Are you a prisoner of Christ; A servant of Christ?

Hello Fellow Christians,

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

   So often in the scriptures when Paul writes he begins with: "a servant (or apostle) of Christ Jesus by the will of God".  He also will refer to himself as a "prisoner" of Christ Jesus.

   As I read I wonder how often do we really think of ourselves as servants of Christ Jesus.  To me, this would mean that I would serve Christ.  But he is not dining or relaxing in my home; how would I serve him.

   I believe, today, that serving Christ Jesus means I serve out the goods he left with us.  And what is that?  It is the word of salvation. Sharing and spreading the gospel everywhere we go.  Do I?  No, but I am getting better in doing so.  Do YOU?

  Here is what Paul says in Philemon verse 4-7. I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the LORD JESUS and your love for all the saints.  I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.  Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints".

  Breaking it down:  Do other hear about your faith?

                         Do you have love for all the saints?

                         Are you active in sharing your faith?

                        Do you understand all good things we have in Christ?

  Dear friends, I pray for you and pray that you will have great joy and be encouraged by the word of God.

   Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

Johnny

 

What does your church preach? Do you attend church?

 Hello everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Say: I AM A CHILD OF GOD!   Now that you have said it, BELIEVE IT!!!

    Okay, just a short food for thought today.  First, do you attend church?  There are plenty of excuses:  I was out late last night, I need to get things done around the house;  I do it online; I don't need to be in church to worship;  I had a busy week and just want to relax; and we could go on and on to rationalize why you don't attend a church.

    Use all the excuses you want. Here is the Bible:  Hebrew 10: 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

  Colossians 3: 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

    Okay, now, what does your church or pastor preach?  Is it the gospel, the true word of God?  Or is it watered down to a feel good feeling so more people will attend.  Church is not about how many people come, but about taking  1 day as the Sabbath and worshipping God.  Our pastor teaches the word of God from the Bible.  But even then, always check what words you receive with the Bible.  Paul tells us to do so.

  

There are false prophets out there, the Bible tells us there will be.  Let us take a look at  1 John: 4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Thank you for reading with me today.  I do hope your day is wonderful, blessed, and safe. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

YOU ARE BLESSED, indeed, YOU ARE BLESSED!

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  You are blessed, say that outloud, "I AM BLESSED".

   You may say to me or others, you just don't know the troubles I have seen and that I am going through at this moment.

  No, I don't see all your troubles, God does. Yet, here we sit or stand and complain about this, that and the other.  Let me tell you a secret that you should already know.

  First, a short dissertation.  Today, in America it is true that many Americans are waking up homeless and with nothing.  However, these people can find things such as clean water to drink, food, lodging and clothes at a shelter.  We, who are not homeless have clean water to drink, food, lodging and clothes.

  In America, as bad as it gets, we are still very privileged.  Why?  Okay, let's go through this.  First, we have clean water to drink whereas many in the world walk miles to get dirty bacteria laden water to drink. 

     Question:  do you leave the water on while brushing your teeth?  Do you run the water constantly to rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher?  Do you turn the shower/bath water on and let it run to "warm up" before getting in?  Do you have food in your pantry?  Food in your refrigerator? Do you drive a vehicle to work, to buy groceries, for pleasure?

   Many in other countries have dirty water to drink, cold dirty water to bathe in, don't know where their next meal is coming from or if there will be a next meal, walk everywhere they go or possibly ride an animal.  Do you do this?  

    I am not trying to shame you at all, I am asking that you be thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ and God for allowing you the privileges you have as a citizen of America.

    I am extremely thankful that God allowed me to be an American.  Yes, we have troubles in America, the Woke movement, LBGTQ+, Republicans, Democrats, crime, murders, false prophets, and more.

   Now a question, do you think the people struggling for clean drinking water, food and shelter even care about such things?  They are fighting for survival.  To see a loved one die of starvation has to be extremely agonizing.  

   We need to be thankful to our Father in Heaven concerning how blessed we are.  Here are some verses: Jeremiah 17:7-8

• But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
  whose confidence is in him.
  They will be like a tree planted by the water
  that sends out its roots by the stream.
  It does not fear when heat comes;
  its leaves are always green.
  It has no worries in a year of drought
  and never fails to bear fruit.
• Proverbs 16: 3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
• Philippians 4: 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
• Exodus 23: 25 And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread (food), and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
• Yes indeed, we are blessed to be in America.  Also, I did not mention that we have freedom of speech so we may share the gospel, which also comes under freedom of religion.
•   Take time right now, open your hands to heaven and pray to God, thanking Him for all the wonderful things He has provided.
•   Thank you for reading. My heart goes out to our brothers and sisters around the world who live in a constant struggle for life daily.  Pray for them please. Love you all.
• In Christ's Love and Grace
• Johnny

Who are you? Do you identify as a child of God?

 Good morning to all my Christian brothers and sisters.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

  What God offers us is a present, the present of Jesus Christ who is our lawyer and deems us innocent and gives us access to heaven, eternal LIFE!

   We all will live eternally,  some eternal life with God; and some eternal death in hell.  Today, so many people are having self identity issues.  Who am I? What am I doing here? Why am I here?  Why go on living?  Is this really me or am I .........?  The life crises go on and on.  So, God, who am I really?

  This happens to so many and thus we have the new "I identify as a .......?  However, society says this is okay.  Is it really?  When we say "I identify as ....." are we just saying "I am pretending to be a .......".  Tuesday I played golf and I identified as a "golfer"; did it work.  No, but I had fun.  Maybe that is what this is all about - pretending and just enjoying the present.   Hmmm-food for thought.

  Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner is a deeply anguished he/she who has been and is still struggling with the identity situation.  Here is a clip and you will hear his take on God within the first 3 minutes.  Bruce/Caitlyn Jenners take on God.  It is worth listening to as many think as does he/she.

  We can dislike this he/she as much as you wish; but you need to love him and pray for him as well as many others around us.  God made us male and female---PERIOD!  And for the ones who think differently -- 

                         GOD DOES NOT MAKE  MISTAKES!  

Genesis 5:1 When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God, 2He created them male and female and blessed them.  And when they were created, he called them "man."

  Deutoronomy 22: 5  addresses some of the self identity:  5“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.

  Also, Romans 1:26-27  For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

  Brothers and sisters, we are to pray for these people. We should not show disdain, hate, or condemnation, but offer up prayers for all those who are suffering from the pressures of society and struggling with self-identification.

   We should identify as Christians so others will see Jesus Christ through us.  Are you identifying as a Christian?

   Jesus came not into this world to condemn, but to offer salvation to all who would accept His free and wonderful gift of salvation.

  Please pray for the ones around you, family, friends, neighbors, and the world as a whole.  People who do not know GOD, have not accepted Jesus as their LORD and savior are deeply struggling.  We, as Christians, struggle as well, BUT, we know who is in control.  Dear friend - today  - Let Go; Let God!  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you moored in Jesus Christ?

 Hello All!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!  To live with Christ is to be anchored in Christ and his word.

  When we are moored or anchored then our ship is less likely to be tossed and turn in the wake of a storm.  When we are anchored in Jesus Christ this gives us hope.

   When a ship is moored or anchored it is securely fastened to an object that will resist the twists and turns waves may create.  When we are cast into a storm, we need something solid to hang on to; something to hold us in place and give us hope.  In Acts 27 Paul and some prisoners were on a ship that went into a storm. It was not a fun ride for all on board; Paul, the prisoners, the soldiers, and the centurion.  

   The storm at that time placed fear in many except one -- Paul.  And why not Paul?  Paul was anchored in the LORD JESUS CHRIST, had faith, and listened to God rather than acting out on his own.

   How often are we "anchored" in Christ and then when something happens we decide to take care of it ourselves; failing to invite God into the situation and failing to follow God's lead?

