💥 Uvalde Series: Introduction ... That which the Holy Spirit said to me about those who die in Christ.

 

 

The Holy Spirit said:

" The body without the spirit is dead ..."  This is a scripture:  James 2:26

This shows us that when a person dies, the spirit leaves that body at the moment of death!

Where does the spirit of the person who believes in Jesus go?  

We know from the Bible death is described as "falling asleep". (John 11 & I Thessalonians 4:14)

And we know from I Thessalonians 4:14 that spirit of the person who is of God and died is asleep in Jesus.

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

This causes me to believe that at the time of death, the spirit (soul) of the person leaves the body and falls asleep in Jesus when they belong to Him.

When Jesus returns to earth "with a shout" that spirit that has been sleeping in Jesus awakens and is resurrected and taken to the new heaven and new earth which has been created by God for HIS people!

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This is a description from the Bible of that new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Revelation 21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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(So why visit graves?  The soul, spirit, of the believer is not there in the dead body, but is risen and sleeps in Jesus!)

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💥 #5. (Uvalde Series:) Dealing with destructive thoughts

 

2 Timothy 3  (Concerning the end times)

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

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

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

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

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

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

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

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

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

 

 

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Jesus said, concerning the devil:

John 8:44  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.

Both the devil and our own flesh bring ideas to our mind to destroy us if possible.

John 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.

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

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

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Taking thoughts captive:

2 Corinthians 10:3-5  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

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Jonah 2:8  They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

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Live in peace even in the midst of trouble by taking every concern to God in prayer and speaking directly to God about all cares:

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.

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

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Philippians 4

13  I can do all things through Christ (The Word) which strengtheneth me.

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to HIS riches in glory by Christ Jesus (THE Word).

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Recognizing the ideas that are from God:

God's yoke is easy and HIS burden is light. (Matthew 11:30)  If a plan if overly expensive, I stop and pray again.  If an idea is complex and hard to do, I stop and pray again.

For I have learned this about the wisdom that is from God.

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

James 3:14-16  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.

So if you have envy or strife with another, just don't do anything until you call on God to cleanse your heart and spirit.

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

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Concerning money:

1 Timothy 6

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

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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💥 #4 (Uvalde Series) Dealing with anger

 

 

Are you angry over what happened?  Certainly you have a "right" to be angry.  But you will be far better off to go another way.

God will judge with perfect judgment.

Can you trust God to judge and would you be willing to turn judgment over to God?

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When I saw the tape which was played on CNN where the armed policemen stood in that school hallway doing nothing as that teenager used his weapon to kill all those children, I was angry and wanted to kill those useless policemen, especially the first two or three who came into the school and did nothing.

Fortunately. for me, I am controlled by God and by scriptures, and I put my trust in God and in the Word of God and bow my will to what I read the the Bible.

Romans 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is MINE; I will repay, saith the Lord.

"Not my will, but THY will, be done."

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Often I turn to God and ask HIM to help me and to keep me from saying or doing that which I want to do.  And God always answers this prayer, restraining me from what I want to do.

And I frequently pray this:

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

For only through God and HIS Word am I saved from myself and my own flesh.

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💥 #3. (Uvalde Series) God keeps us in perfect peace when our mind is stayed on that which we have heard from HIM.

 

Jesus was crucified and HIS body was wrapped in clean linen and HE was placed in a tomb with a large rock sealing the entrance to the tomb.

Several women came to the tomb to bring good smelling spices to place on the dead body of Jesus.

Here is what happened:

Luke 24

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

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

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

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

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

6  HE is not here, but is risen:

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The truth of God's word calms us and directs our way as we go through the problems of this present world. 

As long as we make our mind be fixed on God's words and pray to God, HE keeps us in perfect peace even in tragedies.

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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Philippians 4:6-7

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

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

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The pagans sorrow because they have no hope in death.  We, as Christians, have hope of the resurrection from the dead through Jesus Christ.  So we do not act as do the pagans.

The apostle Paul says:

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.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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💥 #2. (Uvalde Series) When death or tragedy occurs, our weapons are not carnal as the weapons of this world but our weapons are mighty through God.

"God ... help me!"  we cry out!

For only through God can we receive lasting help and comfort through Jesus.

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It is critical for each of us to remember that dead child is sleeping in Christ.  And that child has everything needed and no more pain or sorrow or trouble!

We are the ones who need help!  And our help comes from God as we cry out to God.

Each time bad memories come to our minds concerning what has happened, we must stop and cry out to God.  "God ... help me!"

And when we cry out to God for help, God will help us!

God's promises:  

Joshua 1:8 & Hebrews 13:5

I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Each time you begin to feel heavy, cry out to God for help.  Where ever you are, call on God.  God is everywhere:  HE is in you and with you at all times in all places when you belong to HIM and ask HIM for help as a little child does.  God is our Father.

And keep in your mind at all times that your child is sleeping in Christ!  When Christ returns to gather HIS Church, the dead in Christ will be awakened by the voice of Jesus.

Each of us will be given new heavenly bodies!  And we will be taken to the new heaven and new earth which is created by God for HIS children.  

The devil wants us to grieve and sorrow.  But because we know the truth of the resurrection, we rejoice in the provision of God through Jesus.  

Rejoice in the fact that the child has total comfort as that child sleeps in Jesus.  This is the victory!  See the child as that child is:  sleeping in Christ.

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.

When Jesus returns with a shout, the dead in Christ will awaken!  

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.

Keep this truth in your mind at all times:  Your child is sleeping in Christ!   Jesus will awaken your child when Jesus returns to gather HIS church!

This truth frees you!

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And each time you have any trouble or concern, pray directly to God wherever you are!

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.

Stop and talk to God.  Pour out your heart to God.  Let your requests be made known to God as you talk directly with God!

And when you do that, the following will happen:

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

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

 

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💥 #1. (Uvalde Series) The children killed in the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, are asleep in Jesus. Help for family and friends who are still alive but grieve.

Death is like falling asleep.  When we awake we don't know how all that time could have passed while we slept.

This is the way the Bible describes death:  Falling asleep in Jesus.  "They who sleep in Jesus."

Those family and friends who survive are the ones who need help, and if they can believe in that which God says in the Bible concerning death (falling asleep), they obtain from God the true help in the time of sorrow.

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Jesus' friend Lazarus dies and Jesus goes to raise Lazarus from the dead:

(Notice how Jesus says Lazarus is sleeping.)

John 11  (Jesus says to HIS disciples.)

11 Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

12 Then said HIS disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that HE had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

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When a person dies, he falls asleep.  There is no more pain for him.  There is no more sorrow for him. There is no more trouble for him.  For he is as one who sleeps!

And when he sleeps in Jesus, he will awaken to everlasting life through Jesus.

So the apostle Paul tells us not to sorrow as the pagans sorrow for we have the hope of the resurrection through Jesus.

Paul says:

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.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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In the resurrection, Jesus takes us to the new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness:

Revelation 21  (The apostle John tells us about the new heaven)

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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At the end of this world, the apostle Peter tells us what happens and also tells us how we should live on this earth until that time.

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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*** There will be no marriage in heaven, says Jesus.

 

Mark 12

18 Then come unto HIM the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked HIM, saying,

19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.

22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.

23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.

24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

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*** Seditions: a work of the flesh

 

All my life, I have enjoyed history.

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

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

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

I checked Galatians 5 and found it to be so.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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*** God goes before us and makes the crooked places straight

 

Here is a promise of God to the elect of God, to those people who belong to HIM.

Isaiah 45:2  I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

(There are promises of God in the Old Testament which are valid for us today in NT Church.)

It is a great comfort to us to know that God has gone before us and fixed everything.

I've had many experiences in my life where that has happened.

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By the time I was 81-years-old most of my own blood relatives were dead.

On December 6, 2018, I fell at my house in Texas.  As the ambulance workers rolled me past my front door to take me to hospital, I heard these words from God:  "You'll never see this house again."

I had no doubt that God had another plan for me but I didn't know what that plan was.

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose.

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In the hospital, the day before surgery, a nurse came to my room.  She said, "Before we can do surgery, you must sign these papers naming someone who will be in charge of you in case you cannot communicate with us."

Without any thought at all about this, I answered her immediately saying, "Pam Padgett is in charge of me."

(It must be that God had planted this in my heart because I had never before thought of who would be in charge of me if I was unable to be in charge of myself.)

One of our church group was standing in the room when nurse asked me this question and when I named Pam as being in charge of me.  This woman was shocked.  She responded:  "How can Pam be in charge? She doesn't even live here.  She is 450 miles away."

I replied:  "I don't know how she can be but she is."

This church woman called Pam and said, "Joan said you are in charge of her."

Pam replied, "OK."

At the time this happened, Pam was involved in a project to remodel the downstairs of her house in Colorado.  It had come into her heart to turn one of the downstairs rooms into a bedroom and to turn her downstairs 1/2 bath into a full bath.

During time I was in rehabilitation hospitals (2 2/1 months), Pam flew from Denver to Lubbock, Texas, 4 or 5 times to help me with medical issues, locating a rehabilitation hospital for me, helping me to get to surgeon's office.

Pam met with my contractor after I put the house up for sale.  Pam arranged for an "estate sale" where a business would sell items of furniture and things I did not want to keep.  My contractor moved furniture I wanted to keep to storage.

Pam finished her construction project of adding bedroom/bath downstairs, in January, 2019.  I moved into that downstairs area when I was released from hospital February 24, 2019.

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God goes before us and makes the crooked places straight.

God will put in our hearts that which we need to do.  Or God might give us a dream to show us that which is coming.

We do those things appropriate to that which is in our heart or to that which God has shown us.

And when the need is there, the action has already been done.

Ephesians 3:20  Now unto HIM that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

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The power that works in us in the Holy Spirit of God who does the following for us:

John 14:26  Jesus says:  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in MY name, HE shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:13  Howbeit when HE, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE will guide you into all truth: for HE shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever he shall hear (from God), that shall he speak: and HE will shew you things to come.

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The husband of a woman in our church group was retiring.  They put their house up for sale in Houston, Texas.  Someone made an offer, but her husband wanted to wait and try to get more money.  But it was in her heart to take the offer and take less money.  She told this to her husband and he agreed and they sold the house and moved to Virginia.

After the house sold, a financial crisis hit the USA housing market.

The bottom fell out of the housing market with prices of housing dropping considerably and sales of real estate ceasing, for most part!

God knows future and God cares for us.  We follow God.

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Psalm 23

1 The LORD (The Word) is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 HE maketh me to lie down in green pastures: HE leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 HE restoreth my soul: HE leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for HIS name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for THOU art with me; THY rod and THY staff they comfort me.

5 THOU preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: THOU anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

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Proverbs 3

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

6 In all thy ways acknowledge HIM (pray, discussing all plans with God) , 

and HE shall direct thy paths.

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

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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.

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

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In 2021, one afternoon, I was bombarded with destructive thoughts:  "You're 83 ... what if it gets to where you can't walk?  You won't be able to live here?  What if this happens?"

I cried out to God:  "God help me!"

Instantly this was brought to my mind by the Holy Spirit of God:  "God will provide all your needs."

"That's right!" I exclaimed,  "God will supply all my needs."  I rejoiced in the word of God and in God's truth to us.

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (The Word).

Live in peace through God.

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*** Barnabas was one of those apostles appointed from heaven by Jesus, as was Paul also.

 

From heaven, after the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus appoints ministers to work in the New Testament churches.

Ephesians 4

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

11 And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

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When Jesus walked on this earth in the form of a man, HE called 12 men whom HE appointed as "apostles".

After Jesus was crucified and taken into heaven, they had to appoint one man to take the place of Judas who was the traitor and killed himself.

Peter says:

Acts 1

9  And when HE (Jesus) had spoken these things, while they beheld, HE was taken up; and a cloud received HIM out of their sight.

12   Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with HIS brethren.

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18  Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

19  And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that HE was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of HIS resurrection.

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

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two THOU hast chosen,

25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

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

Matthias became the 12th apostle, replacing Judas.

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Many churches today are taught that Paul is the 12th apostle.  But Matthias was the 12th apostle.

So where does that leave Paul as an apostle?

From heaven after the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus called Paul and put Paul into the ministry of apostle and teacher.

In the following scripture, we see Barnabas was also one of those apostles named with Paul.

Acts 14:14  Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

From the scriptures, we know Timothy was an evangelist.  (2 Tim. 4:5)

Philip also was evangelist and his 4 daughters did prophesy to the church.  (Acts 21)

In the book of Acts, we have several prophets named:  Agabus, Silas, Judas (not Iscariot)

The New Testament church was established by Jesus after HE was taken into heaven and HE gave to the church ministries of apostle, prophet, evangelists, pastor and teacher.  (Eph. 4:11)

Today's ministers are also called by God by Jesus from heaven and put in the church as ministers.

Now we know Barnabas as one of the apostles of Jesus.

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*** When we speak.

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.

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

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

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

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It is so important to consider what we are speaking.  Will it minister grace to the hearer?  Will it edify God?  Will it turn them to godliness?

Or do we just tickle the flesh?

As Christians, we are "peculiar people", created by God.

1 Peter 2

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of HIM who hath called you out of darkness into HIS marvellous light:

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We must learn to bridle our tongue and speak words that build up one another in faith in God and show the way of God for us on this present world.

James 1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

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In the day of judgment, Jesus says to us the following:

Matthew 12

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

So we learn to think before we speak, examining that which we want to share by this:

Will these words that I want to speak edify the other person in things of God and in the ways of God?

Or am I just wanting to share the words that I've heard on the latest evening newscast?

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Often when tempted, I pray:  "God ... please don't let me speak that."

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*** Psalm 111:10

 

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

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To me, "The fear of the Lord" is a very deep understanding that God knows what is best so when HE tells me something I should be afraid not to do what HE says.

And we are shown that God gives a good understanding when we do HIS commandments.

Also to seek the praise of men is foolish.  Please God and seek HIS praise in all things.  Then evil doers will likely depart from us or be saved and changed by God.  

And God's praise is not temporary but endures forever and does not change as man's praise changes.

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*** Luke 9

 

Jesus says:

23  And HE said to them all, If any man will come after ME , let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow ME.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for MY sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of ME and of MY words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when HE shall come in HIS own glory, and in HIS Father's, and of the holy angels.

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If we hold back and fail to share a scripture or what God has done in our lives, when the Holy Spirit reminds us, then we are likely trying to protect ourselves, keeping the admiration of that person to whom we speak.

For we know we risk our own reputation in the sight of other humans when we share things of God with that person.  (Lk. 9:23-24)

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*** Example 2: Spiritual gift of faith. (I Cor. 12:9)

 

When I was a new Christian in 1975, I owned a small business in Dallas, Texas in American Indian Arts.

At that time the Dallas Morning News asked me to write an article concerning the purchase of Indian Arts and how the customer could be certain the item they were purchasing was genuine.

I did write the article.

A few weeks later, a man filed a law suit against me and several other dealers charging us with conspiring to keep him from doing business in Dallas.

It was so ridiculous that I tossed the legal papers to a corner of a shelf in my office and went on with my normal business activities.

Then all of a sudden a few days later I realized that if I ignored this legal matter, that man could get judgment against me and take all of the merchandise from my shop.

I hired a lawyer.

A court date was scheduled.  But several weeks passed and I began receiving legal bills from my attorney.  It got to the point that I knew I would spend all the money I had to pay my own lawyer.

I'm sure I prayed asking God what I should do about this.

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I was led to a scripture in the Bible and an unusual faith came upon me.  

In this Podcast, I will share what I did.

It was a faith that allowed me to do things that I don't think I could have done on my own.

I believe I was given a spiritual gift of faith to deal with this matter.

I Corinthians 1:9  To another (is given) faith by the same Spirit;

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*** A spiritual gift of faith. (I Cor. 12:9)

 

 

There is a spiritual gift of faith.

I Corinthians 12

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

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

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

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

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

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

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At least twice, a spirit of faith has come upon me to enable me to do things I don't think I could have done otherwise.

I will share one of these with you on this Podcast.

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*** Hebrews 6:10

 

 

 

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward HIS name (The Word) in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

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All who share HIS Word by the Spirit of God with others will be rewarded by God.

To share by the Spirit of God means to share that word brought to your mind by the Holy Spirit with the person you are with at that time.

This is sharing by the Holy Spirit of God.

The Holy Spirit brings to our mind a scripture:  Share that scripture.

The Holy Spirit reminds us of a story of what God has done:  Share that story.

Don't plan ahead what you will say.  Just share what the Holy Spirit brings to your mind while you are with the individual.  That is what God wants them to hear.

Jesus says:

Luke 21:14-15  Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

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*** Jesus says: In the last days, they will come saying I am Christ and will deceive many.

 

 

Matthew 24

3 And as HE sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto HIM privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of THY coming, and of the end of the world?

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in MY name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

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It is not that they will come saying they are Christ.  No one would listen to them if they said that.

But Jesus is saying they will come saying HE is Christ, "Jesus is Lord".  And when they say they are Christians and "Jesus is Lord", they will deceive many.

Jesus says to expect this in the last days.

Antichrist will come into the church saying they are Christians and saying Jesus is Lord, but they do not do the Word of God, having not the Spirit of God.

They will copy other people who seem spiritual.  But something is always a little off with them for they are counterfeits, not the real thing.  For they only copy others for they have not the Spirit of God.  They are led by their own minds, not by the Spirit.

We who have the Spirit will recognize those who do not have the Spirit.

Romans 8:14   For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

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