers who come to us saying "Jesus is Lord" and appearing to be members of the body of Christ.
This should not surprise us if we think it to be in the "last days" for we are warned over and over that these deceivers will be there.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I (Jesus) am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mt. 7
--------------
Antichrist comes through the churches ...
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, (the churches will "fall away" from scripture and eliminate certain scriptures and twist scriptures to approve those in the congregation) and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (coming through the churches) 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thess. 2
----------------
And Satan dresses as an angel of light ...
(Paul says) But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. II Cor. 11
---------------
But the Spirit of God says ... There is always a way to test them and to test the doctrine whether it is of God.
And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay; 6Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand. Judges 12
God got my attention with the above scripture to say to me, "There is always a way to test them ..."
There are many deceivers today who come to us saying, "Jesus is Lord" ... saying they are "ministers" ...
There are deceivers who come to us saying "Jesus is Lord" and appearing to be members of the body of Christ.
This should not surprise us if we think it to be in the "last days" for we are warned over and over that these deceivers will be there.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I (Jesus) am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mt. 7
--------------
Antichrist comes through the churches ...
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, (the churches will "fall away" from scripture and eliminate certain scriptures and twist scriptures to approve those in the congregation) and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (coming through the churches) 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thess. 2
----------------
And Satan dresses as an angel of light ...
(Paul says) But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. II Cor. 11
---------------
But the Spirit of God says ... There is always a way to test them and to test the doctrine whether it is of God.
Monday, July 16, 2012
What affects you?
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Col. 3
Affection: means an act or process of affecting or being affected
- has an effect on you
- makes a difference to you
- touches your feelings
- moves you emotionally
- influences you
- impresses you
Are these things from above? Or are they things of this earth.
If they are things of this earth, your affections are set the wrong way. Your flesh is in control in this instance.
So think about that which is affecting you. Is it from above? or from this earth?
If we set our affection on that which is above, only allowing that to effect us, it will change our outlook.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Col. 3
Affection: means an act or process of affecting or being affected
- has an effect on you
- makes a difference to you
- touches your feelings
- moves you emotionally
- influences you
- impresses you
Are these things from above? Or are they things of this earth.
If they are things of this earth, your affections are set the wrong way. Your flesh is in control in this instance.
So think about that which is affecting you. Is it from above? or from this earth?
If we set our affection on that which is above, only allowing that to effect us, it will change our outlook.
The better way to go
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Psa. 118:8
My cousin is 6 years older than I. She is filled with her own wisdom. When I read the above scripture I was reminded of something she often says. She has two sons. She often says it is better to have a daughter for daughters take care of you when you get old. She delights in saying this and repeats it at each opportunity. (Even comparing sons and daughters this is not always true.)
But it is better to trust in the Lord rather than to trust in humans.
We have promises that God will be our guide even unto death. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psa. 48:14
We have promises that God will provide all our need. Paul said ...But my God shall supply all your need Phil. 4:19
It is better to trust in God.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Psa. 118:8
My cousin is 6 years older than I. She is filled with her own wisdom. When I read the above scripture I was reminded of something she often says. She has two sons. She often says it is better to have a daughter for daughters take care of you when you get old. She delights in saying this and repeats it at each opportunity. (Even comparing sons and daughters this is not always true.)
But it is better to trust in the Lord rather than to trust in humans.
We have promises that God will be our guide even unto death. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psa. 48:14
We have promises that God will provide all our need. Paul said ...But my God shall supply all your need Phil. 4:19
It is better to trust in God.
Living in moderation
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
The apostle Paul instructs:
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Phil. 2:5
Moderation would be to have control over your emotions ... to control your flesh.
It is important to remain unaffected. If humans praise us ... if humans despise us ... to remain unaffected is an example of control, of moderation. We must not get excited over praise. Nor do we get excited over hatred toward us. We remain in a neutral position, centered between praise and hatred. This is moderation.
We must learn to live this way, unaffected either way. Not pumped up by praise. Not deflated by hatred.
We must come to know that the only thing that matters in all that we do is what does God think about the issue. That centers us. That removes us from the peaks and valleys of fleshly emotion.
The apostle Paul instructs:
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Phil. 2:5
Moderation would be to have control over your emotions ... to control your flesh.
It is important to remain unaffected. If humans praise us ... if humans despise us ... to remain unaffected is an example of control, of moderation. We must not get excited over praise. Nor do we get excited over hatred toward us. We remain in a neutral position, centered between praise and hatred. This is moderation.
We must learn to live this way, unaffected either way. Not pumped up by praise. Not deflated by hatred.
We must come to know that the only thing that matters in all that we do is what does God think about the issue. That centers us. That removes us from the peaks and valleys of fleshly emotion.
A stranger in the earth
Pam Padgett ... teacher
Psalm 119:19 I am a stranger in
the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
Because God has chosen us, calling
us to walk in His ways rather than ways of the flesh, we are strangers in the
earth.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God
that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,
in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself
for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
The flesh wants to fit in, to be
accepted. But we don't fit in with those of the world. We
say and do things that seem strange to them. They do and say things that
trouble us, the Holy Spirit in us being troubled by the evil. We are strangers
on this earth, not going in the ways of our flesh, but seeking to do what is right in the sight of God in all of our ways, as we wait and look for the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
In Hebrews 11 we are told about those
who went before us believing God and walking in His ways, including Abel, Enoch, Noah, and
Abraham. They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the
earth, not seeking things of this world and to be accepted here. Instead
they looked to that which God has promised, and sought to be pleasing to
God ...
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
(Comments by Joan Boney ... I often feel so dead. And truly, I am dead ... Col. 3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. )
Which one does will of God?
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Jesus said ... A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. Mt. 21
Jesus said ... A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. Mt. 21
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Controlling pride
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
One way to keep down a spirit that tries to exert itself by making itself better than others is by deliberately making yourself of "no reputation."
The apostle Paul said ... Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Phil. 2
Even praying is an humbling experience for our flesh wants to think we know what to do ... We don't need to pray, says our flesh ... Basically we humble ourselves when we turn to God and take issues to God asking Him what we should do.
To make yourself of no reputation would be to stop trying to exalt yourself before other humans.
People exalt themselves in many ways: by clothing, by possessions, by positions, through college degrees ... everything done to make themselves above other humans. We see this all the time and most of us have done this. To deliberately give up making yourself look good is a different direction.
Jesus did not try to make Himself look good. Isaiah even said Jesus was "despised".
He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53
It may seem hard to give up our achievements and to stop doing things that cause us to achieve on this earth.
But what is really hard is the attempt to achieve. To be set on fire by those around you with a desire to outdo them is a very hard yoke. To attain reputation among men and then to hold onto that reputation is a terrible burden.
Thus Jesus urges us to take HIS yoke instead ... for HE is meek and lowly in heart ... desiring only to do the will of God and to please God which is opposite to trying to please men and gain advantage among men.
So to control pride, the easy way is to deliberately make yourself of no reputation.
One way to keep down a spirit that tries to exert itself by making itself better than others is by deliberately making yourself of "no reputation."
The apostle Paul said ... Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Phil. 2
Even praying is an humbling experience for our flesh wants to think we know what to do ... We don't need to pray, says our flesh ... Basically we humble ourselves when we turn to God and take issues to God asking Him what we should do.
To make yourself of no reputation would be to stop trying to exalt yourself before other humans.
People exalt themselves in many ways: by clothing, by possessions, by positions, through college degrees ... everything done to make themselves above other humans. We see this all the time and most of us have done this. To deliberately give up making yourself look good is a different direction.
Jesus did not try to make Himself look good. Isaiah even said Jesus was "despised".
He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53
It may seem hard to give up our achievements and to stop doing things that cause us to achieve on this earth.
But what is really hard is the attempt to achieve. To be set on fire by those around you with a desire to outdo them is a very hard yoke. To attain reputation among men and then to hold onto that reputation is a terrible burden.
Thus Jesus urges us to take HIS yoke instead ... for HE is meek and lowly in heart ... desiring only to do the will of God and to please God which is opposite to trying to please men and gain advantage among men.
So to control pride, the easy way is to deliberately make yourself of no reputation.
Believing
Pam Padgett ... teacher
Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees, came to Jesus. Jesus started telling him about being born again, born of the Spirit as well as of the flesh, but Nicodemus didn't understand. Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (John 3:10)
Jesus then taught Nicodemus about Himself by what Moses had been instructed by God to do when, as a result of murmuring against God and against Moses, God had sent serpents to bite the people, killing many of them ....
Numbers 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
By just looking at the brass serpent, as instructed by God, a person bitten by a real serpent would not die, but live. By believing and doing what God had said ... to look at the serpent on the pole ... they were able to live.
Jesus compared Himself to the serpent God directed Moses to make and set on a pole ....
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
As God showed mercy on the children of Israel by providing a way for them to not die physically because of the serpent bites, God has provided a way whereby we might not be destroyed for eternity because of our sins. By believing in Jesus, we may have eternal life. Our salvation is not of our own works. Jesus has redeemed us, paying for our sins by His blood.
While considering these things, and how the serpent God directed Moses to make generations before was used by Jesus to show who He is and what He would do, I recalled the following ...
Hebrews 3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
By being obedient to what God told him to do, Moses not only taught and dealt with the children of Israel in the wilderness, but he also testified of Jesus.
(Comments by Joan Boney ... There are people who come among us and "bite" us with their words like serpents bite with their tongues ... As I read what Pam wrote, I thought about this. I also thought about the way we are healed from the tongue of other people when we turn to God with the pain and look upon the word given us by God in the matter.)
Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees, came to Jesus. Jesus started telling him about being born again, born of the Spirit as well as of the flesh, but Nicodemus didn't understand. Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (John 3:10)
Jesus then taught Nicodemus about Himself by what Moses had been instructed by God to do when, as a result of murmuring against God and against Moses, God had sent serpents to bite the people, killing many of them ....
Numbers 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
By just looking at the brass serpent, as instructed by God, a person bitten by a real serpent would not die, but live. By believing and doing what God had said ... to look at the serpent on the pole ... they were able to live.
Jesus compared Himself to the serpent God directed Moses to make and set on a pole ....
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
As God showed mercy on the children of Israel by providing a way for them to not die physically because of the serpent bites, God has provided a way whereby we might not be destroyed for eternity because of our sins. By believing in Jesus, we may have eternal life. Our salvation is not of our own works. Jesus has redeemed us, paying for our sins by His blood.
While considering these things, and how the serpent God directed Moses to make generations before was used by Jesus to show who He is and what He would do, I recalled the following ...
Hebrews 3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
By being obedient to what God told him to do, Moses not only taught and dealt with the children of Israel in the wilderness, but he also testified of Jesus.
(Comments by Joan Boney ... There are people who come among us and "bite" us with their words like serpents bite with their tongues ... As I read what Pam wrote, I thought about this. I also thought about the way we are healed from the tongue of other people when we turn to God with the pain and look upon the word given us by God in the matter.)
When they "prove" there is no God
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
I received email from someone who said he had proved there was no God ... I did not reply to his email but I thought, "What is that ground you are standing on right now?"
The heavens and the earth testify of God.
A few days ago, I was reading a secular book and a child asked his father, "How you know there is a God." How do you prove there is a God? Immediately I thought of the heavens and the earth which proves God. And the God we believe in created the heavens and the earth!
I only saw my father cry one time. He had a stroke and was in hospital at end of his life. He was crying. I went to him and he explained to me that he was crying because of his concern about his brother, Tom. His brother said there was no God. My dad was a very soft spoken man but he said something like this to Tom. "How can you think that ... look around you ... look at the sky ... look at the earth ... some had to create all this."
The apostle Paul says ... For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1
The ground we walk on proves God.
I received email from someone who said he had proved there was no God ... I did not reply to his email but I thought, "What is that ground you are standing on right now?"
The heavens and the earth testify of God.
A few days ago, I was reading a secular book and a child asked his father, "How you know there is a God." How do you prove there is a God? Immediately I thought of the heavens and the earth which proves God. And the God we believe in created the heavens and the earth!
I only saw my father cry one time. He had a stroke and was in hospital at end of his life. He was crying. I went to him and he explained to me that he was crying because of his concern about his brother, Tom. His brother said there was no God. My dad was a very soft spoken man but he said something like this to Tom. "How can you think that ... look around you ... look at the sky ... look at the earth ... some had to create all this."
The apostle Paul says ... For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1
The ground we walk on proves God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)