Podcasts about ii thessalonians

Daily Dose of Hope February 12, 2026   Scripture:  I Corinthians 15   Prayer: Abba Father, You are our Creator, Provider, and Sustainer.  Thank you, Lord, for wanting to be in relationship with us. You are a God who sits high and looks low.  You, who are over everything, also care deeply for us.  We are so grateful.  Help us do all we can to glorify you.  We desperately need you, Jesus.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently walking through Paul's pastoral letters.  We've been through Galatians, I and II Thessalonians, and we are now in I Corinthians. Today's reading is I Corinthians 15.  Paul is asserting in this chapter that the resurrection of Jesus is central to the Gospel. Apparently, there were Christians at Corinth who were espousing the view that Jesus was not raised and that the resurrection was not true. It's possible that they were reverting to their old Greek view of immortality of the soul and not the body. It's also possible that they were simply skeptics who were trying to poke holes in the resurrection story. But Paul is stating here that if resurrection did not occur, our faith is totally useless. That would mean that Jesus did not defeat death, it would mean that we are misrepresenting God, and it would mean we are still dead in our sins. Some thoughts: The resurrection is SIGNIFICANT. All that Jesus did, his whole life was vindicated with the resurrection. The resurrection proved that Jesus was who he said he was, God is who he said he was, and affirmed Jesus' divinity. Think about Paul's words in Romans 1:4"and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord." The resurrection is so important in that it provides assurance and hope that our physical death is not the end. It not only points to life after death but also the future resurrection of believers. Let's visit Romans again, 8:11 says, "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you." Jesus' resurrection promises victory over death. But the resurrection is also TRANSFORMATIVE. It is transformative for us as individuals and forus as the body, for the church. I think the most important aspect of believing in the resurrection is that Jesus' resurrection is what provides the power to change us now. It provides the power for complete transformation, to bring what was essentially dead to something that is alive and vibrant and productive. When someone says yes to Jesus Christ, a spiritually dead person becomes united with a life-giving Savior. When that happens, his resurrection produces a resurrection in us. The word resurrection actually comes from the same root as resurgence or rising again. We become connected to a life-giving power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This resurrection power has the ability to revive us, restore us, renew us, transform us. The apostle Paul states inI Corinthians 5:17, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" There are certainly no shortage of books that detail the evidence for Jesus' resurrection. One good one that is short and easy to digest is Lee Strobel's The Case for Easter. What are your thoughts on the resurrection? Spend some time in prayer about this today. Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope February 6, 2026   Scripture: I Corinthians 11   Prayer: Dear Holy God, Your love is amazing.  Thank you for the way you care for us.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, help us focus on you...Lord Jesus, help us set aside every distraction and take this time to lean on you.  We want to hear your voice.  Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that goes along with the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We have been walking through Paul's letters and it has been challenging!  We've made it through Galatians, I and II Thessalonians, and we are now in I Corinthians. Our reading for today is I Corinthians 11.  The first part of the chapter has to do with head coverings. I didn't choose that for our main focus today but I do think it is worth a brief mention. Paul implores the women to cover their heads and the men not to cover their heads. This is confusing to us in a time and place in which head coverings serve an entirely different purpose (typically shade from the sun, warmth, or an accessory). But in ancient Greek and Roman culture, the main difference between a man and woman's attire was that women covered their head with a scarf-like material. The only women who did not do this were high class mistresses, slaves, prostitutes, and pagan prophetesses. Thus, when the women didn't wear their head covering or it fell off in the movement of worship, it was a significant distraction. In a highly patriarchal culture, it definitely sent the wrong signal, one that Paul really didn't want these women to send. Then, there is this whole issue with the Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion.  Remember, they didn't have church buildings and they met in people's homes.  In fact, they met in some of the wealthier members' homes, because they had bigger homes that could accommodate a larger group.  Makes sense.  But the wealthier church members, who probably knew each other fairly well because they all ran in the same circles, were meeting ahead of time for a grand meal, that they would pair with communion, and they were eating and drinking and eating and drinking.  You can see where this is going.   By the time the poorer church members got off work and arrived, the wealthier people had been eating and drinking for quite a while.  All the food was eaten and they were drunk.  There were also no seats in the main room.  So, the poor people were basically sitting in a different area, hungry, without what they needed to receive communion together with the rest of the church.  It was like two separate churches, one for the rich and one for the poor.  And, not surprisingly, resentment was growing.  This is totally patronizing for the poor people.  Paul is appalled.  You can hear it in the letter, "Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? Why are you bringing this mess to church???"  Paul was basically saying that the Corinthians could not call what they were doing the Lord's Supper.    Keep in mind, the Corinthian society was very segregated.  Rich people didn't associate with poor people.  Classes stayed separate.  It isn't surprising that the rich in the church didn't want to hang out with the poor people.  They were dirty and hard to make conversation with.  And the poor people probably were really intimidated by the rich people.  Yet, Jesus had set up his church to be different from culture and that is what Paul is getting at here.  The Gospel turns things upside down.   We can look at Christians throughout the ages – the huge disparity of rich and poor, the way people of color were often turned away at the church door.  We had that in our own denomination.  I just got done reading White Trash (by Nancy Isenberg), which attempts to tell the story of class in America.  And it talks about how the wealthy classes totally discarded the poor.  They called the poor "waste people."  It was like their lives had totally no value to them.  And this is what got me: The wealthy aristocracy, who called the poor whites and blacks around them waste people, they attended church every Sunday.  They believed in God, they professed faith in Jesus.  And Jesus walked closely with the poor.  The Gospel was good news to the poor.  So, what happened?    As a church, I'm not sure we have really wanted the Gospel message.  We like it, as long as it gets us into heaven but we don't like it when it means we have to change our lives and our prejudices and our perspectives.  We like wearing a cross but not carrying one.    In Corinth, they were basically showing that their belief wasn't genuine.  They were demonstrating a value system, it just wasn't Jesus'.  I think through the ages, the church has demonstrated a value system, it just often has not been Jesus' value system.    What about New Hope?  What value system do we demonstrate?    What value system do you demonstrate?  I promise you, the way we live Monday – Saturday is showing the people around us who we are and who we belong to, just like in Corinth.  It's just as true today.  Who do we belong to?  Is it going to be about us or is it going to be about Jesus?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

II Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:18 This time we finish Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians with a comment on AI’s definition of the Bible and a prayer for the men programming the AI infrastructure. We’ll also reiterate the truth that … Continue reading →

Daily Dose of Hope February 5, 2026   Scripture: I Corinthians 10   Prayer: Lord Jesus, We rejoice in you.  We praise your name.  You are the Alpha and the Omega, the one who was, and is, and is to come.  We cannot possibly express our gratitude in words.  You have offered us mercy but you have also given us freedom.  Thank you for that.  Help us live like free people.  Help us demonstrate your love and grace to others who cross our path.  Help us see people through your eyes.  We love you, Lord.  Amen. Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that goes along with the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We have been walking through Paul's letters and it has been challenging!  We've made it through Galatians, I and II Thessalonians, and we are now in I Corinthians. Our reading for today is I Corinthians 10.  The chapter starts with story-telling from the exodus out of Egypt, mainly because these stories are critical learning experiences for God's people.  What's fascinating is that Paul includes his Gentile audience in these stories.  Look at verse 1, For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.  Paul has stressed that as Christians they are not bound to the law.  Despite that, they are now a part of God's people.  However, and this is critical, they are NOT to fall into the pattern of the Israelites or so many of those in Corinth.  They are not to worship other gods, they are not to intimately involve themselves with those who oppose God's people, and they are not to question the goodness of God.  They need to be careful.  Temptation is there and they could easily fall into sin as their ancestors did. Paul continues to write about freedoms. Yes, we have the right to do everything but that doesn't mean we should do everything. While we may have the right to do something, the biggest question to ask is, "Is this building up the body of Christ?" Paul emphasizes that while legalism isn't good, neither is it good to be overly permissive. There are times when we should curb our freedoms if it might harm a new Christian or hurt the witness of the Gospel The bottom line is we need to think about our words and actions in every situation. I've been in small Christian gatherings in which certain members feel the need to loudly communicate their dislikes about a specific Christian ministry, another Christian church, or even a fellow believer. Now, thinking about Paul's reasoning, they have the freedom to do this but is it beneficial? Is it building up the body of Christ? What if there was someone in the group who was a new believer or on the fence about faith? How would such a discussion affect their faith journey? Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should. Blessings, Pastor Vicki

II Thessalonians 1:11-2:12 This time well start out looking at the power of the Holy Ghost displayed by Paul and the other prophets in the 1st century and the power of the Holy Spirit in believers today. We’ll also study … Continue reading →

Daily Dose of Hope January 27, 2026   Scripture: I Corinthians 3   Prayer:  Almighty God, Search our hearts today.  Show us those places that we need to change.  Show us where we aren't fully devoted to you and your Kingdom.  Lord, we need your wisdom and guidance.  On our own, we falter and drift.  Lord, we want to know you more.  We want to be a living example of your love and holiness.  Help us, Jesus.  Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently journeying through Paul's pastoral letters, chronologically.  Thus far, we have read through Galatians, I Thessalonians, and II Thessalonians.  We are currently in I Corinthians.    Today's reading was I Corinthians 3. Paul continues to have harsh words for the Christ-followers at Corinth. They think they live by the Spirit, but Paul tells them they actually are still living by worldly standards. He had to teach them like babies in the faith; they lack maturity. They are drinking milk rather than being able to eat solid food.  One example of this is their view of Christian leadership. They see leadership as focusing on an individual, that person having a following, pitting one person again another. In a sense, they view Christian leadership as a popularity contest. Paul makes the case that there are no individual superstars in Christian leadership. Different people have different tasks at different times. Some people plant, some people water, and others harvest. One task is not better or more important than another. They are all necessary for expanding God's Kingdom. My own experience is that Christian leadership has to be rooted in humility. The way our churches are structured doesn't always lend itself to this so we have to be very, very intentional.  I know I have to very, very intentional.  Ministry isn't about me as a pastor, it's always about Jesus and what he desires for his church. Jesus is of course our ultimate example of leadership. As a servant leader, he washed dirty feet, touched lepers, and ultimately gave up his life for those he led. No superstardom there, just a lot of rolling up sleeves, getting dirty, and experiencing sacrifice.   We find a beautiful example of Christian leadership in Philippians 2:5-8: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

I Thessalonians 4:13 – II Thessalonians 1:10 We’ll begin with Paul addressing false teaching and the Thessalonians concerns regarding the resurrection and the end of days. We’ll examine the two clear references to the rapture given by Paul here and … Continue reading →

(This podcast was previously published on March 6, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   For those people in church groups who love the form of godliness but do not love the actual Word of God, God prepares HIS instruments of destruction.   God can use evil angels to lead those people in ways of destruction:   Psalm 78:49  HE cast upon them the fierceness of HIS anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.   These evil angels carry messages which seem to be from God but are not from God.   Paul spoke of this in the following:   Galatians 1:8-9  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.   A divorced woman came to a non-denominational church group and pretended to be a regular single woman.  She was looking for an husband.  And she ignored scriptures concerning divorce and remarriage.   I Corinthians 7:39  The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.   Romans 7:1-3   Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.  So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.   I believe God shows me this woman (who is no longer living) brought destruction upon herself and the man who married her who committed adultery by marrying this divorced woman.   Matthew 5:32   Jesus said:  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.   We have an example in Bible of God using "a lying spirit" to destroy king Ahab.   I Kings 22   20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.   21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.   22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?   And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.   And HE (God) said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.   This lying spirit told king Ahab to go up and fight against the enemy and when he did this Ahab was killed in the battle.   God brings "a strong delusion" upon people who will not love the truth.   II Thessalonians 2:10-12   And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.   You cannot reason with a deluded person.  No matter how much evidence you present, that deluded person will cling to his delusion.   ***   Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.   ***   James 1   12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love HIM.   13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth HE any man:   14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.   15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Matthew 18:15-20; 7:3-5; Leviticus 19:17-18; Deuteronomy 19:15; Proverbs 17:9; Romans 12:18; 16:17; I Corinthians 5:5; Galatians 6:1; II Thessalonians 3:14-15; I Timothy 1:20; 2:10 Sermon & Closing Prayer: 0:00-46:38

(This podcast was previously published on February 17, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   Unless the truth is revealed to us by God, we know nothing.   For centuries people in church groups have "speculated" about antichrist.  But only when God shows us something do we have truth that does not fail.   God began speaking to me about antichrist in 1982.  God used specific scriptures to teach me by HIS Holy Spirit.   II Thessalonians 2:3-4  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.   God said to me:   "The falling away are not people leaving the church groups.  The falling away are the churches leaving specific scriptures ... and when that happens, antichrist moves into that church group."   * Antichrist is a spirit that operates inside the church group through ministers and congregations ...  so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.   In the NASB, we see the following:   6-8  And you know what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is removed. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;   (God had called the word "restraint" to my mind in approximately 2017.  I found this scripture in II Thessalonians 2:6  NASB.)   I said to God:  "What restrains him?"   The Holy Spirit said to me:  "The scriptures restrain antichrist and when portion of scriptures are removed, the door opens for antichrist to come into the church group."   I saw immediately:  Jesus is "The Word".  When Jesus, The Word, the holy scriptures are removed in part from the church group, the restraint holding antichrist back is removed and antichrist moves into that church group.   Antichrist tried to move into the churches during the day of the apostle John, but when that church held fast to doctrines of Christ, antichrist left that church group.   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.   (Not just one antichrist but many antichrists.)   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.   The terrible fate for those persons in churches who cast aside portions of scripture:   II Thessalonians 2:10-12   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.   *****   Antichrist was already sitting among the elders in the church at Ephesus when Paul warned them as follows:   Acts 20   17 And from Miletus he (Paul) sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.   18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,   19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:   20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,   21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.   22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:   23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.   24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.   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 following scripture also shows how concerned Paul was about false doctrines moving into the churches:   (Paul says to Timothy)   I Timothy 1:3   As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,   I Timothy 6:3   If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;   II Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:   Romans 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.   They had no New Testament Bibles at the time Paul spoke to the church of Romans but Paul had personally taught them the doctrine of Christ and Paul is warning them to follow that doctrine which they had been taught by him and to avoid the people who went in an opposite way ... opposite to the doctrine of Christ is antichrist.   II Timothy 4:3   For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;   Titus 1:9  (Concerning those appointed as elders in the church)  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.   (Antichrist was just waiting to rise up speaking perverse doctrines in those churches of Paul's day and he warned them to continue in the "sound doctrine" which he, Paul, had taught them.)   I Timothy 4:16  (Paul speaking to Timothy)    Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.   (Paul had taught them the doctrines of Christ which appear for us later in the New Testament Bible.)   II Timothy 4:2   Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.   Paul speaking to the church:   I Corinthians 4:17  For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.   (No New Testament Bibles at that time.)   Paul speaks concerning what they were to do when they gathered as the church:   I Corinthians 14:26  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.   I Timothy 4:6  If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.   (Timothy learned doctrine from Paul.)   II Timothy 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.   And the Holy Spirit teaches each of us and that doctrine will be in agreement with the doctrine which Paul learned from the Holy Spirit of God and taught to the church.   I John 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of HIM abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in HIM.   ***   And Paul said to the church of the Galatians:   Galatians 1   6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:   7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.   (We see antichrist was already working among this church group to bring them another doctrine.)   8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.   9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.   10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.   11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.   12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.  

(This podcast was previously published on February 15, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   I was in the faith movement churches from 1977 to 1982.  I loved it.  Faith is one of my favorite subjects.  But in 1979, God gave me a terrifying dream and by that God brought me out of that church group.  This is the story of that which God showed me about the Faith Movement.   I love scripture.  I love the Word of God by the Holy Spirit.  Nothing is more exciting to me and nothing is as valuable to me on this present earth as is following God by HIS Spirit.   In 1975, I was born again.  Immediately God began teaching me to meditate on scripture and to do those instructions of specific scriptures!   Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.   And God had taught me from the time I was born again to ask HIM for wisdom.   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.   I was applying the above scripture to everything in my life ... and it worked greatly.   *  When I read the Bible, I prayed for wisdom before reading and God was faithful to teach me scriptures as I read.  (I even wrote: "Pray for wisdom", on each book of the Bible so I wouldn't forget to do this.)   *  I owned a small business in Dallas, and I was careful to pray for wisdom before I bought merchandise and in running the business and making decisions.  (In the 4 years that I had the business after becoming a Christian and after learning to pray for wisdom, every item I bought for the business sold, and I never had a sale price to rid myself of unwanted items, for everything sold.)   And God taught me the following scripture:   John 5:30  Jesus said:  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.   I was quite sure that if Jesus, the Son of God, could do nothing without hearing from God, The Father, that I would not be able to do anything without hearing from God!  So I prayed for wisdom and prayed for God to stop me if I was going the wrong way.   I really thought that is what all Christians were doing.  I was wrong.   At one point, our Bible teacher at Word of Faith said to me, "You were never like the people at Word of Faith.  They talked about faith but you lived faith."   On this Podcast, I will share some of those things God taught me about the Faith Movement churches.   *****     The poison gas dream:  1979   I was asleep in the night when God gave me the following dream.   I went into a room where a man was speaking to a group of people.  I sat down and began to listen.   A second man rushed in and said, "Stop ... It's too late ... Can't you see? ... It's already begun."    He disappeared and the first man resumed speaking.   No one in the room showed any interest at all in seeing "what had already begun."   But I was interested, so I looked out the windows and was very shocked at that which I saw when I looked.   There was a tall pole with a yellow civil-defense type speaker on top of the pole.   Out of the speaker a poisonous gas was coming and it was coming directly toward those of us sitting in that room.  I knew it would kill us.   (The speaker that was supposed to warn us was being used to kill us.)   I looked at the man who was sitting next to me.  He had a big grin on his face and he was staring directly at the man speaking and he seemed to be paying attention.  But then I saw this man was a corpse.  He was already dead.   Then I looked at the other people sitting in the room.  They, too, were already dead.   And as I sat there among them, I began to feel drowsy and I knew the gas coming from the speaker was killing me also as I sat there.   I had no idea what this dream meant.   But in 1982, God showed me the meaning of this dream.   I went to church at Word of Faith on a Wednesday night.  Our pastor, Robert Tilton, was speaking.  I looked at the man who was sitting next to me and was very shocked to see this man was the dead man in the poison gas dream.  I looked around the room and the other people in the congregation seemed to be the people in that dream.   I got up immediately and went into the ladies room and began praying.  I said to God:  "I believe YOU are showing me to leave this church so I am going to get in my car and drive away.  But if YOU want me to come back to this church, I will."   God did not want me to come back to this church group and with that God began to show me problems with the Faith Movement.   ***   The problems:   * No one talked about the will of God.  We were supposed to find a scripture to "claim" over that which we wanted and quote that scripture and "believe" by faith in that scripture and we would get that which we believed.   One of the founders of the movement was a man named Kenneth Hagin.   He based his doctrines upon the following scripture:   Mark 11:22-24   22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.   23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.   24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.   The above scripture is of course correct.   ***   I wanted to marry.  I found the following scripture to "claim".  I wrote this scripture in the front of my Bible and every day I claimed that scripture for several years.    Isaiah 34:16   Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for MY mouth it hath commanded, and HIS spirit it hath gathered them.   The prayer group which I attended "agreed" with me and prayed for me to marry.   One woman in the prayer group said, "Of course it has to be the will of God for Joan to marry."  Then she went on to say, "But of course it is the will of God."   My best friend heard a word from God.  "MY grace is sufficient for her."   She told me.  I didn't want to hear that.   ***   Concerning the will of God when we pray:   I John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in HIM, that, if we ask any thing according to HIS will, HE heareth us:  And if we know that HE hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM.   ***   *  Another thing we were being taught in that Faith Movement church is that all good is from God and all bad is from the devil and that we had "authority" over the devil and could stop any harm that tried to come to our family or our property.   They taught us to "exercise our authority" as believers and stand against the devil.   The problems:   This assumes that we are capable of knowing what is "good".   The devil said to Eve:  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.   People want to be "as gods", thus controlling their own lives without calling on God!   This is antichrist:   II Thessalonians 2:3-4  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;   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.   The will of God in the matter at hand is not considered when you are "as gods."   Now, 40-years later, I am delighted to trust in God, knowing that God knows that which is best for me and God will show me what to do in this present life and choose for me!   (I really trust in God more than I do in myself!  I would hate to try to decide on my own what I should do.)   ***   Another major problem with the doctrine that all good is from God and all bad is from the devil:   We would consider an earthquake to be bad because it destroys property and kills people.   But here is what God showed me.   Matthew 17   50 Jesus, when HE had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.   51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;   52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept (were dead) arose,  53 And came out of the graves after HIS resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.   54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.   Because of the earthquake, the centurion and the men with him believed in Jesus.   ***   After God brought me out of the Faith Movement church in 1982, God showed me a significant point.  I was taught by God to pay attention to that which was brought to my mind by HIS Spirit, whether scripture or concepts.  Basically I was being taught by God to meditate on that WORD given to me by HIS Spirit and to follow the instructions of that Word.   I didn't realize what I was doing was different from what we were being taught in the Faith Movement.   Robert Tilton was pastor of Word of Faith which I attended between the years 1977 and 1982.   Bob was teaching the following concept:  "If you want a red pickup truck, then cut out a picture of that pickup and put it on your refrigerator door where you will see it several times a day.  In time you will figure a way to get that pickup."   (I never heard any one at Word of Faith mention seeking the will of God.  We were taught to take authority by scriptures over everything in this life and claim scripture.)   Also we were taught that we have authority over the devil and the devil could not touch us or our family or our property if we stood against the devil.   If you failed, you were taught you had weak faith.   During the time I was at Word of Faith church, a hurricane hit in the Houston area of Texas.  (I lived in Dallas.)  I wondered why some of those great men of faith, such as Robert Tilton and Kenneth Copeland, didn't take authority over the devil and stop the damage and death caused by that hurricane.   We were being taught "all good is from God and all bad is from devil."   Sometime during that period, I came across the following scripture in the Bible:   Isaiah 45:6-7   I am the LORD, and there is none else.  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.   ***   And in the Bible, through the coming years, I saw the following scriptures concerning "good and evil"  and that which God will do.   God says:   Psalm 18:13  The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave HIS voice; hail stones and coals of fire.   Psalm 148:8  Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling HIS word:   Isaiah 30:30   And the LORD shall cause HIS glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of HIS arm, with the indignation of HIS anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.   Ezekiel 13:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in MY fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in Mine anger, and great hailstones in My fury to consume it.   Ezekiel 38:22   And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.   Revelation 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.   (God does as HE wills.  We do not have control over the weather.  It is of God.)   Isaiah 45:6-7   I am the LORD, and there is none else.  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.   Exodus 10:1  And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these MY signs before him:   Exodus 10:27   But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he (Pharaoh) would not let them go.   Exodus  11:10   And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.   II Thessalonians 2:10-12   And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.   Romans 1:25-27   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.   Romans 1:28-32   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;  29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.   Jesus speaking to the church at Sardis:   Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before MY Father, and before HIS angels.  

(This podcast was previously published on February 8, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   The apostle Paul says:   Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.   Will we really pay the price for sharing one small portion of one verse of scripture?   such as:   * The man who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.  Matthew 5:32   * The divorced woman commits adultery if she remarries.  Matthew 5:32; I Corinthians 7:39; Romans 7:1-3   *****   One compromise of a small verse of scripture, and antichrist moves into your life.   Antichrist comes into the churches:   II Thessalonians 2   KJV  3-4   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;   (falling away:  falling away from even one small portion of one verse of scripture)   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.   NASB 6-8  And you know what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is removed. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;   (That which restrains antichrist is scripture.  When churches remove one small portion of scripture the restraint is removed with the scripture, for it was scripture holding antichrist back.)   God judges the churches who have fallen away from some scripture:   KJV 10-12   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.   *****   Mark 8:36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?   ***   Matthew 7:13-14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.   ***   Paul gave up everything to speak the truth of God to the church.  And because of this everyone left him.  But Paul finished his course anyway.   Here Paul writes to Timothy:   II Timothy 4   1  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom;   2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.   3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;   4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.   5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.   6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.   7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:   8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.   9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:   10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.   11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.   16  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.   17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.   18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto HIS heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  

Scripture References: John 3:16-21; Genesis 1:1-2; Isaiah 64:6-7; Romans 5:23; Jeremiah 17:9; Ephesians 2:1-3; Matthew 24:24; II Thessalonians 2:8-12 0:00 - 33:26: Sermon 33:27 - 38:20: Closing Worship and Prayer

(This podcast was previously published on January 27, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   As a new Christian in 1975, I attended a church named Word of Faith.  Some of the women were speaking of the antichrist.  This is the first time I had ever heard of antichrist.  One woman said she thought antichrist was Henry Kissinger.   In the book, War & Peace, Tolstoy said the Russian Catholic Church people thought the antichrist was Napoleon, who was attacking Russia in the early 1800's.   I recall my aunt, who was Christ of Christ, saying the Catholic church and their pope was antichrist.   Some in WWII thought antichrist to be Adolph Hitler.   It is amazing, but the apostle John tells us about antichrist in I John 2.   (I've never heard these scriptures taught at any church, but these scriptures are in our New Testament Bibles, and tell the answers to these questions.)   * Is antichrist one man?   * Does antichrist come through the governments of men?   The apostle John says:   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 (in our church group): but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.   So John tells us there are many antichrists.  And antichrist had been in their church group, in John's time on this earth, which showed it to be "the last time".  (The end time began with the resurrection of Jesus into heaven.)   Paul tells us the following:  Many of the elders in the church at Ephesus were just waiting for him, Paul, to depart so they could rise up and speak "perverse things" to the church at Ephesus.  (antichrist: opposite to Christ, The Word)   Acts 20:29-30 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.   And Paul explained:   II Thessalonians 2:3-4   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;   (In 1982, God said to me:  "The falling away spoken of by Paul in II Thess. 2, is not men leaving the church groups.  The falling away are church groups leaving the scriptures."  And when this happens, antichrist comes into the church groups and cast aside certain scripture and sets up doctrines in the church which are opposite to scripture.)   2 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.   Antichrist comes through the churches.  Antichrist is a "spirit" in many men. as the devil is a spirit that operates through many men.   I discuss these things on this Podcast.   *****   The main scriptures to study concerning antichrist are the following:   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 (in our church group): but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.   ***   II Thessalonians 2:3-4   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;   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.   ***   The falling away from scripture is the restraint keeping antichrist out of the church, and when this falling away from scripture takes place, antichrist moves into "that" church group.   We are seeing this in churches today as they turn from scriptures and set up other doctrines in their churches.   This means Jesus can come at any time now, for this was ordained to happen before Jesus could return.   May God give understanding to all who belong to Him

(This podcast was previously published on January 23, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...    John 6:28-29 Then said they unto HIM, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on HIM whom HE hath sent.   On Part One, of this subject of "Doing the Work of God by believing that word given us by God,"  I had no idea that there would be a Part 2.    The instructions in this second Podcast cover a very wide range of subjects which deal with praying over each of our problems and then recognizing the Word given us when God speaks after we pray.   I also speak of how antichrist gets into the churches and the way the restraint is removed which allows antichrist to come into the church group.   I found this to be an exciting Podcast to record.  I simply spoke that which the Spirit brought to my mind.   I know it will be very helpful to those who are born again, the elect of God.   I pray for God to give you understanding as you listen to this Podcast.   *****   Paul says antichrist must come into the churches before Jesus can return for the church.   II Thessalonians 2:3-4  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;   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.   * Before the second coming of Jesus, a "falling away" must occur.   In 1982, God said to me:  "The falling away are not individuals leaving the church group ... The falling away are church groups leaving the scriptures."   The scriptures are the restraints which hold antichrist back, keeping antichrist out of the church group.   As soon as a scripture is removed (no longer taught or explained away), lawlessness comes into that church group.   We recognize antichrist when we see a church which goes against scripture:  such as against the following scripture:   Matthew 5:32  Jesus says   But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.   - The faithful wife, who has been divorced by her husband, will commit adultery if she remarries.   - The husband who divorced the faithful wife will be the cause of her adultery if she remarries.   - The man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.   Churches fall away from these instructions of Jesus, for it would be unpopular to teach these scriptural truths.    So the churches either explain away these instruction or keep silent and never mention such scriptures which might offend some people.   Therefore these churches become antichrist.  (against those scriptures which have been omitted or explained away and opposite to Christ, The Word.)   Thus antichrist sits in "the temple of God"  (the church), showing himself to be God as he rules over the scriptures, over the Word of God, which is Jesus.   Those people who love their church groups more than they love the scriptures and remain in antichrist churches, bring a dreadful fate upon themselves, Paul tells us as follows.   II Thessalonians 2:10-12   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.   13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: ***   The church people who have taken antichrist into their spirit cannot repent and will not repent for it is God who has sent them a strong delusion.   Revelation 9   20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues (of the great tribulation) yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:   21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.   Revelation 16   21  And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.    

The Advent of Peace Ephesians 2: 11-17 Upward Peace No longer enemies Romans 5:10 No longer without mercy I Peter 2:10   No longer lost sheep I Peter 2:25 No longer alone II Thessalonians 3:16 Inward Peace Philippians 4:7 Walk in the peace that comes from knowing:  He knew what He was buying on the cross.  I am who He says I am. Outward Peace  Peace between the near (those who have grown up in the church and the far (those who have made a mess of ruling their own lives.)  Through the cross

(This podcast was previously published on January 11, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...    Sometimes we meet a church goer who is totally irrational to the truth.  Even when facts from the Bible are presented to him he insists on clinging to that which is taught at his church group.    Why can't he repent?  Why does he continue to hold to a lie?   The answer to this is in II Thessalonians 2.   These people were once enlightened to the truth from God but then "fell away" and chose to go with another doctrine which was opposite to doctrines of Christ in the Bible.   In such cases we see the following:   II Thessalonians 2:10 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.   When God sends that person "a strong delusion" there is nothing we can do to make that person understand even when we present many godly exhortations, for that person has been deluded by God.   We just have to walk away and leave him alone.   Acts 28   24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.   25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,   26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:   27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.   *****   Even when all of the plagues of the great tribulation come to this earth, none of the wicked will understand but the wise will understand.   Daniel 12   1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.   2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.   3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.   10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.   Revelation 9   20  And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:   21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.   Revelation 16    10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,   11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.   21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.   John 8   Jesus says:   43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.   44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. 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.   John 12   37  But though HE had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him:   38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?   39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,   40 HE (God) hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.   God turns them over to "a reprobate mind" because they refuse to keep the "knowledge of the truth of God" before their minds.   Romans 1   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;   29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,   30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,   31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:   32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.   ***   They would not continue with truth from God, so God gave them over to believe a lie that they could not repent and be saved.   Even when the plagues came, and it was obvious only God could bring those plagues, they blasphemed God instead of falling down before God in repentance.   God had turned them over to "a strong delusion" to believe a lie that they all might be damned who rejected the truth from God and clung to lies.  

(This podcast was previously published on January 3, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   I was looking for a church to attend and at a service I visited pastor was speaking of the woman in John 8 who was brought before Jesus after she had been taken in adultery.   Pastor said, "She was naked from the waist up."   I was so shocked!  I have read John 8 many times and had never seen that before.  I grabbed my Bible even as pastor continued speaking and read John 8.  What pastor said was not in John 8.   The next morning, I called this pastor.  I told him I had been in his congregation the previous day when he spoke about the woman who was taken in adultery being naked from her waist up when they brought her to Jesus.   I told pastor I couldn't find that in the Bible and I asked pastor where that is in Bible.   Pastor said,  "I can't recall where that is in the Bible."   I said, "It is very important for me to know where this is in the Bible, so would you please look it up and tell your secretary where it is in Bible and have her call me and tell me where it is?"   Pastor grew very silent for a few moments.   Then with great anger, pastor shouted at me over the phone, saying, "Alright.  It's not in the Bible.  Where do you go to church?"   Though pastor admitted what he said was not in the Bible, pastor showed no shame at all.  Pastor did not repent.   How could this be?  I wondered.   Later I realized, "Antichrist people do not repent."  Even in the great tribulation, they did not repent.   The plagues came upon them and they cursed God, but they did not repent of their own works.   Revelation 9   6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.   20-21  And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:  Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.   Those people in churches who fall away from scripture and go by another doctrine are antichrist, opposite to Christ.   II Thessalonians 2:3-4   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;   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 the churches leaving the scriptures."   The apostle Paul explains to us in II Thessalonians 2, that Jesus could not return until this happens.   We have seen this happen and are seeing this happen in today's churches where scripture is abandoned in part and other doctrines are set up in the church groups.   I've never seen any of these pastors or individuals in churches repent after they have accepted the doctrine of antichrist.   Further concerning these people who will not repent:   II Thessalonians 2   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.  

II Thessalonians 2:3-4 Revelation 20:11-13 Revelation 20:4-6 Isaiah 11:1-10 Micah 4:2-4 Jeremiah 23:5-8 Jeremiah 33:17-26 Isaiah 9:6 Matthew 1:1-16 Zechariah 14:1-11

Pastor Mike preaches on those who who say it is worthless to serve God, those who remain faithful, and the warning to not grow weary in doing good. 23rd Sunday After Pentecost, Year A: Malachi 3:13-4:6; II Thessalonians 3:6-16; Luke 21:5-19

Pastor Mike preaches on Jesus' words that as the sons of the resurrection we will be equal to the angels and how the promise of the resurrection comforts us and gives us true hope. 22nd Sunday After Pentecost, Year A: Job 19:23-27; II Thessalonians 2:13-3:5; Luke 20:27-38

Rev. Charles Alex Riffee // Psalm 17; II Thessalonians 2:13-3:5; Luke 20:27-38

Join our Senior Pastor, Rev. Steve Hogg, every weekday morning as he gives his insight on a chapter from the Bible. At First Baptist Church Rock Hill we exist to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. Connect with us on: Twitter - @FBC_RH Instagram - @fbc_rh Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FirstBaptistRH​​

II Thessalonians 2:16-17

Join our Senior Pastor, Rev. Steve Hogg, every weekday morning as he gives his insight on a chapter from the Bible. At First Baptist Church Rock Hill we exist to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. Connect with us on: Twitter - @FBC_RH Instagram - @fbc_rh Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FirstBaptistRH​​

Join our Senior Pastor, Rev. Steve Hogg, every weekday morning as he gives his insight on a chapter from the Bible. At First Baptist Church Rock Hill we exist to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. Connect with us on: Twitter - @FBC_RH Instagram - @fbc_rh Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FirstBaptistRH​​

II Thessalonians 3 - Abdel Judeh - Sunday Morning, October 19, 2025 by First Baptist Church of Hammond

II Thessalonians

II Thessalonians

Sunday September 7, 2025

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)YouTube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comII Thessalonians 3Believers are urged to pray for the swift spread of God's message and for protection from evil. Paul reminds them that the Lord is faithful and will strengthen and guard them. He commands the church to distance themselves from those who live irresponsibly and not according to the teachings they received. He stresses the importance of hard work, recalling how he and his companions modeled diligence by laboring day and night so they would not be a burden. Paul firmly warns that anyone unwilling to work should not eat. He encourages believers not to grow tired of doing good and advises them to lovingly correct those who disobey, yet not treat them as enemies. Paul closes with a prayer for peace and a personal blessing written by his own hand. As we live out our faith, we must reflect a spirit of diligence, integrity, and perseverance. The apostle Paul reminds us that our work matters to God and that we should not grow weary in doing good, even when it feels unnoticed. We are challenged to avoid idleness and contribute faithfully in whatever roles God has given us. When we see fellow believers struggling or drifting, we are instructed to correct them gently, treating them as family rather than enemies. Above all, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord's faithfulness to strengthen and protect us. In every situation, whether at work, in service, or in correction, we are to live with patience, endurance, and a heart that seeks peace. Kind Father, we thank You for being our constant source of strength and protection. Help us to live with discipline and dedication, honoring You in the way we work and serve. Guard our hearts from discouragement when the path feels long, and teach us to persevere in doing good. Give us the courage to lovingly guide others when they stumble, always with kindness, grace, and conviction. Fill our lives with Your peace and remind us that You are with us through every challenge. May we walk steadily in Your truth, working diligently and trusting fully in Your unfailing love. Thought Questions: How does Paul's warning against idleness and distracted living challenge you to reevaluate your daily habits and priorities in life? What are crucial keys when approaching a Christian about sin in their life? How do you prepare beforehand to do so with strength and grace? Might living in peace with God and others require breaking association with unrepentant Christian family? Why is this important to do? 

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)YouTube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comII Thessalonians 2Paul addresses confusion among the believers regarding the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some were afraid that the day of the Lord had already arrived. Paul reassures them that it will not happen until the rebellion occurs and the "man of lawlessness" is revealed—someone who exalts himself above God and deceives many. However, God is in control and will ultimately overthrow him. Paul reminds the believers that they are chosen by God for salvation through the Spirit and must believe in the truth. He encourages them to stand firm in the teachings they received, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and not to be shaken by fear or false messages. Paul closes by praying that God would strengthen their hearts and encourage them in every good work and word. As followers of Christ, we must remain grounded in truth, especially when fear and confusion rise around us. Like the claims that Jesus had already come, we live in a world filled with distractions and deception, but we are called to hold to the gospel we have received. We must remember that God has chosen and equipped us through His Spirit to stand firm. Instead of being shaken by every new fear or rumor, we must focus our eyes on Christ and remain faithful in our words and actions. As in their day, apostasy and misleading figures may arise, but our hope is secure in Jesus, who has loved us and given us great hope as we continue to serve Him.    Unshakeable Lord, You are our steady anchor in a world full of confusion and change. When fear tries to shake us, remind us of Your unchanging truth. Guard our hearts and minds against deception, and strengthen us to stand firm in Your Word. Help us to live with courage, trusting that You have called us, loved us, and will finish the work You have begun in us. Fill us with the comfort of Your presence and the power of Your Spirit. May our lives reflect Your glory as we wait with hope and confidence for the coming of our Lord Jesus. Thought Questions: What do you know about the day the Lord Jesus will return? How does knowing the word help you refute false ideas about the end of time? What do you know about “the man of lawlessness”? No matter who he was or is, what does God promise will happen through Jesus? How does God call us to Him through the gospel? Why should you be directing people to the message of Jesus and pursuing His word yourself?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)YouTube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comII Thessalonians 1The apostle Paul extends grace and peace as he expresses gratitude for the believers' growing faith and increasing love for one another, even as they endure suffering and persecution. He encourages them by affirming that their perseverance is evidence of God's righteous judgment—that they are counted worthy of His kingdom. Paul assures them that God will bring justice, repaying those who afflict them and granting relief to the faithful when Jesus is revealed from heaven. Christ will return in blazing power, punishing those who reject God, while being glorified in His people. Paul prays that God would make the Thessalonians worthy of His calling, fulfilling their every good purpose and act of faith. He asks that the name of Jesus be glorified and that they fully experience God's grace.  We are challenged to consider how we respond when life is difficult. We are not promised an easy path but are called to grow stronger in faith and love through every trial. When we suffer, we can trust that God sees us, strengthens us, and will bring justice in His perfect time. The return of Jesus can come at any moment. We must ask ourselves if we live in a manner that demonstrates we are truly worthy of His calling. Every act of faith and perseverance holds significance. As we endure, we pray that Christ will be glorified in us, not only by what we say but also by how we live with courage and hope until He is revealed. Mighty God, You are holy, just, and full of mercy. We praise You for Your faithfulness and for the hope we have in Christ and His return. When we are weary, lift our eyes to You. When we are suffering, remind us that You are near and that Your promises never fail. Fill our hearts with love that endures and faith that stands firm. Teach us to rest in Your grace and to trust Your perfect timing. Glorify Yourself in us, Lord, and let our lives reflect Your goodness and light until the day we see Jesus face to face. Thought Questions: How is your faith enlarging and your love for Christians growing even deeper? Why is it essential to continue to develop these pursuits? What helps you face “persecutions and afflictions”? How does the powerful return of Jesus help you hold the line of faith against all opposition? Are you prepared to accept that God has desires for your life and that Christ seeks to be glorified in you? How is this an encouraging thought?

We have known Paul's thoughts on Timothy long before II Timothy was written. They had a long and strong relationship - long and strong fellowship - long and strong mentorship. Listen to what Paul called Timothy in previous letters: called… “well spoken of” when Paul met him in Acts 16 “his helper” in Acts 19 “doer of the work of the Lord” - I Corinthians 16 “our brother” - Corinthians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Philemon, Hebrews “my beloved” again in I Corinthians “fellow worker” in Acts & Romans “faithful worker” in I Corinthians “servant of Christ” in Philippians “my true child” in I Timothy “bearer of good news” in I Thessalonians 3:6-7 Part of the new team - Paul, Silas, Timothy - in I & II Thessalonians The best word on Timothy is found in Philippians 2:19-24

It's destructive! It reflects a low opinion of ourselves and proves we can't be trusted! It's GOSSIP! Learn how to put an end to it and build trust by focusing on what needs to be changed in you. II Thessalonians 3:11-13

2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Verse By Verse - Pastor Mike - Mike Focht

3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 3:12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 3:15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 3:17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. 3:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Verse By Verse - Pastor Mike - Mike Focht

2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 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; 2:4 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. 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 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: 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Verse By Verse - Pastor Mike - Mike Focht

1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Summarizing the rapture (part 2)- We can be confident in the biblical teachings of the imminent return of Christ and the rapture of the church. Paul said he did not want us to be ignorant regarding these topics. Did the early church believe in a pre-tribulation rapture?

Summarizing the rapture- We can be confident in the biblical teachings of the imminent return of Christ and the rapture of the church. Paul said he did not want us to be ignorant regarding these topics. Did the early church believe in a pre-tribulation rapture?

God's looking for workers- The body of Christ functions at it's best when every part is contributing what it can. Going to your job every day may not always be enjoyable, but hard work and diligence please God. There is no insignificant work done for the Lord.

Avoid these people- Unfortunately, there will always be "disorderly" people who make a habit out of taking advantage of others in the church. Paul said the church should separate from these people, so they would repent and stop their immature behavior.

Promises and prayer- Charles Spurgeon said, "The strongest man in Israel will be the better for the prayers of the weakest saint in Zion." A healthy relationship between spiritual leadership and the church is built on prayer. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians through his own prayers.

Paul's prayer request- Paul was not too proud to ask for prayer from the Thessalonians. We shouldn't be too shy to ask for prayer either. Paul's prayer request gives us insight into how to pray for our pastors and leaders.

Ken Mikle and Josh Schwartz talk to Barry Stagner for the hour. What is the application today for as in the Days of Noah? How are we even now seeing a foreshadowing of the lying signs of wonders of II Thessalonians 2? We can barely see through today's fog of deception. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/407/29

Ken Mikle and Josh Schwartz talk to Barry Stagner for the hour. What is the application today for as in the Days of Noah? How are we even now seeing a foreshadowing of the lying signs of wonders of II Thessalonians 2? We can barely see through today's fog of deception. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/407/29