Pray boldly and confidently! Heb 4:16 & 1 John 5:14-15

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Last week we talked about prayer; why pray? Go back and look in Mark 11:22-26 and see. We pray because we are believers and our prayers should be for things that will bring glory and light to the kingdom of God. Okay, so how do we pray? Glad you asked.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV "Let us therefore come briefly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

NIV "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come "boldly." Some Christians approach God meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask him to meet their needs. Others pray flippantly, giving little thought to what they say. Come with reverence because he is your King. But also come with bold assurance because he is your Friend and Counselor.

I John 5:14-15 "And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for."

The emphasis here is on God's will, not our will. When we communicate with God, we don't demand what we want; rather we discuss with him when he wants for us. If we align our prayers to his will, he will listen and we can be certain that if he listens, he will give us a definite answer. Start praying with confidence!

Love you all

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Why pray? Does prayer work? Mark 11:22-26

Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Why pray? God just doesn't seem to answer my prayers! God, if you have heard my prayer why has nothing changed? You probably have heard things like this or said them yourself. Let's look at something Jesus said.

Mark 11:22-26 KJV " So Jesus answered and said the them, 'Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed and be cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.'"

The kind of prayer that moves mountains is prayer for the fruitfulness of God's Kingdom. It would seem impossible to move a mountain into the sea, so Jesus used that illustration to show that God can do the impossible.

God will answer your prayers but some conditions must be met: 1-you must be a believer; 2-you must not hold a grudge against another person; 3-you must not pray with selfish motives; 4-your request must be for the good of God's kingdom.

To pray effectively, you need faith in God, not faith in the object of your request. If you focus only on your request, you will be left with nothing if your request if refused.

Jesus prayed, not my will but thine, we need to remember this when we pray. Forgiving others, whew, sometimes really a tough feat. To pray with a grudge is as a tree which bares no fruit.

Remember this: True faith changes the heart; real prayer dismantles pride and vengeance, filling the holes with love. REAL FAITH SEEKS PEACE. For the church (the body of Christ) to grow there must be harmony and forgiveness among us (the believers). Love you all. Have a great weekend. See you Monday. Hebrews 4:16

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Are you Jesus?

Thank you Elizabeth for sharing this with me; now I may share with others.


This is really powerful and makes one think!!!!

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago . They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding. ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took a deep breath, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did.

The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, 'Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?' She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, 'I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly.'

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, 'Mister.......' He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, 'Are you Jesus?'
He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: 'Are you Jesus?'

Do people mistake you for Jesus?
That's our Destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would..
Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.
You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.


Please share this.... Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know...Thanks

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
TOO MANY CHRISTIANS ARE NO LONGER FISHERS OF MEN
BUT KEEPERS OF THE AQUARIUM.

Why pray? Mark 9:29 Is your faith strong enough?

Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Yesterday the question was why pray. Mark 9:29 "Jesus replied, "This kind can be cast out only by prayer."

Jesus was telling the disciples they would often face difficult situations that could be resolved only through prayer. Prayer is the key that unlocks faith in our life. Effective prayer needs both the attitude of complete dependence and the action of asking. Prayer demonstrates our reliance on God as we humbly invite him to fill us with faith and power. There is no substitute for prayer, especially in circumstances that seem impossible.

Take time to read Mark 9:14-28 about a boy who was demon possessed and then what Jesus said and did.

How should we pray. Jonah 2:1 Jonah's prayer was of thanksgiving. He was thankful he had not drowned. Maybe we should start by being thankful. Let me know what you think. Is this a good starting place in prayer? Being thankful. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

If God knows everything why pray? Isaiah 38:1-5

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Yesterday we talked about what good does prayer do. Did you call out specifics and ask God to intervene? Or did you use ritualistic idle rhetoric? Today, why pray?
If God knows everything why pray?

Isaiah 38:1-5 KJV "In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.'" Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD. And said, "Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah saying, "God and tell Hezekiah, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.'"

Okay, so what just happened? Hezekiah was ill and about to die. Isaiah told him he would die, God said so. Then Hezekiah, a proud man who struggled with pride, immediately turned to God in prayer. God heard him and extended his life another 15 years. Wow!

If you have a desperate need in your life, bring it to the LORD. In response to fervent prayer, God may change the course of your life too. But now a couple of questions for you.

Did God change His mind? Was this an event God set in place to humble Hezekiah? When Hezekiah heard he was going to die what did he do? He turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD. Why did he turn to the wall? Maybe to concentrate?
And he wept bitterly, meaning these were tears of sincerity, humbling himself before the LORD.

God gave a sign to prove he did as he promised. What was it? You tell me, look up Isaiah 38:7,8. Love you all. Pray! Ask forgiveness, then pray for yourself and others. Be specific, be expecting, be grateful.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Prayer! Why? What good is it? 2 Chronicles 6:19-42

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

What do you pray for? Do you pray specifically for something or in general? What type of prayer reaches God? Does it need to be in a certain format? Why should we pray? What good does pray do?

Solomon, the wisest of man, did pray in 2 Chronicles 6:19-42 that God would hear their prayers concerning a variety of situations. Solomon was in the Temple, yes a building, but please remember, when Christ came the need for the temple to worship, sacrifice, etc. was filled in Him (Christ). When I read this I related the temple to be within.

2 Chronicles 6:19-21 "Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you. May you watch over this Temple day and night, this place where you have said you would put your name. May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place. May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear forgive."

Me, You, we are the temple of God. Do you ask Him to watch over you and others day and night? Do you ask Him to listen? Are your request humble and earnest or just idle rhetoric? Solomon goes on to ask prayer for crime (22,23), enemy attacks (24,25), drought (26,27), famine (28-31), the influx of foreigners (32,33), war (34,35), and sin (36-39).

God is concerned with whatever we face, even the difficult consequences we bring upon ourselves. He wants us to turn to Him in prayer. When you pray, remember that God hears you. Don't let the extremity of your situation cause you to doubt his care for you.

Psalm 4:3 "You can be sure of this: The LORD set apart the godly for himself. The LORD will answer when I call to Him."

We will often face difficult situation that could only be resolved by prayer. Prayer is the key that unlocks faith in our life. Effective prayer needs both the attitude of complete dependence and the action of asking. Prayer demonstrates our reliance on God as we humbly invite Him to fill us with faith and power. The disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast out the evil spirit. Jesus replies with:
Mark 9:29 "This kind can be cast out only by prayer."
Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Laminin - Louie who? check it out

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

If you have time copy and paste this address to view Louie Giglio and his talk about LAMININ: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0-NPPIeeRk

Last night at the Bible study we talked about how B I G our LIVING GOD IS!!!

If you will listen to the 6 minute video about laminin, then how could anyone deny there is a living God. Everything in our body is held together by laminin! Look it up - could this have come from a single-celled amoebia? I don't think so.

These verse touched me and I hope they do you. Check out the video, laminin, and these verses I found.

"Colossians 2:9-10 "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power;"

We are complete in Jesus! Look at the picture of laminin and tell me what you think. I was touched! Many thoughts stimulated. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Rearview mirror - helpful or harmful?

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

What is a rearview mirror for? It serves several purposes. We use it to see where we have been; to see what is behind us; to know what is approaching us; to know if we can change lanes; finally, it is just a tool to keep us safe while driving.

As a Christian, many times, we look in our rearview mirror to see what we have done; to take pride in our accomplishments; as well as to remember the sins we have committed.

A rearview mirror has blind spots where danger may be lurking. So, we can use the mirror, but we also need to turn our heads and look so we may see through the blind spots.

Jesus is our rearview mirror, but he cleaned up everything in our past so what do we see? Jesus has taken it all away so we see a clean, safe, non-threatening past.

But Jesus also gives us the word to guide our steps. A light unto our path so we can travel safely. Jesus gave us a choice - heaven or hell! In Mark 10:29,30 Jesus assured the disciples that anyone who gives up something valuable for His sake will be repaid a hundred times over in this life, although not necessarily in the same way.

We will experience persecution along the way because the world hates God. We follow Jesus because of the love we have for Him and the sacrifice He gave. We don't follow Christ because we will receive rewards. Look ahead, look around, use the eyes of Jesus to view. Eternal life, we call it heaven. See you there.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Salvation! Are you doing enough?

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Salvation! Salvation is something that I find either of two ways: easy to share or difficult to share. Why? I don't know. I am struggling with this. A dream I had last night took me here. In my dream, a young girl appeared and I asked her about her salvation. Fortunately, in this dream, she confirmed Jesus was her savior and she knew she was bound to heaven.

So many things in this work appear pretty, yet are deceptive. In 2 Corinthians 11:14 "But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."

Satan and his servants can deceive us by appearing to be attractive good, and moral. Many unsuspecting people follow smooth-talking, Bible quoting leaders into cults that alienate then from their families and lead them into the practice of immorality and deceit. Don't be fooled by external appearances.

Philippians 3:19 "They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things and they think only about this life here on earth."

Paul gets tough with people who live to appease their appetites, who believe so strongly in their greatness that they become slaves to pride. What horrible people these must be ...so concerned with earthly trivia that during worship their minds wander; so consumed with work that worship is inconvenient; so busy planning the next party that there is no time for prayer.

These are people we need to pray for, pray about, and share the words of salvation. Are you doing enough? I know I am not. I just pray that God will lead me to the lost souls and open the door to share the Good News - JESUS CHRIST!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

1 Peter 4:1 Are you armed?

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

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

What is this saying to you? Christ suffered for YOU! In the FLESH Jesus suffered for YOU! So what are you going to do about it? Nothing is NOT ACCEPTABLE!

Arm yourself!! Arm is Greek hoplizomal, which means to equip or outfit as one would outfit an army with the best possible weapons for battle. This you must do also.

This would be the same mind or view toward the suffering that Christ Himself had. Not that Christ enjoyed suffered, but He endured it for our salvation. Will you endure Christian persecution for YOUR SALVATION? To share salvation to others?

Where do you stand? We cannot serve two masters - either the world or Christ! The choice is yours. See you in heaven! Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Hebrews 10:25 Shall we gather together?

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!

Hebrews 10:25 KJV "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day approaching."

Hebrews 10:25 NIV "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the day approaching."

Nothing eases your heavy burdens like a friend who cheers you on and encourages you to trust in God, reminding you that he unconditionally loves you and steadfastly helps you.

Without that support your times of waiting can seem lonely and interminable, tempting you to sink deep into doubt or turn to something other than God for comfort.

When someone who has been where you are now reinforces your faith with kind, trustworthy words, it can prevent you from losing heart. We should seek others who offer us positive, sustaining words of faith and encourage others as well.

If your place of encouragement is a Bible study in someones home, meeting with someone, or a few members of like faith, or even going to a church, don't stand alone-let others encourage you. Difficulties should never be a reason to turn away from God. We gather together to share our faith and to strengthen one another in the Lord. Visit someone and share what God has done for you. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Matthew 5:20 How is your righteousness?

Good morning all! Happy Valentine's Day to you! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Last session we talked about the least in the Kingdom of Heaven and who will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 5:20 "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."

The necessity of righteousness as a requirement to enter heaven, Jesus declared that their righteousness should exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. Why? Because the scribes and Pharisees were exacting and scrupulous in their attempts to follow their laws. So how could Jesus reasonably call us to greater rightousness than theirs?

The Pharisees' weakness was that they were content to obey the laws outwardly without allowing God to change their hearts or attitudes. They looked pious, but they were far from the Kingdom of Heaven.

God judges our hearts as well as our deeds, for it is in the heart that our real allegiance lies.

What the scribes and Pharisees gave was an outward show of self-righteousness. What the Saviour demands is a kind of righteousness that is so godly that it cannot be the product of human effort, but must be the gift of God.

Our righteousness must: (1) come from what God does in us, not what we can do by ourselves; (2) be God-centered, not self-centered;
(3) be based on reverence for God, not approval from people, and (4) go beyond keeping the law to living by the principles behind the law.

We should be just as concerned about our attitudes that people don't see as about our actions that are seen by all. Christ established this righteousness in His life and death which is made available to us as God's free gift. This is the rightousness that would exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees.
Love you all.
Tell someone you love them today and happy valentines day.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Matthew 5:19 Are you called great in the kingdom?

Good morning all. Sorry to have missed you yesterday. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

MATTHEW 5:19 "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and theach them, the same shall be caled great in the kingdom of heaven."

This is a very interesting passage. The first half of this passage, interesting to note that a person may be saved and a member of the kingdom of heaven, yet be hypocritical in his attitude toward the law.

The last half simply means that God will reward the faithfulness and effectiveness of our lives and there will be varying degrees of blessing and reward in the kingdom.

Some of the people in the crowd were experts at telling others what to do, but they missed the central point of God's laws themselves. Jesus made it clear, however, that obeying God's laws is more important than explaining them.

It is much easier to study God's laws and tell others to obey them than to put them into practice. HOW ARE YOU DOING AT OBEYING GOD YOURSELF? Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Matthew 5:18 One jot or tittle

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Yesterday I was listening to the Four Tops song, Baby I need your loving. Just change the words when it says Baby or Darling to Jesus. What a great love song to Jesus.

Jesus, I need your lovin', Jesus, I need your lovin'! It talks about the emptiness without you (Jesus). The song talks about begging and being weak, lonely, and emptiness without you Baby (change to Jesus). Maybe it will strike you as it did me. Here is an address to copy and paste to hear the song: http://www.jango.com/music/Four+Tops?l=0 .

Matthew 5:18 "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

The Old Testament had three categories of law: ceremonial, civil, and moral.

(1) The ceremonial law's primary purpose was to point forward to Jesus Christ; these laws were no longer necessary after Jesus' death and resurrection These were specifically for Israel's worshiping. We are no longer bound by ceremonial law, the principles behind them - to worship and love a holy God still apply.
(2) The civil law applied to daily living in Israel. Since modern society and culture are so radically different from that time and setting, all of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. (Deuteronomy 24:10-11). However, the principles behind the commands are timeless and should guide our conduct. Jesus demonstrates these principles by example.
(3) The moral law (like the Ten Commandments) is the direct command of God and it requires strict obedience. The moral law reveals the nature and will of God and it still applies today. (example Exodus 20:13) Jesus obeyed the moral law completely.

In the KJV Jesus says, "one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." A jot or tittle refers to the minutest marks and letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Jesus said even the smallest statement in the law must be fulfilled. A jot is the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet called YODH, and it looks like an apostrophe.
A tittle is a small projection on the edge of certain Hebrew letters to distinguish them from one another. The Hebrew "D" differs from the "R" only by the use of the tittle. If you want to know more about the "jot" or "tittle" copy and paste this address: http://www.bible-history.com/backd2/jot_tittle.html
I hope this means something to you. It really touched me as I desire to know more about what the Bible is saying to me rather than just read words on a page. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Matthew 5:17 Why did Jesus come?

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

We have talked about being the salt of the earth, letting your light shine, sooo, have you thought about it?

Why did Jesus come?

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."

Jesus did not come to abolish the law. God's moral and ceremonial laws were given to help people love God with all their hearts and minds. Throughout Israel's history these laws had often been misquoted and misapplied.

By Jesus' time, 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. Look at John 1:17. Moses was the giver of God's law, while Jesus Christ came to fulfill the law.

Soooooo, why did Jesus come? Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Matthew 5:14-16 How is your light? Does it shine?

Good afternoon! Sorry for the tardiness. God is good all the time, all the time God is good! TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Yesterday we talked about being salt and losing its flavor. Are you active salt for Jesus, or have you lost your flavor and are being trampled underfoot?

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.

We hide our light by (1) being quiet when we should speak;
(2) going along with the crowd;
(3) denying the light;
(4) letting sin dim our light;
(5) not explaining our light to others;
(6) ignoring the needs of others.

Reread these and check yourself. Is this you? To be silent is to agree, just going along with whatever the "crowd" wants to do. We are watched and our sin may turn people away.

Be a beacon of truth-don't shut your light off from the rest of the world. Take time to re-evaluate yourself.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Matthew 5:16 Do you have flavor?

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Here is something to consider and think about. In Matthew, chapter 5 Jesus talks about salt.

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. We should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.

Are you "salt" to be used and shared; or are you salt with no flavor, to only be thrown out and trampled as worthless? The choice is yours. Be the flavoring to at least one person today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Romans 1:26-27 Homsexuality - born with it or learned?

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Well? Did you think about your God? Is it the living God or an idol? Do you believe the truth (God), or a lie?

Romans 1:26-27 "That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. (27) And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved."

Romans 1:26-27 (King James Version)
26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Wow! Strong! from Paul. God's plan for sexual relationships is this ideal for his creation. Unfortunately, sin distorts the natural use of God's gifts. Sin often means not only denying God but also denying the way we are made.

When people say any sex act is acceptable as long as nobody gets hurt, they are fooling themselves. In the end, sexual sin hurts people - individuals, families, whole societies. Because sex is such a powerful and essential part of what it means to be human, it must be treated with great respect.

Sexual desires are of such importance that the Bible gives them special attention and counsels more careful restraint and self-control than with any other desire. One of the clearest indicators of a society or person in rebellion against God is the rejection of God's guidelines for the use of sex.

So, by reading God's word and what is said, are some people naturally born homosexual? Or, is it a learned (possibly an experimental) act? Feedback? Let me know how you feel. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Romans 1:23-25 Idol worshipping gets us.....what???

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Let's look at Romans 1:23-25 NIV & KJV
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

KJV 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

v 23 The people worshiped idols made to look like people or animals instead of worshiping God. When people worship the creature instead of the Creator, they lose sight of their own identity as those who are higher than the animals-made in the image of God.

v24 They let the lusts of their heart take control. We are free to choose and these people chose the 'dark side' and dishonoured their bodies.

v 25 'changed the truth of God into a lie' - isn't it amazing how many people will believe a lie from someone they don't know anything about quicker than the truth from someone they know.

Today this is true more than ever. We are bombarded by t.v., news media, movies, music, talk show celebrities who constantly demonstrate or share attitudes and beliefs that are totally opposed to the Bible. Example:(1 of many) Ophrah - it is all in you. You can do it, you can make it happen. You are your own god. Really?

When the trumpet blows - what will God say to you? Well done thy good and faithful servant, OR, leave me for I do not know you? The choice is yours. What cha gonna do? Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Faith - just what is faith?

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

F A I T H ! What is Faith? I came across this in my studies this week and will copy/paraphrase what one study says about faith. I found this while studying Romans.

Faith is a word with many meanings. It can mean faithfulness (Mat 24:45). It can mean absolute trust, as shown by some of the people who came to Jesus for healing (Luke 7:2-10). It can mean confident hope (Heb 11:1). Or, as James points out, it can even mean a barren belief that does not result in good deeds (James 2:13-26). What does Paul mean when in Romans he speaks of "saving faith"?

We must be careful to understand faith as Paul uses the word because he ties faith so closely to salvation. It is not something we must do in order to earn salvation. If that were true, then faith would be just one more deed, and Paul clearly states that human deeds can never save us (Galatians 2:16). Instead, faith is a gift God gives us because he is saving us (Ephesians 2:8). It is God's grace, not our faith, that saves us. In his mercy, however, when he save us, he gives us faith - a relationship with his Son that helps us become like him. Through the faith he gives us, he carries us from death into life. (John 5:24).

Even in Old Testament times, grace, not deeds, was the basis of salvation. As Hebrews points out, "it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" (10:4). God intended for his people to look beyond the animal sacrifices to him, but all too often they instead put their confidence in fulfilling the requirements of the law - which is performing the required sacrifices.

When Jesus triumphed over death, he canceled the charges against us and opened the way to the Father (Colossians 2:12-15. Because he is merciful, he offers us faith. How tragic if we turn faith into a deed and try to develop it on our own! We can never come to God through our own faith any more than his Old Testament people could come through their own sacrifices.

Instead, we must accept his gracious offer with thanksgiving and allow him to plant the seed of faith within us. Stay tuned as we break this down further this week. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Romans 2:1 You have no excuse!

Good morning everyone! Good COLD morning from the Dallas area. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!

Yesterday we talked about "you who are without sin," so today let's go to Romans 2:1 "You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things."

Whenever we find ourselves feeling justifiably angry about somone's sin, we should be careful. We need to speak out against sin, but we must do so in a spirit of humility. Often the sins we notice most clearly in others are the ones that have taken root in us. If we look closely at ourselves, we may find that we are committing the same sins in more socially acceptable forms. For example, a person who gossips may be very critical of others who gossip about him or her.

When Paul's letter was read in the Roman church, many heads probably nodded in agreement as he condemned idol worshipers, homosexual practices, and violent people. But what surprise his listeners must have felt when he turned on them and said, in other words, "You are just as bad, and you have no excuse!

Paul was firmly stressing that we have all sinned repeatedly and there is no way apart from Christ to be saved from sin's consequences. We should look at our brothers and sisters in Christ through realistic eyes, yet cast no stones, but respond firmly with love, patience, and in God's will.

Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny