THE BRUISED REED

THIS IS A DAILY BY MAX LUCADO. IT REALLY TOUCHED ME, MAY IT DO THE SAME FOR YOU!
JOHNNY

A Place for the Weary



Do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward.
Hebrews 10:35 (NCV)



Is there anything more frail than a bruised reed? Look at the bruised reed at the water's edge. A once slender and tall stalk of sturdy river grass, it is now bowed and bent.



Are you a bruised reed? Was it so long ago that you stood so tall, so proud?...



Then something happened. You were bruised...
by harsh words
by a friend's anger
by a spouse's betrayal ....



The bruised reed .... Society knows what to do with you .... The world will break you off; the world will snuff you out.



But the artists of Scripture proclaim that God won't. Painted on canvas after canvas is the tender touch of a Creator who has a special place for the bruised and weary of the world. A God who is the friend of the wounded heart.





From: He Still Moves Stones

Copyright (Word Publishing, 1993)
Max Lucado

charis - grace

Good morning everyone!! Yes, yes, Lord, Yes! Another great day to be alive in the LORD JESUS CHRIST!! So sorry to have missed you yesterday, I will try to do another study this p.m. to make up for the miss. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

KJV 1 Peter 2:19-20 "For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully." (20)"For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take, it patiently, this is acceptable with God."

The word thankworthy (Gr charis) is idiomatic for "what pleass God"; the literal translation would be "grace," which in the New Testament usually has the enderlying connotation of something which is acceptable to God. Here, what pleases God is that a man can endure pain while suffering unjustly for the sake of his godly conscience.

A similar idiom is found in verse 20, for what glory is it. Here the word 'glory" is likewise idiomatic. It is not the punishment, or even enduring punishment which is creditable, but doing good, continuing to be humble, and continuing to submit even though your goodness is not recognized.

For even hereunto were ye called - Peter indicates by this that the humility or submission that is advocated is the will of God for all Christians. At this point Peter introduces the example of Christ, verse 21.

Okay, recap our thinking. Are you doing what is acceptable to God? Can you suffer unjustly for your godly conscience? Are you doing good? Continuing to be humble? Do you continue in your goodness with no recognition? This is the humility that Peter advocates for you, me, all Christians.

We don't suffer as Christ did, He suffered as He did so we can be cleansed and proclaim the word of God! Thank you for reading. Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Respect your master!

Good morning everyone!! Eyes are all on the news, the monetary bail out, the debate, politics, and the world at war. This is probably better than "I's" (I is) on the news. LOL (a little humor, very little)

1 Peter 2:18 "You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you-not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel."
What?!? Wait!! It is easy to be loyal and submit if the master is kind and mild, but you want me to be the same for that old tyrant? Yes, this is what Peter is saying. We should be loyal and perserve in the face of adversity with an employer. Now understand, these servants were Christians, and they worked for a wage. So, now, does that relate better to you?

As an employee, who receives wages, we are to submit or conduct ourselves properly under the circumstances of this situation. This is Christian humility. Our conduct is not to be determined by whether our employer is good and gentle, but by Christian example or ethics. Likewise, we are to work in the same way for a "crooked" or not so agreeable boss.

Yes, this is difficult, working for someone you don't trust, respect, and who is volatile. Our Christian life was not guaranteed to be a paved, smooth avenue to travel, but that there would be adversities. When things happen at work and you are a professed Christian, eyes will be focused on you. At that time, does Jesus shine through or does the world come through?

If you have a great employer as I do life is much easier to endure. Having worked at one time for a tyrant, and if you do, keep your eyes upon JESUS! Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

ESSE QUAM VIDERI

Good morning everyone!! Another lovely day to worship God! Just to say thank you Jesus! GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!!

Sometimes we take things at the surface, or maybe we just hear the surface and don't see or realize what is under the surface. A body of water looks refreshing, on the surface, but once we jump in......below the surface.....there may be stumps, big rocks, gators as in alligators, disease. Many times we do this in our daily walk.

I laugh at the doctor who said research shows that lack of sleep causes fatigue. LOL But how many people will actually do something about it? Have you ever said I am tired 'cause I haven't been able to sleep this past few days, or week, or whatever?

1 Peter 2:17 "Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sister, Fear God and respect the king."

God wants us healthy, devoted to Him, and to go below the surface for our needs. Think about this:
Esse quam videri
To be, rather than to appear

To be----the real thing; rather than to appear----phony! Where are you in your walk with Jesus?

ESSE QUAM VIDERI

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Freedom in Christ

Good morning everyone!! I trust this will be a glorious day for you!! Let go-let God!! Let's praise God and continue on as a good, honorable example of Christianity.

1 Peter 2:15-16 "It is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil."

Verse 15 our honorable lives should silence those ignorant people. This talks about our lives, not our words. You can never match wits with an idiot, they always believe they win. But you life can be exemplary - they can't beat that down.

Verse 16 Christians have freedom in Christ, but the apostles defined freedom more narrowly than the normal use of the word in common language. Christians use freedom as a tool for a life of exuberant service. It is the foundation that God gives to us to reach our highest potential.

Because God gives us freedom from religious rules and eternal guilt, we must not seek to indulge our own desires. We should reach for the best God has for us. Let us be free in God - and our example above reproach. So, how are you living? As God request? Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Respect authority - live as a Christian

Good morning all!! How are you doing this wonderful day? God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Yesterday we talked about living properly (as Jesus would) among our neighbors and unbelievers. Today we will talk about respect.

1 Peter 2:13-14 "For the LORD's sake, respect all human authority - whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appinted. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right."What? Yesterday we talked about following Jesus and living among unbelievers, and now we repsect all human authority. Yes! Peter told his readers to respect all human authority, he was speaking of the Roman Empire under Nero, a notoriously cruel tyrant. Peter was not telling believers to compromise their consciences, as Peter had told the high priest years earlier, "We must obey God rather than any human authority"(Acts 5:29)

In most aspects of our daily life, it was possible and desirable for Christians to live according to the law of their land. Today, some Christians live in freedom while others live under repressive governments. We are all commanded to cooperate with the rulers as far as conscience will allow.

Are you living a life, respecting authority, but still living your Christian life? Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

How do you live among unbelievers?

Good morning everyone!! Yes, yes, another great day designed by God for us to praise Jesus Chirst for shedding His blood for our sins. What a glorious heavenly father we have.

A Christians life is not easy. We must always have our armor on with our guard up. Churches fight within themselves......for what? A split, and both sides will claim it in the name of God. We drive like crazies, in a hurry, cutting people off with a Christian sticker in the back window.......for what?

What type of image are YOU casting forth before the unbelievers. If you cast your bread upon the water will it return to you?

1 Peter 2:12 "Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world."

WOW!!!! If our actions are above reproach, even hostile people will end up praising God. Peter's readers were scattered among unbelieving Gentiles who were inclined to believe and spread vicious lies about Christians. Gracious, godly, and winsome behavior on the part of Christians could show these rumors to be false and might even win some of the unsaved critics to the LORD.

Don't write off people because they misunderstand Christianity, instead, show them Christ by your life. The day may come when those who criticize you will praise God with you. Wow! This verse if very powerful. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

We are foreigners and have to battle!

Good morning everyone!! What a wonderful day to worship and praise God once again. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. We are still at war - the spiritual war and the worldly war.

There are so many "good things" out there that tempt us. A little alcohol once in a while won't hurt, just social drugs, porn once in a while is not bad, cussing to show you are the boss-in control- or just cool. Even this, the internet, taking away our time from God and the Bible. All these things dangle out there, tempting us, looking more exciting.

1 Peter 2:11 "Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls."

Our real home is with God. Heaven is not the pink-cloud and harp existence popular in cartoons. Heaven is where God lives. Life in heaven operates according to God's principles and calues, and it is eternal and unshakable.

The Kingdom of Heaven came to earth in the symbolism of the Jewish sanctuary, the Tabernacle and Temple, where God's presence dwelt. It came in a fuller way in the person of Jesus Christ. "God with us," it spread through the entire world as the Holy Spirit came to live in every believer.

Our true loyalty should be to our citizenship in heaven, not to our citizenship here, becaus the earth will be destroyed. Our loyalty should be to God's truth, his way of life, and his dedicated people. When we are loyal to God, we will often feel like strangers in a world that would prefer to ignore God.

Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all. Put on your armor and go forth. Be bold! Fight the good fight! Tell someone about Jesus TODAY!!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

You are God's special person!

Good morning everyone!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! We are constantly in a war.....a spiritual war. This war is just the same as when we compete in sports. You have to have HEART! Without heart you are just another body, occupying space, breathing others air, and trying to do something useful.

Once you give your heart to God you become someone special, a chosen one, and you have life eternal to live for, look forward to, and fight for.

1 Peter 2:10 "Once you had no identity as a people, now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy now you have received God's mercy."

Once you were a nobody, going nowhere fast, and arriving somewhere too late. Now you are somebody, a Royal Priest, a Child of God, a Chosen One.

Once you would die a never ending death! Now you live a never ending life. Much better than Peter Pan in Never Never Land. Your heart has to be in your belief. Lip service is cheap, actions are examples of the heart. Look at our current elections!

We are called to represent the most high GOD! Put your heart into it, bring honor to God's name, let the kingdom of God prosper because of you, a warrior for Christ!

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

We are at war!!!!

Good morning everyone!! I hope this is a great and wonderful day for each one of you. God IS good all the time, all the tme God is good!! Today is an anniversary of the bloodiest day in history of the U.S.A. In 1862 the battle at Antietam established itself as the bloodiest battle, losing 23,582 men.

Think about the battle we are in now, the spiritual battle. How many casualities are lost daily? How many: "Oh, I know, I will (accept Jesus) soon." "Well, now is not a good time." "I can't find a church I like." "No hurry, when I get ready I will go (to church)."

If the rapture happened at noon today would your family, friends, and associates know what happened because of your witness? Would they realize this is all in God's plan? Would they realize the tribulation is now beginning? Exactly how strong a medic (in war) or witness are you?

1 Peter 2:9 "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light."

The first part talks about us not stumbling because we are chosen. YOU are a ROYAL PRIEST!! You are a possession of GOD!! You were bought by JESUS!! So, let us take the war on, not by our own strength, but by the strength of the Most Holy God who empowers us.

Thank you for reading. Love you all. Be a medic, save a soul today!!!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

The STONE!!

Good morning everyone!! Another great day to be alive in the LORD Jesus Christ! I do hope and pray that your day goes in a wonderful and spiritual way. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

1 Peter 2:8 "And, "He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they do not obey God's word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them."
Peter had been talking about the cornerstone of the church, Jesus Christ. Now Peter is saying Jesus is the same stone that makes people stumble and fall. Why? FEAR! The LORD will keep us safe and we can take comfort in this.

Fear, on the other hand, is a powerful enemy of our faith and a strong deterrent to the believer's peace of mind. Fear of war, terrorist attacks, disease, and pollution can rob us of our trust in God. God is our shelter and hiding place.

Take time to ask God to drive the inappropiate fear from your heart and to help you fear only HIM. Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."
Unbelievers and believers stumble, as believers we can cast our eyes toward heaven, toward our LORD and be okay. The unbeliever will wilt in fear and torment. Thank you for believing. Pray for all on this list. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Why do you worry? Why do you fear?

Good morning! Another great day to be alive in Jesus Christ!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! We just went through the hurricane Ike this past week and weekend. We survived but thoughts penetrate our minds, good and bad. Here is some scripture that may help.

Isaiah 41:10 "don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you."

Mark 5:16 "Do not be afraid: only believe."

A quick prayer - "Dear God, I do trust you. Thank you that you are with me in my situation and I don't need to be afraid. Amen."

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you a chip or a rock?

Good morning everyone!! Today, the day after 9-11, we in Texas will remember as when the evacuates from the Texas coast will be heading this way to avoid Hurricane Ike. But remember, God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!

1 Peter 2:7 "Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, "The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.""

Jesus told Peter in Matthew 16:18 "Now I say to you that your are Peter (which means rock), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it."

The rock on which Jesus would build his church has been identified as (1) Jesus himself (his work of salvation by dying for us on the cross), (2) Peter (the first great leader in the church at Jerusalem), (3) the confession of faith that Peter gave and that all subsequent true believers would give.

Peter reminds Christians that they are the church built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. All believers are joined into this church by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, the same faith that Peter expressed here. Jesus praised Peter for his confession of faith. It is faith like Peter's that is the foundation of Christ's Kingdom.

Where is your faith? How strong is your faith? Are you afraid to express your faith? Let go, let God. If God leads....all will turn out okay. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What stone do you build on?

Well hello!! I trust you are enjoying being a child of God! God is good all the time, all the time good is God!! Tomorrow will be an early day so I am doing my Bible study this evening. Please remember you can always view this study at www.johnnybdaily.com or at www.buford.podbean.com .

1 Peter 2:6 "As the Scriptures say, "I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.""

What is the stone that really counts in the building of the church? Peter answers: Christ himself. What is your answer? ______ My answer is Jesus Christ!

This cornerstone is chosen for great honor! Who? Jesus Christ Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced. Trusts in who? Jesus Christ Who will never be disgraced? Me......You.....anyone who believes in Jesus Christ.

Have you taken time to visit with your God, my God, our God, our savior Jesus Christ?
Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you act like a HOLY PRIEST?

Good morning everyone!!! A wonderful day to be alive in JESUS!!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

1 Peter 2:5 "And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God."

Wow!! We are living stones....can you imagine? And what about us? God is building US into HIS spiritual temple. You mean I am one of the blocks God is building on? Yes, that is it!! We must clean up our 'stone,' us, so that we may be worthy of being part of the temple. How can I do that? You can't!!! Jesus already did.....you are clean, spotless, pure through the blood of Jesus.

But, am I a holy priests also? Yes you are. You are a holy priest of the most high God! Does your example exemplify you, a holy priest? God makes it clear that obedience fomr the heart is very important. God wants us, his "holy priests," to offer ourselves as living and spiritual sacrifices - daily laying aside our own desires and following him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal, and trusting him to guide us.

Are you doing this? Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all!!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What cornerstone is your life built on?

Good morning!! I hope all is well with you and yours. God is good all the time, all the time God is good!! Quite a storm here last night, but we praise God for the moisture and keeping us safe.

1 Peter 2:4 "You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor."Psalm 118:22 "The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone."Jesus referred to this verse when he spoke of breing rejected by his own people. Although he was rejected, Jesus is now the cornerstone, the most important part of the church. The cornerstone is the foundation stone, holding the structure together.

Isaiah 28:16 "Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says, "Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem," a firm and tested stone."
If you are building anything, you need a firm base. Isaiah speaks of a foundation stone, a precious cornerstone, that will be laid in Zion. This cornerstone is the Messiah, the foundation on whom we build our lives.

Is your life built on the flimsy base of your own successes or dreams? Or is it set on a firm foundation?

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you crave spiritual milk?

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 "Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness."
One characteristic all children share is that they want to grow up- to be like their parents, a big brother or a big sister. When we are born again, we become spiritual newborn babies. If we are healthy, we will yearn to grow. How sad it is that some people never grow up. The need for milk is a natural instinct for a baby, and it shows the desire for nourishment that will lead to growth.

Once we see our need for God's Word and begin to find nourishment in Christ, our spiritual appetite will increase, and we will start to mature. How strong is your desire for God's Word?

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

WAKE UP!!! CHECK YOURSELF OUT!!!

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!!

Have you stopped, taken time to soul search for a moment. Are you clinging to ways of the world and trying to live a Christian life as well? Doing the right thing... taking a pen or pencil from work is not wrong unless your intent was to steal it. We don't need to go to extremes, but we do need to resist evil temptations.

1 Peter 2:1 "So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech." Wow! This could be a political campaign slogan.what is evil behavior? Some of it is described here. Do you deceive? Are you a hypocrite? Are you jealous? Do you speak harshly of others? What is wrong with being truthful? What is wrong with you preach it but don't practice it? What is wrong with wanting what others have? What is wrong with talking about others?

Well.....Would JESUS do evil? Was JESUS deceitful? Was JESUS a hypocrite? Was JESUS jealous? Did JESUS speak harshly or unkind of others? JESUS was truthful. He became angry at evil.....do you? JESUS showed love.....true love....do you?

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What is eternal? GOD'S WORD

Well, well, hello all! How great is our God!! God is just, and fair, and right! Where do yo sit in your relationship with our heavenly Father. Without God, exactly what are you?

1 Peter 1:24-25 "As the Scriptures say, "People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the LORD remains forever." And that word is the Good News that was preached to you."

Here Peter quotes Isaiah 40:6-8 and reminds believers that everything in this life - possessions, accomplishments, people - will eventually fade away and disappear.

Only God's will, God's word, and God's work are permanent. We must stop grasping the temporary and begin focusing our time, money, and energy on the permanent, the WORD OF GOD and our ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST.

We are mortal, God's Word is eternal and unfailing. Public opinion changes and is unreliable, but God's Word is constant. Only in God's eternal Word will we find lasting solutions to our problems and needs. Isaiah 40:8 ".....but the word of our God stands forever." Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all. May your life be eternal in Christ.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you BORN AGAIN?

Good morning everyone!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!! So many things in this world. We want to do everything. As my mom said, "I can't die yet, I have too many things I want to do!" A good element, among many, about being a Christian is our physical death is a rebirth. A rebirth to eternity!!

1 Peter 1:23 "For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal living word of God."

We have been BORN AGAIN! Non-Christians will scoff at this. John 1;13 "They are reborn - not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God." If we welcome JESUS CHRIST as LORD of our lives we are reborn spiritually, receiving new life from God.

Through faith in Christ, this new birth changes us from the inside out - rearranging our attitudes, desires and motives. Being born of God makes us spiritually alive and puts us in God's family. Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Love as Jesus did!

Good morning everyone!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!! How many Christians does it take to move a mountain? Depends on faith.

1 Peter 1:22 "You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart."

How were we cleansed from our sins? When we obeyed the truth? What is that? The truth, the light, and the way - - JESUS! Answers all three questions.

"Sincere love," and just what is this? This is a selfless giving, NOT a self centered giving. A self centered person cannot truly love.

God's love and forgiveness free us to take our eyes off ourselves and to meet others's needs.

By sacrificing His life, Christ showed that HE TRULY LOVES YOU! Now say, "I must love others by following Jesus' example and giving of myself sacrificially." Yes, you can do it!! Thank you for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

I trust in God through Christ, whom He raised!!

Good morning everyone!! Another great day to be alive in Jesus and praise God's name!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!! Let's see what is being said in 1 Peter.

1 Peter 1:21 "Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory."

Remember, Peter is talking to the Jewish Christians who have been tortured in Rome and scattered throughout the land. Peter, the rock, the talking about eternal life, calling these Jewish Christians to live holy, and now he is reassuring them about their faith.

Because of Christ, they have come to trust in God. Something visual? Something in their lifetime? The children of Israel Moses led had this!! The Jewish Christians have placed their "faith" and "hope" in God. Why? Because God raised Christ from the dead! What else? God gave Jesus great glory!!

This was written for the Jewish Christians of ancient world. Re-read this. It is talking to you also. Through Christ I have come to trust in God. I place my faith and hope in God. He (God) raised christ from the dead and glorified Him (Christ) just for me. Make it personal. IT IS PERSONAL!! We have not seen, but we have studied! We know!

The Bible is the inspired word of GOD! I believe it! Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny