Ask, Seek, Knock Matthew 7:7-8

Hello all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  WOW!  Do you watch the news?  Daily?  I really get tired of hearing fake news, biased news, and wearing out an element of news. 

   There are so many more important things to concern ourselves with.  For example, being a good steward of the Word of God and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

  In Matthew 7: 7-8 first we are told to "ask" and it will be given to you.  My question to you is do you ask God for help, wisdom, knowledge, protection ONLY when you need it?  OR, do you talk to God often asking for His guidance?  We need not be as the child who only runs to mommy or daddy when we need something.  We should have a clear communication daily with God. 

  Seek - and you will find.  I do not believe this means I want a better job, more money, nicer home, etc. and if I seek it I will find it.  I do believe seek in this instance refers to seeking God's leading, following in obedience, and then we will find 'it', whatever that is.

  Knock, and it will be opened to you.  Again, we must be in obedience to God for this to be opened to us, AND for the glory of God.  God does stand at the door and waits. God is a true gentleman and does not force Himself on us.  When we knock- He opens; when we ask - He answers; when we seek - He will show us.  However, our task is to prayerfully, quietly, and often call out to God and it will be answered. Not in our time, but in the LORD's time. 

  Matthew 7: ⁷ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:    ⁸ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

    Bill Hybels: "All we have to do is to acknowledge our need, move from self-sufficiency to dependence, and as God to become our hiding place."

  If you want to walk correctly and sincerely with each step, ask for God's help. Love you all
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
 

Proverbs 14:23 "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty."

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Today, I apologize first for running rampant and rambling.

   Have you thought about how satan is running wild in our world and stirring up all kinds of little bitty items to major items to distract from our mission, to bring the word of God to the world?

   Little bitty items - NFL  kneeling during the National Anthem.  36 U.S. Code § 301 - National anthem tells us how we are to act when it is played. But do we?

   Illegal immigrants - the key word here is "ILLEGAL".  If this happened in any other country where would those people go?  Check it out!

   Black lives matter - NO - ALL LIVES MATTER TO GOD and should to us. Not just black, but also  white, asian, foreign, latino, public servants, etc.

   Protesting the president - come on - all presidents have pros and cons - did the anti-Obama people protest?  If they did you did not see it in the media.

  Oh, MEDIA, how liberal they have become.  Instead of searching out, investigating and being certain of their information - they share what THEY WANT US TO HEAR!  Is that right?

  Then larger items - such as terrorist threats and bombings.  The radical world wishes to take over; the liberal world wants to be politically correct; the conservative world are pacifists; and then you and me - and sometimes I wonder about you. lol  Our voices go unheard.

  So, what I am saying is that satan is doing a great job of distracting us from the work at hand, which is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.  Instead we become focused, or at least aware of and talk about the events that really don't mount to a hill of beans (talking about the itty bitty items).

  Because of the flooding, heat, earthquakes, and fires- there are people in major need of assistance and we talk about kneeling at the NFL games. (NFL players play a childs game and get megga bucks to do so - does that make sense to you?) What about the people in Puerto Rico struggling from Maria; people in Houston from Harvey; earthquakes in Mexico, and on and on.

    Then the people who come under attack are police, teachers, fire fighters, military, basically public servants who put there lives on the line daily for us and are paid a penance- yet play a childs game and make millions.

  Now, new topic:

   Steve McQueen, the movie comes out tomorrow at select theaters around America.  This is the story of Steve, about fame, fortune and glory but something was missing until he found the LORD. Yes, Steve was a born again Christian.  It is playing in Tyler, Athens and Longview for you Tyler area people.  To get more information go to google and type in steve mcqueen movie.

   Thank you for tolerating my rant today.  Love to hear from you. Don't be silent - silent means to again totally. Let me know. Love you all. Here are some scriptures you may enjoy:

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Proverbs 14:23  In all toil there is profit, but mere talk  tends only to poverty.

1 Corinthians 10:31  So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

And finally, to our politicians and media: 

Proverbs 12:11  Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

Thank you for being here today. Love you all and really, really would like some feedback - positive or negative.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Committed! Are you committed to Christ? John 15:5

Good afternoon all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  An interesting thought and conviction came to mind this past week.  Are you really committed?

   Some of us will not miss a tv show, a sports event, a party, or anything else that may occur.  Why?  Because we are committed to watch or attend.  We, you and I have committed ourselves to doing that event.

   In John 15:5 Jesus says: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

   Think about these words from Jesus, the Son of God and what he is really saying.

Jesus Christ sacrificed HIS life on the cross; going through torment and anguish, so that you and I can have eternal life.  This gift is freely given by God's only begotten Son, but do we appreciate it?  Really appreciate what Jesus did for us?  Are we committed to HIM?

   If HE is the vine and I the branches; obviously I abide in Him and will do what he beckons and commanded me to do.  You also!  BUT, DO WE?

   Oh, I don't want to go to a Bible study, church can wait, no, I don't want to help the orphans, widows, and needy, just leave me alone - I worship in my own way!  Leave me alone- I just want to do what I want to do.  Quit bugging me.

  Oh how self-centered we have become - not just in America but all over the world.

  Christ took the humiliation, the pain, the suffering for me; for you; just so we could have everlasting life.  And how do we repay Him?  No, we don't have to be in a Bible study, be in a church, but we do need to read and STUDY our Bible so that we may be good followers of Christ.

   Love you neighbor as yourself.  Sometimes this is hard to do, but we are commanded to do so.  DO YOU? 

  You abide in Christ, so what do you do to show your fruit?  Is your fruit growing or withering?  Elizabeth Elliot says, "A prayerful heart and an obedient heart will learn, very slowly and not without sorrow, to stake everything on God Himself."

   Franklin Graham says: "There is not a single thing that Jesus cannot change, control, and conquer because HE is the living LORD!"

   Jesus is the light of the world. We are branches and abide in Him, so let you light shine to others each moment of each day of each year. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Listening to God! That is easy to say, but.............Proverbs 3:5-6

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Do you listen?  I mean really listen?  My wife says I have a hearing problem. I really don't - I have a listening problem.

  When we listen we are focused on what is being spoken to you.  We hear many things as we are listening - a car driving by, music, someone yelling, etc.; but are we focused?

  Proverbs 3: ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.   ⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 We are to trust in the LORD how?  With all my heart!  This means I am willing to follow God, willing to take time to speak to God AND  L I S T E N !!!

   Look at - lean not unto thine own understanding - and what does this mean to you.  The attitude I take will affect this.  If I feel I am right and know best - it may not be what God knows is best for me in the long haul.

   God is always willing to listen, but we, His children are not as good at listening as we should be.  Verse 6 - the instant we decide to place God squarely in the center of our lives, He will respond to that decision with blessings that are too unexpected to predict and too numerous to count.

   So, where are you today, leaning on your own understanding or listening to God and following His direction?

   Oswald Chambers says: "Trustfulness is based on confidence in God whose ways I do not understand.

  And Beth Moore quips "Sometimes the very essence of faith is trusting God in the midst of things He knows good and well we cannot comprehend."

   Remember, because God is trustworthy - and because He has made promises to you that He intends to keep - you are protected.

  To close with Oswald Chambers: Beware of trusting in yourself, and see that you trust in the LORD."  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Sold out to God? Really? Mark 10:17-23

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  I trust your day is going well and God is #1 in your life.

   Are you sold out for Christ?  What exactly does that mean?  Sold out means different things to different people.  In Mark 10:17-23 the rich young ruler rushed up to Jesus, expressed he has kept the commandments, and wanted to know what he had to do to have eternal life.  When Jesus said sell all you have, give to the poor, take up your cross and follow me the young rich man was sad and went away.  His possessions meant more that the goodness of Christ.

    I do not believe Jesus wants you to sell all you have, become homeless and start preaching on the street corner to others.  But I do believe HE wants us to be sold out more than a concert.  Many concerts of big name performers are sold out, you have a ticket, you go and listen for a few hours then it is over.

   Oh, you may talk about it a lot the first week or two, but then it fades and you are off to something else.  Again, I don't believe Jesus wants us to be concert sold out- where we go to church, listen to Sunday school, then the preacher, and the next week just mention what the teacher or pastor said and it is done.

   To me being sold out means God is # 1 in all I do. It means that I pray about the events in my life.  Now, here, I am speaking in terms of more major decisions.  I don't pray about if I need to go to the bathroom, or which groceries to buy, or if I should sleep or be awake.  I am talking about major decisions such as donations to various charities or churches; helping others in a Christian spirit; major purchases, sharing the word of God, etc.

   Am I sold out?  I would like to say yes, totally, but then that would be a lie, a big lie!  I am sold out in many ways, yet there are other ways I am not.  My obligation and in obedience is to be continually in prayer.

   At this point in my life I don't believe God has told me to sell everything, move to a foreign country and minister.  I do believe my ministry is here, in the Tyler area, and I need to be the Bible (walking Bible) that many see.

   I know selling out to God grants me eternal life, a life of which I cannot imagine.  I want to sell out, and I would say I am 50-60 percent there.  I, we, don’t understand God’s goodness and His genuine love for us, making selling out difficult.

  Grace Fox says it this way: " I DO believe we need to leave our money and material possessions, our time, and our talents in an open hand–willing to let Him do with these things whatever He wishes."  My prayer is that I do this.

     To be sold out, we must tear down anything we put ahead of God.  It may be your problems, finances, your house, job or car; even your loved ones can hold a greater place in your life than God.  It is not that we don't pay attention to these things, but DON'T SERVE THEM!

   I invite your comments and insights on this topic.  May you have a wonderful and blessed day. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Worry! Do not worry about tomorrow! Mathew 6:33-34

Hello fine people!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

   Since we are human, and we like to stress and worry about things, with some thriving off of drama today's study may be good for you.  It is for me.

   Matthew 6: ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

   What do you do with worries?  Hold on to them?  Let them build up inside of you? Create frustration and anger in you?  Plus, how often do we worry about what may take place tomorrow and stress over it?

    I am quite guilty of failing to take things to God in prayer; then be still and wait for an answer.  Oh, yeah, we can give excuses like I needed the answer NOW!  We tend to forget that God knows what has happened, is happening, and will happen.  We think HE NEEDS OUR HELP!  Well, HE DOES NOT NEED OUR HELP!!

   Look at verse 33 "seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness and what????????

   All these things will be given to you as well.  God will take care of what is going on in our life.  No, we don't just sit as couch potatoes, but we also don't try to take matters in our hands.  Seek God and his wisdom.

  George Mueller said, "The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety."

  Billy Graham tells us that "God is bigger than your problems. Whatever worries press upon you today, put them in God's hands and leave them there."

  E.  Stanley Jones said "Worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil."

  Thought to end with: Work hard, play harder, and if you have any worries, take them to God - and leave them there."

  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

The greatest of these is LOVE! 1 Corinthians 13:13

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  What is love?  So often we say I just love my new car; or I love to eat at XXX; or I love---I love---I love!  Do you really love these items.  If so, your heart and you are misguided.

   Love, first should be for Jesus Christ, who shed His blood for us on the cross. Next, love should be for our family and our neighbor.  Love should not be an item we just toss out hereto and fro.

   In John 13:34 we care COMMANDED(not asked) to love one another as Christ loved us.  That is a huge request, however, as Christians we need to follow it in obedience. In my opinion, we can love, maybe not like, but love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

   Often love is easy as for our children, grand-children, spouse, etc..  But God makes it clear we are to love those easy to love as well as the "unlovable" ones we encounter.

   1 Corinthians 13: ¹³ There are three things that remain—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

    As Billy Graham once said, "Suppose that I understand the Bible. And suppose that I am the greatest preacher who ever lived!  The Apostle Paul wrote that unless I have love, "I am nothing"".

   C. H. Spurgeon said "Carve your name on hearts, not on marble".

Today, be creative in the way you tell someone "I love you".  Please remember, LOVE, as is with laughter, is highly contagious.  Spread your "love disease" today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Have you listened for God today? BE STILL! Psalm 46:10

Good morning my fair weather (and foul weather) Christian friends. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

  We often hear Psalm 46:10a quoted - be still and know that I am God.  The question is do we?  If you will rise early in the morning, (before the sun comes up) step outside, listen and maybe even take a walk you will experience God everywhere.

  In the rustling of the leaves on the trees, the birds greeting the new day, 4 legged animals scurrying around, the stillness and serenity of the air, God is there.  We don't have to look for him, he is ever present.

  However, we live in a world of noise and forget to look for or appreciate these beautiful and wonderful moments.  We get up, start the coffee or tea, turn on the radio or television, and begin our day with NOISE!  Oh, what is a person to do?

   First, plan - plan to spend a few minutes each morning with God. The news can wait, ESPN can wait, even the coffee or tea can wait.  Just blot out the noise at the start of each day with a silent time.  When we are STILL we can sense the presence of God. Oh, what a wonderful feeling that is, to be present with God wherever you are.

   Charles Stanley says it well: "Quiet time is giving God your undivided attention for a predetermined amount of time for the purpose of talking to and hearing from HIM!"

   Remember, the noise and distractions are the devils tools to move us away from our quiet time, away from our communication with God.  That is the devils strength - your strength is in the LORD and can overcome.

   Psalm 46: ¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

  Love you all. In Christ's Love and Grace

 Johnny

Strength from God Isaiah 40:31

Good morning all.  It is a great Sunday morning to which many Christians consider the Sabbath.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

   ISAIAH 40: ³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

  The original "energizer" (bunny) is God.  God is there to give us renewed strength. Renewed strength to do His bidding.  Many times we become tired, discouraged, or possibly even downtrodden; when we reach this state we can draw power needed to recharge our spiritual batteries from God.

   When the disciples returned from their mission and were tired, Jesus said let us retreat to a quiet place. They went to "recharge" their batteries.  Many times we become so wrapped up in "our" daily agenda we forget God.  Our job is to let God do His work without undue interference. Take time to 'recharge'. Yet, oftentimes, because of our human stubborn nature we overload our schedule and allow ourselves to become exhausted or frustrated, and in turn forget God.

   Call on Jesus to renew your spirit; pray for wisdom to know when to rest.  Just a word of advice:  When you are tired, fearful, or discouraged, God can restore your strength.  Remember:

  "The same God who empowered Samson, Gideon, and Paul seeks to empower my life and your life, because GOD hasn't changed".  Bill Hybels

  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Spiritual growth - 2 Peter 3:18

God morning and GOD morning to all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

   Spiritual growth - and just what does this mean and why should we?  God does not intend for us to stand still; HE wants us to keep moving and growing.  Our life should be filled with praise, prayer, and spiritual growth.

    2 Peter 3: ¹⁸ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

   Many times the lessons we learn in life are painful and hard to understand and cope with.  During these times we must have courage and be patient.  But, you say, if God is a loving God why would he allow these things to happen to me?  Good question.

   You have seen the child of whom the parents do everything for, give them their hearts desires, and that child wants for nothing.  What happens?  That child is self-centered, arrogant, and is demanding.  What has this child learned?  He/she has shown no growth from childhood to adulthood. It is all about him or her.

   We are children of God, HE wants us to grow and mature to be good stewards of what he has given us.  If we are given everything, or just handed everything as the child mentioned above we will not grow and mature as Christians.

  Because of the lots cast before us, God keeps remaking us until we are the citizens of the church of Jesus Christ that HE wants us to be.  He gives us direction, perspective, wisdom and courage.  When should we accept these spiritual gifts?  Right now, this very moment.

   We are not as mature Christians as we should be and when an event is cast before us maybe we should ask, "what lesson is God trying to teach me"?  Then learn from it.

  George Mueller once said "The vigor of our spiritual lives will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our lives and in our thoughts".

   "God's plan for our guidance is for us to grow gradually in wisdom before we get to the crossroads". Bill Hybels

   Let me leave you with these thoughts - no matter what level of spiritual maturity you have, you can always grow; AND, show your children the way to know God better by daily devotions, prayer, and witnessing.

  Again, 2 Peter 3: ¹⁸ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Spirit in you--- Hot or Cold?

Good morning all. I bid you a good day with God's speed.  May all your thoughts and actions bring honor and glory to God. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

   When thoughts enter your mind do you just pass them off or think about them?  Sometimes crazy far out thoughts like why am I good looking instead of rich. LOL Then other thoughts that lead to deeper meanings and understanding.  For example, how often have you read a verse in the Bible and it was "just a verse".  Then one day you read it again and suddenly realized - wow - this is powerful.  I believe the reason for that is we may not be ready for the knowledge of that verse in the past, but our growth has moved us to the point we are ready to read and understand.

   We, as Christians, have accepted Jesus Christ to be our saviour and son of the only 1 true and living God.  When Jesus left the disciples He left the Holy Spirit here to guide and direct us- John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

   Psalm 31: ⁵ Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

   We need to commit our spirit.  So often we treat the spirit like our water taps. We have hot and cold knobs; a combination of these creates warm. When we commit our spirit to God, we should be turning on ONLY the HOT TAP!  Doth it not say in the Bible be either hot or cold, but if lukewarm you will be spewed from his mouth? (Revelation 3:15-17)

  In our daily walk it is important, in my opinion, to ask God to give us what Elisha asked of Elijah, to double our portion of spirit. 2 Kings 2: ⁹ And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

  Elijah said if you see the sign it will be given.  Maybe we need to pray, asking for a double portion of the spirit and then be alert to see the sign.  If we don't receive a double portion, then our time is yet to come.

   I know that I need to do as David requested in Psalm 51: ¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

   I have not committed the acts David did, however, in my own sinful live I have committed sinful acts.  It is time for a clean heart and a renewed spirit monthly, weekly, daily, and each moment that we are allowed to traverse this world.

   To conclude, the Spirit is like a river running through us, but we have it funneled into hot and cold water taps because we choose to be in control.  Which tap will you open today?  Hot, Cold, or combination (lukewarm)?  Do you want control? OR, do you want God to be in total control?  Hot or Cold?

   Thank you for listening/reading today.  May your day be blessed beyond your wildest dreams. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace,

Johnny

Acquaintances- passing friend - social friend? Hmmm!

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

    What  is the difference between the three - acquaintance - passing friend - and social friend?

   According to webster an acquaintance is a person whom one knows slightly.  However, in the Bible it seems that acquaintance has a different meaning. Psalm 88: ⁸ Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them:

   Jeremiah 20: ¹⁰ For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my acquaintances watched for my halting,

   Luke 23: ⁴⁹ And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

   Here you have King David, Jeremiah all speaking out; and then Luke telling about Jesus.

   So, after reading these verses, let me ask you - is there a difference between the three?  Really?

   Obviously, to me, an acquaintance is someone I have met causally but not regularly, yet aware of them.

     A passing friend is one whom I would share a glass or tea or cup of coffee while engaged in idol rhetoric.

     A social fiend is one whom I know and do things with, i.e. dinner, lunch, go to each others homes, and basically know more intimately.

   The reason I ask this is to stimulate the fact that we may not take the time to have a better relationship with others.  A passing friend, or to some may call an acquaintance of mine who lived in our subdivision recently passed away.  We would visit relatively often and shared a common interest - golf.

   For years we have talked about playing together but had yet to do so when he passed.  We did make plans to play when he returned from his trip.

•   So often, is it not easier to engage in idle  rhetoric than actually take action?  How often do you say, ‘hey, we need to get together some time’, or ‘yes, let’s do that –call me’  and even  the big LIE ‘ I will pray for you’ and not really be totally sincere.  Maybe sincere in thought and intentions, but you know what they say about intentions – they pave the road to …………..

•

   I would encourage you to take time to actually engage in doing something with an “acquaintance” and experience the joy of a new friendship or possibly renew a friendship.  Maybe it is family or long time friends you need to step forward in doing something with them – then DO IT! 

   I do hope you find my wanderings understandable.  Don't just talk about doing something with an "acquaintance" or "passing friend" - make an effort. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny