*10/17 ... If We Suffer With HIM

Romans 8:16-17 ... The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with HIM, that we may be also glorified together.

*****

Do we suffer with Christ?

How do we feel when we see adultery portrayed on a TV show?  How do we feel when we see homosexuals?  How do we feel when we see people hate and despise others?

How do we feel when we hear people speak against God and the way we know to be of God?

We suffer with HIM when these things cause us to suffer.

*10/18 ... Spiritual Gift of Helps

There is a "gift of helps" which is a specific gift given to some among the church.

Paul speaks of it in I Corinthians 12:27-28 ... Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

*****

Pam Padgett, in our little church group, has this gift of helps. 

It is amazing what she does and what she enjoys doing.  She enjoys shoveling snow.  She enjoys helping people move.  Pam transfers all of the writings into proper form to publish on Amazon in e-books and paperback which requires different forms.  Pam keeps the blog going, adding chapters from the Bible daily so we can see these and adding the chapters from the ministry book that is published on Amazon.


Recently we discovered a very helpful application for Kindle tablet and we wanted to let people know about this application by adding this information to the Graphically Illustrated Guide to Kindle which we published on Amazon.

Here is Pam's story of how she managed to get this added to the 3 forms of this book on Amazon.  (e-book, color paperback version, black/white paperback version)

*****

This week (January, 2017), I've been adding a new section to our Graphically Illustrated Kindle Guide book.  This book has lots of pictures, and more steps are required to prepare and publish this book than preparing/publishing the ministry books. 


It has been nearly a year since we published the Kindle book.  I remembered that publishing this book was quite different from the ministry books, but didn't remember exactly what was different.  I've been praying while working on this, asking God to help me. 

One way I was greatly helped had to do with a computer program that needs to be used before this book can be sent for publishing.  

I remembered that last year it had taken some time to work through various programs available and find one that works for our book ... but I didn't remember which program actually worked.  This program was on my old computer (which is no longer usable), but it wasn't on my current computer.  I had no idea what the program was even called. 

I asked God to please help me.  A thought came to check my "documents" folder.  Sometimes I'll type up little documents with information I want to keep and put it in this folder.  I didn't remember typing up information about this needed computer program, but this folder had been transferred from my old computer to my current one.  

I looked in this folder and immediately saw a document with information about the needed program! 

As I looked at the information in this document, I then remembered typing this last year and being led to even include some of the steps needed to use this program.  With this information, I was able to get this program on my current computer, use it, and to publish the book with the new section added.   

This reminded me again of how God knows all things (even little details like this document which I had forgotten even existed!), and that HE is able to help us, no matter what we're dealing with.

*****

Comments by Joan Boney ...

When we have the opportunity to witness another person operating in one of the spiritual gifts that we do not have, we marvel at the design God gave to the body of Christ.  There is no way I could do the things Pam does.  If I tried to copy her, God forbid, I will fail.  (Some do try to copy others in body of Christ with disastrous results.) 

The calling of God and the spiritual gifts appointed by the will of God differ and must come from God HIMSELF.  These cannot be copied.  They are original works appointed by God.

I Corinthians 12:1 ...  Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

... vv.4-30 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  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:  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as HE will. 

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.  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.  For the body is not one member, but many.
 
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  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?  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased HIM.  And if they were all one member, where were the body? 

But now are they many members, yet but one body.  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee:nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:  And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 

(If you hit your little finger with hammer, doesn't your whole body suffer?  Your foot cannot say, "This doesn't pertain to me, this doesn't affect me." ... Thus when one person in the body of Christ suffers, all the body of Christ suffers.  And when one member is honored, all members rejoice... We are not separate from the body of Christ when we a members of the body of Christ.)

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?  Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 

 (No ... not "all" have each of these places in body of Christ ... "some" are given these "gifts" for the purpose of helping the church.  This is decided by God and the gift is not of ourselves nor our own will but by the will of God for the individual within the church ... but the gift is for the church and to be used by that individual in helping the church itself.)

Romans 12:4-8 ... For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;  Or ministry (serving), let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

*****

The spiritual gifts are given to individuals within the church so the whole church may benefit from that gift.  The gift is not for the individual but to be used for the church. 

*10/19 ... Answer to Prayer

Barbara Preston ... member of body of Christ

Answer to prayer:

Ephesians 4:3 ... Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

*****

Recently this scripture was brought to my mind.  I knew it was this specific scripture but I could only remember one word in this verse and that was the word peace.  I also remembered that the first word in the scripture meant to strive (in the sense of trying hard to do something.)  But I could not remember the word “endeavoring."

I tried to find it by typing these two words into my Bible concordance but over a hundred scriptures were brought up.

I asked God if He would please help me to locate this scripture…thinking He would give me a couple of words in the scripture to help me to be able to find it.

I prayed and waited to see how God would help me…expecting to receive identifying words.  

But what I heard was Ephesians 4:3 and there it was.

*****

Report from Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

I had something similar to what Barbara reported happen to me in January, 2017.

I was dealing with lower back pain and was praying, asking God if there was anything I could do to help this problem.  Immediately the words "seat cushion" came to mind.

I went to Amazon.com to view car seat cushions.  A long list came on screen.  As I scrolled down the list, one cushion especially caught my attention.  I decided to order it.  

When it arrived, it wasn't like any cushion I've ever tried before and I've tried many from medical supply houses and none of them worked for me.

This cushion was much thinner than other cushions.  (that seemed strange ... how could that work?)  It seemed to be made of a form of soft rubber.  One side was a gripping "rubber" which caused the cushion to stay in place on the seat of the chair.  The other side was a nice fabric, soft.

Amazingly, this cushion works on every difficult chair in my house.  When I use it, I have little to no back pain.  With this, I would even be able to sit on a solid wood chair.

When I think of physical pains, I often think of the following:  In the "new Jerusalem" there will be no more physical pains for we will not have these fleshly bodies which are subject to physical pain.  Neither will there be sorrow or emotional pain for those are part of this flesh.

Revelation 21:1-4 ... 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.  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

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.

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.

*10/20 ... Believing in Faith to the End

Romans 11:20-23 ... Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest HE also spare not thee. 

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in HIS goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 

And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graff them in again.

*****

Jesus speaks of overcoming in Revelation 3.

v. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before MY Father, and before HIS angels.

*****

We overcome through our continual connection to God through prayer and through following that given us by God through the Spirit of God ... obedience to God through faith in God.

Sometimes we just have to grab hold to that which we have been shown by God and hold on, refusing to turn loose to that which God has shown us.

If you end the race, drop out, before the finish, you harm yourself.

*10/21 ... Stewards of the Word of God

God has entrusted each of us as stewards of HIS Word.  A steward is a keeper, protector, caretaker.  We do not allow that which God has shown us to be stolen away by those who do not believe.  We are diligent not to let the Word given us by God slip away.  We continually work to go in that Word given us by God.  We are therefore vessels of the light of God as we live HIS way on this earth.

The apostle Paul explained it in the following scripture: 

I Corinthians 4:1-2 ... Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.  (Faithful to God, faithful to that Word which God has revealed to us.)


Jesus spoke of this responsibility each of us have in the following parable:

Matthew 25:14-30 ... For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness:there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

*****

We, who are called of God to HIS kingdom as HIS servants, are stewards of the Word given us by God.

While the Word helps us, it is not just for us but for others brought across our path, both the church and the non-church, for we speak to believers to comfort them, to edify them in the faith, to reprove them and turn them from ways of evil ... and also we speak to unbelievers along the way as we hold truth as given by the Spirit before them.  Perhaps God will give them a heart to repent but regardless we uphold the truth of God as lights in a world driven by darkness.

What we do with that Word shown us by God is a responsibility.  How can we see the Word we know trampled underfoot without speaking for that word?  

Each of us will give account before God in the way we deal with the Word given us by God.

If we are afraid and hide, aren't we like the steward who received the one talent.  He said he hid that talent given him because "I was afraid ..."

Fear is the opposite of faith in God. 

Romans 13:3 ...  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

*****

Regardless, each of us will give account for that Word which God has given him.

II Corinthians 5:9-11 ... Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of HIM.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

*10/22 ... Examples From Bible Direct Us, Comfort Us, and Show Us Way To Go

Acts 20 ...

1-12  And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, And there abode three months. 

And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.  And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.  These going before tarried for us at Troas.  And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
 
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.  And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.  And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 

And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.  When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.  And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. 

*****

The world runs by clocks and schedules that seem reasonable to man. The devil will say things like, "Too many exhortations."

But examples such as the above in Acts 20 shows us otherwise ...

When we are showing God, there can't be too many when we are talking to the church!

 

*10/23 ... Moses Shown By God That He Would Be A Deliverer to the Children of Israel

40 years before the burning bush incident, Moses knew in his heart that he would be a deliverer to the nation of Israel.

Stephen tells us this about Moses.

Acts 7:22-25 ... And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.  And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.  And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:  For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.  

*****

Moses knew ... Then Moses fled Pharaoh and was in another country 40 years.  Then when the time was right God brought about the circumstances which would fulfill what Moses knew.  And even though Moses fought God at first, we know from above scripture that Moses already understood how God was going to use him to deliver the nation of Israel from Egypt.


Exodus 3:1-22 ... Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.  And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.  And HE said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Moreover HE said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
 
And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;  And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto ME: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.  Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth MY people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
 
(Moses begins to strive with God ... and for a while God is patient with Moses' questions.)


And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

And HE (God) said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. 

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is HIS name? what shall I say unto them? 

And God said unto Moses, I Am that I Am: and HE said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is MY name for ever, and this is MY memorial unto all generations.

Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:  And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The Lord God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.

And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.

And I will stretch out MY hand, and smite Egypt with all MY wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.

And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:  But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

Exodus 4:1-15 ... And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.  

(Then God makes a way.) And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.  And HE said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.  And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:  That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.   And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.  And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.  And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.

(Moses continues to strive against God)

And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

And the Lord said unto him, WHO hath made man's mouth? or WHO maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom THOU wilt send.

And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and HE said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.  And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

*****

But for more than 40 years, since fleeing Egypt after killing the Egyptian, Moses had known God would use him to deliver his people.

God puts it in our heart.  

But God's yoke is easy and God's burden is light.  (Matthew 11)

And the wisdom from God is gentle and "easy to be intreated" (James 3:17)

Don't go along with religious spirits which would try to make you think you have to do some "impossible" thing.

If you are to do an impossible thing, somehow God has long prepared you for this and has shown you long before.

*****

I was "on stage" all my life from childhood to time I was born again.  I was accustomed to performing before crowds of people, first in basketball ... then in drama ... then in music ... then as owner of a secular business ... I knew I was to be "out front" ... I just didn't know in what area.

It was really an easy transition to me when God showed me I would be a "minister", though it seemed impossible to me,  but I had long been equipped to do what God had me do.

It wasn't like it was totally new to me to be a leader ... I had been a leader in many worldly areas before I was born again.

*****

After I was born again, I was sleeping in the night and was transported into heaven.  I was with God, with Christ, with the Holy Spirit.  At that time, I was "merged into the body of Jesus", God and Holy Spirit witnessing.  (It was a spiritual experience, I saw no images.)

A few nights later, the exact same thing happened again.

I thought this happened to all who were born again.  I didn't tell anyone what happened to me.

After I found this was not a common experience to Christians, I was reading a book about Exodus and the author explained that when God is going to use a person in an unusual way, God will often give that person some unusual experiences.

This experience of being taken into heaven twice was part of that equipment that was going to be used by God in what I was ordained by God to do according to HIS purpose.

*****

 

And when it is God leading us we certainly go forth with joy ... not by fear ...

*10/24 ... Lasciviousness ? Meaning ...

Throughout the New Testament the church is warned about "lasciviousness".

Lasciviousness is listed in Galatians 5 as one of the works of the flesh.

The root meaning of the word "lascivious" is "lust".

Often when we think of lust we associate this with sexual lust ... but lust could be many other things such as a lust for money ... a lust concerning property ... a lust for fame and glory ...

In the following warning, Paul attaches lasciviousness to uncleanness and greediness.

Ephesians 4:19 ... Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 

*****

The apostle John speaks of "lust of the eyes" and "the pride of life" ... and warns us ...

I John 2:15-17 ... Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

*****

In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul goes on to speak about these various "lusts" and urges us to put away "the old man" and take on the "new man" created in godliness.

Ephesians 4:17-32 ... This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
 
But ye have not so learned Christ;  If so be that ye have heard HIM, and have been taught by HIM, as the truth is in Jesus: 

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
 
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  Neither give place to the devil. 

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

*****

Everything we can see with our natural eye will be destroyed by God along with this present heaven and earth in the wrath of God.

Jesus said HIS kingdom was not of this world.  (John 18) ... Neither is our kingdom of this present world.   We are simply passing through and when we leave this world we will take nothing of this world with us.  

Should this world and its things and our appearances be that important?

When we grow in God and get the proper perspective we come to see these things the world admires so much mean nothing but are as a deceitful vapor ... vanishing into air, having no real substance.

We do not want to follow after such things.   

*10/25 ... Giving Thanks Always For All Things Unto God (Eph. 5:20)

Learn to go about with a thankful heart ... noting those good things given you by God.

- I thank God for my eyes, for my vision, that I can see and read my books which I enjoy greatly.

- I thank God that I can still drive my car, and walk, and can get my food daily.

- I thank God that HE gives me wisdom when I have a problem in this life.  HE helps me and guides me and shows me what to do.  I can depend on God.

- I look around me and thank God that I have shelter, a place to live.  And there are many things within my shelter that I enjoy and I thank God.

*****

When things are going wrong and you are thinking of the "breakdown", if you learn to stop and thank God for those things you appreciate, your whole life can turn around.

Make thankfulness to God a way of life.

*10/26 ... God Gives Spiritual Gifts to the Church to Benefit the Church

God made every provision for the church to function in fullness, giving various supernatural gifts to the church to help the church so we would not be deceived by the fleshly thinking of humans.

After the crucifixion and resurrection, God gave the church HIS Spirit to live inside each individual who belongs to God so that by HIS Spirit we might know things of God.

And after the resurrection, Jesus gave to the New Testament Church the gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher ...

Ephesians 4:11-12 ... And HE 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:

*****

And God gave "specific" gifts of the Holy Spirit to individuals within the church ... and from time to time we will hear an individual speak a "word of knowledge" from God that we are enlightened in a matter ... or we hear an individual speak "a word of wisdom" from God that we know truth ...


An example of a word of wisdom ... A woman wrote me telling me that her mother divorced and remarried and she wanted to tell me the circumstances of her mother's divorce ... I turned to God and asked HIM for help and I heard, "Focus on the scripture, not on the circumstances."  

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

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

*****

A woman in our little church group had a dream and thought she was supposed to sell her house and move, she knew not where ... 

A prophet (Barbara Preston) in our group, read the writing telling of this dream and Barbara was terrified by this woman's plan to sell her house and move.  Barbara told the woman she thought the dream was telling her "Don't move."   The woman had put her house on the market after having the dream, but after Barbara spoke, the woman took her house off the real estate listings.  The woman was greatly helped because Barbara spoke.

God uses prophets in the church to help the church, often prophets bring correction to individuals.

And there is a power of God in the words spoken by a prophet.

*****

Are there prophets in the NT church since all who are of God in the NT church have the Spirit of God?  Are there still prophets?

What does the New Testament show us about this?  

Ephesians 4 ... 
Acts 21 (Agabus a prophet) ...
Acts 15:32 (Judas & Silas, prophets)

Silas (a prophet) often accompanied Paul (an apostle/teacher) on his trips to the churches.  Acts 16:25, Acts 17

We see prophets in the New Testament being sent by God to the churches, working in the New Testament churches.  This shows us we have prophets today in the New Testament church.

*****

Individuals are given various spiritual gifts to help the New Testament church ...

I Corinthians 12:1, 4-11 ... Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant ... Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  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:  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as HE (God) will.

Romans 12:4-8 ... For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

*****

Sometimes the church group fails to know God gives these gifts therefore room is not made for the gifts to surface in the church group.

Sometimes individuals who have been given that spiritual gift fail to understand they have that gift and they keep silent, withholding the gift from the church.

But the gifts are there.

Sometimes a person will fail to exercise the spiritual gift thinking, "God didn't tell me I'm a prophet."  
God didn't tell me I'm a prophet either but I am.   The fruit that comes from me has confirmed this over and over many times as I operate by faith in God, correcting individuals, edifying the individuals in the way of God.  The fruit is there.    

Paul explains that not all are "apostles" or "prophets" but some are ... and Paul speaks of other spiritual gifts in this scripture:  I Corinthians 12:28-30 ... And God hath set some in the church (to care for the church), first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?  Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

*****

In one church I regularly attended a Sunday School class ... After the teacher taught, he never failed to say, "Does anyone have a word from the Lord?"   

 (He opened the door for the Holy Spirit to speak through the individuals in the class and to give an opportunity for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to come forth in the group that day.)

*****

It doesn't have to be in the church group for these gifts to come forth.  I have often spoken by the spirit of God by phone, by email, by letter, by Internet.

If a "gift" of the Holy Spirit is in us then by faith we exercise the gift by speaking whether in writing or by verbal communication. 

It is important to me that I let none of those words or concepts given me by God slip.

These are entrustments given by God for the benefit of the church. 

Matthew 25:14-30 ... For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

(Notice he used every talent given him by God ... He let nothing slip ... There was a "return" on everything vested him by God.)

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

*****

We are entrusted by God, with various things from God.  We must deal faithfully and in faith and properly with such as God gives us.  These gifts from God are not given to pump us up in giving the word, but rather that the church might be edified and helped.  Each of us must deal wisely with that given us by God.

*10/27 ... When We Are Following God, We Don't Always Do As Man Expects

The following remarkable story of following God through faith in God is reported by Pam Padgett, who is in our little church group and has a spiritual gifts of helps for the church.

Pam says: 

Last month my mom told me that she didn't think my dad would live much longer.  He had grown very weak, was having a very hard time breathing, and was sleeping most of the time.  Mom thought my dad might be helped if I would come see him.  (Both of my sisters also called me and obviously thought I should go see my dad.)

But I felt such a heaviness at the thought of going there.  And when I prayed, I heard that I had already said everything I'd been given.  I was also reminded of ... But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.  (Matthew 8:22)         

*****  

I didn't go to Oklahoma (where my parents live), but of course have prayed that God would have mercy on my parents and save them as He had mercy on me, and also that HE would provide what they need.

The next time I spoke with my mom a week or so later she said my dad was a little better and they were arranging for home health care.  A few days ago my mom told me that my dad has gotten a little stronger, is breathing better, and is getting around in the house a little.

And they have had the help they need.  The home health has been a big help, and one of my cousins went there to help for a week when they needed extra help (it doesn't sound like this is needed now.)

I have no doubt that if God chooses to reveal Himself to my parents, HE can and will do so.  And I am grateful for the way God has chosen to provide what they need, as well as for leading me in the way I am to go.

Other people may think they know what we should do.  But what others think, or our own thinking, can lead us to do unnecessary and often hard things, and things that would pull us off from what we should be doing.   

God leads us according to HIS purpose and for our good, what is really best in the situation. 

As I think of this I am filled with gratitude toward God.

*****

Comments by Joan Boney ... Pam's mother is very Catholic Church.  After Pam told me this story and how she was not led to go to her mother and dad's house during this time, I thought of how hard it would be for Pam to be in her dad's sick room and have a Catholic priest come in "to visit".

I mentioned this to Pam.  She was shocked and horrified and said, "I never thought of that!" 

I think God has spared Pam.  

And it may be that Pam's obedience will even result in salvation to some who consider Pam's unusual action.  For Pam has said everything she needs to say at this point and her withdrawal is against the Catholic church and against various sins being committed by individuals in her natural family.

Regardless, doing things as God shows us is always the key to everything for us and them. 

*****

Comments by Pam Padgett:  July, 2019 ...

After being very sick in December, 2016, my dad recovered.  He again enjoyed doing things around the house and yard.  In January, 2018, he died in his sleep at the age of 89. 

At the time my dad died, I didn’t know whether he was born again or not.  I asked God if HE might let me know about this in some way.  

A few days later I was given a dream in which my dad was like my “brother”.  I believe I was being shown that my dad is my brother in Christ, born again.  

Also in the dream, my dad told me that I had always been there for him.  This was a comfort to me since I had not gone to visit him when he was ill, believing I was led by God to not go. 

==

A few years before my dad was ill in December, 2016, I received a phone call from my niece telling me that my mom was seriously ill.  She was in a hospital in another state about 600 hundred miles away from where I live.  

It seemed to me that surely I should go to be with my mom.  But when I prayed, I heard that to go there would be like stepping into a hill of fire ants, and that my mom had all the help she needed.  I tried the spirit bringing these thoughts, and believed these words were from the Holy Spirit, so I did not go to where my mom was in the hospital.  

My mom recovered and was released from the hospital.  After she returned home, I spoke with her.  She told me of the wonderful care she had received, having all the help she needed.  She also told me of several relatives who had come to visit her, people who often speak things that greatly trouble me.  To be around them certainly would have been like stepping into a hill of fire ants, just as the Holy Spirit had warned.

Then, in April, 2019, I spoke with with my mom on the telephone.  She told me how excited she was to read the Bible, and told me where she was reading in the Bible.  In the past Mom spoke about people around her when we spoke on the telephone.  But now she was different, speaking about the Bible and not about other people.  I believe she is born again.  

 

*10/28 ... The Avenue to Corruption

The apostle Paul show us how corruptions develop ... Paul says ...

Ephesians 4:22 ... That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

*****

Young women at early ages (such as 14-17) often follow after vain, romantic ideas of how wonderful it will be to be married, how much honor it will bring to her if she can marry such & such.  Often these ideas are based on foolishness and if they continue to deepen in her desires they can be extremely destructive to her and to others and result in much depression and despondency if she accomplishes her fleshly pursuits.  She awakens to find the horrible fact that it was all wrong!  But now she is trapped in a marriage and life that she despises.  (And when she fails to get the person she desires, corruption of that desire often disrupts her life for many years and turns her to an unreasonable bitterness.)


Men and women both often lust after power, money, possessions, fame, praise of other humans.  These desires, when followed, grow and produce much corruption and perversion.

Paul explains ... 

Ephesians 4:20-21 ... But ye have not so learned Christ;  If so be that ye have heard HIM, and have been taught by HIM, as the truth is in Jesus  (The Word).

*****

And Paul tells us, to put off these fleshly lusts which are the clothing of the "old nature of man". 

Ephesians 4:23-24 ... And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

(After God:  Not your image of God but rather after those things God has taught you for these are righteousness and "true" holiness.)

*****

If your world seems empty, it is probably because it is empty.

These worldly things do not fulfill the humans even when we obtain them.  We are only fulfilled when we are rejoicing in things of God.  Things of God are eternal.  Things of this world are temporary.  That which is temporary will vanish.  That which is eternal will continue forever.

Jesus said:  "My kingdom is not of this world."  (John 18) 

Neither is our kingdom of this world.

Like those who have gone before us, we consider we are just "strangers and pilgrims" on this earth, just passing through.  (Heb. 11:13)

So if we are trying to fulfill ourselves with another human or a job, we are going to reach a time our life will feel very empty.

*****

Therefore Paul tells us ...

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

*****

In 1979, God gave me the following terrifying dream:

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

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

The first man resumed speaking.

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

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

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

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

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

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

*****

God was showing me the anarchy that was already going on in our church groups

*10/29 ... Our Hope

Romans 1:3-4 ... Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

*****

After Jesus was raised from the dead, HE appeared to more than 500 people (according to Bible) before HE ascended into heaven.  (I Cor. 15:6)


We, who believe, are the children of God.  And our belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead carries us to belief that those who believe in God will be raised from the dead.  

And we know God raised us from the dead people of this present world and put us into the church and gave us HIS Spirit that we might no longer be servants to our own flesh and ideas but now we can serve God through HIS Spirit which dwells in us who belong to God.


We have the hope (and assurance) of the resurrection ... and the many comforts of the word of God given us by HIS Spirit.

As Abraham believed in God, we, too, believe in God and the power of God for we have witnessed God's power when God changed our lives, causing us to be born again and making us into "new creatures" in HIS Spirit.


When God called on Abraham to slay Isaac, Abraham did not hesitate for he had witness of resurrection from the dead.  

Hebrews 11:17-19 ... By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 

For Isaac was born in spite of the dead womb of Sarah and the physical body of Abraham who was 100 at the time.

Isaac was born of the promise of God to Abraham.

We are born of the promise of God to us who believe in the resurrection of the dead from God, creator of all life, through Jesus Christ.

We focus on the hope ... and take comfort and assurance in this hope. 

*10/30 ... Comforted by the Faith of Another

When another person speaks showing delight in God and faith in God, we who hear that person speak of God are comforted by that mutual faith.

Paul said this in Romans 1:11-12 ... For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

*****

There is a woman who lives 1/2 way around the world from me.  I've never met her but when I write on our blog and she is moved by the Spirit of God, she often responds to me with single word emails ... Sometimes she says, "Sure" ... Sometimes she has said to me, "Amen."  I find her single word responses to be very uplifting for I know they are of the Spirit of God in her rejoicing over the message reflecting God and HIS ways for us on this present earth.

I am not comforted in the flesh of another person such as having some other human with whom I can go out to dinner.  

But I am greatly comforted when another person says something showing a mutual faith in God and HIS word.

10/31 ... Very comforting and sustaining concepts for us to think on

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hebrews 11:13-16   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.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  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.

*****

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

To help us endure daily until Jesus removes us from this earth, let us be diligent daily to give ourselves to reading Bible and godly writings, to exhorting one another, and to doctrines of Jesus, renewing our mind to HIS doctrines.