*** The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Psalm 111:10)

When we "fear God" it means we respect God and know HE is higher than the highest and can be totally trusted and we would be afraid to go in any way opposite to HIS instruction for to do so would bring evil upon us.

By God's words we are kept from the paths of the destroyer.

Examples:  

💥 Advertising agency:  When I went on radio to exhort the church in 1980, my pastor, Robert Tilton, came to me and told me I needed to become a client of the Michael Ellison Advertising Agency who helped ministers with radio and television broadcasts.  Bob said to me:  "They can do you a lot of good."  

God had fully prepared my way giving me certain instructions concerning what to do in the ministry and what not to do!

The first thing the Ellison agent told me they wanted me to do was to print these words on all written materials:  "Send me your prayer requests."

I replied:  "I don't want to do that.  The people should learn to pray directly to God through Jesus Christ."

The agent was shocked when I didn't want to do that.  And he said, "Well you're missing a good bet for when they send prayer requests they will usually slip some money into the envelope."

It was a fund raising gimmick!

(I never did that.)

At one point they told me not to send the people any written materials without first sending the materials to the agency for editing.

I told the agent I couldn't do that.  I must be free to speak the message that God gives me.

Then they told me not to speak anything on radio that might offend anyone.

The message spoken by a prophet of God often offends the church for when God speaks through a prophet, often there is a correction in the message of God, or a warning.  So I told the agency I could not guarantee the message would not offend the church.

Matthew 23  (Jesus said)

33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see ME henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

I was only with the agency for a few weeks.  One day the agent told me they had decided to eliminate some of their clients and unfortunately I was one they had decided not to represent.

I was devastated.  They represented several big-time radio/TV  ministers and I knew they could get me to the top of the broadcast group if only I would do what they told me to do.

I thought I had failed!  (But really God had kept me safe by showing me what to do and what not to do in the ministry.)

And I was reminded of this:

Matthew 4

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and HIM ONLY shalt thou serve.

💥💥💥

In 1982, God said to me:  "The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God."

And God showed me several big time ministers and sins they were committing.

When I couldn't get the message to these men, I told the message on my own radio broadcast which was on coast to coast in USA.

Two stations put me off the air immediately.  (both stations were owned by one of the ministers committing the sins)

I was having a meeting for the radio audience in Seattle, Washington.  Outside of the meeting room door the radio station manager was waiting for me.  When I arrived, George said:  "Joan ... you have many good messages.  Just speak those.  If you continue to speak these judgment messages I don't know what might happen to you.  We might have to put you off the air."

The Holy Spirit in me arose and gave me the following words to speak to George.

"George ... if I don't speak the message that I believe to be from God then I don't have a message and I may as well be off the air."

The word set my way for the remainder of my life.  I spoke what I believed God wanted me to speak to the churches.  I never held back any message that I believed to be from God.

Acts 20  (The apostle Paul said to the elders at Ephesus;)

26-27 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

💥💥💥💥💥

*** Psalm 62

1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from HIM cometh my salvation.

2 HE only is my rock and my salvation; HE is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from HIM.

6 HE only is my rock and my salvation: HE is my defence; I shall not be moved.

7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

8 Trust in HIM at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before HIM: God is a refuge for us. 

11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

💥💥💥💥💥

*** When we have to make a change.

 

 

Things happen in life, causing us to need to make adjustments.

We often feel frightened at the change and even bewildered until we realize God will lead us in what we are to do.  And God will perfect our way when we call on HIM for help and put our trust in HIM.

Psalm 61

1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto THEE, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For THOU hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

5 ... THOU hast given me the heritage of those that fear THY name.

💥💥💥

Psalm 111:10  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom ...

When we "fear God" it means we respect God and know HE is higher than the highest and can be totally trusted and we would be afraid to go in any way opposite to HIS instruction for to do so would bring evil upon us.

By God's words we are kept from the paths of the destroyer.

💥💥💥💥💥

*** I can do all things through Christ, The Word, which strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

 

 

When the Word comes to us, it enables us to have faith and power of God to do that which we might not have been able to do before.  

Several times this has happened to me.  I had heard  "A Word" from the Holy Spirit of God and because of that Word I have been able to do something that was impossible to do before I heard that Word.  

There are times the Word causes me to change direction.  

The Word gives me faith to do those things which before were difficult.

Examples on this Podcast:

💥💥💥💥💥

*** If you are troubled about anything.

 

 

Psalm 55:22

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and HE shall sustain thee: HE shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

💥💥💥

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.

💥💥💥

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

💥💥💥

When you don't know what to do:

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.

Recognizing the wisdom that is 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.

 

Matthew 11  Jesus says:

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

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

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

(If the plan is overly expensive and very hard to do, complex, it might not be a plan from God.)

💥💥💥

The Holy Spirit which is given to us by God after we are born again will do 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.

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.

💥💥💥

How could we ever be afraid with all these instruments from God to help us in this life?

I am sure God will provide for us as long as HE chooses to leave us on this earth.

💥💥💥💥💥

*** Rich men die and the brutish men perish and leave their wealth to others.

 

 

Some individuals seem so powerful when they are alive.  But when they die, I always wonder, and where is that rich person now?

💥💥💥

Psalm 49

6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

 

7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

 

10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.

13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. 

14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

💥💥💥

Adolph Hitler reigned from 1933 to mid-1945.  Then he committed suicide.  And now where is he?

When that rich or famous person dies, I always think:  And now what?

💥💥💥💥💥

*** Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34)

 

 

Avoid the evil.

Be careful concerning that which you choose to watch on TV.  There is great evil flaunted before our face today.  Many sins against God are approved by humans today.  So it is up to us to avoid those sins when we choose what we will use as a pastime.

There was a time when movie makers had to go by a code and could not film many of the sins of man that are listed in the Bible.

But that is not the case today.

I Corinthians 6

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (homosexual/lesbians), nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

💥💥💥

People now think they have a "right" to do all manner of things without any judgment.

The Bible tells us about the last days and how lawlessness will be rampant and violence will be a way of life.  I'm still shocked by the thinking of many today.  But it shows us how much closer we are to judgment of God and the return of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 6

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

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

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

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

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

Save yourselves from this untoward generation, says Paul.

Even in the days of Lot, homosexuals were living in every quarter of the city of Sodom.  God sent 2 angels to Sodom to remove Lot and also to destroy Sodom with fire and brimstone. (Genesis 19)

2 Peter 2

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

(The evil of Sodom is shown in Genesis 19:4-5 ... men of Sodom "from every quarter" were homosexuals.)

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

💥💥💥

The apostle Paul tells us the last days before the return of Jesus will be dangerous.

2 Timothy 3

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

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

3 Without natural affection (homosexual & lesbians), trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

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

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

Turn away from evil when you see evil.

💥💥💥

What God says in the Bible concerning homosexuals and lesbians:

Romans 1

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Some say they were just born this way:  

Jesus says:

Mark 10:6  From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.  

(God turned them over to vile affections and to a reprobate mind.  Romans 1:26-28)

💥💥💥

Concerning fornication:

I Corinthians 6:18  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

💥💥💥

Concerning adultery:

Mark 10

Jesus says:  11 Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Therefore we must not show approval of sins of man, such as homosexual/lesbian, fornication, adultery.

Depart from evil and do good.  Seek peace and pursue it.   (Psalm 34)

💥💥💥💥💥

*** Psalm 33

 

 

20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: HE is our help and our shield.

21 For our heart shall rejoice in HIM, because we have trusted in HIS holy name (The Word).

💥💥💥

We pray and wait, trusting in God.

God will bring HIS will to pass in the matter in HIS time.

Psalm 37:1-2   Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

💥💥💥

The apostle Peter said for us to work diligently that we would be found by Jesus when HE returns as being in peace, without spot, and blameless.  (2 Peter 3:14)

To do this, we would have to live constantly in peace, without spot and blameless, for we do not know the day of the hour when Jesus will return.

So we avoid the evil and love the good and pray without ceasing to pray over what we see and hear on this earth.

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.

💥💥💥💥💥

*** When we speak of that which is done by God, the people of God will delight.

 

Psalm 34

1 I will bless the LORD at all times: HIS praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

💥💥💥

I once played bridge and almost everyone at the bridge center identified himself as being a Christian and most spoke readily about their church that they attended.

But when I spoke of that which God had done in my life or of that which God had told me, they usually grew silent and bided their time until I quit speaking.

They often liked to hear so long as you told about attending church but they did not like to hear when I told them what God had said to me or had done with me.

Occasionally someone delighted, but not often.  That person who loved to hear about the work of God was a real Christian.

Regardless, I share God and what HE has done when the Holy Spirit reminds me of the story.

💥💥💥💥💥

*** Jesus says: In this world you will have trouble.

 

John 16:33  Jesus says:  These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

When we go into the world by turning on the TV, especially newscasts, we hear trouble immediately.

When you leave your home and go into secular jobs people of the world will speak troubling you.

The answer for us is doing the following scripture:

Philippians 4:6-7  

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

(After we pray and commit our cares to God in prayer then the following happens.)

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

💥💥💥

There are many horror stories on today's TV concerning the change in climate and parched land.

But the promise from God is as follows in the Bible:

Genesis 8:22  While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

💥💥💥💥💥

*** The man of lawlessness

For many centuries churches have looked for "the man of lawlessness" and have speculated as to "who" is the man of lawlessness of the end times. 

In the 1800's, in the book, War and Peace, Tolstoy told of the Russians thinking Napoleon to be the antichrist.

In the 1940's, I'm sure many thought Adolph Hitler was the antichrist.

Who is antichrist?

The apostle John tells us there are many antichrists and John told the church antichrist was already among them and came and sat with them for awhile and then left, not wanting to heed the doctrines of Christ as they were following at that time.

I John 2:18-19  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

💥💥💥

Acts 20  (Paul speaking to the elders at the church at Ephesus)

25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which HE hath purchased with HIS own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

💥💥💥

The apostle Paul tells us that men will get worse and worse in the last days:

2 Timothy 3

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: 

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

💥💥💥

2 Thessalonians 2

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

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

(In 1982, God said to me:  "The falling away are not people leaving the churches.  The falling away are churches leaving the scriptures to set up their own doctrines.")

Paul tells us of that apostasy of the end times which comes into the churches where they fall away from scripture and set up their own preferences for doctrines, casting away portions of scripture.

💥💥💥

Antichrist is a spirit in men:  (The apostle John says:)

I John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Antichrist is a spirit that comes into men who fight the doctrines of Christ which are set forth for the church in the Holy Scriptures.

💥💥💥

The man of lawlessness:  NASB

2 Thessalonians 2

1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 

3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

(The apostasy had to come into the churches before Jesus could return.  That has happened as churches have fallen away from portions of Bible to allow the approval of various sins of the world in the churches today.)

6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;

The scriptures, Jesus, kept antichrist back from the churches, until they removed portions of scripture from the churches.

Then antichrist came into the churches, the spirit of lawlessness against the doctrine of Christ.

This was ordained to happen in the end times and it has happened in many churches as they have changed from the doctrines of Christ of the Bible.

Jesus could return any time now.  HE will destroy the apostate churches.

2 Thessalonians 2  (KJV)

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.

💥💥💥💥💥

*** Living as Christians

 

 

I Peter 2

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

💥💥💥

Lawlessness of the end times:

2 Timothy 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Knowing it was God who taught you the way to live.)

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:

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

💥💥💥

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.

💥💥💥💥💥

*** Antichrist in the church groups.

 

 

2 Thessalonians 2

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

(When churches fall away from scripture and set up other doctrine, the restraint holding antichrist back is removed and "the spirit of antichrist" moves into those church groups.)

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

💥💥💥

In l982, I was reading verse 3 of 2 Thessalonians 2, and God spoke to me and said:  "The falling away are not people leaving the churches ... The falling away are churches leaving the scriptures."

The restraint against antichrist are the scriptures.

NASB: 2 Thessalonians 2

3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (the Day of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;

When I read these verses in the NASB version of the Bible, I said to God, "Who is it that restrains antichrist?"  And immediately I knew it is Jesus (The Word) who restrains antichrist.

Antichrist is not one man but is a spirit in many men.

The apostle John tells us this:

1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

💥💥💥

I saw one pastor after another twist scripture and explain away scripture and omit scriptures and even lie about scripture to their congregations in those years when I tried to find a church to attend.

I would go to the pastors and ask them where it was in the Bible after hearing them speak doctrines that I could not find in the Bible.

Two of these pastors said exactly the same thing when I asked them this:  "I can't remember where it is in the Bible."

(They both had spoken these doctrines the previous day at their church service and I searched the Bible and could not find that which they said at their service.)

I asked each of these pastors to look it up and tell their secretaries where it was and have her call me and tell me where it was in the Bible because it was very important to me to know where it was in the Bible.

Shockingly these two men both became angry and replied:  "ALL RIGHT!  It is not in the Bible."

Both pastors knew they had lied for both told something to be true when it was not true.  They just made up what they said.  

Neither man repented nor showed any shame.

Nor did either man show any love for the Bible nor respect for the Word of God.

Both of these pastors were antichrist in their churches.

I was greatly grieved and horrified until God showed me this was ordained to happen, this falling away from scripture.  And Paul said it had to happen before Jesus could return.  And it is happening today and has happened.

After that, I was no longer angry nor discouraged over being unable to find a church group for I knew it was ordained by God to happen and the apostasy had to happen in the churches before Jesus could return.

It was part of the end times.

When Jesus returns, HE will destroy those churches that are antichrist.

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:

💥💥💥💥💥

*** Politics and voting: What the Bible tells us as Christians to do.

 

Jesus says:  "My kingdom is not of this world."  (John 18:36)

And Jesus then said:  "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."  (John 18:36)

💥💥💥

As Christians our provision on this earth is supplied by God.  I'm convinced that as long as God chooses to leave me on this earth, HE will provide for me.  I do not seek provision from governments of men nor do I seek provision from humans.

I believe what Paul said in the Bible:

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

💥💥💥

I often see documentaries on TV concerning Hitler, Germany, and WWII.

The German people were crazy in their avid devotion to Adolph Hitler.  Even up to the day Russia came into Berlin in 1945, the people of Germany fought and many praised Hitler.

(It sadly reminds me of many of the followers of Donald Trump.)

Lies and delusions prevailed and many in WWII Germany suffered greatly because they believed a lie.  The crowds worshipped Hitler and were as mad men.  They were swept away by a delusion.

I see the same thing in both political parties in USA at their political conventions that are shown on TV.

At the Democratic Convention I saw a woman who was obviously a man but was dressed in a woman's dress.  She was on their platform and people were obviously approving her.  

I was terribly shocked when I saw the rioters break into the United States Capitol building on January 6, 2021.  Never before have I seen a visible threat posed like this to democracy.  

I have never been a political person.  I believe politicians have to compromise in order to be elected.  

💥💥💥

This is what the Bible tells us to do:

1 Timothy 2

1 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.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

I do pray for those in authority.  

When Donald Trump was president, I prayed that he not use any nuclear weapons.

Concerning President Biden, I prayed that he not do anything to get us involved in a war because of Russian and Ukraine.  Sometimes I pray for him to be strengthened physically for he seems to have physical weaknesses.

If you entangle yourself with a political party, can you pray for the other party if they are elected?  Do you learn to hate the other party?  Are you blinded into following the party and therefore become deluded to truth.

I consider both political parties to be of this world.  I see both parties make laws which are opposed to scripture.  I do not expect them to be the church.  They are the world,  I just avoid the subject of politics and do not allow myself to put my hope in men of this world but I keep my hope in God.

I do not vote for any human ... but I do sometimes pray for those persons in charge that they would make decisions which allow us to live in peace.

I am grateful for the 2 party system for not too much can get done because they keep each other in check.

Dictators demand loyalty and would not allow us freedom concerning Bible.

At this point in time, I am allowed to speak any verse of scripture from the Bible.  And I am free not to be a member of either political party and I do not have to vote.

In NAZI Germany the people did not end up with this freedom.  They had to pledge their allegiance to Adolph Hitler.  And the people who really supported him looked upon him as a god and worshipped him and became wild and crazy.

We as Christians hope in God and we know the things in the Bible will come to pass and we keep ourselves from becoming entangled in things of this world even as we live in this world.

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

💥💥💥💥💥

*** God is our shield, our protection, our light, and our strength.

 

Psalm 21

11 For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.

12 Therefore shalt THOU make them turn their back,

💥💥💥

God protects us and at the time we don't even know they intend evil against us.

I've had this happen at least twice when they intended evil against me and God turned it and turned them back and made their intention work for good in my life.

Explained on this podcast:

💥💥💥💥💥

*** When I think of what I was before I was born again I greatly marvel in God and thank HIM.

 

 

(Comments by Joan Boney)

Before I was born again, I pursued my own interest and did whatever was necessary to get my own way in life.  I would lie, cheat and do what I thought would make me succeed. 

This is the way most people are before they are born again.  Inside they are set to do what they can to benefit themselves but outwardly they try to cause us to think they are good people.

Matthew 23  (Jesus says) 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

💥💥💥

God kept me safe from myself even before I was born again.

I am greatly ashamed of those things I once did before I was born again.

And I am truly amazed at God's protection over me during those years.

Like the apostle Paul, I'm sure I did no good thing and there is no good thing done by me today except by the Holy Spirit WHO dwells in my body.

Romans 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:

I lived by the ways of the flesh which are the ways of death.

I Corinthians 6

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (homosexuals), nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

💥💥💥

I thought I was a Christian because I went forward at church and was baptized in water.  But I lived totally by the flesh and was out to fulfill my own desires and thought almost nothing of any other person and rarely even had God come to my mind.

Then God brought the following thoughts to my mind to show me what I was really doing all those previous years:  

God said to me:  "Joan ... you know all those 'mistakes' you've been making all these years.  Those weren't mistakes.  Those were sins."

I was changed instantly from that person I had been.  God gave me a new heart and a new Spirit causing me to be as a new person.  Now I desired to learn about God.  Scripture became important to me.  I wanted to be with people of God, the church.  I no longer wanted to be with the people I had associated with before this.  I was changed by God.

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.

Ezekiel 36  (This happened to me):

And I (God) 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.

💥💥💥

It didn't happen because of my own will or any good thing I was doing.

God chose me to be HIS child.  It happened because it was the will of God for me.

It is not that we love God but HE loved us and it was HIS will that we be saved and HE showed us HIS life and HIS way and gave us a new heart and a new Spirit of God and changed us from inside.

And HE changed us instantly.

Then  after we were born again by God, we read the Bible and desired to do HIS will because HE changed us and gave us that desire and removed our old fleshly desires and taught us by HIS Spirit WHO lived in us.

It is the greatest thing that has ever happen to me and by this I understand what Jesus meant in the following scripture.

Matthew 13:45-46  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.

 

For no cost is too great to pay for this "pearl". Nothing can equal what it means.

Things of the world can seem important and enticing.  But their appeal has a way of disappearing in time.  And when we go after such desires often we find it isn't worth what we paid to get it.

But we never regret the cost for things of God.

The apostle Paul explains:

Philippians 3

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in HIM, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know HIM, and the power of HIS resurrection, and the fellowship of HIS sufferings, being made conformable unto HIS death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

💥💥💥

God chose us not because of our goodness but because it was HIS will to do so.  And now our righteousness is of God for HE did all the work in changing us into the image of Christ by HIS will.

As we go through life, after we are born again, we are recreated in the image of Christ each time a scripture is revealed to us and we do what God shows us to do.

God is the creator.  We are HIS workmanship

💥💥💥💥💥

*** Psalms which encourage us and give us strength.

Psalms are prayers. 

Here are excerpts from Psalms 17-18 which build us up in ways of God.

Psalms of David.

Psalm 17

4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of THY lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

5 Hold up my goings in THY paths, that my footsteps slip not.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of THY wings,

9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked.

14 From men which are THY hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life,

Psalm 18

2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

(The Lord: The Word of God)

3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

6  In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: HE heard my voice out of HIS temple, and my cry came before HIM, even into HIS ears.

16 HE sent from above, HE took me, HE drew me out of many waters.

17 HE delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

19 HE brought me forth also into a large place; HE delivered me, because HE delighted in me.

💥💥💥💥💥