Are you really committed? Or just committed talk?

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! Ash Wednesday has come, Ash Wednesday has gone. Are your committments to God the same way, you committed on Wednesday, and now your committment is gone?

Daniel 1:8 KJV "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."

New Liveing Version "But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods."

Now, remember, Daniel was living in a culture that did not honor God, yet Daniel still obeyed God's laws.

Daniel was determined to be devoted to principle and to be committed to a course of action. When Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself, he was being true to a lifelong determination to do what was right and not to give in to the pressures around him.

We, too, are often assaulted by pressures to compromise our standards and live more like the world around us. Merely wanting or preferring God's will and way is not enough to stand against the onslaught of temptation.

Like Daniel, we must resolve to obey God. Where are you in obeying God? Are you prayerful about all of God's work you do? Tithe? Talents? Service? Time? Where do you stand right now, today, this very moment? Let go, Let God!! Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

I go to church to............

Good morning everyone!! I trust your Ash Wednesday was great! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

Please finish this sentence: "I go to church to .........."

Do you go to church for the music? Do you go to church for the preacher? Do you go to church to see what the pastor is wearing? Do you go to church to see what others are wearing? Do you go to church as a social gathering? To see friends? Just why do you go to church?

What makes Christianity attractive? It is easy to be drawn to churches because of programs, good speakers, size, beautiful facilities, or fellowship. People were attracted to the early church by expressions of God's power at work; the generosity, sincerity, honesty, and unity of the members; and the character of the leaders.

Where are we today? Are we missing something? God wants to add believers to his church, not just newer and better programs or larger and fancier facilities. I realized early this morning....My main force moving me to church is to do media, feel accepted, and study God's word.

Church is a house of prayer! This is why I should come, to be prayerful, seeking God's will for me, and constantly seeking God's guidance. Are you prayerful when you go to church? I can now can say I go to church to pray, to seek God's guidance and be in obedience to God.

For lent, I will be giving up "my time" and spending more time in prayer with God in the mornings, mid-day, and evenings. God answers prayers, so why don't we stay in continual prayer? Thank you for reading today. Look at Matthew 5:12-42. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Tired of the hustle, bustle world?

Good morning all! A great day to be alive in the LORD JESUS CHRIST!! Let's look at Psalm 84, specially if you are tired of what is going on in our busy world right now.

Psalm 84 "How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of Heaven's Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body, and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O LORD of Heaven's Armies, my King and my God! What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises."

The writer longed to get away from the bustling world to meet God inside his dwelling place, his holy Temple. We can meet God anywhere, at any time.

We know that going into a church building can help us step aside from the busy mainstream of life so we can quietly meditate and pray. We find joy and strength not only in the prayers, music, lessons, and sermons but also in fellowshiping with other believers in a special place.

May your day be wonderful with God, and take time to visit with God, find your own dwelling place - just you and God. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What season? Lent!!!!

Good morning everyone!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Many times we do things "just because." Well, do you know what Lent is? I knew part of lent, but not the history of lent. So, if you want to know, or a refresh of lent... here it is.

Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. All churches that have a continuous history extending before AD 1500 observe Lent. The ancient church that wrote, collected, canonized, and propagated the New Testament also observed Lent, believing it to be a commandment from the apostles.


The Western Church
Because Sunday is the day of the Resurrection, we skip over Sundays when we calculate the length of Lent. Therefore, in the Western Church, Lent always begins on Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter.

In many countries, the last day before Lent (called Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, Carnival, or Fasching) has become a last fling before the solemnity of Lent. For centuries, it was customary to fast by abstaining from meat during Lent, which is why some people call the festival Carnival, which is Latin for farewell to meat.

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ash Wednesday

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. This will be a great week in the LORD. Take time to pray (knee mail), talk to God, listen to God, and walk with God. Wonder what Ash Wednesday is all about? Think you know but not sure. Okay, then read this short blurb.



In the Western Christian calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty-six days before Easter. It falls on a different date each year, because it is dependent on the date of Easter; it can occur as early as February 4 or as late as March 10.

Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance. The ashes used are gathered after the Palm Crosses from the previous year's Palm Sunday are burned. In the liturgical practice of some churches, the ashes are mixed with the Oil of the Catechumens (one of the sacred oils used to anoint those about to be baptized), though some churches use ordinary oil. This paste is used by the priest who presides at the service to make the sign of the cross, first upon his own forehead and then on each of those present who kneel before him at the altar rail. As he does so, he recites the words: "Remember (O man) that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."



I hope this helps some of you out. I grew up with Ash Wednesday, but did not understand the true meaning until years later in life. Thank you for reading with me today. Psalm 66"1-2 "Make a joyfl noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name; make his praise glorious."

Thank you for reading today. Love you all.



In Christ's Love and Grace



Johnny

How do you give back to God?

Good morning everyone!! Another wonderful day to be alive in Jesus Christ our LORD! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Several requests have been made about prayer. Please pray for the people in need of prayer, and don't forget to pray for yourself as well.

Proverbs 3:9,10 "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine."

Give to God the first and best portion of the harvest. Many people give God their leftovers. I'll give a little bit each Sunday and if their is money left over at the end of the month I'll give the rest. Ever think this? I did! It never happened. When my giving "got right" things in my life changed and became much better.

God wants the first part of our income, the best, as HE gives us the best. By giving our best, the first, we show that God is first in our life, not our possessions. When we give in to God we conquer greed, and we properly manage God's resources. This opens us up to receive God's special blessings.

Do you give God the best? Or do you give god the leftovers? Your choice, your blessings! Material blessings or God's blessings? Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

How is your health? Do you worry?

God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Good morning everyone!! Are you trusting God? In all things?

Proverbs 3:7,8 "Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones."

Have you known people who were impressed with themselves, believing they are all that and a sack lunch as well? Are you one of those? We should fear the LORD and turn away from evil. I don't do evil--- wait --- do you live in the world? Think about it?

If I do then I will have healing and my bones will strengthen. Healing....healing... less worries...uh....no worries - letting God take it all. Yes, this helps heal. If you had someone who took care of your every need...food, home, bills, transportation, and all you had to do was live, would your mind and body be healed?

Well, yes, probably. That is what God offers, but do we take Him up on it? NO! We, humans, have a tendency to want to return and take control. LET GO - LET GOD!! My wife tells me this and it is so true. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you trusting in God? Really?!?!

Good morning everyone!! Another great day to be alive in JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD and SAVIOR!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

Okay, so what is going on? Are we trusting in the LORD? Conan O'Brian is leaving Late Night to host the Tonight show. Britney Spears is waxed at Madame Tussauds (a wax figure), GM & Chrysler want bail out money, Obama signed the bail out package, credit card reform is under way, credit is hard to obtain, 10% unemployment, and on and on. The common denominator here is what? Money? Status? Fame?


Our common denominator should be GOD! Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

When we have an important decision to make, we sometimes feel that we can't trust anyone- not even God. We carry the burden. To receive God's guidance, Solomon says we must seek God's will in ALL WE DO!! This means turning every area of life over to him.

Examine your values and priorities. What is important to you? In what areas have you acknowledged God? You may acknowledge God in many areas, but restrict Him in other areas of your life, and these are the areas that cause you grief,

Make God a vital part of everything you do; then He will guide you because you will be working to accomplish His purposes. Thank you for reading. Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Does God really have a plan for me?

Good morning everyone!!! I hope you have a wonderful day in the LORD JESUS CHRIST!! GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!!!

God has a plan for our lifes! Psalm 139:3 "You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am."
We can learn the value of every moment because God cares about even the seemingly smallest details of your life. In fact, God's love is seen in his care in the small things.

Thanksgiving should be an integral part of our praise to God. This theme is woven throughout the Psalms. As we praise and thank God for material and spiritual blessings, we should also thank him for answered prayer. Remember when you asked God for protection, strength, comfort, patience, love or other special needs, and he supplied them. Beware of taking God's provision and answered prayer for granted.

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Lent - - what is it?

Recognition goes to Dennis Bratcher for this explanation about the season of Lent. God is good all the time, all the time, God is good!


Originating in the fourth century of the church, the season of Lent spans 40 weekdays beginning on Ash Wednesday and climaxing during Holy Week with Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), Good Friday, and concluding Saturday before Easter. Originally, Lent was the time of preparation for those who were to be baptized, a time of concentrated study and prayer before their baptism at the Easter Vigil, the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord early on Easter Sunday. But since these new members were to be received into a living community of Faith, the entire community was called to preparation. Also, this was the time when those who had been separated from the Church would prepare to rejoin the community.



Today, Lent is marked by a time of prayer and preparation to celebrate Easter. Since Sundays celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the six Sundays that occur during Lent are not counted as part of the 40 days of Lent, and are referred to as the Sundays in Lent. The number 40 is connected with many biblical events, but especially with the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry by facing the temptations that could lead him to abandon his mission and calling. Christians today use this period of time for introspection, self examination, and repentance. This season of the year is equal only to the Season of Advent in importance in the Christian year, and is part of the second major grouping of Christian festivals and sacred time that includes Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost.



Lent has traditionally been marked by penitential prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Some churches today still observe a rigid schedule of fasting on certain days during Lent, especially the giving up of meat, alcohol, sweets, and other types of food. Other traditions do not place as great an emphasis on fasting, but focus on charitable deeds, especially helping those in physical need with food and clothing, or simply the giving of money to charities. Most Christian churches that observe Lent at all focus on it as a time of prayer, especially penance, repenting for failures and sin as a way to focus on the need for God’s grace. It is really a preparation to celebrate God’s marvelous redemption at Easter, and the resurrected life that we live, and hope for, as Christians.



Thank you for reading. I hope this helps some of you, renews the season of Lent for others, and helps us to understand our heritage more. Have a great week. Love you all.



In Christ's Love and Grace



Johnny

Following God or making your own laws??

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!!!

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:17 "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No,I came to accomplish their purpose."

God's moral and ceremonial laws were given to help people love God with all their hearts and minds. However, throughout Israel's history these laws were often misquoted and misapplied.

When Jesus hit the scene religious leaders had turned the laws into a confusing mass of rules. When Jesus talked about a new way to understand God's law, he was actually trying to bring people back to its original purpose.

Jesus did not speak against the law itself, but against the abuses and excesses to which it had been subjected. How often do we take a small bit or single scripture to reinforce our misguided idea. This in turn goes against God, but we feel "justified" in our actions.

Read, pray, listen, LET GO-LET GOD! Do it God's way and all will be well. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

This little light of mine, I'm going to.............

Good morning all!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!! How is your salt? Does it have flavor, or need to be trampled beneath your feet?

Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a mountain? Its light at night can be seen for miles. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. Do you hide your light? Or do you let it shine?

How do we hide our lights? By being quiet when we should speak
Going along with the crowd
Denying the light (being of Christ)
Letting sin dim our light
Not explaining our light to others
Ignoring the needs of others

We should be as a lighthouse, a beacon to others, a tower of truth, sharing the truth with others-Christian or not. Christ went to the sinners houses and spoke the truth. When did you last share with someone? With someone, of whom you did not know their relationship with God?

Share your LIGHT WITH THE WORLD!! Love you all. Thank you for reading.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Is your salt with flavor?

Good morning everyone!!! Another great day to be alive in Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior!! Beatitudes - or our "tudes" as a Christian. Stop and think about them, Matthew 5:1-12. How is your "tude?"

Look at Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless."

If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God. If we are too much like the world, we are worthless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Instead, we should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.

Where are you today? Does your salt have flavor, does it flavor the day, does it flavor others around you? Or, does you salt need to be thrown out, worthless, of no value? This is between you and God! Make the right choice! Thank you all for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

God blesses you....

Good morning everyone!! Sorry I was AWOL for a couple of days last week. It was a crazy and wild week. Just a caution, protect any person info you have, checkbooks, credit cards, personal info like drivers license, etc. Thieves take pictures with cell phone and then sell the info. It is an invasion of your privacy, yet it does happen. If you need more details please email me. God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!!

Beatitudes - Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Through Christ, our eyes and minds and hearts are opened. We begin to see what is really going on in ourselves and in the world around us. God did not depart from the world after creating it. God continues to be with us. God did not turn control of this world over to any king, nation, or assemblage. God isour judge and ruler!! To live for any goal other than those God commends is futile and foolish.

Unfortunately, our pride, ambition, and greed - our lust for honor, power, and possessions can blind us to the needs and sufferings of my fellow human beings. Selfish concerns can also cause us to forget our relationship with God and our dependence on him. Therefore, we are tempted to block ourselves out of God's favor and to live as if we were a citizen of an alien kingdom.

God continues to offer us the opportunity to have an enduring relationship we call "love divine." We need to trust and obey God continually. Stay in relationship with God. Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Persecuted??? For what??????

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!

Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

What?!?! You mean I am going to be punished? No, a difference between persecuted and punished. Punished you receive a penalty for something you did wrong. Persecuted for Jesus you receive a penalty, possibly death, so you will live on eternally.

We are not promised laughter, pleasure, or earthly prosperity. Being "blessed by God" means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter what the cost.

The Kingdom of Heaven is organized differently from worldly kingdoms. Wealth and power and authority are unimportant, we will seek different blessings and benefits and will have different attitudes. Check your attitude: is it of the world..... or is it of God and reflects Jesus?

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Peacemakers..........

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

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God."

Peacemakers are at peace with God and live in peace with all men. They are called "the" peacemakers for these are not social reformers, but rather the ones reformed by the regenerating power of the gospel. They are peacemakers because they themselves are at peace with God.

The have entererd into the peace of Christ and thus are able ambassadors of God's message of peace to a troubled world. Hence, they shall be called the children of God. These only shall be called the sons of God!

Throughout the Beatitudes Jesus clearly underscores that only those who have the life changing qualities herein described are citizens of His Kingdom.

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Pure in heart..........

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!

Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God."

Those who are truly saved shall see God. The pure in heart; their lives have been transformed by the grace of God. They are not yet sinless but their position before God has been changed. They have the new birth. Romans 8:9 the process of sancitification is ever conforming them to the image of Christ. The image of Christ is righteousness and true holiness.

Eph 4:24 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."

Purity of heart is both the end of our election and the goal of our redemption. We have been chosen. It is wonderful to be chosen of God. Once we realize this we need to establish a relationship with God. We should not do things because we think God expects us to, but have a love relationship with God so we do things out of our love.

Thank you for reading. Love you all. The address below is of a 2+ year old asian girl singing the Lord prayer. Take a moment if you have time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSZkJl0PXPw

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny