Ezra 2:1-58 Exiles who returned with Zerubbabel

 Good morning and a merry Christmas eve eve to you all. God is good all the time, all the time, God is good.

The following exiles were from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and is made up of men who were leaders.  This same list is in Nehemiah 7:7.  These are the families and citizens of cities.  Verse 36 begins listing priest, Levites, and other Temple servants.  To save time and space I'll let you view these on your own with no other commentary.

Ezra 2: 

The List of the Exiles Who Returned

2 Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive to Babylon (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town, 2 in company with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah):

The list of the men of the people of Israel:

3 the descendants of Parosh	2,172
4 of Shephatiah	372
5 of Arah	775
6 of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab)	2,812
7 of Elam	1,254
8 of Zattu	945
9 of Zakkai	760
10 of Bani	642
11 of Bebai	623
12 of Azgad	1,222
13 of Adonikam	666
14 of Bigvai	2,056
15 of Adin	454
16 of Ater (through Hezekiah)	98
17 of Bezai	323
18 of Jorah	112
19 of Hashum	223
20 of Gibbar	95

21 the men of Bethlehem	123
22 of Netophah	56
23 of Anathoth	128
24 of Azmaveth	42
25 of Kiriath Jearim,[a] Kephirah and Beeroth	743
26 of Ramah and Geba	621
27 of Mikmash	122
28 of Bethel and Ai	223
29 of Nebo	52
30 of Magbish	156
31 of the other Elam	1,254
32 of Harim	320
33 of Lod, Hadid and Ono	725
34 of Jericho	345
35 of Senaah	3,630

36 The priests:

the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua)	973
37 of Immer	1,052
38 of Pashhur	1,247
39 of Harim	1,017

40 The Levites:

the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (of the line of Hodaviah)

74

41 The musicians:

the descendants of Asaph

128

42 The gatekeepers of the temple:

the descendants of
Shallum, Ater, Talmon,
Akkub, Hatita and Shobai	139

43 The temple servants:

the descendants of

Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,

44 Keros, Siaha, Padon,

45 Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub,

46 Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan,

47 Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah,

48 Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam,

49 Uzza, Paseah, Besai,

50 Asnah, Meunim, Nephusim,

51 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,

52 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,

53 Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

54 Neziah and Hatipha

55 The descendants of the servants of Solomon:

the descendants of

Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,

56 Jaala, Darkon, Giddel,

57 Shephatiah, Hattil,

Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Ami

58 The temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon I'll begin next on Ezra 2:59 after Christmas.  Merry Christmas and don't forget Jesus in the holiday festivities. Love you all. In Christ's Love and Grace Johnny

Ezra 1:8-9 Returning Temple Items to Jerusalem

 Good morning all. Wow! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Tis the season to remember why we celebrate this time of year!  JESUS CHRIST!

Let us see what King Cyrus is doing now.  V 8: 8 Cyrus king of Persia had them brought by Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.

So who is Sheshbazzar? It is thought that Sheshbazzar is the Babylonian name for Zerubbabel, one of the Jewish leaders during the first return.

  So Mithredath is the treasurer and he is to count all the items to be returned. Here they are:  9 This was the inventory:

gold basins - 30; silver basins - 1,000; silver incense burners - 29; (v10) gold bowls - 30; silver bowls - 410; other items - 1,000

  In todays market value I cannot even imagine how many millions of dollars was returned to the temple.  Plus, they were given even more items of value that were not counted by the treasurer. The Tabernacle of Moses' items would be valued at 13 million today, just think about the Temples value.  If you add these up you come up with 2499, however in verse 11 it states that in all there were 5,400 articles of gold and silver.

11 In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and of silver. Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to  Jerusalem.

  These items were returned to the Temple of God, and no other hand caused it to happen except God's hand.  Cyrus, as mentioned before, was not a believer in the Jewish God, but was a   follower of Zoroaster, a monotheistic prophet.  God made all this come to be. 

  Think about our lives.  Sometimes we are discouraged or think God has forgotten about us.  BUT, we must never give up hope because God is ahead of us, in control, and the turning point may be just ahead.

  Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Can God stir us? Ezra 1:5-7

 Greetings and Merry Christmas to y'all!!!  This time of year you will hear it in the church, on t.v. and the radio about the birth of Jesus.  You know, it just does not change. Angel came to Mary, a virgin, told her she would be with child. Joseph, the future husband was visited by an angel and told it would be okay.  They went to Bethlehem and a baby was born.  They named him Jesus.  In a nut shell!  Well, I know you can get a more indepth version but I want to return to Ezra.

  Ezra 1: 5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.  

 Cyrus ruled over what had been Assyria and Babylon. Assyria deported the Israelites from the north kingdom (Israel) and Babylon took Israelites captive from Judah.  King Cyrus was not a Jew, he was a follower of Zoroaster, a monotheistic prophet.  However, he was a tolerant ruler who allowed his subjects to practice their own religions.

  So, remember, God stirred Cyrus' heart first, now he is moving the leaders, priests, and heads of families and Levites to go and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.  If you don't think God can change the heart of man, just read deeper in the Bible and you will see how he saved the Israelites numerous times. 

6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.

  The journey back to Jerusalem was about a 4 day journey. Many took their wealth with them to be instrumental in building the temple.  However, there were some Israelites who had acquired wealth during the time of captivity and did not want to lose their "material or personal possessions", therefore remained behind. Don't we do this today, material possessions more important than anything else, including God?

  7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;

  King Nebuchadnezzar raided the Temple and took many valuable furnishing with him.  Most of the items were made of solid gold.  Cyrus, being a tolerant and supporting king returned these items to the Jews for the temple they planned to rebuild.

  What do you see here we don't today?  First, tolerance - by a non-believing King; second - wanting the people to be able to worship as they did before; and third - returning what had been stolen by a previous king.

  Tolerance, freedom of worship, and returning to God what is rightfully his.  Today, in my opinion, it seems tolerance only if you agree; freedom of worship is here but with criticism and strife; and people returning to God what is rightfully his - our prayer time, study the Bible, and spreading the word.  Just my thoughts.

   Tomorrow we will see how much was truly taken from the Temple by King Nebuchadnezzar.

  Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all and early Merry Christmas.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ezra 1:1-4 Do you know Ezra?

 Well Good Morning.  On the way back from the gym (yes, gym) I listened to a story by a man who struggled with his relationship with God.  It felt like me, then upon returning home I prayed and God laid on my heart the book of Ezra.  Why?  I don't know, but that is what I'll study these next few weeks.

  Who was Ezra?  A priest, a scribe, and a great leader. The name Ezra means "help".  Ezra was one who believed God's word and then obeyed it.  We will learn more about Ezra as we go along.

  Just a preface on this book straight from my life application Bible.  After 70 years in exile, the captives from Judah were allowed to return to their homeland.  Nearly 50,000 people made this journey. Upon arrival they began to rebuild the Temple, but became discouraged by opposition.  After encouragement from Haggai and Zechariah, they returned to the task and completed the Temple.  The message of the prophets still speaks to us today, encouraging us to continue building up God's church.

Ezra 1: 1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:

NOTE:  Cyrus was not a servant of Yahweh, but he was used by God to return the Jews to their homeland.  When Cyrus conquered a land he was merciful to the inhabitants. Now he is giving an order to fulfill the words of the prophet Jeremiah.

2 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:  “‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. 4 And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’”

  Okay, the first line, remember, Cyrus is not a believer and he says: the God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and appointed me to build a temple.  Where: In Judah at Jerusalem.  This allowed the exiled Jews to return to their homeland after 70 years in exile.  Cyrus gave them protection, money, and the temple items Nebuchadnezzar had taken.

  His proclamation provided several things.  First the Jews can work together to rebuild the Temple, some man the supply lines, some leading and others providing support.  

Each person is asked to serve in some capacity, no matter how large or small a task, to work as team members and let the LORD get the credit, not individuals.

   This is what we are asked to do in our local assemblies:  be a team member, worry not about getting credit, just do what God has asked you to do.  But most of all, enjoy being in service to God and being a child of the LIVING GOD!!!!

  More tomorrow.  Love y'all! Thank you for reading.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you "SALT" for Jesus?

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

Salt, have you ever thought of just salt?  What does it do?  Is it important?

Well, salt can preserve animal hides; salt can raise or lower blood pressure; salt can season our food (sometimes over season); so, is salt good?

 

   Salt is needed for human and animal health.  Salt if left out and exposed to water will dissolve and be useless.  This is a chemical change and the salt will no longer do the work it usually is intended it to do.

   Salt is used to preserve foods as in canning. Prior to refrigeration people used salt in canning or making preserves to keep the food for later use.

   Salt is used in a variety of ways. Ancient civilizations used salt for many religion ceremonies.  Salt was used for house warmings and weddings, exorcisms, funerals and  a lot of other superstitious things. 

   Salt really is here for us to enjoy as an added flavor for foods.  The ancient civilizations used salt for leafy meals like salads, etc.  Salt is there to add flavor.

   Now, to my point.  We, as Jesus said, are "the salt of the earth".  In 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.

   If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value.  If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God.  If we are too much like the world, our testimony is worthless.  Christians should not blend in with everyone else.  Instead, we should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.

  Jesus goes on to say in verses 14-15 We should let our light shine. 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.

   So, in closing we should remember to bring our salt to the table and affect others in a positive way, letting our light shine and telling others about Jesus Christ. 

  

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you in Jesus Christ's SECRET SERVICE?

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Saved by the Grace of Jesus!!

   Well, here I am back for a second day.  Listening to a sermon and thinking about being a witness for God, for Jesus.  That is our call, to go forth and share the good news about Jesus Christ.  

   Mark 16:15-16 — “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’”

There are various ways to share the gospel with others. Through social media (as here now), hand out tracts, by the way we live, OR, by opening our mouth and telling people.

Social media is a semi silent way of spreading the good news, if you are an influencer it may be quite effective.

Hand out tracts or bits of information on salvation is another way, BUT, do you follow up with conversation about Jesus?

The best way, in my opinion, is to offer the people something-a cross, tract, Bible, and then talk about a personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST.

So, are you in Jesus' secret service, OR, are you on the front lines going ferently into battle for JESUS CHRIST and planting the seed of salvation?

The ball is in your court, my court, all Christians court. Are you going to hold the ball, dribble, or shoot?

Thank you for reading. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you an Influencer?

 Hello Fellow Christians,

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

   Well, good afternoon friends.  It has been a while since I last posted.  For this I do apologize.

   Today I was listening to a preacher on TV that we like and he mentioned something I never thought about before.  About being an influencer.

  There are people out there that really do society no great service but are considered and influencer.

   What is an influencer?  That is a person who has the ability to, or can "sway" people to either purchase what they are advertising or do what they are suggesting.  Influencers for cooking, drinking, purchasing products, lifestyle, and so forth.

  Weeellllllll, you and I should be influencers as a child of God.  A lot of influencers are either bloggers or vloggers, but all we need is faith, a belief in Jesus Christ and the ability to speak to people.

   Are you an influencer for Jesus Christ?  That is a yes, no, & sometimes answer.  If we don't tell people about Jesus, then what are we doing to influence others to join the family of God?

   Oh, I go to Bible study and church every week.  Great!  But the majority of those people know and have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Too many "Christian" attend a "movie" every Sunday. What I'm saying is they go, sit in the pew, listen/sing to the music, listen to the preacher, and thinking that the Cowboys play at noon I hope he is short today.

   Try to be an influencer for JESUS CHRIST and see what happens.  Some will turn you away, some will listen, put all you have to do is plant the seed.  God is the gardener and can bring that seed to bloom.

   What are you waiting for?  Get out there and INFLUENCE!   Thanks for reading with me today.  I would like to hear back from you and your thoughts.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

How soon we forget!!! 9 eleven

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

 Where were you when:

  Sept 11, 2001 one of the first major attacks on American soil since the 1776 revolution happen in New York at the twin towers.

  Many of the young adults today were either not born or too young to remember what happened and what this represents.  Many of these young people are in the "woke" movement and are not as appreciative of America and what it stands for.

  The attack can be related back to the bible.  When you have time listen to Rabbi Jonathan Cahn and how he relates 911 to the Bible of ancient times.

Here is the link:  https://youtu.be/x5bUVY6ADaA

May we turn back to God and may God bless America once again. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

"syncretism" -- What is syncretism?

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

 First, a short history lesson about gods of old (little g, our God is in caps)  There were many different gods by different sects of people.  I'll list a few, then get on to "syncretism".

  Ashteroth - goddess of Canaanites of fertility and maternity.

Baal - supreme god of Canaanites, often referred to at "sun god" or "storm god". Also, fertility, & god of crops and women for child bearing

    Chemosh - subduer; god of Moabites & also worshipped by Ammonites.  Many religious rites were cruel and offered human sacrifices.

Dagon - god of Philistines - body of a fish/ head and hands of human.  the god of water and grain.

Egyptians had more than 40 gods. They had gods for everything and God humiliated 10 of those gods when Moses went before Pharoah.

Golden calf - once by the Israelites at Mt. Sinai when Moses was on the mountain with God.  The second time (1 Kings 12:26-30) under King Jerobboam.

Marduk - god of Babylonians - god of fertility and vegetation.

Milcom - god of Ammorites - they did divination, seeking knowledge through occult means.

This is just a few, but I list these to make us think how silly and short cited these people were.  Believing in something that is not real. Utter nonsense.  Right?  Well.................

But then we look around a see us, a modern culture, worshipping other things: money, status, power, facebook, instagram, internet, and much more.  If we spent as much time in the Bible as we do checking all the social media or vying for more money, power, status we definitely would be 

                     ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

Okay, syncretism is the merging of many gods (faiths) into one (1) false religion.

So, are you doing this today?  Your god may be free time and not attending a Bible study or church; it may be money, power, fishing, golfing, or whatever.  Are you a victim of syncretism?

  Soul search and see.  I have been guilty of syncretism and with the help of God that will cease.  Thank you for reading. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Compromise? Some still do not understand the moral majority!!

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

  Today, as I was working out (walking on treadmill) and watching the tv monitor I noticed something.  Now you would think that Target, Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch), and Kohl's would get the idea of the morality of the majority of America.  Well Budweiser is trying to change their image, however, Target is being quite subtle about maintaining their liberal viewpoint.

  Today, in a Target commercial at the beginning children are there, different items, crayons, and for a split second there is a circle and it is rainbow colored. Hmmm!

  Then at the end of the commercial you will see cupcakes with the icing on top, yep, you guessed it, in rainbow colors.  It seems the powers of Target, in their judgment, are not going to totally sway to the moral thinking of most of America.  Just slide in these little, yet subtle subliminal messages that they believe they are right.

  What does the Bible say?  Sin is sin, whether it be a "white lie", murder, or anything against God's commandments and words.  We reap what we sow.

   Thank you for reading my rant for this Monday.  Please bring the comments.

Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are we being tested? Judges 3 - cycle of obey, fall away, punish, cry out, saved, repeat!

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

   We, American Christians, follow the cycle of the Israelites.  We obey God, then we compromise with the secular world, things go bad, then we cry out to God and HE comes to our rescue.

   Do you see the pattern here?  As Christians we are to be accepting, yet not yield to the evils and temptations of the world.  Do we agree with transgender, homosexuality, murder, robbing, lying and many other acts against God?  NO, we don't, but it is our called duty to spread the word to those that commit these sins against God; plant the seed, let God take it from there.

   We should not treat these people as lepers, move away from them, ignore and ridicule them.  We should be boldly telling them the truth of Jesus Christ.

   In Judges 3 you will see where God left other peoples in the land to test the Israelites to see if they obeyed God's commandments or strayed.    We are in that type of test today, right here in America.  Founded by our fore fathers on the principles of God, yet look where we have gone.  Extremely liberal in many many forms.  Even men in the pulpits don't preach/teach Jesus is the answer.  So often it is the good news that you will prosper or just a good Bible lesson.  Where is Jesus in all this fluff?

  Do healthy people go to hospitals to be checked in?  NO, people with illnesses do.  We are all sinners and need the doctrine of Jesus Christ to heal/save us from our sins.  In my opinion, and as Paul, I am one of the chief sinners, and it important for me to be in constant relationship with the LORD and go forth boldly to spread the GOOD NEWS OF  JESUS CHRIST, SAVIOR!

   Today, take a stand and share salvation with just one person.  Thank you for reading my rant today. Pray for me, Johnny, sinner but saved by Jesus Christ.

Love you all

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Compromise - part 2 Judges 2:16-19 Rescued by God

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

   Okay, if you remember, at the end, v 15 God did not fight for the Israelites and they were defeated.  

  However, GOD loves his people and comes to the rescue. In v 16 God raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their attackers.  As you read 16-19 and through out the Bible Israel went through several cycles.  First they rebelled against God. Then they were overrun by enemy nations. Next would come a God fearing judge who delivered them. (4) They remained loyal during this judges life, then, when the judge died they would forget God.

    We, as Christians, tend to follow the same cycle- we are loyal to God as long as all goes well and our friends are loyal to God as well.  But, when we are on our own often we forget to honor God, the pressures of life and society push us the wrong way and we move away from God's presence.

  REMEMBER;  GOD does not move away, we do!!

  Why do we turn away?  Just as the Israelites, the world around us tends to influence us and we move in the wrong direction.  Often the secular world may look more appealing than the Christian world.  We have to remember that when it does we are looking through colored lens, seeing only the "fun" but not seeing the real cause and effect of going that way.

   Here is the scriptures:

16 Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so.

18 And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

   How does this cycle relate to you and your life?  Are you strong and faithful to God daily?   OR, just when you need something?  Food for thought. Love y'all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Compromise--What does the Bible say about this? Book of Judges

 Good morning everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good!  Too blessed to be stressed!!!

  Today I am looking at Judges 2: 1-15.  My Bible studies bounce as the LORD lays it on my heart.  Soooo, here it is.

   Have you thought about compromise in major decisions?  Not talking about working things out with a spouse or children, but major items.  Or possibly going back on your word, aka a promise?  

  God never breaks his covenant with you, me, or anyone.  However, we do break our covenant or promise to God.

  In Judges 2 look at the first part:   The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, 2 and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? 3 And I have also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.’”4 When the angel of the Lord had spoken these things to all the Israelites, the people wept aloud, 5 and they called that place Bokim.There they offered sacrifices to the Lord.

   God will not break the covenant to give the land to the ancestors. But what happened, the Israelites were to not make a covenant with people of this land, break their altars.  And what happened?  They disobeyed God and broke the covenant.  The people were sad.  Yep, we usually are when we get caught. But did they REPENT???

6 After Joshua had dismissed the Israelites, they went to take possession of the land, each to their own inheritance. 7 The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel.

When Joshua led the people they served the LORD. Joshua died at the age of 110 and they buried him.  Then what happened?

10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. 12 They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the Lord’s anger 13 because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14 In his anger against Israel the Lord gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist. 15 Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the Lord was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress.

 After Joshua's generation died, the next generation did not know the LORD, worshiped various gods of other people, Baal, Ashtoreths and this made GOD angry.  Not God was against them and when they fought battles, God was against them.   They were being defeated and in great trouble.

  Now, I ask you to look around the world today, more specifically  AMERICA!!   What is happening here?  The very same as with the Israelites-- people worshipping idols rather than God.  So many idols; facebook, tik tok, instagram, and more.  Or, just forsaking God and believing church and fellowship with other believers is not necessary.  We must have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and, in my opinion, if you do, if I do, then we will want to share with the non-believers, fellowship with believers, and be active in helping grow the kingdom of God on earth.  Bring more people to Jesus Christ as their savior.

 WHERE ARE YOU TODAY?  WHAT ARE YOU COMPROMISING?
           YOUR BELIEF?

  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny