ARE YOU.......????????

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

ARE YOU ALL GOD WANTS YOU TO BE?

            REALLY???

LOVE YOU ALL.

IN CHRIST'S LOVE AND GRACE

JOHNNY 

Do you really believe what you spout or say? Hmmm

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   So, neighbor, what is happening in your neighborhood?  More importantly, what is happening in your spiritual world?  How hypocritical we humans tend to be.  How often do we repeat this verse:

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," yet we don't truly believe it?

  Then we read in Jeremiah 29:11-----(NIV)¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"----    but, don't forget verse 12 that goes with it!   How important is this next verse:  ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

  Here is what the King James Version says:  ¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
¹² Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
     We, the people, do a lot of lip service, but are we truly committed to the one and only GOD????  If I was, if you were totally committed to God, to work in HIS service, to continually walk in HIS spirit we could heal, win many many souls to Christ, and truly be a disciple of Jesus, of God.  
   We say we are strengthen by Christ, but do we go forth as if we have Christ's strength?  Jeremiah 29 NIV is slightly different from the KJV.  Read that again.  But really focus on Jeremiah 29:12 "THEN YOU WILL CALL ON ME"   read that again.  Who are you going to call on?   G O D !!!  Then what?  PRAY---- pray to whom? 
 G O D  and then what?  GOD will LISTEN to you.  
    So, if you truly believe these verses, you repeat them, then take them to heart and BELIEVE!!!  In Philippians Paul went through trials, yet Christ strengthen him.  We will do the same.  People it is time to get where God wants you to be, obedient to Him and doing HIS work.  Are you??  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

When God talks.........

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!
    How often do we take things in our own hands?  When we do things what do we forget most?  Yep, GOD!!!  We justify by saying things such as: "well, God gave us a brain to use" or "God made man with intelligence to figure things out" .  Hmmmm.  I wonder if God really said or planned these things.  He knows what we will do and where we will head, but the question to ask ones self is - Is this really what God would want me to do?
     Smith Wigglesworth, whom I mentioned yesterday, was bathed in the Holy Spirit.  He seldom, if ever, went more than half an hour without praying or reading the Word of God.  There are self help books, books to help us understand the Bible, books to dig deep into many topics, but the best book of all that has all the answers is the Bible.
    Why don't more people go to the Bible.  Awww, too simple, it's not for modern day man, written by chauvinist men of old, and on and on.  The only Book we need to answer all our questions is the Word of God.  To understand we don't need Greek, Hebrew, we only need to have the Holy Spirit to understand.  
    How do men heal?  Cast out demons? Perform miracles?  It definitely is not by being Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Catholic, Democrat or Republican - it is by being Baptized in the Holy Spirit and walking with God.  Baptized in the Holy Spirit does not mean speaking in tongues.  When I say Baptized in the Holy Spirit I mean we are walking like Jesus, have compassion like Jesus, love others like Jesus, staying in constant communication with God like Jesus, sharing the Word of God with others like Jesus.
    Do others see Jesus in you?  Are your problems self based because you forgot to ask God for guidance in what you are doing?  Now is the time to ask forgiveness, pick up, listen to God and carry on.  Do you long for the Word of God----OR is it what you do to please others.  Why do you do what you do?  So others may see God in you?  Or rather for your glory?  To ease your conscience?  To make you "feel better"?  Hmmmm
    The disciples could not heal as did Jesus. They asked him why?  Belief!!!  Later on Peter and John were going to the temple and came upon a lame man begging.  They responded - silver and gold have I none, take up thy mat and walk.  The man was healed. (Acts 3:6-8) They were as Jesus - this is where we should be! Love you all! 
    In Christ's Love and Grace
     Johnny

Your battles come from your.......... James 4

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

   Man oh man!  Do you ever have something nagging at you, you can't figure out what it is, you think, you search, and you wonder what is going on?   I experience this quite frequently lately.  What is going on?  Then I hear the verses from James 4  What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ² You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ³ When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

      I read this and then I know that I walk WITH the LORD on Sunday, during my prayer time, and my devotional time; BUT,  my big question is as follows.

    Am I dead to self, yet ALIVE IN JESUS?  And the answer to this has to be I am alive to self, believe in Jesus, yet fail to LIVE FOR JESUS!!!   What is the problem here?

    Verse 1 "your desires that battle within you"  then 2 "you desire but do not have.......covet but you cannot get.........."  Why?  Because I do not ask God, and when I do, as in verse 3 - I ask with the wrong motives for wants to spend on my pleasures.   So why am I in battle?

    Very simple, because I have not turned EVERYTHING OVER TO GOD!!  A man named Smith Wigglesworth, an English man, gave everything to God.  Uneducated, left school at 7 years of age, and began work.   When he accepted Jesus Christ and went into full time ministry, he had turned everything over to God, to Jesus Christ, and his goal was to be dead to self and alive in Christ.  He, through the power of God, accomplished this and touched many lives.

   Does God wish for us to turn our lives completely over to him?  Yes, he certainly does.  We worship movies stars, music artists, sports heroes, political parties - and what will they do for you?  NADA!

       Jesus Christ is my Rock Star (on Christ the solid rock I stand) and He should be who we are living for.  This will be my prayer in the future - for me to be dead to self and alive in Christ - whereas others see not me but Jesus Christ.  And you my friend, remaining carnal or spiritual?  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

   Johnny

Carnal or spiritual? That is the real question!!!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
   When someone knocks on your door, your wonder who it is.  When someone knocks loudly on your door you wonder what is going on.  When someone knocks, or bangs loudly and rapidly on your door you wonder want is wrong, what is going on, who could this be.
   Lately God has been knocking or banging loudly on my door and I am trying to listen and hear God.
First, James 4:14 "......life is but a vapour...."   Now, in conjunction with this is Romans 8, verses 5-9. Look at them for a minute and I will cast these forth in 2 versions - KJV and NIV.  May you look at the verses and may it be taken to your heart.
Romans 8:(KJV)⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  
             (NIV)⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
   Where are you?   Flesh? Or Spirit?  Reflect!!!
   (KJV)   ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
(NIV)  ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
   Will you experience death?  OR, will you have life and peace?  Where are your thoughts?  Carnal minded or spirit minded?  Wow!   Major words, questions, and concerns here.  Please reread these words, think about them, and take time to pray.  God is banging on my door and I have to run to answer, to hear, to gain knowledge and wisdom.  And you?!?  More tomorrow in Romans. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
  Johnny

  

Jesus spoke - John 4:46-54

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

     Is it not amazing how we can say words, yet not really believe them?  God can do anything but I don't think he will heal.............   As the man in the Bible said, Lord, help my unbelief. 
    Look what is written in John - this man, a nobleman, believed Jesus and guess what???  Read the scripture:

                    John 4:46-54King James Version (KJV) ⁴⁶ So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
⁴⁷ When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
⁴⁸ Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
⁴⁹ The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
⁵⁰ Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
⁵¹ And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
⁵² Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
⁵³ So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
⁵⁴ This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
     What happened here?  The nobleman's son was sick - fact!  He hear Jesus was coming - fact!
He went to Jesus to tell of his son - fact!  Jesus did not go - fact!  The nobleman's son was healed - fact!
    But wait, if Jesus did not go, how was the son healed?  Jesus spoke!!   Huh???  Was not Jesus simply God walking among us?
    If you look at Genesis, our whole world began because, "God said........", simply spoke all into existence.  
    Two things hear that are important - 1-the nobleman believed; and 2 - Jesus spoke saying "thy son liveth".  Jesus, God among us, has the power.  Now I ask you - 1 - do you believe as the nobleman did? And 2 - do you listen to what God is saying?
    If you believe, don't doubt, listen, and follow God's word what do you get?  A fantastic retirement plan - full health care, no financial worries, plus, the retirement plan is OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!  It don't git no bett'r da dat!!! lol  Have a super weekend. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny
  

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

   Can you say:

       JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

Can you say:
               JESUS CHRIST IS MY LORD!

Do you believe:

              JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

Then you know:           

John 1:1-5 King James Version (KJV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

² The same was in the beginning with God.
³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
⁵ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

     Love you all. 
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
 

On Christ the solid rock I stand.... all other is .........

Good morning all!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
   1 Corinthians 3:11-13  Look at verse ¹¹ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
 Is this the foundation on which you build?  This foundation is solid rock, not sinking sand.
    
¹² Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble
    So, do your build your foundation on Jesus Christ, or do you build your foundation on your own?

¹³ Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
    Your work will be shown for what it is.  Your works will be revealed by fire, which will test the quality of your work.
     Will your works for Jesus Christ, for God, be burned up or will they stand.  For each one that stands you will receive your just reward from God.  Where are you today?  Meditate about where your are spiritually, with God, with your life!  Love you all.
   In Christ's Love and Grace
     Johnny
 

Are people throwing you into confusion? Galatians 1:6,7

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
  Yesterday, Pastor began out of Galatians and these 2 verses hit me, realizing how relevant it is to me, to you, to America today.  Here is the NIV: Galatians 1: ⁶ I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— ⁷ which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
     Look at this an take heed!!  Amazingly you, me, we - have left who?  Jesus!  Jesus is the one who called us - and we turn to a DIFFERENT GOSPEL???
   Just think about this.  How often do we do as Pastor said, 'well, God doesn't want me to .........' or 'my God would not do..............'.  How do you rationalize your actions?  We turn our back on the truth from God, the truth from Jesus.   And where do we run?  To something easy, to something pleasing to us, a different gospel.
   What is a different gospel?  It is anything the anti-Christ's of the world would want us to believe EXCEPT the true word of God.  If it is not the inspired word of God then IT IS FALSE!!!  
   When verse 7 says 'evidently some people are throwing you into confusion' this is talking about satan and his demons.  Rebuke them in the name of Jesus Christ - the Bible says they will flee at the sound of His name.  As pastor said, the words, thoughts, or people of confusion will say - 'did God really say that?' and then we will start to question, and finally fall prey to this false word.
   Did you ever do a little game called "plant the seed?"   One of your friends or co-workers comes in and everyone is in on the plan.  Everyone speaks to him or her, greets them nicely, and then asks in their own way - are you feeling okay, you don't look so well.  When all do this, by mid-morning or noon that person is going home feeling ill.
   Satan does this by twisting God's word and making us doubt.  When we begin to doubt we find reasons or justifications, then we water down or pervert the word of God.  Today, it is your first day to begin walking our of perversion and with the true gospel.  Give it a whirl.  Tomorrow will, again, begin the first day of continuing the walk away from perversion, and the next day, and the next and the next.
    Don't let satan move you away, let the revival of the world begin with you.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

What dwelleth in your temple?

God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!  And a good morning to you all.
   Reading this morning these verses popped out and spoke to me.  I had to take time to reflect and think, hmmm, if this me?
   1 Corinthians 3:16-18King James Version (KJV)
¹⁶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
¹⁷ If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
    How often do we forget we, our bodies, are the temple of God.  What do we fill it with, and what do we allow it to show, or what comes forth from it.  Would you use unacceptable language in a church building?  Do you us unacceptable language when away from the church building?  Why? Your body is the temple of God!
   Do you ingest things that are not healthy?  What you ingest, would you offer Jesus if he were with you? 
   The way you act in a church - is this the same way you act when away from church?  Do you enjoy dirty stories, lusting, envying, boasting, etc. when away from the church - but - when at church you are quite holy, humble and submissive? 
  Oh, you hypocrite!  The Bible says you will will receive your rewards from man and that is all you will get.  Yes, people are turned away from the church because of the "Christians" who take the term hypocrite to a new level.  So, I ask, what have you done to correct this situation? Something or nothing?
    The Spirit of God won't dwell in a defiled placed - is your temple clean?  Just food for thought.  Please note, when I do my studies God is talking to me and if it lands on your plate as well, so be it. My fingers are all pointing in one direction - at myself.  May you have a wonderful and blessed day.
Love you all.
   In Christ's Love and Grace,
   Johnny

Ye who are carnal - will ye become spiritual? 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
    Wow!  All kinds of things are happening world wide, deaths, flooding, bombing and fighting.  The climates seem to be changing in different locales. People fighting, killing, robbing, just stress and strife all over the world.  Hmmm!
   1 Corinthians 3 King James Version (KJV)   And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
² I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
³ For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
   Take heed of these words, ye are yet carnal - what does that mean?  Very simply it means we are still living on our own, in our own way, and God is not a part of our equation.  Oh, yes, we may be "involved at church" but in a way suiting to ourselves, not necessarily involved in the way God wishes us to be.
   We are yet being fed with milk!  A baby has milk for nourishment until they get to the point they can begin eating meat.  We get stuck in the milk stage, and while in the milk stage it tends to be "ALL ABOUT ME!"
    We do not want to hear anything except what is pleasing to us.  Then, as we grow we remain carnal and have envy, strife and divisions.  As in verse 3 "....are ye not carnal and walk as men?"
   Well, God wants me to ............   How many times is this our rationale for doing something?  Did God really tell you to?  Just like the lady in East Texas a few years ago who said God told her to kill her children.  Huh?  Did God really tell her, or did the little bells in her head go askew?
  I ask you, my friend, are you walking carnally?  Or, are you seeking God's guidance in all you do.  We as Christians argue over things in the Bible -- well it says this to me - well it says that to me.  Did God know Satan would defect?  Did God know Adam and Eve would sin?  Then why did he make them?   Who really cares and why waste time discussing it?  The B I G question is:  Do you know Jesus?  Did you accept Him as your saviour, dying for your sins?  If Yes, yes.  Then go on, pray for wisdom and knowledge from God and do God's work.  QUIT BEING CARNAL!!!! Love you all.
   In Christ's Love and Grace
     Johnny
 

Who's gone? When did he leave? Why?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   Yesterday, today, and for many days to come people will mourn the loss of Robin Williams. He definitely was one of my favorite actors and I know he will be missed in the entertainment world. 
  However, as said in James 4:14 "........life is but a vapour........"  The difference between Robin and you or me is he was famous.  When you die, when I die, there will be a short lived 'missing'----but life goes on.  We tend to leave the tragedies, the happiness, the sorrow, the cheering in our past as we move forward and continue on in this world where we currently reside.
   Robin Williams is all over the news.  Do we care?  Sure, we are sad to lose someone like this.  But I ask you, do you know of the homeless man that was beaten to death?  Was anyone sad?  But worst of all ---- did anyone care?
    People are in our lives for a season - it is important that we make this season one of bearing beautiful fruit, not one of dried figs.   Wither not on the vine, but put forth beautiful flowers for others to enjoy.  May the flowers bursting forth bring fruit that shares its seeds with others, bearing more beautiful fruit.
   Yes, we share in the sorrow of great loses, but I ask you this question - how much sorrow will you have when someone close to you is no longer there?  I lost my dad when I was young, my mother when I was older - do I miss them ... YES!  But I have the memories of their greatness, which I will carry to my grave, but, life goes on.  Are you leaving memories for your family, friends, and neighbors that will give them comfort when you are gone? But more importantly, are you plating seeds of salvation to those around you?
    Life is short, life is but a vapour or mist, what will the 'dash' on your tombstone hold?
Proberbs 19:17 "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done."  
     Proverbs 19: 21 "Many are the plans in a mans heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
May you be blessed today, beyond your wildest dreams.  Love you all
  In Christs Love and Grace
    Johnny

A vapour vanisheth - James 4:14

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   We have read this before, however, yesterday at church in Richmond, Tx (Houston) the pastor read this verse, of which we did in Bible study a few weeks back and it touched me then.  However, yesterday it really made an impact on me and I would like to share this with you.
   Ever notice how we get involved in or wrapped up in the tiny details of life and really forget about actually "living"?  Look at James 4:14 - read, think, and absorb what it is really saying:
   "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
     What is being said here?   We do not know what lies ahead of us. I do not know what will happen tomorrow, in 8 hours, 1 hour, or even a few seconds from now.
    Life!  What is it - what is life?  Is it being alive, having a family, working, sharing the gospel?  What is life?  God knows us 3 dimensionally - He knew us before we were born,  He knows us now, and He knows what lies ahead for us.  But do we?  No!  We make plans for the future, or we may look back at the past (with sorrow, anger, regret) but what does that availeth us?  Nothing, absolutely nothing.  We must look around, be aware, or viva la momento, live for the moment; but not just the moment for us - but live for Christ.
   Why is this important?  Living for Christ right now?   Because live is but a vapour - here for an instant and then gone.  You may live to be a 100 or you may leave this earth today - but to God it is but a vapour in His world.  So, in the time of your vapour what will you do for the Kingdom of God?
Nothing, a little bit, or live for the King?  
    My focus goes off God and on my life - to work, to make money, to do things in life.  Now, my question is this - when I stand before God will He say "well done, my good and faithful servant" or will He say I knew you, but you did nothing for my kingdom. Will I be as the man who buried the talents or will I be as the man who invested and doubled the talents.
     I visited with my beautiful wife and discussed this yesterday.   Live IS BUT A VAPOUR, however, before I do vanish, with God's blessing and strength, I will do more for His kingdom, with my family, make the dash on my tombstone mean something.  How about you?  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

What makes your heart leap?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
    The Spirit of the LORD is with you.  What makes your heart leap for joy or skip a beat with excitement?  Of course, when I am in the presence of the Lord my heart is excited; but, what other times do you feel joy in your heart?
   I woke thinking about this this morning.  Reaching over and being able to touch my wife makes my heart glad.   Talking to or seeing my daughters, grandchildren, and daughters spouses makes my heart happy.  Seeing others help people in need makes me happy.  Spending time in prayer makes me excited and helps me look forward to the future with God.  And, of course, seeing someone accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour makes my heart rejoice as the angels in heaven belt out a beautiful chorus of praise.
   What else?  It make me happy when I let someone merge in heavy traffic; when I slow up and allow an 18 wheeler to merge when no one else will; when I don't call someone a name when they do something stupid in traffic; when I work with teachers who really care about their students; when I see my children or grandchildren smile with happiness;  when I know all my family and relatives are happy.
    But, most of all, is when I know my family knows Jesus Christ as their personal saviour.
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

Please, mother (father), I would rather do it myself. 1 Chronicles 21

Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
     David was a great man of God.  However, if you will read in 1 Chronicles, you will see how often he 'did it my (his) way!"  Then, a messenger was sent to him, told him of his wrong doings, and then he suffered the consequences.
   Are we not the same way.  Like the old saying in the 60's - Please mother, I would rather do it myself.  Well, many times this will get us in trouble.  Are you doing it your way?  Do you judge others, ridicule, gossip (saying it is true), consider yourself to be always right?  And we could go on and on.
   Sometimes God has to do to us what he did to David - correct and send consequences.  Now David, the army of one who defeated Goliath, in 1 Chronicles 21, sends Joab and the commanders of the troops out to count the fighting men of Israel.  Soooo?  Big deal!   It is a big deal.  David is now counting on 'his strength in numbers' (fighting men), whereas before he counted on God.  Yes, this was not pleasing to God and David and the Israelites suffered because of his decision without including God.
     When you forget God, he did not forget you.  When you think God moved away from you - twas not God who moved.  When you take matters in your own hands without God, God is grieved.  What earthly good are you if you don't rely on God, listen to God, and follow in the footsteps of Christ.
    Today is a new day - go forth and tell one person something like - pray for me please, may I pray for you, Jesus loves you, God bless, just something simple and then carry it forth.  If you say you will pray for a person, why not do it then?  
    Just remember G(ood) O(le) D(ad) is with you always.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

1 Chronicles 17:4-15 Doing God's will? Really?

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 "doing it your way"?  David thought he was doing God's will in wanting to build a house for the Ark.  God sent Nathan, 1 Chronicles 17:4-15, to tell David HE had not told him to build a house for Him to dwell in. One of his offspring will build a dwelling place but not David.  Take time to read this passage.
   Just visiting again, with you, about doing what God wishes us to do.  How often do we "believe" that God has told us to do such and such, and this is based on a "feeling".  When we actually STOP, and then LISTEN to GOD, we will have a clear direction.
    Just like over 2 years ago and the church I am now involved in.  When asked if I planned to attend this church I had a definite no.   Why?  Because I 'thought' I was where God wanted me to be.  During my prayer time I felt God's presence and God told me "I have trained you for 8 years, it is now time to move' and when I heard this, yes, I wanted to disagree and reply with "but I am where you want me."  God moved me, I had to listen, and then obey.
     God does talk to us and we have to listen.  Many, too many times I listen but fail to actually hear what God is telling me.  Take time, a special prayer time, and if you say you don't have time, you are only kidding yourself.  Does not God warrant more than a few minutes of your time?  Look at all HE has given you.  You are nothing special in this world, EXCEPT, you are a child of GOD and will spend eternity in heaven with Him, GOD!!  Is it not time to STOP, and spend time with your FATHER IN HEAVEN???   
   If this speaks to you, good, but this is really talking to me as I write.  Oh, Father in Heaven, help me to spend more time with you, diligently listening and working for your kingdom.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

1 Chronicles 13 Doing it my way!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
    How many times do we set out to do God's work WITHOUT His will.  How often do you find yourself performing "Godly duties" or "religious duties" that YOU think need to be done?
   Did you stop and ask God?  What was your answer?  Oh, well, I have not received an answer yet.  Well, that may be your answer!  So many times don't we, as Christians, take about doing "GOD'S WORK" without consulting God.  We just decide, in our own little finite minds, that this (whatever it is) needs to be done and so we go forth.  Well, you know, God will bless it because He knows my heart.  Huh?  Listen to what was said - because God knows your heart He will bless it?  I don't think so, not if it is not in God's will.
   1 Chronicles 13 - David became king of Israel and decided to move the Ark.  They put it on a new cart with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it.  David decided to have the Ark moved - remember this.  When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, an oxen stumbled and Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark.  The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark - he died before God.
    David was angry because the LORD's wrath had broken out against Uzzah.  David was afraid of God that day and asked, "How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?"
    Do we not do as David did?  He thought the Ark should be moved to the City of David, took it upon himself to have this done.  When tragedy struck, David was mad - yet it was all of his own making.  He created this situation himself.  When God put fear back into his heart and he listened to God as you will find in Chapter 15, David moved the Ark "properly" with God's will, having the ones God chose, the Levites, to carry the Ark and put it in place.  Being in God's will does make a difference.
   Also, how often do we forget God in all we do?  Will you stop, take just a moment, and ask God to bless you, your family, your co-workers at this time.  Let HIM lead you.  Stop, Be silent, and Listen to God.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

Accepting without passing judgment - Romans 14:1-4; 17-18

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
   Well, we did a family vacation (15 of us) and spent 4 days together, in 1 house, where we did not have internet, but we had the whole outdoors.  So many times we become so wrapped up in the daily routines of life we fail to look around and observe what is truly important and what truly matters.  Family matters, and if you spend time ignoring or forgetting family you may wake up one day alone.
    Romans 14:1-4  "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.  One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.  The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.  Who are you to judge someone else's servant?  To his own master he stands or falls.  And he will stand, for the LORD is able to make him stand."
   These verses, my friends, is about family.  Your personal family, and the family of God.  Why do we wish to tell others what to do?  What they should eat?  Wear? Act? Etc.  Look not down on others, but let you cast a loving eye on them, love them, accept them and share God's peace.
   Romans 14:17-18 "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men."
   Do you have peace and joy through the Holy Spirit?  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny