Saturday, October 28, 2017

BOOK: Exhortations


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Volume 11 ... #5
Witchcraft ... What Is This Today?


In Galations 5, one of the works of the flesh is "witchcraft" ...

God showed me some of the ways witchcraft is practiced today, in 2017.

Basically witchcraft is doing something to try to bring good luck upon yourself or trying to put an "hex" (bad luck) on another.  (superstitions)

Athletes often cross themselves thinking to bless themselves ... This is witchcraft based on religous superstition.  It has no basis in Bible.  There is no such thing in Bible.  It is simply conjuring of man.

*****

We see sports fans do this as they do little signals with their hands, often thinking some power comes from this.  Usually they do these signals in mass, with many joining their "curse" against the opponent team.

*****

We see a form of witchcraft when we see people clicking drinking glasses together, drinking toasts to other people, thinking to bring good luck.  (thinking power in themselves and not in God ... no consideration at all of God ... just thinking they can bless of their own will and flesh.)
*****

Certainly we do not want to join anyone in such things as this.  I've often been at a table where women would begin clicking their drink glass together.  I just sat there, saying nothing, but making no effort toward lifting my glass and they would just ignore me when I didn't join them.  If forced, I would say this is simply witchcraft.

Another witchcraft is the observations of various superstitions of men.

There have been times when a woman said to me, "Things always happen in threes."  I replied, "That's not in the Bible.  That's not true."  (With that she stopped speaking.)

Another superstition of man has to do with believing certain numbers, such as 13, are bad luck.  Sometimes buildings skip the #13 in numbering floors of buildings.  Witchcraft.


Gal.5 ... 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

*****

Friday, October 27, 2017

Why are we living?


Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Jesus said:

John 18:37    To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice.

We, who are of God, are here for the same reason ... to bear witness unto the truth.


*****

As Jesus was (and is) the light of the world.  We, too, are the light of the world.

I hear the world speak and see what they do and am amazed that they really think what they say and what they do are important. 

Often they speak sin and do sin.

Hopefully, when we speak, we speak the light of God, often showing them their sin.

Those who will hear will be saved from themselves.

We are saved by truth.

We who are of God speak truth.

We love them enough and we love God enough to speak truth to them.


*****

The flesh loves to jump in and take sides in controversies and fight and argue and debate.

These are all works of the flesh:

Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

After we are born again, we are shown another way to live on this earth.

Like Abraham, we see that we are simply strangers and pilgrims, just passing through.

We no longer belong to this world, this country, this nation of men.

We now belong to God, seeing the invisible, serving God rather than serving our flesh and man as we once did.

It is a bit like going on a trip to a foreign country.  We see what they do, what is important to them, but we just look and walk away.  It has nothing to do with us for we are not of that country.

Jesus said:  John 18:36    My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence.


Colossians 3:1-4    If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. 

 The world would look at us and consider us to be insignificant, unimportant.  Our life is hid from them.  We have a life but they can't see it.  When Christ appears then we will appear with HIM and that which is really important, eternal will be known to all.

In the meantime, while we are here, the apostle Peter tells us to live as follows:

II Peter 3:14   be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
*****





* Instruction in Righteousness: From Matthew 22


And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

 15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle Him in His talk.

 16 And they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19 Shew me the tribute money.

And they brought unto Him a penny.

 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

 21 They say unto Him, Caesar's.

Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left Him, and went their way.

 23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27 And last of all the woman died also.
28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

 33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine.

 34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting Him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?

They say unto him, The son of David.

 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

 46 And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions.


*****

BOOK: Exhortations


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  Volume 11 ... #4 

Traditions of Men vs. The Word of God

Jesus said the traditions of men make the word of God void.

Mk. 7:1-9 ... Then came together unto HIM the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.  And when they saw some of HIS disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.  And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked HIM, Why walk not THY disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 

HE (Jesus) answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth ME with their lips, but their heart is far from ME.

Howbeit in vain do they worship ME, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups:and many other such like things ye do.

And HE said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.


*****

Paul warned us about taking on the traditions of men.

Col. 2:8-10 ...  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  For in HIM dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  And ye are complete in HIM, which is the head of all principality and power:

*****

Some of the traditions of men ...

- Decorating graves ... What is a person really saying when he carries flowers to a grave and decorates a grave?  Is this pagan or Christian?  Where did this tradition come from? Is this worldly or spiritual?  Are we told in Bible to do this or is this tradition of man? 

My cousin's husband of 60+ years died.  As she spoke of the funeral they had planned for him, she spoke of decorating his grave. 

I asked her, "Who are you trying to impress?  Thurman is 'asleep'.  This is what death is, falling asleep.  He doesn't see you there.  He doesn't know you are there.  So who are you trying to impress?"

She grew silent for a moment ... then she said, "Then it really doesn't matter where a person is buried." 

I replied:  "THAT'S RIGHT!"

In USA there is day set aside yearly called "Memorial Day."  People go out and decorate graves.  When some Baptist women were doing this I asked them why they would do this.  It does not testify to the resurrection so why would you do this.  One said, "It made her feel better."  Flesh ... all flesh ...

Isaiah 65 ... God says ... 3 A people that provoketh ME to anger continually to MY face;
that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;
4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments,


*****

Bible example:  When Sarah died, Abraham purchased a burial place so he could "bury her out of his sight." 

We go forward, pressing forward in the ways of God, not focused on the dead.


*****

Another tradition of men ... making New Year's Resolutions which worldly men and women consider to make themselves better on this earth ...

Only by God are we made better as HE reveals to us HIS Word and we choose to set aside our own way of our flesh and go in HIS way are we made better.

The flesh never improves!  Paul told us this in Romans 7.

The works of the flesh are:

Gal. 5 ... 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness (defrauding others for personal gain), lasciviousness (various lusts), idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (to vary, argue, debate), emulations (competitions to outdo or rise above another), wrath (wanting to see another get what you think is coming to him), strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

*****

The churches today also have set up some traditions to be observed in the church services. 

Many churches pass around crackers and grape juice calling this "The Lord's Supper."

There is no power at all in crackers and grape juice.

The Lord's Supper is the eating and drinking of the Word of God.


*****

The world sets up traditions thinking the eating of certain foods to bring luck through the year. (Witchcraft / superstitions)

In the USA, on New Year's Day, many eat black eyed peas saying this brings luck throughout the year.

This becomes food offered to an idol.

Paul warns us not to participate if anyone give us a food offered to an idol.

I Cor. 10 ... 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

...  27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.  But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

*****


Another tradition of man that I will not participate in is the clicking of drink glasses together as if there is some power by doing this.  (witchcraft/superstition)

Man is just acting by tradition when he does this and is trying to feel power is of himself.

I know power is of God and not of man.  I do not want to exalt man falsely, over God and will not be a part of such.

*****

We, as Christians, delivered from this world by God should think about what we do on this earth.

"Where is that in the Bible," should be continually in our heart as a point of examination over that which we do on this earth.

There are many idols today which man avidly pursues that I choose to avoid.

Bodily exercise ...  

Paul says, I Tim. 4 ...   7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.  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.  

Abstaining from meats ...

 I Tim. 4 ... 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:  For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

 Preventive medicine ...

 Jesus said ... Mt. 9 ... 10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with HIM and HIS disciples.  And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto HIS disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?  But when Jesus heard that, HE said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

Jesus was making a common sense point that whole people do not need a physician.  Today we have entered into another wisdom of man but even now some are questioning this wisdom.

Lighting of candles and tying ribbons around trees thinking some form of power in such ... (witchcraft/superstition)

This ribbon "tradition" came from a popular music song during a recent war.

 Lighting candles for power is practiced in Catholic church, as I understand, it has to do with getting prayer answered.  There is certainly no such thing in the Bible.  Faith in God is important in prayer.

Such things as this put emphasis on what the human does as if there is a power in that act of the human.  This denies the power of God and faith in God and what HE does.

*****

 As people of God we should be very careful about participating in pagan rituals.  We should think about what we are doing after we are born again.  

 Is this really in the Bible?
*****

In 1979, God gave me the following terrifying dream:

A meeting was going on.  A man was speaking to a room filled with people.  I went in and began to listen.

A second man rushed in and said:  "Stop ... Wait ... Can't you see ... It's too late ... It's already begun."

The first man resumed speaking.

I looked out the window to see what had "already begun."

There was a tall pole with a yellow civil defense speaker at top of the pole.  A gas was coming out of the speaker.  I knew it was poisonous and would kill the people.  It was coming directly toward us!

The shocking thing was the speaker that was set there for the purpose of warning us was being used as the instrument which dispersed the gas that was poison and would kill us!

I looked at the man seated next to me.  He had a big grin on his face and was looking directly at the man who was speaking to the group.  But then I saw this man was a corpse, though he looked alive.  He was already dead!

I looked about the room at the other people and realized they were all dead.

As I sat back in my chair and listened to the man speaking I began to feel sleepy and I knew as I sat there among them this was killing me too.
*****

God was showing me the anarchy that was already going on in our church groups in 1979.  It is much worse today ... Must cling to scripture.


*****

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Jesus said: My kingdom is not of this world ... Neither is our kingdom of this world...


Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Jesus said:

John 18:36     My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence.

When Herod beheaded John the Baptist and they came and told Jesus, we see Jesus did not carry on and threaten Herod and the men who did this act.  Jesus knew John the Baptists' kingdom was elsewhere as His kingdom is also elsewhere.

If this life is all that we have, we are saddest of all people.

Like Moses, we see that which is invisible

Therefore we act differently from the world.

We have a sure understanding this life is temporary and our life is hid in Christ and will appear when Christ appears.

Colossians 3    If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

*****
And we come to understand we will never be able to make this world righteous.

The righteous world that we so desire is in the new Jerusalem which is to come.


II Peter 3:10-14    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

*****
Like John, we know the whole world lies in wickedness.  I John 5

 We come to a type of peace as we stop trying to make this world righteous for that is not going to happen.

We still bring correction, especially to the church and to those who call themselves Christian.  Some will heed correction.  And sometimes God will bring forth from us a word for an individual of this world and we speak as God leads us to speak.

Mostly giving of correction will separate us from the world.

But they will eventually know there has been a godly person among them.

*****


* Instruction in Righteousness: From Matthew 21


And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto Me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

 (I have seen this same thing happen in my life when I have a need of something.  One day I needed some help and I called my contractor and told him the problem and he sent a young worker immediately to fix that problem.  "straightway he will send them" ...)

*****

Matthew 21:4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

 (Likewise our needs are provided by God as we seek help as we live on this earth for there are many promises of God in the Bible that our needs here will be met and such is fulfilled for us because of the scripture.)

*****

Matthew 21:6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set Him thereon.

 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

 10 And when He was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

 14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple; and He healed them.

 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,
16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say?

And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

 17 And He left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and He lodged there.

 18 Now in the morning as He returned into the city, He hungered.
19 And when He saw a fig tree in the way, He came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 23 And when He was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto Him as He was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; He will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

 27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell.

And He said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

 28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether 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.
32 For 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.

 33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?

 41 They say unto Him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render Him the fruits in their seasons.

 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

 45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard His parables, they perceived that He spake of them.
46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitude, because they took Him for a prophet.


*****

BOOK: Exhortations


Amazon.com
eBook & paperback



Volume 11 ... #3

Abounding With Thanksgiving To God

It is so important for us to keep an heart full of thanksgiving to God.

There are so many reasons to be thankful.

- God raised Jesus from the dead and God raises me from the dead.

Daily I am raised from the dead of this world by the Word of God, seeing the way of God for HIS people.  Understanding this life is only very temporary and the many things of this life are temporary.  Keeping a view on the truth that my kingdom is not of this world therefore I do not have to strive as the people of this world.

When a man defrauded me and another man showed there had been evil gossip spoken about me in secret in his family, God gave me an open vision showing me flying above both men. 

I thought of the way Paul told us in Romans 8, that if God be for us, who can be against us. 

Also I remembered how Paul told us that we, who belong to God, are more than conquerors through Christ who dwells in us, and indeed we are, because we know none of this really matters and God provides for us amply, giving us food and clothing, and we have all that we need as HE leaves us on this present earth before we are taken out by God to the new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.  (II Peter 3) 

This present earth will never be righteous no matter what we do, so live in peace, keeping ourselves by the word of God and by the Spirit of God who lives in us. 

 As we live in this world and see the issues concerning the people around us, it is as if we are travelling through a foreign land and those issues do not pertain to us. We are sorry the other people are troubled but we know we are foreigners in that land and therefore those things do not pertain to us.   We just pass through in peace, heading to our own land, the "new Jerusalem" wherein dwelleth righteousness.


*****

- God gave us HIS Spirit, the Holy Spirit, so we can know the way of God for us and have the many extra benefits of the Spirit of God who guides us into all truth, teaches us all things, reminds us of that which is spoken by Jesus, and shows us things to come.  (Jn. 14:26 & Jn. 16:13)

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- God gives us HIS Word continually so we can live through HIM and go in HIS way.  (We rise above this world when we see God's way and go in that way.)
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In personal ways, I am thankful God has provided for me food, clothing, shelter ... and has given me many things that suit me well and are beautiful to me.

I am very grateful that I am able to see ... can drive my car to get my food.


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I am thankful for God's spiritual gift of exhortation which enables me to exhort the church.

I am thankful for the Internet and the blogs which allow me to send writings to the church all over the world to exhort them in ways of God.

I am thankful for the avenue whereby we could put the books of exhortation on Amazon and for the world wide circulation to all parts of this world through Amazon

These are truly remarkable things which allow us to speak the Word of God freely to all in the entire world. 

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Learn to think on the many good things from God and stay thankful to God continually.

Phil. 4:8 ...  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

In other words, think on the Word of God which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, full of virtue (strength), and praise to God. 


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Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Fears creep in ... Dealing with such


Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Sometimes a fear will sneak in without our recognizing that fear.

But the Holy Spirit will get our attention on the fear and then we can deal with that fear.

This happened to me concerning the lady who keeps my house.  She is really excellent and comes to me one afternoon a week.  She has been with me for several years.

I showed her a letter I had written to my hairdresser concerning the subject of fornication.  (See writing 10-22-17)

 Later, I realized a fear had come as a result of showing this letter to my housekeeper.  I was afraid she would think less of me because I had written this letter.  And also I was afraid that maybe she would even quit working for me.

 To get my attention, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the following scripture:

Proverbs 3:6    In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

 Also ...

I Peter  5   Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
I began praying immediately concerning my fear.  I would rather my housekeeper not leave me but if she does leave me because I spoke the truth of God, the Bible, then, "THY will be done ..."

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.

 If it is the will of God for housekeeper to leave, then let her leave.  If it is will of God for housekeeper to stay, let her stay.  All things will work together for good to me through God.

 This settled that fear.


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All fears must be dealt with through prayer as soon as you recognize you have the fear.

We don't have to worry that the fear will sneak past us.  The Holy Spirit will bring it to our attention so we can deal with the fear in a spiritual way.


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* Instruction in Righteousness: From Matthew 20


For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

 17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death,
19 And shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again.

 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

 21 And He said unto her, What wilt thou?

She saith unto Him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on Thy right hand, and the other on the left, in Thy kingdom.

 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

They say unto him, We are able.

 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father.

 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

 29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed Him.

 30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

 31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

 32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

 33 They say unto Him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.


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BOOK: Exhortations

Amazon.com
eBook & paperback




Volume 11 ... #2
Righteousness Through Faith in God

Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. Romans 4:3
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God revealed Himself to Abraham.  

Gen. 12:1-4 ... Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him;

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The apostle Paul was doing many "good" works for the Pharisees as he rounded up believers in Jesus and brought them to the chief priest to put them in prison.  All of a sudden, God revealed HIMSELF to Paul.  Paul then believed on Jesus and the righteousness of God took place in Paul's life, replacing his own righteous works which he had been doing.

Acts 9:1-6 ... And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

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

And he fell to the earth, and heard A VOICE saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME?

And he said, Who art THOU, Lord?

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

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt THOU have me to do?
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God gave Abraham the sign of circumcision after Abram believed God and obeyed God.

They circumcised the babies in the Jewish faith.  (8 days old)

This is similar to the way Catholics baptize babies.  

But circumcision and baptism do not cause you to belong to God.

We are baptized after we believe, after God opens our eyes and reveals HIMSELF to us. 

Baptism is a sign that we now believe God.

We believe ... then are baptized ... 

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There are some people today who want to join the church and they go forth and are baptized.

But this does not make you a member of God's children.

This does not cause you to have the Spirit of God.

Jude v. 17-19 ... But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers (imitators) in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.


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We believe in God and that makes us a child of God.

Therefore we are saved by faith in God and what HE has said and done, not in that which we do and have done.

The work of God is to believe God, says Jesus.  

Jn. 5:24 ... Jesus says ... Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth MY word, and believeth on HIM that sent ME, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 
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We "hear" and then we "believe" ... 

Therefore a person could go forth and join a church and be baptized and still not be of God.  It happens all the time with emotional young people at churches.  Certainly baptism of infants, as the Catholic do, does not make that baby a child of God.

 We believe God and believe in what God says and then we are baptized as a sign of our belief in God.

Acts 9:17-18 ...And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 
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Baptism is a sign of our death ... and new life.   For after we believe God, that which we were before dies, we are crucified with Christ the Word.  

When we are lowered into the water it is like being buried with Christ.

When we are raised from the water it is like being raised with Christ.

It is all a sign of the old man dying and the resurrection of the new man, created in God and true holiness.

Romans 6:3-4 ... Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into HIS death?  Therefore we are buried with HIM by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

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Tuesday, October 24, 2017

The Holy Spirit glorifies God ... and so should we!


Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

John 16:13-14    Jesus said: Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.

 (The Holy Spirit speaks only that which HE hears from God.)

 He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

(Therefore the Holy Spirit glorifies God since HE speaks that which He hears from God.)

 When we share that which we hear from God or that which the Bible says, we glorify God.

 If we speak what we think, our own opinions, we glorify our own flesh, puffing up our flesh in our own wisdom.


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* Instruction in Righteousness: From Matthew 19


And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, He departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

2 And great multitudes followed Him; and He healed them there.

 3 The Pharisees also came unto Him, tempting Him, and saying unto Him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

 4 And He answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

 (At the time of sexual intercourse, you become one flesh.  Therefore fornication is a very serious matter.  We know this by I Corinthians 6:15-16.  Paul explains that even if you have sex with an harlot you become one flesh.  Paul says:  Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith He, shall be one flesh.

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Matthew 19:7 They say unto Him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

 (The only scriptural reason for a man to divorce a faithful wife is fornication.  If a man divorces a faithful wife and she remarries, she commits adultery and the husband who divorced her is the cause of her adultery when she was faithful to him.  And the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.)

 10 His disciples say unto Him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

 11 But He said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

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13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that He should put His hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

 14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

 15 And He laid His hands on them, and departed thence.

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16 And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

 17 And He said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

 18 He saith unto him, Which?

Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 20 The young man saith unto Him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.

 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

 23 Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

 25 When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

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27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.


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BOOK: Exhortations

Amazon.com
eBook & paperback




Volume 11 ... #1 

Foundational Concepts For All Who Are of God


We, who are of God, believe Jesus Christ to be the "Messiah" of the Old Testament, the Son of God, the Eternal ruler.  Jesus was with God before the creation of the heaven and earth and all things and all creatures were created by HIM (The Word).   Jn. 1 & I Jn. 1

Jesus came to this world in the flesh in the form of a man but born of a virgin by the Holy Spirit and the will of God.


Jesus knew what it was to feel things as our flesh feels, pain/sorrow/temptations, but Jesus was without sin, paying for all our sins by laying down HIS own life according to the will of God and the plan of God.

God raised Jesus from the dead and God will raise us also from the dead.  I Thess. 4

Indeed we are raised from the dead of this world when God reveals HIMSELF to us and causes us to be born again of HIS Spirit.  We are changed from the person we once were, now having a desire toward God.  We grow into the ways of God bit by bit as we continue to live on this earth and try to do according to the will of God in the various encounters of this life.





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As we live on this present earth, like the children of God who lived before us, we wait patiently for the coming of Jesus,  the second time Jesus comes to gather the church to HIMSELF. 

Jesus will come in the air with a great shout that wakes the dead and the dead in Christ will rise to meet Jesus in the air.  (I Thess. 4)

Some people of God will still be alive on this earth when this happens and they will be changed immediately, in the twinkling of an eye, in a blink of the eye, leaving behind these current physical bodies which are subject to physical pain and decay of the flesh, and they will rise to meet Jesus and those who have been raised from the dead.  (I Thess. 4 & I Cor. 15)

Now all will have a new body as it pleases God.  We will not have these current physical bodies.  (I Cor. 15) 

Notice that Jesus does not come to this present earth but we rise to meet Jesus "in the air".  (I Thess. 4) 

 This present heaven and earth will be destroyed by God. (II Peter 3)  It will no longer exist.  

There will be a new heaven and a new earth, the new Jerusalem spoken of by the apostle John in Revelation 21. 

In the new heaven and new earth, there will be no sorrow, no pain as we have now for we will have "new bodies" which are not subject to the flesh as is this current physical body.  (I Cor. 15)


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As we wait for this second coming of Jesus, we glorify God as we walk in HIS light, going HIS way, doing what HE shows us to do.

The world glorifies itself as they seek personal greatness and achievement.

We glorify God as we do what God says to do.  That is our role on this earth.

As we obey God, we are different and the people of this world notice that difference ... others would choose to rant and rave and demand their rights ... we are waiting patiently ... That is like a light, a beacon on a hill, shinning all around.

One major difference between us and the people of this world is like Jesus, our kingdom is not of this world.  Jn. 18:36

This world is their life ... it is all they have.  So they grab it and squeeze it and try to get as much out of it as possible.

For us, things of this world don't usually live up to expectations.   Even when we try them, they often fall flat for us and go dead.

 And we realize there is another "country" set up for us by God.  We are like the people described in Hebrews 11 ...

 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 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.

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So our role as we live on this present earth is to endure, glorifying God as we obey HIM in that which pertains to this present life. 

And we eventually come to realize we are just waiting for that which is "expected" ... the new creation, the new heaven and the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness, where there is no evil and no pain, and no sorrow as we have in this world.  Where there is constant joy and rejoicing and it does not grow dim as it does on this earth.  And it is forever, a concept most of us can't imagine.


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The following, which Paul told Timothy, is a very good plan for us also.

I Timothy 4:13 ...  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

This is a very good daily plan for us also that we might have a proper root system and be grounded and stay grounded in God as we live on this present earth.


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