Are you proud or humble?

Hello everyone!! Another great day in the LORD JESUS CHRIST!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

1 Peter 5:5 "Likewise ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."

Submit unto the elder.....wow! Is this slipping away? Now it seems elder (parent) do for your child so they won't be upset.

All of us subject to each other? This is an accountable command, to keep us faithful and true.

If all you did was by yourself, a self made man you may be of the proud and God may not know you. The humble is given grace by God. You mean a proud man cannot enter heaven.....this is as said in the Bible.....easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. If this fits - rethink, revise, repent. Thanks for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

The Great Shepherd

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!! Take pride you are a child of God, but don't be prideful!

1 Peter 5:3,4 "Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor."

We shold be concerned for what we can give, not for what we can get. We should lead by example, not force. We shold lead eagerly and be caring. The Great Shepherd is Jesus Christ. This refers to his second coming, when he will judge all people and give rewards to his faithful followers.

The "crown" pictures the glory believers will receive that is eternal and unchanging. What better motivation for selfless service! What better motivation for keeping the faith in the face of suffering and temptation.

Why do you help others? Are you ready for your "crown" of rewards? Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you a willing worker?

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!!

Are you an elder in your church? Are you just a member attending on Sunday? Well, Peter is talking to the elders here in 1 Peter 5:1 "And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you."

Elders were church officers providing supervision, protection, discipline, instruction, and direction for the other believers. Elder simply means "older." Elders carried great responsibility, and they were expected to be good examples. Do you carry yourself as an elder?

1 Peter 5:2 "Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly-not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God."

Do you help care for the flock? Do you work at church willingly or grudgingly? Or, do you work at church at all? Are you working for what you will receive? OR, are you working, eagerly, excitedly to serve God?

When the final bell tolls will you be saying, "Oh God!!" OR "Oh, God!" One knowing you are on the down elevator, the other knowing you will praise God for eternity. Thanks for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

WHAT DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE?

Good morning everyone!!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Where are you today? What is your priority in life?

Yea Obama is elected? Boo, Obamam is elected? Yea, the Cowboys won? Boo, the Cowboys won? Yea, Alabama is No. 1? Boo, Alabama is #1? ETC.!!!

Really!!! What is your priority for you? For your life? Does Jesus or God come to the forefront?

Is there more than one way to get to heaven? Can you get there by being a GOOD PERSON?

Do you believe believing in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven?

1 Thessalonians 3:2 "and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God's co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith,"

I welcome feedback. WHAT DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE? Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Seek God continually

Good morning all!! Yes, another great day to praise God!!

1 Chronicles 16:11-12 "Study God and his strength seek his presence day and night; remember all the wonders he performed."

We get strength and certainty from God yesterday and it lasts for only a while. Does it make you wonder why you have to keep going back to God in order to maintain your faith? This does not mean your faith is weak, but strong. The need to keep going back is actually evidence that your relationship with God is healthy. God created his encouragement this way because he want you to return to him. God desires for us to speak with him often and continually draw from his grace.

Go to HIM now, study HIM, seek HIS help and remember HIS power. Maintain and sustain your faith, strength, and certainty by staying in the presence of God.

Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

TRUST AND OBEY!!

Well Good morning everyone!! Yes, God is good all the time, all the time God is good!! Do you study your Bible daily? Do you at least read something from your Bible daily? Well, neither do I. Saturday seems to be my day of backsliding. Why? I don't really know. Just a different routine. My pledge to you and God is that I will do better. NOW, your part in this is to keep me accountable. Ask me if I did!! Do you want me to ask you as well? Let me know.

1 Peter 4:19 "So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right and TRUST your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you."

Yesterday I said we would talk about trust. How does trust work? Trust overcomes fear. Genuine trust in God says, "Whatever mess I'm in, my heavenly Father will lead me."

Next, Trust overcomes depression. No matter how overwhelming the situation or how low it makes you feel, God can draw you back to the light.

And last, Trust overcomes hate. When careless or cruel people hurt you, sometimes irreparably, you can hate forever or you can trust God, but you can't do both. God is there to steady even the worst situation - always with a promise, always with hope.

Commit your life to him for safekeeping. Rely on him when you face your worst circumstances. Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all. TRUST AND OBEY!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Barely Saved!!!

Well good morning!!! God is great and helps us through the rough times. God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!! We have been talking about suffering for Christ and is it worth it. We will all be judged by God - believers and non-believers! Aren't you glad you are a believer and will come before the Lord with a history of sins....BUT......you are seen white as the pure driven snow because of Christ's blood that was shed for you. Yahoo!!!

1 Peter 4:18-19 "And also, "If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?" So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you."

Barely saved, what do you mean Peter? Because of God's mercy we are saved. Only because God sent Jesus and we stand on His blood are we saved! Those who reject Christ have NO CHANCE!! Happy Holy life eternal or miserable life of hell! Not much choice.

Tomorrow we will talk about trust in verse 19. Thanks for reading. I am glad you and I are on the up elevator! Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

For our Veteran's

Yesterday was veteran's day. I am doing this for veteran's honor and current serving military.



The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.

' Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for
spe cial training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq '

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack
lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours
before we reached Chicago , and I quickly decided a lunch would help
pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he
planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a
sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to
Chicago ': His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I
walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a
fifty dollar bill.
'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed
tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a
soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers
were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best
- beef or chicken?'
'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to
the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from
first class. 'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane,
heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I
want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five
dollars.
Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down
the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was
not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on
my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held
out his hand, an said, 'I want to shake your hand'

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand.
With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military
pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I
never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of
the passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A
man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand,
wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.
When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to
deplane.
Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put
something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a
word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their
trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five
dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be
about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their
fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer
for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our
country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check
Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up
to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many
people in this country who no longer understand it.'

love you all
In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Why temptations?

Good morning everyone!! Wow!! Nice rain fall! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Sometimes as believers we will do sin, or continue in sin and have to deal with our consequences. God allows us to deviate from the good path for several reasons. First, this shows our potential for sinning; this will encourage us to turn from sin; help us to face each other when even stronger temptations come forth; and to help us stay faithful and keep on trusting HIM.

If we fear God as believers, what about the ones who are not saved? Woe be unto them.

1 Peter 4:17 "For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God's household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never observed God's Good News."

How are your trials and temptations? Do you think you may need to do a little email? I do believe we can all stand to do email! God is our father, take time to visit. HE WILL LISTEN!! Then we need to listen, let Him lead. Thank you all for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Facing God - Are you ready?

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

When we stopped last week we were talking about our friends who are surprised at our new being, our new creature, our new attitude once we have accepted Christ. Some turn against us, some question us, some don't associate with us anymore. In these Biblical times people were wondering if the dead would see God. Peter assures them of this.

1 Peter 4:5 "But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead."

Wow! What a statement!! For the ones who wondered about Christ's return and never being able to see Christ, all will have to face God. Peter reminded his readers that the dead, both the faithful and the oppressors would be judged. The judgment will be perfectly fair as even the dead have heard the Good News.

The good news was first announced when Jesus Christ preached on the earth. But it has been operating since before the creation of the world.(Eph 1:4) It affects all people, the dead as well as the living. We will all face God. Are you ready? You should be-you are washed white and pure through the blood of Jesus Christ. Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Slandered by my friends??

Good morning all!! Well, a great day to worship and thank God for all we have. God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!

Yesterday we talked about putting away the evil things we used to do and how our friends might react to our new nature.

1 Peter 4:4 "Of course your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you."

You are startling your former friends because you no longer choose to indulge in the same immorality and lust, the "fun of the past" of which you took an active role. When this happens they begin to murmur about you, then talk openly. A hard time now.

Mature Christians should help new believers resist such pressures of opposition by helping them to be faithful to Christ surrounding them as new friends, and encouraging them to develop new habits and activities that are not only enjoyable but positive for their spiritual growth.

Pray for one another. Help our fallen friends, and pray that we do not fall back to the old sinful and evil ways. Thank you for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

No more Mr. Bad Guy, all new Mr. Clean

Hello everyone!!! What a great day the LORD hath made. The sun is slowly creeping up over the horizon to catch its beautiful rays of light and warmth through out the nation. God controls the sun, unbelievable . . amazing. . .GOD IS IN CONTROL.

1 PETER 4:3 "YOU HAVE HAD ENOUGH IN THE PAST OF THE EVIL THINGS THAT GODLESS PEOPLE ENJOY-THEIR IMMORALITY AND LUST, THEIR FEASTING AND DRUNKENNESS AND WILD PARTIES, AND THEIR TERRIBLE WORSHIP OF IDOLS."

Wow!! You mean when I have a Christ like mind, attitude, then all these things are in my past? Yes, but beware, they will lift up their ugly heads and offer greater temptation. Some of this ugliest may come from your friends! My friends? Yes, if your life changes radically at conversion or because you refuse to participate in certain activities you may receive criticism or be scorned by your friends.

Why? Because your new activities incriminate their activities. Ex: You go to church on Wednesday night instead of to the bar, drink, shoot pool and curse. This may rub your friends the wrong way. So, what to do? PRAY! Then PRAY somemore. Saving their life for eternity is worth the pain.

Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Have you broke away from sin?

Good morning everyone!!! Well, the election fracas is over. Some are rejoicing, some are sad, no matter what, we have a new president-elect. We have to push on, as one minister said, worry is like shoveling smoke. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

1 Peter 4:2 "You won't spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God."

Verse 1 spoke of suffering for Christ and breaking from sin. Here we are talking about having already suffered for Christ, yet remaining with a Christlike mind. If you suffer and remain faithful you have broken away from sin. This is where God wants us.

Where are you today? What is your attitude? OR, where is your attitude? Is pride bursting forth? Or are you humble, kind, and loving?

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Christians need to be Christ minded!!

Good morning fellow Christians!! Well, today is the day we find out who the new leader of America will be. I do hope all Christians pray about who to cast their ballot for, not just in the presidential race, but each race. May God get the glory in this election. God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!

1 Peter 4:1 KJV "For as much then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;"

We need to be ready for the next second, minute, hour, day, month, year. Peter goes back to the thought of the suffering of Jesus mentioned in verse 18, to encourage these believers who might very shortly have to suffer themselves.

Arm yourselves likewise with the same mind - ARM means to equip or outfit, as one would outfit an army unit with weapons prior to going into battle.

The best "weapon" here would be the same mind (Gr-ennoia) or view toward the suffering that Christ Himself had. Christ endure suffering for our salvation.

For (Gr hoti) may indicate the content of the proper view toward suffering at the hands of sinful men. He that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. This is the end all, to have suffered as Christ.

Suffering helps us be like Christ, yet people will do anything to avoid pain. As followers of Chrsit we should be willing and prepared to do God's will and to suffer for it if necessary. We can overcome sin, but have to have the same mind as Christ.

Good food for thought today. After this next election, stay tuned, things will change, and one change may be the trials and suffering of Christians. Thank you for reading. Love you all. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

BAPTISM IS A SYMBOL OF

Good morning everyone!! I trust it was an excellent day in the LORD JESUS CHRIST yesterday. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. If you recall, last Thursday we talked about only 8 people survived the flood, Noah and his family. Today we will pick up there.

1 Peter 3:21-22 "And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority."

Peter says that Noah's salvation from the flood symbolized baptism, a ceremony involving water. In baptism we identify with Jesus Christ, who separates us from the lost and gives us new life. It is not the ceremony that saves us; instead, the ceremony is evidence of our faith in Christ's death and resurrection.

BAPTISM IS A SYMBOL OF THE CLEANSING THAT HAPPENS IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE.

By identifying themselves with Christ through baptism, Peter's readers could resist turning back, even under the pressure of persecution. Public baptism would keep them from the temptation to renounce their faith.

Where are you? Where is your heart? Does your heart lust, envy, has pride, or is your heart filled with love from Jesus Chrsit? Thank you for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny