Wearing your wadders? Believe in prayer? Hmmmm

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
   MATTHEW 21:22  "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
This verse is from the Bible and my question to you is:  DO YOU BELIEVE IT?
   If you truly believe God answers prayers then if you were in a drought, would you just go to the church to prayer, OR, would you wear your wadders to go pray for rain.  Saying it and believing it are two different things.
   Are you obedient to God.  Sometimes we may be doing something that seems foolish to accomplish God's will and be in his obedience.  Don't you think Noah thought, "build a what???"  What are you talking about God?  BUT, Noah, in obedience did what God called him to do.  I would guess that the people made fun of him, spending years building a what?  Ark!?!?
   How foolish was David, a mere boy, going up against a 10 foot tall giant with what???  A pebble and a sling shot.  Ya gotta be crazy!  No, he was following God, believing, and being obedient.
   Moses kept going back to Pharoah.  If I told ya once, I've told you.........  BUT, God was with Moses, Moses was obedient and believed.
   People say you need to go to church to seek God!  WHY?   W H Y ?  God is everywhere.  We should seek God daily, moment by moment, coming from our hearts and minds.  When someone is seeking God, let them see God in you.
   Do you wear wadders when praying for rain?  Do you do something foolish but are obedient to God? Do you seek God?  He lives in your heart!!  Just food for thought today my friends. 
   BELIEVE (what you pray for)  OBEDIENCE (do what God tells you to do)  GOD (living in you). Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
  Johnny
 

FAKER -- OR -- FAITHFUL?

God morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
  Have you just sat down recently and examined yourself and your heart?  I mean-- really examined yourself.  Growing up I attended the Methodist Church in my hometown and went to Sunday School and church almost every Sunday.  I even received several perfect attendance awards for Sunday School.  I went because.......well.....because mom said we would and took us.  Easy peasy, no questions asked.
   I went to Sunday school all the time, church was not as consistent, but we were there every Sunday.  My mom and dad held a tight rein on me so I was a good boy growing up.  Never got into trouble, did what I was supposed to do, and kept my nose clean.  Upon entering 8th grade, at that time in our church, it was time for confirmation classes.  To learn about the church and become members.  
    Well, I went, and the main reason I went was because my girl friend went.  My sole purpose was to be close to her, sit by her, and be with her.  What did I learn in confirmation class?  Well, nothing really.  My heart was not there, nor my interest, nor anything except her.
   I continued through high school, going to church, being a good boy, never getting into trouble.  Oh, yes, mom and dad had to squash me many, uh, MANY times, but never anything outside the home. I graduated high school, planned to be, as most young men then, a professional baseball player. Well, that did not happen, but what did happen was the military.
   After spending 4 years in the military, still being "good" and not getting in trouble with the law, I returned home to work before going to college.  Hang on----I'm getting there.  That summer, the summer of 1971 or 1974 (not sure anymore) they were building a new Christian Church at the end of main street.  I stopped and started visiting with the contractor there.  One of his first questions to me was: "are you a Christian?"  My answer was no, I am a Methodist.  I knew what he was asking and knew I did not have Jesus in my heart.  But, you know, fake it to make it!
   He explained and asked again; I lied and said yes.  I really did not.  However, I was, or thought I was really good at "FAKING IT" for others to see.  You see, I could not or would not want to "fail" because of pride; so, I lied.
    In 1974-76 one of my best friends, Alan Combs, shared interesting things from the Bible, little tid-bits that would grab your attention.  He never preached to me, but we visited a lot about the Bible. Alan was, in the 70's considered a "born again Christian" and I was not.  I was a live and well Faker. With Bill and Glory Gaither on the 8 track in the car, coming across Arizona with Alan I accepted Jesus Christ as my LORD and SAVIOR.  
   The spring of 1976 I quit "faking it" and started living for Christ.  Oh, yes, I have been in God's favor and out over the years; but the good thing is-----GOD IS FAITHFUL.  Twelve years ago, at age 54 I rededicated my life to Christ.  I was a faker for 27 years, then walked in and out of favor with God for 27 years before fully realizing eternal life and true freedom---freedom in Christ.
   I say all this to stimulate you and your relationship with God.  I was good for 27 years, then knew Christ 27 years but wandered, and now I intend to live out my life for Christ.  I pray at the end he will say as they did in Matthew 25:23
"His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
  May you find the way and follow it and help others to find the way.  Matthew 7:14  "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
   Thank you for being with me this morning. May God bless you richly.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny
 

Is your church GROWING or is it STAGNANT???? Acts 2:42-47

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
   Please pray for the people of Oklahoma, Tulsa, Moore and surrounding communities as they were hit by a tornado.  Take just 30 seconds to pray and your prayer will be heard.  Thank you.
   Ever encounter someone who has a different twist on believing.  I encountered a young man who said he believed in God, but also believed there were different routes one could take to God.  I told him the Bible says only one way, to know and accept Jesus Christ in your heart.  He responded that was the way he was taught growing up, but believed differently now.  Hmmm!
  Where did we, as Christians, miss the mark?  Or did we?  The first Christians used to go to the synagogues and Temples for worship and instruction in the scriptures.  However, their belief in Jesus as the Messiah created friction with Jews who did not believe in Jesus.  So what happened?
   They ended up meeting in homes for prayer, communion, and teaching about Christ.  Many of these people were excommunicated from the church because of their belief.  If you will look at Acts 2:42-47 it talks about the first church:
      42) they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers; (staying in fellowship with one another)
      43)And fear (awe) came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles (miracles);
      44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common (there were in one accord, all believing the same);
      45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (they sold all they had and helped others with what they could); 
      46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (the first Christians met daily, believing the same, ate, and fellowshipped with each other--ALL BELIEVING THE SAME!  AND they were happy.
      47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people.  And the LORD added to the church daily such as should be saved.  (When people saw their zeal for worship and brotherly love it was as a contagious virus, running throughout, and others desired to be a part of what they had.
     A healthy, loving church will grow in numbers.  Is your church growing or is it stagnant?  Again, verse 47 says---and the LORD added to the church daily----will others feel your zeal, your commitment to Jesus, to God?  My pray for you and me is that others will, as the first Christians showed, others will want to have what we have- Jesus Christ!  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

SONG: I've got the love of Jesus---where? Down in my heart!

Good morning all!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
       I am studying in 1 John chapter 4.  This chapter warns us against false prophets and false doctrines.  However, when you reach verse 7-10 this tells us that God sent His Son into the world that we might live through him.
      Verse 9 tells us God showed us how much he loves us by sending his only Son into the world to that we might have eternal life through him. 
      Verse 10 "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
     Love explains: 1) God created us........because he loves and created people to love
                 2) God cares......because God loves us he will care for sinful people (me & you)
                 3)  Free will.......we can choose God or not, but God wants a loving response from us
                 4)  Christ's death.......this was God's solution to take away our sins, through HIS SON!
                 5)  Eternal life.......for us, (you & me) to believe in Jesus Christ our reward is eternal life.
   Love,  true love, is the antidote for evil.  If you truly love as Jesus did, there is no room for evil.  Yes, we love our families.  We care about our friends and neighbors----but do you really LOVE THEM?
     Love fills the heart----love is from Jesus----love others as yourself!  Do you truly understand this?  Or just do the bobble head shake and go on your way.
    L O V E !!!   Can you love that unclean, smelly person on the corner as well as your family?  It is tough, yes, but with Christ in your heart you can.  Love you all.
   In Christ's Love and Grace
     Johnny

Are you.....Can you become a CHRISTIAN SNIPER?!?!?!?

Good morning all!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
   Read the Harbinger?  If not, take time to read and absorb the message in there.  This year, 2015, we need to be in DEEP PRAYER for all that is going on in the world.  God told the Jews to let their land lay dormant the 7th year.  However, the priests came up with a way around that.  God was not kidding and if you will look back just 14 years and see.  In 2001 the twin towers were taken down; in 2008 we had an economic downturn (depression) so 2015 is set up for something to happen.  Oil prices are going down........what else will happen?  Hmmm!  Food for thought!  Be in prayer my friends, be in prayer!
   In the movie the American Sniper, Chris Kyle stated several times there was evil out there and he was just protecting his people from the evil.  Boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, today, there is evil out there and what are we doing to protect our family, friends, and neighbors from this evil.
   We need to become the "Christian Snipers" and go forth with prayer, armed with the word of God-- Bible, and be prepared to walk into battle with evil.  No!  Don't challenge satan or his demons, let God's angels take care of that; but, go forth and share the gospel with as many people as possible.  We can do this through Bible studies, our talk, our walk, and by sharing interesting tid-bits or events from the Bible.  Such as:

   Jericho- walking around 6 times and shouting; David and his pebbles to defeat a giant; Joshua, who replaced Moses and spread the waters; or other events ancient and modern.  Share the word, but first, upon going on your mission - you pray for guidance of the Holy Spirit.
   The Islams, ISIS, Skin-heads, Neo-Nazi's, Communists, and many others actively go forth recruiting for their "cause"; while we sit back and say, "Oh, I will pray about it" then forget.  Uh-huh!  You know!       
          Take up your cross! Go forth and touch someones life.  If only by touching one, you may start a snowslide.  In Romans 7:18-20 
¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
²⁰ Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me      This is telling us that our flesh is weak, is sinful, we tend to want to do good, yet something turns us another way.  The sinful nature keeping calling us back, and this is another reason we need to realize we are in war.
   1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
  So, if we are of God, we need to let God lead, not get ahead of Him, and be ever faithful to His calling. Can you become a Christian Sniper, shooting holes in the false religions who are casting "doubt darts" at all your friends and neighbors as well as family?  Can you fight for God, or just trip along with the "status quo" attitude?  Holy Spirit I just pray you touch each of us, lead us to do God's work here on earth, and to give God all the praise and glory.  Amen. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

You are a MINISTER! Soo, do your job! Eph 3:7

Good morning all!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!
    In the past few weeks I have visited with you about being ALL IN,  taking that FIRST STEP, moving forward in the word and doing works for Christ.  Let me share another point that has come to me and opened my eyes.  Yesterday I visited about FAITH, but let us go a few steps further.  WORKS!!
    Are you saved by works?  NO!  But without faith comes no works for the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 3:7 "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power."
   You are not to be a spectator, watching others do the work of Jesus Christ; but YOU WERE MADE A MINISTER.  But how?  according to the gift of the grace of God!!! That is how!  And what else? Given to you by the working of HIS---who is HIS?---well GOD of course---HIS POWER.
    You may think of yourself as no one special, just someone who believes, goes to church, and tries to do what God wants you to do.   Maybe so!  However, you are a minister and what you do does have an effect.
    Ever throw a rock in water?  What happens?  A splash, then the remnants of the splash are ripples.  Jesus Christ jumped in this pond we call the world and made a big splash and His ripples are still moving, still affecting people world wide.  What about you?  You are a minister, you should make ripples as well.  Huh?  What do you mean?
   When you go forth, even when you don't feel well or even feel like doing so - you go forth, help someone in need, they go forth helping someone, and the ripple goes on and on.  Oh, yes, Billy Graham made a big ripple in the world, your ripple may not be as big or as world felt; nonetheless, your ripple will carry on.
   The Bible teaches us if we are faithful with a little then we will be given more. Luke 16:¹⁰ He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
  So, what I am saying here is, if you are ALL IN,  take that FIRST STEP,  have FAITH, and as a minister go forth you will create a ripple and things will happen for the kingdom of God.  You may not see it directly, but it will happen.  Christianity is not a spectator sport; what you do, what you say, all that you are reflects directly on Jesus Christ.  So, are you all in, jumping to make a splash and let the ripples travel and cover whomever, whereever?  It is time my friend, if you have not given it all, it is time.  Make a ripple; cause a stir; be different all for the cause of JESUS!  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
  Johnny

F A I T H !

Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   Well, yesterday was quite a mystery.  The computers would not pull up my blog or email, my wife and I were both ill, and we were 8 1/2 hours from home.  Interesting scenario to say the least.  But, we are home now, safe and sound, feeling better but not well and the computer and blog are working!  ????
   FAITH!  What is faith.  Jesus had been ministering to the Jews, healing, forgiving, preaching.  But in Luke chapter 7 you will find a centurion, a Roman officer, who is not a believer in God, and one who is in charge of many men, has a valued servant who became deathly ill.
  This man, this Roman officer, who believes not in God, but has heard of Jesus and His miracles , he sends a request via some Jewish elders to heal his servant (slave) as he believed in the healing powers of Jesus.  This man has faith, more faith than many and he knows, without a doubt, that Jesus can heal his servant.  The centurion was very humble, and stated he was not worthy of Jesus doing this for him, but asked knowing if Jesus spoke his servant would be healed.  Do you have this type of faith?
   Now, in Matthew the recapture of this says the Roman officer visited Jesus himself, however, in either case, the point is his faith.  Please understand, back in ancient times dealing with a persons messengers was the same as dealing with the person.  So all this could have been simple interpretation. Nonetheless, Jesus was asked to heal his slave.
   Now, just as the centurion could tell the men under him go and they would go; do this and they do it.  In all this saying, he believed that Jesus could say be healed and the man would be healed and Jesus did not have to go directly to the man.  This Roman officer, this centurion, truly believed in the healing powers of Jesus.  Do you have this much faith?
   Jesus' response, "I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel."
The officers faith was exceptional in the fact that he was a gentile who had not been brought up to know a loving God.  That is why Jesus made the comment.  This man had FAITH!  
   Our faith in God many times is tainted and weakened; yet we have great faith in other things.  We have faith that: the car will start, the light will come on when a switch is flipped, there will be water at the tap, gas at the station, food in the grocery, and on and on.  Yet when it comes to faith in God we tend to waiver.  WHY?
   The only thing that really matters in this whole wide world is God!  He has our retirement plan in place and He watches our every step; yet we tend not to step out in FAITH!  Many times we do as one of my daughters said to me when asked why she did not listen; her rebuttal was: 'Dad, sometimes you just have to experience it for yourself' and far too often we say this to God.  Love you all. Walk in true faith my friend.
In Christ's Love and Grace
  Johnny