Doer or Hearer

Good morning everyone! Yes, yes, another great day in the LORD JESUS CHRIST!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!

James 1:22 "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Just stop and reflect on this a moment...... be DOERS of the word---do you tell people about Jesus, God, the Bible?

Or, are we hearers only...... oh yes, I hear, I know, but I do what I want because the Bible..... was written for ancient days - doesn't relate to us today - written by chauvinist males - is a good history book - and there are more reasons.

Then the last words - deceiving yourselves - do we want to convince ourselves we are doing right even if we are not. So, now comes the analyzing Am I a doer or just hearer? Time to soul search. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Good seed - - The Word!

Good morning all! A great day to be alive in Jesus! God is good all the time, all the time, God is good!!! Let's not tary - look at James.

James 1:21 "Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls."
The Word is a seed, it must have good soil to thrive. All bad or evil seeds are to be put away. As man, being converted from evil to Christianity, we bring many things with us that are inconsistent with the word of God. These things are to be laid aside so we may give ourselves more completely to the positive work of receiving the Word. Only the Word is able to save the soul.

Are we listening to the Word, following Christ, and doing as God commands. Is the Holy Spirit driving your life? If not, why not? If so, your journey should be blessed. Evil or good! Keeping on with world or working with the Word? Thank you for reading! Have a blessed day. Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Listen, don't speak, relax!!

Good morning everyone!! Another great day to be alive in the LORD Jesus Christ! I trust your Sunday was fabulous.

James 1:19-20 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."
Okay, what is being said here? Three things: 1) swift to hear; 2)slow to speak; 3) slow to wrath. What does this mean to you? Swift to hear- let us listen and hear everything, not just what we want to hear.
Slow to speak - do not let idle rhetoric spew from your lips, think about what you are about to say. Slow to anger- don't become angry quickly, stop and take in the complete picture rather than make a hasty decision.

When a Christian opens up to wrath, he is incapable of acting justly or righteously, plus he prevents or hinders the vindicaion of God's righteousness in the world.
Well, what all are we saying? If we listen to what we think, cut people off or interrupt and give rebuttal in anger we are not letting the likeness of Jesus Christ shine through us. We are a soiled spot on the "Christian image."
Today, take time to listen, really listen to someone, don't respond immediately, and let anger be silent. See how this affects and effects you, those around you, and your day. Thank you for reading. Love you all!


In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you a first fruit?

Good morning everyone. Yes, another great day in the Lord Jesus Christ. How great it is to have a living God!!

James 1:18 "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures." God give us the word of truth. We are given something far more valuable than an earthly inheritance. James is telling the people they should be the first fruits of his creatures. What does this mean? This means these people are the beginning of the Christians and there will be more to come.

Does this not mean the same to us today? We have the word of truth, and we are the first fruits of this inheritance. We should carry on, and there will be more to come after.

To be silent is to agree. Are you silent if someone speaks negative of the word, of God, of Jesus? You are the first fruits, go forth and spread the word, you are justified through Jesus Christ. Thank you for reading. Have a super weekend. Love you all!!


In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

God's gifts are valuable!!

Good morning! What a great day to be alive in the Lord Jesus Christ!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Have you stopped to thank God for what he has given you lately? All the material items, but more so the spiritual eternity you will receive. If not, it is time!

James 1:17 "Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." New Revised Standard Version

God gifts are good, useful, practical and perfect (nothing is wrong or lacking in them), but His liberality is wholly consistent. Fickle man may fall to "lusts," but HE, the FATHER OF LIGHTS, does not embrace the faintest shadow of change.
God is consistent, He allows us to wander, but all we have is from HIM, and God does not give junk! All God gives is good! Satan works diligently to deceive us into believing God is punishing us by giving us junk! To this we reply - B U N K ! GOD does no evil- YOU ARE VALUABLE IN GOD'S PLAN. HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH AND BE PROUD OF YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.

Read Psalm 104:3-praise God with every breath. Thank you for reading. The following is from Kathy, thank you. Love you all.


Knock, Knock I knocked at heaven's door this morning. God asked me...'My
child, what can I do for you?' And I said, 'Father, please protect and
bless the person reading this message.' God smiled and
answered...'Request granted'.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

LUST? What is in your heart?

Good morning all! A great day to be alive in the Lord Jesus Christ!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

James 1:15-16 "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren." When evil desire arises in the mind, it does not stop there. Lust gives birth to sin, and sin produces death. Death is the mature or finished product of sin. Death here is spiritual death. The process of evil compares to a life cycle. Must may seem insignificantly small, but it produces sin.

James is showing tenderness when he tells his brethren not to err, he wishes nothing for them but to be in God's grace. Here we are talking about lust- is it fleshly lust for another? Yes, AND lust in desiring the things of the "world." Here lust is not just of sexual nature, but of fleshly desires such as nicer home, nicer car, nicer..............

Is this where you are? Lusting? Is this where America is? What can we possibly do? Nothing humanly possible, only PRAYER! We need to prayer from ground zero, you, and continue up-family, friends, community, state, nation. National day of prayer is coming-will you pray for your nation?
Thank you for reading today. Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Tempted? Enticed? Where do you turn?

Good morning everyone!!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Have you told anyone about Jesus lately? Let's get back to James.

James 1:14 "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."

EVERY MAN is TEMPTED-even Jesus was tempted by satan, why would we think we are exempt? We are not. So, what tempts us? our own lust (Greek-epithymia) and enticements. We cannot blame God for our sins, but take responsibility for our sins. I must be able to stand up and say I lust and was drawn away or I was enticed and drawn away and I HAVE SINNED!

God cannot do evil, so why would we think we could pass the blame. Satan tempts us, but we have to leave all we have in our trust in God. God will see us through all things, we just have to LET GO- LET GOD!!

Thank you for reading with me today. When you are tempted look up, give it all to God. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Listen.......Listen.....Do you hear???

Good morning all! A great day to be alive in the LORD Jesus Christ!! Yesterday I mentioned about listening, and that God hears. But.....what else does Psalms say?

Psalm 85:8 "I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints-but let them not return to folly."

Do you REALLY listen to God? OR, do you listen when you are in need? God promises to take care of us, all the time. But we do to God as our children have done to us......we stray. Does the love leave? NO! But we are there when they return. So is God. let us not return to folly. What does this mean to you?

To me it simply means that once I leave the pagan ways do not return. What pagan ways? Well, "worshiping," if you will, some alcohol, wild women, crazy weekends, trying to remember what you did. Or, maybe just cherishing materials things, can't wait to get a newer car, boat, gun, house, 4 wheeler, jet ski, etc. We have to return to God, listen, and life will be good. This does not mean no material goods, but praise God for what HE allows you to obtain.

Thank you for listening. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Change? Communication?

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.

Yesterday I had business appointments in the a.m., then caught a flight to work with my partner in Denver. Everyone needs to go a less traveled route, and then just sit and view people in a large setting, such as an airport.

The normal road to Love Field in Dallas is Mockingbird Lane Road. However, the East side of the airport it was under construction. People read signs, simply went around, no one honked or became angry because the road most traveled was closed. In fact, people knowing the situation were courteous.

Then I arrived at the airport. You can bond with the other people going through the security. It is very trying for some, like the lady who thought her laptop was taken by someone else, however, she had it in her arms while she was in a state of panic.

In the waiting area, from left to right facing me was the following. Asian lady with Ipod, Spanish lady on cell phone, young white male and older white male both on Ipods, white lady reading, and an male listening to his music on his phone.

Do we have a communication problem? We are becoming better listeners or we have a tolerance for chosen sound. Psalms 116:2 "Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live."

Who do you call on? Who do you communicate with? Thanks for reading, love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Temptation?? Me????

Good morning everyone! I hope this is a wonderful day for each of you. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. We give God credit for things we should not. It is like doing something wrong and then our parents have to come behind us and correct the situation.

James 1:14 "Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away."

God tests us, but he does not tempt us and draw us toward sin. God does allow satan to tempt people. How do we resist temptation to sin? We have to refine our faith and grow in our dependence on Christ. We can resist the temptation to sin by turning to God for strength and choosing to obey his Word.

Where is your faith at this time? A time of reflection! Do you like what you see in the mirror. Thank you for reading. Love you all.


In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny p.s. click on picture

STOP! LISTEN!

Good morning, God is good all the time, all the time God is good! I am sharing a devotional I receive from Max Lucado, I hope you enjoy it and that it touches your heart.
Listen for His Voice

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Let me state something important. There is never a time during which Jesus is not
speaking. Never. There is never a place in which Jesus is not present. Never.
There is never a room so dark... a lounge so sensual... an office so
sophisticated... that the ever-present, ever-pursuing, relentlessly tender Friend
is not there, tapping gently on the doors of our hearts--waiting to be invited in.

Few hear his voice. Fewer still open the door. But never interpret our numbness as
his absence. For amidst the fleeting promises of pleasure is the timeless promise of
his presence. "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt.
28:20 NIV)....

There is no chorus so loud that the voice of God cannot be heard... if we will but
listen.


From: In the Eye of the Storm
Copyright (Word Publishing, 1991)
Max Lucado



In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Temptations from God?????

Good morning everyone!! What a great day to be alive in the LORD Jesus Christ. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

James 1:13 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:"
Since temptation may have beneficial results, some might conclude that God Himself sends it. The author completely denies that; God is never the source of temptation.

Sometime God cannot do is evil, and temptation to do evil is not of God. How many times do we give God credit for what is not of His doing? But we justify it by saying God is making us stronger. GOD CANNOT DO EVIL.

Think about this verse. Mull it over, and the next time you are tempted just who did it come from? Thanks for reading. Love you all.


In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you have a crown of life?

Good morning everyone!! Another fabulous day in the Lord Jesus Christ! God is good all the time - all the time God is good.

Let's look at James 1:12 "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

What is this saying to you? Blessed is the man who faithfully endures, or goes through trials. Endureth - Greek hypomeno - is the verb form of the word "patience." This patience does not mean waiting without anxiety, but to endure adverse circumsatnces without letting them ruin the attitude.

The "crown of life" is not a real crown, or wreath as they had in the Greek games then. But this reward is LIFE ITSELF. Soooo, James 1:12 is telling us if we resist the trials, temptations, then we will have eternal life. How awesome is that?

Were are you sitting today? Have you endureth so you may have your crown of life? God will bless - stay true to the course. Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are your riches on earth? Or in heaven?

Good morning everyone!! what a great day to be alive in the Lord Jesus Christ! Today is a great day to say a prayer for a loved one, a friend, and just for people struggling with illness. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

James 1:9-11 "The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed in the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business."

Okay, read this passage again and watch for the spirituality involved. The humble brother take pride in his high position. If we are humble in the ways of the LORD, we will be blessed.

The rich man should take pride in his position here on earth. Because all he has is his riches on earth.....nothing beyond. What we have here, our earthly possessions will fade away, beauty will disappear, things will wither, and the rich man will fade away.

Where are your riches? Here on earth? Or in the heavenly storehouse? Take pride in your one living GOD! Be proud of your Christian life and tell someone about Jesus today! Love you all.Thanks for reading.


In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Humble yet Rich??

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. We have been talking about having wisdom and to be unwavering. To not be cast here and there as the sea waves.

James 1:9 (New International Version) The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.

What does this mean to you? The brother in humble circumstances? Does this mean we need to bow down to all? To be poor? What? Then.....we ought to take pride in his (our) high position? Wait! High position? How can you be humble, yet in high position and take pride?

This passage is talking about our holiness. That we need to be close to God. The closer we come to God, the higher our position, or the more Christ like we become. Take pride in this high position - this does not mean to boast to everyone that you are Christ-like, but be aware of your closeness to God. We are talking about self satisfaction, the intrinsic esteem you harbor. Where are you today? Are you happy with your relationship with God? Are you Christlike? Thank you for reading. Love you all!!


In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you waver? Are you true?

Good morning everyone!! A great weekend, a great Sunday with the LORD! God is good, all the time - all the time, God is good. Psalm tells us to praise God daily, let praise roll constantly off our lips.

James 1:7-8 "For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the LORD. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
Here James is very simply telling us that if we doubt, we are double-minded, we are unstable in all ways, then we must not expect to receive anything from the LORD. This is so simple, yet so very hard.

When you pray, do you pray believing or do you pray hoping? Jesus told us to believe. One who wavers lives in two philosophical worlds, the natural and the supernatural; and while he rejects the natural intellectually, he will not wholly commit himself to God.

The LORD covets servants who give 100%! Are you a 100% servant? Time for self exmaination. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Trusting in God? OR, the world??

Good morning!! Rain drops are coming down. To the person going to work this is a hassle, to the schools - inconvenient, to construction workers - no work no pay, but to farmers - pennies from heaven. God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

James 1:7-8 "Such people should not expect to receive anything from the LORD. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do."

We had been talking about wisdom, and putting our faith in God. When we put our faith in God we should not waver. Huge waves at sea are restless, controlled by wind, gravity, and tide. Divided loyalty leaves a person as unsettled as the restless waves. We want to stop being tossed about, rely on God to show you what is best for us. Ask for wisdom; trust that he will give it to you; and now our decisions will be sure and solid.

Thank you for reading today. May you have wisdom from God. Love you all.


In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Trusting in God, or wavering trust?

Good morning everyone!! What a great day to be alive!! Our saviour is risen and ALIVE!!! Psalm 103:1 "Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name." Do you?

James 1:6 "But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind."

Yesterday we talked about wisdom in v. 5. We must believe not only in the existence of God but also in his loving care. this includes relying on God and expecting that he will hear and answer when we pray. A person with divided loyalty is not completely convinced that God's way is best. He treats God's word like any human advice and retains the option to disobey. Divided loyalty leaves a person as unsettled as the restless waves of the sea. If you don't wish to be tossed about, then rely on God to show you what is best for you. Ask him for wisdom and trust that He will give it to you. THEN, you decisions will be sure and solid.

Let go.....let GOD!! When I pray about my job, my wife, my family each morning prior to setting out I know the day will be good. If I don't, many times I have to stop, be still and know that HE IS, pray, and the day improves. How about you? Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Wisdom? Wisdom!!!

Good morning everyone!! Yes, another great day to be alive in the LORD JESUS CHRIST! If you can rejoice at the words JESUS CHRIST then do so boldly and confidently. God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

James 1:5 "If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives in all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you."

Wow!! Have you thought about what God gives us freely? He only asks us to believe, to open our heart and give it to God. But there has to be a catch. If God were man, there probably would be catch; but God is our Heavenly Father and He gives to us willingly and freely, NO CATCHES!

The verse above simply say if you are lacking in wisdom do what? ASK GOD! What does He do? He gives it (wisdom) generously and ungrudgingly. Do you need wisdom? Certainly, don't we all need wisdom. Take time and ask God for wisdom and to lead you as you need to be led.

Thank you for reading with me. May your heart be pure and your wisdom be great. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Patience?!?!

Good morning everyone!! I hope this is a great day in the Lord Jesus Christ for you!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

James 1:4 "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

We do not know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. It is easy to be kind to others when everything is going well, but can we still be kind when others are treating us unfairly?

God wants to make us mature and complete, not to keep us from all pain. Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. Thank God for promising to be with you in rough times.

Ask him to help you solve your problems or to give you the strength to endure them. Then be patient, God will not leave you alone with your problems, he will stay close and help you grow.

Jesus is the son, and we should be like Him. Just as the Moon reflects the sun. Are you the "moon" reflecting the "son?" Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny