Blood on the doorposts and lintels????

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!
     Thanksgiving is a recent memory of our past - it has passed through the annals of history and is now placed securely in the memory of man.  Today is 'Black Friday' which is what?  A capitalistic plot or scheme the help relieve many America's of their hard earned money for what advertisers deem as "necessary items saving you money", really?
  Yes, I saw a 50 inch LED TV for $199 and it sounded like a real deal.  The question that arises is - 'do I really need it?  OR, just want it?'  Yep, want was the underlying motive.  When logic set in, did I get it?  No, I did not.  Do I still want it? Yep!  But, reality is I don't need it.  So how does this all   weigh into Bible study?
    In Exodus, chapters 11-14 we find the end of the plagues God cast upon Pharaoh via Moses.  The children of Israel were slaves to Egypt, having nothing, just sustaining life and meeting their needs.  They had no luxuries, no excess, yet they were content.  They lived from day to day, just existing, and along came this man, Moses, who said they needed to be free and live as God wished them to live.  Huh?  Leave us alone, we are happy.  Go away! 
   The Israelite s just existed and were happy to be left alone.  Moses was the advertiser that was offering them the opportunity to come to the land of milk and honey.  The difference between today's advertisers and Moses is..........God was on the side of Moses.  Who is on the side of the advertisers? Hmm!
    Okay, now for the meat!  The last plague, the death of the first born of ALL,  ALL that is except for the ones that..............
   Okay, let us talk obedience for a moment.  God told Moses to kill a lamb (sheep or goat)that was in its first year, to dip the hyssop in the blood and to place on the doorposts and lintels so the avenger of death will pass over this house.  Ones that do not have this, the first born shall die.  Now, why did they do this?  
   1. God knows who are his children, the Israelites are.   2. God can separate the Israelites from the gentiles (Egyptians).  3. God knows all.   So why the passover with blood on the doorposts and lintels?
    It is called obedience to God!  O B E D I E N C E !!!   Okay, I don't understand how the Black Friday relates to the Passover.   Well, first, if you are a true believer you know God has blessed you and given you everything you have.  Second, God has placed you as custodian of what he has given you.  Third, you must be a good steward of what God has given you.  We must be obedient!!
    Is the 50 inch t.v. necessary?  No!  This money may be better used in other ways to work for the good of God's kingdom.   Is the blood on the doorposts/lintels necessary?  Yes, it is in obedience to what God tells us, commands us, and expects of us.
   So, am I to not enjoy some of the luxuries that God has entrusted me with?  No, God does want us to prosper and do well, but the underlying thought here is 'obedience.'  If God has blessed you and you are in obedience to God's will for you, you walk the walk as well as talk the talk, then buy that 50 inch t.v.  However, if you are doing everything for the big "I", and leave God out of the equation, uh, you may not be blessed.  My thoughts today friend, is to stay in obedience with God.   Yes, I did ramble a bit through the overgrown forest, however, I do hope you were able to follow and understand the meaning behind what I was given today ---- OBEDIENCE!!!  Love you all.
  In Christ's Love and Grace
     Johnny

THANKSGIVING - A day of celebration

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
  Today is the day the LORD hath made, let us rejoice an be glad.  November 27, 2014 -- Thanksgiving Day in America.  Many have to work, some retail, but also many who maintain our utilities (water, electricity, sewer, etc.) and then also the service oriented people - hospitals, fire fighters, law enforcement.  Keep these people in your prayers as they diligently go about their jobs.
   Many, over 50, retail stores are closing today and for Christmas.  Also, many are going to say Merry Christmas in lieu of Happy Holidays. 
    Wherever you are, what ever you are doing, just don't forget God is your joyous celebration.
Psalm 95:1-6 "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." (KJV)
   God bless you on this wonderful day in America.  Please pray for the people in Ferguson and the disruption many "outsiders" have brought to their neighborhood.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny
 

Thank God for the grace given YOU!!!!

Good morning all!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
   Thanksgiving is but a day away. Let us not just gorge, indulge, watch football and nap; but, let us be thankful to the one and only living God who has blessed us beyond compare and allowed us to be born in the good ole U. S. of A.

• Psalm 95:2-3Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.  For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.

• 1 Corinthians 1:4-5I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.  For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge--

  Take time today, tomorrow, and each day to thank God for all you have.  Even with Ebola, Ferguson, Mo., ISIS, and the events of the world we are truly blessed.  Share your words of salvation, give thanks, and carry the cross of Christ boldly and mightily.  Love you all.

   

  In Christ's Love and Grace,

   Johnny

   

Turkeys are nervous! Thanksgiving is coming!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!!
   So, what is happening in your world this bright and wonderful day?  If you are in Buffalo, N.Y., you are, literally, in over your head in snow.  In the Midwest and South we have been fighting frigid temperatures, however, it looks as if things will break for us in Texas and we will have very comfortable weather for Thanksgiving.  Yea!
    Think about that compound word - 'thanks'  'giving' - and exactly what does it mean to you?  Have you thought about this? Or, is it just a day for family and friends to gather, eat, drink, and watch football?
   Here were these people -- doing the very best they could.   And why did they come to this foreign land where some native people lived and the land itself was hostile?  Why would they leave a place they knew to come to "America"?
   From the beginning of our colonies in 1606 all were founded with the idea of "GOD" involved. By the year 1702 all 13 American colonies had some form of state-supported religion.  Today, there is no state supported religion, which is actually good.  In the 1930's Germany (Hitler) wanted control of the churches (state supported) and why?  If they were, then the information put forth would be totally controlled.  
  But, to take God out of our schools, our homes, our businesses, by our politicians, are the exact stepping stones ancient Israel took which led to devastation.  We need to return to God, be thankful.  Now, for back to the beginning, what does the compound word 'thanks' 'giving' mean to you?
    Giving thanks for what you have, which was given to you by a higher power. " Naw, I am a self made man," quoted the idiot!  Wrong, oh foolish one.  God is in control, and all things will work for his purpose.  God allows!
   Philippians 4:6-7 "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
   Psalm 95:2 "LET US COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE WITH THANKSGIVING, AND MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO HIM WITH PSALMS."
   Thank God for all you have; don't forget GOD at thanksgiving.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

You grumbler, beware lest ye be judged!!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED1!!
  Yesterday in James the discussion was submit, resist, and draw near.   Here is a warning from James 4:9 that all of us need to heed. 
     "Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door."
   And just what do this mean to you?  I can share with you what I understand it to be and you can reply with a rebuttal, think about it, and maybe examine your heart.
    In the ministry that I, and others, am involved in we work with people who are in need, in desperation, some feel like they are at the end of their rope.  They need help in various ways, an sometimes if helped either they don't take care of what was given them, or some in ministry don't feel as if they are deserving and grumble or complain about it.  Why?  
   I sit and think about where I am, and then, I  sit and make a decision about when and if to help them and when I take a step back I have to ask: "who am I to judge?"  I just ask that you think about James 4:9 and take it to heart.
   When writing this I think about the man who moved to a new city to live.  Walking down the street he met a man and asked about the city - the man replied these people are mean, nasty, unfriendly and hateful people.   As he continued to walk he met another man and when asked about the city - the man said the people here are friendly, helpful, and fun to be around.
   The moral of this story is you will find exactly what you are looking for.  Are you grumbling, complaining constantly or are you happy, working for God, and see others as Christ sees them?  The choice is yours!!   Where your heart lies is your choice!  Make the right choice my friend!  Stay spiritually hunger and thirst for the living water!!!
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

Submit, resist, draw near!!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
   Today, words I beg you read, re-read and take to heart.  How oft do we find ourselves in battle - world vs spiritual?  Well, society yada yada yada.  And to this I reply - BUNK!!
   James 4:6-8 " But he gives more grace.  Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
    Verse 10 " HUMBLE YOURSELVES BEFORE THE LORD, AND HE WILL EXALT YOU."
Take time my dear friend, think about these words, apply them to your life and see what a difference it will make.  He who lives in you is greater than he who lives in the world.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
  Johnny

Are you-- the lead dog? member of the body?

Good morning all!  God is good all the time, all  the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!
    We should rejoice in the LORD always.  However, sometimes we feel we carry all the burdens for everyone around and are weighted down.   This is not what we are to do.  To carry a burden for someone else or for something is simply an alternate form of worry.  Worry is like shoveling smoke; it stirs it around some, but does absolutely no good.
    Well, things come up and I have to take care of them.  Yes, things happen and is the first response to "fix" it, or to pray and let God, the Father, help you with the situation?
    Jesus says this in Matthew 11:28-30  "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29)Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30)For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
   You may be carrying the burden of sins, excessive demands by others, oppression, persecution, or weariness.  Jesus frees us from all this through love, healing, and peace with God.  It does not mean, however, that work or labor will end.  Jesus is saying that when you lean on Him, He will help carry you through; the yoke will be lightened.
   When we lean on Jesus, gaining strength from Him, things do not tend to look so glum and dismal.  We can think of ourselves as the sled team of dogs; if you aren't the leader---the scenery never changes.  The lead dog sees ahead, sees the curves in the road, the final destination, and can continue on until the end.  The other dogs just follow, plodding along, and carry the load, even though it is shared equally.
    In our walk with Christ, we need to be the lead dog, seeing what is ahead, leading others safely on the right path, and continuing until the end.
    As in the rest of the dog sled team, Galatians 6:2 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."  The team shares the burden, yet not one feels he is above the other.  Galatians 6:3 "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." (4) But let every man prove his own work, and then shall be have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another."
    We are all members of the body of Christ.  The eye does not say I am not part of the face; it is all one body.  We all have our "part" in the body, and our job is to do that part.  This lessens the burden on any one team member.  The leader (pastor) can become so weighted from having to carry the burden of others he may slide away from, or slight his main purpose---to minister to the people.
   What I am saying here, is if you are a member of the body of Christ, don't bring meaningless, worry-some problems in your area to the pastor or spiritual leader.  Take care of your own responsibilities.  In plain simple English:  "DO YOUR JOB FOR CHRIST!"  Very simple.  I do hope this makes sense to you all.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny
 
    

Half-empty or half-full? Be encouraging, no discouraging!

Good morning my fellow Christian!!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!
   Yesterday I visited with you about attitude, is your glass half-full or half-empty.  Let me share with you words of wisdom from a special book you might wish to consult called the----B I B L E  !! (yes, that's the book for me)  Here is the topic of gifts; and it says in Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)
⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
   Okay, Paul tells it like it is to the new churches as he moved about in the old country.  Well, here it comes from Johnny in the 21st Century.  Servers are faithful and loyal.  Teachers are clear thinkers.  Encouragers know how to motivate others.  Givers are generous and trusting.  Leaders are good organizers and managers.  Those who show kindness are caring people who are happy to give their time to others.
    You need to realize your gift(s) and utilize them.  We have people in our church, you have people in your church, who their total focus is on the money, the material, the items that will not grant us admission to heaven.  Check your thoughts and your mouth - doth what spewth from thy mouth lift up others????   OR, doth it show a grumbling, cantankerous attitude (heart)?  Where are you on the spectrum of encouraging, serving, teaching, giving??  You may need a heart transplant!
   1 Thessalonians 5:11 "So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing."   Some may need to take this verse to heart.
   1 Thessalonians 5:14 "Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy.  Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. BE PATIENT WITH EVERYONE!"
   The key to ministry is sensitivity; sensing the condition of each person and offering the appropriate remedy for each situation.  You cannot help until you know the whole problem; you cannot administer medicine until you know where the wound is. (The wound may be your own heart or eye)
    Half-full or half-empty!  Encourage one another, quit being negative and seeing the bad side.  Do this for yourself today:  "LOOK AT OTHERS AS JESUS WOULD SEE THEM" and see if your day isn't much better.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny
  

TODAY----Celebrate in the Lord? Huh - it ain't Sunday!!

Good morning all!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
    So.......what is today?  Today is the day to celebrate our LORD and saviour Jesus Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit.  Huh???   We do that on Sunday!   Yep, that is what most people do.  Even "good Christians" just doing their "duty" to God by showing up on Sunday.  God should be happy, we came to see Him.  Huh??  Wait!!!  This is not what God wants.  HE wants us to pray continually, and worship HIM first, then family, then jobs, etc.  But do we, the people of the world do this?  No!!  Why??  Uh, I just don't have time!!!   Baaaaa......
   Nehemiah 8:10 tells us to rejoice in the joy of the LORD. ¹⁰ Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
   What are we being told here?  Go, eat, celebrate and share with others, the less fortunate, for this day is holy unto our LORD.   Everyday should be holy unto our LORD, not just the "one hour" you spend on Sunday "doing your duty" for all to see.
     Do not just share the fortunes of dining, but also the joy of the LORD.  Why?  Because the joy of the LORD is your strength.  We should enter into celebrations that honor God.
   Now look at Habakkuk 3:18-19  "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  The LORD God is my strength and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.  To the chief singer on my stringed instruments."
   God will give his followers strength and confidence in difficult times.  They will run surefooted as deer across rough and dangerous terrain.  God will bring about his justice and completely rid the world of evil; in the meantime, God's people need to live in the strength of His Spirit, confident in his ultimate victory over evil.  We can rest assured that God will do what is right; knowing this can give us confidence and hope in a confusing world.
    Let me ask you this.  I will meddle in your business.  As I work in our church and doing work for God I do encounter many who see the glass half-empty.  It seems they never have anything God to say; always criticism or less than positive comments.  Are you one of these people?  Take time to really evaluate yourself.  Yes, money may not be coming in as you want it to; job is not as happy a place to work as it could be; boss is cranky; family is bugging you; too many demands because you allow the demands to be made; not doing as you think they should;  hmmmm, what is the common denominator here------yep-----Y O U !
    Quit it!  Rejoice in the LORD always.  If you think I am talking to you- yep I am; HOWEVER, I am really preaching to myself and if you are collateral damage so be it.  Think about this: Half full or half empty;  Where is your joy?   IN THE  L O R D !!!!  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
  Johnny

A restful and cheerful heart!! Deuteronomy 10

Good morning all!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   Wow!  Yesterday I woke with a troubled heart, shared that, asked if you would hold me up in your prayers and for this I thank you.  I woke this morning with one of the most restful nights I have had in a while and with a cheerful heart.  Thank you for your prayers.  PRAYERS DO WORK.
   I did not expect such quick results but I will claim the victory through Christ my saviour.  I shared Psalm 51 yesterday the first 4 verses.  Today if you will look at verse 10: "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me."    This God has done.  We are natural born sinners and the tendency is to please ourselves rather than God.  You know the routine, it is all about me, my wants, my dislikes, my biases.   I would say our biases create the bulk of my, and probably your problems.  
   Biases taint the way we think, react, and confront different things that come our way.  I did undergo an operation performed by God and it is told of here in  Deuteronomy 10:16-19 New International Version (NIV)
¹⁶ Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. ¹⁷ For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. ¹⁸ He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. ¹⁹ And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.
   What this verse is saying is we must go beyond performing the 'circumcism' to understand what God wants.  We need to submit to God inside, in our hearts, as well as our actions.  Once we submit, completely, wholly, to God then our relationship with God and others will show no bias.  When we are right with God we will be right with others.  You will see a difference in the way you view others AND the way they view you.  Here is my challenge and questions for you today:
      Are you truly right with God?  Did you open your selves up to God?  Did you lay your iniquities before God, giving them to him, and not pick them up again?  Is your heart circumcised and you no long stiff-necked?
   Think about this and the words you say. In Matthew and Luke we are told our words reveal what is in our heart.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny
 

A troubled heart disturbeth my sleep!!! Psalm 51

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   I woke this morn with a troubled heart.  My spirit felt as if it had taken a dagger.  My heart ached and I then did only what I knew to do - I went to my prayer place and prayed!!  Turning it all over to God is the way we, as Christians, must all do.  Yet, we tend to take things personally and humanly and let not God give us led; but take led ourselves.
    Upon waking, I thought of David and Nathan coming to him, telling him of the rich man who took the poor man's ewe. David was angered, then found out it was he. 
        After prayer time God led me to the verse about a troubled heart, Psalm 51, a psalm of David after committing adultery with Bathsheba.  No, I did not commit adultery, but  my spirit was angered, frustrated, and unknowing from events past.  David repented, asked forgiveness; as did I against my fellow man.
    Take time, my friend, to inscribe these first 4 verses to your heart:
   Psalm 51:

¹ Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
² Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
   Let the above verses ring loudly to you. And now, I ask you, as in I Samuel 12 - if I have done any wrong to you, tell me now so that I may make it right.   I also, ask that you search your heart and share this same attitude to make right any wrongs you may have done. 
    God does not reward the guilty; He rewards the obedient, the faithful, and followers of the Holy Spirit.   Where do you sit today?  Guilty    OR    Not-guilty?  Please pray for me and my troubled heart as I will pray for you. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
  Johnny

FAITH - Got some?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
   What is faith?    Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
   Look at what the writer, believed to be Paul, says about faith:  By faith Abel......; By faith Enoch.......;
By faith Noah........; By faith Abraham........; and on and on.  By faith!!  What is faith?  Look above.
   Verse 3 from the Living:  By faith—by believing God—we know that the world and the stars—in fact, all things—were made at God’s command; and that they were all made from things that can’t be seen.
    We all have faith, the believer, the atheist, the 'I don't know' person, everyone.   Faith - when we turn a light switch on-----there is faith the light will come on.  When we turn the keys in the ignition----we have faith the car will start.  When we set an alarm------we have faith it will wake us. And on and on.
   We all have faith, but to whom do we turn; to what do we funnel our faith?  That is the question.
Do you believe?  Do you have faith that when you retire from this world you will be in heaven?  Now, that is faith!! Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
 

Jeremiah 2:27 - wood, stone, and you really believe in them?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
  Jeremiah, yes, back to Jeremiah 2:27  really tells about us, how soon we forget, how often we ignore, yet in the time of need to whom to do turn?  Yes, we turn to God!
   Jeremiah 2:27 "Saying to a stock, Thou are my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us."
   Now break this down and see what the children of Israel are doing according to Jeremiah.  First, out of wood comes a carving and they say your are my 'father'; and then to an idol of stone say 'you gave me birth' and they turned their backs on God
    Think about this:  what is most important in your life?  Job, car, family, money, leisure time, etc.  If that is NUMBER 1 in your life and not God----you are the same as the Israelites.....worshiping false idols, Baal, inanimate objects created by man that can do nothing for man--EXCEPT sit there or be there.
      People have turned their backs on God.  If you don't believe this, just look around at how many lawsuits there are against God, Bible verses, and get this FREEDOM FROM RELIGION.  America was founded on God and for FREEDOM OF RELIGION.  Hmmm, thank you leftist and liberals.
    The people would not face God!  Why?  They were ashamed to look into the eyes of their true father.
In the time of trouble they will call out to God saying arise and save us - yet God is saying you need to call out to your gods - whom you cherish.  Why do you call out to me?
     Man, oh man,  this so depicts us and how open we are to satan's tactics and then allow satan's "bright light" to shine in and take our attention away from the only true living God.  
    So, my friend, where are you today?  Standing on the promises of Christ our King; or listening the the lies and deception of satan?  The choice is yours and no gray area.  It is either the right choice or the wrong choice.  You make the call.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

Time for donuts; no time for GOD!!!

Matthew 6:33 ESV   But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

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

   Do you make time for God?  Or when you have time you talk to God?  Hmmm!   A little difference there, ey?  On Saturday mornings at 7:30 a.m. on 88.1 radio out of Elkhart, Tx a children's talk radio comes on called: "Life at the Pond".

    This is a children's show, yet has life lessons for character building for us all. You can click on the link above and view it.  Saturday they had an excellent show (only about 15 minutes) on which was really speaking to you and to me.  The creatures in the pond, who all have names, decided to have a Bible study at 6 a.m. on Wednesday mornings.

    The first morning Methuselah, the alligator was on time, the rest of them (turtle, frog, & duck) were all late and had "excuses".  This happened a couple of times, and they came later and later.  Then Methuselah said he would bring donuts the next week.

    Yep, you guessed it.  They were early, waiting on the donuts.  The point of the story is - we don't take time for God, but we will take time for other things.  We have time to party on Friday or Sat., watch football, go boating or jet skiing, take a drive, go out to eat, and on and on; yet, we don't take time for God.

    You can play hard on Saturday, but can't get up to do your pitiful 1 hour penance to God. (Then the rest of the week we forget God until Sunday morning again, when we have to make up an excuse {to miss worship}).

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV   Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

I ask that you, my friend, think about your relationship with God.  Love you all. 

In Christ's Love and Grace

   Johnny

 

Name calling -- CHRISTIAN! Is it good or bad?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
       Today, I feel I need to share a portion of my dream; I would share it all if I remembered it all. lol In my dream I was friends with a family and the little girl looked up to me as a grandfather.  After visiting with them, then watching the little girl perform in a school play, we gathered together and were talking.
   The little girl was slightly heavy and complained that all the kids were calling her names and she did not like the names they were calling her.  When I asked what names, she said they are all calling me a Christian and I don't like it.  WOW!  I do not know exactly what this dream is telling me (& possibly you), but that is scary that the calling of names, and for it to be 'bad' would be the name Christian.
    I think of Jeremiah, when he talks about the dromedary and the donkey running all around looking for something better.  There is nothing better than to be a child of God.
   Our nation took a turn for the worse at the turn of the century, no, not 2000 with 9/11 and all that.  But the turn of the 20th century - 1900's - when industrial revolution started rearing its head, and if you read Bonhoffer, America began its decline from God in the 20's.  Wake up AMERICA!!
   Pray, sow seeds of salvation, pray, pray, pray!!! Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny
 

Are you a camel in the desert? An ass in the wild? Hmm!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
  WOW!!  2014 Elections are over!  Some are rejoicing, some are sad, and some are bitter.  Are we under attack as Christians?  Yes, most definitely.  If you want to know more of my concern please go to Christianity - Thoughts by Johnny .
   Well, I was in Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet (and the only prophet God told not to marry), then my 2 day talk of FEAR, so where are we today?  Guess!  Yes, back to Jeremiah and I stopped at verse 22 wherein we can wash with nitre (soap) yet it will not cleanse the wickedness from us.
   Jeremiah 2:23  Israel as an unfaithful wife;  America as an unfaithful wife!!!  Let us look at these verses and let them penetrate the callouses of our hearts.  In these verses people are compared to animals searching for mates during mating season.  Unrestrained, they rush for power. , money, alliances with foreign powers, and other gods.  Idols do not seek people, people seek out and/or make idols and then worship something hewn by hand (man); which can also be destroyed by hand (man).
  Click on this link - Jeremiah 2:23-25 and you will see 3 translations - KJV, NIV, & Living Bible.
Verse 23  ²³ How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done-- The people argue they are not poluted, yet they worship Baalim and have idols through out the valley.
V. 23b   thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;   Like a camel - going here, there, and yonder way searching, searching, and for what?
V. 24  ²⁴ A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.    As a donkey in the wild, breathing and enjoying the air of freedom, and when she is in heat no one can refuse her, as a man who pursues prostitutes, he will strive until he finds her, then he will have her and have her.  A prostitution of faith.  Guilty?
V. 25 ²⁵ Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.   And what is this saying?  The NIV translation does a good job of interpreting this:  NIV - Do not run until your feet are bare
    and your throat is dry. But you said, ‘It’s no use!  I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.’ 
Pursuing the Baals of the world only leads to destruction, yet we continue on.  Just as the man who ignores the bridge out sign and falls to his death.
        Well, are you as the ass or camel, searching everywhere for a moment of satisfaction, fulfillment which will not last?  OR, a Jeremiah, who knows this is not the way to our Living God?  How we go for the human bodily pleasures, which last just a moment in time, yet we will pay for this sin for years to come, that is, unless we let Jesus come into our hearts and take the burden of our sin, for us to go and sin no more.
   What do you think?  I have not heard from any of you lately.  Feedback, rebuttal, a testimony, whatever-- may I just hear 1 thing you have done this last month for the LORD?  A challenge. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny
 
 

FEAR (reverence) of GOD; or FEAR of consequences

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!
    Yesterday I mentioned FEAR.  Today, I plan to talk further about fear.  What does fear do to a person?  Oh, yes, why talk about this?  I woke in the night with this on my heart.  I do believe God is speaking to someone about FEAR!  If it is you, yea!  If not, I pray it touches the right person.
   Well, the ever faithful Webster says fear is: anxiety caused by real or possible danger, pain, etc.; fright. Awe; reverence, apprehension' concern; a cause for fear.  To be afraid of; to be in awe of; to expect with misgiving (I fear it will rain, etc.)
    Fear is an emotion induced by a threat perceived by living entities, which causes a change in brain and organ function and ultimately a change in behavior.  Notice the term "PERCEIVED".  Whether real or not, if that is what you perceive, then it will be real to you.  Hmmm.  Think on that a moment.
    Did you ever dread something, then when it happened your perception was far worse than the actual event?
   Do Godly people fear?  You betcha they do!  Moses, a Godly man, killed an Egyptian, then he feared the consequences of his actions and ran.
   Abraham, a Godly man, had faith, was obedient, then fear caused him to lie to a king saying Sarah was his sister.
   David, laid with another man's wife, got her pregnant, then fear hit him, brought the man home to his wife from war; the man did not sleep with his wife, David sent him to the front lies to be killed.  Why? Fear his adulterous affair would be found out.
    Now, also, there are 2 types of fear - fear meaning I am really scared, possibly for my life.  And, FEAR of GOD - meaning reverence of God; not afraid something will happen, but in honor to our one true living God.  I have searched to find a good explanation of fear of God and gotanswers gives a good explanation, and I quote:
   "For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer's fear is reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’” This reverence and awe is exactly what the fear of God means for Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe."
   So, how does fear regulate your life?  A good time for simple thought and meditation.  Let me know as I would be interested in your thoughts.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

F E A R - nothing to fear but fear itself! Hmmmm!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
    I have missed a couple of days of Bible study and sending them out.  Things happen and then sometimes in lieu of adjusting, I just ignore or forget.  I do apologize, a lot has happened this past week.
   No matter how great you believe your faith to be, satan will surely test you.  How does he do this?  Many times it is simply a little four letter words that grows to a gigantic size in our minds---this word is called---------F E A R ! !
    Fear?  You hear some guys say things such as: "I ain't scared uh nothing" or "I don't fear nobody", and on and on.  Well, if you study any psychology at all man has the fight or flight mechanism when fear hits him.  That is why some become "heroes" and other "run away"; it is fight or flight.  And, whoa unto him/her who says they are not scared of anything.
    Now, we have talked about Abraham, and STRONG MAN OF GOD!  Because of his obedience and belief in God he had 2 sons when he was in his nineties.  Amazing huh???  Okay, look at Genesis 20 Abraham moved south, and stopped in Gerar, near Kadesh and Shur.  King Abimelek saw Sarah, a beautiful woman and Abraham said she was his sister.  Now why would Abraham do this?
   Abraham was afraid the King may do something to him, maybe kill him.  What Abraham did was tell a half truth, as Sarah was his half-sister indeed, but he did not continue and tell she was his wife.
   Now, I ask you, if you tell only partial truths, did you lie?   When the complete truth may cast a different light on the event?  James 4: ¹⁷ Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.   If you know what you should say, yet you don't, then this is sin.  Abraham sinned when in front of King Abimelek by not telling the complete truth--she is my wife.
  Well, Abimelek took Sarah but was not with her that night.  God came to the king in a dream and told him he was a dead man, for he took a man's wife.  Huh? That would be the reaction of Abimelek as he did not know this.  If you read the conversation you will know Sarah was returned to Abraham. First, the king arose, called all his servants and told them about the dream.
   Then he confronted Abraham and asked why he had brought sin on his kingdom, how did he, the king, offend Abraham.  Fear, yes fear; that is when Abraham told Abimelek that he knew God was not in this place and he feared he would kill him to take his wife.  Abraham did tell Sarah was the daughter of his father, but not of his mother and he told her to say "he is my brother."
  Now, what is interesting is King Abimelek, who had really done nothing wrong, (14) brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. ¹⁵ And Abimelek said, “My land is before you; live wherever you like. 
    Then, ¹⁶ To Sarah he said, “I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.” 
  And........
¹⁷ So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
¹⁸ For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
     This problem listed above would never had happened if what?  Yes, if Abraham had told the truth about Sarah being his wife.  God was with him always, but Abraham ---- due to FEAR lied!  Have you every lied about of fear?   Have you ever given a short answer, or not the whole truth due to FEAR?  Yep, I have, then later regret it.  Yep!   F E A R  - one of satan's greatest tools.  Give it all to God and FEAR NOT!!!  Love you all.
  In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny