Podcast: Save yourself from this untoward generation

 

 

 

 

Dream given to Pam Padgett  2/27/2020

 

There had been an explosion. Somehow it was known that the person responsible for this explosion had setup another explosion for a specific day. We even knew the approximate time.

 

I started to leave the building where I was working on the sixth floor before the second explosion was to take place, but just a few steps down the stairs I remembered my purse and that all my identification was in it. I ran to where my purse was and got it.

 

Then I proceeded to leave, going down the stairs very quickly. I counted each floor as I passed by it descending down the stairs.

 

Some people were standing along the stairs, talking. I could tell by their talk that they knew the explosion was supposed to be coming, but they seemed to feel no sense of urgency. I didn’t stop to try to persuade them to get out right away. Instead, I went around them and continued getting to the first floor so I could leave the building.

 

I got out of the building and continued quickly on my way to leave the area.

 

At one point I was aware the explosion had happened. There was a wall of glass doors in the outside area where I was. I went through one of the doors to the other side, getting as far away from the destruction as I could. I kept walking as quickly as possible.

 

At one point I saw a woman walking around with a dazed look. She was carrying a recording device. I heard her say she was interviewing people who had been hurt or raped during this event.

 

I kept walking as quickly as possible toward the parking lot so I could leave.

When I awoke from this dream, I heard, “Save yourself from this untoward generation”

 

Acts 2:40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

 

Untoward: inappropriate, offensive, perverse, willful, crooked

 

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Pam says:

During the last several years of their lives, my parents lived near my niece, Michelle, and her husband, Jared, and their family in a small town in far southern Oklahoma.  

 

One day Michelle called to tell me that my mom was very sick and had been taken to a hospital in Oklahoma City.  My mom's kidneys had stopped functioning and she was in intensive care.  

Immediately I started thinking of going to Oklahoma City, which is about 600 miles from where I live.

 

But then I stopped and turned to God and asked HIM: "What do YOU want me to do?"

 

The Holy Spirit brought the following concept to me:  To go there would be like stepping into a hill of fire ants ... and that my mom had all the help she needed.  

 

Both of my sisters and most of their grown children live in Oklahoma and would surely be at the hospital.  I have found that much of what they do and say is very much like the poison of fire ants, and I knew this was a warning to me of the danger of going there.  

 

I did not go to Oklahoma City to be with my mom, but I kept in touch by telephone with my dad and Michelle. 

 

Mom recovered enough to be released from the hospital a week or two later.  I spoke with her on the telephone after she returned home.   

 

She told me of the people who had come to the hospital to see her, including my sisters and their children.  I was so glad to have been spared by God from being there with them. 

Mom also told me what wonderful care she had received at the hospital and that all that she had needed had been provided.  

All of this was exactly as the Holy Spirit had told me. 

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A couple years later each of my sisters called to tell me that my dad was extremely ill and not expected to live more than a couple days.  They were each on their way to be with him and told me that I needed to go there and talk with my dad as well.  

I turned to God, asking if this is what HE wanted me to do.

The Holy Spirit brought the following to me:  "You have shared everything needed with your dad.  There is no need to go there."

I told each of my sisters I would not be going, and that Dad and I have talked on the telephone many times and there was nothing more we needed to say.  They were upset with me and told me how wrong I was to not go to be with my dad.  

 

But my dad did not die at that time.  I spoke with my mom a couple weeks later.  She told me my dad was fully recovered and was out mowing the lawn!

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When my dad died in 2018, he had not been ill.  He simply died in his sleep.

After learning that he had died, I asked God if HE would somehow let me know whether my dad was born again before he died.  

A few days later I was given a dream.  In the dream my dad was my "brother", and he told me that I had always been there for him.  

I believe this dream showed that my dad was born again, my brother in Christ, and that I had done what was needed where he was concerned.

I was so grateful to God for showing me this.  

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In 2019 my mom began to sound so different when I spoke with her on the telephone.  Whereas in the past she talked a lot about what other people were doing, she now spoke of how much she was enjoying reading the Bible.  

 

One day she told me that she knew it was God who had led my dad and her to live near Michelle and Jared and how perfect this had been for them and how grateful she was to God for this.   

On 11/25/2020 I was given a dream ... In this dream my mom was standing at a small table on which were several things. She looked in good condition, standing upright and having on a nice dress. She was calmly moving some things on the table around as if putting them in order. I asked if she knew that the EMT’s (emergency medical technicians) were here to put up cameras. She said she had seen them, but didn’t know what they were doing. She just kept focused on what she was doing, putting in order the things that were in front of her, not asking questions or getting excited.

I believed I was being shown that my mom was about to die, but she was in good condition and was getting her life in order.  

 

A couple weeks later my niece, Michelle, called to tell me that my mom had been put in hospice care by her doctor.  They would simply try to keep her comfortable at home for whatever time she continued to live on this earth.  

 

I prayed about whether I should go be with my mom, whether there was anything I could do, but was not led to do this.  

 

I did send the 11/25/20 dream to Michelle and told her of the changes I had seen in Mom over the past several months showing she was born again, wanting to help Michelle with the things God had given me to help me.  As I was writing these things for Michelle,  I was reminded of the following scripture:

 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

 

A few days after sending this, my mom died.   

I was so glad that God had shown me the change in Mom's life, that she was born again before she died.  And also the dream HE had given me in late November was a help and comfort to me. 

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Hymn: Beneath the cross of Jesus

(Click forward arrow > to play music:)

1.  Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock
Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
And the burden of the day.

2.  Oh, safe and happy shelter!
Oh, refuge tried and sweet!
Oh, trysting place where heaven’s love
And heaven’s justice meet *.
As to the holy patriarch
That wondrous dream was given,
So is my Savior by the cross
A ladder up to heaven.

3.  There lies beneath its shadow,
But on the farther side,
The darkness of an awful grave
That gapes both deep and wide;
And there between us stands the cross,
Two arms outstretched to save,
Like a watchman set to guard the way
From that eternal grave.

4.   Upon that cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One,
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart, with tears,
Two wonders I confess,
The wonders of His glorious love,
And my own worthlessness.

5.  I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of His WORD;
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.


(Click pause symbol,  "  ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)

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* where heaven’s love And heaven’s justice meet: heaven's love is shown by God's sacrifice of His Son, and Jesus' willingness to die for us.  Heaven's justice requires payment for our sins for it to be just.  The only payment sufficient to justify our sins is the blood of Jesus. 

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Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:

Hebrews 9:22 ... and without shedding of blood is no remission.

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John 14:6   Jesus says:  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME.

The way of life and truth is The Word of God.

When we go that way, we live in HIM, doing that which HE says.

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Psalm 119:105    Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:130   The entrance of THY words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

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II Timothy 3:16-17    All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

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

 

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💥 Sedition, justice, retaliation: What the NT Bible shows us

Sedition is listed in the Bible as one of the works of the flesh of man and is therefore "evil" in the sight of God according to scripture.

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.

The dictionary defines "sedition" as follows:

Seditions:  Conduct or speech inciting others to rise up against or rebel against a country or ruler or monarch; incitement to riot; inflaming to rebellion against laws of nations; 

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Were there any evil kings or rulers shown us in the days of Jesus, Peter, Paul in the NT Bible?

Yes.

Matthew 14

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.

4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.

9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

What did Jesus do when HE heard of this evil which had been done by the king Herod?

Matthew 14:12-13  And his (John's) disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. 13 When Jesus heard of it, HE departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed HIM on foot out of the cities.

Jesus did not demand justice on this earth for John the Baptist.  Justice and judgment comes from God.

Jesus did not provoke men against the evil king Herod.

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When the subject of taxes came to Jesus' attention, we read the following.

Matthew 17

24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

25 He saith, Yes. 

And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

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John 18:36  Jesus says:  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.

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Even slavery is not viewed in the Bible as it is by the flesh of man.

I Corinthians 7

20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

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We learn to set our affection on things above ... not on things on this earth.

Where we once fought for what was rightfully ours, now we commit ourselves to God and trust in HIM, knowing our kingdom is not of this world.

We know God will remove us in the end and take us to the new heaven and new earth which has been created by God for HIS people, the "new" Jerusalem.

This present earth will never be righteous.  We wait for that new Jerusalem, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

We will not have these fleshly bodies but will have spiritual bodies which are not subject to fleshly pain, sorrow, emotions.

In the meantime, we keep the flesh crucified with Christ that we may serve God by HIS Spirit and that causes us to react very differently to the way of the flesh.

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:

For our kingdom is not of this world and we know everything we see with our natural eyes will be destroyed in the end of this world as God destroys this present heaven and earth.

2 Peter 3:10  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.

We learn to put our trust in God who judges justly.

Romans 12

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

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

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

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Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  

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💥 Promises of God help us to trust God and to live in peace on this earth.

2 Peter 1

1 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as HIS divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of HIM that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

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Can we really believe the promises of God which are printed for us in the Holy Bible?

First consider this:

2 Timothy 3:16   All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Even if a man wrote these scriptures, they are inspired by God.  Therefore it is God speaking to us.

That which God says, HE will also perform.  Seriously know this.  The Bible is God speaking to the church.

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Some of the promises of God in Bible

💥  Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Through prayer we stay connected with God and make ourselves ready for the return of Jesus.  And we are able to live in peace even in the midst of the problems of this present world when we connect with God, discussing our concerns with God and asking God to help us.

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💥  Proverbs 3:5-7

5 Trust in the LORD (The Word) with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD (The Word), and depart from evil.

(Be doers of the Word and not hearers only.  For the doer of the word is blessed.  Many hear the word but fail to do that instruction, applying the Word to their own lives.)

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

(It is so important to ask God what to do in the various projects and issues of this present life.)

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💥  Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to HIS riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Devils often attack us with fear:  "What if this happens?  What if that happens?"  

One day devils brought fears like this to me and I cried out, "God help me!"  And immediately the Holy Spirit said to me:  "God will supply all your need."  I said, "That's right!"  And I rejoiced in that word.  It is true!

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💥  Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The TV news will bring many fears of this world.  The Word of God shows us what to do as we live on this earth and the Word of God brings peace even in the midst of troubles of the world.  And in this world we will hear things that are not true.  The Word of God is total truth.  And we know many things of the future by what God says in the Bible.

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💥 The Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)

 

This means:

Wherever we go from now to the end of this present earth, God is with us to guide us and lead us and teach us and comfort us by HIS Holy Spirit who brings us truth whereby we overcome those trials of this life.

So be of good cheer, knowing this great benefit to us.

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Podcast: Does the Bible show apostles and prophets working in the New Testament churches?

 

 

 

 

Some churches teach say there are no more apostles or prophets, that we do not have apostles or  prophets today in the New Testament church.

What does the Bible show us about this subject?

First, after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, we read that Jesus from heaven gave gifts to the New Testament church, and these "gifts" were ministers to help the churches.

Ephesians 4:8; 11-12 

8 Wherefore HE (Jesus) saith, When HE ascended up on high, HE led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

11-12 And HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;   For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

(Notice this:  Jesus gave "some" ... more than one ... multiple.)

Paul was one of those "gifts" given after Jesus was taken back into heaven.  Paul was an apostle, teacher and preacher.  

I Tim. 2:7  Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

In most of his epistles to the church, Paul identifies himself as an apostle, "not of man but of Jesus Christ."  

I Cor. 1:1    Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God

Why would Paul so plainly state this to the churches?

Because some did not believe Paul could be an apostle.  Paul didn't walk with Jesus when Jesus walked on this earth in the form of a man.  Paul was persecuting the followers of Jesus.

Paul even says to the church:  For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.  (2 Cor. 11:5)

When Jesus spoke to Ananias from heaven to send him to help Saul (Paul), Ananias objected to Jesus.

Acts 9:10-16  And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13-14 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:  And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15-16 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for MY name's sake.

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Acts 9:17-21   And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that HE is the Son of God.

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

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

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

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Paul was not the 12th apostle, who replaced Judas.  Paul was persecuting the Christians at the time Jesus was crucified.  

The 12th apostle, who replaced Judas was Matthias.

Acts 1:21-26  Peter says:   Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that HE (Jesus) was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24-25  And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two THOU hast chosen,  That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Matthias was the 12th apostle, replacing Judas.

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So where does Paul fit?

Some churches teach that Paul was the last apostle.  Some churches teach Paul was the 12th apostle.  But we see that Matthias was the 12th apostle.

Paul was not the last apostle but was one of the first of those apostles Jesus appointed from heaven.  And there were other apostles also appointed from heaven for that scripture said Jesus gave:  "some apostles" ... multiple apostles 

Jesus continues to give these ministers of Ephesians 4:8;11-12 to the churches today and as long as we continue on this earth, Jesus will give from heaven the ministries of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher.  (Eph. 4)

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Concerning prophets working in the New Testament church, see the following examples:

Acts 11:27-30   And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

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Acts 15:32   And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

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Acts 16:4-5   And as they  (Paul an apostle teacher, and Silas a prophet) went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

This is exactly the same work we, who are ordained by Jesus as HIS apostles and prophets, do today.  We take the Bible and deliver decrees from the NT Bible to the church for them to keep today.

We, like Paul, are called by Jesus today from heaven and set into the ministry as gifts to the church today.

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Throughout the book of Acts you can see both apostles and prophets working in the NT church.

Nothing has changed since the time Jesus was resurrected and taken into heaven and the NT church was established by Jesus from heaven.

Actually the New Testament church began with the resurrection of Jesus.

We have the NT Bible and the ministers of Jesus teach the churches by the scriptures given us in the NT Bible and the churches are set up according to those things written in the NT Bible for this is all we have to go by showing us what to do in the church today.

But many set up their churches by their own wisdom and departed from the rules given in the NT Bible and these are the churches of the apostasy who fell away from the doctrines presented by Christ in the New Testament.

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Hymn: Up from the grave HE arose

(Click forward arrow > to play music:)


1.   Low in the grave He lay —
Jesus my Savior!
Waiting the coming day —
Jesus my Lord!

Chorus:

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes.
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever in His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!


2.   Vainly they watch His tomb
Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead—
Jesus my Lord!

3.  Death cannot keep his prey—
Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away—
Jesus my Lord!


(Click pause symbol,  "  ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)

 

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Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:

Matthew 27:59  And when Joseph had taken the body (of Jesus), he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

Matthew 27:62-66  Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.  Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night, and steal Him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 

Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.


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Matthew 28:1-4  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

(These women also prepared and brought to the tomb fine smelling spices, for when the body decays there is a stink and they wanted to cover up that odor.  They didn't know there would be no decaying body where Jesus was concerned for God would not "suffer" Jesus' body to see corruption as other flesh saw corruption.  Jesus' body and soul were removed by God from the tomb.) 

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

His (the angel's) countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.


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Luke 24:1-7  Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, 

Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen: 

remember how HE spake unto you when HE was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.


***

Acts 13:35-37   Wherefore he (David) saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.
For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
But HE, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

When they entered the tomb of Jesus, His body was gone as well as His Spirit.  God did not allow Jesus' body to decay the way of normal flesh.

*****

💥 Follow up on the subject of "sedition".

 

One of the blog subjects that I published on Sunday, April 24, concerned the subject of "sedition".

All my life, I have enjoyed history.

Recently, I saw a 3 part TV series concerning The American Revolutionary War.  Also recently I saw the Mel Gibson movie, "The Patriot", concerning this war.

As I watched the events of this war, I was reminded (by God) of the word, "sedition."

And I thought, "Wasn't sedition listed in the works of the flesh?"

I checked Galatians 5 and found it to be so.

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.

Then I checked the definition of sedition in dictionary and found the following:

Seditions:  Conduct or speech inciting others to rise up against or rebel against a country or ruler or monarch; incitement to riot; inflaming to rebellion against laws of nations; 

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As is often the case, those things man admires and thinks to be "good" are "evil" in the eyes of God as shown by the Bible.

I'm keeping the scriptures on sedition before my eyes until the subject has been corrected in my thinking by the Word from God, and until God's thinking from Bible goes deeply into my thinking conforming me to the Word of God on the issue of this life.

2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

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💥 Promise of God: No weapon that is formed against us will prosper.

Isaiah 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of ME, saith the LORD.

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(Comments by Joan Boney)

Are we servants of the Lord, children of God, born again by the Spirit of God?

If so this promise of God belongs to us.

Our "righteousness" is of God because it is God who authors our way and gives us our assignments.

We continue in God's way, in the way God has shown us to go.

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💥  As a new Christian in 1975, I owned a small business in Dallas, Texas.  A man filed a lawsuit against me and against several other dealers of American Indian Arts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

At first, it was so silly I couldn't even take it seriously.  I just tossed the legal papers onto a shelf in my office.

After about a week, I realized if I ignored this matter the man could gain judgment against me and I could lose all the merchandise which I had accumulated in my shop.

So I hired an attorney. 

Week-after-week my lawyer would send me bills.  At the rate this was going, I would be financially eaten up in a matter of months.

One day I was reading the Bible and saw this scripture:  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of ME, saith the LORD.

I began to reason what this was saying to me:

* No weapon that is formed against me would prosper.  This lawsuit was definitely a "weapon" formed against me.  According to that which is written in the Holy Bible, it can not prosper!  I am now a servant of the Lord therefore this is my "heritage".

"So why am I paying these attorneys to represent me when God says this weapon (lawsuit) cannot proper?"

I decided I would dismiss my lawyer and plan to go to court without human legal counsel.

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I was such a new Christian, I decided I would go to my pastor and tell him my plan.  I made an appointment to meet with pastor and enroute to the meeting I prayed for God to give pastor wisdom.

After I presented my plan, pastor said, "Joan ... I perceive that you have faith to do this this way."

(Pastor:  Robert Tilton, Word of Faith Church)

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I called my lawyer immediately.  When I told Gordon my plan to go to court without human legal counsel based on the scripture in Isaiah 54:17,  Gordon was horrified and said, "Joan, you can't do this!  You don't realize how evil these courts are today.  We are willing to work with you.  It will only take about $10,000 more to try your case."

When I heard that I shouted, "$10,000 more  ... Gordon, STOP. Don't do anything else."

(I probably had a total of $2,000 cash at that time and it was for the purpose of buying Indian jewelry to sell in my shop.)

I dismissed my lawyer and planned to go to court without any human legal counsel.

Also I told Gordon that so far as I knew, the Bible was not just a book about God but was the Word of God to Christians, not just an history book.

If the Bible was only an history book about God, then I wanted no more to do with the Bible.

This was a good time to try the situation about the Bible and see if these promises of God in the Bible were for us today or if they were only stories pertaining to past events.

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After about 2 weeks, Gordon came back to my shop.  He said they had discussed my case at the law firm and they were willing to try my case without any further financial charge to me.

What is going on here?  They said it would take about $10,000 more to try my case and now it was going to be "free"?

(I told Gordon I would have to get back with him on this.  I didn't hear Gordon mention God in the "free" legal service.)

I began praying, asking God what HE wanted me to do.

Immediately I was reminded of the following scripture.

Genesis 14

21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

(I knew God was telling me to turn down the "free" legal service, which I did.)

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The court trial was scheduled to take place in 6 weeks.  As I waited, God would remind me of various scriptures to strengthen me while I waited.  There were about 14 scriptures given me during that time.  I recorded these scriptures on a cassette tape and played this tape each night when I went to bed.  I had recorded these scriptures on both sides of the tape so when I would awaken in the night I could turn that tape over and play it again.

Six days before the trial was scheduled, I received a phone call from the lawyer of the man who filed the law suit against me and against the other Indian Arts dealers.

This lawyer said,  "I'm calling you because you don't have a lawyer.  I want to tell you that our client dropped all charges."

I asked, "Did he drop all charges against everyone?"

The lawyer said, "He cut everyone loose."  

Then he said, "We tried all along to get him not to charge you for he had no grounds to charge you.  But he wouldn't listen to us.  He was like a mad man."

It was over!

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A few days later, Gordon came to my shop.  He said, "At the law firm, we have spoken of your case many times and I want you to know that we believe what you said happened, happened."

(No weapon formed against me would prosper because I am a servant of the Lord and this is a promise from God in the Bible.)

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💥 Romans 12:18

 

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

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Basically this means, as much as it depends on you, live in peace.  Choose to walk away.  Avoid war.

We can pray, turning the matter over to God.

After prayer, if God shows us HE wants us to speak, then we speak.

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Paul told Timothy:

2 Timothy 2:23  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

Paul also told the church:

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

I have learned to refrain from calling them and chatting with them.  I resist the temptation to call such persons asking, "How are you doing?"

James 4:4  ... know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

To try to show yourself to be a friend of this world, to aid and support this world in their actions, will put you into a position of being an enemy of God.

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Often when I have happened upon a person who troubles me by his or her conversation, with whom I have done business, such a hair stylist and such, I just do not return to that business.

If you leave and keep being troubled by that which the person said or did, take the matter to God in prayer and allow God to settle you.  Then avoid that person until God shows otherwise.  

Put yourself in a place where you can live in peace.

II Corinthians 6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Keeping ourselves in a state of peace is the important issue as we wait for the return of Jesus.

2 Peter 3

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

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

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Recently a young man came to our house to see about doing a job for us in sound proofing the basement.  He said he was the son of a pastor who was no longer living.  He told us of a "revelation" he had received concerning a certain scripture.  (I couldn't understand what he was talking about.)  He told us something else I couldn't understand.

When he returned a second time to our house concerning the basement job, I just didn't go near him.

I held my peace this way.

They almost had the job finished when Pam Padgett found out they had not gotten a building permit to do the job.  She talked with him about this and was disturbed.  This is the first thing he should have done but didn't do.  He agreed to get the permit.  They stopped work on the project.  Since it is in the basement and almost finished, we aren't being disturbed as we live through the "unfinished" job.  I was certain he would finish the job.  Pam was settled by God telling her she would not have to fight this battle.  God would fight for us. 

I think one reason I am living in peace where he is concerned is I have avoided having "spiritual" conversations with him.  In fact, I haven't spoken to him at all since that first visit when he told me his "revelations" about a portion of Bible, which I couldn't understand.  

I'm sure the job will be completed and we are living in peace because of what God has done with us concerning the matter.

At some point, he will want to get the remainder of the money so he will finish the job.   And the job will be done well because I asked God at the beginning of the project to see that they did good work on the project!

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Podcast: The role of the elect of God as we wait for the coming of Jesus

 

 

 

 

This world today is active and violent in trying to accomplish their purposes, none of which have anything to do with us, the elect of God, as we wait for Jesus to return.

The apostate churches are big and powerful looking, but their power is of man and not of God.

The elect of God, those individuals to whom God has revealed HIMSELF, do not seem to have any power when it comes to the world or to the apostate churches.  But our hope is in God!  God is power. 

The apostle Peter told us what we are to be diligent to do as we wait for the return of Jesus.

2 Peter 3:14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Being in peace does not in any way mean we support the apostate churches today, nor do we support the works of the world which go against that which we read in the Bible.  If we try to appease either the world or the apostate churches, we will be in danger of going down with them at the judgment of Christ.

When they try to come among us as they speak contrary doctrines and tell of their many "good" works, we simply remain steadfast in the upholding of doctrines of the Bible and I have found they no longer want to come "visit" with me and they don't want personal conversations with me so I remain waiting in peace, untroubled by them.

Many times I have sent the word of God to various church goers, Catholics, Church of Christ, Baptists, non-denominational ... and they have stayed away from me en-mass. (continuing in their denominations)  while I continue in the peace of the word given me by God, continuing to exhort the elect of God through Internet by blog and Podcasts.

Recently there was a brief moment of attempted communication between me and a Catholic woman.  But a great wall seems to exist keeping us from fleshly "fellowship" that we might have pursued, left to our own devices.  God spared me!  She said, "I'll call you this weekend."  I called on God asking HIM to "help me".  There was no phone call that weekend.

Our flesh does get stirred up as we desire to renew communications with them, but how can light fellowship with darkness?  It is not possible.

Only when we are truly one Spirit are we able to fellowship as the elect of God.

When we are the elect of God, born again, and they are the church goers there is a great gulf between us.

Amos 3:3   Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

So we continue our wait for the return of Jesus speaking to the elect of God.

It seems important at the point in time for us to differentiate between the elect of God and the church goers.

Jesus is coming to gather the elect of God to HIMSELF.

Matthew 24:30-31  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And HE shall send HIS angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together HIS elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

If the church goers become born again by the Spirit of God, then we are one Spirit with them and we are all the elect as we await for Jesus and in some individual cases this could happen.  But I doubt this will happen with entire church groups.

The elect will never be able to share with the church goers because we are different spirits, although we will speak as led by the Holy Spirit given the opportunity to speak.  (After I speak I see them withdraw.)

We cannot pretend to have fellowship with this world or with the church goers who do not have the Spirit of God else we are continually troubled by them.

Light and darkness cannot co-exist.

But we can be at peace away from them, putting our trust in God.

2 Corinthians 6

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be MY people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

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Hymn: Trust & Obey

(Click forward arrow > to play music:)


1.  When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides in us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Chorus:

Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.


2.  Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His WORD quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear,
Not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3.  Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

4.  But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5.  Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do;
Where He sends, we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.


(Click pause symbol,  "  ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)

*****

Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:

Psalm 111:10    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do HIS commandments: HIS praise endureth for ever.

The fear of the Lord is a deep respect for God and The Word.

When we "fear" God, we are basically afraid to go in a way opposite to God's Word for we have an inner understanding that God knows what is best and to violate what HE says is to go in a way of self destruction.

Therefore our trust is based on the awe we have for God.

And we obey God, doing what HE says to us by HIS Spirit.

***

In December, 2018, at the age of 81, I fell at my house.

As the ambulance people were removing me and we reached the front door, I heard the following word in the form of a thought that came to my mind:  "You'll never see this house again."

 I believed that thought was from God.

Therefore I believed there would be another way for me to go if I survived the accident.

I put my house up for sale even as I was awaiting surgery.

A church person said to me, "I don't see how you can do that."  (I don't think she understood faith in God.)

I explained to her that when you believe you have heard from God and there is a way to go, you simply obey ... no hesitation.

I never looked back and I never saw that house again.

I did not know where I would go when I put the house up for sale but I knew God would work it out for me and reveal it to me and God did within a few weeks.  A woman in our little church group took me (and my cat) into her house to live in Colorado.  She is a very godly woman and prays over everything!  It is a great joy for me to live in a house with such a person.

My life was made better after my accident, not worse.

God had a plan for me and I knew HIS plan was all that mattered.


Ecclesiastes 3:1   To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

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Acts 17 ... NIV Original Translation ... God chooses the exact places we will live and the times we will live there.

KJV  Acts 17:26 … And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

(God determines the times we live and the places we live.)

27-28 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though HE be not far from every one of us:  28 For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.

 

 

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