   In the Bible anchor is only found in the New Testament and used to show hope.  This is where we all are today.........lying in hope!  We can complain about the politicians, the BLM, the woke movement, the LBGTQ+, our life, family, inflation, lack of employees, high costs, and on and on.  We have to remember what most Christians say: GOD IS IN CONTROL.

   But to you really believe what you say and do you allow God (Jesus) to be your anchor and go to Him in all matters?

    When you are flooded with fear, worry, or doubt; you can hold on to God's promises and find stability in the salvation Jesus has provided.  Being anchored or moored in Christ means you have HOPE!  Here are some verses about hope.  

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 15:13 ~ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 12:12 ~ Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Hebrews 11:1 ~ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  

Dear friends, remember to stay moored (anchored) in Christ and pray constantly. Love you all---thank you for reading today.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

We are weak, but strong through Jesus Christ - Romans 6:19-23

 Hello All!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD; THEREFORE YOU ARE BLESSED!!

   As we grow to the age of maturity and think about being 16 and driving; 18 and voting, and, oh yes--21 and able to purchase alcohol LEGALLY we tend to get excited.  As we mature and become older, looking back we often wonder why was I so excited about doing those things.   Well, they offered the open door to a new adventure.

    This is what satan does to as many as he can daily--show us a door that looks exciting and "FUN", only to later be part of our demise.

   In Romans Paul says this well, but first I would like to interject that I do not like it when people post Romans 6:23a -- and not all of the scripture.  Here is my rant.  Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death--- and this is where they stop.  That is discouraging--put the rest of the verse in: but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD!   Quit using "scare tactics".

   Okay,  So, Romans 6:19-23 should be an encouragement to us all.

 If you will take time to read slowly each verse you will gather what Paul is trying to tell us.

Romans 6: 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

  We followed and enjoyed wicked ways, but now we need to serve God.

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

Yep,  we didn't worry about our conscience and sinned freely. So what did it get you, as the verse below asks.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  And now, by serving God we are bearing good fruit and will experience eternal life.  A win!!!

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  The gift, a present, freely given (through Jesus) is eternal life.  Wow, as said in East Texas "it don't get no gooder da dat"!

  Thank you for reading. God bless; go to church; pray; and study your Bible. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Food for thought

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

  This came across my desk from the next door neighbor and I thought it was too good not to share. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

   FOOD for Thought!

Saw this today and it was worth sharing... A pastor asked an older farmer, decked out in bib overalls, to say grace for the morning breakfast. "Lord, I hate buttermilk", the farmer began. The visiting pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wonder where this was going. The farmer loudly proclaimed, "Lord, I hate lard." Now the pastor was growing concerned. Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, "And Lord, you know I don't much care for raw white flour". The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that he wasn't the only one to feel uncomfortable. Then the farmer added, "But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits. So Lord, when things come up that we don't like, when life gets hard, when we don't understand what you're saying to us, help us to just relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than biscuits. Amen." Within that prayer there is great wisdom for all when it comes to complicated situations like we are experiencing in the world today. Stay strong, my friends, because our LORD is mixing several things that we don't really care for, but something even better is going to come when HE is done with it. AMEN!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Discouragement Joshua 1:9

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

  I do hope you are able to follow my take and study below.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded?  Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your GOD will be with you wherever you go.

  One day satan decided he would have a garage sale of some of his tools he used.  You could find things like hate, greed, lust, covetousness, lying, stealing and more.  However, there was one tool that was well worn and was the most expensive.  He was asked why so expensive?

  This tool was labeled "discouragement"!  When asked why was this one so expensive he said because it is the most used and effective tool he has.

   With this he said, I can convince people God has left them; there is no God; that God doesn't care, and more.

  Joshua tells us BE STRONG; BE COURAGEOUS, but, DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED!!!

  And why should we not be discouraged?  Because GOD will be with you wherever you go.

 Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above; not on things that are on earth.

  The most important event in our life is salvation through Jesus Christ.  We need to share this most wonderful and greatest gift ever to others.

  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny