Are we promised a life of prosperity? 2 Timothy 3:10-12; Philippians 1:27-29

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

  Is life with Christ a gentle, breezy, pleasant walk through a trail in the woods where the fragrant of beautiful flowers loom?  Well, lets look at some scriptures.  Yesterday Pastor gave an excellent sermon on this and I will try to relate some of what was conveyed.

  Paul is talking to Timothy, Paul's son in faith, and sharing this message. Read 10-11 first:

2 Timothy 3: 10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 

    In Lystra Paul had been stoned and left for dead which is only 1 incident of many Paul endured. Then Paul continues on to tell Timothy the LORD rescued him, and then something that relates to us as well in verse 12.

12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

  Paul told Timothy that people who obey God and live for Christ will be persecuted.  Don't be surprised when people misunderstand, criticize, and even try to hurt you because of what you believe and how you live. Don't give up. Continue to live as you know you should.  God is the only one you need to please.  We cannot be as the University of Michigan Medical school students did and walk out on a Pro-Life speaker.  Only a handful did, and these are people who are supposed to help preserve life. Wowsers!!!

 We must live as citizens of heaven  Paul encourages us, the believers, to be united, stand side by side, and fight together for the faith. 

Now take a look at Philippians 1:  27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.  

  Paul considered it a privilege to suffer for Christ.  We do not by nature consider suffering a privilege. Suffering for Christ has these benefits: (1) it takes our eyes off earthly comforts; (2) it weeds out the superficial believers; (3) ones who endure experience strengthened faith; (4) and it serves as an example of those who may follow us.

   When we suffer in our faith it does not mean we did anything wrong; it actually shows that we are being faithful. Suffering does, indeed, build character.  

29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

    Are you willing, today, to suffer for Christ?  This is a difficult question to ponder and consider.  Our knee-jerk reaction is YES; but, when it comes down to the actual time or situation........Will we????  Thanks for reading.  Our pastor is a great inspiration if you have a chance to visit.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you crave physical pleasures or HEART pleasures??? 1 John 2:16

   Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO WORRY ABOUT THE PHYSICAL WORLD!!!

1 John 2: 1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

John is talking to us here in a warm fatherly way to show affection for us.  Take heed to what comes in verse 16.  This  relates to me and really hit me between the eyes.  Yes, Father, I have sinned. Forgive me.

1 John 2: 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

  Read these and tell me, have you not be tempted?  Lust of the flesh----lust of the eyes-----pride of life?

   Some people believe that worldliness is limited to external behavior, like the people we associate with, places we go, the activities we enjoy.  Well, guess what?

   Worldliness is also internal.  Why?  It begins with the heart.  There are 3 characteristics formed by our attitudes: (1) craving for physical pleasure - wanting to gratify physical desires; (2) craving for everything we see - coveting and accumulating things, bowing to the god of materialism; (3) pride in our achievements and possessions -- obsession with one's status or importance.

  When the serpent tempted Eve he used these things.  Yep, she was only human.  But wait, when Jesus was in the wilderness, the devil tempted Jesus with these same things.  Matthew 4:1-11.

  God values self control (which Jesus had, Eve did not). God values a spirit of generosity and a commitment to humble service.  We can fool the world into thinking we are humble in our Christian walk, but, GOD knows the attitudes in our hearts.

  Ask yourself today, Do your actions reflect the world's values or GOD's values?    Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Is GOD #1 in your life??? Really??? Seriously???

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

Have you thought about your salvation, but most importantly how you treat your LORD.  Saying this I mean, and asking IS GOD NUMBER ONE IN YOUR LIFE???

 JOHN 5: 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

  Because of Jesus' unity with God, Jesus lived as God wante him to live.  Because of our identification with Jesus, we must honor him and live as he wants us to live.  You may want to ask yourself when faced with choices:  "What would JESUS do"?

COLOSSIANS 3: 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

   We should consider ourselves dead and unresponsive to sexual immorality, impurity, lust and evil desires. The Word is not saying sex is bad, what is bad is the sexual perversion.  There has to be a line established and the Bible everywhere celebrates heterosexual,  monogamous marriage as the proper situation for sexual fulfillment.

COLOSSIANS 3: 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. (Life App Bible) Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

As Christians we are always in a continual education program as we study and follow the Bible.  The more we know of Jesus Christ and his work, the more we are being changed to be like him.  Since this process is lifelong, we must never stop learning and obeying.  There is no reason to drift along, but there is an incentive to find the rich treasures of growing in Christ. This is like learning to play the piano--practice, ongoing review, patience, and concentration to keep in line with his will.

MATTHEW 6: 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

What is this telling us?  We must seek the Kingdom of God above all else means to put God first in your life, to fill your thoughts with his desires, to take his character for your pattern, and to serve and obey him in everything.  Ask yourself this:  What is important to you?? People, objects, goals, or other desirs may compete for priority.  If these become more important to you, you need to actively come back to seeking GOD FIRST! (1ST)

JEREMIAH 6: 19 Hear, you earth: I am bringing disaster on this people the fruit of their schemes, because they have not listened to my words and have rejected my law 20 What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me.” 21 Therefore this is what the Lord says:  “I will put obstacles before this people. Parents and children alike will stumble over them; neighbors and friends will perish.”

WARNING!!! WARNING!!   We (God's people) are, by ourselves, by ignoring God's word and rejecting HIS law, we are bringing disaster on ourselves.  Offering God sweet fragrances as a peace offering are not acceptable, nor do the sacrifices please God.  Because of our disobedience there will be hurdles that will cause us to fall and many shall perish.

Food for thought!!  If we don't stay in the word, share the word, and speak salvation to others---- by not doing so are we in essence saying-- "YOU CAN GO TO HELL BECAUSE I WON'T SHARE THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE?" 

Thank you for reading with me today.  Would entertain any feedback.  Thank  you. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you care? REALLY????

 Good morning to all my Christian brothers and sisters,

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

   We often wonder what is wrong with the youth of today and the people in the world.  Well, I do not have a concrete answer, but from reading and visiting I do have a few suggestions.

  Philipians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others.

  Have you or will you speak to someone today and compliment them, if nothing else have a nice day, you have a nice smile, nice outfit, or something.  Also, the youth of today communicate via e-methods (text, instagram, facebook, email. etc). Take a moment and show a young person that you do care about them. Ask questions and engage them in a conversation to make them feel they are important.

  A man I know has small crosses and shares them with young to old and wishes them well.  It does not take much, but we can be the instrument God wishes to use to turn someone on to Jesus Christ and away from the evil one.

  Proverbs 28:27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse (ESV)

  Proverbs 19:17 (ESV) Whoever is generous to the poor lens to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.

  I ask you to take time today to say or do something to bless someone today. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny