Apollos Acts 18:24-28

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  YOU ARE BLESSED, INDEED, TRULY BLESSED!!!!

  Last week I tried to push the fact that our faith may be small but grows; we are rushing like a river and must not become stagnant as is the Dead Sea.  Today I want to tell you about a man who had some knowledge, but not all the knowledge he needed to be a good disciple of Jesus Christ.

  This man is Apollos, a Jew, born in Alexandria and then went to Ephesus.  He was openly and boldly telling about the coming Messiah.  This man preached from the Old Testament and knew the way of John the Baptist.  In Acts 18 you will find a husband and wife team, Aquila and Priscilla, who heard Apollos speak.  Now rather than rebuke him openly and publicly, they invited him to their home.

  This was when they explained to him more accurately the way of God.  Once armed with this knowledge Apollos left Ephesus and went to Achaia with a letter welcoming him.  Once there he was a great help to the believers and vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

   Why do I share this with you?  Because we, you and I, need to be armed with the scriptures and go forth as did Apollos, sharing the truth, the living God, and salvation through Jesus Christ.  We need not let our knowledge trickle down the Jordan into the Dead Sea and die.  My prayer for you and me is that we boldly go forth and share God's word with the WORLD!!!  Do your part. Love you all. Thank you for reading.  The scripture of Apollos follows:

  Acts 18: 24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor[a] and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

John 4::21-26 Do you know who you are talking to?

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

  Today is Sunday, the Sabbath for many, the day after Sabbath for many, and what is the sabbath for many.  Today is the time we need to STOP, SIT, READ YOUR BIBLE  and WORSHIP THE LIVING GOD!!!

   Jesus is the living water, today in John, Jesus is speaking to the Samaritan woman and his words are heavy with meaning.  Please read, mediate, and enjoy.

John 4: 21 Jesus said unto her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh when ye shall neither on this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.

24 God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said unto Him, “I know that Messiah cometh, who is called Christ. When He has come, He will tell us all things.”

26 Jesus said unto her, “I that speak unto thee am He.”

Reread the scripture, slowly, absorb, and realize what Jesus is saying to YOU!  Thank you for reading. Happy Sabbath! 

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

River Jordan to Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea

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

  Let's talk about my Christian life and your Christian life.  Just how do we flow?  That is a great question to be asked and answered.  The Jordan River, or often called the River Jordan was where Jesus was Baptized by John the Baptist.  The river is called Al-Shari"ah or Watering Place by Arabs, Christians, Jews and Muslims.

  This river flows about a total of 155 miles, first into the Sea of Galilee and then to the Dead Sea.  The Jordan River has provided abundant life for many who fished it.  Then it runs into the Sea of Galilee, which you know from Bible studies is where many fish sustained life for many Hebrews or Jews during Jesus' time.

  Then the river comes out of the Sea of Galilee and runs about 65 miles into the Dead Sea.  First, let me tell you that the Jordan River is the lowest river in elevation (388 feet below sea level) of any river, starting high but ends going into the Dead Sea at 1,410.8 feet  BELOW SEA LEVEL.

   Now I tell you this because many time our Christian life is like the river Jordan. We are full of life, going forth with the living waters, helping people, bringing life and hope to many.  But, then, slowly we begin to leave the sea of Galilee and travel down to the Dead Sea.

   Nothing lives in the Dead Sea.  Why?  Because the water goes NO WHERE, IT QUITS FLOWING.  Life gets shut down.  We need to be as the living flowing running waters of a river: Ezekiel 47: 9 And it shall come to pass that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live. And there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither; for they shall be healed, and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

   Life comes from the water, but we need to go further and remember what Jesus said to the woman at the well.  John 4: 10 Jesus answered and said unto her, “If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee, ‘Give Me to drink,’ thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.”

   This is what we long for and strive for---the living water!  The truth, the way, and the life through Jesus, the living water.  Revelation 22: Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 

    Where does your river flow from?  From within or from the salvation through Jesus Christ?  To read more of Revelation 22:1-21 click the link.

   May your day be filled with living water and may your spread the joy of Jesus Christ as your savior.  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Acorn yesterday-----Salt today -- and Light

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

 Yesterday I talked about being the little nut, Acorn, and growing into a Big Oak Tree.  Today, let's look at what Jesus said about salt.

  Matthew 5: 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

  Let's relate this to our walk with the LORD.  When first saved you were probably "on fire" for the LORD and could not do enough or be around your Christian friends enough.  We accept the LORD JESUS as our saviour and then we must develop a relationship with Him.  So, when we were "on fire" we were riding an emotional high and lovin' it. (just like McDonalds).

  Then as time goes by the daily reading or studying of the Bible waned and the prayer time became less frequent.  So, were you losing the "saltiness"?  I think not so much as just putting the salt on the back shelf.  Well, now is the time to bring out the salt shaker, sprinkle it on and go forth.  

  Because of what Jesus did for us we can regain our saltiness as we are forgiven. In sayng this we must remain vigilante about not losing the flavor again.  Just stay in close relationship with Jesus and all will be well.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

  Now is the time to remember your saltiness, take your LIGHT and let it be a beacon to other around you.  Not just to your Christian friends, but to all that may see you, come in contact with you, know you, or just see you from a far.

   Jesus said the second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself and in doing so you will do two things: 1- glorify your Father in heaven; and 2-your light will shine so that others will want what you have (a relationship with the savior Jesus Christ).

  So, you crazy nut, go forth, be salty and let your light shine.  Thank you for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

The ACORN - and our belief

 Good morning all. Yes, it has been 3 weeks since you last heard from me. I do apologize.  

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!!!

  Thus we must not forget.

Our belief!!  How strong is it?  You know the mighty oak started out as a little nut we call the ACORN.  Is your relationship and belief in GOD doing the same?

  The ACORN is a sign of prosperity and good luck.  Well, in the Christian world we know there is no "Good Luck", but rather "GOD's in Control".  

  The acorn/oak symbolied in the Bible represents God's promise.  The best is yet to come and we need to hold on to HIM and let go of our finite understanding.  God sees and knows all, past, present, and future.

  The Acorn is seen as a symbols of growth and unlimited potential.  THIS WE ALL HAVE WITHIN US! 

   However, so often we let what we know push us back, and forget to hold on to GOD for our guidance.  One acorn can grow into a massive tree, and so may our belief.  We have had many "Big Oaks" spiritually before us - C.J. Lewis, Spurgeon, Billy Graham, and many more.

  The Big Oak is considered  a symbol of strength, morale, resistance and knowledge.

  Where do you sit right now, today, in the faith of the Father?  Dependence on HIM or yourself?

  Should we all be as the Oaks of Bashan - known for its rich pastures and thick forests?  It was also the great granary of the Roman Empire.  Much is said about the Oak in the Bible, AND, the Oak is found all around the world.  This is what we must do, spread the gospel to all in the world.

Isaiah 2: 13 and upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan; 14 and upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up; 15 and upon every high tower, and upon every fortified wall; 16 and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant sights.  17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low; and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day,

  Well, I do hope all this makes sense to you.  I have been just the seed of an Acorn lately, failing to germinate.  However, God is moving me to be strong, germinate, and go forth.  May HE do the same for you.  Sorry it has been so long.  Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny