Christ is the ransom, you are the kidnapped!

Good morning! Yes, yes, yes,-----another wonderful day to be alive in Jesus. Jesus is the answer for the world today. Politics? No, don't enjoy them. I had an interesting question poised to me: "If you claim to be a Christian, how can you vote for Obama?"

Good question! If you have seen his speech when he refers to Leviticus and Deuteronomy, he did quite well taking scripture out of context. Then, so arrogantly told his audience they needed to read their Bible. He even referred to the Sermon on the Mount and scoffed at this. Think twice. However, if it is all in God's plan it will come to be.

Okay, good news - BIBLE! 1 Peter 1:20 "God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days."

Christ's sacrifice for our sins was not an afterthought, not something God decided to do when the world spun out of control. This plan was set in motion by the all-knowing, eternal God long before the world was created.

What a comfort it must have been to Jewish believers to know that Christ's coming and his work of salvation were planned by God long before the word began. This assured them that the law was not being scrapped because it didn't work but that both the law and the coming of Christ were part of God's eternal plan.

Does God change his mind? I think not! He already knows what is going to happen, how we will react. Did prophets and leaders of ancient world talk God into changing His mind? God already knew what would be say and done. Maybe He is just running us through a test now for bigger tests to come.

Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

A ransom paid for you!!

Good morning! All is wonderful if you let God lead. Today, take time and pray for everyone you know and all who receive this devotional.

1 Peter 1:18-19 "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God."

Wow! Read that again!! A slave was 'ransomed' when someone paid money to buy his or her freedom. God ransomed us from the tyranny of sin, not with money, but with the precious blood of his own Son. Look at Roman 6:6,7; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Colossians 2:13,14; Hebrews 9:12.

We cannot escape from sin on our own, only the life of God's Son can free us. Wow! How powerful! Take a moment for God, don't provoke your Father in heaven. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Where does your heart lie?

Good morning everyone!! Yes, yes, yes LORD! Can you be still and listen to your heavenly father? Take time to give God your worries, doubts, lusts, fears, and ask for a clean Jesus like heart.

1 Peter 1:17 "And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as "foreigners in the land."
"Reverent fear" is the healthy respect of a believer for the all-powerful God. Because God is the Judge of all the earth, we dare not ignore him or teat him casually.

We should not assume that our privileged status as God's children gives us freedom to do whatever we want. We should not be spoiled children but grateful children who love to show respect for our heavenly Father.

How do you live? Are you obedient? Are you reverent? What type of heart do you have? Tenderized by Jesus or hardened by satan? Thank you for reading. Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

You be holy because God is holy!!

Good morning everyone!! I trust the weekend was absolutely fabulous for everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Do you feel like the child of God? You are chosen by the Heavenly Father, the Heavenly King, the ruler of the universe. YOU SHOULD FEEL WONDERFUL!!

1 Peter 1:16 "For the Scriptures say, "you must be holy because I am holy.""We cannot become holy on our own, but God gives us his Holy Spirit to help us obey and to give us power to overcome sin. Don't use the excuse that you can't help slipping into sin. Rely on God's power to free you from sin's grip.

Take time now and ask the Holy Spirit to take control and for satan to get behind you by the power invested in you from Jesus Christ.

Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you obedient and self disciplined?

Good morning everyone! Wow! Isn't God grand?? Who else could care for us the way God does! Thank you Jesus for dieing for us so we are dyed in the blood and made pure. God's hands are molding us.

1 Peter 1:14 "So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desirs. You didn't know any better then."
Did you read those words carefully? 1-live as obedient children! Whose children? God's!! Then what? Don't fall back to the ways of the world! At one time you lived in the spiritual world and the secular world. We did know any different and what we did was "okay" we thought. Now we know better and don't need to fall back into the ways of the world.

We must be mentally alert or think clearly. We must be disciplined and exercise self-control. And we must focus on what is ahead, looking toward the end. Are you ready to meet Christ, are you living as God's obedient child?

Thank you for reading today? Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Holy Living? Holy Living!!!

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!!! Wow! God takes care of us, even when we don't take care of ourselves. Isn't it great to have a loving caring heavenly Father? All I can say is thank you God!!!

1 Peter 1:13 "So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world."Stop, think clearly - are you thinking worldly or spiritually? Exercise self-control: since you are a child of God you should do allow God to work in you life and show self restraint. Self restraint in what? Eating, drinking, talking, working, in all phases of life. We are an example of Christ and our body is a temple. Stop, take a moment and reflect, is your example something people will want to follow? Is you body the type of temple people will look at with awe, or with awwww?

We should be looking forward to our salvation that Christ gave us when He came as man, and rejoice knowing that when He returns, with great triumphant, our salvation is complete. We will then spend our days, eternal days, praising God and living a wonderful life being with God in heaven. Wow! What more can be said!

I love God! God has taken fabulous care of me! Yet, I do not go to my knees enough, I do not praise God enough, I do not Stop, Drop, and Pray enough, I do not have enough quiet times with God! Yet, He still loves me and cares for me. Thank you God! Thank you Jesus! Thank you for reading with me. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Salvation spoke of

1 Peter 1:12 (New International Version)
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
The prophets did understand, however, that God would not fulfill all oftheir inspired revelations in their own days but in the future. God hadfulfilled the prophecies about Messiah's sufferings in Peter's day, but Hehad not fulfilled the prophecies of Messiah's glorification yet. Even theangels are waiting to see how and exactly when God will fulfill them (cf.Heb. 1:5—2:18).Note that the Holy Spirit has a ministry of illumination as well asinspiration. He enables others to understand God's revelation as preachersexplain it and, of course, as they hear it in other ways. The prophets and angels have been unable to satisfy themselves as to precisely what salvation is all about, we have the privilege not only of full exposition, but of real possession.

Today's study comes from Dr. Constantines Biblegateway and the KJ Bible Commentary. We are being taught the gospel, salvation, and the return of the Messiah. The angels even stoop down to get a peek at salvation and Jesus' return. Thank you for reading today. Love you all.



In Chrsit's Love and Grace

Johnny

Our HOPE is in JESUS CHRIST!!

Good morning everyone! Another beautiful day in day of our LORD JESUS CHRIST!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!! Yea! Another wonderful day - thank you !!

1 Peter 1:13 "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

What? Do you know what we are being told! Basically pull yourself up, be vigilant, and have hope knowing that the grace is brought to us when Jesus Christ returns. We should be ready to go with Jesus when he returns. Are you ready? Can you honestly say that you are ready to be with Jesus RIGHT NOW!?!?

When Jesus Christ returns what a glorious day. EVERYONE WILL KNOW! Satan and his followers will tremble, Christians will rejoice. CELEBRATE! REJOICE! Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

The Holy Spirit's Inspiration

Good morning everyone! Yes, God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Did you praise God's name yesterday for what HE did for you?

1 Peter 1:11 "They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when He told them in advance about Christ's suffering and his great glory afterward."

The Spirit of Christ is another name for the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus left his ministry on earth to return to heaven, he promised to send the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, to teach, help, and guide his followers (John 14:15-17,26 16:7) The Holy Spirit would tell them all about Jesus and would reveal his glory. The Old Testament prophets, writing under the Holy Spirit's inspiration (2:Peter 1:20-21) described the coming of the Messiah. The New Testament apostles, through the inspiration of the same Spirit, preached the crucified and risen LORD.

What do you teach and preach or show example of? Does the Holy Spirit reside in you? Are you walking in both worlds? Secular and Spiritual? You cannot serve two masters and be diligent to both. Is it life eternal? Or death eternal?

Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Salvation? SALVATION!

Good morning everyone! Another great day in the LORD JESUS CHRIST!! Here is a fortune cookie statement. Stop and think about it for a moment. "We need to attract people who create more light than heat." I thought this was very good, take time to think about it.

1 Peter 1:10 "This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you."

The reward for trusting Jesus is salvation. But what does salvation mean? To many it just means "I won't go to hell," to others it is much deeper. We are chosen. Why? God knew our hearts before we were born. HE knows who will choose salvation, Jesus Christ, and who will not.

What is salvation to you? Can you live like the devil during the week and Sunday be holier than thou? I think not! God will not reward this. We need to maintain a constant relationship with our LORD, talk to God daily, thank Him for the good, thank Him that the bad wasn't worse. Like the preacher and his friend who were robbed, the preacher immediately praised God that they were just robbed and their lives were spared.

Are you enjoying your salvation? Are you thanking God? Are you talking to God? Try it----you will like it!! Thank you for reading with me today. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. LOVE YOU ALL!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

THE REWARD - SALVATION!!!

Good morning everyone!! Another great day to be alive in the LORD JESUS CHRIST!! Wow! Isn't it great to be a child of God? God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good!

In 1 Peter 1:1-7 we have a greeting from Peter, and then he talks about the hope of eternal life. We have a priceless inheritance, our faith will be tested as gold is by fire, and when you faith remains strong your faith will bring you through the trials. Now let's go on to verse 8,9.

1 Peter 1:8-9 "You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls."

Jesus said to his disciple Thomas, who came to believe after touching the resurrected Christ: "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me." John 20:29 Peter repeats these words here. Faith brings both salvation and the promise of a day when pain will end and perfect justice begin. Faith will be rewarded and evil will be punished. But what shoud we do until then?

The Bible's answer is simple but not easy. Because we know the future, we must faithfully serve God here and now. If today that means resolving a conflict, mending a hurt, working a dull job, confronting a beligerent child, rebuilding a marriage, or just waiting for guidance - do it all with the joy of God, who will return with his reward!!

Is eternal life praising God worth working toward and waiting for? I believe so! The opposite, hell, is eternal torment. I claim my inheritance and eagerly cast my eyes forward to the day I will be singing praises to God eternally. Thank you all for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Can you love one you have not seen?

Hello friends! I hope you had a wonderful day enjoying the LORD, and visiting with your Father in Heaven. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. But here is a question, can you love someone you have never seen?

1 Peter 1:8 "You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy."Jesus had said to his disciple Thomas, who came to believe after touching the resurrected Christ: "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me." John 20:29 Peter, having heard those words, repeat them here. Faith will be rewarded and evil will be punished. What should we do until then? We must faithfully serve God here and now, if today that means resolving a conflict, mending a hurt, working a dull job, confronting a belligerent child, rebuilding a marriage, or just waiting for guidnace - do it all with the joy of God, who will return with his reward!!

So, do you love him even though you have not seen him? Take time for God right now and thank Him for all He has done for you. Love God even though you have not seen him.

Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Meet your trials and sufferings

Good morning everyone! I hope this day finds you well and ready to meet the trials and temptations. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

1 Peter 1:7 "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when you faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."

We discussed this in part yesterday and mentioned 3 responses. Let's visit about them. First, confidence that God knows, plans, and directs our lives for the good. God always provides his love and strength for us. God leads us toward a better future.

Next comes perseverance when facing grief, anger, sorrow, and pain. We express our grief, but we don't give in to bitterness and despair.

Finally, courage because with Jesus as Brother and Savior, we need not be afraid. He who suffered for us will not abandon us. Jesus carries us through everything.

Are you able to stand with confidence, persevere, and be courageous? That is what God asks of us. This is what Peter is talking about. Don't be bitter, spiteful, but stand up and conquer with the power of Jesus. Thank you for reading. Take time for your Heavenly Father. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Tried by fire!!

Hey, what cha' doin'? That is East Texas for how are you today? God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Did you take time yesterday to stop, listen to God, and see what he may have in store for you? Store up for heaven, it lasts a long time - uh, eternity!

1 Peter 1:7 "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold- though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when you faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."

All believers face trials when they let their light shine into the darkness. We must accept trials as part of the refining process that burns away impurities and prepares us to meet Christ. As gold is heated, impurities float to the top and can be skimmed off. Likewise our trials, struggles, and persecutions refine and strengthen our faith, making us useful to God. Instead of asking, "Why me?" we should respond to suffering with a new set of responses.

Those three responses are Confidence, Perseverance, and Courage. Tomorrow we will do a discussion on these three areas. Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.
Be still and listen to God!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Looking ahead for the joys....or struggling with trials

Good morning! What a great day to be alive and praise God!! Thank you Jesus for all you did for me!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

We have been talking in 1 Peter about being foreigners in a land, being chosen by God, being born again, an inheritance that will not decay, and living in heaven eternally. Well, let's go on.

1 Peter 1:6 "So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while."

So, are you saying being happy and joyful because there will be problems ahead? Well, what was happening here the Christians, who were Jews and gentiles, were the target of persecution during Peter's time. Why?

The Christians refused to worship the emperor as a god and thus were viewed as atheists and traitors. They refused to worship at pagan temples, so business for these money making enterprises dropped wherever Christianity took hold. They didn't support the Roman ideals of self, power, and conquest, and the Romans scorned the Christian ideal of self-sacrificing service. They exposed and rejected the horrible immorality of pagan culture.

Okay, put this in reality of your life today! How would you stand as a witness if your were scorned, quit going to pagan temples (walking in the world), and no longer agreed with the ideals of the country you were living in? Then, you exposed their immoral and improper, if not illegal ways. Very uncomfortable for all around. But, the question is, would YOUR WITNESS STAND UP?

Could you honestly say Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior in a loud and unwavering voice? It was not easy for the Christians of ancient day, and it is becoming harder for the Christian of modern day. Examine your witness! Would you be convicted? Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

And through your faith

Good morning!! Another great day to be alive in the LORD JESUS CHRIST! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. We have been talking in Peter about being chosen. We don't realize how important those words are and just listen to what is being said today.

1 Peter 1:5 "And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see."

First, "and through your faith," because you have the faith you are being protected. How? God protects you by his power! GOD'S POWER!

And how long will he protect us? God protects us until we accept the sacrifice God sent, Jesus Christ, who died for our sins.

On Sunday, Aug. 3, a small flat bottom boat capsized with 6 people aboard. Problems: a major storm blew in, ages ranged from 6 to 60+. The little girl prayed, her prayer was answered, and the neighborhood came out to rescue them. This event helped me to understand "through you faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation......"

Take time to listen to God, whether He whispers or yells, stop and listen. Give thanks to a great and merciful God for your being and salvation. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Cost - $0 Worth = PRICELESS

Good morning and a wonderful day it is!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! A church sign: "Whe you curse, use your own name.... God!" I thought this was good, and also food for thought.

1 Peter 1:3b-4 "Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance--an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure, and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay."

WOW!!! Read that last part again, about your inheritance!! AWESOME!! What more can we say? A nice study Bible -- %75; a good study Bible on sale - $30; a cross necklace or lapel pin -- $15; inheritance kept in heaven -- PRICELESS!!

Eternal life in the city of God. God has reserved the inheritance, it will never fade or decay; it will be unstained by sin. The best part is that you have in inheritance if you have trusted Christ as your savior. Cost=$0 Worth=PRICELESS!

Thank you for reading. Have a great day. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny