Podcast: Psalm 1

 

 

 

 

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in HIS  law doth he meditate day and night.

(The Law of the Lord:  The Word of God)

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

(He is nourished by the Word of God and drinks of that Word of God and his strength comes by that Word of God.)

4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

💥💥💥

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.

💥💥💥

Jesus, the Word, is the way to go.

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

Live in peace, without spot, and blameless as you wait for the coming 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.

💥💥💥

1 Timothy 6

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 1 Timothy 6

 

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 Which in HIS times HE shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

 

 💥💥💥💥💥

Podcast: Spiritual gifts from God: Do you know which spiritual gift you have been given?

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 18:16   A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

💥💥💥

Romans 12

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry (serving), let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth (to urge earnestly with advice and warning), on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

💥💥💥

I Corinthians 12

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as HE will.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased HIM.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28 And God hath set some in the church (to work in the church), first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 When God does something, we rejoice in seeing HIS work.

 

Barbara Preston, member of the body of Christ

Earlier this summer there was extensive flooding and damage in Yellowstone National Park caused by the melting of snow caused by a lot of warm rain and unusually warm temperatures. Apparently it caught everyone by surprise, even the scientists. They had never seen anything like that in this park. 

 

I heard about this on the evening news where I had been listening to the daily news and this story came at the end of the other news stories. 

 

I was aware that I was feeling kind of down, as I listened to these stories, but didn’t know why, at that particular moment. 

 

But when it got to the Yellowstone story, I realized after listening to this story that I felt good again, not weighted down. 

 

And I also realized that I felt this way because this story was about something God had done and not something man had done. 

 

In this happening we were shown the power of God Who controls the weather and brought the snow and the warm temperatures and the rain that melted all that snow and made it to flow with the force He created. 

 

As I looked at the pictures on television of the flooded rivers and the damage done by these waters, I saw the power of God. 

 

And I rejoiced in seeing this power that came from God. 

 

Sometimes it may seem to us that man has so much power and can do whatever he wants, but seeing this story reminded me that God has everything under control, and that He rules over the people of this world. And this comforts me. 

 

Psalm 47:8  God reigneth over the heathen:

 

 

💥💥💥💥💥

Podcast: To live above this world, we cannot live the way of this world

 

 

 

Deuteronomy 28

1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all HIS commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

💥💥💥

The way of this world is to buy now and pay later.  Enjoy the things of this world now.  Have it all now. Go into debt and have things now.

But consider these scriptures showing us what to do, how we are to live.

Deuteronomy 28

12 ...  thou shalt not borrow.

13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

If we choose to live the way of this world, when trouble comes we will go down with this world.

💥💥💥

In 1975, when I was born again, one of the first things God showed me was to get out of debt and stay out of debt.  This is what I chose to do.  So I am not affected by interest rates for I have no debt.

Also we must choose the following way:

1 Timothy 6

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

(Debt causes a person to love money in spite of themselves.)

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

💥💥💥

Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Do the Word of God and continue doing the Word of God, resisting the ways of this world.

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.

Renew your mind to the scriptures, doing as they say.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 The apostle Paul persecuted the Christians and consented to the death of Christians until he was called by Jesus.

 

This is the story of the apostle Paul:

Stephen was killed by the Jews and Paul consented to the death of Stephen.

Acts 6  (At this time, Paul is on the side of the Jews against Stephen who is a Christian)

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he (Stephen) spake.

11 Then they (the Jews) suborned men, which said, We have heard him (Stephen) speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him (upon Stephen), and caught him, and brought him to the council,

13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man (Stephen) ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Stephen presented a godly testimony which angered the Jews so the Jews stoned Stephen and killed Stephen.

Acts 7:58  And cast him (Stephen) out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul (Paul).

Acts 8:1-3  And Saul (Paul) was consenting unto his (Stephen's)  death. 

And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul (Paul), he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

💥💥💥

Paul goes to Damascus to try to find Christians and bind them and take them back to Jerusalem to be tried by the Jews:

Acts 9

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 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.

Jesus, from heaven calls to "Saul" who is Paul:

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

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he (Paul) 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.

6 And he (Paul) trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

With that Word from Jesus, "Saul", who is Paul was changed instantly, born again, made into a new creature who would serve Jesus immediately.

💥💥💥

Acts 9

7 And the men which journeyed with him (with Paul) stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul (Paul) arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10 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 (who is Paul), 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 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on THY name.

15 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:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for MY name's sake.

17 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?

22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

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 had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28 And he (Paul) was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

💥💥💥

Paul persecuted the Christians until Jesus spoke with him on the road to Damascus and instantly Jesus changed Paul to be a disciple of Jesus.

With one word from God, we too are changed instantly!

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

So by this Bible example telling of the apostle Paul, we see that even if we have committed terrible sins, and Jesus calls us to be HIS, we will be saved!  

... and sometimes even be ordained by Jesus to be HIS minister.

💥💥💥💥💥

Podcast: In the end time, they will know not until they are swept away as in the days of Noah, but this time by fire

 

 

 

Matthew 24:35-39  Jesus says:

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but MY words shall not pass away.

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but MY Father only.

37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

💥💥💥

We do not know the day or the hour of Jesus return, but we do know the season, for Jesus says as the buds come on the trees we know spring and summer are near.

The signs that the coming of Jesus is near:

💥 Jesus cannot return until the apostasy has come into the churches.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come (day of the Lord), except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; 

The falling away:  Churches will fall away from scripture and set up other doctrines. Churches changing doctrines, falling away from some of the Holy Scriptures.

Antichrist comes into the churches and sits in the "temple of God".

This has been happening for many decades.  

💥💥💥

💥  Violence will increase upon the earth as violence increased in the day of Noah.

Genesis 6

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

6 And it repented the LORD that HE had made man on the earth, and it grieved HIM at HIS heart.

7And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before ME; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

(In the days of Noah the earth was destroyed with water.  That will not happen again.  At the end of this present earth, God will destroy the heaven and earth with fire.)

💥💥💥

And Paul says the last days will be perilous times and Paul tells us why this will be.

2 Timothy 3

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection (homosexuals & lesbians: Romans 1:26-29), 

trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness (attending church), but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

(The plagues from God of the great tribulation are listed in Revelation 8; 9; 16)

 

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Philippians 3

The apostle Paul says:

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things.)

20 For our conversation (manner of life) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto HIS glorious body, according to the working whereby

💥💥💥

I Corinthians 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

💥💥💥💥💥

Podcast: Will Christians be removed before The Great Tribulation?

 

 

 

 

Comments by Joan Boney:

We know some Christians will be on the earth at the time of the great tribulation because Jesus says:  

Matthew 24

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

💥💥💥

Also Jesus shows us this order:

-The great tribulation.

-The powers of heaven will be shaken.

-Jesus returns and gathers the elect of God from this earth.

Matthew 24:29-31  Jesus says:

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 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.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 God creates a new heaven and new earth where the believer in Christ will live.

God says:

Isaiah 65:17  For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

When we are taken to that new heaven and new earth, we will not even remember this present heaven and earth!

💥💥💥

At the end of this world, God will destroy 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.

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

12 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?

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.

💥💥💥

We will be given new spiritual bodies:

I Corinthians 15

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

(We were born in the image of our earthly father and mother.  When we are taken to the new heaven and new earth, we will be changed into the image of God, a spirit.)

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

(Blink!  That is how fast we will be changed into our new spiritual body.)

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

💥💥💥

The new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness:

Revelation 21

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and God HIMSELF shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

(We will be changed out of these current fleshly bodies and we will be given new spiritual bodies, so we will not have this current fleshly body since it is subject to death and decay and pain and emotions of the flesh.)

5 And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. 

And HE said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

💥💥💥💥💥

Podcast: Strangers and pilgrims on this earth

 

 

 

The godly men of the Bible viewed themselves as "strangers and pilgrims" in this world.

Hebrews 11

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for HE hath prepared for them a city.  

💥💥💥

At the end of this world, the righteous will be taken by Jesus to the city prepared for them by God.

Revelation 21

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Conformed to the image of Jesus.

 

Romans 8

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of HIM that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, HE that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by HIS Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

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

29 For whom HE did foreknow, HE also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of HIS Son, that HE might be the firstborn among many brethren.

(We are conformed to the image of Jesus each time we hear a truth from the Holy Spirit of Jesus and believe that truth and do that Word from God.  Over and over as we live our lives, we have the Word of God illuminated to us by the Spirit of God.  So we are continually conformed to the image of Jesus.)

30 Moreover whom HE did predestinate, them he also called: and whom HE called, them HE also justified: and whom HE justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

💥💥💥💥💥

Podcast: Praying according to the will of God

 

 

 

 

I Peter 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and HIS ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

💥💥💥

I John 5

14 And this is the confidence that we have in HIM, that, if we ask any thing according to HIS will, HE heareth us:

15 And if we know that HE hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM.

So if you want your prayers to be answered, pray according to HIS will.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Knowing the ideas that are from God.

These are the characteristics of the wisdom that is from above.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

💥💥💥

When I was a new Christian, God taught me this:

Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus says:

28 Come unto ME, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take MY yoke upon you, and learn of ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light.

If a plan if overly expensive and would be a financial burden, that plan is not wisdom that is from above.

If a plan is extremely complex, that plan is not from God.

God's plans are not complex but are "easy" to do.

For more than 40-years, I've found this to be the case.  If something is complex and extremely expensive it is not God's plan for me.  I put that plan aside and pray again.

💥💥💥

Also consider this:

James 3

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

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

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

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

💥💥💥

When there has been strife, I often pray:

Psalm 51:10   Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

💥💥💥💥💥

Podcast: Angels carry messages of God, often through dreams.

 

 

 

 

Psalm 103:20  Bless the LORD, ye HIS angels, that excel in strength, that do HIS commandments, hearkening unto the voice of HIS word.

💥💥💥

Angels carry messages of God to the people of God.

Often God protects us by the message HE sends us by an angel:

Matthew 2:13-15  Behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

💥💥💥

In 1982, an angel told me in a dream that I was in great danger  and HE said to me:  "Don't go until you see Exodus 15."  I cancelled my entire schedule and stayed at home in my apartment in Dallas where I recorded exhortations for the church on radio.  But I did not go out where I was in danger.

💥💥💥

Angels do not have wings.  Angels look like regular men.

Hebrews 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

💥💥💥

God sent two angels to Sodom to deliver Lot and his family from Sodom before God destroyed Sodom.

We see by this description that these two angels looked like regular men.

Genesis 19

1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they (the angels) said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

(Lot did not know they were angels.  Lot knew it was dangerous for them to sleep in the street.)

3 And he (Lot) pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.  (Have sex with them.)

6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,

7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.

8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

10 But the men (the angels) put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.

11 And they (the angels) smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

(The angels had great power from God.)

💥💥💥

God called me into the ministry in the late l970's.  I was waiting for God to show me where to go.  

On January 10, 1980, I was asleep in the night when I believe an angel spoke to me while I slept.  He said:  "Hartford, Seattle, KWJS"   By this, God showed me to go on radio and exhort the church.

💥💥💥

An angel of the Lord moved the great stone away from the tomb of Jesus.

Luke 24

1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they (the women) came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

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

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men (angels) stood by them in shining garments:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they (the angels) said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 HE is not here, but is risen:

💥💥💥

Angels have great strength and carry messages of God to us as needed.

Angels look like natural men.  

Angels do according to the will of God and are sent by God to do the works of God for us.

Exodus 23  God says:

20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for MY name is in him.

22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

23 For mine Angel shall go before thee,

💥💥💥

An angel freed Peter from Herod's prison:

Acts 12

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.7And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

9And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

💥💥💥

An angel told Paul they would not be harmed in the shipwreck:

Paul told the shipmaster none would be lost in the storm:  Then Paul said:  I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me.

💥💥💥

An angel of the Lord gave instructions concerning the baby Jesus:

Matthew 2

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

💥💥💥

As a new Christian in 1975, I studied all things the angels did in both Old and New Testaments.

I saw by these scriptures that God uses angels today for us just as God used angels in the Bible.

💥💥💥💥💥