23rd Psalm

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   I know you have 'read' the 23rd Psalm, but have you really READ IT?  Take time to think about the words.  First, who is a shepherd?  This is a person who tends to the sheep, knows what they need, has a concern for them, and loves them.  Is this not our LORD?
   V. 1 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want" " - God will meet our needs, not wants, but needs!
  V. 2 "he makes me lie down in green pastures" - God ensures we have rest
  V.3 "He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul," - we need water to survive, to refresh us physically and spiritually.
 V.4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" - where is this?  It is around us daily, we live in the world of the prince, satan, and daily we are bombarded with evil.
 So what should we do?  "I fear no evil, for thou art with me;" - what?  No Fear?  God is with us, and greater is He that is in me than he who is in the world.
  "thy rod and thy staff, comfort me" - Huh? Thy rod and staff are multi-purpose tools, to aid in walking, to keep one in line, and to ward off enemies (used as a weapon).
   Just think about this thus far.   Tomorrow we will finish the 23rd Psalm.
Why should you fear?  No reason!  God is in control!  God is with you! God restores us!  God care for us!  What more could we ask for?  Love you all.
   In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

   

I have an EYE on it! Which EYE?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   I have it, or EYE have it?  What you see, what you think, is either good or bad, good or evil.
Matthew 6: (NIV)  ²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy,  your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
     Wow!  Read this carefully.  Spiritual vision is our capacity to see clearly what God wants us to do and to see the world from his point of view.  This spiritual insight can be easily clouded.  Self-serving desires, interests, and goals block that vision.  A "good eye" is one that is fixed on God.
  In Mark 7:20-23 Jesus says: "It is what comes from inside that defiles you.  For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.  All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you."
   An evil action begins with a single thought.  Allowing our mind to dwell on lust, envy, hatred, or revenge will lead to sin.  Don't defile yourself by focusing on evil.  Instead, follow Paul's advice in Philippians 4:8 and think about what is true, honorable right, pure, lovely, and admirable.
  Philippians 4:  (NIV) ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
  So, how is your EYE?  Upright and acceptable to the LORD?  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny
 

Knowing good and not doing it - is it a sin?

Good morning all!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   Well, how has your week been thus far.  At Bible study last night pastor has been in James, chapter 4 verse 17 - which he noted how powerful this is: KJV ¹⁷ Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.     NIV  ¹⁷ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
   I will quote from my commentaries as they do a much better job of expressing this than would I.  We tend to think that doing wrong is sin.  But James tells us that sin is also not doing right.   Huh?  What do you mean?  If I know that it is wrong to tell a lie and telling a lie is a sin; then, it can also be a sin to know the truth and not tell it.  This is knowing sinning just as lying.
   If I speak evil or gossip about someone - that is a sin.  Also, if I avoid that person when I know he or she needs my friendship - again, I have sinned.
   What are you saying.  I am saying the Holy Spirit guides us and we should be willing to follow the Spirits lead.  This comes straight from God.  So if God wants you to do a kind act, help, restore a relationship, then do it!!  By being obedient to God you will experience a renewed and refreshed vitality to your Christian faith.  
    Now go do the right thing.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
  Johnny

What would a last good-bye be like? Luke 9:23-26

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
    LUKE 9:23-26 Jesus is telling the disciples about discipleship and what it will gain or lose them.  Before I list the scripture out I would like for you to ponder this:
     "Is this good-bye the last?  If so, what do you want it to be like"?

Think about these words.  If you were to say good-bye, a final time to a loved one, what would you want it to be like?  Just wave and ride off into the sunset?  Leave a legacy?  Leave nothing?  What????
   Luke 9:

²³ And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
²⁴ For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
²⁵ For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
²⁶ For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
   D E N Y yourself and what?  TAKE UP HIS (JESUS') CROSS
        Then what?   Follow Jesus.      Why?  V. 24 is deep and non-Christians will probably not understand. Save you life and lose it -  Huh?  But...... whosoever loses his life for Jesus' sake will save it.  Nah!  This does not make any sense. (to the non-believer).  We have an option - live for the world OR live for Jesus Christ!!   If we live for Jesus we give up the worldly things and become part of the family of God and when we did in our human bodies, we will live forever, eternity with God in a new body and soul.
   V. 25  If you gain praise and recognition here on earth, that is your reward as you will be cast away.  Cast away?  A nice way of saying go to hell.
    V. 26 This is over used and abused by Christians.  Just read it for what it says.  Do not be ashamed of Jesus, His teachings, God, the Spirit and angels.  To be silent and not speak up for God, for Jesus, is to agree with any false teaching that you hear.  Speak up, stand strong for Jesus.
   Why over used and abused?  Ever get a good or great Christian message, then at the end it quotes this verse as a sort of threat.  Why?  To guilt someone into sending on a great message?  Why would we, as Christians, want to do this?  My life, my salvation, my walk is between me and God. He alone, will guide and correct me.  I am not ashamed and I trust in Him!   
  Going back to the question - If this is your last good-bye what would you wish it to be like?  I would want people to say he, Johnny, was a man of God and lived out his belief.  And you?
Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

Blinders on? Faith & Works?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
    Well....?????? Would you help an ailing animal before a human?  Thoughts to ponder for sure.  We travel through this life with blinders on; seeing neither left nor right.  We may as well live in a tunnel because we see nothing else.  What an isolated and selfish life!!
   Have you thought about helping someone, being in an organization to help (i.e. habitat for humanity), and if you have---did you take action?
   God is always in action with us.  He is there with us constantly.  We can visit with Him any time, any where, any place. This is called prayer.  So, let me ask this:  Is prayer your steering wheel, OR, your spare tire?
   Another thought: do you go to church on Sunday and this meets the requirement to be a "church going person?" Or, do you do things during the week that would bring glory and praise to God.  Oh, I go on Sunday, but I don't go during the week.  Okay, then, do you study your Bible or at least read the word?  Well, when I have time.  Whoa!  What is more important - your here and now or your eternity.  To many people it is the here and now - and if so I would encourage them to check their salvation.  I won't judge, BUT, what fruits are they bearing?
  James 2:  ¹⁷ Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
¹⁹ Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
²⁰ But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

  Place what they do and say up against the Bible - if it agrees consider them righteous; if it does not - look out - they are a false prophet.  These past 2 weeks I have been on the road, listened to a lot of radio preaching and it does stimulate lots of thought.  Thank you for reading. One last question - what is heavens name will you do today and tomorrow?  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

Do you really love your neighbor?

Hello and good afternoon.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
  Food for you to think about.  Each and everyone of you take time to consider this.  When you see people on the street, around town, how do you feel?  What do you feel? How much does your heart ache or harden?
     If you see a poor animal, dog, cat, horse, or whatever that is on the street, under nourished, looks like it is starving or sick, how do you feel?  What do you feel?  How much does your heart ache or harden?
    Now, for the real test!  To which one does your heart go out the most for?  If it is for the animal, then I would have to ask why is your heart harden to man?  No, you cannot justify your feeling - why do you not feel the same for your fellow man?
   God has put the animals here for our purpose and ARE NOT AS VALUABLE AS YOUR HUMAN COLLEAGUE.  We should not abuse animals, BUT, Jesus gave us the command to love one another.  If you see a person who is poorly dressed, stinks, missing teeth and lacks grooming and is hungry - why would you not stop and assist?   If you saw an animal in the same situation what would you do? Hmmmm!  
   If you don't have as much or more compassion for your fellow human as an animal -- what is wrong with this picture?  You!  Your heart!
   Yes, there are always circumstances around each and everyone, every animal, but who makes you the judge as to whether to assist or not to assist?  Just want you to think about this and how you react to your fellow man.  Would enjoy your feedback.  Love you all.
  In Christ's Love and Grace
     Johnny

Half-truths or TRUST GOD?

Good morning everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
  Do you tell half-truths, OR, just not the whole truth?  It happens -- then -- you have to experience the consequences.  Abraham mistakenly assumed that Abimelech was a wicked man, he made a quick decision to tell a "HALF-TRUTH". He thought it would be more effective to deceive Abimelech than to TRUST GOD to work in the king's life.  Don't assume that God will not work in a situation that has potential problems.  You may not completely understand the situation, and God may intervene when you least expect it.
   Look at Genesis 20:11-13

King James Version (KJV)

¹¹ And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.
¹² And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
¹³ And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
   Soooo, the next time you are confronted with a questionable situation will you trust your instincts or TRUST GOD?  The choice is yours, make the right choice.  Love you all.
  In Christ's Love and Grace
      Johnny
 

Struggles? Where do you turn?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
   Lots of thoughts permeate my mind this morning.  Let me ask, exactly who are you?  How would you describe yourself?  What are you living for?  Better yet, who are you living for?
   How do you feel when you see others struggling?  When they are struggling with the same issues you have struggled with?  Probably with compassion and understanding since you have been there.  This is why God sent Christ, who being fully human as well as fully divine, experienced human temptations.

Hebrews 2:18 (NIV) ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

When things happen, just remember Jesus went through this too.  If we focus on God through the temptations we will find ourselves becoming more like Jesus.  God helps us pass the tests of time and temptations.

   As in the song of Moses, Deuteronomy 32 verse 4 "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he."

    Where doth thy faith lie my friend?  In oneself or others, OR, in the true ONE LIVING GOD?!?!  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

   Johnny

 

Curses or praises? Deuteronomy 28:15-45

God morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!! 
   When you think of GOD, do you think Wow!!  Or, do you just think of "someone or thing in the sky?"
God, our God is alive and wants us to follow His will and prosper.  However, if we choose, YES, if you choose, if I choose to be disobedient, well, listen to this: Deuteronomy 28: ^15" However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you:"
 We are to be obedient to God, follow His commands.  What is the greatest command?  Matthew 22:37 ".......Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."
   Truly, can you say you love the LORD this way?  If we don't, then eternity--life forever will be in torment.  Knowing we had the chance to love God but turned away.  What about the people you meet?  Do you share the "good news" with them?  If we don't follow God's command, then what? Read Deuteronomy 28:16-44 and view the curses. Then look at Deuteronomy 28:⁴⁵ All these curses will come on you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the Lord your God and observe the commands and decrees he gave you.
  Please read Deuteronomy 28:16-44 and see what curses came upon the people of old.  Then, think---are we exempt from such things?  Just want to stimulate thought and encourage you to go forth boldly for God in the name of our Lord and saviour JESUS CHRIST!!  Love you all.
   In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 Are we obedient and in God's will?

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

   Blessings from God.  Deuteronomy 28: 1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

² And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.
    Think about this and America.  An entire nation is given an opportunity to serve the LORD and enjoy the blessings of one of the most prosperous lands available.   Click here to see the blessings starting at verse 3-14.  The bounties will be full, good crops, livestock, stores, people, all will prosper; the enemies who rise up against will be smitten.  God will give His blessings and all will see the people prosper because they are obedient to the one true God.  People will know they are a nation devoted to God.
   This was for the Israelites of old; it fits for us in America as well. Take a moment and just read the first 14 verses and see the blessings.  Tomorrow -- the curses!  Does America parallel ancient Israel? Hmm! Look where we were, where we (America) traveled, and where we are today.  Are we bound for God's praise or God's curse?  Love you all.  Obedience is the key!

In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

Malachi 2:17 - sins of insincere religious professions

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   Malachi 2:17 "Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?"
    The first statement - how have we wearied the LORD?  Israels, as usual, believes that they are innocent of doing anything wrong.
   Wherein have we wearied him? -- The Israelites posed three complaints or charges against Jehovah. 1) the LORD rewards the evil doers; 2) he (LORD) approves of the evildoers, if he didn't they would not prosper so abundantly; and 3) Where is the judgment of God? -- the LORD must not exist or He would judge the evildoers instead of prospering them.
     Do these complaints sound usual to you?  Today's world and times think the same - look, the non-Christian is doing well, God is blessing them, why does God do that?  Look at poor little ole me, I work hard, do what God wants and I do not prosper.  Why?
    We are all slaves to our decisions, and those decisions do not always set us free.  Later on in Malachi Jehovah answers their complaint in that One is coming who will indeed right all wrongs.
   How often do you stand in envy and disgust that someone, who does not appear to be a Christian, seems to have everything going their way and you are struggling.  When this happens, we have taken our eyes off God and placed them on the material things around us and the non-Christian.  Where are your eyes gazing? Looking up or looking down?  Love you all.
    In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny