A rebellious nation and closed minded! What can we do? Judges 7 - Gideon

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

   Well, well, well.  Are we a rebellious nation.  If you read Isaiah yesterday you can see a parallel.  Today I will broach another area that should be of concern to all Christians.

  As we watch the events happening in America (and around the world) we find that being a believer in Jesus Christ and a Christian may and does bring persecution.  But from whom do we get this trouble?

  From the CDC,  BLM, LBGTQ+, Antifa, Atheist, Liberal thinkers and politicians, the Abortionists, and anyone who will listen.  The problem is we, Christians, do not take a strong stand on the Biblical principles and what Jesus taught us.

   Some pastors have been put in prison for HATE SPEECH, from teaching and preaching on the principles of the Bible.  Now, if you are naive enough to believe the above mentioned are not pushing people away from the Bible you need to be on our prayer list.  

   The trouble with the above mentioned is they cast off the Bible; the trouble with the Christians is they allow this to happen and do not take a stand.  Look at what happened in Germany 90 years ago.  It started slow with Hitler and then the freedoms were slowly, but certainly taken away.  People were brainwashed into believing "THIS WOULD BE BETTER" and millions of Jews and nay-sayers were not just killed, but exterminated.  Deitrich Bonhoeffer spoke up and told the church they need to take action------they did not, consequently millions died unnecessarily.

  So what can we do???  

    We must do as Gideon did!!  First, listen to God and follow his Holy Word!  Gideon heard from God; we do too, but we don't always listen.  Gideon had around 32,000 men to fight the Midianites; God sent home all but 300 men.  They were sorely outnumbered but defeated the Midianites because GOD WAS ON THEIR SIDE!!

  GOD is on our side and our best defense is, first, to pray and listen to what God would have you do; then be active and take action on what God is telling you to do.  WE CAN MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN WITH GOD!!!!  Here is Judges 7 about Gideon.  To listen to Judges 7 click here

   Let us stand up for Jesus and what the Bible says.  Thank you for reading and if you are with me let me know.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are we a Rebellious Nation? Isaiah 1:1-7

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

    The truth uncensored about COVID.  If you wish to view this "TRUTHFUL" information please go to;  covid.daystar.com

  Last night as I listened to Isaiah chapter 1 I could not help but think about you, me, our families, our neighbors, our America.  No preaching, no teaching, no ranting or raving today.  Just see what Isaiah says and meditate on how it relates to us today.

   These passages hit me hard, specially as I look around at what is going on in America an the world:

  Isaiah 1: 1 The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

A Rebellious Nation

2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!
    For the Lord has spoken:
“I reared children and brought them up,
    but they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows its master,
    the donkey its owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know,
    my people do not understand.”

4 Woe to the sinful nation,
    a people whose guilt is great,
a brood of evildoers,
    children given to corruption!
They have forsaken the Lord;
    they have spurned the Holy One of Israel
    and turned their backs on him.

5 Why should you be beaten anymore?
    Why do you persist in rebellion?
Your whole head is injured,
    your whole heart afflicted.
6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head
    there is no soundness—
only wounds and welts
    and open sores,
not cleansed or bandaged
    or soothed with olive oil.

7 Your country is desolate,
    your cities burned with fire;
your fields are being stripped by foreigners
    right before you,
    laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.

Dear friends, if this does not get your attention I do not know what else to say.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you in CHECK-MATE?

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

   Many people who play chess know how to place beginners in CHECKMATE in 3 moves.  It has been done to me.  Well, we need to remember that in this world we live in we are playing chess with one we call satan or the devil.

  His whole goal is to put us in CHECKMATE in as few moves as possible.  When playing chess step one is to control the center of the board.  This would be you - you have to be in control.

   Then you have to develop your pieces.  This would be you and me getting into our Bible- studying and learning the word of God.

  The next step would be to make the move once and intentionally. Meaning, don't just go on gut feeling, but know, from the WORD, what is your next best move.

  In chess you want to get your king to safety.  In this world of spiritual warfare or spiritual chess (if you will) you are the king and need to remain safe and not move into checkmate.

   Here is the great thing about us playing chess with the devil - spiritually.  We have the MASTER CHESS PLAYER helping us every step along the way.  His name is Jesus and He sent the Holy Spirit here to whisper in our ear the next best move so we WILL NOT BE PUT IN CHECKMATE!!

  So as you are involved in the "chess match" with satan remember what Jesus said in John 14: 15 “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever”

17 even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him. But ye know Him, for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

    Satan is playing a chess match where he will train many to play but in the end he will lose.  Our Master is much bigger and wiser than the elements of the world.

   Remember, in this chess match, keep you eyes on the Master Jesus, listen to the Holy Spirit, and you will come out with a victory and be able to hear these words from Matthew 25:21 "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord".

   Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Luke 12:15 Abundance

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!  Let the little things go!  Are they worth your time and frustration?  Below is a devotional I get daily that is good and sometimes it really hits home with me.   The following rang my door bell and has been reading my mail. LOL  I do hope you enjoy and absorb it as much as I did.

  Credit needs to be given to Pastor Daron Lindemann of Grace Moments:  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Grace Moments I learned this lesson from a garage sale by Pastor Daron Lindemann It was the end of my second garage sale, and I still possessed a bunch of junk. Just like my first garage sale. What went wrong? My neighbor came over. We surveyed the 1980s vinyl LP records, the rusty yard tools, the unwanted clothing items, a pair of in-line skates, and everything else. “Looks like I still own all this stuff,” I complained. “Actually, it looks like this stuff owns you,” he corrected. Ouch. He was right. The goal of my garage sale was to make money, not get rid of stuff. I was holding on too tightly. In order to give it up, I wanted unreasonable prices. Nobody else agreed about how valuable my stuff was!? Jesus once said,  15 And He said unto them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”   (Luke 12:15). But our possessions disagree. They want to be our master. Our possessions want to possess us. Don’t let that happen. Don’t give in to the urge to upgrade everything. Stop expanding storage space for more of the same stuff. Admit this: Holding privileges or having things you never use (because you’re too busy earning the money to pay for them) demonstrates that your stuff owns you. Repent and reverse that trend before it’s too late. Live with contentment. Stop giving unreasonable value to your stuff. Discover more about God’s riches and how he wants to own you and bless you. Be more generous and willing to share.

The Faithful God : Genesis 6 & 19 Noah & Lot

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

   Okay, yesterday I wrote and studied about people who are lovers of self, prideful, selfish, and moving life in the wrong direction.  WELL, what about the people who are in God's fold, following God, and being obedient?  They are protected and God will bring them out of the situation.

  Genesis 6 God saw evil in man and his heart was sicken leading HIM to regret ever creating man.  God decided to destroy all living things via a flood.  HOWEVER, one (1) man found favor in God's eyes and his name was Noah.  Oh, as a side note, people had lived long long lives up to this point, and God said in Genesis 6: ; verse 3b yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.”  So man will not live past 120 years.

  Okay, back to Noah, God told him to build an ark, gave him the dimensions and said to take his wife, his 3 sons and their wives, and verses 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.   20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee to keep them alive.       Noah, his family, and creatures God told him to gather were spared from the flood.  NOAH WAS OBEDIENT TO GOD, FOUND FAVOR, AND WAS SPARED.  Lesson here is to listen to God, be obedient, and to remember God is in control.  Also, the "RAINBOW"  was created by GOD as a promise, not for the current rainbow symbol used today.  Is this a slap in God's face by non-believers?  Hmmm?

  Genesis 19 - Lot and his family.  Sodom and Gomorrah had become the "rainbow" coalition of old, if you will. (not of God's promise, but of sinful nature) They were evil, cruel, and vicious people.  Lot was sitting at the gate when two men (angels) arrived and he took them to his house.  Why? The men said they would stay on the square, but Lot knew they would be abused and took them to his home.

   Men came, young and old, and wanted to have the men to do with as they pleased in anyway they chose.  Lot said no, was drug back into his house by the angels and the men outside were blinded (by the angels) so as not able to find the door of Lots house.

   Through Abraham, his obedience to God, his discussion with God, Lot and his family would be saved.  Lot and his family, and it seems more so his wife, enjoyed the "worldly things" of Sodom. The angels told them to leave and not look back.  SIDE BAR:  This is what we are to do when we accept Jesus Christ, move forward, but don't look back at the past, the past is forgiven once we accept Jesus as our savior.  As they were fleeing to Zoar (means small town) Lots wife turned to look back and turned to a pillar of salt.  Why would she look back?  Possibly not wanting to let go of what she had?  Maybe, however, in her disobedience she is no longer.

  So, Johnny, what are you trying to say today?  I am saying we need to listen to God, heed his calling or warnings, and move in the direction GOD wants us to go to spread the word and bring glory to HIM.  But most of all, be obedient and know that GOD will take care of you in the worst of worst times and the best of best times.  HE IS ALWAYS WITH YOU!  Thanks for reading. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

2 Timothy 3:1-7

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

  Well, today, in America, in the world, we have a major crisis and it is not the COVID virus.  It is the addiction to satan and his ways.  You may say WHAT???

  Yes,  Let us look at what Paul warned Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 3 and verses 1 through 7.

3 This know also: that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

We see this now with the social media, people taking selfies, which in turn is PRIDE covering boasters & proud.  Some blasphemy, some are disobedient not only to parents but to authorities, and could care less about GOD (unholy).

3 without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers (liberals against Christians), without selfcontrol (I can do whatever I want), fierce, despisers of those who are good (here is where we have attacks on the Christians),

Please look at the words I have placed in bold and meditate on their ramifications to you, to me, to everyone.

  Verse 4 describes a lot of our liberal friends and died in the wool politicians who are out for themselves (Democrats, Republicans, Independent, etc).

4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,

5 having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. From such turn away.  You will find this in everyday living and even more so in colleges and even our seminary schools.  One pastor told me when he went they were told not to teach or preach the persecution of Christ as it would scare people away. HUH??? Unfortunately this teaching is true. :( We need to tell the truth, Christ shed HIS blood for us. 

6 For of this sort are those who creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Here I do believe this is not just "women" but the temptation of sin to all mankind.  Never really recognizing or acknowledging the truth. Please note the word "CREEP" into houses.  This, to me is compromise. Well, it was a good movie, BUT, there was some really bad language and a couple of vivid sexual scenes; BUT, it had a great theme.  Huh??

 Running with the attitude "if I ignore it, or pass over it, it will go away".  Yet it does not, and it deepens the wound even more.  This opens us up even more to satans attacks because NOW he has found, yet, another weakness.

   So, what are we to do?  We must stay grounded in the LORD JESUS CHRIST and  follow the book of facts called the BIBLE!!!   I hope this has had meaning to you today. Thank you for reading and may your day be wonderful and blessed. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What did Christ leave us? Ephesians 4:11-16

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

  Just a quick blessing I received.  My 2 youngest grandsons spent the night with us, went to Nerf and Nachos at the church last night, and are playing together today so well.  Yes, our grandchildren have more energy than we do, but so much of a blessing to watch and listen to.  Okay, on to the words for today.

  What did Christ leave us with and what are we to do?  Let's look at Ephesians 4 and take in the word:

  Ephesians 4: 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

  Christ left us to be: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.   WHY?  To equip his people (us) to do work for the Church (the church is you and me).  Christ wants us all, Christians, to all reach unity in faith.  What does unity in faith really mean?  It does not mean Methodist, Baptist, Church of Christ, Assembly of God, non-denominaional, or any others.  Unity is the one thing we all have in common and that is JESUS CHRIST!!

  The next step is to mature in our love and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  With the end goal of becoming as Christ like as possible.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.                         Once we start moving more toward maturity we won't be wishy-washy in our beliefs.  This means we stand strong on the word of GOD, and boldly proclaim the true word of Christ.  When someone comes in with a different "rule" or "philosophy", we test it with the Bible and either rebuke or accept.  We cannot be as waves in the ocean tossed left and right by however the wind blows.   Then, we all need to realize each one of us, you and me, are parts of the body and cannot be whole unless all parts are there and work together.  

It is important we great all this in love and not with anger and my way is the only way.  Jesus did much in 3 years and he stood boldly on the word as we must do.  We have more years on earth than did HE, and we must be about HIS work.  

Thank you for listening. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ephesians 4:7-10

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

  So, now let us look at Ephesians 4 starting today with verse 7:  7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

   Different Bibles have different script, however, the main theme that runs here is Christ has given us all a gift.  Gift is often referred to as grace.  So we have a gift from Jesus Christ.  Now verse 8: This is why it says:

 8    “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

   Paul is trying to depict here that when Christ was crucified and resurrected he was victorious over Satan.  When Christ ascended into heaven he gave gifts to the church (to us).

  9 (Now the saying, “He ascended” — what does it mean but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same who also ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.)   Now, these verses  create conversations between the experts.  By saying he "ascended" and "descended" some say the lower or lowly parts of the earth was earth itself, some the grave, and some Hades.

  Since Christ is LORD of the whole universe, past, present, and future.  Nothing or no one is hidden from him.  The LORD of all came to earth and faced death to rescue all people.  No one is beyond his reach.

  Some of this is referenced back to Psalm 68: 18 

When you ascended on high,
    you took many captives;
    you received gifts from people,
even from the rebellious—
    that you,  Lord God, might dwell there.

  This verse celebrates Christ's victory over evil.  It assures all of us who believe in Christ that by trusting him, we can overcome evil.  Let me have some of your feedback on these scriptures.  Very heavy for me, but very invigorating as well.  Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

 

Unity in the Body of Christ-Ephesians 4:1-6

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

   EPHESIANS 4:  As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

   God has chosen us to be representatives of Christ here on earth and Paul is telling us we must live a life worthy of the calling.  As you reflect----ARE YOU?

  Verse 2 says we should be COMPLETELY, oops, this is a word many of us skirt around, to be COMPLETELY humble, gentle, patient and showing love to one another.  DO YOU? ARE YOU?

   We should have a spirit of peace with others, however, as denominations we tend to disagree over things that do not affect our salvation.

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.    For unity we have to be willing to be led by the Holy Spirit and do our part to keep peace.  How?  We do this by focusing on God rather than ourselves.

  We all, the believers, belong to only 1 body, we should be united under 1 body, and that body is Jesus Christ himself.  We are all given special strengths or skills and we must use this special ability in God's service.    4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  

  Notice how often "ONE" is used here: One: hope, LORD, faith, baptism, God, Father of all.   And this Father is Over All, Through All, and In All.

   You and I should be rejoicing as we have a living God, the Father, who gave His Son for our Salvation so that we may have eternal life.  WOWSERS!!

   Thank you for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace,

Johnny

Psalms 2:7-12 Hope for the wise; despair for the heathen!

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

  Well, the 4th of July, a Patriotic Day and Independence Day is fast upon us.  We can celebrate our being free, free indeed.  We, you and I, are FREE from the bonds of sin through the death and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST.  Yea!!!!

  Okay, going through the verses 7-12 of Psalms 2 is my take and you need to review it and share your take as well.  I pray that I am not off base and out. :)

  7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:  He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.  This is God speaking to David telling him he is as a son to the God of Israel. This speaks of David's reign but forget not the reign of Jesus Christ.

8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.  Here, it seems, that God is speaking to his son and sons of the future.  The nations will become under the rule of God's anointed ones.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” I see taking control and being a God loving nation or they will no longer exist.

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.  Here, I see "you kings" being of Jewish and Gentile that they are warned to not take things in their own hands, but leave to God who is in control.  Pride, greed, and selfishness will make a person un-wise; they need wisdom and knowledge of God and from God.
11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. This does not mean knock-kneed trembling and scared to death.  This, to me, means serve the LORD with reverence and jubilation.  God does not want us to cower down as a whipped puppy, but to stand boldly and strong for HIM.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.  Upon first reading "kiss his son" you may say what does that mean?  This is not a literal "kiss"; but meaning to come to or accept God (Jesus) as the supreme ruler.  Also, kiss his son could be in reference to God's son Jesus Christ, that we are to embrace him and accept Him as our saviour.  BUT, if that does not happen, if we don't embrace Jesus as the savior of the world then our path is one of destruction.  God's wrath can flare in an instant.  God's thought, word, or look can destroy.
    Blessed are all who take refuge in him.  This is for all who have accepted Jesus, who acknowledge God, we are refugees and God has taken us in.  Through Jesus Christ we have no sin and are accepted by the one true and living God.  Are you blessed?  YOU ARE BLESSED INDEED!  FREE FROM SIN AND HAVE POWER OVER DEATH THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!!!  AMEN and AMEN!!

May you have a happy, safe, and enjoyable 4th of July.  Remember, God is in control, Jesus is our savior, and our inheritance is heavenly!!!!  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

When nations conspire against God's people--what does God do?

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

   So, yesterday in Psalms 2:1-3 we read about the nations conspiring against God's people.  David had just taken Jerusalem and the enemies were camped in the valley.  So what does God think or do?

   Psalms 2:4-6  The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the LORD scoffs at them.  Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.

  Okay, first, the one enthroned in heaven-- this is God and with a word or look HE can destroy His enemies.  HE, GOD, is not an earthly king that can be overthrown. So what does He do?  Laughs!  Laughs at what?  Maybe their ignorance, their refusal to acknowledge a living God, but a lot about their vain attempts to overcome God's people, HIS people, not recognizing HIS power.

  He scoffs or jeers at them. What can they do?  In their eyes they want to defeat David, but they do not see the complete picture. God has placed HIS King on Zion, the Holy Hill.   All the opposition cannot change what God has placed, in this case, David in Jerusalem.

   These are lessons we need to remember as we travel through this world that now calls evil good.  Take heart my friends, God is still in control.

   Often we look at the world and worry.  We need to be as David when he was in tune with God == go forth knowing that God is with us and will carry us through.  Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny