Are you Christian or religious? 1 Corinthians 11:2

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

What is happening in your world today? Are you thanking Jesus for all that happens? Things of great joy and items of despair? Well, from yesterday did you imitate Paul as he imitated Christ? What was your day like? Why did Paul say imitate me? Paul was not being arrogant, he did not think of himself as sinless. At this point in time the Corinthians believers did not know much about the life and ministry of Christ. The Gospels were yet to be written and the only example they had was Paul. Paul knew how to imitate Jesus, Paul could walk the walk and talk the talk.

We encounter many "Corinthians" in our daily walk. These people may be as the Corinthians and going through the empty motions of being "religious" but do not have Jesus in their hearts. So??? What are you going to do? The best way to direct these people in the right direction is through a Christian whom they trust and can see Jesus in them. That Christian may be YOU! Are you able to say, as Paul did in 1 Corinthians 11:2 I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you."

If asked are you Christ-like, would your answer be guilty?!? If not, what do you plan to do about it? If so, what do you plan to do about it? Teach, share the word, it is the truth and truth never changes. Let your interpretations be true and guided by the Spirit. When standing before the Bema seat may your rewards be many. Love you all. "SIR, WE WOULD SEE JESUS!"

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Temptations - how to resist 1 Corinthians 10:12,13

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

How are you doing today? Ready to meet the world which is full of temptations which may lead you astray? We have to remember to look up, bow down, and humbly come to the LORD our GOD.

1 Corinthians 10:12,13 "If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure."

With all that is happening, has happened, and is going to happen in todays world we need to be aware of the temptations. We live in a culture filled with moral depravity and sin inducing pressures.

Paul tells us this about temptations (while talking to the Corinthians): 1-temptation happens to everyone, you are not being singled out; 2-others have resisted temptation and you can also; and 3-any temptation can be resisted because God will show you a way out.

God will help you: 1- recognize those people and situations that give you trouble; 2-run from anything you know is wrong; 3-choose to do only what is right; 4-pray for God's help; and 5-seek friends who love God and can offer help when you are tempted.

Running from a tempting situation is your first step to victory. 2 Timothy 2:22 "Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the LORD with pure hearts."

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

Following Jesus

Good morning everyone!! Another great day. Sorry to miss you yesterday. Please pray for the people around you. Pray for safe passage, safe work environment, protective day, and that they will look UP and see GOD, the only thing in our life that does not change.

1 Peter 2:21 "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps."

Christ suffered an enormous amount of pain for us, we are not necessarily called to suffer this way, but in other ways. Do good! Some of our suffering is because of our sin, some due to foolishness, all because we live in a fallen world. We, as Christians may do good - yet suffer. This is okay. Christians are the butt of many jokes and ridicule. And??????

Are you following Jesus? Or do you stray frequently? We will stray, but if we stray consistently we need to take time to visit with our Father in Heaven. Take time now to just ask God for guidance, wisdom, knowledge, and to follow JESUS! Thank you for reading. Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

I will march our BOLDLY!

Good morning everyone!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Psalm 34:1 "I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips."

Have you stopped to give God the glory yet today? Stop and visit with the trinity, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 21:22 "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Sometimes we face the day being very anxious. We are disturbed by the thoughts of what may take place today or tomorrow. We need to STOP, DROP, & PRAY because God is on our side. The Israelites were to march out and take over land. 2 Chronicles 20:17 ".........March out boldly tomorrow-God is with you."

Take courage in knowing that God will lead you. He will prepare the way for victory. His is our protector and will never fail us. God will lead us to it and lead us through it. Praise God! Thank you Jesus! You are a child of the King, start acting like it. Claim your victory! Celebrate! Thank you for reading. Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What's in your heart?

Good morning all! Yes, another wonderful day in the LORD Jesus Christ! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!!! You know,many times we become weary, tired, frustrated and maybe a little depressed. Why? Because we allow the things of the world to creep in and take the "joy of the LORD" from us.

God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit do not abandon us, we stray and go different directions. Why? Many things the amour of the world. When we give our heart completely to the LORD, receive His strength, we will have all the power we need and we will see God's faithfulness.

2 Chronicles 16:9 "THE EYES OF THE LORD RANGE THROUGHOUT THE EARTH TO SHOW HIMSELF STRONG FOR THOSE WHOSE HEARTS ARE COMPLETELY HIS."

We need to take time and just pray, Heavenly Father, you know my weaknesses, please show yourself strong on my behalf. I praise you for teaching me to trust in your strength. Amen. When you take time to STOP, DROP, & PRAY ask God to put in your heart His love. Thanks for reading today. Love you all.


In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

With God - what you have is ENOUGH!

Good morning all!! Oh, yes, a wonderful day to praise God and let the eyes of our heart be open! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Psalm 34:1 "I WILL PRAISE THE LORD AT ALL TIMES. I WILL CONSTANTLY SPEAK HIS PRAISES."

Psalm 34:10 "Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing."

David is not saying that as Christians we will have everything we want. This is David's praise for God's goodness - all those who call upon God in their need will be answered, sometimes in unexpected ways.

Always remember, God knows what we need, and our deepest needs are spiritual Even though many of us, Christians, face unbearable poverty and hardship, we still have enough spiritual nourishment to live for God. David was saying that if you have God, you have all you really need. God is enough

Thank you for reading with me today. May you have "enough" today, and throughout the year. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Whose your God?(aka whose your daddy or Father)

Good morning all!! Yes, once again, God allowed us to exist another night and begin another day. Good morning God!! I issued a challenge yesterday and no one took me up on it, so, I ask you, did you tell someone about Jesus yesterday?

1 Kings 18:21 "Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, "how much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!" But the people were completely silent."

Elijah challenged the people to take a stand - to follow whoever was the true God. Why did so many people waver between the two choices? Perhaps some were not sure. Many however, knew that the LORD was God, but they enjoyed the sinful pleasures and other benefits that came with following Ahab in his idolatrous worship. It is important to take a stand for the LORD. If we just drift along with whatever is pleasant and easy, we will someday discover that we have been worshiping a false god- ourselves.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Strong words from Jesus!! Where do you stand? Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all!!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What time is it??

Good morning everyone!! What a wonderful day to be alive in Jesus!!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!! GOOD MORNING GOT!!
I hope this past weekend was wonderful and great for you. Then Sunday an added blessing as we take extra time for God.
Do you ever stop and wonder why God does not answer our pray NOW? Oh, I have prayed and prayed but God just does not hear or answer my prayer. Well, God, in fact does, however, the problem lies in the fact that we are in different time zones and on different time tables. God never delays his promises to frustrate you. Rather, he patiently waits until everything comes together and you've learned all you need to receive them.
God is committed to you for the long haul. So never fear being unqualified to receive his promises. Today learn from him and obey his instructions that the waiting will be exceptionally effective.
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient towar you. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but want everyone to repent."
We must not sit and wait for Christ to return, but we should realize that time is short and we have important work to do. Be ready to meet Christ any time, even today, yet plan your course of service as though he may not return for many years.
Moses reminds us in Psalm 90:4 "For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours." God is not limited by our time, just be faithful and ever watchful. Do not let you lamp oil grow low.
Thank you for reading today. I pray that the Lord blesses you more than you could imagine today and each day. Stay faithful. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Where is your source of Strength????

Good morning to one and all!!! What a great day to be alive in the LORD Jesus Christ!!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!! Yesterday we talked about commitment. Commitment=you are either IN or OUT, there is NO INBETWEEN.

So many things we hear just a little bit. A 'little bit' pregnant, speeding just 'a little bit', NO, you are either IN or OUT. When you commit God is right there with you, to run the race with you. Where does your strength come from. What is the verse, uh, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?

Our source of strength is GOD. HE takes care of all we cannot. Being human, we have a tendency to want to take care of it, solve it, do it ourselves. We are not the one who can do this, we have to learn to give it all over to God. When we become burden, heavy laden, STOP, DROP, & PRAY!! Refocus and give it all to God.

Where is freedom?? Freedom is giving everything to God, refocus, set your priorities to do what is truly important. God give us the strength and wisdom to handle these things and HE takes care of the rest.

2 Corinthians 1:5 "Our power and ability and sufficiency are from God."

2 Corinthians 1:17 "Where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom."

Thank you for reading with me today. I pray you have the commitment to follow through, focus on what is important, give the rest to God, and use the wisdom and knowledge God gives us to handle the projects at hand. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you ENcouraging or DIScouraging????

Good morning everyone!!! What a wonderful day to be alive in Jesus!!! Did you tell someone about Jesus yesterday??? If someone was standing at the edge of a cliff, in a dangerous situation, and could fall to their death.....would you warn them to come back or try to pull them back???

What about the person who stands at the threshold of hell, won't you tell them about Jesus, to save them from death?? I cannot be hesitant or intimidated about speaking up about Jesus.

Oh, we get emails that say if you are ashamed of Jesus delete, but if not pass it on. Do we, as Christians, have to send email to make people feel guilty?? Why do we believe it is necessary to push people into doing something they may not believe necessary to send on.

Well, yes, if I get a great product I will tell others......I have a great "product" if you will......great news.....the good news of Jesus Christ. With the help of the Holy Spirit I will share this news.

Democrats who are Christians.....do you stand as strong for Jesus Christ as you do against George Bush??? Republicans who are Christians...do you stand as strong for Jesus Christ as you do against Hillary, Bill C., Obama?

1 Corinthians 14:3 "But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them." Prophesies here is telling others of the good news of Jesus.

Ephesians 4:29 "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be encouragement to those who hear them."

We can bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit by the way we live. Paul warns us against unwholesome language, bitterness, improper use of anger, harsh words, slander, and bad attitudes toward others. Instead of acting that way we should be forgiving just as God has forgiven us.

Are your actions and attitudes pleasing to God? Or bringing sorrow to God?? My love for the LORD and everything HE does for me becomes stronger by the day. Take time for Jesus, listen to some praise music, listen to some Christian talk radio...preaching. Let the "good news" fill your heart rather than the negative/bad news.

Thank you for reading with me today. As the song: "Open the eyes of my heart Lord, so that I may see you." Love you all

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Don't be discouraged...GOD IS WITH YOU ALWAYS

Good morning everyone!!! Yes, a wonderful day to be alive in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!! Did you tell someone about Jesus Yesterday??

We should not be discouraged??? Why??? Because God is with us, HE will not leave us, and HE will see us through. Family.....what better family than to be in God's family. Family should stick together, see things through, and not abandon. Is this always true? I dare say not!! Why, because we live in the world, temptations come, temptation lead us astray, we may return, yet the fact is we have strayed.

Does God stray?? Does God pick up strays??? He brings them back. We should be encouraged because we have a LIVING GOD. Think about this....we did not carve an image our of wood, marble, steel, and then worship it. We worship a LIVING GOD!!! HOW AWESOME!!!

Deuteronomy 31:8 "Do not be afraid or discourage, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you, he will neither fail you nor abandon you." WOW!! How strong is that?!?!?!

Joshua 1:9 "This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD you GOD is with you wherever you go."

1 Chronicles 28:20 "Then David continued, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD GOD, my GOD, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished correctly."

Here David advised Solomon not to be frightened about the size of his task as king and builder of the Temple. Fear can stop us dead in our tracks. We look at the size of the job, all the risks, or the pressure of getting it done. We may freeze solid in our tracks and then do nothing.

We need to refocus...not on the fear of the task.....but on the task itself. Break it down, look at the parts, focus on the work at hand. Sometimes the most frightening part of a task is just getting started.

We need to focus!!! At LCUMC we are in a building project...we need to focus.....we need to encourage and support our church staff. If the new building is or was not of GOD, we would never have started. Pray for the pastors, administration, and staff as we focus on the work at hand.

Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

God has a relationship with us, HE will strengthen and help!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???? Go out boldly, with GOD as your strength, and tackle the task at hand. Remember - F O C U S ! Thank you all for reading today. Love you all. May you be encouraged and focus on your task or job at hand.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

How is your character today????

Hello everyone!!! What a great day to be alive in the Lord. I love listening to Christian radio, praise music, seeing the sun (Son) come up, Isn’t God great??? You know our character is what we do when no one is watching. However, one person has His eye on you always. GOD!! God is good all the time,…..all the time God is good.

Did you tell someone about Jesus yesterday?? Will you tell someone about Jesus today??? Why will you talk about Jesus??? Why won’t you talk about Jesus??? Questions to ponder!!! Look around and see what God has done!!!

"Be ye therefore perfect (grown up) , even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (completely mature)." Matthew 5:48

Okay, here are some church excepts by children. Thank you Chuck for these.

JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." Concerned, James asked: "What happened to the flea?"

The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... this particular Sunday sermon..."Dear Lord," the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "Without you, we are but dust..." He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, "Mom, what is butt dust?"

Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all. Have a wonderful day.




In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Character - what is your reflection????

Good morning all!!! What a wonderful day to be alive in Jesus!!! May your day be worry free and all your trust remain in the Lord. Today let's talk about character and tomorrow about worry.

Proverbs 27:19 "As the water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person."

What is your reflection like. "Nothing speaks louder or more powerfully than a life of integrity." Charles Swindell

Character is built slowly over a lifetime. It is the sum of every right decision, every honest word, every noble thought, and every heartfelt prayer. It is forged on the anvil of honorable work and polished by the twin virtues of generosity and humility.

Character is a precious thing - difficult to build but easy to tear down.

As believers in Christ, we must seek to live each day with DISCIPLINE, HONESTY, and FAITH. When we do, integrity becomes a habit. Take time, reflect, what person do you see? If that person is troubled take time now to PRAY, talk to our FATHER GOD, and place every little thing in GOD's HANDS!!

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold." Proverbs 22:1 Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you of a lying tongue??? Or a caring tongue???

Good morning everyone!!! What a wonderful day to be alive in the Lord Jesus Christ!!! God is good, all the time.....all the time God is good!!!
Many times the things that make us struggle and all appears black we are only walking through the brick path of learning. God says He will see us through.....but He does not guarantee a smooth path, clear sailing, an effortless course. I have some personal prayer requests today......as I ask your special prayer God knows the needs....but most of all that I totally turn everything over to God. Thank you.
Proverbs 10:18 "Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool." vs 19 "Too much talk leads to sin, Be sensible and keep your mouth shut."
By hating another you may become a liar or a fool. If you slander and are proven wrong you are a fool. The only way out of this trap is to admit your hateful and slanderous heart to God. Ask Him to change your heart and replace the hatred or slander with love.
Proverbs 10:31 "The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice......" vs 32 "The lips of the godly speak helpful words......."
May you be wise and helpful throughout this day, week, month, year. Many times it is difficult to bridle the tongue, however, the Bible values a caring and controlled tongue. I pray this for you and me. Please pray for yourself first today and ask God to make strengths from your weaknesses.
Thank you for reading today. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

How can Jesus be seen through me???

Good morning!!! And the top of the morning to you....may God bless you through out this day. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Today is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad.
1 Chronicles 28:20 "Be strong and of good courage, and di it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God-my God- will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord."
How can we serve God? By sharing His message, His mercy, His love with those who cross our paths. Everywhere you look people are looking for "SOMETHING", why not let that something be God!!!! What do we have to do?
We have to love God, obey His commandments, trust His Son, and serve His children. When God is the center of our lives the world will see Jesus in us....demons will tremble.....and our servants heart will show through.
From Max Lucado, "In the great orchestra we call life, you have an instrument and a song, and you owe it to God to play them both sublimely."
When you become a better steward of the resources God has given you...He give you more resources to manage. Matthew 25:21 "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord."
This applies to our spiritual life, our family life, our professional life, may all you do today bring glory to God. Thank you for reading. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Are you in training???

God morning everyone!! No, not a typo, a God morning makes a good morning!! I hope your weekend was wonderful and that your time with the Lord was profitable for His kingdom. Are you in training?? Have you thought about this?? Each day you travel this earth you are in training for God's kingdom, to answer to Jesus on the judgement throne!! WOW!! When we think of our life as being in constant training there is a lot of responsibility for me, for you, for all fellow Christians.
1 Timothy 4:14 "Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you."
Now, here, Paul is talking to Timothy. Change this around and let this be God talking to ______(put your name here). Don't neglect the spiritual gift ..... highly skilled and talented athletes lost their abilities if their muscles aren't toned by constant use. Musicians lose their smoothness if they only touch their instrument once a month, once a year.
We are skilled and talented people!! Why? Because God chose you!!! We will lose our spiritual gifts if we don't put them to work. Our talents are improved by exercise, but failing to use them causes them to waste away from lack of practice and nourishment.
Think about your gifts and talents from God!! Don't have any??? I doubt that, God gives His gifts freely. However, their will be strict accounting of them at the end of the road. You are personally accountable for your gifts before God. If you don't believe you know what they are then pray and listen to what God is telling you and where He is taking you.
Romans 12:6-8 "According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts. If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith; if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity, leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness."
Thank you for studying with me today. God is good, all the time; all the time God is good. 2 Timothy 1:6 "I remind you to keep ablaze the gifts of God that is in you." Tell someone about Jesus today.
Better yet, tell someone how they have made a difference in your life. Our pastor, Bro Lou challenged us all to give someone a blue ribbon for what they have done in your life. Drop them a line, card, email, text or whatever to let them know they made a difference in your life. You make a difference in my life as you keep me humble and in the word of God!!
Thank you. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Are you lucky? OR Are you chosen???

Good morning everyone. I hope this is a great day in the Lord for you. Are you lucky??? Or are you just chosen???? Is there luck??? Or is it in God's plan?? God is good all the time.....all the time, God is good!!
Ephesians 3:10 "God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places."
The 'rulers and authorities in the heavenly pplaces' are eighter angels who are witnesses to these events or hostile spiritual forces opposed to God.
Ephesians 3:12 "Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence."
It is an awesome privilege to be able to approach God with freedom and confidence. Most of us would be apprehensive in the presence of a powerful ruler. But thanks to Christ by faith we can enter directly into God's presence through prayer. We know we'll be welcomed with open arms because we are God's children through our union with Christ. Don't be afraid of God. talk with Him about everything. He is waiting to hear from you.
We don't have to walk in fear. The hostile spiritual forces or demons oppose God, oppose God's people, but we just have to remember that the demons tremble when we rebuke them in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. When troubles arise, just cast your eyes toward heaven, the home of our Heavenly Father, who is our saving grace.
Take time today, right now if you have to, to thank God for all you have and most of all your salvation. Thank you for reading. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

What reflection do you see in the mirror?

Good morning everyone!!! What a wonderful day in the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you get tired of praise songs? Do you get tired of reading or studying your Bible? Have you looked in a mirror lately? God is good all the time.......all the time God is good!!!
Okay, there were some people from the back woods of a third world country who barely experienced civilization. One day the man went to the city in a nearby country. While he was there he went into a shop and was looking around. Suddenly he came upon a mirror, something he had never seen before. He had never seen his reflection. As he gazed in the mirror he saw his father. This made him happy.....very happy. Each time he looked in the mirror he saw his father.
When he returned home he took the mirror to a pub nearby. After he would get off work he would go to the pub just to gaze in the mirror and "see his father." His wife wondered what he was doing as this was not his common practice. So......she went down to the pub and asked the innkeeper what her husband did there each night. He told her he just came in and looked at the thing he brought back from the city and placed on the wall. Each time he gazed into it he would smile.
The wife went over, looked into the mirror, and, having never seen her own reflection blurted out, "So, this is the old hag he has been coming to see." What reflection do you see in the mirror? One of your "Father in Heaven" or one of a distorted view?
James 1:23-24 "For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror, you see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like."
Then James 1:25 says, "But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what is says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." Do you forget? What is your reflection to the world? One of Christ, or one of the world? Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Perseverance......Do you have it?

Good Morning everyone!!! Yes, another wonderful day in the Lord Jesus Christ!! Who's your savior???? The man who stilled the waters still is with us!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
Hebrews 10:23 "LET US HOLD FAST THE CONFESSION OF OUR HOPE WITHOUT WAVERING FOR HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL."
We are running a marathon....NOT A SPRINT!! As does the athlete, we must train and be in shape for the run. We need to finish the race, it is a long and hard race, but in the end our life will be pleasing to God.
We must train spiritually for the race at hand. Perseverance will make us focus on the prize at the end rather than the obstacles that stand in our way. When we focus on the reward and all the wonderful things God has promised us when this life is over, then we can and will be optimistic about the future.
I Corinthians 15:58 "My beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Remember that God's schedule for our spiritual growth is often different than our own. Thank you for reading. Love you all. STAY STRONG, STAY THE COURSE, FOCUS ON THE REWARD......EVERLASTING LIFE WITH JESUS!!!
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

How much do you REALLY believe in God???

Good morning everyone!!! I hope this is a wonderful day in the Lord for you. God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!!!!
Have you thought about how much you would really give up for the Lord? For Jesus?? For God??? The young rich man came to Jesus and asked what he must do. He said he kept the commandments. Jesus told him Luke 18:22 ".....Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, then come, follow me."
Wow!!! What a thing to do!! The young rich man heard this he was sad. As humans we need security.....some have security in God......and I would say most have security in their earthly possessions....IRA, 401K, retirement, home, etc. BUT they do believe in God. How deep is our belief?
Could I give it all up and follow Christ? I would like to say a resounding YES,......but, would I really? A special lady I know will say, "It's only money," or "It's God's anyway," and does not panic at the thought of losing her material possessions. Is my faith that strong??? I have to pray that it is. Examine your faith....is it that strong??
Luke 18:24 "Jesus said, How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! (25) In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God."
Thank you for reading. Stop, Drop, and Pray!!! Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny