Relationships

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Yesterday we talked about God working through humans. God is the God of nature. But God is more. Read Psalm 19:1

God is a God of relationships. God made men and women in his image. God made a covenant with his people. It is through human beings that God most often gives guidance and blessings to people.

This is not to say that God never works through marvelous displays of power. But far more often it seems that God chooses the method of the "still small voice," whispering to the faithful what needs to be done and relying on them to "GO" do it.

Elijah needed to learn that. And God will not object if you and I eavesdrop on Elijah's experience so we can learn that lesson too. Remember, look up, to God, satan is not in the woods drinking, cussing, and carrying on. He already has those people, he is on the church top, he is on your rooftop, ready to pounce. Take time now to pray and ask God to lead your every step, thought, and action through out the day. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Let Go-----Let God!

Good morning! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Does God work through humans or does he do it all Himself?

God sends us news that we are not alone!! Like Elijah, not only is God with us but seven thousand others who had never bowed to Baal or kissed one of his images. This is comforting. The following is from 1 Kings 19:15-16

When Elijah arrived in Damascus God told him to anoint 3 people to positions. Can you pin point at least 3 people who have had a positive Christian affect in your life? God works through humans to get His work done. Elijah wanted God to send fire and rain to settle the score. What lesson is learned when "FATHER" or "MOTHER" does it all? This is a hard lesson for each of us. However, it is true. God is in control. As a friend of mine says, "God is large and in charge!"

Let God help. Watch for the "angel" He will send. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Revelation 3:9-10

Good morning everyone! Another great day in the LORD JESUS CHRIST!! We try to stand tall and be strong, yet we forget who is tallest and strongest and can get us through this whole situation. GOD!!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Revelation 3:9-10 " Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews and are not, but lie-indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."

Wow! A mouthful. Synagogue of Satan - Satan marshals his old attacks. he injects legalism; it is the Judaizing system in its opposition to the truth of grace. This Judaizing is not true Old Testament theology.

Christ's description of a future event that for a short time severely tests the whole world must refer to the time of tribulation, the seven year period before Christ's earthly kingdom is consummated, featuring the unleashing of divine wrath in judgments expressed as seals, trumpets, and bowls. This period is described in detail throughout chapters 6-19.

The latter half of this time period is called "the Great Tribulation" (7:14; Matt 24:21). The verb "to keep" is followed by a presposition whose normal meaning is "from" or "out of" - this phrase, "keep.....from: support the pre-tribulational rapture of the church.

I hope this is meaningful and you are able to understnd it. If not please send me feedback. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

The open door

Good morning everyone!! Yes, God is good all the time, all the time God is good! What have you done for God's sakes? Tell someone about Jesus? Invite someone to church? Help someone with service, time, money? Just what have you done?

Revelation 3:8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name."

God, Jesus knows your works. Is this something you can be proud of?

The open door - this is the window of opportunity to witness and testify and the world is your mission field. When you wake up each day you are in your mission field and as you move about you field expands.

We, humans, have little strength on our own, but through Christ who strengthens us. Jesus said the church in Philadelphia kept His word and did not deny Him. Can you say this? Do you walk the walk as well as talk the talk?

We need to be as faithful as the church in Philadelphia. Time to soul search. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Brotherly love - Philadelphia

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

Okay, John just finished with Sardis and now he is addressing Philadelphia.

Revelation 3:7 "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. "This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open.'"

Philadelphia was located on a hillside about thirty miles southeast of Sardis, the city (modern Alashehir) was founded around 190 BC by Attalus II, king of Pergamos. His unusual devotion to his brother earned the city its name, "brotherly love." The city was an important commercial stop on a major trade route called the Imperial Post Road, a firt-century mail route.

"holy and true" - This is a comon description in Revelation. Christ shares the holy, sinless pure nature of His Father; that is, He is absolutely pure and separate from sin. "TRUE" can refer both to one who speaks truth and to one who is genuine or authentic as opposed to fake.

"the key of David" - Christ has the sovereign authority to control entrance into the kingdom. In 1:18 He is pictured holding the keys to death and hell; here he holds the keys to salvation and blessing.

So what is being said? Talking to the pastor(s) of Philadelphia. Jesus is sinless and true - He knows no sin. He has the keys or can make the judgment of who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. We cannot open any door, only Jesus. We cannot close any door, only Jesus. We are open to come to heaven, or closed and lost forever in hell. Wow! Not much choice there. Follow Jesus! He is the light and the way!
Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

LISTEN

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!!

Revelation, the book in the Bible people don't understand, don't want to read and wade through the symbolism, or interested in knowing about it. I have been going slow, usually 1 to 3 verses at a time.

Revelation 3:6 "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what his is saying to the churches."

Very simple. The command to hear. This is a simple call to a simple act, but it is so seldom heeded. Take time today to LISTEN! This is to the people of Sardis. next the message to the Church in Philadelphia. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Take Time

Words for thought.

Paul proclaimed that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ. Unfortunately, we often live in such a way that we are unaware of that love. We do things that keep us from experiencing it.

We become so concerned with ourselves that thoughts of God’s love are croweded out.

We worry about so many things. Our egos are so tender that we devote all our attention and energy to protecting them from getting hurt.

We want so many things from life that we exhaust ourselves in struggling to get them. As a result, we pust aside opportunities for God’s love to enter our lives.

Why don’t you take time right now, just 1 minute, 60 seconds, to spend time with God? What will it hurt? God is listening, go ahead.

In Christ’s Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you in "The Book?"

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.

Revelation 3:5 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels."

Heavy, heavy statement. He who overcomes- This is all true Christians. Satan will cast doubt. Remember, satan is not in the woods, drinking beer and cussing with "da guys." He sits on top of the church, on your rooftop, waiting for a chance to hit you at your weakest point.

You will be clothed in white garments - this means you, me, we are set apart for God and made pure. Christ promises future honor and eternal life to those who stand firm in their faith.

"I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life;" Wow! We are registered in the Book of Life, a guarantee by Jesus, and we are introduced to the hosts of heaven as belonging to Jesus Christ. What greater honor could be bestowed unto man?

Life is not a playground, life is a playing field. The winner gets to be dressed in white and walk with Christ and have his/her name forever in the permanent Book of Life. The winners can be many! You are a winner! Take time to thank God for your position in His kingdom and for sending His Son so that you will have eternal life praising HIM. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Are you worthy? White as snow?

Well hello. Yes, my internet and I fight constantly. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.



Revelation 3:4 "Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy."

A reward for the worthy. In spite of all appearances, there was a godly remnant in this church which have not defiled their garments. They are worthy. The worthiness spoken of is a reckoning of grace; they had been made such by Christ.



Walk with Jesus in white? What does white mean? White: a symbol of holiness. the high priest's holy garment were of white linen. Psalm 51:7 "....wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."



Are you worthy? Will your garments be white as snow? We are not worthy EXCEPT through Jesus Christ who died and shed his blood for us. Thanks for reading. Love you all.



In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you know the basic truth?

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.

Revelation 3:3 "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you."

The church at Sardis was urged to go back to what they first heard and believed, to get back to the basics of the faith. It is important to grow in our knowledge of the LORD, to deepen our understanding through careful study. But no matter how much we learn, we must never abandon the basic truth. No new truth from God will ever contradict these fundamental biblical teachings.

The church was told to wake up. Their wealth and comfort had lulled them to sleep. Their self satisfaction caused them to die spiritually. Not only had they wandered from the apostles' teaching, but they were no longer growing in faith or evangelism.

They lacked compassionate service to others and had no unity or love. Are you watchful and alert? If God has given you a place of responsibility to teach, lead, or serve, use that position to encourage those around you to be spiritually awake and morally prepared. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Martita's Poem

Thank you Linda for sending this poem from her friend Martita. It could be a praise song.



ON JUNE 6TH, 2000, THE LORD GAVE ME A PRAYER/ POEM.
==================================================

FATHER

YOU have ALL the PEACE I need
YOU have JOY to fill my HEART
YOU have ARMS of LOVE to embrace me.

I NEED ONLY to
BE STILL and RECEIVE
BE STILL and RECEIVE
I NEED ONLY to
BE STILL and RECEIVE.

There's NO distance from my place to YOURS, Oh LORD
There's NO miles of space
YOU have storehouses in HEAVEN just waiting to be emptied,
FULL of YOUR MERCY and GRACE.

I NEED ONLY to
BE STILL and RECEIVE
BE STILL and RECEIVE
I NEED ONLY to
BE STILL and RECEIVE.
====================================================

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AS YOU GET STILL AND RECEIVE FROM HIM.

MARTITA

Perfect in the sight of God?

Good morning all! I was running behind, fighting with internet, and recooping from vacation yesterday. Sorry to have missed you. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.



Revelation 3:2 "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God."

To be watchful and wakeful was directed to the spiritual leaders to carry out their responsibility. They were to "strengthen the things which remain," because they had the testimony of the Word of God more fully than those who were engulfed in the ecclesiastical formalism of the former period.



Not all truth was recovered in the Reformation, but this verse indicates that all was not PERFECT BEFORE GOD. (not perfect in the sight of God.) It was not a complete return to the apostolic church. Areas of doctrine and behavior were left incomplete, i.e., truths founds in the epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians were not emphasized by the reformers.



Our leaders should awaken us, we should pray for our leaders, and the truth, light, and the way of Jesus Christ should lead our each and every step. Do you believe the TRUTH? Or the tainted truth, i.e. your interpretation (a justification for your actions)? Are you perfect in the sight of God? Only through Jesus Christ am I perfect! YEA! Thanks for reading. Love you all.



In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

An heir of God? Yes, you are!

God morning everyone!! God is good all the time all the time God is good! If you get a chance, read Romans 8.

Paul recommends the spiritual life. In this styler of life, the indwelling Spirit of God initiates loving relationships, ennobling attitudes and values, significant goals, and enduring accomplishments. In everything, Paul assures us, the Spirit is available to guide our thoughts, actions, and feelings in accordance with the wil and purposes of God.

The outcome is that we are justified by God, adopted into the family of God as God's children and heirs, and can look forward to glorification with Christ. Such a style of life makes us capable of transforming evil into good through the power of God's love, present in us through Christ.

Romans 8:14-17 "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering."

Have a super day. You are an heir of God. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Are you watchful, said the Lord

Good morning everyone!! Yes, God is good all the time, all the time God is good! I am sitting here is Mississippi, 12 minutes from Memphis and it is raining, a breeze, and nice and cool.

Okay, let's look at Revelations 3:2-3 "Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first, hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don't wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief."

The church at Sardis was urged to go back to what they first heard and believed, to get back to the basics of the faith. It is important to grow in our knowledge of the Lord, to deepen our understanding through careful study. But no matter how much we learn, we must never abandon the basic truths. No new truth from God will ever contradict these fundamental biblical teachings.

The church was also told to wake up. Their wealth and comfort had lulled them to sleep. Their self-satisfaction caused them to die spiritually. Not only had they wandered from the apostles' teaching, but they were no longer growing in faith or evangelism.

They lacked compassionate service to others and had no unity or love. Are you watchful and alert? If God has given you a place of responsibility to teach, lead, or serve, use that position to encourage those around you to be spiritually awake and morally prepared. Look up, focus on God, be positive and the day will go well. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Pray together

Good morning everyone!! A great day. God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Things happen, we get frustrated, just look up. Peter walked on water when his focus was Jesus.....you can too!

Revelation 3:1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.'""

Okay,the wealthy city of Sardis was actually in two locations. The older section of the city was on a mountain, and when its population outgrew the spot, a newer section was built in the valley below.

The "sevenfold spirit" is another name for the Holy Spirit.The seven stars are the messengers, or leaders, of the churches.

The problem in the Sardis church was not heresy but spiritual death. In spite of its reputation for being active, Sardis was infested with sin. Its deeds were evil, and its clothes soiled. the Spirit has no words of commendation for this church that looked so good on the outside but was so corrupt on the inside.

Even though Christ called Sardis a dead church, he also affirmed the handful of people who were faithful believers. Christ loves to defeat death. If you find yourself in a dead church, make sure you preserve your own faithfulness. Ask God to intervene. Ask God to help you find other believers, and pray together for an awakening of your church.

Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

What/who do you love?

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Wow! Does God work in wonderful, yet mysterious ways? Yes HE does!! Okay, we have finished doing Revelation, second chapter.

Please re-read the chapter; then ask and answer these questions.

What commendations did Christ have for the church at Ephesus?
For what sin did He rebuke them?

What situation did the church at Smyrna face?
What did God promise them?

What was the great sin of the church of Pergamos?
Can you summarize Christ's message for the church at Thyatira?

Unfaithfulness and hypocrisy among God's people is nothing new.
Look at 1 John 2:15-17.
15 "Do not love the world of the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
16 "For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world."
17 "And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Guilty or Not Guilty?

Good morning! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. "Not guilty, let him go free!" What would those words mean to you if you were on death row?

Romans 8:1-4 "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus"

Fact: The whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God's holy law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. Thank God! He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and power to do his will.

v 2: "And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death."

This life giving Spirit is the Holy Spirit. He was present at the creation of the world and he is the power behind the rebirth of every Christian. He gives us the power we need to live the Christian life.

v 3: "The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. he sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins."

Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus was the blood sacrifice which paid the penalty for your sins. Praise God, who is merciful, loving and compassionate. Why did God do this?

v 4: "He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the spirit."

WE ARE NOT GUILTY, WE ARE OFF DEATH ROW! PRAISE GOD! Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Christ is our morning star

Good morning everyone! Yes, another great day to be alive in Jesus. This is the first time I can ever remember waking up in Tennessee. What a beautiful state and the city of Nashville is quite interesting. Anyway, God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Revelation 2:28 "They will have the same authority I received from my Father and I will also give them the morning star."

Remember, earlier Christ had said those who are victorious, remained faithful, will rule over Christ's enemies. Here, Christ is called the morning star. A morning star appears just before dawn, when the night is coldest and darkest. When the world is at its bleakest point. Christ will burst onto the scene, exposing evil with his light of truth and bringing his promised reward.

Then in Revelation 2:29 "ANYONE WITH EARS TO HEAR MUST LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT AND UNDERSTAND WHAT HE IS SAYING TO THE CHURCHES."

Again, we need to listen. Christ will come to us in His fullness and we have Him in our hearts. Thank you for reading. Tomorrow, Chapter 3. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Be still and know that I AM

Good morning everyone! Wow! What a great day to be alive and have a true living God! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

You know your struggles; sometimes you wonder why? Elijah, a great prophet in the Bible. He was in a challenge, a duel if you will, with the other gods and his God, our God. Elijah won! How great it would be to be victorious over the evil, the idol worshipping. The victor, riding on shoulders and be triumphant. That is what Elijah was. NO! After all witnessed the power of the true living God, the most evil queen, Jezebel, sent word to Elijah. Words of congratulations?

She said, "As sure as you are Elijah and I am Jezebel, you will be dead by this time tomorrow." 1 Kings 19:2 Fear struck Elijah and he ran, clear to Beer-sheba. Elijah went to the desert and prayed to die. Sometimes we do this, we are desperate, however, God came to him and asked "What are you doing here Elijah?" Elijah answered and expected to hear from God in a mighty way. Again, it was the "small still voice."

Survey what has happened to you this week and see where God's hands are upon you. It may be something very small, a word to another about God, a meeting, a turning of another's spirit, just a glance or hug. Take time. Be still and know that I am! Can you do it? As Bob the Builder said, "Yes I can (with God's help)!"

Love you all. Have a wonderful weekend.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Be faithful and rule

Good morning everyone! A wonderful day to be alive in the Lord Jesus Christ! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Yesterday we talked about that small still voice, and yes, some of you said you were hard of hearing. But you need to listen, watch, and be aware. God IS doing something in your life and you may be missing the blessing. Today, you get to rule!

Revelation 2:26-27 "And he who overcomes and keep My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations. He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'-as I also have received from My Father."
Christ says that those who are victorious, those who remain faithful until the end and continue to please God, will rule over Christ's enemies and reign with him as he judges evil.

Rule them with a rod of iron; literally "shepherd them with an iron rod." During the millennial kingdom, Christ will enforce HIS WILL and protect HIS SHEEP with HIS iron scepter from any who would seek to harm them.

You, the faithful, SHALL BE VICTORIOUS!! Yea, time to rejoice, but turn always to God and Jesus and be faithful. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

"Small still voice"

Good morning! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

Remember yesterday? We talked about Elijah and being alone? We are not alone and if we just "let go, let God" He (God) will use us to His benefit. Who are we here to please? Our spouse, family, friends, NO! Ultimately, we are here for God pleasure and purpose.

God made men and women in his image. God made a covenant with his people. It is through human beings that God most often gives guidance and blessings to people. God can, and may work through marvelous displays of power. But far more often it seems that God chooses the method of the still small voice, whispering to the faithful what needs to be done and relying on them to "GO" do it.

Elijah needed to learn that. You need to learn that. I need to learn that. Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Hold on tight to what you've got......

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. Where do you stand in your relationship with God? How many times do you visit with God each day? Once, twice, more?

Revelation 2:25 KJV "But hold fast to what you have till I come."
Application Bible "except you hold tightly to what you have till I come."

Wow! This cannot be any plainer. We should hold tightly to the basics of our Christian faith and view with extreme caution any new teaching that turns us away from the Bible, the following of our church, or our basic confession of faith.

Put not your faith in man, but in the one true living God. Man will let you down; God will lift you up. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Oh, so lonely!

Good morning to all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

Do you ever feel discouraged? Lonely? No one else understands? Well, Elijah felt this way. When we become physically tired or exhausted, we tend to feel this way more. I am by myself! No one else knows, or understands, or even cares! As we cry out we must remember GOD is always with us. Plus, there are others who are with us as well, we just have to look around.

Elijah thought he was alone, but there were 7,000 with him who were not idolaters. The road is never as lonely as it looks. And that is God's message to us as well as to Elijah. God is still with us and so are "seven thousand" others!

1 Kings 19:18 "Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!"

Our loyalty is with God. You can rest in this and rejoice! Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Do you have a burden?

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! Yesterday we found out what would happen to the "Jezebel's" children. But what about you, a God fearing person?

Revelation 2:24 "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not know the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden."

the depths of satan - This unbelievable libertinism and license was the fruit of pre-gnostic teaching, saying that one was free to engage and explore the sphere of Satan and participate in evil with the boyd without harming the spirit.

So, if you did not participate in the "depths of Satan" you will have no other burden. If your spirit is of God, then you won't be participating in the immorality, sex outside of marriage, the "wrong" things of the world. Your spirit will remain in tact as will your physical being. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. This is where satan hits us so beware. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Go!

God is good all the time, all the time God is good! What does God tell you? Do you listen? Are you obedient?

When God says "go," He means GO! God told Elijah "GO." Whenever God calls a person, it is because God has a job for that person to do. Obedience always involves "going" somewhere, either to a new place or to a different way to approach a familiar situation.

Elijah had been ready to quit; he even prayed that he might die. But God was not through with Elijah yet. There were other things for him to do. So God's word to Elijah was "GO."

Are you obedient? Do you listen? But I don't hear God. Many times it is that "conscience" you have, something pushing you one way or another. Discernment will help guide you right rather than wrong. Take a step. Trust God! "GO!"

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

This hiding place God sees

Good morning everyone!! Yes, another great day to be alive in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour! Internet problems prohibited a posting and I do apologize. If you recall, Jezebel was to be cast on a sickbed in hell, verse 22. Now let's look at:

Revelation 2:23 "I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am HE who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works." KJV

Application Bible v. 23 "I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve."

Jezebels teaching was in its second generation, and they (her children) were practicing the same as she, idol worship. We cannot hide from Christ; he know what is in our heart and mind, and still he loves us. The sins we try to hide from God need to be confessed to Him.

What are you hiding? Isn't it time to let God have your hidden "secrets?" God knows, God forgives, God forgets, We are forgiven. Take time to thank God for this blessing. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Sickbed in hell? NO!

Good Morning everyone!! Another great day in Jesus! Did you do wrong yesterday? Probably, just ask forgiveness and talk to Jesus. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Revelation 2:22 "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and thos who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds."sickbed - Tis is lietrally "bed." Having given this women time to repent, God was to judge her upon a bed. Since she used a luxurious bed to commit her immorality, and the reclining couch at the idol feast to eat things offered to false gods. He was to give her a bed in hell where she would be forever.

unless they repent of their deeds - repent has two meanings: one is to turn away from the sin; the other is sorry for getting caught (but repeat the sin).

I plan to see you praising God in the highest. Woe unto those who are around the bed in hell, a place of suffering for eternity. Aren't you glad you know Jesus? Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Why should I repent?

Good morning everyone! Yes, another wonderful day to be alive in the LORD JESUS CHRIST!!! YEA!!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Revelation 2:20 "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent."
God is a merciful God, wanting no one to perish. He gives us chances. Jezebel was unwilling to repent. Repent means "to change one's mind and to turn from sin" and its disastrous consequences to God and eternal life.

In His mercy, God has given us time to decide to follow him. Only our stubborn willfulness stands in the way. Remember, Jezebel was Queen of Israel, married to Ahab, and brought the worship of Baal to Israel and led them astray.

Do you repent of your sins, or do you continue walking in the same path thinking or rationalizing what you are doing is okay. It is alright because....... Step back, look again. Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Who is Jezebel?

Good morning! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Say, who is Jezebel anyway?

the marriage between Israel's king Ahab and Sidon's princess Jezebel was politically motivated. Unfortunately, the union had an ill effect on Israel's worship of Yahweh. Even today, the name "Jezebel" is associated with all that is evil.

Jezebel killed the prophets of Yahweh (1Kings 18:13). She was also the one who frightened Yahweh's prophet Elijah so much that he fled for safety. She also caused the man Naboth to be killed so her husband could possess Naboth's field. Her evil deeds led Elijah to predict that Jezebel would be eaten by dogs after her death. Since Jezebel was so evil, how could she have had so much power?

Her influence came from being the wife of Ahab, make her the queen, true, but not the whole story. She was also the daughter of Ethbaal, the king of Sidon. During Ahab's time Sidon was one of the most powerful and certainly richest areas in and around Israel. The material culture of the Sidonians is one of the highest of those found in ancient Canaan. Their ceramic dishes are artistically beautiful, make the typical posts of the Israelites look clumsy and backwoodish.

As a princess from Sidon, Jezebel might have been the original "uptown" girl. She came from the richest and most advanced culture, as the daughter of a king, to Israel, a simple hill-country kingdom. Her aristocratic presence overwhelmed those around her; all eyes and hearts turned in her direction. They swooned in following her god Baal and deserted Yahweh, God of Israel. Not suprisingly, this original "uptown" girl also influenced her husband Ahab's worship of Baal.

Flash and dazzle turns heads. Makes me think of Hollywood, young, misled stars. Does this ring a bell in America? Thank you for reading.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Who to follow? Jezebel or Jesus

Good morning everyone!! Another great day to worship and praise the LORD JESUS CHRIST!! Thank you Jesus for all you do for me, have done for me, and will do for me. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Revelation 2:20 "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce MY servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols."

That woman Jezebel - was the wife of Ahab and the source of idolatry in Israel. She was responsible for the worst idolatry in the nation, and she persecuted the servants of God. Jezebel, a pagan queen of Israel, was considered the most evil woman who ever lived. (check her out 1 Kings 20)

Why is sexual immorality serious? Sex outside marriage always hurts someone. It hurts God because it shows that we prefer to satisfy our desires our own way instead of according to God's Word or to satisy them immediately instead of waiting for his timing. It hurts others because it violates the commitment so necessary to a relationship.

Sexual immorality has tremendous power to destroy families, churches, and communities because it destroys the integrity on which these relationships are built. God wants to protect us from hurting ourselves and others, thus, we are to have no part in sexual immorality, even if our culture accepts it.

Eat things sacrificed to idols - Eating food offered to idols wasn't wrong in itself, but it could violate the conscience of weaker Christian brothers and sisters who would be bothered by it. Jezebel was more concerned about her own selfish pleasure and freedom than about the needs and concerns of fellow believers.

We can be Christians or Jezebels! One - means of instant pleasure; the other, Christian, life eternal. Our choice! Choose wisely! Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny