(This podcast was previously recorded and published on May 28, 2020)
Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney ...
By the Word of God that the Spirit of God gives us, we know the will of God in the issues of this present life.
The Spirit of God searches the heart of God to show us the will of God. (I Corinthians 2:10-13)
I've had the "Word of God" brought in scripture, in dreams, and in concepts which were brought to my mind by the Spirit of God. In each case, these were "the Word of God." And they came to pass. And I rejoiced in those words and followed those instructions.
It is not the letter of the law that we follow but the Spirit.
God gives each of HIS children HIS Spirit that we can know what God wants us to do as we live on this earth!
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Pearl of great price:
Matthew 13
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.
To us, that Word of God, brought to our mind by the Spirit of God is everything and really all that matters as we go forward, doing that Word.
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We read the Bible so we can see that which is approved by God and know the way of God, but it is the Spirit of God in us who leads us in those scriptures.
But some church people see scriptures by their own natural mind. And they are always a little off, like a radio station that is not tuned in properly.
II Corinthians 3:6 (God) hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
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Fleshly men often take the scriptures and read them by their own fleshly thinking, having not the Spirit, and set up doctrines by their own thinking for the church to follow.
A primary example of this is in setting up crackers and grape juice as being "communion" (or the Lord's supper), while the communion, the Lord's supper is the correct eating and correct drinking of the Word of God.
The apostle Paul says: But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. I Corinthians 11:28
We examine ourselves as we eat and drink the Holy Bible, doing that word, conforming ourselves to that Word. This is the Lord's supper. The Word is power.
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The Church of Christ group forbids the use of instrumental music in the church because of the following scripture.
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
But you can sing in your heart without making any sound at all with your voice!
I do not believe Ephesians 5:19 forbids instrumental music in the church but rather this verse exhorts us to sing "by our heart" to God, in gratitude to God as we make music.
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There have been church groups in the past that required women to wear head coverings (a hat or scarf) as they enter the church building.
And some religious groups think men must wear some type of covering on their heads.
Here is what the Bible shows us for the New Testament church:
I Corinthians 11
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
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The apostle Paul said:
I Corinthians 14
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
The Holy Spirit once said to me: "Look at what these women were doing in the church."
When I looked, I saw they were asking questions. (verse 35)
Further the Holy Spirit reminded me of Philip the evangelist who had 4 daughters "who did prophesy." (Acts 21) Prophesy is for the church. To bring prophecy, you would have to speak in the church, said the Spirit of God to me.
I believe it is wrong for a woman to be asking questions in the gathering of the chu