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

Are you strengthened in the SPIRIT????

Good morning everyone!!!! Yes, another great day the Lord has provided for us. When we are not sure, we just uplift our face to heaven and talk to the Father. God is good, all the time......all the time, God is good.

We have been talking in 1 Corinthians 14 and have gone through verse 3. Let's take up with vs 4 & 5. "A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophesy strengthens the entire church." (5)"I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened."

When someone speaks in an unknown tongue, unless there is an interpreter, then that person is speaking in a "prayer" or "spiritual" language. Are tongues alive today? You do the research, you make your decision. If tongues are alive, then they will strengthen you and your spiritual life. Unless, what does Paul say?? If an interpreter is there then it will be for the whole church.

Paul's wish is that we could all speak in tongues. Why? What do you think? Maybe, since this is a gift from the spirit we would be deep and earnest in our prayer?? Would this make us closer to God?? Well, Paul says EVEN MORE, "I wish you could all prophesy." Why would Paul want this for us? Because, if I speak in tongues only I am edified, unless there is an interpreter, then the whole church may be edified. But......when I prophesy or preach or teach the word of God each word I utter is understood, whether it be 5 words or 10,000 words.

Think of it this way....if someone comes up to up and tells you how wonderful you are in a foreign language what would you do? Probably be like the bobble head.....stand there grinning and nodding your head. But if they speak to you in your native tongue, then you will understand each word. So, do we want to share the word of God where very few understand or be COPS (Christians Obediently Proclaiming Salvation)?

Points to ponder....how do I edify the church?? Am I living and sharing the word of God?? Am I walking in the spirit?? Have I prayed today-earnestly??? Challenge - tell just 1 person about Jesus today. Let me know what happened?? God gave me my job, my home, my auto, my family, and on and on....SOOOOOoooooooo what am I doing to thank Him????
Thank you for reading. Love you all!!!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What battle are you fighting???

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!!!
Yesterday we talked about the battle not being ours, but a spiritual battle that is God's. Let's look at Ephesians 6:12 today which follows this up.
Ephesians 6:12 "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers, in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
When talking about those who are not flesh-and-blood enemies this is a direct reference to demons. Who has control of the demons???? The devil, satan. Yes, God is over EVERYTHING, but at this time satan roams the earth with his demons.
This army, of whom satan is the leader, is a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ's church. Demons are real and when we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies and they try every device to turn us away from GOD and back to sin.
The Bible assures us of victory but we will still engage in the struggle until Christ returns. Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord's side. We need supernatural power to defeat satan, and GOD has provided this by giving us his HOLY SPIRIT within us and His armor surrounds us.
If you become discouraged for any reason remember what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 "Upon this rock I will build my church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it."
How great it is to be a child of God!!! Our battle continues, continue to praise God, for God is in control and God is good all the time. Thank you for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Are living a life of sin?????

Good morning to everyone!! What a wonderful day to be alive in Jesus!! God is good all the time and all the time God is good!!! Let's look at Galatians 5:19-21
Gal 5:19-21 "When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures. (20) idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,(21) envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God."
WOW!!! Does this hit you right between the eyes? If you don't have ANY of these today, you should rejoice 'cause you are probably dead and with Jesus!! I fight many of these daily, only through God's help, the Holy Spirit, do I survive. We all have evil desires, and we can't ignore them. In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, we must deal with them decisively, as we will see in verse 24. These desires include obvious sins, we have to deal with these sins through the gift of the Spirit that leads to a transformed life.
Where are you dealing with your sins.....personally as in "I can do it?" or spiritually as in "Holy Spirit lead me through these sins?"
Now is a good time to thank Jesus for all He has done for you and praise God that He sent Jesus to make us white as snow with no blemish. I am attaching some rules to live by...thank you Carolyn for these.
Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Are you bringing sorrow to the Holy Spirit?????

Good morning!!! Quite a storm in Texas last night. Winds up to 100 mph and tornadoes or scud's. Scud's are like a tornado, just not as smooth. How is your life going???? Do you bring sorrow to your heavenly family??
Ephesians 4:30 "AND DO NOT BRING SORROW TO GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT BY THE WAY YOU LIVE. REMEMBER, HE HAS IDENTIFIED YOU AS HIS OWN, GUARANTEEING THAT YOU WILL BE SAVED ON THE DAY OF REDEMPTION."

The Holy Spirit within us is a guarantee that we belong to God. Our lives before and after Christ.

BEFORE AFTER
Dead because of sin....................Made alive with Christ
Under God's anger......................Show God's mercy and given salvation
Followed the ways of the world.........Stand for Christ and truth
God's enemies..........................God's children
Enslaved to the devil.................Free in Christ to love & sit with him
Followed our evil thoughts and desires....Raised up with Christ to glory

The Holy Spirit is God's guarantee that we belong to him and that he will do what he has promised. The Holy Spirit is like a down payment, a deposit, a validating signature on the contract. The Holy Spirit in us shows: our faith is real; we are God's children; our eternal life is secured.

Thank you for reading. Praise God in all things. How has God blessed you?? I have sooooo much......life, health, material goods, God given job, and on and on. So many things to be thankful for. Love you all!!!!

In Christ's Love an Grace

Johnny

Rescued????

Good morning everyone!!! What a great day to be alive in the LORD!!! God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Where would you be today without God??
Sometmes we may feel like we are in quicksand. The more we try to get out of it, the deeper we sink. What do we do?? Well, don't panick-calm down, breath, relax and ask for help.
But who will hear?? God can help you get out of your mess. God can rescue you from ANY mess you put or find yourself in. But what do we have to do?? STOP, quit fighting, call on God, give it ALL to Him, relax, and He will take care of the situation.
Psalm 40:2 "He drew me up out of a horrible pit...and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings."
Psalm 40:3 "He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord."
So, who are you going to trust?? GOD??? Or listen to satan telling you that you can do it all by yourself.....since you are a self made man or woman??? STOP, DROP, & PRAY!! Let God have it. Thanks for reading. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

How do you ride the river????

Good morning everyone!! I hope this is a wonderful day for each of you!! God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Today I was reading in a book given to me 'Checklist for Life' that really touched me and I would like to share.
Our world is a world of change. Jobs, relationships, health are unpredictable....then look at the future--completely unknown. Sometimes change is our choice....sometimes not. How we respond to change is always your choice.
If you are riding a boat down a river you notice the river changes...many times. It is wide, narrow; rapids, calm; deep, shallow; and the only constant is that the water does flow downstream. With a river resistance is of no avail, we cannot change the course of the river. Our success depends on our ability to ride it out, responding quickly and decisively to its twists and turns, ups and downs.
You need the right type of equipment, right type of boat, oars, life preserver, and plan on getting wet. The river is like life....it cuts its own unique path and carries you along for the ride. Remember this:
1. resistance to the changes in your life is futile; ask God to help you ride out the twists and turns and respond appropriately;
2. Don't start down the river of life in the wrong boat, ride securely in a daily relationship with God--it's designed for the white water of life;
3. Steering your boat you need oars---your oars are prayer and the Bible; life preserve is salvation....receiving God's forgiveness.
4. Change is constant and life is messy and you will get wet. Prepare for it by living a life of integrity.
5. Change is inevitable. Don't get sucked under by the current--ride smart!!!
Isaiah 40:3 "Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth.
Thank you for reading today....I hope and pray this touched you as it did me. Love you all
IN CHRIST'S LOVE AND GRACE
Johnny

Blessed Assurance

Good morning everyone!!! I trust this was a wonderful weekend for each and every one of you!!! My weekend was fabulous and life changing. You know, we all like to know, or be reassured that we are worth it. Whether it be by a spouse, a friend, family member, or what, to be reassured does make us feel good.
Many times we worry about the future, fret about the past, and what good does this worry really do?? We need to remember, we are forgiven of the past-so forgive yourself; and the future eventually holds eternity with the most glorious of all-a home in heaven.
Isaiah 54:10 "Though the mountains move and the hills shake, my love will not be removed from you and my covenant of peace will not be shaken."
Hebrews 12:28 "Let us be thankful, then, because we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe."
god's kindness to us is that he patiently removes all the things that cause us to fear. The only thing left is our love for HIM. We need to thank God for taking us under His protective right hand, and giving us the assurance of an eternal future with Him.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Got heart problems???? Are you a TRUE JEW?!?!

Good morning everyone!!!! Yes, yes, yes Lord!!! Let it be me Lord!!! Is this part of your vocabulary??? Do you want to be pleasing to God??? Where do your want and desires lie??? In the world????? New house, new boat, new car, new....new.....new.....Just so we look good???
Do you want to be a TRUE JEW???? I do!!! WHAT????? But you profess to be a Christian, now you want to be a Jew??!!?? What is wrong with you??
Okay, can we talk??? Huh?? Can we talk??? Romans 2:29 "......a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God......."
Here, to be a Jew meant you were in God's family, we get to be an heir to all HIS promises. God's family is based on our internal qualities...NOT what we have. All whose hearts are right with God are true Jews-part of God's family. Galatians 3:7 "The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God."
Attending church, being baptized, being a member of a church is not enough.... it is not what this is all about!!!
God wants our heartfelt devotion and obedience!!! (Jeremiah 4:4) SO, where is your heart???? Do you have heart problems??? If so, now is the time, you cannot do it any sooner.....turn everything.....truely everything over to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Let's all be TRUE JEWS and have a heart felt faith in God. Thank you for reading. May you have a truely blessed and prosperous day. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

What's in your wallet.....uh.....heart?

Good morning everyone!! May you be blessed beyond your wildest dreams. Share a smile, a kind word, a friendly look with someone today. Many things may anger us and for what??? Because that is not the way we think it should be done?? That guy piled his plate with finger foods, how rude! That gal is driving too fast and cut me off! That person..........etc.
Are we angry at sin???? Or just angry from our perception of what should be done right??? 1 Peter 2:23 "He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly." WHO?? JESUS!!
ISAIAH 53:7 "He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet ne never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth."
Here, the sinless servant of the Lord offers himself for our sins. He is the Lamb offered for the sins of all people. Jesus, the Messiah suffered for our sake, bearing our sins to make us acceptable to God. What can we say to such love?? Do you have God's pure love in your heart?? How are we responding to Him, Jesus, for what He did for us on the cross???
What's in your heart??? Jesus came, He saw, and in His death He conquered!!! How exciting this is for Christians at this time of year. Have you been resurrected through the blood of Jesus?? It's time, give it all to God. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
Hey, thanks for reading, go to church tonight. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and then Easter. What a wonderful time to praise God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit. Pray for yourself, then others. Love you all!!
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Believing and hope!!!

Good morning everyone!! What a fabulous day to be alive in Jesus!! Jesus, Jesus, oh for grace to love Him more. Doesn't that come from a song????? You know: God is good all the time and all the time God is good!!!!
Okay, let's look at 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 "For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweights them and will last forever! (18) So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."
vs 17 - our troubles should not decrease our faith or cause us to stray. There is a purpose behind our suffering and there will be benefits to our suffering. First, remember Christ suffered for us; obstacles will keep our pride in check; we can see beyond physical life to eternal life; a chance to prove our faith to ourselves and others; and last, God may show his powers through us. We should see our troubles as great opportunities for the kingdom and glory of God.
vs 18 Our hope is not to see our current problems, but to realize that after this life.....THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH!!! Knowing that we will live forever with God in a place without sin and suffering should help us in our daily walk, no matter what we face.
Is God in control??? A resounding YES!!! Thank you Jesus, God, Holy Spirit for being in our lives!! WOW!!! How exciting is this. Please pray for yourself, let you be right in the sight of the Lord and all will be well. God takes care of those who take care of themselves.....uh....no... God takes care of His good and faithful servants. Stay strong. Stay the course. Stay humble. Stay in prayer. Thank you for reading. Love you all!!
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny