What does the Bible say about genders? Only 2?

 Sorry, I hit the wrong key and sent prior to completion.Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

   Just a side note---many will tell you that Dec. 25 is not Jesus' birthday.  Let me tell you, in my opinion, it does not matter when we celebrate his actual birthday, but we should be celebrating HIS birth daily.  Okay, enough there.

   Next, what about genders.  If you look at healthline.com it will tell you many say there are only 2 genders but that is not true.  Huh????  A healthline saying more than one gender?  They say that gender and sex are two different things.  Soooo, I went to the authority on words, aka Webster's Dictionary.  Here is what it says:

    Gender-in grammar the classification of how words are grouped masculine, femine or neuter; 2) the fact of being a male or female human being, esp. as it affects a person's self-image, social relationships, etc.

    Sex-1)either of two divisions, male or female, into which persons, animals, or plants are divided; 2) the character of being male or female; 3) the attraction between the sexes; 4) sexual intercourse..

   I am just going to quote some scriptures from the Bible below.  I would really like to have your feedback here.

Deuteronomy 22:5 ESV 

“A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.

Genesis 1:27 ESV 

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Galatians 3:28 ESV 

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Leviticus 20:13 ESV 

If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

1 Corinthians 11:12 ESV 

For as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.

Matthew 19:4 ESV 

He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female,

Leviticus 18:22 ESV 

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

Society, aka the world tells us that there are either 81 genders or 64 genders, according to which expert you choose to believe.  How about you?  Is there a difference between gender and sex?  Can we be any gender we wish, but there are only 2 sexs, male and female?

   Evil lurks in the world, Satan is very busy with his demons to try and turn the whole world against the only living supreme being - aka GOD!  Do we need to be tolerant?  Yes, BUT, we need not cower down and say nothing.  We need to respond strong and stand firm with the word of God, yet doing so with love.

 Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all. Please respond and share your views.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you have your WORRY ON, or your WORSHIP ON today?

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

   Matthew says this all so well about worry. Matthew 6: 25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes?  2 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

  Matthew tells us a lot.  Can you add minutes, hours, or days to your life by worry? Great words and food for thought.

  So, what about worship.  Yes we need to get our worship on.  Here are some scriptures.  

  1 Chronicles 16::29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

    bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

    Psalm 95:6 Come, let us bow down in worship,

    let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

         Matthew 2: (the shepherds) 2  asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

     John 4: 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

      Romans 12: 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

     Worry brings us down, put us in a state of depression, we see the bleak and gloomy side of things. And, the antonym of this is WORSHIP.  Where we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, when we talk to our Father in Heaven, things will get better.

   Many have come through trials and struggles and their witness is that if it were not for God they don't know how they would have made it through.

   Keep the faith my friend.  The Bible is the inspired word of God and is our map and guideline for eternal life.

   Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace,

Johnny

1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-25 Giving Thanks

 Greetings my fellow Christians.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

We live in America and indeed, WE ARE BLESSED!!!!

  Okay, this coming Thursday, the 24th, we celebrate Thanksgiving.  A lot of thanksgiving needs to be shared and we need to be aware of.

  We can give thanks for our family, our friends, our neighbors (near and far), and most of all for one true and living GOD.

   The night Jesus was betrayed what did he do first?  The very first thing HE did was to take bread, break it and GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR IT.  This should be the first thing we do each day, and specially on Thursday-----give thanks to GOD for what we have- food, health, home, family, and the country we live in where we are free to worship.

   With Moses and the passover the blood was to save the people and deliver them from slavery.  Jesus broke the bread and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me".  Because of Jesus' blood we are delivered from slavery called sin by Christ's death.

    Then in the same way HE took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people-an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as oft as you drink it. 

       Jesus says this is the new covenant--what is a covenant?  A covenant is an agreement or promise.  So, Jesus, with God's blessing is offering a new promise to his people.  Who are his people.  At this time it was primarily the Jews, but was spread to the gentiles, aka you and me.  How is the covenant or promised guaranteed?  It is by Jesus' blood.  Jesus laid down his life, his blood just so you and I can be freed from slavery which we know as sin.

   You may ask what is the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant.  With the old covenant, people could approach God only through the priests and the sacrificial system.

    Jesus' death on the cross brought in a new covenant whereby all people, you and me, can personally approach God and communicate with him.

   So, in all this I ask that each time you eat, and specially at thanksgiving, that you give thanks not just for food, family and friends, but that JESUS CHRIST came and shed his blood just so you can have a personal relationship with Him and God.  Each time you eat and drink you are announcing the LORD's death until he comes again.   Praise the LORD.  Hallelujah!

   Thank you for reading.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

p.s. next post after Thanksgiving

Are you worried, anxious, concerned about America? Family? The world? - Psalm 83

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

  America is reaching the point of trying to implode.  We are not fighting outside sources as we did in the Cold War of past years.  We are facing the enemies from within;; the moles in American politics, convincing many of the people this is the way to go.  The root of all this evil and misguidance is the devil --satan.  People are being tricked with twisted talk just as was Adam and Eve. The Bible tells us in Isaiah, years and years ago, that one day we will call evil good-good evil; exchange darkness for light.    Take heed!  Be ware!!

   It is here.  Just look around.  Full term abortions; sex transformations of our youth; turning away from all that has made America great --- GOD!!

   Please read and absorb the beginning of Psalm 83 (A psalm of  Asaph,who was a singer and musician for King David and was in a time of crisis).

  1-O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still.  2See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads.  3With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish.  4"Come". they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel (America) be remembered no more. 5With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you---

  So, you say, I can't do anything.  I am only 1 person with no political power, not famous, who will listen to me.  To this I respond, "Only 1 person will listen and that person you know personally and have a relationship with --- JESUS CHRIST".

   So, take a knee, sit in a chair, close your eyes, cast you eyes toward heaven, whatever you do in reverence to the LORD and PRAY, PRAY, PRAY,

   Ladies and Gentlemen, we are in a state of crisis and should align our allegiance not with a political party, but with the BIBLICAL STANDARDS that GOD has given us.  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Battle Hymn of the Republic

 Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. YOU ARE INDEED BLESSED TO BE A CHILD OF THE KING!

    I woke this morning with this tune resonating over and over in my mind. I take it to mean God is speaking to me in a way that I should share.  Please look at the words as you listen to the singing and think about what these lyrics are saying about God.  I highlighted some areas that stand out to me.  

  Hope you enjoy. Love you all. Thanks for reading.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Here is the link to the Battle Hymn of the Republic!

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on. 

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps,
His day is marching on.

I have read His fiery gospel writ in rows of burnished steel!
"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you My grace shall deal!
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,"
Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him; be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free!
While God is marching on.

Psalm 81 -- Wild honey from the Rock

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Worried about the elections?  America? Life in General?  Just remember GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!

  To read all of Psalm 81 click here.  Psalm 81 begins with joy and jubilation for the LORD and what HE has done. Sing, shout, strike the tambourine, harp, and lyre; music is brought into worshipping GOD. (verses 1-4) A time of feasting and joy.

  Verses 5-10 tells us what GOD has done for the people.  Took their burden, set hands free, rescued in times of distress and then warned them to have no other gods.  Verse 10 - a reminder "I am the LORD your GOD, who brought you up out of Egypt.  Open wide your mouth and I will fill it".  God is reminding this stubborn and disobedient people of what he has done and that HE will take care of them

   Now, back to the meat!  13 “If my people would only listen to me,

    if Israel would only follow my ways, (God wants the people to listen and obey; not be disobedient)
14 how quickly I would subdue their enemies
    and turn my hand against their foes! (Reminding God can take care of the forces that come against them).
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him,
    and their punishment would last forever. (Now this is heavy; ones who hate the LORD will spend eternity regretting their decision and burning in hell).
16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
    with wild honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”  Now, here is where we know God will take care of the Israelites AND US!  

   The finest of wheat refers to the fat of the wheat, the best which we make the best bread and other baked goods from.  Then wild honey which adds zest to the taste of the bread.  The honey adds delight to eating the healthy bread.

   This is GOD!  God can add zeal and zest to our lives.  Our GOD wants us to live a rich and joyful life.  Will there be ups and downs?  YES!  But, if we remain obedient to GOD we may have to give up some of our ways; yet losing these things will give us gain with GOD.  In order to do this we must seek the LORD and follow HIS ways.

   Do you need to do better?  I definitely need to improve my relationship with the LORD; to be obedient, humble, and loving of my neighbors.  So GOD is our honey in the rock.  Take heed and enjoy God's blessings.  Thanks for reading.

Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Spread the news; Matthew 28:18-20

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

  Where are we in America?  Spiritually?  Where are you spiritually today, right now, this very moment?  We have to think about this as we go forth in our daily walk.  Speaking of daily walk, are you walking in the world or in the spirit?  Food for thought!!

  In Matthew Jesus gives his disciples and us the great commission.  This is something we all need to heed.  What is your service, aka job, as a born-again Christian?   It is to spread the word of Jesus Christ before it is too late.

   Matthew 28: 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 

  18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

   So, what must we do?  We must go forth and spread the good news of Jesus Christ as LORD and savior.  This we must share with our children, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors and everyone.  

   Does your spouse, son or daughter, mom, dad, and others close to you know Jesus Christ as their LORD and SAVIOR?   If not, what is holding you back?  FEAR?  Let the Holy Spirit lead you in this quest.  We don't need to think we have time and be as the cartoon of the dinosaurs and say:  (as the Ark is leaving, Oh, was that today?)

                                      

  We need to lead and be helping people get on the "ARK" or accept  "SALVATION" today, right now. This moment, say a prayer, and when you are out and about, speak to people, and if they need prayer---pray with them.  The Holy Spirit will lead you.

   I, personally, am concerned that ALL MY FAMILY knows Jesus, has a personal relationship with Jesus, AND spreads the word of salvation.  Will you do the same?  Salvation begins with a simple word -- JESUS!

   Thank you for reading.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What foothold have you opened for satan?

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

   Okay, soooo, Johnny, why do you think I have an open spot for satan?  Well, here is something to think about.  Disobedience is how satans' footholds begin.  Huh?  What do you mean?  Okay, let's look at this.  The people said to Jesus-- "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone.  How can you say that we shall be set free"?

   John 8:34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. (35) Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. (36) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed".

   So, I am human, how can I be without sin?  It happens everyday.  We sin with our anger, our lust, our covetousness, our envy, our gluttony, our bad thoughts, and more.  So what can I do?  Great question.

  A seed of doubt or dissatisfaction just opens the door.  When this happens a demon moves in, then once comfortable, invites more demons in to reside in this open door.  Now please understand when I say foothold it can refer to a spot, place, location, room, home, position, tract, occasion, opportunity, locality, region, or condition. 

  Paul says..."though we live in the world we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

      A foothold is based upon lies one believes that lead him/her into sin for which he/she remains unrepentant.  Continuing to function in that sin gives Satan a place from which to advance against us—to gain more ground in our lives. As in John "the Son (Jesus) has set us free".

   So, at this point we must recognize our sin, ask forgiveness of that sin, and turn away from that sin.  Forgiveness takes courage and does reflect the grace and mercy of Christ.

  My biggest sin is...............(list it here); then take time to confess to God; ask forgiveness, then turn away from that sin.  As Jesus told the lady at the well, go and sin no more.  Eliminate that sin from your life.   Will there be others?  Yes, but you will know how to resolve them. The SON has set you FREE! 

   I do hope this makes sense to y'all.  I have many sins I need to be rid of and I need to heed the advice given above.  Love y'all, thanks for reading.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

A rant today, 1 day after elections

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

  Here is my rant.  I am so tired of the blame game, calling names, being narcissistic and arrogant. 

  The elections for America, a republic decided by a democratic vote, should go back to the basics of ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

   Ronald Reagan said it well: "If we ever forget this is one nation under God,   we will be a nation gone under".

  God is good; God is in control; and we must continually keep our faith in the Most High LORD!!!

   . We are aligned along party lines, we should be aligned along BIBLICAL LINES!!

Thanks for reading today.

 IN CHRIST'S LOVE AND GRACE

JOHNNY

Lamentations 3:40-48

 Hello All!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  THIS IS A TIME TO BE DILIGENT AND FOLLOW THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

   Elections are in process, early voting is over and the polls open tomorrow. Nov. 8 early and will stay late.  It is time for all Christian Americans to vote along the lines of the Bible. Christians, YOU ARE NOT DEMOCRAT,  REPUBLICAN, LIBERAL, OR INDEPENDENT!

You are a CHRISTIAN and should vote along the Biblical lines. 

  Jeremiah was distressed with the way people were acting in his time as well.  Take a gander at Lamentations 3:40-48 - take time to really READ each scripture and not just scan.

  V. 40 Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the LORD. 

  V. 41 Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven and say,

               v. 42 "We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven us. (43) You have engulfed us with your anger, chased us down, and slaughtered us without mercy. (44) You have hidden yourself in a cloud so our prayers cannot reach you.  (45) You have discarded us as scum and refuse among the nations. (46) All our enemies have spoken out against us.  (47) We are filled with fear, for we are trapped, devastated, and ruined. (48) Tears stream from my eyes because of the destruction of my people!

   This relates to many events happening in our world today. We can watch the news, listen to the liberal media and politicians promises and become discouraged, frustrated, and angry.  We have to remember one major thing--GOD IS, YES IS IN CONTROL.

      If you have not gone to the polls yet, please keep your Christian values in check and vote accordingly.

   Thank you for reading with me today.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Lamentations 3:31-39

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

   Here we are, in America, and coming to another election which is fast approaching.  So, what do we do.  We should all want the election to be for the ones who love the LORD, not along party lines.  The only party line we should be voting is the Christian party line, led and guided by God's Holy Word---the BIBLE!!  

   Yet, there are many "Christians" who will ignore God's Holy Word and "do their own thing".  Jeremiah was feeling as many of us are at this time, in America, seeing all that is going on and the fight against Christian values that the liberal media, progressives, LBGTQ+, BLM, and other radical groups are pushing.

  Do we, as the church and as Christians stand up!  I say yes, not only yes but, FOR HEAVENS SAKE YES!!!!  90 years ago the church in Germany was told to stand up. Out of 12,000 pastors, 6,000 took a stand -- 3,000 for the Nazi regime and 3,000 against the Nazi regime, and 6,000 did nothing.  You see the outcome.  

  Many say the church should not be political, but to this we say bunk.  When Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,” Jesus was drawing a sharp distinction between two kingdoms. There is a kingdom of this world, and Caesar (our government) holds power over it. But there is another kingdom, not of this world, and Jesus is King of that (John 18:36). You and I are part of both kingdoms, for now.  Under the government, we have certain obligations that involve material things. Under Christ, we have other obligations that involve things eternal. If the government demands money, we give, however, remember—it’s only riches, and can become an object of worship or greed. IMPORTANT to make sure you also give God what He demands.

    In all this I am saying we should not compromise our Christian values with the world.  As we go through the rest of what Jeremiah is saying you will see his frustrations and be able to relate those to your life as well.  Take time to read each verse and allow it time to sink in.

Lamentations 3: 31 For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever.

 32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.

33 For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

 34 To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land,  

35 if they deprive others of their rights in defiance of the Most High. 

36 If they twist justice in the courts-doesn't the LORD see all these things?  

37   Who can speak and have it happen without the Lord's permission?  

38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?  

39 Why should we, humans, complain when punished for our sins?

God sees all.  We muddle through life, some caring, some caring not, Some true Christians believing God's word, and some "Christians" who pick and chose parts of God's word. Where are you???

Are you standing with Jeremiah or the Herodians and Pharisees of Jesus' time?  Hope this all made sense to y'all.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace,

Johnny