A letter to the Gentiles

Good morning everyone!!! I hope and pray this has been a great week for
you and that today will be a great day.....specially in the LORD JESUS
CHRIST!

  GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!! And as Aunt Betty
says, " not good God it's morning....but GOOD MORNING GOD!"

   Gentiles and Jews have had, and still have concerns about each other.
In Acts 15:24-29 a letter was written to Antioch, syria, and Cilicia to
help with guidelines for the diverse cultures that were coming
together.  The scripture is:
    "We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset
you with their teaching, but we did not send them! So we decided,
having come to complete agreement, to send you official
representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have
risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We are
sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning
your question.  For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to
lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements.  You must
abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or
the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.  If you
do this, you will do well. Farewell."

    This letter answered their questions and brought great joy to the
Gentile Christians in Antioch.  This appeals to the Holy Spirit's
guidance and explains what is to be done as though the readers already
knew it.  Believers should be careful not only in what they say but
also in how they say it.  We may be correct in our content, but we can
lose our audience by our tone of voice or by our attitude.

  As my middle daughter tells her sister, choose your words carefully in
case you have to eat them later on.  Do we choose our words?  Or do we
just have knee-jerk reaction and say what is on our mind?  Many people
pride themselves for being "straight forward."  However, if our straight
forward is offensive we may want to rethink our words and intonation.

  Will your actions reflect Jesus today??  Will your voice reflect the
love of Christ?  Will people KNOW you are a Christian through you
demeanor?

  Thank you for listening....uh....reading. Love you all. Tell someone
about Christ today.


In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Does your testimony reveal Christ??

Good morning everyone!! Yes, Yes, what a wonderful day to be alive in Jesus!! Let others see Jesus in you today!! If you have a Christian sticker on the back of your vehicle, then drive and act like a Christian. What is your testimony worth?? Have you testified??

Revelations 12:11 "And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die."

The critical blow to Satan came when the LAMB, JESUS CHRIST, shed his blood for our sins. The victory is won by sacrifice-Christ's death in our place to pay the penalty for our sin, and the sacrifices we make because of our faith in Him. As we face the battle with Satan, we should not fear it or try to escape from it, but we should loyally serve Christ, who alone brings victory.

Romans 8:34-39 "Who then will condemn us? No one-for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble, or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? As the Scriptures say, 'For your sake we are killed every day, we are being slaughtered like sheep.' No, despite all these things overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Thank your for reading with me today. Let your testimony ring!! God is good, all the time, all the time God is good. Save a life!!!! Tell someone about Jesus today. Have a wonderful, Christ filled day. Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you weep??? Do you doubt???

Good morning everyone!!! What a wonderful day to be alive in the Lord Jesus Christ!! God is good, all the time-all the time, God is good!! God takes care of us in our time of need. But, does He? Yes, yes!!

Well, I prayed and prayed and no answers. When you prayed did you claim the promise? The promise that God hears and will answer?? Or have you shed tears, tears of doubt, your doubt that God would really answer.

Romans 10:19 "You will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you."

What? When He hears it??? He hears everything!! Does He?? Or, do you block it with your doubt, as you weep in frustration and doubt? Remember, God will never fail you. God is absolutely faithful to do as he promised.

Do not be as the man on the corner who prayed and then expected immediate results. Then lamented, "I knew it wouldn't happen." What is wrong here? He already had his doubt and did not BELIEVE!

Psalm 119:58 "I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise." See God with all your heart, God WILL ANSWER! He will answer in HIS time. Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Purity??? Is it in your home????

Good morning everyone!! What a wonderful day to be alive in the LORD Jesus Christ!! God is good, all the time, all the time God is good!!!! Okay, here is some food for thought.

Are your thoughts pure??? What do you accept in your home??? Are we being polluted???? Is Jesus Christ pure????? What is allowed in your home via electronic media, i.e. t.v.; computer; x-box; play stations; Wii; etc.???

Oh, we have a little bit, but not much. Reminds me of the story about the children who asked the father if they could go to a movie. It had some content that was not acceptable by dad, but they had there argument. It was rated really high, thought to get great awards, had lots of great names-big name movie stars in it, the critics rated it high, and some other kids from the church went and said it was not that bad.

The father asked to think about it for a day. His children thought they had him. The next day dad called them in to talk about it. He had some brownies for them. Now, he began, seeing the puzzled look on the children's faces.

These brownies are baked with the finest chocolate, award winning chocolate; the best nuts one can buy, and the recipe is an award winning recipe. However, there is just 1 thing they needed to know. The batter was mixed up really well, but there was just a little bit, not much, just a tiny bit of dog manure mixed in. Now it was mixed very well and blended, and baked at 350 degrees so all bacteria would be killed and would not make them sick.

Dad continued, if you will eat 1 brownie, then you make go to the movie. Well, don't you know......this is what we do in every day life. The other night as I was relaxing I watched 2 and a half men, 30 Rock, The Office and everything I experienced had sexual references. Yes, there was humor, but how subtle and easy are the sexual references there, and allowed to enter the home for our children to see. Last night I arrived at my hotel, turned on the t.v. and Earl came on, it was about sex.

Women, you wonder why men watch sports?? Men, you wonder why women like the CVC type channels?? What has happened???

Job 14:4 "Who can bring purity out of an impure person? No One!"

Psalm 86:11 "Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you."

Stop, Drop, & Pray!!! Thanks for reading. Pray for what our young people are experiencing-praying they will rise above the moral deterioration of our society. Love you all!!!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Can God call you by name???

Good morning all!! Good morning God!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!! What a great day to be alive in the LORD Jesus Christ. I hope and pray that this is a wonderful day for you and each one you touch.

How good is God??? How close are you to God??? Look at Moses. When he first began he was not that close to God. God was close to him. Then Moses began to want to be close to God, to experience HIM personally. The most important thing in live was being close to God. Have you reached that point yet???

Do you ache to know God?? We can know HIM more profoundly because HE offers us a greater revelation of his kindness and nature through every situation. Just ask God to reveal Himself to you.

"I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you." Exodus 33:19

"The LORD answered Moses, 'I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight and I know you by name.'" 33:17

So, have you found favor and can God call you by name??? Things to ponder. Thank you for reading with me. May God bless and protect each step you take today. Love you all

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Where is your source of Strength????

Good morning to one and all!!! What a great day to be alive in the LORD Jesus Christ!!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!! Yesterday we talked about commitment. Commitment=you are either IN or OUT, there is NO INBETWEEN.

So many things we hear just a little bit. A 'little bit' pregnant, speeding just 'a little bit', NO, you are either IN or OUT. When you commit God is right there with you, to run the race with you. Where does your strength come from. What is the verse, uh, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?

Our source of strength is GOD. HE takes care of all we cannot. Being human, we have a tendency to want to take care of it, solve it, do it ourselves. We are not the one who can do this, we have to learn to give it all over to God. When we become burden, heavy laden, STOP, DROP, & PRAY!! Refocus and give it all to God.

Where is freedom?? Freedom is giving everything to God, refocus, set your priorities to do what is truly important. God give us the strength and wisdom to handle these things and HE takes care of the rest.

2 Corinthians 1:5 "Our power and ability and sufficiency are from God."

2 Corinthians 1:17 "Where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom."

Thank you for reading with me today. I pray you have the commitment to follow through, focus on what is important, give the rest to God, and use the wisdom and knowledge God gives us to handle the projects at hand. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you committed?? To Christ???

Good morning all!! Yes, yes, yes, a wonderful, cool, fall morning!!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!
You know, God is committed......committed to you, me, our neighbor, friends, family, and on and on. If HE was not....what is the purpose for living? If God was not, the purpose for living would be the big "I". Without God you may as well live for yourself.....why? Because if there is not God then it is very simple....we live-we die-end of story.

Aren't you glad God is committed to us?? Being committed is God's job to us and our job to God!! Don't be half-hearted about your commitment. Just think if God was half-hearted. Okay, He'll help this morning....BUT....doesn't want to do anything in the afternoon. Wow!! What kind of god would that be??

The Bible says to be either hot or cold....but if we are lukewarm we will be spewed from His mouth. Half-hearted is lukewarm. Don't be half-hearted...go forth with great vigor!! There is NOTHING....repeat.... NOTHING greater than our GOD!! NOTHING more important!! If we don't commit to God what are we committing to?? Lucifer, the Devil, Satan...that's who!!

1 Corinthians 9:24 "In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run is such a way that you will win."

Why run if only one gets the prize? You missed the point, you believe and you run in such a way as you expect to win. Don't give up.

1 Corinthians 9:25"Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever."
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What does this tell you? We are running for a crown that will not rust, rot, ruin in any way. How great is that!!!! We do not have to win God, just step out in faith, and may we all be passionately committed so that my life will honor you.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you all God wants you to be??

Good morning everyone!! What a wonderful day to be the Lord's day!! Fall
is finally here. Our temperatures are finally coming out of the 80's and
90's to the 50's and 60's. YEA !! This fat pup enjoys the cool so he
doesn't sweat as much.

Do you realize GOD IS GOOD?!?!? We give GOD a lot of credit for things
we do. When something bad happens the question comes forth about why
did God let this happen or why did God do this. Did HE really??

God created us with free will. If HE did not creat us with free will
Adam and Eve would never have sinned. We make the choice. Then again,
have you noticed the closer you come to God the more you question your
salvation or relationship with God. Why do we do this??

The closer we come to God, the more HE reveals in HIS WORD for us. The
more HE reveals, the greater our feelings of unworthiness or concerns
about our relationship with HIM. Why is this happening??

God is developing us into the wonderful character that HE wishes us to
be. As God turns us into this person HE wants, the seeds of true
godliness become evident as they take root in us, and are evidenced by
our humility.

So, the greater we grow in God, the more humble we will be? Yes, we
will be giving credit to the great "I AM" not the individual "I". God
is developing us into the very best we can be, so praise HIM for
providing every tool you need to get there.

2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has given us everything required for life
and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us."

Isaiah 66:2 "There is something I'm looking for: a person, simple and
plain, reverently responsive to what I say."

A little long today, but thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Are you ENcouraging or DIScouraging????

Good morning everyone!!! What a wonderful day to be alive in Jesus!!! Did you tell someone about Jesus yesterday??? If someone was standing at the edge of a cliff, in a dangerous situation, and could fall to their death.....would you warn them to come back or try to pull them back???

What about the person who stands at the threshold of hell, won't you tell them about Jesus, to save them from death?? I cannot be hesitant or intimidated about speaking up about Jesus.

Oh, we get emails that say if you are ashamed of Jesus delete, but if not pass it on. Do we, as Christians, have to send email to make people feel guilty?? Why do we believe it is necessary to push people into doing something they may not believe necessary to send on.

Well, yes, if I get a great product I will tell others......I have a great "product" if you will......great news.....the good news of Jesus Christ. With the help of the Holy Spirit I will share this news.

Democrats who are Christians.....do you stand as strong for Jesus Christ as you do against George Bush??? Republicans who are Christians...do you stand as strong for Jesus Christ as you do against Hillary, Bill C., Obama?

1 Corinthians 14:3 "But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them." Prophesies here is telling others of the good news of Jesus.

Ephesians 4:29 "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be encouragement to those who hear them."

We can bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit by the way we live. Paul warns us against unwholesome language, bitterness, improper use of anger, harsh words, slander, and bad attitudes toward others. Instead of acting that way we should be forgiving just as God has forgiven us.

Are your actions and attitudes pleasing to God? Or bringing sorrow to God?? My love for the LORD and everything HE does for me becomes stronger by the day. Take time for Jesus, listen to some praise music, listen to some Christian talk radio...preaching. Let the "good news" fill your heart rather than the negative/bad news.

Thank you for reading with me today. As the song: "Open the eyes of my heart Lord, so that I may see you." Love you all

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Don't be discouraged...GOD IS WITH YOU ALWAYS

Good morning everyone!!! Yes, a wonderful day to be alive in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!! Did you tell someone about Jesus Yesterday??

We should not be discouraged??? Why??? Because God is with us, HE will not leave us, and HE will see us through. Family.....what better family than to be in God's family. Family should stick together, see things through, and not abandon. Is this always true? I dare say not!! Why, because we live in the world, temptations come, temptation lead us astray, we may return, yet the fact is we have strayed.

Does God stray?? Does God pick up strays??? He brings them back. We should be encouraged because we have a LIVING GOD. Think about this....we did not carve an image our of wood, marble, steel, and then worship it. We worship a LIVING GOD!!! HOW AWESOME!!!

Deuteronomy 31:8 "Do not be afraid or discourage, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you, he will neither fail you nor abandon you." WOW!! How strong is that?!?!?!

Joshua 1:9 "This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD you GOD is with you wherever you go."

1 Chronicles 28:20 "Then David continued, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD GOD, my GOD, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished correctly."

Here David advised Solomon not to be frightened about the size of his task as king and builder of the Temple. Fear can stop us dead in our tracks. We look at the size of the job, all the risks, or the pressure of getting it done. We may freeze solid in our tracks and then do nothing.

We need to refocus...not on the fear of the task.....but on the task itself. Break it down, look at the parts, focus on the work at hand. Sometimes the most frightening part of a task is just getting started.

We need to focus!!! At LCUMC we are in a building project...we need to focus.....we need to encourage and support our church staff. If the new building is or was not of GOD, we would never have started. Pray for the pastors, administration, and staff as we focus on the work at hand.

Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

God has a relationship with us, HE will strengthen and help!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???? Go out boldly, with GOD as your strength, and tackle the task at hand. Remember - F O C U S ! Thank you all for reading today. Love you all. May you be encouraged and focus on your task or job at hand.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

How is your character today????

Hello everyone!!! What a great day to be alive in the Lord. I love listening to Christian radio, praise music, seeing the sun (Son) come up, Isn’t God great??? You know our character is what we do when no one is watching. However, one person has His eye on you always. GOD!! God is good all the time,…..all the time God is good.

Did you tell someone about Jesus yesterday?? Will you tell someone about Jesus today??? Why will you talk about Jesus??? Why won’t you talk about Jesus??? Questions to ponder!!! Look around and see what God has done!!!

"Be ye therefore perfect (grown up) , even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (completely mature)." Matthew 5:48

Okay, here are some church excepts by children. Thank you Chuck for these.

JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." Concerned, James asked: "What happened to the flea?"

The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... this particular Sunday sermon..."Dear Lord," the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "Without you, we are but dust..." He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, "Mom, what is butt dust?"

Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all. Have a wonderful day.




In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Character - what is your reflection????

Good morning all!!! What a wonderful day to be alive in Jesus!!! May your day be worry free and all your trust remain in the Lord. Today let's talk about character and tomorrow about worry.

Proverbs 27:19 "As the water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person."

What is your reflection like. "Nothing speaks louder or more powerfully than a life of integrity." Charles Swindell

Character is built slowly over a lifetime. It is the sum of every right decision, every honest word, every noble thought, and every heartfelt prayer. It is forged on the anvil of honorable work and polished by the twin virtues of generosity and humility.

Character is a precious thing - difficult to build but easy to tear down.

As believers in Christ, we must seek to live each day with DISCIPLINE, HONESTY, and FAITH. When we do, integrity becomes a habit. Take time, reflect, what person do you see? If that person is troubled take time now to PRAY, talk to our FATHER GOD, and place every little thing in GOD's HANDS!!

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold." Proverbs 22:1 Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you a lump of coal??? Or a diamond???

Good morning everyone!!! What another wonderful day to be alive in the Lord Jesus Christ. I have been out of town for the last two weeks and how wonderful it was to be back to my home church and enjoy the fellowship. God is good all the time all the time God is good.

You know as Christians we need to go out and shout from the mountain tops the good news of Jesus Christ. Matthew 10:27 "What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. When you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops."

How great this would be. Are you a bashful Christian, one who is afraid to speak up for your Savior???? Do you leave it up to others to share their testimonies while you stand on the sidelines, reluctant to share yours?? Too many of us are slow to obey the last commandment of the risen Christ; we don't do our best to "make disciples of all the nations."

Be as a lump of coal......nothing but black and hard.....yet.....when under pressure turns out to be a DIAMOND. May your spiritual life quit being a lump of coal....and may you go forth as a brilliant diamond for the Lord Jesus Christ!!!!!

Mark 16:15 "...........go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation." Thank you for reading today. May God bless each of your footsteps and keep you safe. Love you all!!


In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you in control?? God is!!!

Good morning everyone!!!  Yes, yes, a great day to be alive and living for
Jesus!!  God is good all the time, all the time, God is good.  Wow!! What
God can do for us, no other being human or spiritual can do for us.

   1 Corinthians 14:32-33 "Remember that people who prophesy are in
control of their spirit and can take turns. For God is not a God of
disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God's holy people."

   Did you stop yesterday and look at the order God created everything? 
Is there one thing God created that does not have order?  I dare say!!
All God has is in order.  If things are in order, then someone is in
control, yes?? Paul tells us if we prophesy we are in control of our
spirit and can take turns.

  Is this what we should do??  Of course!!  Now when we are sitting in
church and suddenly feel the urge to speak should we??  Our church
services are still in order.  AND, it depends on the type of church you
attend.  Some  churches would be shocked, others accept it openly.  It
may be something you can go to the altar call and share with your
pastor. But all needs to be in order and in control.

  If things are not in order, are chaotic, don't blame God. Stop, go to
the mirror and see the reflection.  Is the reflection what you want? If
so, great....carry on!! If not, what are you going to do??  Thank you
for reading!! Love you all!!!


In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Worship service should be orderly!!

Good morning everyone!! I trust this will be a great day in the Lord Jesus Christ! God is good all the time, all the time, GOD IS GOOD!! Let's look at how a worship service should be in Corinthians 14 and verse 26.

1 Corinthians 14:26 "Well, my brothers, and sisters, let's summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you."

In worship there must be order, not chaos or a whatever goes attitude. Everything done in worship services must be beneficial to the worshipers. Every worshiper ought to consider himself or herself a contributor. These principles touch every aspect-singing, preaching, and the exercise of spiritual gifts. Contributions to the service must have love as their chief motivation. As you prepare to lead or participate in worship, seek to strengthen the faith of other believers.

Pretty simple, yet sometimes so difficult. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Tongues and Prophesy

Good morning everyone!!! I trust you have had a wonderful weekend and are filled with renewed spirit for the Lord Jesus Christ, our savior. Today will be the last of what Paul is saying here about prophesy and tongues. I hope you have learned as much as I.

1 Corinthians 14:22-25 "So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believes, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers. Even so, if unbelievers or people who don't understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. But if all of you are prophesying and unbelievers or people who don't understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, 'God is truly here among you.'"

The way the Corinthians were speaking in tongues was helping no one because believes did not understand what was being said, and unbelievers thought that the people speaking in tongues were crazy. Speaking in tongues was supposed to be a sign to unbelievers (as in Acts 2) After speaking in tongues, believers were supposed to explain what was said and give the credit to God.

The unsaved people would then be convinced of a spiritual reality and motivated to look further into the Christian faith. While this is one way to reach unbelievers, Paul says that clear preaching is usually better. (14:5)

If you attend a traditional church and then go to a pentecostal church, hearing someone speak in tongues can be unsettling. However, test it by the word. Was there an interpreter there? Or was it just for the person? Which will edify God?? Which will edify the whole church??

Many denominations argue or things such as this. What is the bottom line? Jesus Christ and our belief in Him is the bottom line!! Do you truly believe?? Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Are you praying in the spirit???

   Good morning everyone!!!  I trust this will be a great day in the Lord
Jesus Christ!!!  Did you tell anyone about Jesus yesterday??  We are to
go forth and share the good news of Jesus Christ, who still lives, yet
died for our sins!  I am not trying to belabor the tongues issue,
however, it seems I have not really heard/seen what Paul is saying in 1
Corinthians before.

    1 Corinthians 14:13-15 "So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray
also for the ability to interpret what has been said. For if I pray in
tongues,my spirit is praying, but I don't understand what I am saying.
(15) Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will
also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit and I will
also sing in words I understand."

  So, what is being said?  If you speak in tongues we should pray for
the ability to interpret. When we pray we should be in the spirit. If
we don't have the gift of tongues does that mean we are not praying
in the spirit? No, it does not.  Tongues is simply a gift, but not
the greatest of gifts.

  When we pray or sing praises, or even study the word our mind and our
spirit are to be fully engaged. Most people can recite the Lord's
prayer, but how many really say the words with meaning and understand
what they are saying????  I can, you can, anyone can pray and say the
right things at the right time for the right people. BUT, is this
really praying in the spirit or is it just pleasing to man???

 When I am driving and have my Open the Eyes of my Heart praise tape in
I often feel that I am in the spirit both physically and mentally. 
There are times my mind wanders, yet the same praise tape is playing. 
Take time, let your spirit go, close out everything, focus on God,
turn off the radio, the t.v., the whatever and focus. See how your
"visit with God" goes. Let me know. I am going to do this as I hit the
send button.

 Thank you for listening....uh....reading today. Satan is alive and
moving  - keep your spirit right....let God and the angels fight the
spiritual battle to slay the demons.  Love you all!!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you speaking clearly????

Good morning!! What a wonderful day to be alive in the Lord Jesus Christ!! What do you think? God is good all the time....all the time God is good!!! Did you get a chance to tell someone about Jesus yesterday??? I hope so!!! Never be afraid to share the good news....even if it is unpopular at that time.
Okay, let's go on to what Paul is saying. He is really pushing us to spread the news of the Lord!! 1 Corinthians 14:7-12 "Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. And if the bugler doesn't sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle (9)It'sthe same for you. If you speak to people in words they don't understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space. There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. (11)But if I don't understand a language,I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. Andthe same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church."
Wow!! Does this say not to speak in tongues??? No! Paul is saying as musical instruments must clearly play each note in order for the music to be recognized, so Paul says words must be preached in the hearers' language in order to be helpful.
Because there are many languages in the world people sometimes can't understand each other. It is the same with speaking in tongues. This gift is helpful to many people in private worship as well in public worship with an interpreter. Paul says that he would rather speak 5 words that you understand rather than 10,000 that you do not understand.
So, what is being said?? To prophesy, to spread the word of the Lord in common, every day language that everyone can understand. Tell 2 people about Jesus today. One in the a.m. and one in the p.m.; two in the a.m.; or two in the p.m.--does it matter?? Just tell someone about Jesus!!
Thank you for reading with me. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Are you strengthened in the SPIRIT????

Good morning everyone!!!! Yes, another great day the Lord has provided for us. When we are not sure, we just uplift our face to heaven and talk to the Father. God is good, all the time......all the time, God is good.

We have been talking in 1 Corinthians 14 and have gone through verse 3. Let's take up with vs 4 & 5. "A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophesy strengthens the entire church." (5)"I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened."

When someone speaks in an unknown tongue, unless there is an interpreter, then that person is speaking in a "prayer" or "spiritual" language. Are tongues alive today? You do the research, you make your decision. If tongues are alive, then they will strengthen you and your spiritual life. Unless, what does Paul say?? If an interpreter is there then it will be for the whole church.

Paul's wish is that we could all speak in tongues. Why? What do you think? Maybe, since this is a gift from the spirit we would be deep and earnest in our prayer?? Would this make us closer to God?? Well, Paul says EVEN MORE, "I wish you could all prophesy." Why would Paul want this for us? Because, if I speak in tongues only I am edified, unless there is an interpreter, then the whole church may be edified. But......when I prophesy or preach or teach the word of God each word I utter is understood, whether it be 5 words or 10,000 words.

Think of it this way....if someone comes up to up and tells you how wonderful you are in a foreign language what would you do? Probably be like the bobble head.....stand there grinning and nodding your head. But if they speak to you in your native tongue, then you will understand each word. So, do we want to share the word of God where very few understand or be COPS (Christians Obediently Proclaiming Salvation)?

Points to ponder....how do I edify the church?? Am I living and sharing the word of God?? Am I walking in the spirit?? Have I prayed today-earnestly??? Challenge - tell just 1 person about Jesus today. Let me know what happened?? God gave me my job, my home, my auto, my family, and on and on....SOOOOOoooooooo what am I doing to thank Him????
Thank you for reading. Love you all!!!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Prophesy?!?!?

Good morning everyone!! I trust this will be a good day and week in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for reading with me today. God is good, all the time…..all the time God is good.
1 Corinthians 14:1 "Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives-especially the ability to prophesy."
The ability to prophesy may involve predicting future events, but its main purpose is to communicate God’s message to people, providing insight, warning, corrections, and encouragement.
1 Corinthians 12:10 "He gives one person the power to perform iracles, and another the ability to prophesy………."
The ability to prophesy does not just refer to predicting the future; it can also mean giving a message received from God to the community of believers. Paul wrote in Romans "In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. (Romans 12:6)
Go forth with the word of God. Thank you for reading today. May you be blessed with the word of God and take it with you. Love you all.
In Christ’s Love and Grace
Johnny