God's no means NO for a reason Acts 16:6-10

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

  Sooo, let us look at Acts 16 and start with verse 6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

  What?  wait!!!  Now Paul, Silas and Timothy had just finished traveling from town to town, preaching and strengthening the churches.  They come to the region of Phyrgia and Galatia and the Holy Spirit STOPS THEM FROM PREACHING!  Huh?  Why?

  Well, they travel on and 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.  

  Again?!?  The Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to  enter?  They had been strengthening churches and now another rejection to preach by the HOLY SPIRIT?  What??

  8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 

Okay, so they are moving on and searching for where God is wanting you to go.  Why have we traveled this far and now unable to preach?  What is going on?

    This all must have been confusing to the missionaries. Then, Paul has a vision.  9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

   In this vision, a man, a Macedonian, is standing and asking for help.  Is this God's vision sent by the Holy Spirit? 

  Well, as the saying goes: if it looks like a duck, if it waddles like a duck, if it quacks like a duck, then it is a duck.

   This, now, is the revelation from God that they must go to Macedonia.  But why pass the other places.  Only God knows.

  10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

  We have to listen to the Spirit and know what we are being told.  God's no means no, and his Yes mean Yes!

   Here is a map of this journey:

 

Thank you for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you, a sinner, think about your salvation? Luke 23:40-43

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

   The Gaither's used to sing "Jesus, sweetest name I know", can you truly say this?  Check out the link above.  When Jesus was crucified He was placed on a cross and between 2 thieves. Jesus was tortured beyond belief by the time they (Romans) hung him on the cross.

   Once up on the cross the 2 thieves, according to Matthew cast insults toward Jesus. However, the one thief had a change of heart.  Before we go into that, reread what Jesus said on the cross.  The biggest and most important words, to me, that HE said was, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

   Wowee!  This is for you and for me.  We are sinners, and as we walk with the LORD we become more and more like HIM.  Will we ever be like JESUS?

   Let's look at Luke, the thieves did hurl insults toward Jesus, then the one thief did an about face.  Look: In Luke 23: 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

   This thief suddenly had a revelation of what was going on.  He realized this man was of God.  So what happens next?

  Luke 23: 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

  This man, hanging on a cross next to Jesus had come to repentance and was speaking to the saviour.  Jesus did not hold grudges, blame anyone else, He knew why he was there and the reason thereof.  Look at Jesus' response:  Luke 23: 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

    All through this crucifixion Jesus did not pray for the destruction of the many, but He said to His Father in Heaven- forgive them, for they know not what they do.

   The thief must have heard these words spoken by Jesus, and we, like the thief, have received the promise of salvation but we did absolutely nothing to deserve it.

   The only way to eternal life is, as the thief recognized, through Jesus Christ.  God wants each of us to come to him, but like the thief on the cross we must own our sinfulness.  Do you?  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

 

1 Timothy 1:15 Of the sinners I am the worst

Good day fellow Christians.  A good sign on a church stated something to this matter:  The donkeys nor the elephants will help you, but Jesus Christ will.  How true!  Think about it for a moment. (red vs blue; republicans vs democrats).

   

1 Timothy 1:15 King James Version (KJV)

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1 Timothy 1:15 New International Version (NIV)

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

   Now, replace the "I" with your name.  Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom Johnny is the worst.

  Think about this for a while and let it sink in.  We point fingers at others because they sin, you know: alcoholic drunks, druggies, liars, cheats, and on and on.  However, I look at my self and I sin daily but it is not openly seen by all.  I eat too much; I "lust" after different material items.  What about you?  How are you doing in your sin world?  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Paul and Silas set forth, taking Timothy with them

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

   Different things will cross your path and cause anxiety, frustration, and even anger.  However, we must remember that these items of issue will pass and that satan works hard to cast situations before us to cause us to stumble.  My prayer is that God give me true forgiveness and acceptance of what the situation is and wisdom and knowledge to know how to deal with it.  Thus was the situation earlier with Paul and John Mark.

   Well, we are moving on with Paul and Silas traveling then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived.  Timothy's mother was Jewish and his father was Greek.  Paul decided to take Timothy under his wing and disciple him.

   Since Timothy was 1/2 Jew Paul had him circumcised to be accepted by the Jews as well as the Gentiles.

  On this venture, when Paul was out, he migrated to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles.  If you will remember in earlier chapters Peter had the dream/vision of accepting the Gentiles which was taught to all disciples.

  As they journeyed from town to town, spreading of the gospel, the churches became stronger in faith and the number of Christians (the Way) grew.  

Acts 16: Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

   This should be our mission today, to spread the word, reaching people, and seeing the depth of faith increase and the numbers of Christians grow.  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Paul and Barnabas disagree on John Mark Acts 15:36-41

Good morning my dear friends.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  WHERE 2 ARE GATHERED TOGETHER, THERE IS THE LORD!!!   How oft do we forget this.  We, the Christian people, have the power but often fall to the powers of the world because we fail to look up!

   If you remember earlier Mark, called John Mark, left Paul and Barnabas.  Now, in Antioch in verse 36 of Acts 15: 36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”

   Paul says, hey Barny (short for Barnabas) let's go back to the cities where we helped establish churches.  Let's see how they are doing and if we can help.

    Barny says, hey great idea and let's take Mark with us. Paul looks up with surprise and disapproval. verse 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

  Paul and Barnabas are best buds, however, this may throw a wrench into their relationship.  The discussion was heavy and they did split, each taking a new assistant with them.  Barnabas took Mark and Paul took Silas.  Barnabas went to Cyprus whereas Paul went to Cilicia.  Both men returned to his native land to do missionary work.  This indicates that it is important to be familiar with the people and their needs in the different areas.  However, this does not mean we don't go where we are unsure of the people or needs, but it helps to meet the needs of the people.  The idea here is that the missionary training is easier to begin within ones own cultural context.  

  The main purpose here is to feed the churches and help strengthen them.  Here is the end of Acts 15: 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and

Cilicia,  strengthening the churches.

   This verse 41 should be our goal, to help strengthen the churches as we go about our daily work for the LORD JESUS CHRIST!  Watcha gonna do fur the LORD today?  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

SAME POWER

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

  This morning, early, around 4 a.m. these two words kept penetrating my mind: "SAME POWER."  Huh?  What is going on? Well, I believe what we, as Christians, often tend to forget is that God is the same yesterday, as today, as tomorrow.  Oh, yes, we give lip service to this but do we REALLY STAND FIRM IN THIS BELIEF?

   Death does not have a grip on us because of Jesus Christ and His resurrection by God.  Acts 2: 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

  God's resurrection power is in us.  This is for everyone who receives Jesus Christ as saviour.  We simply have to believe and walk in that power.

   Jesus died to break the power of sin and now he lives for the glory of God.   What about us?     Look at Romans 6:10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.  11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

  So, we should see ourselves alive to God in Jesus Christ.  Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

  Yes, God loves each of us to the point He sent His Son to come and overcome death, giving us eternal life.  That power is the same today as it has always been.  If you study the word you will find we have the SAME POWER inside each of us.  Jesus conquered sin and death and we are the recipients of what He did.

  We live only in a shell that is holding our spiritual DNA, and when this shell ceases to exist our spiritual being will live on in eternity with the LORD JESUS CHRIST and GOD.  wow......Wow.....WOw.....WOW!

  Death could not keep its hold on Jesus, AND, it cannot keep its hold on us!!  Take time to read the Same Power lyrics by Jeremy Camp.  

Here is Jeremy Camp's video of Same Power!!  Thank you for reading today.  Remember, you have the same power as Christ because Christ lives in you!! Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you stand firm in GOD, or as a......................

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

  This morning as I wake the thoughts and feeling arise in me about our commitments and dedication and to whom, what, or where this energy goes.

   Some people wear clothes with other peoples names on them and yell at the television and we call this sports.

   Some take on the label of democrat, republican, independent, liberal, tea party, or whatever and think only they are right. 

   Some people take and twist words or statements and think it proves their way of thinking, and that this is the only way.

  Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

     When you go to the polls next month do you look to see which candidate best aligns themselves with the Christian belief?  This is not a straight party ticket vote, it is a vote for God's leadership.

   Is killing of babies okay? If not, then why do we support abortion?  Is tearing down of ones reputation okay?  Then why all the mud in politics?

   We should not be trying to tear people down and destroy them. That is the work of satan.  1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

  We need to heed the warnings in the Bible.  2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

   2 Peter 3:17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

  We must be in constant prayer and communication with our LORD and Saviour - Jesus Christ, lest we stumble and fall.  Do not speak hastily or in anger, but wait for the answer from God. 

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 

 1 Timothy 1:19  Holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,

  Can you stand up, honestly, and profess to be a Christian, standing on the principles of God: love your neighbor as yourself, forgiveness, and letting today be your daily bread from the LORD?  OR, are you severed from the vine?

  John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

  John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

   This is not a political ad, a slam against sports, but a jog to your commitment of where you are in your Christian life. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Acts 15:22-35 The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

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

   You know, events in your life many times are confusing and hard to understand, however, if we sit back, take time to pray about it, we will have a clear mind and know which way to go, where to direct our energy.  We just went through an event which caused the anxiety barometer to rise slightly, but knowing God is involved and leading makes it a lot easier.  Stay in prayer my friend.  

  Okay, we have had the Pharisees saying circumcision was necessary for salvation.  The council had met and concluded it was not through Paul and Peter's witness and testimony.  

   So now, the apostles, elders, and the whole church decided they should send some people with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch with a letter. Accompanying them was Juda, called Barsabbas, and Silas .

     22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers.

   Here is the letter - Verse 23 letter - This letter was sent unanimously from the chuch.  The letter is clear, direct, uncomplicated an simple and not lengthy.  Plain and to the point.

  The people at Antioch were elated to hear from them and the issue was permanently settled in that church.  The scripture refers to Judas and Silas as prophets.  Paul and Barnabas began heavily involved in teaching and preaching the word of salvation, the truth of Jesus Christ.  All in all, this was a great time for the believers.

  30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets,said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. [34] [d] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord. 

   When speaking of many others taught and preached the word we have to infer that many in the church, as a whole, were involved in sharing the word of the LORD.

  All seems happy and rosy until Paul and Barnabas get ready to visit some of the towns they had visited before. Now comes a disagreement between the two. More of that on Monday.  Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

The rebuke of the "legalism" presented by the Pharisees Acts 15:7-19

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. How is your day going?  May it be God filled, joyful, and productive.  Make the LORD proud today by an action, a kind word, or just a nod and smile.

  Okay, the Pharisees want the Gentiles to be circumcised and they apostles, elders and leaders all go into council.  Then first Peter speaks up, then Paul and Barnabas and then James.  This needs no commentary, it is in NIV and you will understand it perfectly.

  Acts 15: 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me.14 Simon[a] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

16 “‘After this I will return
    and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
    and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
    even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’[b]—
18     things known from long ago.[c]

19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

May you be blessed by the reading and understanding of the word.  Thanks for taking time today.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

p.s. one of my wife's devotionals speaks to who do we wish to please -  man  or   GOD!  

Filtering through the situation and belief of circumcision! Acts 15:3-6

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!  Today, take time to thank God for all you have been given from past to present to future.  God likes to hear from you!

   Well, Paul and Barnabas are on their way to Jerusalem where a controversy is brewing.  The controversy of circumcision of the Gentiles who accept Jesus Christ as LORD and Saviour.  On the way they share the good news of Gentiles being saved and people are jubilant of hearing this great news.

3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad  

    Upon arriving in Jerusalem the church was certainly happy to see them and brought them in.  Here P & B told of all that God had done through them.  Notice, they did not take the credit, but gave God the glory as we are to do also.  It was a great trip!

4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.  

     It seems that in every group there are always dissenters, people who believe contrary to what is right, and they stir up dissension among the ranks.  Well, here come the Pharisees, who grew up under the law of Moses and were reluctant to believe totally that Jesus Christ fulfilled the law and we are saved by grace.  There just had to be some works in here somewhere.  You can't be saved unless you are circumcised as was the covenant with God and Abraham.  Their eyes were blurred by the law. 

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”  

    Here was a matter to be settled.  This was to be a church decision between the apostles and elders.  Now, if they reverted back to the law of circumcision what would this do to the Christian movement?  The wrong decision at this point would have thrown the church back under Jewish bondage to the law and would have stalled the expansion of the church as designed by her LORD.  This now is a crucial time for the apostles and elders. Tomorrow we will see what happened and listen as Peter speaks concerning the decision.  You can see this in today's churches with the different "ritualistic" beliefs.  It should all be about Jesus Christ, not tongues, dancing, musical instruments, playing cards, wearing certain clothing, and we could go on and on.  IT IS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST!!!!

  6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question.

Thank you for reading. Love you all.

  

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

 

Trouble from Jerusalem Acts 15:1-2

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

  Some say when one door is closed God opens another; others say when the door is closed God  will open a window.  It really does not matter what we say, the fact is God cares for us and wants us to do well, and HE is always looking out for us.  If you and I will take a moment and look back we can see God's footprint in our lives.  Whether we make good or bad decisions, HE is always there.  Okay, on to Acts 15 - a conflict!

   Acts 15: 1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

  If you will recall, the Jews from Old Testament law were circumcised on the 8th day after birth. This was a covenant between Abraham and God.

  What causes the problem now is that Jesus has come, Jesus has been crucified, dead, buried; and Jesus rose again to fulfill the law and take away our sins so we are no longer tied to the law of Moses.

  Well, the Jews who were converted, had already been circumcised and believed this was part of the rite to become saved, were standing firm that one could not be saved lest he be circumcised.  However, now there were Gentiles as well as Jews being saved.  If you recall earlier, Peter had trouble with this until his vision.

   The Jewish converts from Judaea came and insisted on the circumcision as a requirement for salvation.  Later in the chapter it is indicated that these converts were from among the Pharisees, the strictest sects of the Jews. 

  Now if you recall Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch. So... Acts 15: 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

    Paul and Barnabas and other chosen disciples left Antioch for Jerusalem, passing through Phenice and Samaria and sharing the gospel on their way.  As we continue on they had a joyous trip and then encountered the conflict.  We'll look more into this later on.  Thank you for reading. Don't forget to pray for all. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Returning to Antioch - Acts 14:26-28

 Well, good morning again.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

I feel in my spirit we need to finish Acts 14.  Here are the verses with a short commentary.

  26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.

  Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, from where the journey had begun.  Many positive and good things were reaped from their mission trip, also, some bad as you will recall.

   It appears now that the Antioch church has become independent of the "mother church" in Jerusalem.  Once back they (Paul and Barnabas) told of all that had happened to them during this time.  The estimate is it was about one year.  They told of the faith of the gentiles and the disciples that were taught and left there.  

  Luke tells us "they abode long time with the disciples" indicating that they may have taken a year to recup and reload for another missionary journey.

  Tomorrow, Acts 15, the legalizers, the question of circumcision.  Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

God friends us all

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

   Life is interesting and many things are thrown our way, AND, in our way.  Yesterday a new tv series was on, "God friended me", which is beginning as a good show.

   It begins with a young man, whose father is a minister, and he is an atheist. The question is why is he an atheist. When he was 8 years old his mother had breast cancer, he prayed she be healed, she went to the doctor and was healed of cancer, but on the way home she was killed in a car wreck.  At 8 years old he did not understand why God did this and blames God.

   He gets a text message to befriend a girl.  Not to go through the whole story, but it shows how 1 little incident snowballs and is related to all around.  In brief, he saves a man (a doctor) who saves a woman who is looking for her mother in NYC, and his friend finds love in the middle of the process, then all works well.

   If you had seen the series you could see God's hand at work.  It was refreshing to see something on t.v. that was not sex, violence, cursing, but with a good Godly theme.

   May we remember God has us covered and we need to give him praise!

Today was different, and I would ask that you pray for all the atheists in the world as well as the Christians.  Atheists do not come in the way of proclaiming to be atheists or satan worshippers, but also Muslim, Hindu, Buddhists, and all the 'religions' that do not recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Saviour, Jehovah.

  The world can change today beginning with you and me through prayer and obedience to God.  Love you all. (tomorrow back into Acts {if God leads}.

In Christ's Love and Grace,

Johnny