Proverbs 30:7-9 Let us stand strong in the LORD!

Good morning to my brothers and sisters in Christ !  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  And, YES,------TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

Is satan neutralizing your witness?  Think about this for a moment. 

          Let me share Proverbs 30:7-9 “Two things I ask of you, LORD: do not refuse me before I die:  Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.  Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God.”

  What is this saying to you?  To me I should not lie, gossip, talk about others but recognize the facts.  I should be content with the state of which I am in, not rich nor poor, but have everything just right with the LORD, who provides my daily worth, my daily being.

   If I have too much then I will become self absorbed and believe it is ALL ME, and not recognize that the LORD has given me all that I have.  Nor do I wish to be in poverty and a child of God, because them, due to the circumstances I may do something (steal) that dishonors my God or even blame God.

If you will look at these verses – study for a moment – you will see how satan could easily and quickly neutralize your witness.  I should be upright and honest – no falsehoods.  I should desire to have what the LORD wishes me to have – my daily bread.   Become neither rich nor poor.  Satan is a master at twisting words and would enjoy turning these words against you.  Do you see where satan would like to slip in and ruin your witness?

Our God is a loving God and a jealous God.  We should have no other gods before us.  Satan will throw all he can out there to move us away from God and more into the “things of life”; thereby ruining our witness.

My prayer for you and for me is that we will be as strong in spirit as Daniel and the 3 were when up against kings.  Thrown into fire and come out unscathed; cast into a lions den and come out without even a scratch.  Lord, may we have the spiritual strength of these men, I ask this for us, your humble servants here on earth. Amen. Love you all.

In Christ’s Love and Grace,

Johnny

Are you tossed to and fro; False preachers tempting you?

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

   Our travels as a Christian are much the same as an airplane pilots.  When a plane is traveling from destination A to destination Z it will experience wind turbulence.  Because the wind blows the plane will be blown slightly off course and the pilot has to keep adjusting.

   Our lives as Christians are the same way - as we traverse the hills and valleys of life we experience wind, turbulence. This wind comes in the form of false prophets, unsaved people offering temptations, and just the worldly temptations in general.  So what are we to do?

   We must ground ourselves in the Word of God, staying steady to the course, constantly adjusting to finish the course.           Ephesians 4: ¹⁴ We must stop acting like children. We must not let deceitful people trick us by their false teachings, which are like winds that toss us around from place to place.

    This is the beginning of a new week.  Begin with 120 seconds or more of prayer and try 29 minutes of Bible readying.  Don't have time?  That is a cop out - you have time to do insignificant things or be on social media - what is important in life?  JESUS CHRIST!

    2 Timothy 4: ⁷ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
My your week be blessed and prohave fought a good fight, I have fisperous. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

The SABBATH, keep it HOLY!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Yes, a few things have changed in me and I can truly say ‘TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED’!

  Psalms 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.   OR    if you are walking in a way pleasing to God He will help us, even when we trips we won’t fall as the hand of God will hold us up.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. 18The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored. 19 As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.

Today, Sunday, be in reverence, humility and obedience to God.  Pray for the church of Jesus Christ that the warriors may plant many seeds and the nation will once again turn to One Nation Under God. Love you all.

In Christ’s Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you an Angel?

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

Angles!  Have you ever thought about angels?  Really thought about angels????  There are cherubim, seraphim, warring angels, ministering angels, and earth angels.   I would venture to say we are probably earth angels.  Huh?  Why do you say this?

   Earth angels walk the earth and are of flesh and blood, the earthbound division of angels. 

In Haggai 1: ¹³ Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord.

  In Hebrew the LORD’s messenger is malakh, which in Greek is angelos and stands for angel.  Haggai is called as angel of God, as is John the Baptist

  And what is an angel?  An angel is a being sent by God, a messenger, someone on a divine assignment, who is taking God’s message to those who dwell on earth.

  Then who are the angels?  Where are they?  The angels are ones who are born again, born from above, ones who have accepted Christ and are taking the message of God to all who dwell on earth.  Where are they?  They are all around and they will meet the divine appointment set forth by God.

   It is you and I, who are to deliver the message to all.  In Greek it is called the euangel, in English the word is evangel like evangelism.  Notice within this word is the word “angel”.  Hmmm? Coincidence?

   It is no accident so when you take the message from God and deliver it here on earth you are being angelic, plus, in the process you may be an angel to someone.  We may spread the seeds as we spoke yesterday, or we may be the angel someone needs today through a kind word, kind act or deed.  Maybe purchase an item for someone just because you felt God was pushing you that way.  You have been blessed and are sharing the blessing.

Mark 16: 15And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

So, go forth my dear angel friend and see what God has in store for you today. Love you all.

In Christ’s Love and Grace

Johnny

Miracles are alive and well! Look for a miracle today!

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

Do you believe in miracles?  Miracles happen every day but so often we are so derailed and detached from the Word of God and the Spirit that we don’t even see them.  Let’s think about a garden. You go down and purchase the seeds from the store.  All these seeds are sitting, waiting in a package to be unleashed and their miracle released.

   As long as these seeds sit in the package what do they do?  They lie dormant and produce nothing.  How often is our Christian life as the seeds in a package – lying dormant and producing nothing.  Well, what are we supposed to do?  Take the WORD, GOD gave us the seeds, called the WORD OF GOD and we need to immerse ourselves with the seeds (word) so they can be spread.

   When the seeds come out of the package you plant them in your garden that has been prepared.  You don’t just cast them out  and say “Good Luck”!  The ground is fertile and ready to bear seeds.  The ground where you walk with the WORD in you is fertile ground.  Now, yes, NOW is the time to plant the seeds.  But what if the people don’t listen.  Oh, but they will, they really will when you walk in the Spirit of God.  If you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, then you will find the rich soil to which the seed must be planted.  It matters not their dress or demeanor; what matters is your heart and being in tune with God.

   But the people I encounter don’t want to hear the word. AND, I see people I really don’t want to be around or talk to.  Wait!  If you are walking in the Spirit, you just have to be obedient; the Spirit will make them open, make them fertile.  You don’t have to preach a sermon, or even read scripture, you only have to listen to the spirit and do what the spirit moves you to do.  It may be as simple as helping someone which blesses them – the door will open.  It may be knowing you need to pray for a person and pray for them – the door will open.  It may be reciting scripture – oh, but I really don’t have any ‘good’ verses memorized – but when the time comes the Spirit  will give you the words.

    It is a miracle, believe in miracles.  A seed is a seed; you are you!  When the seed is planted in rich soil – when you are in the Word – Matthew 13:3-23 (Parable of the sower) you will bring forth 100 times, 60 times, and 30 times what was planted.  Now that is a miracle.  Soooooo, go today, my friend, and plant a seed so it may sprout and bring forth much fruit.  Tis not for you to count, but to do.  Let today be the first day of the Miracles You will Unleash. 

1 Peter 1:23 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever."

Love you all.

In Christ’s Love and Grace

Johnny

Road to destination

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!  Well, are you willing to accept my challenge of 15 minutes daily with a Bible, not a mobile device? Let me know.

  Have you ever stopped and thought back about the journey you have been on in life?  If you could name the roads what would you name them?  Maybe in our youth we travel the road of ignorance, then, as we continue on the road of arrogance.  Then we start a job and travel the rocky road, and as we understand more and learn the smooth road.  Later we hit many difference roads – sandy road, winding road, steep road, bumpy road and on and on.

   What is wrong with naming these as our roads through life?  Nothing, however, our eyes may have shifted from the destination to each journey.  Huh?  What does this mean?  Well, our destination should be to follow Jesus Christ, do the father’s bidding, with our final destination being in the heavenly realm with God our Father.  All this while we must remember as Christians we are not promised a 4 land smooth paved road.

  In ancient days (and some in America) they had the road to Athens; Emmaus Road, the road to Damascus.  All  the roads had a name leading to their destination.  When people see us, do they see us on the road to our destination?  To be God-like; to show Jesus’ love to one another?  

  In our road of life we will find all the above mentioned roads which is not to say we are not under the Father’s care, but we do need to remember our final destination.  It is important for us to remember, once we choose to follow God we become prey to satan and we must remember to pray.  A very pleasant and easy road may lead to a cliff; whereas a road of rough terrain may lead to the Holy City.  

Today friend, take your eyes off your circumstances, and focus on your destination.

Matthew 7: 15 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (NIV version)

            Phillipians 3: 12 “I am not saying that I have already got all those things. I have not yet become completely as God wants me to be.  I am not saying that I have become like that already. But Christ Jesus has made me his own. And it is my whole purpose to become completely what he wants me to be. I am like someone who is running strongly to read a certain point.  13 My friends, I do not think that I have reached that point yet. But this one thing is what I do. I forget past things, which are behind me. And I try very much to reach the things that are in front of me.  14 I run straight towards that point, so that I can win God’s gift. God has chosen that I should live in heaven. Then I will be united to Christ Jesus. This is his gift to me. (Easy English version)

Thank you for reading. Today, wherever you go, go to meet what or who God wants you to encounter. Pray for them, share your blessings, then move on.  Love you all.

In Christ’s Love and Grace  

Johnny

Mobile device or BIBLE? Where are you hooked?

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

   Okay, I will be stepping on some of your toes today and all I can truly say is: "GET OVER IT"!  Because if I do, then this is speaking to you.

   My BIBLE!  Where is your Bible?  Off in the corner, gathering dust or sitting close to you that you pick up and use daily?  I have looked at several "researcher" results and this is amazing and sad all at the same time.

  Now these are averages, averages meaning some use very little or not at all to some who use social media constantly.  The average person is on youtube 40 minutes a day, facebook 35 minutes a day, and snapchat 25 minutes a day.

  Oh, yeah, you may not be one of these people, but check yourself out - really! Teens tend to spend up to 9 hours a day on social platforms - 30% on social media, and 60% of their time is on mobile devices. Listen to this - people average116 minutes on social media everyday, which translates to a total of 5 years and 4 months spent over a lifetime.

  Many times we claim to be "multi-tasking" - which really is a deception.  When we do more than 1 thing (multi-task) at a time, one will gain the majority of the attention and the other(s) with get partial attention. Argue all you want, but it is true!

   Now, let me ask you. Will you spend just 1/4 of the 116 minutes a day in your Bible?  This is 29 minutes for your Bible - no prayer time included. Do You? What if you put your phone down, put the timer on for just 15 minutes and read your Bible?  What would happen?

    Your phone looks worn and used, broken or cracked screens and all whereas your Bible looks new (which indicates lack of use). What is wrong with this picture?  Oh, yeah, that phone is great - yes it'll get you to heaven. Not! Needing our phone ALL THE TIME is deception of the devil.  My challenge for you, and let me know if you do - spend 15 minutes each day just reading your Bible.  If you accept my challenge let me know and maybe all who do can meet once a month and share how it made a difference in your life (challenge starts today 24th and we'll meet Feb. 24th to share).

  As humans we tend to seek personal satisfaction so we turn to social media or internet surfing. Look at the scripture:

Proverbs 1:

³² Sin and self-satisfaction
bring destruction and death
    to stupid fools.
³³ But if you listen to me,
you will be safe and secure
    without fear of disaster.”

Accept the challenge with me and let's do less phone and more scripture. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Jesus is our light, darkness flees!

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

   You have probably heard people say I am not afraid of the dark, just what is in the darkness.  This stands to reason as we cannot see in the dark as we are not nocturnal.  If you are standing in a long hall way, no windows, just walls and a door at the other end it will be difficult to see at best. But, when the door cracks, just a little, our vision increases.  When the doors at the end of the hallway are fully open we have the vision to see all.

    This is Jesus, He is our light.  Just as we have lighthouses for ships at sea. Why?  To help them see danger is ahead; without the lighthouse many ships would be destroyed, would perish.  

John 8: ¹² Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

                                    Psalm 119:105 You word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

  Here is a youtube of a lighthouse and Jesus.

   Our spirit is willing but our flesh is weak. If we will just look for the light that will brighten our world we may have troubles, but in obedience, we will not be shipwrecked.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Why the blood for passover, why the blood of Jesus?

Hello friends of Jesus Christ.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

In ancient times the holiest day of the year was Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a special ceremony that took place.  What would happen?

   The high priest would stand before the people with 2 identical goats, one in each hand.  Then he would reach into a pitcher or urn and pull out 2 lots, 1 for each goat. Why?

    1 was to be sacrificed and 1 was to be set free.  Before the sacrifice there had to be a presentation of 2 identical goats before the people.  This would determine the destiny of each goat.

   Now remember Moses and the passover, when they spread blood over the door posts so the death angel would passover any who had this mark.

   How does this relate to Jesus? (I hope I explain this and don't mess it up). Now, when Jesus, the Messiah was brought before Pilot what happened.  Remember the sacrifices have to be identical.  So when it came time and Pilot said he could set someone free who did the people call for?  Barabbas - a murderer.  Okay - you say how are they identical?

   Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the Son of the Father.  Barabbas comes from 2 Hebrew words - bar - which means son and abba - which means father.  Barabbas means the Son of the Father ---- 2 lives ---- each one bears the name  the Son of the Father.  So, there is the sacrifice of one and one set free.

    So, Jesus, God, died in our place as he was like us, flesh and blood, in the likeness of sin, then we would be identical.  Also, as the passover, the blood on the  wood ordoor jams; Christ's blood was also spread on wood, the cross where he was crucified.

Leviticus 16: ⁷ Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. ⁸ He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord and the other for the scapegoat. ⁹ Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering. ¹⁰ But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.

  And now read what Pilot did in Matthew 27:15-24.

It is all very interesting and there is more to the Bible than just casual reading. Oh, in Leviticus brings up another topic --  scapegoat !!  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

p.s. several sources tell about the name Barabbas, but you can check it out here.

I wonder........Hmmmm.........I wonder.......

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

  I wonder.........Do you ever stop and wonder what God was thinking when he ---------?  Why did he make me?  Why did he make you?  Why is that person quiet and the other loud?  Why is that person famous and the other not?  Why are you where you are in life today instead of where you visioned yourself?

   Hmmmm -- I wonder............

I wonder about that person sitting in the front row!  I wonder about that person sitting by the door!  I wonder about that person on their phone!  I wonder about the pastor and staff! I wonder about ME!

  But my biggest wonder is what can I do for: the person in the front row; the one sitting by the door; person on their phone; the pastor and staff; you and me?

  Maybe, probably, most likely, I need to be in tune with the Spirit and instead of looking around, I need to focus.  Focus on God and how HE wants me to pray for each of these people.

   Instead of greeting people with, 'how are you today?' I should greet them with "HOW CAN I PRAY FOR YOU TODAY"?  My focus should not be on me and my thoughts, but what God wants me to do now, today, this week, month and year.

  I wonder what God was thinking when he created YOU and ME?

         Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders. And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen. – Psalm 72:18-19

    Matthew 15: 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

  I wonder if I need to put:   my phone down, my needs behind me, my wants behind me, your spiritual needs forward, my spiritual needs forward, and on and on.  Today is the day to focus - not on the people around us but on God and His mission for us today.   I wonder.........     Love you all

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Jesus wore a crown of thorns? Do you understand the point, the symbolism? ?

Good morning all. Sorry for being so inconsistent in doing my studies. God willing I will do better.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

   Pray for all the people who are having to endure the in-climate weather.  Ice and snow is foreign to most people in central to south Texas.

  Jesus, King of the curse.  Hmm!  Why would I say this?  Let's look into this further.

Why did Jesus wear a crown of thorns?  The most common answer would be that the soldiers were mocking him as king.  A crown is a symbol of royalty, power, wealth and glory.  But Jesus' crown was made of thorns.  Why?

   When man fell, Adam and Eve, the consequence of that fall was the curse: cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you…” (Genesis 3:17-18,)

  The thorns were the sign of the curse, of a fallen world.  The Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:29) unknowingly took an object of the curse and fashioned it into a crown for the one who would deliver us from that curse.

          “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’” (Galatians 3:13). Christ, in His perfect atoning sacrifice, has delivered us from the curse of sin, of which a thorn is a symbol.  All of this was intended to be a mockery, the crown of thorns was an excellent symbol of who Jesus is and what He came to accomplish.   What the Roman soldiers meant as a mockery, was in fact a picture of Christ’s two roles, first of suffering servant (Isaiah 53), and second of a conquering Messiah- a King.

   The crown of thorns are linked to the curse, and the curse is linked to death.  So, the crown of thorns ordains that Jesus, the Messiah, will die, yet rising in 3 days.  He will bear the weight of the curse upon His head, thus becoming the King of Thorns or the King of the Curse.  Since a crown represents authority of one who reigns, then by Jesus wearing this crown He is bearing the weight of the curse and becomes king over it. Since Jesus is King of the Curse he is the king of us all who are:  broken, pierced and wounded, rejected, overcome with tears, the fallen.  Therefore, all of us who are fallen and call on Jesus as our Saviour do find redemption. He who wears the crown, Jesus, has authority over all things.  Jesus will turn our grief into joy, death into life, and our thorns will become blossoms. 

   Please read these verses:  Isaiah 53:1-3; 61;1-3, Today, bring all your thorns - the misery, the anguish, hatred, sorrows, wounds, sins of your life and give them to the King of Thorns, putting all you have under His authority and then rejoice in the LORD, rejoice I say.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Heartbeat away from Heaven!!!

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

    Have you thought about a rock.  There used to be PET ROCKS back in the early 70's.  People liked them because they were:

   good solid friends (pets)      never caused a commotion

   always stay where you put them        don't eat or have to go outside

   And, if left outside they could tell the weather:  If hot - it was sunny; if wet - it was raining;  If white - it snowed.

   Well, a rock usually remains the same, yet it has no heartbeat.  You and I have a heartbeat.   God created us with a heart beat which works whether we are awake, sleeping, wasting time, working, gossiping, in moments of despair, in moments of joy - no matter what our heart keeps beating.

   Now a rock will remain the same with no heartbeat. A rock changes from an outside source.  We are run by a heartbeat - when our heartbeat stops we change.  Our life is a miracle and it strives to exist.  We are created through the miracles of God and we should live each day as a miracle of our existence.   We have 1,440 minutes per day to make our time worthy of God.  This equates to 10,080 minutes a week, to 524,160 minutes a year we can take the miracle, Me, YOU, that God created and do something worthy of praise for God.

   When our heartbeat stops, we leave the footstool of God and move to the heavenly realm with God.  We are only a heartbeat away from heaven.

Psalm 139:

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them!

Thank you for reading. Have a great and safe weekend. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do we do as Solomon? Focus on God, then drift away?

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

   We live a life of ups and downs; positive and negative; good and bad.  The hardest obstacle to tackle is staying focused on what is important and maintaining that path to avoid the potholes, sinkholes, and destruction.

   Think of King Solomon.  In 1 Kings 3:5-15 you will find Solomon's prayer for wisdom.   The LORD came to Solomon in a dream, Solomon asked not for riches, wealth and power, but for           w i s d o m to rule over the people.  God granted this and because he asked not for himself selfishly God did bless him with riches and peace.

   Now, at this time Solomon was focused on God.  However, he did have a weak spot and that was for beautiful women.  His first wife was the daughter of Pharaoh of Egypt.  However, as time progressed he tended to take 400 wives of royal decent from neighboring countries.  No problem - right?  Not while Solomon was focused on God.  The problem came in the fact that Solomon let these wives bring their "gods" into God's kingdom; BUT, even worse they built shrines to these gods and were allowed to worship them. Slowly Solomon's fervor for God dwindled. Then after his rule his son only succeeded him as king of Judah, 1 tribe only.

   Now, let us take that and see how it relates to us in our lives. When we first become (king or queen) accept Christ, we are "HOT" for God.  Ready to jump in, do what we can for God's glory.  The problem arises when satan sees our fervor AND our weaknesses.  Satan moves to strike us hard in our weaknesses to divert our attention away from bringing GLORY TO GOD!  Upon accepting Jesus as LORD and saviour; we now have an enemy in satan. We are at war!!!

   So, what is your "wife of a foreign country" that becomes your god to which you focus on more than the one true living GOD?  Now, remember Solomon did a lot of good.  He rebuilt the temple of God and it was richly decorated and ornate from the riches his father, David, had laid in store.  God came to Solomon in 1 Kings 9:1-9 Jehovah appeared to Solomon and told him as long as does all that God commands, keeping His statutes and His judgments then God( 1 Kings9: 5) will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

   God went on to say what would happen if he failed and the destruction of his kingdom.   Now, I ask you: Are you building a kingdom for God--- OR --- for the world and personal pleasure?

   Continue reading 1 Kings 9 to see what will happen if Solomon fails in God's command.  How does this affect you?  Where do you stand? World? Fence? or in God's world?  Hmmmm!   Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

A L I Y A H - an ascent

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

  God is always on the move and ten years ago today God gave me a lady whom I believe is beautiful inside and out - my wife Jo Anne.  I was single/divorced and had said I would not marry again. I did not consult God and he, I am sure, was laughing and said, "oh yeah, watch this".  It has been a blessing.

  Okay, to the morning study.  A L I Y A H = Hebrew that means exalted, to ascend, to go up.  Why would I bring this word up?  Remember we have been reading in Romans 12 where we are told by Paul of how we should serve, how to act as a Christian and to not seek revenge as it is the LORD's.

  In the scriptures when Yeshua, the Messiah, Jesus went to Jerusalem they had to "aliyah" as Jerusalem is a city set on the mountains.

So, to get there you have to go on a journey and the journey to Jerusalem is called ALIYAH.....the ascending.  This is not just because of the journey, but also because Jerusalem is the Holy City.  Today, in the modern age, when the Jewish people return to Israel, the Promised Land, their return is called Aliyah, the upward journey.

    You and I are children of Yeshua, the Messiah, of God and we must make our spiritual journey - our Aliyah.  So what is my Aliyah; what is your Aliyah -- it is our life's journey.

Our life should be an upward journey....a higher ascending....Aliyah to reach God.  And just how do we do this?  By each and every choice we make in life.  Just like climbing a mountain or a set of stairs - one step at a time.  We can choose the higher path---- OR ---- the lower path.  When we climb a mountain, we go one step at a time, then when we pause and look back we can see where we have come from.  The higher path may be harder and take more effort but once you have arrived at the peak you can look back and see from where you came.  Each step is higher than the last and takes us in the direction we are aimed.  Are you taking the right steps?  How is your ALIYAH going?  May you take the higher step in every decision; let your life be an Aliyah, an ascending for God.  Love you all.

Psalm 121-A song of ascents.

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord watches over you the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life;
⁸ the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Live peaceful, seeking no revenge with your fellow man! Romans 12:17-21

Good morning everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!  Brrr!  It is cold outside so I hope each of you are staying warm and safe.  Let us continue on with Romans 12: 17-21
 
   

¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
  We are not to do a "pay back" when someone does something to you.  We, Christians, are to do all that is honest in view of everyone. Be upright in thought and deeds.
¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
   We should live with others and be as agreeable and peaceable as possible.  However, we are not to lie down and take a beating. Being humble and peaceful does not mean to be a door mat.  We must choose which battle to take up or in other words, which hill you want to die on.
¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
    Paul tells us don't get even, no revenge. We should,  “Never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God,” (Deuteronomy 32:35)
²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
   Have you ever heard keep you friends close and your enemies even closer?  Verse 20 tells us that if we feed our enemy, give him drink, then what???  Coals of fire will be heaped on his head.  When we are kind to someone who dislikes or hates us, it really galls them and they don't understand why.  Just remember Deuteronomy 32:35.
²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
  Remember the part in the LORD's prayer: deliver us from evil.  Dark is broken up by light, let the light of Jesus shine wherever you tread.  May you gather something from todays study. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Is your love heartfelt? Romans 12:9-16

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

  In Romans, chapter 12 we are given some guidelines of how we should be with those within and those without.  Let us look at verses 9 through 16. God is Love, and Love is the overall theme of these passages.
  
⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Our love is to be genuine, not biased in any way, but true. True love will hate evil, yet cling to what is good.
¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
¹¹ Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Let your love be heartfelt; be eager to show each other honor; be set on fire by the Spirit; be devoted to prayer; contribute to -or- “participate in” -- the needs of the others, and pursue hospitality. To “participate in” others’ needs is to give of yourself and your own resources for their material needs, like food, clothing, and shelter. True love is strong, continual, and logical.
¹⁴ Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Paul tells us to bless them who persecute us, don't seek revenge, but pray for them. We should have joy and cheering for those who rejoice, yet be able to weep with those who weep.  We should have the same mind toward each other.  We definitely should not think more highly of ourselves than others.  We should be able to work with the high or low in social standings without thinking or feeling we are better than they.  In short, do not be conceited - do not tell others of the "great" deeds you did for someone.  Be humble.  Sometimes eating humble pie brings us back to reality.  May God bless the reading of HIS word today.
 Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

A New YEAR, a New ATTITUDE, a New DEVOTION!!

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

  Jan 2, 2018 --- A NEW YEAR!  A time when many make "new Year Resolutions" that last for a few days, weeks, or possibly a few months.  You know the routine, "I am going to exercise more," " I will eat right," "I will be frugal with my money," ohhh, and the biggest "I am going to diet and lose weight".  And yes, we could go on and on, however in reality maybe, just maybe 1 in 20 will follow through.

   However if we stop and meditate on what is really important and true in our life we will be able to list many things.  Number 1, the Big UNO on our list should be GOD!

Then number 2 our FAMILY, # 3 our JOB, then # 4 on we set our own priorities.          
     Romans 12: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
 Being a new year, 2018 is just a babe, less than 2 days old.  Now, yes, NOW would be a great time to do number 1 - GOD.  But you don't know all that I have to do.  WAIT!!  Is not salvation the greatest gift you have?
   Start today with Proverbs 1-2. Then on each day following do the next chapter, the 3rd Proverbs 3; the 4th Proverbs 4, and continue on for each day of the month.  Don't just read the words on a page, but read it with concentration, dedication and absorb what it says.Romans 12: 3-8 tells us about service.
  Beging this TODAY - NEW YEAR - NEW DEDICATION -
                            NEW GOD PERSPECTIVE!!
   A guideline for you from Romans 12:
⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
¹¹ Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
¹⁴ Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you,
          live peaceably with all men.
Get up! Pray, Read, then begin a glorious day in the LORD!!
May God bless your 2018 and as said in Jeremiah 29:¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
   May this all be true for you. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny