Got Burdens? Give them to Jesus!!

Good morning everyone!!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Take time to pray and ask forgiveness from God, then pray for others around you, community, state, and nation.

Matthew 11:28-30 "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.""
A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox or oxen. It is attached to a piece of equipment the oxen are to pull.

A person may be carrying heavy burdens of (1) SIN, (2) EXCESSIVE DEMANDS OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS, (3) OPPRESSION AND PERSECUTION, or (4) WEARINESS IN THE SEARCH FOR GOD.

Jesus frees people from all those burdens. The rest that Jesus promises is love, healing, and peace with God, not the end of all labor. A relationship with God changes meaningless wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose.

What do you have you are carrying? Isn't it time to give it up, give it to Jesus? How long will you toil and carry these burdens? Interestingly enough, the accounts that have hotmail who receive this devotion have been coming back with the message complaints have been filed concerning my IP address and the messages are blocked. Ymmm! Pray about this please. Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Alive in Jesus Christ

Good morning everyone!! Another great day to live for JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!Yes, God is good all the time, all the time God is good.]

Galatians 2:19-20 "For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law - I stopped trying to meet all its requirements - so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucifidd with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

God looks at us as if we had died with Christ. Because our sins died with him, we are no longer condemned. We have become one with Christ, and his experiences are ours. Our Christian life began when, in unity with him, we died to our old life. We must regularly crucify sinful desires that keep us from following Christ. This, too, is a kind of dying with him.

Because we have been crucified with Christ, we have also been raised with him. We are no longer alone, for Christ lives in us-he is our power for living and our hope for the future. Do you act like Christ lives in you? Thank you for reading. Love youa all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Beware the wolves!

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 7:15 Jesus spoke, "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves."
False prophets were common in Old Testament times. They prophesied only what the king and the people wanted to hear, claiming it was God's message. Does this sound familiar? Politicians, TV preachers, churches, TV & Movie stars advocate this often.

False teachers are just as common today as in Jesus' time. Jesus says to beware of those whose words sound religious but who are motivated by money, fame, or power. Wow!! Does that fit the above mentioned?

You can tell who they are because in their teaching they minimize Christ and glorify themselves. Beware the Unity Church - their titles sound good, but they are a "feel good" church. Be cautious of Ophrah Winfrey's belief as well. Look around, let God lead. Stay in prayer, ask for forgiveness, knowledge, and wisdom. Be patient, let God do the rest. Thank you for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Spiritual or secular?

Good morning everyone!! Yes, yes, another great to praise God and thank Jesus for our salvation. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Take time to stop and look around. What is going on? Texas State Board of Education is arguing the issue of evolution vs creation; a lady of "nobility" is divorcing her husband (who is 30 years older) and suing for 99 million instead of taking the 36 million from her post-nup; we go to courts suing each other. Is this in God's plan?

1 Corinthians 6:1-4 "When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! Don't you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can't you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don't you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life."

Paul is teaching us we, the congregation, should handle smaller problems between believers. Society has set up a legal system in which disagreements can be resolved in courts. But Paul declares that Christians should not have to go to a secular court to resolve their differences.

As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ, so why should we turn to those who lack God's wisdom? Because of all that we have been given as believers, and because of the authority that we will have in the future to judge the world and the angels, we should be able to deal with disputes among ourselves.

How do you handle issues? Spiritually or secular? Where do we turn? Did you know that only 52% of "believers" really believe Christ actually was risen from the dead, that there was a resurrection. Is this scary? Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Angels? Angels!

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

What is going on in your world today? Here is something for you to thing about.... angels. What about angels? Hebrews 1:5-6 "For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus "You are my Son, Today I have become your Father." God also said, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son." (6) And when he brought his firstborn Son into the world, God said," "Let all of God's angels worship him.'"

The angels worship God, they worship Jesus,however, think about this. Angels are not saved or born again. Have you thought of this? We are born again, why are angels not born again?

Could it be we are born in sin? Angels are not saved because they are not born of sin, they know not sin. They are not lost, as are we, they have spent their life with the Most High God! Praising God, WOW! When we die we get to do this, but these special beings have praised God since inception and never tire of praising God.

Give me your feedback, tell me what you think the life of an angel would be like. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

The View

Good morning everyone!! Another great day to be alive in our LORD JESUS CHRIST! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Many times as we do things we see from our perspective, and how we see things make it real to us. Is this right? Not always. Many times we need to step back and look from another vantage point.

Philippians 4:12-13: KJV " I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
In Life Application version: "I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

Paul could get along happily because he could see life from God's point of view. He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. Paul had his priorities straight, and he was grateful for everything God had given him.

Paul had detached himself from the nonessentials so that he could concentrate on the eternal. Often the desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill an empty place in a person's life.

To what are you drawn when you feel empty inside? How can you find true contentment? The answer lies in your perspective, your priorities, and your source of power. Jesus is better than Everready batteries.....JESUS NEVER LOSES HIS CHARGE!

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

The B - I - B - L - E

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

1 Thessalonians 2:13 "When you heard his message from us, you accepted it as the word of God, not the words of humans. And it really is God's message which works in you who believe."
Paul said that the word of God continued to work in the believers' lives. Paul knew that God's words are not mere sermons or documents, but a real source of transforming power.

Your Bible is full of real and living power. Its words are transforming lives all over the world every day. Read it. Encourage fellow believers to read it, encourage non-Christian friends to read it.

All who do so, truly seeking to learn, will be touched by its power. They will never be the same. Are you sharing your faith? Tell 1 person about Jesus today. Tell 1 person a special verse in the Bible, use your memory! Be a soldier for God. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

God knows your work!

Wow!! Another wonderful day to be alive! ALIVE IN JESUS CHRIST!! Can you honestly say you are glad you are alive and Jesus is your LORD? Do you rejoice? Do you celebrate?

Being a Christian is about celebrating! We hear the good news, we have read the book, we are living and have a character part in the live movie! Each actor, each person has their place! Are you where God wants you?

The old adage of I can do 99 things right and 1 thing wrong and everyone remembers the 1 thing. This is so true with people, HOWEVER, it is not true with God. I will stumble, I will fall, I will cause you to fall.....God is always there to lift you up. God sees our stumble, God sees our fall, God catches us for God sees our good.

Hebrews 6:10 "For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do."

It is easy to get discouraged, but God is never unjust nor forgets us. He sees our hard work for Him. Let God's love for you and His intimate knowledge of your service for Him boost you as you face disappointment and rejection here on earth. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Seeds of hope, aka Let Go - Let GOD!!

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!

This week has been a week of reflection, thinking back and thinking of the example set before us and the example we set. How would you rate yourself? High, low, middle?

Jesus explains why he must die in John 12:23-24 "Jesus replied, "Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But it's death will produce many new kernels-a plentiful harvest of new lives.""

People will often find it difficult to release the seeds God has given them specifically for the purpose of planting. You can see what God does with the precious things you have given up. Like the kernel that is sown, a beautiful, nourishing harvest springs up in its place.

God took your seeds of hope and multiplied them, giving you back what you thought you had lost forever in a form that was even more pleasing. Today, tomorrow, help others realize what God has given them. Help them see that those seeds bear good gifts if they will just let them go.

Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What will your legacy be?

Good morning everyone!! Another great day to walk for JESUS!! Can you do it? Yes you can!!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!

Yesterday I mentioned how I often reflect back to what my Mom would say, her advice, and her stealth example. Right living, right teaching, is this daily or only on Sunday?

Titus 2:1-2 "As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching." What did your Mom or Dad do for you?

Now reread this with your name in there as if Paul is talking to you. As for you, (your name) Johnny, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching.

In Paul's instructions to Titus, wholesome teaching is the content of our faith. How can you recognize wholesome teaching? When a teaching is sound, it combines correct knowledge and understanding with consistent practice. It must be found in the Bible, keep Jesus Christ central, result in consistently good behavior and actions, and promote spiritual health in ourselves and others.

Believers must be grounded in the truths of the Bible so they won't be swayed by the powerful oratory of false teachers, the possible devastation of tragic circumstances, or the pull of emotions. Those responsible for preaching and teaching must challenge people to understand sound doctrine. Learn the Bible, study theology, apply biblical principles, and live what you learn.

Will you leave a positive and wholesome legacy for your children? The people around you? Are you grounded in Jesus with your sword being the Bible? Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Not a time for sorrow!

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Many times we do not understand, but we had a great example to live by ----JESUS CHRIST!

Through our life many people come, many go, and many stay. Is your friendship, your life but for a season, or for many seasons? In 2 Kings 22:2 "Josiah did what was pleasing to the LORD; he followed the example of his ancestor King Daivd."
My mother has been gone for half a decade now, but her example lives on. I hear what she says, I saw her actions, and I know the advice she would give me. Mom is quoted many times either outloud or in my head.

Mom taught me what the Bible says through her example - she stayed the course and finished the race. Hebrews 6:12 "Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them."

Yes, I do miss Mom, but knowing she is looking down on me and watching me gives me a sense of peace. Mom was tired, had served her purpose, and the LORD chose to take her home. She hurts no more. In a time of sorrow, always look up and praise God.

Remember, GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD! Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Psalm 34

Good morning everyone!! What a great day to be alive in the Lord JESUS CHRIST!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!

God listens......God answers......God protects us.........We just need to spend time in prayer and meditation with God! Today, March 16, some of us are rejoicing, some have sorrow, and to some it is just another day in our life. Take time to read Psalm 34, only 22 verse, relatively short, but packed with encouragement.

God promises great blessings to his people, but many of these blessings require active participation. Here is a break down of Psalm 34:
He will set us free from our fears (34:4,6); guard and defend us (34:7); show us goodness (34:8); supply our needs (34:9); listen when we call to him (34:15); and redeem us (34:22); but we must do our part.

We can appropriate his blessings when we trust him (34:4,10);
cry out to him (34:6,17); take refuge in him (34:8); fear him (34:9); refrain from lying (34:13); turn from evil, do good, and search for peace (34:14); are broken hearted (34:18); and serve him (34:22).

Take just a moment, talk to God, search out His Word, Please remember and repeat Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you honest with God?

Good morning!! A wonderful day to be alive in the LORD JESUS CHRIST!! We are getting the rain we desperately needed. No, it is not fun to be in, drive in, or work in, but it is one of God's little presents He shares with us.

Psalm 6;6 "I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears."
David is talking with God, asking for deliverance from his sins, and has been asking for mercy not justice. If God gave us justice, we would be snuffed in a heart beat. However, we should ask for mercy, not God's wrath.

David was completely honest with God in pouring out his heart with tears. We can be honest with God, even when we are filled with anger or despair, because God knows us thoroughly and wants the very best for us. Anger may result in rash acts or turning inward in depression.

We don't have to be victims of circumstance or be weighed down by the guilt of sin because we trust in our all powerful God.

Are you honest with God? Be honest with God and HE will help you turn your attention from yourself to Him and His mercy. Thank you for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Pray! Today! This morning!

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Is today a day of prayer? EVERY DAY IS A DAY OF PRAYER!!

Pray first for your forgiveness so you will be going to the LORD with a cleansed heart. Then pray for those around you. Today is a wonderful day to be alive in the LORD JESUS CHRIST!!

Psalm 5:2 "Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you." (3) Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."

The secret of a close relationship with God is to pray to him earnestly each morning. In the morning, our minds are more free from problems, and then we can commit the whole day to God.

Regular communication helps any friendship and is certainly necessary for a strong relationship with God. We need to communicate with him daily. Do you have a regular time to pray and read God's Word?

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Partnerships!

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!

A partnership is a relationship where a partner needs strengths the other partner doesn't have. In our case, we are in partnership with God. God needs people to spread the word here, on earth. We need a savior who offers salvation and life eternal. A working relationship.

Where would Hewlett be without Packard? Where would Rolls be without Royce? Where wouul Proctor be without Gamble?

Our Partnership is a relationship with a true and living God. Like the song - Jesus is the answer.....for the world today.... Can you honestly say this? Can you say Jesus is your partner?

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "I'n not the smartest fellow in the world, but I can sure pick smart colleagues. Because I'm not so smart, I have to surround myself with real talent." Jesus is the REAL TALENT.

i CORINTHIANS 3:12-13 "ANYONE WHO BUILDS ON THAT FOUNDATION MAY USE A VARIETY OF MATERIALS..GOLD, SILVER, JEWELS, WOOD, HAY, OR STRAW. BUT ON THE JUDGMENT DAY, FIRE WILL REVEAL WHAT KIND OF WORK EACH BUILDER HAS DONE....."

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Go Into all the world

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!

Think about your Chirsitian life. If we carry the name CHRISTian, how should our walk be? What should we do? How am I walking? We do know we need to continually pray. Prayer is a way of life, not a 9-1-1 call. Read the following scripture and think about what it is telling us.

Matthew 28:16-20 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."What a great command! What a great retirement plan! Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

How to greet each other.......

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 Thessalonians 5:23 "Now may the God of peacemake you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our LORD JESUS CHRIST comes again."

We talked about this Wednesday. Is God involved in your life in each and every aspect. Or are you "holy" on Sunday only? Take time to reflect.

24-27 "God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. (25)Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us. (26) Greet all the brothers and sisters with Christian love. (27) I command you in the name of the LORD to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters."

Paul did not have copies to circulate so this letter was to be read at a public meeting. Paul wanted to make sure that everyone had the opportunity to hear his message because he was answering important questions and offering needed encouragement. Do this to you fellow brethren- encourage them, show them Christlike love, be faithful, and pray. Thanks for reading, love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

JC 24/7

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 Thessalonians 5:22-24 "Stay away from every kind of evil. Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our LORD JESUS CHRIST comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful."

Wow!! 22-keep away from every kind of evil. We cannot avoid every kind of evil because we live in a sinful world. We can make sure we don't give evil a foothold by avoiding tempting situations and concentrating obeying God.

The spirit, soul, and body refer not so much to each part of the body as to the whole being of a person. Paul is telling us that God must be present in every part of our life. We cannot live for God on Sunday and Wednesday only. Christ ust control all of us, not just that "religious" part. JC 24/7 (Jesus Christ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Prophecies? Prophecies!!!

Good morning everyone! Yes, yes, God is good all the time, all the time God is good.


Yesterday we discussed 1 Thessalonians 5:19 "Do not stifle the Holy Spirit." This is so important. We should not ignore the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We should encourage the work of the Holy Spirit's work in anyone's life and these gifts will be of benefit to the whole body of Christ.


1 Thessalonians 5:20,21 "Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good."


We shouldn't make fun of those who are called to speak for God, but we should always "test everything that is said," checking their words against the Bible. We are on dangerous ground if we laugh at a person who speaks the truth. Instead, we should carefully check out what people say, accepting what is true and rejecting what is false.

These gifts are for the body of Christ, not my church, your church, any church, but for the body of Christ. Test by the Bible. Some say this is judging. NO! Do not walk in blind stupidity, but test what is said by the Bible. Many false prophets will come, then they will go. The word of God remains. The Truth!

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Where is your spirit?

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

Are you praying? Is it a 9-1-1 call? Are you giving thanks in everything? Now let's look at 1 Thessalonians 5:19 "Quench not the spirit."


What does this mean? Quench (in Greek abennymi) means in this context to supress. It is a synonm of the word despise in verse 20. Some believers believers had questioned the use of gifts in the church.

Paul says it is like starting a fire, getting it to roaring, and then throwing water on it to keep it down. Are you doing this to the spirit? Are you getting fired up, then hinder the spirit, squelch it, sit on it? Paul says to let 'r rip! Go with the spirit! Jesus sent the Holy Spirit back for us.....use it!

Where are you today? Sitting IN the SPIRIT? Or sitting ON the SPIRIT?

Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Is prayer your 9-1-1?

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!

Church sign: "PRAYER IS A WAY OF LIFE, NOT AN EMERGENCY!"

I Thessalonians 5:17,18 "Pray without ceasing. To every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Prayer is attitude as well as activity. The attitude of devotion to God can be without ceasing, if the activity cannot. Paul illustrates his own command as we see it throughout his letters. God's will includes constant joy, ceaseless prayer, and continual thanks, attitudes necessary and possible in Christ Jesus.

"PRAYER IS A WAY OF LIFE, NOT AN EMERGENCY!"

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny