*** Comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

 

As we study the Bible the Holy Spirit takes us from scripture to scripture, comparing spiritual things with spiritual, rightly dividing the Word of God.

I Corinthians 2:12-14

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

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If we consider only one scripture on the subject, we might deceive ourselves.

For example:  concerning divorce and remarriage

Matthew 5:32  Jesus says:  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.

The only time in NT Bible a man is permitted to divorce his wife and marry another is if his wife is "unfaithful".

Some might look at this scripture in a superficial way and think the woman can divorce an unfaithful husband and marry another man.

But you must consider what Paul says is "a commandment of the Lord" in 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.

And in Matthew 5:32, note that if the man divorces the faithful wife and she remarries she will commit adultery and he will be the cause of her adultery.  And the man who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

We must also consider Mark 10 concerning what Jesus said about divorce and remarriage.

6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

One flesh is a very serious matter.  Can a divorce paper from a court of man separate the two after they have been made by God to be one flesh?"

Other examples on this Podcast of comparing spiritual with spiritual by the Holy Spirit.

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*** At the end of this world, we will meet the Lord "in the air".

We will meet the Lord "in the air".

This present heaven and earth will be destroyed by God.

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.

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We will be changed by God into our new spiritual bodies and rise to meet Jesus "in the air."

I Corinthians 15

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

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.

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 quickly we will be changed to our new spiritual bodies.)

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The dead in Christ shall rise first to meet the Lord "in the air".

I Thessalonians 4

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with HIM.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (go before) them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord HIMSELF shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

(One day, the Holy Spirit said to me, "In the air."  I found this in verse 17.)

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After the dead in Christ are raised, those who belong to God and are still alive on this earth will be raised to meet Jesus "in the air."

Matthew 24

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.

(To be taken by HIS angels to meet Jesus "in the air".)

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Jesus and HIS elect will then be taken to the new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.

God showed the apostle John this new heaven and new earth.

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.

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Jesus says:

Luke 21

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but MY words shall not pass away.

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

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*** Let your conversation be without covetousness. (Heb. 13:5)

 

Conversation means:  verbal communication but it also means "manner of life".

Dictionary.com:   Meaning of communication:  behavior or manner of living

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Hebrews 13:5-6

5 Let your conversation (manner of life) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for HE hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Covetousness often comes by comparing yourselves with other people.  Desiring that which other people have or desiring to outdo other people.

Therefore Paul explains:

2 Corinthians 10:12  For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

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James 3:13   Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation (manner of life) his works with meekness of wisdom.

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*** The Lord's Supper: Eating and drinking the Word of God in a proper way.

 

 

Many churches eat crackers and drink grape juice thinking this to be the Lord's supper.

Paul tells us we must examine ourselves and eat and drink in a worthy way otherwise we will eat and drink damnation to ourselves.

How do we examine ourselves?  

Even as a young child I wondered how we are to do this.

I Corinthians 11

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

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We examine ourselves by the Bible, by the Word of God, making corrections as needed to our lives, properly handling the Word of God, for the Word of God is the Lord's Supper and the scriptures are to be taken worthily, doing them correctly.

1 Corinthians 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

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*** Exercising yourself in the Word of God.

We exercise ourselves unto godliness by taking portions of scripture and doing them throughout the day.

 I Timothy 4:7-8  But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Ephesians 4:29   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.

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I Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

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*** We are not unaware of the way the devil works, says Paul.

 

 

2 Corinthians 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

The devil will try to get us to carry a grudge, to get even with those who offend us, to hate and despise, to live in unforgiveness, to avenge the wrong done against us ... and to do the works of the flesh.

Romans 12

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

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

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

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

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

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The devil will try to get us to do the works of the flesh. 

 

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

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At no time does God approve adultery or fornication.

At the time of sexual intercourse, the 2 become one flesh:

I Corinthians 6

15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

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The devil will try to stir us up to protest and fight for our "rights".  The devil tries to make us think evil is good.  For the devil is a liar and twists the truth because there is no truth in devils, says Jesus.

John 8:44  Concerning the devil:  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

But Jesus says:

Matthew 5  Jesus says:

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

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Some ministers are ministers of Satan:

I Corinthians 11

12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

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Romans 10:10  Jesus says:  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The devil often appears as an angel of "light", bringing "good ideas", but really to go these ways will be a way of death.

Proverbs 14:12   There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

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.

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.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

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Matthew 11:30  Jesus says:

MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light.

So if your plan is hard to do, complex, overly expensive you are not yoked to God's plan.

Stop and pray.

James 1:5  

 

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

 

 

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*** The Sower soweth the word.

 

 

Luke 8

5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. 

And when HE (Jesus) had said these things, HE cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

9 And HIS disciples asked HIM, saying, What might this parable be?

10 And HE said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

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When we hear the word of God, it is important for us to do that Word, so it becomes a part of us.

Also we "meditate" upon that word, thinking of it until it becomes strong enough that we later act upon the instructions given in that word.

Acts 17  

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

12 Therefore many of them believed;

They received the Word with all readiness of mind ... but they went away and searched the scripture to see if that which was preached was true.

When I went to church in the 1980's, I made a habit of copying down each scripture spoken by the preacher and when I got home I re-read those scriptures allowing God to work these verses into my heart.

God said the following to Joshua and I knew these scriptures applied to us also in the NT church.

Joshua 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  

And when the scripture was strong enough in me, I did the instruction of the scripture after thinking on the scripture for days or even weeks.

James 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

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Here is a scripture each of us must be careful to do each day:

Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

If we do this scripture, the following happens:

Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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*** Saved by fire: what that means

 

 

I Corinthians 3

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ (The Word of God).

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

(Examples on this Podcast)

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*** To guide our feet in the way of peace (Luke 1:79)

 

 

 

At the end of this world, when God will judge the world and the apostate church, the message for us is to seek peace and pursue it.

It is not that we agree with the world or the evil doers to maintain peace.  Rather we maintain peace by speaking the word of God and allowing the world to depart from us.  

Scriptures concerning peace:

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

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.

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Romans 14:19   Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

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2 Timothy 2:22    Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

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Romans 12:18-21   If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

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

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

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

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There are some people we cannot be around and maintain our own peace.  They trouble us with their words and their acts.  To have peace, we have to avoid certain persons.  They are like thorns in our sides and pricks in our eyes.

II Corinthians 6

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

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

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

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

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

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*** I Corinthians 2

 

When I was a new Christian, God took me to 1 Corinthians 2 and used this to instruct me concerning the Holy Spirit who lives in the believer.

I Corinthians 2  (The apostle Paul says:)

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and HIM crucified.

(The crucified Christ is an example of laying down your life to do the will of God.)

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

This Podcast has examples of speaking by the Spirit of God.

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*** When devils accuse the believer

 

Revelation 12

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of HIS Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

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The accuser of our brethren often brings to the believer accusations to our mind to try to trouble us over what we have done or to trouble us over other brothers in Christ.

Knowing that devils do this helps us to resist these troubling thoughts for such thought are of devils and not of God.

And we know the devil twists the truth for there is no truth in devils.  

John 8:42  Jesus says:  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

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Devils bring lies and accuse us and torment us.

We turn to God and ask God for help and by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, God brings truth to our mind.

We accept the truth from God and rejoice in that which God has said to us and the devil then flees from us ... for a season.  When devil returns later, again we turn to God for help and rejoice in what God says and the devil flees again from us.

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*** Believing God

 

Some church goers cannot enter into things of God for they cannot believe.

The Word come to us through God.  Believing that word is the first step to living in peace.

Luke 1:45  And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 

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Hebrews 3

7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear HIS voice,

8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

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*** Galatians 1

The apostle Paul says:

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

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A true minister of Jesus Christ speaks that which is brought to his mind by the Holy Spirit of God.

If a minister is trying to please people, he will speak that which the congregations wants him to speak.

A minister must keep himself free so he can serve God for if that minister needs money it could affect the message he chooses to speak to the congregation.  

Salvation comes when a minister keeps himself free and speaks that which God shows him to speak.

John 5:30  Jesus said:

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear (from God), I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent ME.

 

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*** If a brother in Christ is committing fornication or is covetous or is an idolater or a railer or a drunkard or an extortioner

 

 

I Corinthians 5 

11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner;

13 Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

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*** If you have an unbelieving mate

 

 

I Corinthians 7

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

12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

The believer lives as a Christian and if the mate is content to live with him, allow her to do so.

13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

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*** Wisdom from God

 

After we pray, we need to recognize which ideas are from God.

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.

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.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

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

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*** 2 John

 

 

v.  7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

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Comments by Joan Boney:

I believe this means these people who are in churches but do not believe that Jesus lives in our flesh today by His Spirit.

I attended a luncheon at Texas Tech University when I lived in Lubbock, Texas.

At our table were 6 people.

One woman spoke up and pointed out the window and said:  "That is our church."  (She pointed to a Methodist church building across the street.)

I said, "We are the church."

This woman became very angry and began to try to argue.  

She said, "That's the church.  I'm not a church."

Some people do not realize Jesus, by HIS Spirit, lives in us who believe in HIM.

I Corinthians 3:16   Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

I Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

II Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

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*** The apostle John says: "The whole world lieth in wickedness." (I Jn. 5:19)

 

I John 5

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know HIM that is true, and we are in HIM that is true, even in HIs Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

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

friend:  to give support and aid to

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From the time of Adam, man has had a sin nature of the flesh.

I Corinthians 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

It is the "nature" of man to do the works of the flesh.

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

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Jesus said:  "Ye must be born again."  (John 3)

We cannot see things of God unless we are born again.  We just think with our natural mind until we are born again but then God gives us HIS Spirit and mind so we can enter into things of God.

We are changed by God when we are born again.

II 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.

God gives the believers in the NT church HIS heart and HIS Spirit so they can obey HIM and know HIS will and follow HIM.

The prophet Ezekiel prophesied this in Ezekiel 36.

Ezekiel 36

22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

 

27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

 

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The Holy Spirit comes to live in us after we are born again and then we have the truth of God brought to our mind and revealed to us by the Spirit of truth, so we can know the truth and follow HIM.

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

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Prior to being born again, we are of the world which lies in the wickedness of the flesh and does the works of the flesh.

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.

7 And 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.

God brought the flood upon the earth and destroyed all flesh except the flesh that was in the ark with Noah.

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.

2 Thessalonians 2

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of HIS mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of HIS coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 

 

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 

 

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 

 

 

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*** Politics: Are you trusting in governments of men and hoping for them to give you something?

 

 

The people of this world often hope in governments of men.  They vote for men and women hoping they will make some law whereby they benefit financially.  As they vote for these individuals they also sanction these individuals and often as a result they will lose reward in heaven as Christians.

The apostle John tells us this:  For if we wish a person well and they do evil, we will be a part of their evil, says John.

II John 

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

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To choose one party of politics over another is also to come to "hate" the other party.  Hatred is a big part of politics.

The world thinks it noble and good to vote for politicians and they take pride that they voted and often blame those who do not vote.

The Bible tells us to pray for those who are in charge.

Paul tells us to pray for our kings and rulers that we might live in peace.  I do pray sometimes for the rulers of governments of men.

Paul says:

I Timothy 2:1-2   I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

💥  I did pray that God not allow Donald Trump to fire a nuclear device when he was president of the United States.

💥  I have prayed a few times for President Biden that he would not take us into a war.

But I would not vote for either man nor sanction any worldly man for anything.

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And I do not desire riches from men.  I want my "riches" to come from God as Abraham did when the king of Sodom offered him riches.

Genesis 14

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

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

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

When I read this scripture more than 40 years ago, I swore the same thing to God:  "I want my wealth to come from YOU."

I do not gamble and hope to win the lottery.  That is an appalling thought to me!

I want my provision to come from God ... and it does.  God has supported me and provided all my needs, exceedingly abundantly above all I can ask or even think!  (Eph. 3:20)

I would not want to trade God's provision for man's provision.

But on TV news, I see groups do this all the time, thinking governments of men to be their hope.

During WWII, the German people were afraid not to vote for Adolph Hitler.

I think I would have been praying for God to move me to another country had I lived in Germany at that time.

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*** Godliness in the sight of God is often opposite from the way of man.

Matthew 5   Jesus says:

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

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

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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 from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

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

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Luke 21

5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, HE (Jesus) said,

6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

(At the end of this world, God will destroy the heaven and the earth.  Everything we can see with our natural eyes will be destroyed by God and we will be taken to the new heaven and the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.)

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Luke 21:33  Jesus says: Heaven and earth shall pass away: but MY words shall not pass away.

Therefore we cannot hope in that which we see for it will all be gone in the end.  We put our trust in that which cannot be seen, the Word of God which last forever and never passes away.

Matthew 6:19-21  Jesus says:  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

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The apostle Paul tells us to "exercise yourselves unto godliness."

I Timothy 4:7-8  But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Seek the will of God and go that way on this earth.

Store up scripture and keep your mind "stayed" on scripture, the Word of God.

Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on THEE: because he trusteth in THEE.  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

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View the Word of God as that pearl of great price which is great treasure above all things.

Matthew 13  Jesus says:  

44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

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On August 5, 1975, God revealed my sins to me and saved me.  God said:  "Joan ... you know all those mistakes you've been making all these years?  Those weren't mistakes.  Those were sins."

"Sins?"  I gasped.  I was very shocked.

With that I was born again and God gave me HIS Holy Spirit and began teaching me the ways of God and I followed HIS Word which HE gave me!

To me there was nothing like the Word of God.  It was the most wonderful thing that could ever be given to us far above all treasures and people of this world!

I began storing scripture, as given me by the Holy Spirit, in my heart.  And I began doing those scriptures and continuing to live by the instruction in those scriptures, being made one with the Word of God.

And God continues teaching me to this day and causes me to change to the Word of God as I live on this present earth, conforming my thinking to God's Word, which lasts forever.

This is a treasure that is worthy of storing!

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The time will come when men will cast their silver and their gold into the streets as worthless, knowing such cannot save them.

Ezekiel 7:19  They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

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But the Word of the Lord endures forever!

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