A great testimony

 Hello and greetings,

   God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Just a testimony from a young lady.  A young lady who works at Brookshires, Angela, was walking into the store when we spoke.  I asked her how her day was going and she responded not so well.  I questioned her about this. 

   She said it was her mothers birthday and her mother died a year ago and she was said.  I told her I was sorry.  Then she said yesterday was grandma's birthday and she was 91 and they had fun celebrating with her.  I lamented that was great.

  Then she went on to tell me that a year ago when her mother was ill and in the hospital she said she saw her father, who had been dead for a time.  When her mother said she saw her dad she asked for her mom. She wanted to see her mom.  So they arranged for her mom (grandma) to come up the next day.

   When her mom came and she saw her mom (grandma) she commented that it was nice for her to bring the preacher.  Now this preacher was dead and her mom was seeing the preacher, just as she saw her dad the day before.

   Then she commented that it (what she was seeing) was beautiful.  She had never seen anything so beautiful.  Then she quietly passed on to be with her husband in heaven.

  Angela said they knew where her mom went and glad she would be with family and friends in heaven.

   When Angela and I departed I was extremely touched by her story.  I asked if she had a church. She lives in Whitehouse and does not have a church currently.  I would ask prayers for Angela and her family and that they be reunited with a good Bible believing and preaching church.

   Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Our Christian life is full of up and downs - Joseph's story - Genesis 37

 Hello and hello my fellow Christians.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

  Often we think why is God letting this happen to me?  I am trying to do what God wants me to and some bad things happen.  Why?

   An answer we really don't wish to hear is that God is in control and knows what is going on.  But why would something like this happen to me?  Let me tell you a story about a man named Joseph.

   Joseph was born in the old age of his father, Jacob.  Now Joseph had brothers, these were from other wives of his father, so they were his half brothers.  Joseph was young (and probably said things when he should have kept quiet) and at 17 he was tending the sheep with his brothers.

  His father, Israel (Jacob) loved Jacob more than the others and made him a coat of many colors.  The brothers all knew this and hated Joseph. Plus, when they were bringing in sheaves in the field Joseph told them his dream.  The dream was that they other sheaves (his brothers) would one day bow down to him.  This really infuriated the brothers. Then another dream which he shared with his father about them all bowing down to him.  His father rebuked him but remembered what he said.

  To cut to the chase, Joseph was thrown in a pit, sold as a slave, thrown into prison, brought out of prison and became the right hand of the Pharoah.  Then his brothers did come to Egypt during the famine.  But, the thing for Joseph was his life was up, father's favorite, cast into a pit, sold into slavery, head of Potiphar's household, cast into prison, interpret a dream for Pharoah, and then became Pharoah's right hand.

   The thing he knew most was that God was always there with him and he continued in the faith through thick and thin.  A great lesson for us all.  We need to remember, even if we are cast in the pit, in prison, lost all we have, God has something better for us.  You can begin reading Joseph's story in Genesis 37. I have done a great job of babbling and hope you followed my train of thought. Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

There is no HELL!! Really? Luke 16:19-31

 Hello Fellow Americans and Christians!!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

 Why would I say there is no HELL?  Well, let us look at it for a moment.  First, we have the atheist who believe there is no God.  So, I'm guessing that in their eyes when we die we just cease to exist.  Hmmm!  Could that be so? Say it ain't so, say it ain't so!

   Then you have the agnostic who is not convinced there is a God, and believes it is impossible to prove there is a God. This person is non-commital, they won't say there is a God and won't say there is not a God.  What happens to them? Hmmm!

   Then you have the religious person who says there is a God and a Jesus and a Holy Spirit.  They believe in the Trinity, yet, no commitment or relationship with Jesus Christ.  They can talk the talk but don't walk the walk.  What happens to them?  Hmmm!

   And finally, in my book, you have the Christian, people of the old testament Way.  These people believe there is a true living God who sent His one and only son, Jesus, to shed His blood for us; giving us salvation.  Where do these people go upon death?  Hmmm!

   Well, the reason for the title, "There is no HELL!" is because for the true God fearing Christian there is no HELL that they will experience.  They, you and I, are heavenly bound for eternity.

  However, the first three, atheist, agnostic, and religious, there truly is a HELL. A place of torment for eternity.  How do I know this?  Look at Luke 16:19-31. - Lazarus and the rich man. 

   The rich man lived a life of luxury whereas Lazarus lived the life of a beggar, lying at the gate full of sores.  The rich man lavished in food, clothing, and worldly pleasures.  Lazarus ate crumbs and dogs licked his wounds.  A large difference between the two.  Well they both died.  Lazarus wound up in the arms of Abraham and the rich man went to hell and was tormented.  Now here comes the real story and we must know this and share it.

   The rich man saw Lazarus in Abraham's arms and cried out for him to send Lazarus with a touch of water on his finger to relieve the torment on his tongue.

   A thought you may have is can we see into hell and can they see us in heaven?  That is heavy theological discussion to have with a theologian, not me.

  Abraham said it won't happen and there is a great gulf between us (heaven and hell) that no one can cross.  Then the rich man asked that Lazarus be sent to tell his brothers.  Abraham said they had Moses and the prophets that was enough.  They would not believe anyway.  

  So what am I trying to say here.  First, when we die our soul will continue to exist - either in heaven or hell.  For the believer there is no hell.  Second, we need to share the word with family and friends, plant the seed, let God germinate the seed so they will be in heaven with us.  Third, just a reminder that what you have here on earth, your worldly possessions mean nothing to God at the time of death.  What you did with what God gave you (worldly possessions) could have an impact on many if you were a good steward of those possessions.

   I do hope this all makes sense to you.  It does to me. :) Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Psalm 23:5,6

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!!!!

   Okay, let us look at Psalm 23 verses 5 and 6:

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

  In Ancient time a host was expected to provide protection to his guest, but that is not all.  We need to realize that God offers us protection, not only at "feasts" but all the time.  Also, when a guest came into ones home it was customary to anoint them with a fragrant oil.  God offers us plenty and we need to be appreciative, respectful, and honor God.  With God, HE is enough!

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Here is a quote from one commentary by Nancy Gemaehlich that explains this better than I:

  "Because Christ has gone to the cross, because He defeated sin victoriously, because He was exalted to the highest place, and because He is coming again for His bride, we can rest assured that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3).

2 Peter states that God's divine power has given us all that we need.  Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Psalm 23:4

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

  Psalm 23: 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.  

  Remember in verse 3 the LORD is my shepherd, and we lie down in green pastures and peaceful waters.  Now, in contrast to this we are walking through the "valley of the shadow of death". A more dark and threatening place than the green pastures and peaceful waters.  Here is a question for you---could the valley of the shadow of death mean dying without God? 

  BUT,  yes, there is a BUT----I will fear no evil!   How can you in a threatening place, possibly a life threatening place have no fear?

  Because, yes, BECAUSE WHAT?  Thou are with me----who is thou?  Thou is our shepherd, the good shepherd, the great shepherd - Jesus (God).    Knowing God is with you always, in the depths of tragedy or the heights of glory, God is with you.  This should give you confidence and let fear flee from you.

   Thy rod and staff comfort me.  What is a rod?  A rod was considered a short club like object designed to protect the sheep from predators.  The staff was a long thin pole designed to guide, lead, and keep the sheep headed where they needed to go.

   Could we consider the rod the word of God and the staff as the Holy Spirit who guides and directs us to keep us going in the right direction?  To me, this is what is being said.

   In knowing this, we should all take comfort in our relationship with God and knowing HE is constantly by our side, willing and wanting to guide us.  Let me know what you think.

   Later this week, Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16.  We will finish Psalm 23 before moving on.  Thank you for reading. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Have you thought about the 23rd Psalm

 Hello All,  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.         

  Have you thought, I mean really thought about the 23rd Psalm?  

Verse 1: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want ---  okay let us look at this. David was a shepherd prior to his royal status. And, what does a shepherd do? Cares for the sheep.  Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance and protection.

    Maybe this is why in John 10:11 Jesus is called the good shepherd; or the great Shepherd in Hebrews 13:20 and 1 Peter 5:4.  Since Jesus is our shepherd we should not be frightened, but be obedient followers, and wise enough to follow the one who leads us into the right places..   

    Verse  2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.    When we follow our Shepherd, Jesus, God, and let Him guide us, we have contentment. Our shepherd knows what will restore us, as in the sheep having green pastures and peaceful waters.  The only way we can reach this is by being obedient and following our shepherd.  If we rebel then we are not doing what is best for us.

   Take time to think about these 3 verses and see how you measure up.  1. Is Jesus really and truly your shepherd that you follow?   2. Do you obediently follow Him to better places that are good for you?   3. Can you feel your soul is restored and your are walking in the direction He wants for you?

  As most surveys go, 0 being the worst and 10 being the best, where do you land?  Me, right now today, 5 at best.  Yes, I need to stand on bended knee, and get back in tune with my shepherd.  I would also appreciate your prayers.  

    Thank you and love y'all. Stay tuned for verse 4 tomorrow.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

p.s. when was the last time you fellowshipped with other Christians at church?