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Burnett Ministries

What Will Your 2022 Legacy Be? 12-30-2022

• Before going into today’s message, this is a testimony of an answered prayer. For years, my prayer partners and I have been praying regularly for my nephew whom most of the family has not seen in seven years.


• Two days ago, a prayer partner and I were praying for some people and my nephew was included. I asked the Lord to allow my nephew to show up so someone in the family would be able to see him.


• Lo and behold another nephew texted me with a picture of him and his brother. I was amazed how quickly it happened, although some of us were praying for years, but we did not give up.


Part of the message yesterday

• Knock and it will be opened to you. This means to be persistent in prayer. It has nothing to do with a lack of faith. There are different types of prayers and circumstances are different. We do not stop praying because the answer has not come. This was a desire, and it was God’s will.


Today’s Message

• This is something that needs to be seriously considered about our lives before the new year comes if we live to see it.


• What kind of impression (legacy) or long-lasting impact took place in your life in 2022? The way you lived made a difference in somebody’s life. The question is, did you allow your light to shine so bright (Matthew 5:16)? Or, when others saw you, they were not able to tell if you were – ‘Quote’ “On the Lord’s side or the devil’s side.”


• Were you trying to live a double life which is not possible? You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons (1 Corinthians 10:21). Plus, a doubleminded person is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8).


• Will people say this about you? That person talked about the Lord, but the way they carried themselves was totally different. Will someone say like I too have said, “I’m not going to “Such and Such” church the way I see some of those people act.


• Back in the day they would say: “Every tub has to sit on its own bottom” or “Judgment day is coming”


• The bottom line is this, we cannot allow what someone does or doesn’t do affect our walk with Christ, because it is a personal relationship. Each of us has to stand before Christ for ourselves, not for someone else (2 Corinthians 5:10). No excuses! Our lives will be exposed and judged by Christ.


• Since God has a plan, why not allow His will to be fulfilled. The first step is repentance (1 John 1:8-9) for all of us; none of us are perfect and we live in these flesh bodies that are sinful (Romans 7:18).


Let’s purpose to start 2023 with a clean slate, if the Lord allows us to see it.


​~Betty A. Burnett ~


Ask, Seek, and Knock (Matthew 7:7-11) 12-29-2022

• In continuing with the theme for whatever time the Spirit leads, this scripture is misunderstood and it is not rightly divided. The theme: “God Has a Plan” lines up with what His will is for us.


• Years ago, someone asked a question about this scripture, and their thinking was whatever is asked of God, He will do it. I am going to explain what these three words, ask, seek and knock mean according to the Word of God.


• Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!


Ask [make an earnest request] and it shall be given -  the Bible says if I ask anything in Jesus names it shall be given to me - give what He knows is best for his child. Would a good father give his child  a million dollars knowing that he would squander it? When the question was asked if a son asks his father for bread or fish, would he give him a stone or a serpent?


• It would be absurd for a father to give his child something that would harm him. The scripture is saying that a father would give his children what is good for them.


• When James wrote: Yet you do not have because you do not ask. The scripture doesn’t stop there, it goes on to say: You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss [This "hearing" has the attitude of refusing to take heed and therefore is inattentive "hearing" that will not comply], that you may spend it on your pleasures (James 4:3). In other words, the motives and attitudes are wrong, they were asking according to their lust- gimme, gimme, gimme.


• Seek [search for, desire] The Word says: And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). God does not want us to be seeking Him half-heartedly; He wants us to be sincere and seek Him first rather than seeking Him for what He can give (Matthew 6:33).


• What things will be added? Things that we need (Philippians 4:19). What about God giving us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). We must delight ourselves in the Lord and that means whatever His will is for us, the provisions are there.


Knock and it will be opened to you. This means to be persistent in prayer. It has nothing to do with a lack of faith. There are different types of prayers and circumstances are different. We do not stop praying because the answer has not come. Sometimes we just thank the Lord in advance for answering what we prayed for.


• The bottom line is this- God has a plan for our lives and we believe according to His Word that His purpose for our lives will be fulfilled.

 Why? Because we want His will to be not ours (Matthew 6:10, Luke 22:42).


For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Making Plans for 2023? 12-28-2022

• There is nothing wrong with making plans but plans can change, and this is the reason why. No one knows what the next minute will bring.

• Being ready as some say “To meet your Maker” is what counts. I haven’t planned anything except a trip in a few days. But even with that being so, who knows what will happen between now and then.


• Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (James 4:14). When the Word of God says “life is but a vapor” that means mist or smoke that goes in the air and it is not seen anymore.

• Instead, you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that (James 4:15).


• If you are pursuing a career, getting a new house, have a new job lined up; it could or it could not happen. Not only is life just a vapor, but there is no certainty in the new house, a promised position at your job, or getting a college degree.


• Something could come up unexpectedly and cause all your dreams to fall apart. Why am I saying this? Because it has happened to me. In 2013, I was so sure that I was going to move into my own place, but my whole world fell apart. I was listening to a Televangelist and every time he spoke it was as if he was speaking directly to me about my situation.


• When what was spoken did not happen, it tore me to pieces, but God had another plan for my life. There were some things I needed to go through to get where I am now naturally and spiritually. When we get to a point that it is more about God that all the earthly things, it becomes easy to accept whatever His will is for our lives, even when we don’t understand (Proverbs 3:5-6).


• When we know that God is in control and He has a plan we come out of our selfish thinking and think like God thinks.


• For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

We can plan, but our planning is not a sure thing. Remember this, God knows what is best for His children.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever (Hebrews 13:8) 12-27-2022

• When the world celebrates Christmas, the children of God should be celebrating CHRIST! And He is not only the reason for a particular season, but Jesus Christ is also the reason for every season!


• Therefore, He is to be recognized and honored every season! Since Jesus is the same….. being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).


• What are the good works that God started? He provided salvation through Christ which is just the beginning. It is up to us to work out our salvation, which should be progressive. This is being a good steward of what God has given us to manage, which also means our gifts.


• Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).


• Remember this, God is not going to do this for us, because He has given us some free will to make choices and He has given us the ability to fulfill our purpose for His glory.


• Hopefully, we will make the right choices to obey His unchanging Word and to function in our calling. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9).We are to cooperate with God in establishing His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.


• Seasons change, but the Word of God never changes. Who is the Word? Jesus is the Word who became flesh and lived among humans for some seasons and a reason. Just because Jesus left physically, that doesn’t mean that things changed.


• Don’t forget to give Him the reverence that He deserves every day and in every way you can. For “He alone is worthy, He alone is worthy, He alone is worthy, Christ our Lord”!


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Christmas Celebration is Over, Now What? 12-26-2022

• Yesterday was such a blessing to be with family and our extended family. The brunch (late morning meal) was delicious and the hostess really had everything well organized. Later on, came gift giving, which was also such a blessing, especially for the children because that’s the main thing most kids like about Christmas.


• How was Christ involved? After all He is the greatest gift of all! I saw LOVE in action, and that was more important than all the material gifts. Love was wrapped in every gift; love was revealed by the hosts, as they opened their doors to all who showed up.


• The brunch was over; the gifts were opened and there was plenty of paper balled up and had to be thrown away. The question is, was Jesus thrown away in the paper and the concentration was just on the material gifts.


• A few days ago, I wrote about Jesus not being boxed in, that He could not be contained in a box because Jesus Christ is bigger and greater than any box. Not only that, but He is also the best gift anyone can have. It was also mentioned that Jesus is the Star on top of the tree.


• The emphasis today is, with Jesus being symbolic of the gifts that were shared. Did He get balled up and thrown away with the Christmas wrap or was He still the gift that was shared and appreciated.


• Sharing Jesus Christ, the greatest gift is what every season is all about (Matthew 28:19-20). Therefore, as the year continues let the Star shine bright thought you for others to see (Matthew 5:13-16).


• Lastly, let’s be mindful of The One who caused us to get materialistic things and give praises, honor, and glory to Him.


• So it shall be, when the LORD your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—

when you have eaten and are full—

then beware, lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. (Deuteronomy 6:10-12).


• Keep sharing God’s Love whenever and wherever you can! Sharing is caring and caring is LOVE (1 Corinthians, chapter 13).


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Merry Christmas to My Friends and Family Across the Globe

Help me honor Jesus Christ, our King’s birth.


Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). Immanuel means God with us.


For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.


And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end.


Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice

From that time forward, even forever (Isaiah 9:6-7)


And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).


As the men of old worshipped the child, let’s not forget to commemorate His birth and worship our King Jesus!


O’ come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.


For He alone is worthy, He is alone is worthy, Christ the Lord.


May your day be blessed!

Betty A. Burnett

Gifts in Boxes 12-24-2022

• While sitting at the table at an event that I was invited to, this is what came to my ear. It is two days before Christmas and throughout the world, people are moving about here and there rushing to do their last-minute shopping.


• I am not speaking in the first person because some may think I’ve lost it! So, I am saying it this way. “During your moving about shopping for gifts, remember that Jesus is the Greatest “Gift” anyone could ever have” (John 3:16).


• So, during your wrapping don’t put Him in a box because Jesus cannot be contained in any box, regardless of the size, not even the largest box in the world.


• A couple of weeks ago, a tree was placed on each floor at the complex where I live. Lights were already on the tree. When I went to the foyer to take the elevator, the tree was there, and it really gave me joy.


• It was such a delight to see because I love lights “It lit my fire” (inspired me). I started decorating the tree; some other residents joined in, and it became a team effort.


• Since there were no specific rules as far as what could go on the tree, some of the ornaments were not according to my liking. However, it was not my tree and my mouth was mum, it is not about offending others.


• There were many types of ornaments on the tree, some ‘quote on quote’ religious and others were different. Yet, for those of us who are born-again, we are required to keep godly standards. This message is for God’s children, and it is not so much about the decoration, but about putting Jesus in a box.


• To the main point is honoring Jesus Christ regardless of what is on the tree, It’s what in our hearts that matters. As born-again believers are we putting Him in a box under a tree, or are we allowing Him to be the Star on top of the tree.


• If He is on top of the tree, there is no way possible for Christ to be in a box. Saints let’s remember that above all that we do, Christ is to be honored, worshipped, and adored above everything.


• I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).


  • Perhaps the Lord is allowing this nationwide brutal weather to get our attention. Have a Joyous and Peaceful Christmas Eve basking in His presence!

He is the reason for every season - O come let us adore Him, Christ our Lord!


Have a Joyous and Peaceful Christmas Eve


Betty A. Burnett

Wishing All Those Who were Born on December 23rd a “Blessed Birthday”

Nancy

Memories, Sweet Memories

• I am cherishing the golden memories of my late sister Nancy B. Nichols who would have been 83 years old today. She will never be forgotten, my heart often aches because Nancy is no longer here, yet when I recall all the wonderful times the Lord allowed us to be together, it gives me joy.

Precious memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul!



“Happy Birthday” Alma

• This is for my Cousin Alma P. Windley who is celebrating her 89th birthday today. Alma and Nancy shared their birthdays on the same day, just different years. I pray that the Lord will grant you the desires of your heart, that you will continue to be prosperous in whatever you do. I am grateful to the Lord for allowing you to be in my life and for our close knit bond

Love you, Betty

Celebrating One Year Anniversary of Overflows 12-22-2022

• On December 22, 2021, I became a resident of New Jersey for the third time. God has opened up the windows of heaven and poured out so many blessings that there has not been room enough to receive them (Malachi 3:3:10-11). This promise has to do with being obedient.


• Years ago, a book titled “The Prayer of Jabez” was published and a lot of people were using this phrase “Lord enlarge my territory. I told them that they had to go through something for that to happen.


• Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him in pain. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested (1 Chronicles 4:10).


• I can say that like Jabez, there was a lot of pain before my coast (territory) was enlarged. I went from the south to the north and to me that is an expansion of Burnett Ministries because it is still based in Greensboro, NC. Doors are opening wider to do greater work. The intercessory prayer warriors have been together for more than twenty years and we are still going strong in Jesus’ name.


• So many things have taken place with me, helping my nieces with their business, being available for family and others, letter opener for the Board of elections, attending council meetings. Love doing Zumba and attending other events where I reside. I am so abled bodied, walk wherever and whenever I can.


• I also lead a Bible study class and constantly praying for people, do visitations

.

• There were two interviews – Labakcare and some Rutgers University nursing students that they were graded on; just found out the made one hundred percent, praise God!


• Some of my family have treated me with so much love and respect that it is just unbelievable.


• Yesterday topped it off- by mid-morning I was told that someone wanted to see me. This awesome woman whom I call my niece came with a beautiful Christmas bin full of food, along with several types of drinks and two quite sizable gift cards that were donated by a bank and a sorority.


• I received three calls that other gifts were on the way, was told that a surprise was coming to me later. A call came through that someone had a need and I drove them to their appointment, later opened my pocket and I was amazed at the blessing. When I reached my destination, another gift was waiting for me. Yesterday was truly icing on the cake for me.


Take away from this message

• I know this is where the Lord has ordained me to be. Even though there are obstacles and so on, God shows Himself mightily to others through the way He is blessing me. Bragging on God because He did it! Everything good that happened to me, GOD DID IT!


My life is so enriched and I am walking in my blessings!


Betty A. Burnett

Living This Life to Live Again 12-21-2022

• This is another message that came from a quote that was sent to me by a teacher friend. We share and fine tune ourselves as we dig into the Bible regularly. He usually sends me something that perks my interest and the last couple times, I felt like a message could come out of the quotes that would help others.


• As I was getting on the computer to type a message from the quote, this title popped up “Living This Life to Live Again.” This had to come from the Spirit of God; I don’t want to take credit since I can do nothing without Christ (John 15:5).


The Quote

We often hear, “Life is short……better enjoy it!”

How about, “Eternity is long, better prepare for it!”


• I began to look up what this quote could possibly mean and one of the definitions was what was already in my mind. Definition- Live every day as if it was your last day; we will all die someday, we just don’t know when. It could be tomorrow or fifty years in time but this day will arrive.


• This is what I feel that needs to be conveyed. Some people live as if their lives are not coming to an end. They enjoy life to what they consider the fullest.


Example of someone who thought he was going to live on and on.

• Then He [Jesus] spoke a parable to them, saying: The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, since I have no m to store my crops?


• So, he said, I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.

• But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided? So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:16-21)


Tomorrow is not promised

• Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeared for a little time, and then vanishes away (James 4:14).


• One can still live life to the fullest as if it was their last day. That means they are fulfilling their purpose by being a good steward of what God has given them to manage (gifts and etc.); have inner peace despite what is going on around them; have joy that the world didn’t give and the world can’t take away.


• How are you living your life and do you know where you will spend eternity that never ends? There are two places one can go, they can have the never-ending eternal life by receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9), or they will spend eternal death in hell (lake of fire) and be tormented forever (Revelation 20:11-15).


• When one receives Jesus, there is also joy! Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10).


• We are approaching the day that has been set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, which is supposed to be a time of joyous festivities commemorating HIM. That kind of Joy cannot be experienced unless there is a relationship with Jesus.


“I am living my life to live again” – Betty A. Burnett

What Table Do You Desire to Sit at? 12-20-2022

The Request of James and John (Mark 10:35-45)

This message stems from something a friend of mine sent me.


• Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. Teacher, they said, we want you to do for us whatever we ask. What do you want me to do for you? he asked. They replied, Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.


• You don’t know what you are asking, Jesus said. Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with? We can, they answered. Jesus said to them, You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.


• When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.


• Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.


• The Word of God says Whoever exalts [lifts or elevate himself up] will be abased [to bring low or to humble] - (Matthew 23:12).


• Jesus Christ was born in an inn and laid in a manger (Luke 2:7). He died a most humiliating kind of death (Luke 23:44-46). He rose with all power (Matthew 28:18). That is exaltation (please read Philippians 2:5-11). The height of His exaltation - Jesus Christ will rule with an iron rod (Revelation 19:11-16).


• Which table do you choose to sit at? Where God tells you to sit, or what others tell you to sit at? Do you want to be exalted by getting pats on the back by people like the pharisees did or do you want to be rewarded by Jesus because you chose to sit at the lower table.


The Pharisees - But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues (Matthew 23:5-6).


• Or be to be humble like Jesus Christ - To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus - So meek and holy, so humble and lowly, how I long to be like Him.

Let’s honor our Savior, not ourselves.


Betty A. Burnett

The Sister Connection (Networking) 12-18-2022

• Saturday (yesterday) was a blessed and enjoyable fun day of fellowship with vendors, speakers, music, and dancers. The event was well put together by the hostess. And what could be a better time and place to spread the Christmas Joy with such a festive atmosphere.


• I thank God for allowing me to be able to be a part of the “Warrior Keychains” because it has added to my staying youthful by being actively involved. I also thank the Lord because He ordained it to be at this season of my life.


• This is really something! A few years ago, I took a small business class because of a vision that I had. So far that has not panned out. The weird thing is He has connected me with small businesswomen through my two of my nieces.


Our God is amazing! Who knows where He is doing with this.

The Word of God

• For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater.


• So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth. It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:8-11)


Example

• The Lord told me in 2005, that my ministry would be global. With the office of evangelist, in my mind I thought that traveling globally would be physical. When Burnett Ministries became global via the internet, I understood what He meant.


• To all of you who have been given a vision from the Lord, and it has not manifested yet, hold on, it will come to pass (Habakkuk 2:2-4). This includes men too.


Betty A. Burnett

The Debt I Owed, the Debt I Owed; Jesus Paid the Debt I Owed 12-16-2022

• As I was relaxing yesterday, the thought came to me about the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping and how people spend lots of money buying gifts. There is nothing wrong with sharing love through giving.

• We all should be givers all year long, but this special time of year is set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and our main emphasis should be on Him. Going into debt will keep some paying the creditors until next Christmas and that becomes a never ending cycle.


• The interest rates are astronomical, which is even more bondage. And please don’t be late, you are in trouble for sure. Nevertheless, some still feel obligated to give, even if it causes them to be in debt.


• Let me tell you what the Word of God says about being in debt to others. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law (Romans 13:7-8).


LOVE is the Key! Jesus came because of Love, and that was not all; He had to die. If Jesus had not died and risen from the dead, we would be miserable because without the resurrection, there would be no hope (paraphrased – 1 Corinthians 15:18-19). Because of what Christ did for us, we should show Him the highest appreciation.


• Therefore, only One we should be indebted to is Jesus. Why? He was the only One who could pay the debt that we owed. A songwriter summed it up like this:

Jesus paid it all

All to Him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow


• In the midst of all of the hustle and bustle, don’t forget the One who gave His all for us. As you give gifts, let it be out of love, instead of feeling that you are obligated to do it.


Always remember that the reason for every season is Jesus Christ!

“Setting the Captives Free”

Why Call Me Lord, Lord and You Don’t do What I Say? 12-15-2022

• From the previous messages about salvation and being assured that you will be with Jesus Christ throughout eternity. To those who know without a doubt they will live Jesus throughout eternity, how have you lived on this earth.


• Many people have professed that Jesus is their Savior, but have they made Him their Lord. Charles Stanley’s messages are one of my daily readings. I have watched Charles Stanley since the nineteen-nineties, and his ministry has been a blessing to me. He has not veered from the faith, in spite of trials, tribulations and persecutions. His integrity is more important than what I don’t agree with when it comes to some of our doctrinal beliefs.


• The reason I am mentioning him is because a couple of days ago Charles Stanley wrote about “The Lord of Our Life”. This is what stood out: When we assert that He’s our Lord, we’re claiming the He is our Savior and Master, which means we submit to in all things.


• Skipped to this - None of us can obey Christ perfectly, but once we are born-again, submitting to Him should be our heart’s desire and practice.

• From that I want to go further. But why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46).


• Let’s see what Lord means - Jesus owns us, therefore unless we are allowing Him to have ownership, we must do what He tells us to. For instance, if you ever rented a house or apartment, the landlord was the owner. He also had rules and a contract had to be signed that you would follow the rules or you would be evicted.


• We should be glad that Jesus is not like an earthly landlord. Jesus Christ would never put us out, but not doing what He tells us will affect our eternal status of rulership. Calling Jesus Lord and not allowing Him to tell us what to do or abide by His rules, makes that person is a liar and the truth is not in them.


• I strongly urge my brothers and sisters who are not doing what you’ve been called to do, repent, and make Jesus Christ Lord. You belong to Him and your body is your house (temple) and you don’t own it.


• Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16). So why not let the Landlord have ownership that He deserves. Not allowing Christ to have His rightful place is disrespectful. In other words, He is not being revered – Holy and reverend is His name (Psalm 111:9)!

  • Lord help, some of these people say they are saved and the  way they carry themselves is a sin and a shame. Oh, my goodness, always profiling. Bringing attention to themselves rather than Christ shining through them and they got the nerve to call Jesus Lord.
  • Finally, someone might say that I am old fashion and this is a new day. Was Jesus old fashioned? He was thirty-three years old when He died on the cross. Jesus did not change with the times; He is the Word that never changes.


“Setting the Captives Free”

How Did You Get Saved and, Having the Assurance of Salvation 12-14-2022

• Yesterday’s message about water baptism, and it was mentioned that I had asked someone if they were saved and the answer was “I go to church” or they would say “I’ve been baptized.”


• I have also asked if they were saved, and they would say yes, then the question would be “Are you born again,” and they don’t answer because many don’t understand what born-again means even if they say they are saved.


• Being saved and being born again are equivalent terms. They mean the same thing. The first birth is the physical one (born of the flesh) and the second birth is the spiritual one (born of the Spirit). Jesus explained this to Nicodemus when He said, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit (John 3:6).


• Once you believe in your heart that Jesus died and rose for your sins and you confess with your mouth, you become born again (Romans 10:9-10). Salvation comes through the grace of God and by the faith He placed in you to believe, not by anything you did- it was all done by God (Ephesians 2:8-9). You couldn’t even respond by faith without God.


• Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:14-17). Philip the evangelist preached the Gospel - how can they hear without a preacher. Although the eunuch was reading the Bible, he did not understand what he was reading. Let me say this; even though Philip was an evangelist, every child of God has been commissioned to carry the Gospel, and that makes all of God’s children, preachers.


• The previous paragraph confirms that an unsaved person cannot understand the Word of God.


• The body of Christ (church) consists of born again believers; therefore no one should be serving in the ministries the church. People should always be welcomed in the church because we never know when their hearts will be pricked.


 When certain questions are asked to some people about being saved, they say things like this.

  • I am a good person and I don’t do anything to hurt (harm) others. I help people like mowing their yards, go to the grocery store, take out their trash and list goes on, but that does make them saved or born again.

• I was baptized is something else they say. As was said in yesterday’s message, “they go in the water a dry devil and come out of the water a wet devil”. Water baptism has nothing to do with salvation- one must be born again. I was baptized in a and when I was twelve years old, but Jesus did not become my Savior until I was thirty-nine years old.


• Some will say that they were raised in the church, so was I. What does that have to do with being saved or born again? 


• I’m a good person - The Word of God says there is none good, no not one (Romans 3:12). No one seeks after God, neither do they understand God (Romans 3:11). Please stop telling people you found Christ, He was not lost, you were. How were you going to find Christ when you were not seeking Him?


• Just want to throw this in, if you are saved/born again, your understanding is shallow if you are using your intellect, instead of allowing the Spirit of God to have control. Using your intellect without the Spirit being involved means you are in control or you think you are.


Hopefully you have a better understanding of what salvation (being saved/born again) means.


“Setting the Captives Free”

Water Baptism Comes after Salvation/New Birth 12-13-2022

• I am concluding with water baptism, the purpose and who needs to get baptized according to the Word of God. Otherwise, it is not acceptable with God.


• I have asked certain people if they were saved and they would say: “I’ve been baptized or I go to church.” Neither of those has anything to do with salvation.


This is an example of what precedes salvation and what follows salvation.

• Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is desert.


• So, he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and overtake this chariot.


• So, Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, Do you understand what you are reading? And he said, How can I, unless someone guides me? And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.


• The place in the Scripture which he read was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.


• So, the eunuch answered Philip and said, I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, cand beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?


• Then Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. So, he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:28-39).


• We are also commissioned by Christ to carry the Gospel – Present the Gospel, the person receives Jesus Christ and then comes water baptism (Matthew 28:19-20). We are expected to obey God by doing whatever He tells us to do.


• God has it plainly written in His Word what to do and what not to do. Whatever anyone does that does not line up with the Word of God, is not acceptable.


Do it God’s way and you will not lose your reward.


“Setting the Captives Free”

Water Baptism 12-12-2022

• The first two baptisms were posted about a week ago. Today I will finish with water baptism. The first baptism is the most important, because if there is no new birth (salvation-being born-again), nothing else matters.


• This takes us to where we are today. Many people think because they were baptized as youngsters, they are in right standing with God. The reason I use right standing is because that’s what they really believe, which has nothing to do with being born-again (saved).


• Water baptism does not have anything to do with your salvation. Example: When Jesus was hanging on the cross, one of the criminals who also was hanging on the cross blasphemed Him, saying, If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.


• But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.


• Then he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise (Luke 23:39-43). The thief on the cross and Jesus did not come down, and find water to baptize him in.


• When it comes to baptism, sprinkling or christening babies, they are to be dedicated to the Lord. We should always have a biblical reference for whatever we do.


Reference # One

•Hannah -  For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore, I also have lent [become a creditor] him to the LORD as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD. So, they worshiped the LORD there. (1 Samuel, chapter one – Key verses 27-28).


Reference # Two

• Jesus was dedicated to the Lord. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So, he came by the Spirit into the temple.


• And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation. Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.


• And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.


• If someone is baptized before they were born-again, this is the way I heard it, “they go down a dry devil and come up a wet devil.” Understanding is especially important to me; and with that being so, this message will be continued tomorrow.


“Setting the Captives Free”

Spreading the CHRISTmas Joy 12-11-2022

• The stage was set, the atmosphere was simply amazing! The songs, the delicious food, and the vendors played a major part in the “Christmas Bazaar” at Mt Zion Baptist Church in Pleasantville, New Jersey (next door to Atlantic City).


• It gives me great JOY to be with my nieces when they travel to various events with Jayla’s Warrior Keychains small business. I am so delighted to see this twenty-two year old niece in her endeavors to sell a self-defense product to help others stay safe.


• Even though we have God’s divine protection, I believe in using wisdom as we move about from place to place. 


Example 

  • During the summer a friend and I had just got off the subway in Philadelphia, and this guy was acting crazing (cursing and spewing out threats at a person that was close by us).


• I said to my friend: “If he comes this way, “I’ve got something for him” I pulled out my “Warrior Keychain” (it had pepper spray and an alarm on it).


• Back to Jayla - She is also a third year criminal justice student at Rutgers University, Camden campus. Hats off to another young lady who has a small business and is pursuing a career. It seems as though whatever Jayla puts her hands to do, she prospers and she has a loving mother (manager) who supports her.


• Now, to sum up yesterday’s event, it was a Joyful day being with different vendors, but the best part was seeing family members and old friends from Pleasantville (Shelly, Catherine, and Wendy). They not only came to see me, but they also supported the vendors.

What an awesome way to spread the CHRISTmas JOY!


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

The Two Ways that Believers Can Walk 12-9-2022

• Since the last message was about “What is going to happen when we stand before Christ?” We must give account of everything we have done in these bodies whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). 


Some are empowered but they abuse their power.

Example

• They are operating in the flesh with the hoop and the holler, they walk the pews, and so on to get the people hyped up on their emotions. They are operating in the flesh like those in the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).


• This is indicative of their level of maturity. What about those who are not open to the truth about the Spirit of God?


• The Word of God says My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because they rejected knowledge (Hosea 4:6a). They still will give account because they rejected the truth.


The word destroyed means to suffer loss. This is saying that these types of people will not have rewards because they did not receive what was true even though they are saved (example in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).


• With all the resources that are available today, there should be no reason for God’s children not to know all the wonderful abilities we have been given.


• We are told to walk in the Spirit. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish (Galatians 5:16-17).


A war is going on within - which one is going to win, the flesh or the spirit?

  • For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will do, I do not do; but the evil I will not do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
  • I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

• O wretched man that I am. Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord. So, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin (Romans 7:18-25).


• How do we die to the flesh? Think this way and speak it: I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2:20). We kill the flesh by yielding to the Spirit of God/Christ. Where do dead bodies go? To the mortuary or morgue.


• Once you are determined to surrender all, the devil will come at you with full force, but remember this - You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).


• Hang in there and keep pressing forward; even though it’s a struggle (Philippians 3:14), you are winners! And you will be greatly rewarded for your faithfulness.

“There’s a Blessing in Pressing”


“Setting the Captives Free”

What is Going to Happen When You stand before Christ? 12-8-2022

• My plans were to post the next message about water baptism, but a warning is being sent out to all who profess to be born again. Because some people ignore the power of the Holy Spirit and how He is involved in our lives, I am telling you how grieved He is by the way some of the children of God are ignoring Him. Just maybe some people don’t understand how important the Holy Spirit is because they haven’t been taught.


• To grieve the Holy Spirit is to make Him sad (Ephesians 4:30), and not yielding to Him is sin (same as disobeying God). Yet many people claim to be so holy. You were positioned in holiness at new birth, but practicing holiness is altogether different. How can anyone be walking in holiness if they are not doing what the Spirit of God has empowered them to do?


• The Holy Spirit is also being quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19) because people are not allowing Him to empower them; this causes church to be dead. People go to church Sunday after Sunday and think they are alright. The body of Christ cannot function properly when the Holy Spirit is left out; there is no power!


What are you going to do when you stand before Christ?

• Will you be like one the stories Jesus told in some of these parables (a short story to bring about a truth)?


  • Outer darkness - the servant who buried his talent will be cast into outer darkness, not here. An obscure or dim place where they will not be as noticeable as the servants who made full use of what their master gave them to do (Matthew 25:14-30).

• Depart from Me, I never knew you – You did what you wanted to do and said you were doing it in Jesus’ name, but you got pats on the back. Jesus meant He never knew their evil works (Matthew 7:23).


If you deny Me before people, I will deny you before My Father in heaven - the person was saved just as Peter was saved, but perhaps a situation came up like with Peter. You believe you have to save your hide; don’t you know that God is in control. Even if you lose your life , to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).


• The five foolish virgins that did not keep lamp in their oil, so they could be prepared when Jesus came (Matthew 25:1-13).


• You decided to take the wide way (carnal- doing what you wanted to do)- (Matthew 7:13-14). The narrow way is for those who sell out.


• The man who was not dressed properly at the wedding feast (Matthew 22:12). This scripture confirms the next scripture:

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife [we are His bride] has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints (Revelation 19:7-8).


• Or will you be ashamed when Christ appears? And now, little children abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming (1 John 2:28).


• Why are you throwing precious and valuable gifts away? It’s like throwing diamonds in the trash. Be honest with yourself, would anybody in their right mind throw away their expensive valuables? Well, not utilizing your gifts is like throwing them in the garbage.


• Brothers and sisters, if you don’t yield to the Spirit and allow His gifts and His power to flow through you, there is going to be a day of reckoning. You must give account of all the things done in your body whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).


• The church is dead and powerless without the Spirit of God functioning in the body of Christ. I pray that you will learn what your gifts are (assignment), so you can be about our Father’s business.


No blood on my hands

“Setting the Captives Free”

Baptism with or in the Holy Spirit – “The Empowerment” 12-7-2022

• This message is pertaining to being empowered by the Holy Spirit which is accessible to every child of God. However, it is up to us whether we accept this awesome power. The only thing we do not have control over, and the only way we played a part in salvation was because God had already ordained that we would be saved.


• Therefore, He put the faith in us to say yes to the call of salvation. That is why we cannot brag about playing a part in getting saved, because works do save anybody (Ephesians 2:8-9). This is something we should always remember. Jesus said, without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).


• However, it’s up to the individual whether they will receive the baptism with/in the Holy Spirit; this has nothing to do with your salvation, because nothing can change that. You just won’t have that Dunamis (explosive like) power to witness and minister.


• One can be empowered with the Holy Spirit and still may be immature (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). We need to cooperate with God, For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9). After all we are co-laboring with Him to establish His kingdom: Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

• If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion [it has a poisonous sting in its tail]? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:11-13).


• I learned and still believe that the scripture in Luke is talking about being baptized with/in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 1:8, 2:4). Some people don’t believe in speaking in tongues, whereas others are open to whatever God has for them, which comes without having to ask.


• I did not ask to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, didn’t even have an understanding, it just happened. I believe it happened to me because I was open to whatever God had for me. Although my understanding was quite limited because I was a babe in Christ. Yet this verse stood out and was quoted by me regularly: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).


• Sometimes praying and asking to be baptized with/in the Holy Spirit. God knows each of us and we may experience this empowerment in different ways, don’t box God in, because He cannot and will fit into your box. 


• Whether one accepts it or not, it does not change the Word of God. The choice is the individuals, as for me I want all that God has for me to be and to do. What about you?


“Setting the Captives Free”

The Three Baptisms – Baptized into Christ (Part 2) 12-6-2022

here is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God (Romans 3:10).• I am picking where I left off yesterday with part two of being baptized into Christ or baptized into the body of Christ. There are many scriptures to prove how the Holy Spirit is involved in our lives.


• For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring [us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18).


• And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged (John 16:8-11).


The Holy Spirit does not do anything without God the Father and Jesus the Son being involved; the Three bear witness with each other because the three are one (1 John 5:5-8). I will post a message about the Trinity (the Triune God in three persons) in the future.


• Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). How could an unrighteous person work to get saved?  There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God (Romans 3:10). It was done by God the Father who ordained for us to be saved (Romans 8:29-30).


• Remember on the day of Pentecost: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting (Acts 2:2). The Holy Spirit is so powerful; He is the power behind everything, and He is God the Spirit. Therefore, whoever speaks evil about Him is damned.


• Therefore, I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against (speak against) the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come (Matthew 12:31-32).


• In other words, one can say anything against Jesus, but to speak evil against the Holy Spirit will send a person straight to hell. Why? Because the Holy is the One who convicts people of their sin; they are convinced that they are sinners, and they confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.


Next: Baptism with or in the Holy Spirit – “The Empowerment”


“Setting the Captives Free”

The Three Baptisms – Baptized into Christ (Part One)  12-5-2022

• In continuing where I left off about the Holy Spirit, it is important to know how involved He is in our lives.


• There are many baptisms, but the concentration will be these three – 

1) Baptism into Christ or in the body of Christ (new life or new birth) – 

2) Baptism in or with the Holy Spirit – 

3) Baptized in the water or water baptism


1) Baptism into Christ or in the body of Christ (new life or new birth)

• We could not Be born again with the Holy Spirit. Although the Word of God says we have a relationship with Christ because He died for our sins, it was the work of the Spirit that also brought us into the body of Christ.


• For by one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free (Galatians 3:27)—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).


• This is called being baptized into the body of Christ, which gives us a brand-new life. There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.


• Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?


• Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel [to be astonished or amazed] that I said to you, you must be born again. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.


• So, what did Jesus mean by being of water and that which flesh is flesh? He was talking about being from your mother; unborn babies are surrounded by water in their mother’s womb. What about the wind blows where it wishes? (Wind is symbolic of the Holy Spirit) His power breathes into the person for them to be born again-gives them/us new life.


• It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63). Can IT give life?


• And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-2).


To be continued


"Setting the Captives Free”

Peace/Shalom 12-4-2022

• Dearly beloved, much of my writing and sharing are based on my experiences. When the messages are written to others, they also speak to me. Today, I pray the topic about peace will minister to the readers as well as it is ministering to me.


• The Word peace means shalom in the Hebrew language. God wants those who profess to be His children to have peace and love among each other. How will the world see our bright lights otherwise (Matthew 5:16)? How will the world look at us? By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35)?


Jesus said: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you (John 14:27). Jesus gave us the peace, now it is up to us to live a peaceful life. Example: You have new clothes, but if they are not worn, what good are they for you.


• Let’s activate our peace today. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body: and be thankful (Colossians 3:15).


Paul wrote this: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

What happens when you’ve done whatever possible to make peace and it still does not happen?


• Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.


• Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).


• Bottom line, we are in warfare, we take care of the devils and God will take care of the people who are allowing the devil to influence. It is not flesh and blood that we are wrestling against but we are in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18).


• This is not the Old Testament where God took care of Israel’s enemies. We have the Spirit of God living in us and we have been given power over the enemy (Luke 10:19) us to win the battle against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places.


• Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12).


Don’t forget who the real enemy is!


“Setting the Captives Free”

Encouragement to Do the Will of God 12-3-2022

• There was an event that I had planned to go to yesterday. If I had not been where I was for something to be exposed, it could have been a big problem for me and others. Some may have been jeopardized already. Even though my body was afflicted, the Lord had me taking care of business on my computer, and that was the eye-opener.


This is what I learned from yesterday’s experience of being in the right place at the right time.

• But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you (1 Peter 5:10).


What suffering brings

• If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny him, He also will deny us (2 Timothy 2:12). Others are blessed  because of your testimony of how you got the victory despite your sufferings.


• For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). Looking to Jesus [focus] on Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).


• Sometimes we want to do what we want to despite warning signs; that’s the free-will God has given us. There are other times when God will allow something to happen where we can’t do otherwise. If I had not been afflicted, something terrible would have happened.


Calling this to your attention!

• And we know that all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord and to them who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). To us children of God, no matter what we go through, it works out for our good and the good of others.


• When people see how we overcame, they too can be encouraged and motivated to keep pressing toward the high calling of God in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:14). This means we are moving on up a little higher in our spiritual walk.


• When you are going through, try to remember that whatever (afflictions, persecution and etc.) is done for evil, God will turn it into something good. Why? If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31).


• Takeaway - Stay in the will of God regardless of your afflictions, and you will have joy and peace knowing you are doing what is right.


Remember this – “No cross, No crown”


“Setting the Captives Free”

Onslaughts from the Devil 12-2-2022

• Recently I have had one attack after the other on my body and Satan was attacking me mentally, but always in every situation, God delivers me. I stand on the Word of God that by Jesus’ stripes I am healed (1 Peter 2:24), that is, whatever way the Lord brings the healing.


• I want to share this. When you are doing the Lord’s will, the devil will throw every dart against you to hold you back. Remember this, stand on the Word of God, and keep speaking life words over your situation (Proverbs 18:21). Also remember that God delivers us out of all our afflictions (Psalm 34:19); whatever we’re going through may not be sickness, because the devil comes at us in different ways.


• For instance, when Paul asked the Lord to remove that thorn in his flesh, it meant that the devil could have been coming against him in different ways. A messenger from Satan had been sent to buffet him [attack against his body] - (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). This was to keep Paul humble, but he knew even in his weakness, God was his strength.


• The principle is the same with us, and God knows what to allow to happen in our lives to keep us humble.


• You could have a bodily injury, any kind of physical or even mental attack. Example: the devil knows about my allergies, so he uses a closed environment where different odors, scents, chemicals etc., will affect my eyes and my nasal cavity.


• Whatever the situation may be, everything happens for a reason. If we must go through these different afflictions, somehow and some way something good will come out of it (Romans 8:28). It does not feel good, but it works out for our good and for the good of others. Having the right attitude is really humbling and God gets the glory when people see and hear how we respond to attacks.


• Instead of complaining, let’s praise God regardless of what may come our way.


This message resulted from a day trip I was scheduled to take with my nieces for a popup event. The affliction prevented me from being with them.


“ Setting the Captives Free”

The Love Sandwich 12-1-2022

Twelve, thirteen, fourteen – two slices of bread and the meat

• There is a reason for everything and I looked at these three chapters and saw the order they are written in it made all the sense in the world to me. Jesus gave us bread (John 6:48-51) that will cause us never to get hungry (eternal life), but He also His meat was to do the will of His Father (John 4:34).


• Today’s message is an analogy of the bread of eternal life that we have, but we need meat (growth/maturity) to do the will of our Father. Jesus loved us so that He gave His life for us (John 3:16). With that being so, as much the Lord has done for us, how much love are we showing to God and others (Matthew 22:37).


• Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.


• When that which is perfect (Jesus Christ) comes there will be no need for any of those things, PERIOD! (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). Everything will be perfect; nothing will be in part anymore.


• Since Love is the greatest of all, why are so many people in some churches not showing love? Not being sensitive to others is ignoring what the Word of God says. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7). When the Holy Spirit speaks to the church and He is ignored, this restricts His power to move. It’s like having a water hose turned on but there is a knot in the hose that restricts the flow of water.


• In this message about the “Love Sandwich,” you will understand why 1 Corinthians (the Love chapter) is between chapter 12 (the gifts) and chapter 14 (tongues).


• There are many people who are puffed up because they think they are more special to God because of certain gifts that they operate in. And many people put more emphasis on prophecy and tongues of which both are vocal gifts; more attention is drawn to the person operating in these gifts.


The two ends are the Bread - 1 Corinthians 12 (abuse of certain gifts) - 1 Corinthians 14 – tongues (misuse of tongues)

• The reason Love is in the middle, because without love the gifts are no good (1 Corinthians 13). Nothing supersedes love, which brings me to the main point of this message. A carnal church (people operating in the flesh) is not exemplary of Love.


Example

• Paul addressed the church at Corinth about their spiritual state. They were carnal, acting like unsaved people because there was division, envying and strife among them, and they didn’t want to grow. Paul tried to feed them stronger food but they were not able to digest it (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Only immature people act like that.


• Many of these people were baptized with the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues – they were the bread (two ends) of the sandwich, but there was no meat (Love) in between the bread.


• Yes, Jesus said we would receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon us (Acts 1:8), but the extent of the power we allow to flow is up to us. That is why we are told not to grieve the Holy Spirit – make Him sad (Ephesians 4:30) or quench Him (1 Thessalonians 5:19) restricting Him from operating powerfully in our lives. Why would anyone want to cut off their power source?


• When some people in the church are carnal, how much LOVE can there be with strife, division, and envy? How can we say we love someone and mistreat them? If a person is not acting in Christian character, is that showing love to others? Let’s do a self-examination.


“Setting the Captives Free”

The Holy Spirit, Giver of the Gifts of Tongues, and Interpretation 11-30-2022

• Since this is a difficult topic and tongues and prophecy are the most misused gifts, the purpose of this message is for the children of God to have more clarity. I want to clear something up before proceeding with this message.


• It is pertaining to intercessors praying and how it is not inappropriate for us to pray in tongues, when we are on one accord the Spirit empowers us to pray in tongues and there is a mighty move of God. We can witness all the prayers that have been answered over the last twenty years. Many times, while we are praying the Spirit prompts us to pray for people and situations.


• Peter, Mary the mother of Jesus and others were in the upper room praying, and in one accord (Acts 1:13-14), and there was a mighty move of the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). We need more of a true Pentecostal experience today.


• In addition to, or along with the Pentecostal experience was a manifestation of what Joel prophesied and was spoken by Peter: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy (Joel 2:27-28, Acts 2:17).


• Some of the three sets of gifts that are given by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not accepted in many churches. It is baffling to me that people who profess to be children of God accept only what they want and leave whatever they don’t agree with completely out.


• On the other hand, so many are turned off by the misuse of tongues in certain denominations. Which is worse, not to accept the gifts or to abuse the gifts? When it comes to the gift of tongues being used in an assembly, there should always be an interpretation (someone to interpret).


• Let’s go to the Word - to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10). Speaking in tongues with interpretation is equivalent to prophecy. Paul said, He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified (1 Corinthians 14:5). Why? Because prophecy is to encourage and comfort the hearers and through this they also witness the powerful move of the Holy Spirit.


• The gift of prophecy is forth-telling (in the now), and forth-telling (in the future), the gift of prophecy edifies/encourages the church.

• Paul also said: I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue (1 Corinthians 14:18-19). This means unknown tongue.


• If therefore the whole church has come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and those who come in that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? (1 Corinthians 14:23).


• The bottom line is, we don’t want to offend others. If we are yielding to the Holy Spirit we would think about others instead of looking like we are super spiritual by speaking in tongues (it gives a superior impression). Those who are like this are immature, yet they think they are mature. That is Pride!


• And, who gets edified when nobody understands what is being said? He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself (1 Corinthians 14:4a). Years ago, a lady in a choir used to blurt out in tongues, and the pastor asked me to explain to her why it was inappropriate. The lady said she could not help it and that it was coming from the Holy Spirit. Blurting out in tongues is out of order and God is not the author of confusion, so who was lying, the woman or God? Please read 1 Corinthians, chapter 14.


• Many of you are following national leaders’ teachings and I have heard some of them speak in tongues. Does that make them right because of their status, or do you believe the Word of God supersedes everything and everybody?


• Caution: Keep your eyes on Jesus and not on what others believe or don’t believe. Stick to the Word of God and be yielded to the Spirit. You must stand before Christ for yourself, excuses like So and So said this won’t be justifiable.


"Setting the Captives Free"



The Holy Spirit is Involved in the Prayer Life of God’s Children 11-29-2022

• After writing and posting the last message about “The Awesome Wonderworking Power of the Holy Spirit,” I did not know what the next message was going to be. This happens often, so I got still (Psalm 46:10) and just waited for the Spirit to speak, and this is what He started feeding me.


• The Holy Spirit is the power behind everything, even the gifts given by the Father (Romans 12:6-8), and the Son (Jesus Christ- Ephesians 4:11). And, without a doubt, The Spirit is the power behind the gifts that He Himself gives (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). Everything needs some power in order to function.


Example

• You buy a lawn mower; whether it is battery operated or electric, it won’t start without the power source. We live and move by the power of God (Acts 17:28)


The Holy Spirit empowers us to pray

• Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).


• He definitely is at work in the intercessors. This is why. Many times, the Spirit will prompt intercessors to pray for a person that they don’t know. Since the don’t know what to pray for, that’s where the tongues (prayer language) come in.


This is the doozy - coming straight from the Word of God!

• The Holy Spirit empowers us to speak in tongues (Acts 1:8, 2:4). This is called the baptism with or in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues (praying in the Spirit). When we go out witnessing, it is necessary to be prayed up. Using our prayer language helps to build our faith: But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20).


• Example: Two of us were planning to go into the streets and witness, I felt prompted to pray in the Spirit before going. Once we went out, we came across a man with a demonic spirit and I took authority of the demon and was able to witness.


• I cannot tell you what language the tongues are in, except it is certainly not in the English language that I speak. Whether it is our personal prayer language or the gift of tongues, it must be done decently and in order. Don’t want to leave anyone hanging, so the gift of tongues and interpretation will be posted in another message.


• I have been speaking in tongues since 1984; not the gift where there needs to be an interpreter. Call me crazy if you want to; I am crazy about Jesus, and I believe all the Word, not certain parts of it.


Prayer directives

• We pray to God our Father. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10).


• We pray in the name of Jesus: And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you (John 16:23), and it is through the power of the Holy Spirit.


• When people say anything we can ask in Jesus’ name, it is more to it than that. There is another scripture that connects with whatever we ask in Jesus’ name: And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14). If we ask anything we want in Jesus name, it may not be according to God’s will.


• How is the Holy Spirit involved? First of all, He helps us to pray the right kind of prayers when we are yielded to Him. If we are to live a life that is pleasing to God, we need to surrender. Remember the song: “I surrender all”


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

The Awesome Wonderworking Power of the Holy Spirit 11-28-2022

• I am starting off with a caution to all born-again believers (children of God). Please do not call the Holy Spirit IT! That is calling Him an object. That is an insult. When a child of God calls the Holy Spirit IT, they are as bad as cults, who deny that He is God the Spirit and not just a thing.


Attributes of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit, or the Spirit of God

• The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Spirit (Spirit of God). For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one (1 John 5:7). Can an object bear witness to anything?


He is symbolic of the wind, meaning we cannot see Him, but we feel His power and His presence.

• When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all in one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4). That was some power!


The Holy Spirit’s involvement in creation

• The earth was without form, and void [empty]; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2). Can an object or a thing move on its own? Do objects say anything to you? If so, that is a demonic spirit.


The Holy Spirit’s involvement in salvation

• How to be born again: Jesus was answering Nicodemus’ question - “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”


• Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:5-7).


The Holy Spirit’s involvement in the birth of Jesus

• The Holy Spirit’s power overshadowed in the conception of Jesus (Luke 1:34-35). The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus to resist temptation (Matthew 4:1-11) and He empowered Jesus for public ministry (Matthew 3:16, Matthew 3:12-25), just as He does us.


The Holy Spirit’s active involvement in our lives

• Jesus said we could do nothing without Him (John 15:5); and we can not function effectively without the wonderworking Dunamis power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s power is so explosive, it’s like dynamite, that’s where the word Dunamis came from (Acts 1:8). He is our Helper/Teacher and Comforter (John 14:26), and we are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).


The unpardonable sin

• Denying who the Holy Spirit is, is blasphemy (to speak harm, to slander), which is the unpardonable sin. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come (Matthew 12:32).


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Still Giving Thanks 11-25-2022

• Two days ago, my message was about looking forward to being with loved ones on Thanksgiving Day, fellowshipping together and feasting over delicious meals. It was also written how we are looking forward to the greatest feast ever when we are at the marriage supper of the Lamb who is Jesus Christ, our Bridegroom (Revelation 19:7-9).


• Yesterday, which was Thanksgiving day, I had the most incredible experience. The Lord blessed me to be with family in two townships.


• Did I ever get a glimpse of what it is going to be like in heaven. I was so overwhelmed seeing all the food, and just looking at such a variety of dishes, including an entire table of dessert just blew me away. The look alone was so overwhelming, my stomach got full.


• I am so thankful to the Lord for the bountiful blessings that He over showered me with, by being with family and the love He poured out through them was amazing!


• With all the delicious meals and the joy that I experienced, that still cannot compare with all the millions of saints fellowshipping over the greatest meal ever with Jesus Christ.


• For anyone desires to eat at the table with Jesus Christ, they must be born-again. Jesus said: I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst (John 6:35). In other words, one must believe that Jesus died for their sins (Romans 10:9-10), and that the only way to have eternal life is through Him alone (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).


This is what we should look forward to - lyrics from a song

I'm gonna eat at the welcome table, oh, yes

I'm gonna eat at the welcome table some of these days, Hallelujah

I'm gonna eat at the welcome table

I'm gonna eat at the welcome table some of these days


Let’s continue preparing ourselves for that most delectably indescribable meal ever and remember that every day is a day of Thanksgiving.


Blessings ~ Betty A. Burnett 


“Happy Thanksgiving” from Burnett Ministries

Every Day is a Day of Thanksgiving!


• O’ give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever (Psalm 107:1). We should always be thankful for the new mercies God gives us every day.


• In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20). Having a grateful attitude despite what seems to be unfavorable circumstances, positions us for abundance of blessings.


• Offer to God thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High (Psalm 50:4). In other words, as good as God is to us, we owe our all to Him, therefore our thanks should continually be offered to the Lord God.


• Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His court with praise (Psalm 100:4). By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name (Hebrews 13:15). I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30) - Got a song in your heart? Be thankful that you can praise the Lord God; He deserves all the praises, honor and glory.


• And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body and be thankful (Colossians 3:15). When there is peace and harmony among the children of God, yokes are destroyed (Psalm 133).


• Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2) – we should be giving the Lord thanks for all the many, many prayers He has answered; for supplying our very need and for friends and family.


• If these verses are not enough for us to give thanks to God for, what is? Give thanks with a grateful heart.


Have a blessed “Thanksgiving” 

Preparing for the Thanksgiving Feast 11-23-2022

I am switching up due to this meaningful holiday week of giving thanks. Next week my regular messages will be posted again, starting with “The Awesome Wonderworking Power of the Holy Spirit”


• Thanksgiving meal typically includes turkey, bread stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. With respect to vehicular travel, the holiday is often the busiest of the year, as family members gather with one another. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on Thursday, November 24, 2022.


• What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Are you traveling to various places to be with loved ones to celebrate such a meaningful holiday? Or will you be the host that prepares the feast?


• With all this planning to visit others or prepare the meal yourself, it takes time and effort. Well, the principle is the same when we are at the great feast (marriage supper of the Lamb) with Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:7-10).


• As the song writer said:

 “Put your time in, pay day is coming after a while.” 


• When we have made preparations for the heavenly feast, no earthly meal can compare to it! We truly thank the Lord for being able to celebrate another Thanksgiving and all the joy that it brings, but we should also be looking forward to the most joyful fellowship meal ever. 


Another Gospel artist  so eloquently composed

Come over here,

Where the table is spread,

And the feast of the Lord is going on...


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

The Beginning of the Church Age 11-22-2022

• A challenge was presented to me yesterday about the church and if it was possible that the church was started with Jesus and HIS disciples instead of the book of Acts on the day of Pentecost.


• When I study, there are key words that make a difference when it comes understanding what the scriptures means.


• For instance, when Jesus told Peter: You are Peter (little rock-petra) and upon this Rock I will build My church (meaning Himself) and the gates of hell shall not prevail [to have strength] against it (Matthew 16:18). Peter was the little rock, but Jesus was The Rock (Chief Cornerstone) – Ephesians 2:20. Without the cornerstone, the building/temple would crumble – we are God’s temple/building (1 Corinthians 3:9, 16).


• There are two words that are crucial to what this verse means: From the internet. Will - The future tense with will, also simple future, is one way of talking about future events in the English language. Shall - Thus in the first person, shall simply foretells or declares what will take place; as, I or we shall ride to town on Monday. This declaration simply informs another of a fact that is to take place.


• So, when Jesus said to Peter, I will build My church and and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, He was speaking of the future. Jesus Christ was the Chief Cornerstone - For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).


• The Plan - God the Father initiated the plan (Genesis 1:26), Jesus Christ the Son carried out the plan by doing His Father’s will, For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me (John 6:38). The Holy Spirit is the power behind everything that is done. Jesus said Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you (John 16:7).


From the internet: In biblical times, a cornerstone was used as the foundation and standard upon which a building was constructed. Once in place, the rest of the building would conform to the angles and size of the cornerstone. In addition, if removed, the entire structure could collapse.


In the Bible, messianic prophecies spoke of the Messiah as the Cornerstone.

In 1 Corinthians 3:16–17, the apostle Paul hit on the true nature of the church as the body of Christ when he asked, Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are (NKJV).


• Back to me: Jesus carried out the plan of salvation through His death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:17), but it is the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of sin (John 16:8), and one must be born of the Spirit to have a new life (John 3:5-8).


• The apostles were already born-again: And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). But even with that being so, they had to wait to be empowered by the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8, 2:1-4). And that could not happen until after Jesus ascended back to heaven (Acts 1:9).


• The Holy Spirit’s power overshadowed in the conception of Jesus (Luke 1:34-35). The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus to resist temptation (Matthew 4:1-11) and He empowered Jesus for public ministry (Matthew 3:16, Matthew 3:12-25).


• Searching out the scriptures was a great delight as usual. Thanks to all of you who have enough confidence in me to know that I will do my best to find the right answers.


Next: The Awesome Wonderworking Power of the Holy Spirit


Blessings ~ Betty A. Burnett

“The First Will be Last and the Last Will be First?” 11-21-2022

I hear this quote regularly and it is sad that many children of God don’t know what this scripture means.


• Let’s see what and who the Word of God is speaking about when it says the first will be last and the last will be first (Matthew 20:16). In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel was God’s chosen and special people.


These are scriptures that confirm who and what the nation of Israel were to God.

• The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.


• Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands (Deuteronomy 7:7-9).


• These are scriptures to confirm why the Nation of Israel as a whole lost their status of being first with God. Before going to the scriptures, this needs to be clarified; there are some Messianic Jews, meaning that they accepted Christ as their Messiah.


The scriptures about the Jews rejecting Christ as Messiah.

• He came to His own and His own did not receive Him (John 1:11). One week they cried out and called Jesus “Hosanna in the Highest” (Matthew 21:9) and the next week the said “Crucify Him, crucify Him” (Luke 23:21).


• But as many as received Him, He gave them power to become the sons of God (John 1:12). With that being so, the sons (daughters) of God are the church who became first with God. Who is the church? They are the called-out ones (ecclesia).


• Jesus said, on this Rock (Himself) I will build My church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). How did the church begin? It began on the day of Pentecost (Acts, chapter 2).


• How was the church built and who was it built on? The church was built on the apostles and prophets with Jesus Himself being the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). This refers back to Matthew 16:18, when Jesus told Peter he was the little rock (Petra), who was one of the apostles the church was built on.


• For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son and whoever believes in Him shall not perish but will have eternal life (John 3:16). Will you receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord? (Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9) - If so you will be one of millions that are the first.


Blessings ~ Betty A. Burnett 

Some Pictures are Worth Thousands of Words! 11-20-2022

• What can be said about a young girl who has grown up to be a young lady with so many qualities. Am I bragging? Of course, I am! Just as I brag about other family and friends who have achieved what I call greatness at an early age.


• Maica’s story was posted on my blog page a few months ago, but I feel it is noteworthy to post about her beauty.


• She is precious. This young lady means so much to so many of us.


• Maica is loved and adored; she is kind-hearted, respectful and she loves everybody! She also has a passion to help others.


• What about stunning? Of course, she is so impressive and attractive.


• Do you think Maica’s beauty is only skin deep? No, it is not. “She is beautiful on the inside and it flows outward.


• Breath taking! When I saw her pictures last night I was astonished and in awe at Maica’s beauty.


• I said some pictures are worth thousands of words. Well, I am not using thousands of words today, because Maica’s pictures speak for themselves.


• I am so sure her parents, twin sisters, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and other relatives are proud of her.


• My words of wisdom for Maica and all of you wonderful and awesome young people, stay humble in your pursuits and God will take you places you never could dream of.


• In closing with this Sunday message, what can you do to help someone? Will people be able to say, not only is my picture worth a thousand words, but they can also say my deeds were worth ten thousand words.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Poppy’s Story – 11-18-2022

Introduction

• What can be said about a little one who is already on the rise? Poppy is the daughter of her proud mother, Aneesha DuBois. Her story is just beginning, and we can already see a bright future. Who knows where the Lord is going to take her. Meet Poppy!


Poppy Taylor

Poppy was born in July 2019 and is being raised bi-coastal in Los Angeles, California and the Washington, DC-area. She is the inspiration behind the brand/children’s book series “Passport Poppy” which details her little travels around the world. “Passport Poppy: At Home” is available now at PassportPoppy.com and the second installment, “Passport Poppy: In Paris” will be released in December 2022.


• She is the sweetest three-year-old who gives the squishiest hugs. Poppy is a light and quite rising star having recently been cast in the Honor The Gift Holiday 2022 campaign with a marketing billboard in Los Angeles, CA.


Aneesha’s words 

I would say that parents can take away redefined purpose for themselves. Having Poppy has expanded my creativity into children’s content. Something that never crossed my thoughts before.


• And young ones can take away the joy and privilege of being young and free. Be silly, yell your energy out, spin around until you’re dizzy.


• Much thanks to Aneesha for allowing Poppy’s story to be posted on Burnett Ministries blog page


 ~ Betty A. Burnett ~


Aneesha’s Story 11-17-2022

Introduction

Aneesha is extremely talented, and she uses her God-given abilities to make a difference in the lives of others. I am so happy she is sharing her story to motivate others to persevere despite the obstacles that will come in their lives. It gives me great pleasure to introduce my niece, Aneesha.


Aneesha DuBois

I was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey and raised in Pleasantville, one town over, where I attended pre-school through high school. I graduated from Pleasantville High School in 2002, and furthered my education at Norfolk State University in Virginia where I graduated in 2006 with a degree in Mass Communications.


I happily graduated with a job in my field and began my career at Music Choice in New York City as a Programming Coordinator. From there, my professional career has spanned across music, sports, pop culture, fashion and voice acting. I held roles as a Writer for Clear Channel Communications, Hip Hop Weekly and AllHipHop.com. 


I then moved to the DC-area where I was a Production Coordinator at NBC Sports Washington in Bethesda, MD before fulfilling my dream of moving to Los Angeles and becoming an Associate Producer at E! News. After which, I switched careers and became the Public Relations Director for fashion brands Wildfox and Australian Fashion Labels, respectively.


I soon decided I wanted to become a full-time creative and a brand within myself. My thought was that if I could promote these multi-million-dollar fashion brands and get them out into the world, why couldn’t I do that for myself and a company all my own? So in 2019, I co-founded luxury ecommerce retailer Well(un)known which focuses on emerging fashion brands where I serve as the site's Creative Director. In addition to the above, I recently authored two books: a self-help journal entitled "It Always Works in Your Favor" and a children's book series entitled "Passport Poppy" that details my young daughter's travels around the world. My third book, “Passport Poppy: In Paris” will release December 2022.


I am also a Public Relations Consultant for fashion brand Los Angeles Apparel, created by the founder of American Apparel, an Adjunct Professor at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles where I teach an 'Intro to PR' course, and a voiceover actor for Nickelodeon, Mattel (Barbie, American Girl), “Enchantimals, “Rainbow High,” video games, several films on Netflix and more.


I am also honored to now be a featured public speaker. I recently delivered the Commencement speech at my alma mater, Pleasantville High School, and spoke to students at my university during Mass Communications & Journalism week.


What the readers can take away – The old saying “Jack of all trades, Master of none” is not true. You already have everything you need to be successful. And you can absolutely master many things so long as you stay prepared, gain experience, and stay persistent and fearless in your pursuit.


Thank you Aneesha for sharing your story on Burnett Ministries blog ~ Betty A. Burnett

What Will Your Story or Testimony Be? 11-16-2022

• Several of my sisters and brothers in Christ and some family members have shared their testimony through my ministry blog: Burnettministries.org and people around the globe have been blessed and encouraged. Each testimony ministered to whoever the Lord had ordained for it to be reached.


• I am overjoyed at your willingness to share your story. Do you know that for each experience (all different) that we go through is for someone else to be delivered and set free? I also have many nieces and nephews that have great success stories, some I have asked to share their story and others have not been approached yet.


• When I say many nieces and nephews, many of them who are family connected in the north have called me “Aunt Betty” for years. They don’t look at me as family connected, we consider each other blood kin because of our love for one another. Actually, we are all kin and of the same blood through Adam, our forefather.


• I want to pause and say thanks to each of you for loving and respecting me, and most of you do not let any differences separate or change our love bond. And that is why I care so much about ya’ll that your success story is important to me.


• Some of you have your own businesses, have your PHD, Master’s degree, are serving on ministries in church, in the political field and so on. Regardless of what it may be, it is a great story that will bless, encourage, and motivate someone else.  This is not about tooting your horn; I want to see God glorified by your story.


• The Word of God tells us this. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem [think more highly of] others better than himself (Philippians 2:3). It certainly gives me great joy to see others prospering in their pursuits.


• In the future I will reach out again and ask you to share your story. Not sharing a story/testimony is like hiding the great things that have been accomplished through your God given abilities. Also, when you’ve been delivered from strongholds that had you bound, or whatever God set you free from (diseases, addictions, etc.), that is something to praise and give God the glory for. 


• Again, to all of you who shared in the past, to God be all the praises, honor, and glory for allowing Him to use you.


Coming Thursday and Friday - Aneesha and Poppy’s stories.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Some Phenomenal “Prophetesses” in the Old and New Testament 11-15-2022

• There have been some differences about some gifts that are no longer functioning today and that women are not to hold certain offices. People can believe what they want to believe, but I believe every Word of God to be true and His Word does not change (Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 6:18).


• What happened to the gifts and calling being irrevocable, (Romans 11:29)? - meaning they are not able to be changed. It seems that some people are trying to make God a liar. Who gives anyone the right to pick and choose what is and what is not when it comes to the Bible.


• The problem is, too many people are leaning to their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). When that happens God is left out, because He is not being trusted.


These are the prophetesses that I have found listed in the Bible.

Miriam, Moses’ sister – And Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron took a timbrel in her hand and all the women went out after her with timbrel and with dances. And Miriam answered them and said, sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously. He has thrown the horse and its rider in the sea (Exodus 15:20-21). This happened after God brought the Israelites across the Rea Sea on dry land.


• Miriam was also a praiser and she led the other praisers. Who would not praise God after such a great deliverance from their enemies. All of us have something to praise God for, because He’s been good to us.


Deborah - judge and prophetess. And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time (Judges 4:4).


• Huldah – And Hilkiah and those the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess …. (Now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college) and they communed with her (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22). Why would a man go to a woman to reveal things to him?


• I found this on the internet. Huldah was recognized as a prophetess, and she could reveal the heart and mind of God. She knew the word of God and could declare it. I am in total agreement with what I found because it is exactly what prophets did and still do (they reveal the mind of God), whether they are male or female.


Wife of Isaiah - And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, call his name Mahershalalhashbaz (Isaiah 8:3).


• Before going further, I looked at a footnote by a well-known scholar who concluded that God did use certain women in the prophetic, but he said they did not have an ongoing ministry in the gift. He went on to say that no woman authored any of the sixty-six books.. How did he know their gift was not ongoing (Philippians 1:6) ? Is He God?


• Anna - Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess…. and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings, and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-38).


• Philip’s four daughters prophesied (Acts 21:8-9). Sons and daughters shall prophesy (Joel 2:28-29), spoken by Peter in Acts 2:15-18, But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel - And it shall come to pass in the last days …..sons and daughters shall prophesy.


• The last days began at the beginning of the church age on the day of Pentecost and they will not cease until Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Jesus Christ gave gifts to the church, which included prophets/prophetesses (Ephesians 4:11). If that were not true, then I am a false prophetess.


• Beware! Every prophetess is not of God, just as some teachers, apostles, male prophets are not of God, so watch out! Jezebel was a false prophetess (Revelation 2:20).


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Some “Phenomenal Women” in the Church Age 11-14-2022

Let’s see what is happening in some churches today, when it comes to females being in ministry.


• If Jesus Christ used women in ministry, and had friends who were females why should things be different today? If we are to model Christ, this aspect of His life should be modeled also.


• These are some of the phenomenal women used after the church age began and which will continue until Christ returns (Philippians 1:6). If that is not true, then men would not be used either. Why would the ministry of women stop and the ministry of men continue?


Some Phenomenal Women

Priscilla was the wife of Aquilla. They were apostles and teachers in their home. They traveled with the Apostle Paul, who described them as his "fellow workers in Christ Jesus" (Romans 16:3).


• Priscilla and Aquila are described in the New Testament as providing a presence that strengthened the early Christian churches. Paul was generous in his recognition and acknowledgment of his indebtedness to them (Romans 16:3–4).


• Together, they are credited with instructing Apollos. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So, he began to speak boldly in the synagogue.


• When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately(Acts 18:24-26). They also had a church in their home (1 Corinthians 16:19). Perhaps this is why some churches have cell groups, small groups, and home Bible studies.


Phoebe

• I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant [deaconess] of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also (Romans 16:1-2).


Lois and Eunice

• I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also (2 Timothy 1:3-5). 


• Paul was encouraging Timothy about his faith and bringing to Timothy’s remembrance of how he was taught at an early age by his mother and grandmother.


Women Mentors

• But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.


Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled (Titus 2:2-5).


• I would like to say to all you of you beautiful sisters in Christ, daughters of God our Father, be thankful that we are not less than anybody. Why can’t all of us just call each other brothers and sisters…..just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him (2 Peter 3:15), that’s respectful!


• Since this message today was about “Phenomenal Women” in the church age, tomorrow I will post a message about female prophetesses from the Old Testament to the New Testament.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

We are  Letters – Somebody is Reading Us 11-13-2022

• Many of you have not heard that statement before, but according to the Word of God, we are epistles which means the same thing as letter. I will call you a book, since many people like to read books.


• I will use the word book, since many people read more books than letters. The books are being compared to opening up the Bible and reading it?


• There are many books, some are short and some are long, but whatever the case, if someone likes a book, they will read all of its contents. How about the Bible? How much of an interest do you have in it? The truth is, the Bible should be the main book that a child of God should read.


• The reason the Bible is so important is because everything that pertains to life is written in the sixty-six books. Whatever one has a need for, they can find it in the Bible.


Example

• How do you know about healing if you don’t read the Bible? Someone may tell you about healing, but do they take you to the Word of God and show you what is written (Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 8:17, 1 Peter 2:24), and are you sure they are telling you the truth, or with the right motives?


• Make sure people are reading you from the right view; that you are rightly dividing the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) and that your light is so shining (Matthew 5:16); you may be the only Bible they will read.


• And are you a living testimony of how God healed you or how He delivered you from different kinds of bondage? Do your buddies from your past see a change in your life, a letter that encourages them to see the goodness of God in your life (Romans 2:4).


This is how people read us.

• Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart (2 Corinthians 3:3). God has made us His living epistles for the whole world to read.


• The question is, if someone reads us, would they enjoy reading us, or would they be turned off because the letter was all scrambled up, confusing, or smeared with hypocrisy. People will give reviews by telling others that the book was bad and that it was not worth reading.


Something to consider – You are a letter and someone is reading you every day and everywhere you go.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

“Be Still and Know that I AM God” 11-12-2022

• This is a Word from the Lord. Lately, I have been posting differently on the weekend; the posts are not my week-day messages. However, while I was pondering in my heart what would be of some encouragement to the reader, this is what the Spirit of God said: “Be Still and Know that I AM God”

I got up and went in the living room and looked at my clock that says: Be still and know that I AM God - Psalm 46:10

• He told me to write this. Even though the Spirit was speaking to me, it was for somebody that read my messages. Somebody could mean many, a few or just one, only the Spirit of God knows who it is for.


• Usually when the Spirit gives me a word for someone, I take it directly to them privately but for today, He told me to deliver the word this way. That is why we are not to box God in, because His ways are different than ours.


• This is the word: “Somebody is moving too fast, and you need to slow down. It is necessary for you to hear what the Spirit is saying. Do not make another move at what you are pursuing until you get clear instructions, which will confirm what direction to go in.”


• Somehow you have gotten off track, you may or may not know it, or you may be confused as to what you are supposed to do.


1) You may know that you are off and choose to continue because it will be embarrassing to you to admit you jumped ahead of God.


2) You may even be confused when it comes to what direction to go in. In other words, you are not sure what you’re supposed to do.


3) You may not know it and that is the reason it is being revealed to you through this word.”


• Whoever this word is for, God loves you and He wants the best for you. It is not too late to get on track; just fix it with God and start moving in the right direction.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~  

Honoring Veterans 11-11-2022

• I was supposed to post part two of some “Phenomenal Women” in the New Testament, but it slipped my mind about Veterans Day, which is celebrated every November 11th.


• Because I believe in giving honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7), we commend you for your service. These men and women deserve to remembered, and we thank them from the depth of our hearts.


• Many veterans are no longer here, including my dad and some other family members. However, to those who are reading this message today, thank you!


• Burnett Ministries salute you today, and you will never be forgotten. Jesus said this to those who served with the abilities given to them, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21, 23).


We also thank you veterans for “A service well done”

God bless you!


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Some “Phenomenal Women” of God in the Old Testament 11-10-2022

• As I share this message with the readers, it is out of concern as to the way a distinction is shown in the body of Christ when it comes to how women are looked at. Being a female myself, I can write like this because of my personal experience, especially in ministry.


• My desire is to encourage all of you beautiful women of God our Father of how awesome and wonderfully you are made by God (Psalm 139:14). You are God’s masterpieces (Ephesians 2:10). You are vessels of honor, who have set yourselves apart for our Master’s use (2 Timothy 2:21).

We, holy women of God are made to be compatible (able to exist without conflict) to the holy men of God.


These women were very instrumental in the lives of men. Let’s see what the Word of God says about those who are the called and how the role of the male and the female is as important as the other.


• Eve was the mother of all living and her husband Adam was the father of the human race and it took both of them to bring forth their children. Each role is as important as the other. There would be no Cain Abel if Adam had not cohabitated with his wife Eve (Genesis 4:1).


• Sarah was the mother of Isaac, the son of promise; it took her and Abraham to produce Isaac. The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac (Genesis 21:1-3).


• Rahab - But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho (Joshua 6:25). Without the Lord God using her, it wouldn’t have been possible because God calls the ones He chooses to.


• Esther was a Jew who married a king to save her people the Israelites (Esther, chapters 5-10).


• Mary - And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:28-35). She was a normal woman born in sin just as every human being except Jesus Christ; He who knew no sin became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21).


Mary Magdalene - When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons (Mark 16:9). Not only did Mary Magdalene become one of His number one Jesus’ followers, she and other women were the first one to tell the apostles that He had risen from the dead (Luke 24:10).


The truth is, all of us females played a major role in men’s lives.

• On that note, who gives anybody the right to belittle females who God made just as He made males. Does God show a distinction? The only difference is the role. What is meant by the role? A man was not made to do what a woman does, and a woman was not made to do what a man does. 


We respect each other, but nobody should put another on a pedestal.

• History tells us that in some areas women were second class citizens. Perhaps that is the reason some people think that women should not function in certain roles in ministry.


• Yet, after Jesus Christ came on the scene, that changed. In other words, Jesus went against the grain. So, why are so many people holding on to what Jesus Christ changed?


Come back tomorrow for Part Two of “Phenomenal Women” in the Church Age


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

A Challenge to the Awesome Men of God 11-9-2022

• After the message about encouraging the men to take their rightful positions, I felt this would be suitable as a piggy-back to present this challenge to these awesome men of God.


• Do you have a problem with how God uses others? Some people had problems with Paul: But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming (Act 13:45).


• Do you judge who God calls? Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand (Romans 14:14).


• Do you show distinction or a difference to those God calls? God does not show respect of persons (Romans 2:11), and there is neither male nor female, but we are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).


• The moral of this message is for the awesome men of God to stay focused on their own call to fulfill their destiny. Also encourage others as they persevere to fulfill their call. Fix your eyes on Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).


Come again tomorrow. You don’t want to miss the message about “Some Phenomenal Women” of God.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

God Wants His Men to Take Their Rightful Position 11-8-2022

• There are so many men today who are not doing what God called them to do. This message is to encourage the men of God to walk in your calling.


• Be what God said you are, not what you think you are, because you could be thinking too little or too much of yourself. Don’t even be what somebody wants you to be or what they may say you are unless it is confirmed.


These are example of a few men that functioned in their call despite their weaknesses. They dealt with fears and apprehensions just as other humans do, but God saw them differently.

Joshua (name means Jehovah-Savior) - Although Joshua was a minister of Moses, he did not feel qualified enough to fill Moses shoes. But God spoke to him and told Joshua that He would always be with him: I will be with you, I will not fail you leave you nor forsake you (Joshua 1:5).


• The Lord further encouraged Joshua by saying: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid neither be dismayed for the Lord God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). Who do you think led the Israelites into the promised land? Read the book of Joshua to get full details.


Caleb (name means “faithful,” “whole-hearted,” “bold,” or “brave.” Some people also think that it might mean “devotion to God”). I am sure Caleb had weaknesses as we all do, but he and Joshua were the only two of the twelve men that were sent to spy out the land.


• They believed what God promised about giving the Israelites the land flowing with milk and honey (Numbers 14:6-9). When Caleb was eighty-five years old he was strong as he was forty five years earlier (Joshua 14:8-11).


• Samson (name means bright as the sun). He had incredible strength given to him by God, but he had a weakness (Read Judges, chapters 14-16). Even though there were consequences for his actions, God’s love did not change for Samson and neither does His love change for us when we are outside of His will (Hebrews 12:6-11).


Elijah (name means the Lord is my God). He came against all the prophets of Jezebel and saw the mighty hand of God (1 Kings, chapter 18), yet he became fearful when she threatened his life (He was on her hit list) –(1 Kings, chapter 19). Did God love him less because of his weakness? Of course not! For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14).


• Paul the apostle (name means small or humble). He considered himself the least of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9), yet his writings surpassed any known writer in the Bible. Paul did some horrible things against the church before he was born-again, but God called him despite his sins (Acts 9:1-19), just as He called us while we were sinners. But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).


• You may not minister like others because everybody is different, but God has put greatness in all of His children. Be the greatest you can be, and that is being like Jesus Christ! So meek and lowly, so humble and holy, Oh how I long to be like Him.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Above All, Get Understanding 11-7-2022

• This message is for those who do not understand what it means to enjoy the best things God has for His children. It is also a follow-up to the “Enjoying the Best of Life.” I am writing this way to help the readers understand the Word of God and have a balanced life. It is evident by the readership that many people have not heard this is their church.


• I sensed that some people had a problem with the post, so it is a challenge to people who profess to be born-again and think that it is wrong for us to go to different events.


Let’s see if some things are better than others.

• What about the way some women are going to church with their daisy duke shorts and mini skirts, boobs hanging out. In other words, they are almost naked. Some men are just as bad, saggy pants, dressed like body builders and Lord only knows what else.


• How about those who go to church, jump, and shout, leave and right back into doing whatever pleases their flesh. And some worldly words that are being used in the house of God are totally out of line.


The Word of God

• Likewise, also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire…. But that which becomes women professing godliness with good works (1 Timothy 2:9-10).


What I believe these verses mean

• Women are not supposed to dress seductively or make it look as though they are trying to entice someone. Also, it is not necessary to dress to impress, or use credit cards to buy outfits that are unaffordable (I did this years ago and got in trouble with the credit card company, because I was living above my means, trying to keep up with the Jones’).


• God is not pleased when His sons and daughters spend more time on trying to look good than focusing more on Him. When that happens, they are putting something else before Him and whatever that something is, becomes the person’s god.


• After reading the message, tell me something, is it better to a go to an event that is not ungodly or is it okay for people to carry themselves any kind of way in the house of God. Where is the respect? All that lust going on in the house of God and people are acting like they are in a nightclub, getting their groove on, while being entertained in a worldly atmosphere. This also applies to some of those in ministry. People follow by example, so, what kind of example are you?


• My point is, before anyone judges others for going to an event that is not ungodly, they need to check themselves first (Matthew 7:1). While these people are judging others, someone is judging them. What goes around comes around. Those who look through a mirror darkly don’t see themselves, they have the wrong perception.


• I am overjoyed to know that God gave me all things that are in His will to enjoy richly (1 Timothy 6:17b).


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Dirty Jokes 11-6-2022

• Yesterday, the message was about using curse words, bad words or filthy language and how those words should not come out of a saved person’s mouth. Today’s message is in conjunction with yesterday’s message.


• It is important to know that coarse jesting (dirty jokes) are not accepted in the believer’s life as well as other things mentioned in the verses prior to that one.


These are the scriptures

• Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.


• But among you there must not be even a hint [named among you] of sexual immorality [engaged in sex outside of marriage], or of any kind of impurity, or of greed [intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power- my words, gambling] because these are improper for God’s holy people.


• Nor should there be obscenity [obscene behavior, language, or images], foolish talk, or coarse joking [indecent, or vulgar language to amuse], which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:1-4).


• Remember this, the writer is talking to the children of God. If you hang around people who profess to be saved and are doing these things, the best thing to do is remove yourself from those who practice all these sins. They say, birds of a feather flock together. You will be labeled the same as those who do the things listed in the verses above.


 • Christians can have fun and laugh about things that are ungodly. A merry heart is good like medicine (Proverbs 17:22), and pleasant words [not dirty jokes] are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones (Proverbs 16:24).] are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones (Proverbs 16:24). 


• Why don’t we give thanks to God for being so good to us, for saving our souls, instead of acting like those who are not saved. If you are truly born-again, there should be a change and you and all those who knew your past can say, that person sure is different. 


• Paul said: Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.


• And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:10-11).


Something to consider: How would you feel if you had children and they treat you the way you treat God?


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Watch Your Mouth! 11-5-2022

• It’s all around me, I hear people who profess to be born-again using those bad words, curse words, filthy language.


• If we say we are saved, there should be some sign. Matthew 5:16 says – Let your light so shine that others may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven, that includes what comes out of our mouths.


• People are watching and listening to us. You might say: “I don’t care what people say about me” This is a prideful attitude and foul language is not funny or cute, and it is definitely not innocent. It really makes you look bad. When you are using foul language, do you care what God says about it?


Perhaps you don’t know what God says, so I will tell you.

• No foul [corrupt] language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).


• I used to be a notorious curser! After I got saved those words were still coming out of my mouth. But, as time went on and the Spirit of God was dealing with, things gradually changed. Sometimes when something comes up out of the blue (suddenly), a word may still come out, but immediately I asked God to forgive me.


• He lets me know that I have not arrived, there is no bragging that I never say a bad word. We must be careful when we say that will not happen again. The Word says: Therefore, let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).


• While standing, remember to keep a humble (lowly) attitude, for whoever exalts himself will be humbled (Matthew 23:12). Meek, and lowly, humble, and holy is what pleases the Lord.


• Take away – Old habits are hard to break, but with the help of the Lord deliverance does come, and one must desire to be set free from anything that causes others to question our walk with the Lord.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

A Friday Consideration – Waiting for “Mr. Right?” 11-4-2022

 • To all of my beautiful sisters who are still single and desire a mate (not partner). God knows who you need and He also has a perfect timing for that awesome man of God to arrive in your life.


• Marriage is a principle that started from the very beginning of the human race and it remains the same today. God made Eve for Adam, and He has the perfect mate for you.


• And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:22-24).


• It may seem as though this is contradictory when we read: A man that finds a wife finds a good thing (Proverbs 18:22), opposed to God bringing the woman to the man. This happened in creation only. Other scriptures confirm, support, and relate to the man finding the woman.


Example

Abraham sent his servant to get his son Isaac a wife (Rebekah)-(Genesis, chapter 24). The principle is the same today.


• This message is for women who are still waiting for “Mr. Right” to come along. This is how it works: A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor with the Lord (Proverbs 18:22). How is that so? The man is seeking the Lord (Holy Spirit) for guidance (Psalm 5:3). He is allowing the Lord to order his steps (Psalm 119:105, 133), the Spirit will guide you…..(John 16:13).


• For all you sisters who are waiting, remember that good things come to the those who wait – Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He will strengthen your heart, wait, I say on the Lord (Psalm 27:14), because in waiting God is setting you up for something great!


• Want some icing on your cake? It was Jesus Christ who God the Father sent to get a bride for Himself (the body of Christ). This means born-again believers, whether male or female are Christ’s bride. When it comes to God, there is neither male nor female (Galatians 3:26-28).


• I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin [true church] to him (2 Corinthians 11:2).


And Christ is coming to get His bride soon

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

Fine linen, bright and was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! And he added, These are the true words of God (Revelation 19:7-9)


Dearly beloved sisters in Christ, God has put greatness in you and He want the greatest (the absolute best) for you!


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

 Called by God? Does Age Matter When It Comes to Ministry? 11-2-2022

I am sharing about a few people that the Lord called to certain positions/assignments.


• Joseph was seventeen years old when he was sold to the Midianites and they took him to Egypt (Genesis 37:2). Joseph went through some hardships before being raised to second in command in Egypt when he was thirty years old (Genesis 41:41-46).


• What I gather from Joseph’s story is this: Being lied on and thrown into prison was a part of the Lord developing him into a great leader. Even though the Lord had revealed future things to Joseph in dreams years earlier, he did not understand them until they actually started happening.


Example: He told his father that the family would be bowing to him, and this made his brothers  angry and they began to hate him. And they seized the opportunity to get rid of him (Genesis, chapter 37).


Samuel was a youngster when He heard the voice of the Lord. He was being mentored by a priest named Eli when God called him (1 Samuel, chapter 3). According to history he was around the age of ten or eleven. Yet he was thirty eight years old before he functioned as a judge 1 Samuel 7:17), and in the office of prophet (1 Samuel 3:20, 1 Samuel 9:19), and a priest (1 Samuel 7:9-10).


• And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied (1 Samuel 19:20). This scripture is said to be “Samuel was over the schools of prophets.”


• David was a young shepherd boy when he was anointed as king of Israel (2 Samuel 16:10-13). However, he was thirty years old before he actually reigned as king of Israel (2 Samuel 5:4).


• Several kings reigned on the throne in Israel at an early age. Example: Joash sat on his father’s throne at the age of seven (2 Chronicles 24:1). These young kings had counsel like the rich people who have guardians to help train their kids. Therefore, at a young age they were being trained to fill the role of their fathers.


Let’s talk about Jesus: And the child [Jesus] grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him (Luke 2:40).


• Jesus’ parents found Him after three days in the temple sitting in the midst of doctors and He was answering their questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers (Luke 2:45-47). But His public ministry did not start until He was thirty years old (Luke 3:23).


• When Jesus called His disciples, they were adults. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman. “Come, follow me, ” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him (Matthew 4:18-20).


• Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James, son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him (Matthew 4:21-22). And Jesus taught His disciples for three and a half years (Matthew 5:2).


• My point is, everybody called by God has to be trained. People may sound good, but the Spirit will not be involved in anything that contrary to the Word of God. For instance, the Word says whatever the ministry is, wait on it (Romans 12:7). It is so sad that many people jump ahead of God or they may not be called into that particular ministry.


• The Bible also warns about being a novice, one who has recently become a Christian because they get puffed up with pride (1 Timothy 3:6). It is good to know the Word of God for yourself, and then when something comes up that looks like it’s right, you will be able to discern what it really is.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Enjoying the Best of Life 11-1-2022

• Camcare and Aetna went over the top when they partnered together to provide an enjoyable evening for the older but young in heart, called “Senior Prom.’ Some of those seniors were dressed to kill, they were decked out and Wow! They could dance!


• Some people say nothing is free, although it may be said by the giver that it is free, while others say the best things in life are free. This is the point that I want to make today.


• Various types of professional sports/games, concerts, and most events cost something. Some churches even take up offerings for certain events, but I experienced a completely free evening of enjoyment. In other words, as some say, “It didn’t cost me a dime”


• Hundreds of dollars are spent for various events and the people don’t have a problem spending all that money for enjoyment. How about an evening of fun and excitement, which was cost-free!


• To set the record straight, some people think it is wrong to go out and have a good time. People have been doing the electric slide and the line dance for years, especially at wedding receptions.


• This was my first time being an occasion like this except for wedding receptions, and it was enjoyable, and without alcohol, which made it even more enjoyable, clean fun.


• Celebrations, including dancing, music and wine have been happening for thousands of years. Jesus attended a wedding celebration and He turned water to wine - the first miracle recorded (John 2:6-11). Since Jesus Himself was a Jew, He followed the Jewish customs. Why do you think the pharisees called Jesus a winebibber [wine drinker] (Luke 7:34)?


• Those hypocrites damned John the Baptist and called him a devil and he didn’t drink wine. They also called Jesus a winebibber, along with other names like Beelzebub [lord of flies, devil] (Matthew 10:25). Their hearts were evil and they tried every way they could to make Jesus look bad. When it comes to hypocrites they find everything wrong with everybody but themselves, especially when it comes to the children of God (Matthew 5:10-11).


• To all of those who say that wine in Jesus’ time was not fermented, why did Paul write: Do not be drunk with wine whereas in excess but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).


• When it comes to getting drunk, not being a good manager over what God has entrusted to us will be coming up soon.


• Now to how God has given us all things to richly enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). That means whatever in in conjunction with His Word. "all" in the sense of "each (every) part that applies." It is not for the rich children of God to enjoy only; they should spread their riches so others can enjoy life.


Example

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33). What things? Whatever things are good for us. God knows what each of us needs.


• Whatever God gives me to enjoy, I am definitely going to take advantage of it, because God has given you and me all things that lines up with His will for us to enjoy.


Enjoying a balanced life ~ Betty A. Burnett

Going to Heaven on a Title? 10-30-2022

• Someone sent me a flyer with this on it:


• Well done, my good and faithful – Pastor, Bishop, Evangelist, Apostle, Preacher, Missionary, Teacher, Singer, Worship Leader, all had a red X covering them, except Servant.


• The person who sent it knows how I feel about titles and I said: “That is awesome;” because this is what I put emphasis on regularly when it comes to titles.


• I noticed that prophet, reverend, dr. of divinity was not on the list. Paul the apostle was only person that I know of who stated what his calling was, and that was because of his past.


• From the internet: Yes — he was an apostle of Jesus Christ and had authority given to him by Christ. But Paul first emphasized that he too was merely a servant of the Lord. Paul needed the gospel of Christ the same as everyone in Rome — the same as every person today.


• No matter what you have done, you can still be reached by the grace and mercy of God. Why did Paul introduce himself as an apostle? Because he is not personally familiar with the Roman church, Paul begins his letter by introducing himself. He has been “called to be an apostle,” and his mission is “to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles” (1:1–5).


Additionally

• It is not uncommon to find an apostle referring to himself as a slave [servant] of Christ in the New Testament. Paul did so (Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1).


• On that note, how many of those who add a title (at least they consider it a title) to their name really understand that it is not necessary.


• Did Jesus Christ put Reverend Jesus (He deserves to be revered to the highest), 

Dr. Jesus (although He was a spiritual doctor -Acts 10:38), 

Apostle Jesus and Prophet Jesus (the church was founded on the apostles and the prophets with Jesus Christ Himself being the chief Cornerstone - Ephesians 2:20), 

 Evangelist Jesus (He preached repentance (Matthew 4:17), 

Jesus was Pastor/Shepherd (John 10:11), 

Jesus was the teacher of teachers (Matthew 5:1-2).


• Jesus was/is chief in everything, He functioned in all office gifts (Ephesians 4:11). Jesus had the Spirit without measure [unlimited] – (John 3:34).


• If we are to allow Jesus Christ to be our example, why are we doing what He didn’t do? Jesus humbled Himself and God highly exalted Christ and gave Him a name above all names – LORD (Philippians 2:5-11).


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Should Born-again Believers Celebrate Halloween? 10-31-2022

• I searched out the history of Halloween and have known for years that the children of God should not compromise their beliefs and get caught up into the evils of it.


For a born-again believer to celebrate Halloween, it is like oil and water; they don’t mix

• Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship does righteousness have with unrighteousness. And what communion does light have with darkness? And what concord [unison] does Christ have with Belial [Satan]? Or what part a believer with an unbeliever? And what concord has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of God…. Come from among them and be separate says the Lord…. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).


Partial Scofield footnote on Verse 17

• The underlying principle that in a moral universe, it is impossible for God to fully bless and use His children who are in compromise or complicity (state of being involved with others in wrongdoing) with evil.


• For many years, some churches have an alternate way of celebrating what they call it “Hallelujah Night.”


• The choice is yours, but my choice is like Joshua’s: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15b). [As for me, I will serve the Lord].


Warning

There are always consequences for not obeying God, and it shows how intimate you are with Him. Jesus said: If you love Me keep My commandments (John 14:15).

Come out from them is a command!


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

What Fools Can’t See 10-29-2022

• I had this strong feeling to take pictures, and to post them with a message that would relate to some of God’s creation. A few days later a friend and I were walking on a sun shiny day, we took more pictures and were amazed at the difference between the pictures that were taken on different days but we were still able to capture the beauty.


• This morning it was impressed upon me to write this after admiring some of God’s creation and I remembered the poem


“Trees”

I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree, A tree that looks at God all day And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.” Quote by Joyce Kilmer


From that quote in the poem, this is what the Bible says about those who do not honor God


• A fool says in his heart there is no God (Psalm 14:1).


• Everybody knows there is a God, they see it through all His mighty creative acts (Romans 1:21-32), therefore, they are without excuse. Professing to be wise, they became fools (verse 22).• 


• What happens to a fool? He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly [lack of good sense] he shall go astray (Proverbs 5:23).


• If you are born-again, nothing on this earth will be able to compare with the glory we shall experience in the eternal realm. Everything old will be made new (Revelation, chapter 21). It is so awesome how we can see God’s beauty in a sinful atmosphere, but it will totally glorious when all things are made new, including us; we will have new bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).


• Praise God for being our Elohim, Creator God. Praise God for being our true and living God. Praise God for being God our Savior. Praise God that we will be with Him forever.


"Trees Praise"  through their movement! Let's praise the Lord God Almighty!


~ Betty A. Burnett ~



A Living Testimony! 10-28-2022

• I felt this would be a blessing especially after I shared about “Walking in Victory” yesterday. The testimony is to praise God my Father and to encourage my brothers and sisters.


• These are situations that came up after I relocated to New Jersey. There has been one medical appointment after the other. This is normal being in a new location with a fresh start, which includes seeing new doctors.


• Several appointments were made in addition to getting established with a PCP, dentist, optometrist, and the annual mammogram. It started with my shoulder and I had to see an orthopedic doctor, and he wanted me to see a sports doctor for therapy, but something else came up that took priority over me seeing the sports doctor.


• One doctor said I was pre-diabetic, which threw me into shock, my PCP said I was not pre-diabetic. She also said encouraging words that I have a good fifteen more years. Yet, upon her recommendation, I ended up seeing a Nephrologist (kidney specialist) because of the kidney stage.


• Then a problem came up with my left foot, diagnosis was plantar fasciitis (inflammation) on my left heel. Inserts were prescribed and had to purchase a better brand of sneakers and I was in physical therapy. I am scheduled to have x-rays of the foot in a couple of weeks.


• Praise report! What was supposed to be six weeks of therapy for my foot only took three weeks!


Why? Because I believed by faith for my foot to be healed and it happened faster than was expected. I was praying, my prayer partners were praying and I spoke life (healing) over my foot every day, as well as for all the other things that were going on in my body, including carpal tunnel, it’s gone!


• I changed my diet, but still held on to the chocolate, started walking more and am now in a Zumba class.


• Back to the Nephrologist- After looking at the results from previous tests, he told me the kidney stage was not at a danger level and do what was required to keep the levels normal. But there were questions about two other levels that were high.


• The Nephrologist ordered all kinds of blood work and urinalysis tests. So far, so good; every test came back within range.


• I am not saying that pains and other health issues will not come, but I rise above every circumstance and keep moving in Jesus’ name! Whatever future afflictions come up; God will deliver me out of all of them (Psalm 34:19). This is not just for me, but for whoever puts their trust in Him.


• For those people who do not believe that healing is for today, I am a living witness of what God can and will do. All things are possible if you only believe!


I thank the Lord for being able to post this before heading out for the day.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

What Does it Mean to Walk in Victory? 10-27-2022

 • I am piggy backing on yesterday’s message about “Devil, Go Back to Hell Where You Came From.” The messages about “What Happened to Godly Standards” will be posted after my assignment is finished in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, something will be posted regularly to encourage my brothers and sisters.


This is what it means to walk in victory

• We must believe every Word of God to be true. We can’t use what we think is right and leave out what we don’t believe, that is a double standard and a double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8).


• How can anyone say they love the Lord and don’t believe everything He says. How can anyone walk in victory when they don’t believe in miracles, healings and all the other gifts God has given to us to encourage one another? If some of the gifts ceased at a certain time, where did they go? Did God take them back? I thought the gifts and the calling were irrevocable (cannot not be changed or reversed) (Romans 11:29).


• Didn’t God say that all the promises in Him are yes and amen to the glory and honor of God by us? (2 Corinthians 1:20). There is a condition to some promises; we must believe!


• Do you know that the opposite of faith is doubt and that doubt is sin? It is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6).


• Do you know that healing is one of God’s promises? Do you realize that God was/is concerned about the whole person (spirit, soul, and body). What Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 53:5), Jesus fulfilled (Matthew 8:17). Jesus had to fulfill or accomplish everything in order for us to be able to accomplish/finish the work God called us to do.


• That’s why Peter wrote and confirmed that by Jesus’ stripes we were healed (1 Peter 2:24). Living in time causes us to go through a process.


• Do you know that the church is dead (Revelation 3:1) when they are not allowing the Spirit of God to operate in their midst (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19)? Do you know that the body of Christ is not one member but it has many members to make it complete (1 Corinthians 12:12-31), and when all the ministry offices are not functioning, there is no spiritual growth (Ephesians 4:11-16).


• I am saying as Paul the apostle wrote: “I tell you the truth and do not lie” I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart (Romans 9:1-2). Paul felt like this because of the lost state that Israel was in.


• Why do I have great heaviness in my heart? Because of the way some children of God are not believing and standing on every promise of His. My heaviness is because some of the churches are dead (Revelation 3:1).


• Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-42) because He saw the condition of their hearts. The people were not living according to God’s will and were headed for destruction. Jesus wept for them because He loved them and didn’t want to see them perish.


To walk in victory, it is absolutely necessary to believe that every Word of God is true.


Something to consider while you are waiting for the future messages “What Happened to Godly Standards?”


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Devil, Go Back to Hell Where You Came From? 10-26-2022

• With all the Biblical resources that are accessible today, there should be no reason for a child of God not to know His Word. Although none of us will never know it all, there are some things that we should know better by now.


• Many people know about the creation of the devil, just as God created everything else. However, the devil (Satan’s) real name in heaven was Lucifer, which meant light-bearer. Because of his beauty he got big-headed and fell from heaven (Isaiah 14:12-14, Ezekiel 28:13-15, Luke 10:18). Lucifer came from heaven, not hell, but eventually he will be in hell which will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:6)


• When people go to war against their enemies, they need to have some knowledge of them and they need to know how to use the weapons in order to defeat them.


• Satan laughs at those who tell him to go back to hell where he came from. If anyone thinks of Satan coming from hell, they are deceived and that kind of thinking keeps them from walking in victory.


• Did Jesus tell Satan to go back to hell when He was tempted by Him? Jesus used the Word of God (Matthew 4:1-11).


• How can anyone be able to stand against the tricks of the devil if he’s in hell? He has demons all over the world that are assigned against us (also called devils because they are fallen angels). They are still in the atmosphere, and there are different ways he uses to come against us, but we have the Word of God which is our armor (the Word of God) in our battle against Satan and his demons (Ephesians 6:10-18).


• Why did the Bible tell us that we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). If you think the devil came from hell, you are ignorant of his devices.


• How can the devil roam about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, and be in hell? (1 Peter 5:8)


• Why do you think the Word says submit yourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee if he’s in hell? (James 4:8) 


• Why do you think when God asked Satan where do you come from, he said from going to and fro and from walking up and down in it? (Job 1:7).Does that sound like the devil was in hell?


• How can the devil transform himself as an angel of light if he’s in hell? (2 Corinthians 11:14)


• Please stop telling the devil to go back to hell where he came from. Like Jesus, I don’t have conversations with the devil unless I use the Word of God. When he comes against me, I let him know what the Word of God says; that’s my armor.


• I thank God every day for the power given me to take authority over devils. Even though I am attacked or afflicted in different ways, whatever the Word says about that particular situation, I use it and the Word of God works.


Are you going to stay ignorant of his devices and live a defeated life?

• After writing this message, I was reminded of what was supposed to be written to the children of God pertaining the evils that are getting progressively worse and how the church has watered down the Word of God, allowed worldly influences to invade the house of God, and letting the people to do any and everything. Somebody needs to get right with God, time out for playing church.


• And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now, is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light (Roman 13:11-12). He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7).


Coming up - What Happened to Godly Standards?


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Are Babies Supposed to be Baptized? 10-25-2022

• My reason for posting these messages is to help the children of God to say things correctly when it comes to the Bible. Because of being taught properly myself, there is this yearning for others to know more truths. Someone may say they are learning and growing, but a lot of what I see posted on Facebook is not biblically sound.


Water baptism is for those who are born-again (Matthew 28:19, Acts 8:26-39, Romans 10:9-10). This means to present the Gospel first and after they receive Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are to be baptized. Water baptism signifies Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We let others know that we have died to the old life and are resurrected to a new life in Christ.


• After Philip presented the Gospel to the eunuch, he asked Philip what he must do to be baptized. Philip answered: If you believe with all your heart; the eunuch said he believed Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Water baptism signifies Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. 


• I often hear that parents are having their infant children baptized. It may be because some consider sprinkling as a form of baptism, or it could be that they don’t know any better. Infant baptism is not Biblical; babies are to be dedicated to the Lord. There is no water involved.


Biblical examples

Old Testament – Hannah was barren because the Lord had shut up her womb. Her husband had children by another wife who provoked her and made Hannah fret [angry] because of her barrenness. Hannah prayed to the Lord and asked Him for a child and she had a son and dedicated Samuel to the Lord. She lent [dedicated] her son Samuel to the Lord for the rest of his life (1 Samuel 1:21-28).


The Gospel of Luke – Jesus was brought to the temple to be to be dedicated. When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord………


• Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout [he reverenced God]. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.


• When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.


• The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too. (Luke 2:22-40).


• Whatever is done, should always have a scripture to back it up. That comes from reading and studying the Word of God, otherwise one would not have a leg to stand on.


Children are innocent until the age where they understand why there is a need for salvation.

Example 

 David’s baby died and he said: But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me (2 Samuel 12:23).


Now that you know the truth you are responsible for to tell others the truth.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

The Gift of the Word of Wisdom 20-24-2022

 • The last message was about “The Gift of the Word of Knowledge” and how the persons with this gift have special knowledge about people, places, things, and situations and so on, that can only be told to them by the Spirit of God. This is the knowledge that can be only received supernaturally, it cannot be obtained through the five senses.


• It is the same with the word of wisdom, which can only come through supernatural means, pointing someone in the right direction. Everybody should have some kind of wisdom (James 1:5), but the word of wisdom can only be given by the Holy Spirit.


Example - Peter needed direction. Taxes were to be paid annually for the upkeep of the temple. Peter did not have the money to pay his taxes, so Jesus told Peter to go fishing and look in the fish’s mouth and he took out a coin. Jesus told Peter to pay taxes for Peter and Himself (Matthew 17:24-27).


• Jesus knew the money would be in the fish’s mouth, but the only way others would know that is through the word of wisdom given by the Holy Spirit. You may need direction about something and are not sure how to make the right decision. The Holy Spirit could send someone to you with the word of wisdom to point you in the right direction. It could be about a house, a job, an automobile and etc.


• It needs to be understood that there is a great difference between the natural and the spiritual, that is one of the reasons there is so much confusion in the body of Christ. Sadly, it is because of a lack of understanding with many leaders that the gifts are not taught properly, which is the reason certain gifts are not accepted.


• For instance, many born-again believers are still thinking and acting like carnal people who are not saved. They are still leaning to their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). Paul called them carnal in that they were babes, they had not matured due to a lack of growth (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).


• In other words, they were comfortable with that mindset. There were divisions, envy, and strife among them which was evidenced that they were carnal.

• In a previous message I wrote about books that were erroneous, when it came to the gifts of discerning of spirits, the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom. I also wrote how the leader was open to the truth when something erroneous was brought to his attention.


• On another occasion in a different place, a book that had several errors was being used in the church. I approached the leader privately, and I told him about the errors and suggested that he should tell the people. This is what he said: “I can’t tell these people that!”


• Now, you figure out what kind of person would not tell others that there were errors. Many people do not check it out for themselves, and what is sadder, they tell others what was told to them, and the vicious cycle goes on and on.


• No person and no books are perfect, except Jesus and the Bible. But when errors are brought to one’s attention, they should take heed to it. It is dangerous to continue misleading people. When I make a mistake, I am willing to correct it.


• What would you think of a leader who would hold back the truth and continue to mislead people? If you do not stand for truth, you will fall for anything. Do not compromise your spiritual values to stay in good standings with others. One day all of us will stand before Christ to give account of what we have done in these bodies, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).


Something to consider – Would you rather agree with what is wrong and not agree with what is right?


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Colorblind? 10-23-2022

• For quite some time, this is something I have felt that needs to be posted. While considering what I should write today, being that it is a day many people attend church to “quote on quote” worship Jesus, “Color blinded” came to mind.


Definition - People with color vision deficiency find it difficult to identify and distinguish between certain colors.


• Over the years when I was a member of several churches and visited many other churches, they had a picture of the last supper hanging on the wall, usually somewhere close to the pulpit. The picture was supposed to be Jesus and the twelve disciples and all of them were white (Caucasians).


• At that time, it did not bother me and I accepted it, UNTIL! I learned some Biblical history, studied the Bible, and found out that could not be true. Through that, God exposed the lie! Many peoples’ eyes became opened to the lie and the picture was removed. Praise God!


• When one reads the Bible pertaining to Christ, there are certain aspects to show without a reasonable doubt what color Jesus was. Jesus was a Jew (Hebrew) and the normal complexion was a dark skin (brownish/reddish). When Jesus’ parents had to flee to Egypt they must have blended with the people who had similar complexions.


• If someone didn’t believe that, how can you they say Jesus was white when He was exposed to the sun (heat) regularly. If we would stop being so color blinded and worship Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth as one body of believers, we will not be like hypocrites.


• Hypocrites are also those who feel superior to others. I have seen a picture of everyone in the last supper being white (Caucasian) except Judas (he was painted dark skin).


• Whoever is colorblind needs some eye salve to wash out hypocrisy. What is hypocrisy? The pretense of saying one thing but deep inside they are completely different. Even though those pictures are not seen in most churches today, what is in your heart?


A lot of people are going to be totally surprised (in shock) they see Jesus Christ.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

The Gift of the Word of Knowledge 10-21-2022

• Learning and understanding these awesome gifts given by the Holy Spirit should motivate the children of God to have a greater desire to fulfill their purpose. Some people may be functioning in the gifts and do not realize it. Some may not realize that the gifts are for all of God’s children. Every child of God has been given at least one gift.


• Today you will learn what the gift of the word of knowledge is. The word of knowledge reveals facts about a person place, thing, event, or situation.


• Everybody has knowledge, but the word of knowledge given by the Spirit is a supernatural impartation that the person who the word is given to, knows it could have only come from the Spirit revealing it to the person operating in the gift.


• Since everybody has some kind of knowledge, they do not have special knowledge about people, and so on unless it is told to them by the Spirit of God. This is the knowledge that can be only received supernaturally, it cannot be obtained through the five senses.


Example -  The story of Elisha and Gehazi  (2 Kings 5:1-27)

Naaman was captain of hosts of the king of Syria and he had leprosy and wanted to be healed. A letter was sent to the king of Israel asking him to recover Naaman of his leprosy and Naaman was sent with talents, gold, and clothes to pay for his healing.


• Elisha was the prophet that God spoke through and he gave Naaman instructions to wash in the Jordan river seven times. Finally, after resisting what Elisha said Naaman obeyed and he was healed. Naaman had been told that no goods would be received for his healing. But, later on Gehazi caught up with Naaman and received the silver, gold, and clothes.


• When Gehazi went before his master, Elisha asked him where he had been; Gehazi answered and said he had not been anywhere. Elisha told Gehazi exactly what he had done, the Spirit of God revealed it to Elisha. Gehazi was stricken with leprosy permanently.


• I see more than one lesson learned from this message pertaining to the word of knowledge. It reminds me of Ananias and his wife Sapphira who lied because they held back part of the price of the land that they had promised to give to the church. Peter also operated in the word of knowledge when he told them they had not lied to men but to God.


• The husband and the wife died about three hours apart. I am not trying to put fear in anyone, just letting the readers know that fear did come upon the church after they witnessed to what Ananias and Sapphira did (Acts 5:1-11). We need more reverential fear in the church today.


• To those who use different ways to gain from people because of greed, there are consequences. No one can hide from God and He even reveals things to His children through the word of knowledge.


Lastly, preaching and the gifts are not to be used for personal gain.


Next week - The Gift of the Word of Wisdom


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

The Gift of Discerning of Spirits 10-20-2022

• I did the introduction yesterday about certain gifts that are not accepted in many churches today. Many people who profess to be born-again are deviating or taking shortcuts when it comes to the Word of God. Some of them say they love the Lord, but when it comes to having an understanding about the Word, they cannot witness or minister effectively.


• Brothers and sisters iit is important that you take heed to these messages and be open to the truth, because this will affect your eternal status when it comes to ruling and reigning with Christ.


• Every reader should know that God has a call on each of His children’s lives and gifts are given to us to encourage and build one another up.


• In continuing these messages, let’s see what the difference is between discerning of spirits and what some people call spirit of discernment.


Discerning of spirits reveal the operation of evil spirits by various means through the five senses (1 Corinthians 12:10), whereas there is no spirit of discernment mentioned in the Bible. However, discernment is something every child of God should be able to do as they mature in Christ. There should be more awareness of both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). God wants each of His children to grow up and not be ignorant of what the devil is doing. The apostle Paul said we should devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). One of Satan’s devices is to keep us ignorant of God’s Word.


Example of discerning of spirits: Acts 16:16-18 ESV

• Scripture: “As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, these men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation. And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned, and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.”


• Paul was able to recognize the spirit of divination working in the girl through the gift of discerning of spirits. He put a stop to her counterfeiting. Her soothsaying (witchcraft-fortune teller) was to make money for her masters. Counterfeits are difficult to distinguish (recognize) from what is real.


• Years ago, I was invited to a luncheon and a few ladies that I had not seen before were also there. As we began to talk, I was able to detect through the gift of discerning of spirits that something was wrong. The lady started prophesying and I looked at her and said how long have you been saved and how long have you been prophesying. She told me she had been functioning in prophecy since childhood. I told her she was operating in psychic abilities.


• She said her mother and grandmother were prophetesses (Psychics). They were involved with witchcraft. She even told me that they went to yearly festivals in Salem, Massachusetts. In case you didn’t know this, Salem is famously known as the seat of witchcraft from the time this country was formed. Suppose I had not detected that the lady was a psychic through the gift of discerning of spirits. I would have been deceived.


• There is a great difference in discernment and discerning of spirits. One cannot function in the gift except by the Holy Spirit. This gift along with the other gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, are distributed by the Holy Spirit to the children of God as He sees fit.


The next message will continue with word of knowledge and the word of wisdom.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Introduction to Sincere but Sincerely Wrong Versus Knowingly Doing Wrong 10-19-2022

• For the last two days, the messages were about why some churches do not believe all the gifts are for today. They said that four of the gifts: tongues, interpretation of tongues, miracles, and healings were temporary in nature.


• The problem is, how could they accept four gifts given by the Spirit and leave the other four out. This does not make sense at all! The same way is with the office gifts in Ephesians 4:11; only evangelists, pastors and teachers are accepted today in most churches.


• This message is about three of the other four gifts given by the Spirit. Notice that in this message, you will not see the gift of prophecy listed in the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. I believe many people confuse it with the gift of prophecy in Romans 12:6, where all of the children of God are called to proclaim the Word of God. It can also mean those who preach the Word at various places. The gift of prophecy in 1 Corinthians 12:10, is to foretell future events given by the Spirit of God.


• I am still putting emphasis on leaders and the way some are doing what they want to do rather than doing what God called them to do, that is, if God called them. I have listened to many leaders over the years, been in different denominational churches and always went back and checked out what they said to see if it was true (Acts 17:11) or having already studied and knew what they taught or preached was incorrect.


• These are just some situations where I know the Spirit of God orchestrated circumstances for me to be in certain places to bring out the truth. For instance, a stack of material had been printed out for a Bible study class and I arrived before the others and was able to see the printouts.


• The Spirit directed me to the leader and told him that the material was contrary to the Word of God. Thank God, the person was open to what I said and he disposed of the papers. I believe at that time he was sincere, but he was sincerely wrong.


• Another time and at another place, the Lord had set me up in a class that I had already taken, but this time some new books had come in about the gifts. Over the years that was the fourth time in different churches that I had been a member of, that classes were given about the gifts. Although they were written by different authors, some of them were erroneous about certain gifts.


Example: They called gift of discerning of spirits, the gift of discernment, the word of knowledge, knowledge and the word of wisdom was called wisdom.


• I have written this in a message several times and these gifts are supernaturally imparted by the Holy Spirit as He sees fit to give them (1 Corinthians 12:11). Therefore, they cannot just be discernment, knowledge and wisdom. If that were true, there is no supernatural involvement by the Holy Spirit. .


In the next few days, they will be posted so the readers can get a clearer understanding.


Tomorrow: Discerning of Spirits


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

What Did Jesus Christ Say about Miracles, Healings and Tongues? 10-18-2022

• The more I think about the church and how they don’t embrace or accept all the Word of God, the more it disturbs me. As was written yesterday, some do not believe that some gifts are for today.


• Jesus said: These signs shall follow those who believe; in My name they shall cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands [not snake handling like those who take this literally]; if they drink any deadly poison it will not hurt them [it happened to me in 1994, but I am still living], they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover (Mark 16:17).


• If all this ceased, why did I have different experiences? Why do I speak in tongues (my prayer language) and have operated in the gift of healing, and have actually seen evidence of God’s miraculous power?


• The devil does not want the body of Christ to edify each other through their gifts. Many people never get healed, delivered, and set free because they are not open to all the Lord has for them. God wants us to walk in victory in this present time.


• As a matter of fact, Jesus told His disciples to wait in the upper room until they received power from on high (Luke 24:49). What kind of power do you think He was talking about? That dynamite power from the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues; the power to witness and minister with greater effectiveness.


• Regardless of how out of balance some of these orthodox churches, televangelists, or any other ministries are, there is also sound teaching based on biblical principles. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.


• Some people say if it is God’s will, healing will happen. That is not what the Bible says. John wrote this: Beloved, I wish above all things that you will prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers (3 John 2). What does that mean? When someone’s soul is prospering they are mature enough to stand on the Word of God regardless of the circumstance.


• Jesus told some blind people to let the healing be done according to their faith (Matthew 9:29). Jesus said to the woman who had the issue of blood for twelve years: Daughter, your faith has made you whole (Mark 5:25-34). You will never see where a person will be healed if it is God’s will.


• I will admit that as the body ages, many things start to happen. I experience it regularly; one thing comes up after another. It may take some time but the healing actually happens. I am a witness as to what has taken place in my body every time a physical condition arises. I speak life words over my body and it works. Why does it work? Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and what one says is what they get (Proverbs 18:21).


• The physical condition is real and the pain is real, but I keep it moving in Jesus’ name and sooner or later my body is in great condition. I have some physical things going on in my body at this very moment that could be negative, in physical therapy and not able to travel long distance.


• There are some upcoming appointments for something different, but I continue to speak life and believe that by Jesus’ stripes I am healed (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24). What Isaiah prophesied was fulfilled: [Jesus] Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses (Matthew 8:17). It works! The Word of God is true!


• Back to the born-again believers who say some gifts were temporary. Listen up! When the Word of God was written, it was also to bring correction to those in error or unbelief, so that the people of God could be thoroughly furnished [adequate] for good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).


• Why do you think there is so much confusion in the body of Christ? Because people are allowing their intellect to get in the way, instead of having a new mindset by allowing the Spirit to have control, so they can be abundantly blessed.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Why are Some Churches Grieving and Quenching the Holy Spirit?

I came across some information that made my heart sad about certain denominational churches that believe this:


• Of the spiritual gifts mentioned specifically in the New Testament at least four seem to be temporary in nature: (1) tongues, the supernatural ability to speak in a known language which is unlearned (1 Cor. 12:10,29); (2) the interpretation of tongues, the supernatural ability to understand a person speaking in a known language which is unlearned (1 Cor. 12:10,30); (3) miracles, the supernatural ability to perform miraculous acts (1 Cor. 12:28,29); and (4) healings, the supernatural ability to heal any and all diseases (1 Cor. 12:9,28,29).


Who gives anyone the right to pick and choose what gifts are or are not for today. If this saddened me, how much more do you think it saddened the Holy Spirit.


• To say at least four gifts, seem to be temporary is denying that the good works God started from the beginning of the church age (on the day of Pentecost), He will finish until Christ comes to get us (Philippians 1:6). When that happens, there will be no need for the gifts to function. But until then, I am going to function in every gift available to me.


What do you think the Bible means when it says do not grieve or quench the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)? Let’s look at these two words.


1) Grieve - Grieving the Holy Spirit is an offence; it makes Him sad (Ephesians 4:30). The chapter is written to the believers and how they are to conduct their lives. There are a list of dos and don’ts which lead up to this verse: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).


Footnote from John McArthur ESV study Bible – Grieve - God is grieved when His children refuse to change their old ways of sin for those righteous ways of the new life. Sealed – The Holy Spirit is the guarantor of eternal redemption in Christ for those who believe in Him.


In other words, the Holy Spirit is grieved or sad when we continue to live our old lifestyle instead of yielding to Him.


Reference: In whom you also trusted when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation and believed in Him were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance…. (Ephesians 1:13-14).


• No one could be born-again without the Holy Spirit. Jesus told Nicodemus: Truly, truly I say to you, except a man be born of the water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Do not marvel [be amazed, awestruck] that I said to you, you must be born again (John 3:5, 7).


2) Quench – Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20). Footnote: We also need to note that the root Greek word for “quench” “to extinguish,” “to put out” or “to go out.” The word was used to refer to putting out fires, sparks, or the putting out of a lamp. We would not have that spark (empowerment-dynamic power) without the Holy Spirt.


• The Holy Spirit has given us these awesome gifts to edify each other so God can be glorified. One of the reasons they are not functioning is, some people are turned off because of the misuse of these gifts, but that is still not acceptable to God. It is a shame and disgrace to believe that certain gifts are not for today.


• What good is a cake if some of the ingredients are left out. How effective is medicine if all the formula is not in it. How convincing (credible) is the Word of God when some truths are left out. There is no excuse for not believing all of God’s Words. God is not going to change His Word, let God be true and every man be a liar (Romans 3:4).


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

True Love Never Dies 10-16-2022

  • In conjunction with yesterday’s message pertaining to “Two Kinds of Iron,” I felt led to write about true love, or “Agape” Love. Love between husband and wife, family, friends and even our enemies should never die. Did I say love our enemies? That’s what the Word of God says (Matthew 5:44).


These are scriptures showing what true love is, when it comes to friendship


• A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17). It doesn’t matter if one does not agree with the other, love never changes.


• Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful (Proverbs 27:5-6). This one is one that should capture our attention. When a friend loves you, he or she will correct you to get you back on path.


• Watch your so - called friends who are really your enemies. Here is the reason. These types of people will love up (kiss) on you today and later on, you become their worse enemies. Watch those who say I will always be there for you, through thick and thin, or I will never let anything happen to cause our friendship to end. These type of people will butter you up, but when the rubber meets the road, they will forsake you.


• Two things that we should never say: “Never” and “Always” The only One who keeps His word is Jesus Christ: He said I will never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). I will always be with you even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).


• Jesus Christ was deserted, forsaken, betrayed, and denied by His own followers, is it any different when it comes to us? The greatest act of LOVE was when Jesus Christ hung on the cross, took our sins upon Himself by His death, burial, and resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:21).


• Most people will say they love somebody, but do they really understand what true love is? What is True Love? I like to think of it being a connection between people that is not measured.


• True love is like “Agape” or unconditional Love sets no boundaries – No ifs, ands, or buts: I love you if you love me; I love you and I deserve to be loved; I love you but, you must do something for me.


• Be honest with yourself, how many conditions or boundaries have you set? Those who have stipulations on their friendships, have not grown into maturity, because a mature person loves in spite of. Please read 1 Corinthians 13; this the LOVE chapter.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Two Kinds of Iron 10-15-2022

• Want a good dose of Iron to keep you healthy? Today’s message will be a comparison between two kinds of iron. We need both kinds to remain in good health both physically and spiritually.


• Iron is an essential mineral your body needs for growth and development. We get iron from the foods we eat, and it is absorbed into our blood in our small intestine. But if you aren’t getting enough iron, you’re losing too much iron, or your body isn’t able to absorb it, you may become iron deficient. Iron deficiency is the difference between the amount of iron you have and the amount your body needs to keep you in good health.


• Let’s talk about Iron deficiency from a spiritual standpoint. As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend (Proverbs 27:17).


• I read about people wanting God to move certain people out of their lives or they want certain kinds of friends. Do you know as a child of God, you’re not supposed to say that. Since God knows us, He knows exactly who needs to be in our lives and there is a purpose for it.


• The Bible says, for we know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord, to the ones who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Therefore, whoever God places in our lives there is a reason for it, and it benefits us and others.


• It was around 1987, the Lord placed a prophetess in my life and I did not like that woman. In fact, I told the Lord I didn’t want her in my life. When she said things to people they knew it was coming from God, and it shook some of them to the core.


• God placed her in my life to train me in the prophetic; to warn and correct, which would end up protecting the children of God. My prophetic calling is mainly for leaders, who are either off course or they are deceived and attacked by the enemy. If the head is off, then the body (children of God) is off. In other words, whatever the pastor did or didn’t do affected the congregation.


• That part of training was necessary for a particular season, although I am still growing. Guess what? The prophetess and I became close friends. She was the iron I needed to sharpen me at that time in my life.


If you are called in the prophetic, many times people will misunderstand you, dislike you and sometimes all manner of evil will be said against you (Matthew 5:11-12).


• Often times, you will walk this journey alone because some people will not want to be around you. They don’t want to change and you make them feel uncomfortable.


• However, if you want to grow in your walk with the Lord, you must be willing to change by coming out of yourself and allowing the Spirit of God to have control.


• This is one of the keys to spiritual growth (maturity). O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who trust Him (Psalm 34:8). If one trusts God, he or she will get the proper nutrients (food) from the Word of God and they will have a healthy spiritual life.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Sincere but Sincerely Wrong Versus Knowingly Doing Wrong 10-14-2022

Introduction 

• The message I started writing was lengthy, so it will be broken up into two parts and posted next week. In the meantime, while waiting until then, think about what is written in the message today and let it saturate so you can be ready for the rest next week.


These are scriptures to ponder and be prepared to receive the rest of the messages.

• So, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin (James 4:7). How does one know the right thing? Study to show yourself approved to God, rightly dividing the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The Holy Spirit is our Helper: But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:26).


• Those who are in the five-fold ministry offices help the children of God to grow (Ephesians 4:11-16). We also teach others (Matthew 28:19-20). Others have that specific calling to teach (Romans 12:7).


• And that servant, who knew his Lord's will, and did not prepare himself, neither did according to His will, shall be beaten with many stripes (Luke 12:47). How did the servant know? Through the Word of God.


• No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [riches] - (Luke 16:13).


• This is what God tells His children who are rich in material things: For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. But godliness with contentment is great gain. And having food and clothes, let us be content. But they who are rich will fall into temptation and a snare …. For the love of money is the root of all evil (1Timothy 6:6-10).


• Wow! I just read this verse that really stood out: Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godly, withdraw yourselves from these people (1 Timothy 6:5). Doesn’t this remind you of the prosperity gospel!


• We must fix our eyes on Jesus and that self-focus will become smaller and smaller. In other words, we must decrease and let Him increase (John 3:30). We must be open for correction and conviction, which comes by the Word of God, the Holy Spirit and godly sent people.


It is a shame how fortune and fame have become the god of many professed believers.


Don’t forget to come back next week for next the messages relating to the introduction.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Results from Doing Your Thing 10-13-2022

• Yesterday I wrote about some of the people in ministry who were not allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them. The things mentioned were how they learned to whoop, teaching others how to cast out demons, and teaching people how to speak in tongues.


• These types of people are walking in the flesh. The reason is, why would someone learn a certain style if God had called them into ministry, or why would someone act as though they were God by teaching others how to cast out demons or how to speak in tongues? I thought the Holy Spirit leads and guides the children of God.


• I am in no way saying these people are not born-again, for only God knows who is saved and who is not saved. However, when people are acting like that, others may think that they are not saved. One thing for sure, if they are saved, they are definitely walking in the flesh, which is quite indicative that they are not yielding to the Holy Spirit.


• Also, these types of people may not be called into that particular position. Caution: the only thing we get rewarded for is what God calls us to do. Otherwise, all the works anyone does that God did not call them to do will be burned, yet the person is saved (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). From that you should understand that works don’t get us saved, but we are called to work after we are saved.


• Rewards are not based on our salvation; they are gained by our works. In other words, one can get saved and never do what they are called to do, this will not keep them from going to heaven. Please think about this, how are you going to feel when you stand before Christ and there are no rewards because you didn’t do what you were called to do. Do you want Christ to call you “lazy and wicked servant?” (Matthew 25:26-30). Why are you wasting your time, doing your own thing?


• The Word of God says: I beseech [urge] you by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). A living sacrifice and a new mindset.


This song is befitting – Lyrics by Yolanda Adams

Is your all on the alter of sacrifice?

Of sacrifice laid?

Your heart does the Spirit control?

Now, You can only, only, only be blessed

And have peace and sweet rest

After you have yielded Him

Yielded Him your body and your soul


• This is what is required of every child of God, there are no exceptions to the rule!


• Something to consider - Would you want to follow anyone who is not following after Christ?


Next: Sincerely Wrong Versus Knowingly Doing Wrong


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Some Characteristics of Ungodly Leaders 10-12-2022

• Before getting into the message, the readers need to know that I am called by God to expose the evil that is going on in the body of Christ. All my years of experience and personal training through the Word of God is now coming forth to a greater degree in the prophetic office; to warn, correct and protect the children of God from continually being deceived by the devil.


• Yesterday the message was about some of the things people are in bondage to because of ignorance. They want a feel-good experience because they think it is spiritual. This indicates how much of the Word of God they know and understand. It is fine to express emotions, but some of these people purposely play on others’ emotions for self-gain.


• It reminds me of a salesperson who has been trained how to get customers. There are different methods that are used in certain ministries to capture the peoples’ attention and they continue to build their interest time after time to get them hooked.


• For instance, ministers learn what can cause them to gain bigger audiences by seeing what made others successful, and they pattern after them. These types of people are like wolves in sheep’s clothing. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15). They devour their prey.


• I learned about this many years ago from a pastor’s wife; she told me how her husband and other minsters used certain things to help them to whoop. Did you know that there is a preaching style called whoopology? Did you know that there are materials to show one how to whoop?


• Along with the whoop comes the music to further build on the peoples’ emotions. Does that sound like God is in this? There are ministers who copy this gimmick to build their up their church to make more money. In doing this they are following the ways of the world. Guess what? There are books, CD’s, and DVDs to help them learn how to whoop.


• Did you know there is a school of demonology? My brothers and sisters, this is real. It was suggested to me many years ago to go to a school of demonology to learn how to cast out demons. This stemmed from me telling the person how the Spirit was revealing certain things to me about different spirits.


• Thank the Lord, I allowed His Spirit to reveal to me that learning from a person how to cast out demons was wrong. The Word of God is our source, so why would we need someone to show us how to cast out demons. Again, God deals with each of us differently and the Holy Spirit gives us power over demons, read the Word of God.


• Some people try to force others to speak in tongues. We receive power after we are baptized with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is evidenced (Acts 1:8). This is different from the Holy Spirit baptizing us into the body of Christ which brings salvation (1 Corinthians 12:13).


• There are some people who are genuine in the faith and one can tell who the sincere people are, because it is evident that they care for souls. These people can make erroneous mistakes like I sometimes do, but they love the Lord and they are not deliberately deceiving and misleading people.


• On the other hand, there are those who purposely manipulate their way so they can get what they want from people and they suck them dry. Some of these poor and ignorant people have lost their possessions and even their very lives following after wolves in sheep’s clothing.


If that is not evil, I don’t know what is!


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Exposing the Powers of Darkness 10-11-2022

• This is the introduction to the next series that will be about the things that are being done and said in some churches that are not in line with the Word of God.


• This is to bring awareness to the body of Christ. When I look at what some people are saying on Facebook, there is proof that many of these people who profess to be born-again are being deceived by certain leaders. They tickle the ears to appease the emotions, to gratify the flesh, and to get them so hyped up that they are not aware of what the devil is doing.


• I am starting off with many in the body of Christ who do not believe the five-ministry offices are not for today. The devil doesn’t want God’s children to believe every Word of God to be true. He must be whispering in some people’s ears like he did Eve: “Did God really say that?” (Genesis 3:1).


• Example: He is saying to some: “Is that really true, or you don’t have to believe all the Word, it’s not that important” Why is it written if it is not true? Every Word of God serves a purpose whether we understand it or not. Not only that, when we see the five-ministry grouped together, they work in harmony with each other to fulfill the ministry of Christ (Ephesians 4:11). Jesus operated in all five offices.


• Some say apostles are not for today, while others say prophets are not for today, whereas some accept pastors, teachers, and evangelists. They have such a lack of understanding that they do not realize missionaries are apostles. They go to various places and establish or set up churches. Wasn’t the church founded on the apostles and prophets with Jesus Himself being the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:10)?


• Where can you find it in the Bible that some of these offices ceased? Didn’t God say the work He started will continue until Christ returns (Philippians 1:6). Since we are still in the church age until Christ comes and take us to be with Him, who gives anyone the right to say what is or is not for today? Especially if it is not found in the Word of God. Don’t accept anything someone says that is not supported or is not in the Word of God.


• If people don’t believe what and who the foundation is built on, they are shifting in their belief. Without a firm foundation, no building can endure. Example: the house built on sand will not stand only one that stood was the one that was built on the firm foundation (Matthew 7:24-27).


• To take it even further, how can the rest of the children of God grow without the ministry offices working together to mature them in the walk with Christ. Why do think the body of Christ (church) is so dis-jointed?


• The devil really wants to dis-credit Jesus Christ. Why? He hates Christ and he tried every way possible to trip Him up all the way to the cross, and the devil thought he had won. But when Jesus rose from the dead, He rose with all power and Satan was defeated (1 John 3:8).


• However, that did not stop Him, he is trying to get back at God through His children. Sad to say, many are falling for his tricks. There is no new thing under the sun (Ecclesiastes 9:10), remember the devil started his deception with Eve.


• The reason I am writing is to expose the powers of darkness is because so many professed believers are not studying the Bible and they take whatever someone else says for face value. Remember what happened to Jim Jones and his followers?


Coming next: Exposing False Teachings


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

I Want to Go Back with Him When He Comes 10-10-2022

• Recently I heard a song that I haven’t heard in many years, which was sung in some traditional churches. This is the song: “I want to go back with Him, I want to go back with Him when He comes. He’s coming on a cloud and every eye shall see Him. I want to go back with Him when He comes.”


• This is the problem I have when it comes to the time of Jesus’ return. According to the scriptures, Jesus Christ will gather us together to meet us in the air which will occur before the seven-year tribulation period (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52).


• At the end of the tribulation period, Jesus will come with His church to set up His kingdom on the earth, and every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7, Revelation 19:11-21). This is called the second coming of Christ. The way it was sung appears like a post tribulation rapture. When Jesus Christ comes for the saints at the Rapture, every eye will not see Him.


• The Biblical rapture is the pre-tribulation rapture. Jesus went away to prepare a place for us, and He is coming to receive us to Himself (John14:2). This meant He went to the cross first, from there to the grave, He rose from the dead and stayed on the earth forty-days (Acts 1:3), then He went back to heaven. At some point in time, He will return to gather us to be with Him.


• When Jesus returns for His saints, we will be changed in the twinkling of an eye; the world will not see Him. It will occur like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2).


• So, when someone sings that song, they do not understand the truth about when the rapture will occur. Also consider this, every time God brought judgment on the earth His kept His people from being destroyed.


• When God brought judgment on the earth, He waited until Noah and his family were safely in the ark (Genesis, chapter seven). When God brought judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, He waited until Lot and his family were delivered out of the city by the angels (Genesis, chapter nineteen).


• And He is taking us up to be with Him before that time comes. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:21).


Bless you for receiving the truth.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Let’s Go Back to the Old Landmark ~ What a Celebration that will be! 10-9-2022

• Yesterday was a great day of festivities! Each event that I attend with my nieces is somewhat different, but I find them all to be enjoyable.


• It was a secular setting (denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis), the live entertainment, location, and atmosphere was great. However, as usual, wherever I go, somehow a spiritual concept develops in my mind.


• All types of people were there; all ages of people were there; various types of vendors were there, and of course the entrainment were free and there were several kinds of freebies, including food. It was like one big family of people congregating together and showing respect for each other. There was no competition, even with the entertainers; one group encouraged the other.


• If the children of God can come together on one accord, a great and mighty move of the Holy Spirit would happen! It would be like it was at the beginning of the church when people witnessed to them being on one accord (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1). There is power in agreement (Psalm 133).


Let’s go back to the old landmark, to our roots and forget this denominational ungodliness of being a divided people.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Take Care  of the Man of God? 10-7-2022

• This message is about another sermon that I heard preached numerous times. It was about the prophet Elijah and the widow. There was a drought in the land of Zarephath and the Lord orchestrated circumstances for Elijah to go to a widow who would supply him with food. The emphasis is on Elijah being fed by the widow at Zarephath and her son being miraculously raised from the dead by Elijah. Please read 1 Kings 17:8-24.


• There is no connection with “Take care of the man of God” the way it was preached. In fact, it was a spirit of manipulation to get the people to take care of the man of God. Many people who went along with this did not have the extra money that was used to ‘quote on quote’ take care of the man of God and this put them in bondage because they felt obligated to the pastor.


• Anniversaries, birthdays and pastor appreciation are some ways people are manipulated into taking care of “the man of God.” Did Jesus Christ tell people to take care of Him, because He was a man of God? No He did not! He left His riches in glory to come to the earth and became poor so that we would be rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). There are always two sides of the coin, so let’s flip the coin and see what the other side looks like.


• This command, which appears only once in the Old Testament: "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain” (Deut. 25:4), but the apostle Paul writes it twice in the New Testament: For it is written in the law of Moses, you shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that that treads [tramples] out the corn. Does God take care of oxen? (1 Cor. 9:9), the laborer deserves his wages1 Tim. 5:18).


• Let’s conclude that we should be balanced in our walk. For instance, the man should be paid if he is worthy of his hire. That is, if he is a full-time pastor and spends quality time in the Word of God to feed the flock, nurture the sheep and ministers to other needs of his people.


• If the pastor “man of God” is taking from the sheep, rather than taking care of them, if he is wanting the sheep to serve him, rather than serving them, he has this thing turned all around because he is out for self-gain. Jesus came to serve, not to be served (Matthew 20:28). Jesus was the Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11). A true man of God should do whatever it takes for the sake of the sheep.


• The shepherds were warned to take care of the flock that the Holy Spirit had made them overseers of, to feed the church of God which He had purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Feed the flock of God, which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint [by force, exerting power], but willingly; not for filthy gain, but of a ready mind (1 Peter 5:3).


• Two things that can be taken away from this message - the miraculous way food was supplied, and the widow’s son being raised from the dead. And what is greater is the man of God only told the widow what God told him to say; he did not lie on God. He did not manipulate circumstances to get what he wanted. Elijah depended solely on God.


• Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.” Don’t you think it is strange that the sermon about taking care of the man of God does not include how the man of God took care of the widow’s need. God used Elijah to bring life back to her son. Both situations increased the woman’s faith.


• If any of God’s children want to be abundantly blessed beyond and above, they will only do what God tells them to do.

Caution: Remember that the focus should never be on anyone but God, so please do not become gods and please do not make a god out of others.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~

Touch not My Anointed, and do My Prophets no Harm (1 Chronicles 16:22, Psalm 105:15) 10-6-2022

• For many years, this scripture has been preached from the pulpit. The message was perceived that the pastors were God’s prophets and you had better keep your mouth off them.


• In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came upon (empowered) kings, priests, and prophets for certain tasks. In the New Testament, after Jesus died and rose from the dead, all born-again believers are not only empowered, but we are priests, prophets, and kings.


• Let’s go to where this started and the reason the Word said, “Touch not My anointed and do My prophets any harm.” This was the second time that David spared Saul’s life. David had an opportunity to kill Saul who sought to kill him.


• When Abishai told David that the Lord had delivered his enemy Saul into his hand, Abishai wanted to kill Saul. David said to Abishai, do not destroy him, for who can stretch his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless? (1 Samuel 26:1-9)


• Now let’s go to how we are priests, prophets, and kings, the anointed ones because we belong to Christ, The Anointed One.


We are priests (a royal priesthood a holy nation, peculiar (different) people – (1 Peter 2:9)

Old Testament – priests went before God on behalf of the people. New Testament - We as priests intercede on behalf of people and situations. We are modeling Christ our High Priest who ever makes intercession (Hebrews 7:25). We make supplications [plead for, on behalf of] and intercessions for all people (1 Timothy 2:1).


We are prophets

Old Testament – prophets were God’s mouthpieces (spokespersons). New Testament – We proclaim (share) the good news of Jesus Christ, by teaching others what we have been taught (Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:15).


We are soon coming kings, (already royal!)

• We kings will reign with Jesus Christ our King (Revelation 5:10. We are soon coming kings – so humbly stand in the position now since God called (declared) it as though it were (Romans 4:17).


• Now, what do we do when people say all manner of evil against us for righteous sake? [Put their mouths on us]. We do good to them (Matthew 5:11-12). What happens if someone does us harm? God will take care of them (Romans 12:17-21). However, we are in warfare with the enemy who works through people (Ephesians 6:10-17). Let’s remember that our real enemy is Satan and his demons, not people.


• The hypocrites (pharisees and Sadducees) put their mouths on Jesus and not only did they plot to get rid of Him (Matthew 12:14); they actually turned Him over to the Romans to be crucified (Matthew 27:1-2). Jesus suffered and so will we. We are no different than our wonderful Savior who was the Prophet of prophets, He was the High Priest and He is our King.


• So, when the devil uses people to come against us, as David said: for who can stretch his hand [or mouth] against the Lord’s anointed [us], and be guiltless? (1 Samuel 26:1-9)


• Do you see why it is good to study for yourself. Many people think the Bible is talking about pastors when that scripture is used. Brothers and sisters, please don’t let anyone ever tell you or even make you think that you are lower than them. Rejoice that you are prophets, priests, and future kings!


FYI – Even though Saul had become evil, he still was God’s anointed. And David who also was anointed by God, had sense enough to know not to harm another one of God’s anointed.


~ Betty A. Burnett ~