1 Thessalonians 5:2 Like a thief in the night

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! What are you thankful for? Take a moment and reflect!

Life is precious, yet just a fleeting moment in the hour glass of time. Our travel through this world is simply practice for the hereafter. How is your practice going?

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 "Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don't really need to write you. For you know quite well that the day of the LORD's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. when people are saying, "Everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. and there will be no escape."

How and when all this will happen - refers to the knowledge of what will happen in the future, specifically at the return of Christ. No one knows and even believers will be surprised.

The LORD will return suddenly and unexpectedly, so be ready, as Paul warns. The 'day of the LORD's return' is a future time when God will intervene directly and dramatically in world affairs.

Because no one knows when Jesus will come back to earth, or when we will be called to our eternal position we need to be ready at all times. If today were your day to see Jesus: how would he find you living? are you ready to meet Jesus?

Live each day being prepared to welcome JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!!!!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

John 3:8 The wind, the Holy Spirit

Good morning everyone!! Another great day to be alive and worship JESUS!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

Yesterday we talked about the power of Jesus with the wind and when He spoke the seas and wind did calm immediately. Jesus asked "Do you still have no faith?" Today we will talk about wind in another way.

John 3:8 "The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the spirit."

This wind is the Holy Spirit. Jesus explained that we cannot control the work of the Holy Spirit. He works in ways we cannot predict or understand. Just as you did not control your physical birth, so you cannot control your spiritual birth. It is a gift from God through the Holy Spirit.

For more references look up: Romans 8:16; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; 1 Thessalonians 1:5,6) Thank you for reading with me today.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Mark 4:39-41 Who is afraid of the wind?

Good morning everyone! Another great day to praise JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!!! GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!

Have you ever just stopped and thought about the wind. This is something we cannot see, yet we see the results of it. Which direction does it come from? Anywhere! How can we control it? We can't! Can we harness its energy? No!

So, the wind comes from anywhere, blows anyway it wants, and it is uncontrollable. BUT, listen to this.......Jesus was on a boat with the disciples and a great storm came up with the wind tossing the boat. They woke Jesus, and what was Jesus' response? Mark 4:39 "When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water, "SILENCE, BE STILL!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. (40) Then he asked them, "WHY ARE YOU AFRAID? DO YOU STILL HAVE NO FAITH?" (41) The disciples were terrified, "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him."

These men lived with Jesus yet underestimated Him. They did not see that His power applied to their own situation. Jesus has been around for us 21 centuries yet we underestimate his power to handle crises in our lives. We know enough about Jesus, we study the word, and we cannot use the same excuse. Are you afraid? Do you have the faith?

The wind that blows in our lives should be the Holy Spirit. Tomorrow we will talk about John 3:8 and Eph 4:14. Give it all to JESUS!!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

John 21:18-23 As for you, just follow me. Jesus

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

We, as humans, seem to want to justify where we are, what we did, what happened, etc. In John 21: 18 Jesus is talking to Peter and said, "I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked, you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch our your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go."

This was a prediction of Peter's death by crucifixion. Tradition indicates that Peter was crucified for his faith-upside down because he did not feel worthy of dying as his LORD did. Despite what Peter's future held, Jesus told him to follow him.

Could you? If you were told of a horrible death you would experience if you continued to walk with JESUS, would you continue the walk?

Then Peter asked Jesus what kind of death John would die. Basically, Jesus told Peter it did not really matter and he did not need to concern himself with John's death. Don't we do this, compare ourselves to others? Try to rationalize our own level of belief in Jesus? Jesus' response, "what is that to you? As for you follow me!"

Can you do that? Just follow Jesus, believe, trust, be devoted and follow.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

John 21:15-17 The Peter Challenge

Good morning everyone!! Another great day to say "THANK YOU JESUS!" GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!

Wow!! When you look around, stop, and take time to view and think, "the big bang was awesome, look what it created." LOL, I do hope you know this is a joke. How could something so complex and intricate come from a single cell amoeba? There definitely was a "higher being" in control.

Are you willing to take the Peter challenge? Peter denied Jesus 3 times, in John 21:15-17 Jesus asked Peter 3 times if he loved Jesus. The first 2 times Jesus asked Peter using the Greek agape (volitional,self-sacrificial love); the third time Jesus used the Greek work phileo (signifying affection, affinity, or brotherly love) and asked "Are you even my friend?"

Each time Peter responded with the word translated into Greek as phileo. Jesus doesn't settle for quick, superficial answers. He has a way of getting to the heart of the matter. Peter had to face his true feelings and motives when Jesus confronted him.

How would you respond if Jesus asked you, "Do you love me? Do you really love me? Are you even my friend?"

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Your are a child of the KING, act like it!!!

Good morning! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Just how lucky ole' boy are you?

Sometimes we need to stop and open a 55 gallon barrel of JOY, APPRECIATION, LOVE, and spread it around.

Listening to Dave Ramsey a lady is living pay check to pay check and she makes $90,000 a year, is worried and not happy.
Then I talked to a couple yesterday who are young, in their 20's, and buying a used mobile home and two lots. They work hard, struggle for money, have 2 children and their attitude is "we are only 23 and purchasing our own home and land, not many our age do this."

Where you are and your perspective definitely affects your attitude. Shouldn't we all have a thankful, humble and rejoicing attitude. You are as poor as destitute as you envision; you are as rich, joyful and wealthy as you envision.

Where are you today? You should be rich, happy, and joyful because YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE KING. SO START ACTING LIKE A CHILD OF THE KING!!!!

Here are some verses to meditate over:

Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (NIV)

Proverbs 15:13 - "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." (NIV)

Proverbs 15:23 - "A man finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!" (NIV)

Proverbs 17:22 - "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."(NIV)

Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Anger!! Psalm 37:8 Proverbs 14:16-17

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.

Angry people usually justify their anger by saying it is the fault someone else.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil (Psalm 37:8).

In Austin, Texas a man, Joseph Stack, became enraged at the IRS and he wrote "I have had enough," and then........on Feb. 18, 2010..........

A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless (Proverbs 14:16
A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated (Proverbs 14:17)

Joseph Andrew Stack reached his point of no return. Evil, foolishness, hotheaded and reckless; he set his house on fire, flew a plane, Piper Cherokee, into a building housing 200 IRS employees. What did this prove? 2 were killed, and for what reason? Why? What drove him this far? What could have been done?

Where evil lurks, hotheaded and foolish people reside. What can you do? What can I do? We can plant the seeds of the everlasting God and let God do the rest. Could this have been avoided or prevented? Only God knows! Are you doing all you can in your missionary field-----your home territory?

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ephesians 4:15, 23-32

Good morning everyone!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! What happens when something angers you? Ephesians 4:15 "But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into HIM who is the head - Christ."

Think about these verses as you travel across life today and the people that traverse your life. Take time to see how each verse speaks to you.

Ephesians: 23-24 "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."

25 "Therefore, putting away lying,'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are member of one another."

26-27 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath." Nor give place to the devil."

28 "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need."

29 "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

30 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

31 "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."

32 "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

Take time to reflect on these words of God. So much anger and hate in the world. Let it be changed, one Christian at a time. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

John 5: 16-23 Jews sought to kill Jesus

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.

Well, have you thought about it.....? Are you sitting beside the Sheep Pool and waiting......waiting.....for what? For an angel to stir the water and someone to put you in! Just look up to JESUS! Through Him you can do it all, without Him you are still sitting beside the pool.

Jesus did great works. Jesus came for YOU! Jesus can heal YOU! Jesus will heal YOU! All you need to do is call out. Jesus healed the man, the man told about it, the Jews sought to persecute and slay Jesus. Why? Very simple, they (Jews) were of the world.

Once you accept Jesus you can do anything through Him who strengthens you. Take time now, honor Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father we just thank you for all you have done for us, our position in life, and we pray that you continue to bless us and guide us in our daily walk with you. May all we do today bring you honor. Thank you LORD.

Love you all
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

John 5

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

Do you sometimes feel you are by the Sheep Gate pool called Bethesda called five porches? When an angel stirs the water, if you are the first in you will be healed!
Take time to read John 5. A man laid by this pool for years, he was 38, and had not been able to be the first one in the pool.

Soooo, what happened? Well, a man named Jesus came by He asked, "do you want to be made well?" The man gave a reason why, lying by the pool, he had not been healed. Jesus simply said, "rise, take up your bed and walk."

You don't have to wait for an angel to stir the water of the Sheep Pool! You don't have to wait for Jesus to come by! ALL you have to do is call upon Jesus and be healed. How simple is this? Let's do it together, in spirit!

Prayer: "Heavenly Father, we know we are born of sin and we just ask that Jesus come take away any evil that is lurking in our hearts, minds, and soul. Cleanse us white, make us pure and acceptable unto you. Thank you Jesus, whose name we pray."

Love you all
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Nahum 1:13-14

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Wow! Happy belated valentines day! I do hope your day was good!

Nahum 1:13-14 "For now I will break off his yoke from you, and burst your bonds apart." "The LORD has given a command concerning you: 'Your name shall be perpetuated no longer. Out of the House of your gods, I will cut off the carved image and the molded image. I will dig your grave, for you are vile.'"


While studying this Paul G. Apple said the following information much better than I and this is to his credit.

c. (:13) Complete Deliverance from Captivity and Bondage
“So now, I will break his yoke bar from upon you,
And I will tear off your shackles.”
C. (:14) Concluding Summary: God Will Make a Complete End of It
1. Divine Decree
“The Lord has issued a command concerning you:”
2. Stripping Away Any Legacy
“Your name will no longer be perpetuated.”
3. Smashing All False Idols
“I will cut off idol and image from the house of your gods.”
4. Dooming Their Destiny

I do hope this helps. How often do we hold on to "something" that is not of God and "worship" it? We need to get back to the basics of John 3:16. Thank you for reading. Have a wonderful day. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Nahum 1:12 Safe, no more affliction

Good morning everyone!! Today, is it: "Oh God, it's morning; or "Good morning God!" God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

The book of Nahum we are having trouble with Nineveh. Nineveh seems to consistently do "evil" and turn from God. Can you say, "LORD JESUS come into my heart and remove all evil and cleanse me as you died and shed your blood for me?"

Cast off that evil tendency, i.e. "lust!" Lust seems to be able to cover most of our negative thoughts; envy, greed, sexual thoughts, looks, etc. We may feel safe because it is all in our mind, but GOD knows. A good daily prayer is asking God to clean our hearts and fill it with the love of Jesus.

Nahum 1:12 "Thus says the LORD: "Though they are safe, and likewise many, yet in this manner they will be cut down when he passes through. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more."

We have talked about the power of God and his anger when we put other Gods before him, when we practice evil ways. Here Nahum says they will be cut down, but then there will be no more affliction. My question to you is WHY?

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Nahum 1:10-11 Evil be gone

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! People may scoff at you or pick at you about being a Christian; don't be angry, just respond with love and prayer. Prayer and quiet time can do more for your relationship with God than anything and it will lead over into dealing with others.

Nahum 1:10-11 "His enemies, tangled like thorn bushes and staggering like drunks, will be burned up like dry stubble in a field. Who is this evil counselor of yours who plots evil against the LORD?"

Yesterday we talked about scheming against the LORD and HE will destroy them. What will happen? Pretty clear, tangled, staggering and will be burned up like dry stubble. No questions here! Nahum is plain about the ending.

Who is this wicked evil counselor? Being written in Nahum's time it could have be Ashurbanipal - king of Assyria; or Sennacherib who openly defied God, rebelling against God; or no one in particular but an evil empire who turned away from God.

Nineveh would be destroyed for rebelling against God. Think about your life, the lives of your loved ones; are they rebelling against God? Take time to pray. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

NAHUM 1:9 What are you doing?

Good morning everyone! Another great and cool day to worship the LORD. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Nahum 1:9 "Why are you scheming against the LORD? He will destroy you with one blow; he won't need to strike twice!"

Okay, if you are not doing God's will; following His commands, then you are scheming against the LORD!

What?!?! I AM NOT! Maybe exceeding the speed limit, fudging (cheating) on your taxes, telling on part of the truth (lie), having anger or rage against someone because YOU did not plan appropriately. Is this not "scheming" against the LORD?"

I will ask forgiveness, pray for your forgiveness, and then ask God to lead me so I may walk in His steps throughout the day. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Nahum 1: 8 Sweep away enemies

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Take time and look around you at all God has made. Take a moment to marvel.

Nahum 1:8 "But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night."

In verse 7 we learned that God is close to those who trust Him. Now, the ones who don't. His enemies.....who are God's enemies? Anyone who has not trusted in the LORD JESUS CHRIST as they LORD and SAVIOR. Yes, they may be good people, kind people, absolutely wonderful people, but if they have not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, then they are enemies of God.

To His enemies He is an overwhelming flood meaning He will sweep them away. They will be gone, no longer, and there eternity will be in torment. Whereas you, on the other hand have accepted Jesus as your LORD and savior, and you will spend eternity singing praises and rejoicing with GOD! Thank you for reading. Tell someone about Jesus this week. Pray for yourself, ask forgiveness, and then pray for others. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

John 3:19-21 Do you love: darkness or light

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Okay, to finish up about evil; remember, because a person is good or knows about God does not mean they are saved.

Many people don't want their lives exposed to God's light because they are afraid of what will be revealed. They don't want to be changed. Don't be surprised when these some people are threatened by your desire to obey God and do what is right, because they are afraid that the light in you may expose some of the darkness in their lives. rather than giving in to discouragement, keep praying that they will come to see how much better it is to live in light than in darkness.

John 3:19-21 "And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."

Pray for ones in your family, friends, and all who are "good" people but do not know Jesus. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

John 3:18 Evil all around

Good morning everyone!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!! May you tell someone about Jesus today.

What is evil? Do you live with and around evil? I say YES! What? What are you talking about? I don't live with and around evil!! Okay, let's take a look.

John 3:18 "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son."

People often try to protect themselves from their fears by putting their fatih in something they do or have: good deeds, skill or intelligence, money or possessions. But only God can save us from the one thing that we really need to fear-eternal condemnation. We believe in God by recognizing the insufficiency of our own efforts to find salvation and by asking him to do His work in us. When Jesus talks about unbelievers, he means those who reject or ignore him completely, not those who have momentary doubts.

Because you, your spouse, your parents, friends, or whoever are "good people" and are knowledgeable of God does not mean they are "saved through the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ." Therefore, these people are walking in and with evil UNTIL they profess publicly their belief in Jesus Christ. Talk to the ones close to you, ask them if they have, indeed, called on Jesus to save them. This is a yes or no answer, if an explanation comes to explain I would question their salvation. Food for thought.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Nahum 1:7 Our strong refuge is.........?

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! 4 days left to invite someone to know Jesus this week. Then we can begin again.

Nahum 1:7 "The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him."

When you are troubled what do you do? Hold it inside? Yell at someone? Cry? Curse? Throw things? What does this say? A strong refuge when trouble comes is THE LORD!!

And what? He is close to those who TRUST in HIM! Wow! What encouragement! Take a quick test; think about your troubles. Are you trying to solve them? OR, are you sharing them with the LORD, trusting HIM, and letting HIM be your refuge?

Have a super day! Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Nahum 1:5-6 In HIS presence

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

Q: Have you stopped and asked your children, spouse, parent this question? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your risen savior, believing He shed His blood on the cross for your sins? Have you asked yourself? I have not asked any of my daughters this question, yet it is my responsibility to have raised them up in the ways of the LORD!

Nahum 1:5-6 "In HIS presence the mountains quake, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles, and its people are destroyed. Who can stand before His fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury? His rage blazes forth like fire, and the mountains crumble to dust in His presence."

No person on earth can safely defy God, the Almighty, the Creator of all the universe. How could a small temporal kingdom like Assyria, no matter how powerful, challenge God's awesome power? Look at the rubble Assyria became, God is still alive and well. Think about our United States and where we are headed. God will be here forever, and the choice is ours whether to be with God forever, singing praises or to live in hell, being in torment eternally.

The choice is yours! Ask someone if they know Jesus this week. Do a self-reflection and see how well YOU know Jesus. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Matthew 13:31-32

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

I will be back in Nahum tomorrow, but something struck me the end of last week. The mustard seed. One of the smallest, if not the smallest seed and when nurtured it germinates in 3 to 10 days. Let's look at Matthew.

Matthew 13:31-32 tells the parable of the mustard seed: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”

Jesus was the first sower of the "Christian mustard seed" as He spread seeds throughout the country side. His seeds have multiplied. You, me, WE are to do the same. We should be as the mustard seed. Just think about it a moment. If we had the faith of a mustard seed we could move a mountain. A mustard seed is 3 mm; that is very small. But if we had this faith....oh wow.....what we could do for the glory of God.

And then the seed grows! How big does it grow? It can become over 10 feet tall. If your faith grew, equivalently, as the mustard seed, we would all be Billy Grahams and more. How is your faith? How is your seed? Is it stiffled? Trying to grow, but won't yet germinate? Or is your seed well nurtured and becoming a full sized plant? 1 or 2 hours for God on Sunday!! Is that truly enough. You do not keep your job by dedicating 2 hours a week to it; and what does it get you? Worldly security! Okay, but what about life everlasting? Eternal life? Is not this worth the extra effort? But I don't have time! Bunk!

Take God seriously! He takes you seriously! Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny