We are in partnership with GOD!

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. YOU and I ARE BLESSED INDEED!!!

   How often do we hear from others  on TV about a healer, a prophet, or a great man of God.  Are they really great?  I say no, because God wants us to be a partner.

    When God created Adam did God say I'll tell you what to name the animals?  NO, this was a partnership; God created the animals; God told Adam to name the animals. 

   Did Moses create the 10 plagues?  NO, he was the mouthpiece and God created the plagues.  Did Moses part the red sea?  NO, it was a partnership--Moses held the stick or staff and God parted the sea.

   We are in a partnership with God.  God does the supernatural, we do the physical.  Could you have held the stick or staff? Yes!   Could you part the red sea?  NO, that is God's supernatural part of the partnership.

    Can you heal?  No, but you can be part of the partnership to heal.  If God tells you to lay hands on, pray for, or whatever HE chooses- then healing will occur.  Not in your power, but you would be the vessel God chose so he can do the supernatural.  A partnership!!!

   We are not the supernatural, the all powerful, we are only the vessels God uses to do things, make things happen.  Look at Asbury and what it has inspired all across America.  Was it those people?  In part, but the other part is supernatural and God's spirit was moving-----a partnership!

   The Bible is the inspired word of GOD.  It is not written by chauvinist men of old; it is written by men INSPIRED by God to put these words in place for you and for me.  It was a partnership.  Could GOD have written the book himself?  Sure!  HE is all powerful, God could have just spoke and the Bible appear; but God wants a partnership with you; with me; with all mankind.

    Where are you today in your partnership with God?  Have you accepted Jesus as your savior (whom God sent) and have you developed a true relationship with Jesus?    Many know the name "Jesus", but do not know Jesus.

   Let's all jump into this partnership and be strong for Christ, God, the Holy Spirit.  Shrink not in intimidation, but be strong in commitment.  Thanks for reading.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Lent? Ash Wednesday? Huh? What is all this?

 Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  WE ARE INDEED BLESSED TO BE A CHILD OF GOD!!!

   Lent?  Ash Wednesday?  Aw, those are just something drummed up by Christians to have an excuse to do something.  It really doesn't mean anything.   Have you heard this from some people?

     W E L L --- I will say Ash Wednesday and Lent season is something Christians should feel important.  Why, many will ask.  The reason is very simple; lent is a time we should set aside to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter.  During this time we, Christians, should seek the LORD by praying, reading scripture, giving of our time and resources, and practice self-control through fasting.

   All of this should be a real and authentic change of heart to draw nearer to Christ and be more faithful.  I don't know about you, but I do know about me and this needs to be a turning point for me.  Yes I believe; yes, I have accepted Jesus Christ as my savior; no, I am not as faithful as I can be; no, I don't study God's Holy Scripture as I should.

   So, what is going to be the difference?   I am going to ___________ for lent (that is between me and God); my countenance should change and I will be more faithful spiritually through the work and help of the Holy Spriit.

   It is important that I remember I AM NOTHING WITHOUT GOD!!  It is because of God who I am.   Psalm 139: 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 

To simplify as from the New Living: You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  

   You and I were known by God even before all.  The least we can do is be obedient to HIM.  My goal for 2023 and the remainder of my life is to be obedient to the One who knows me best - GOD.  To give back the portion of what he has given me and give of my first fruits, not the middle or last or when I think about giving.  Look at Psalm 24: 1The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

  All we have has been given to us by the LORD and we must give back the first fruits of our labor.  If you look at Cain and Abel in Genesis Chapter 4 you will see Cain brought of the fruit of the ground whereas Abel "brought of the firstlings of his flock" and the LORD respected Abel's offering yet not Cain.  Why?

   Cain gave, but not of the firstfruits.  This is not what God wants.  God wants our first fruits- whether it be time, money, work, or whatever may come your way; give God the first fruits.  That is why Abel's offering was acceptable- firstlings (firstfruits).

  Let today begin your giving of first fruits with Ash Wednesday.  Go somewhere where you feel the LORD's spirit, whether it be church, backyard, with friends or neighbors, but go be with the LORD and begin your season of Lent.

   Thanks for reading.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Where are you and God today? John 3:16-21

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

  I am going to start with John 3:16-21.  Everyone knows 3:16 God so loved the world that he gave his only Son to save the world.

    I will highlight some to talk about. But, let us look deeper into this.  Here are all the verses:

 John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  This is what we all hear and believe.

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  So often we forget this verse and it is extremely important- not condemning but saving.

 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.  This should strike fear in many, however, too many believe that they live life and are good and all will be well. Then they just cease to exist. Huh? Yep, some believe that.

19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Look around, shootings, killings, snatch and run looters, and more. Yes, many have gone to the dark side; satan is working very hard, sometimes I think harder that we Christians to spread the word.  Your take?

20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.  Isn't this so true. All the schemes to defraud people, kill, even hurt with words.  Evil lurks and too often we believe lies rather than truth.

 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.  Take a quick self exam--are you living in the light?  Are you bringing honor to God?

    Do you need to be in church to worship God?  No!  Are people hypocritical?  Yes, and so are you!  Who did you talk about this past few days or weeks.  The superbowl referees, the players, the local church, people in the church, people in the schools, coaches in schools or leagues, drivers on the road, take a look at your self and see.  Are you truly in the light, the dark, or do you feel like you are in the GRAY area.  

   Are you in the:  It is not bad, but I ain't gonna talk 'bout it area?  Thank you for God's agape love and we are accepted just as we are.  Thank you for reading.  

   Lent is coming up starting Feb. 22.  Are you giving up something?  Think about it. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are we or will we act like Peter.

 Hello all,  How are you in Christ today?  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

  Peter, Petros (word for rock or stone) was an example of how our life often times is in following Jesus Christ.

   Peter was very outspoken about Jesus, then he would falter, then become strong again.  Let's look at Peter and see if your life parallels his somewhat.

   Simon Bar-Jona was renamed greek Petros (Aramaic Kefa) which means stone or rock.  Peter was very impulsive and outspoken.  When Jesus came walking on the water, the disciples saw him and were afraid.  Jesus said "Take courage! It is I, don't be afraid!  Then Peter speaks up and says LORD tell me to come to you on the water.  Peter walked on water when his eyes were on Jesus, when refocused on wind and water he sank. Jesus said, "You of little faith, why did you doubt"?  The lesson here, keep your eyes focused on the Christ.

   Then Peter is bold, Matthew 16 Jesus asked who do people say I am and Peter spoke up You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  Peter is bold here.  

There is lots of interaction with the disciples and Jesus, but let's jump to Matthew 26 starting at verse 31 when Jesus predicts his arrest and Peter's denial of Christ.  Verse 35 Peter says "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you".  This is when Jesus tells Peter that before the rooster crows he would deny him  3 times. Peter does not think so, but it does happen and after the third denial, the rooster crowed, and Peter wept bitterly.

   How oft have we been here where we stand firm, then weakness and possibly deny being a Christian?  Just like Peter.

         In John 21 starting at verse 15 Jesus speaks to Peter asking him 3 times if he (Peter) loved him (Jesus).  Peter was hurt that Jesus asked him 3 times, but what did Jesus tell him each time?  Jesus said to feed his sheep and take care of them.  Isn't this what Jesus is saying to us as well- FEED HIS SHEEP!

          How do we do this?  Our actions, words and deeds speak volumes.  Also, take time to see what way Jesus wants you to connect with others.  My way to open the door about Jesus is with small crosses with a chain attached.  This helps open the door to witness. Sometimes this is enough, other times it leads to a conversation - both are productive.

     Some times we have our own idea of how things should be and what we should do.  Peter did this as well.  Let's now look at Acts 10 begin at verse 9:

   Peter was still holding on to some of the law, in particular the Jewish idea of not eating unclean food, such as pork.  Then comes Acts 10 when Peter goes to the roof to pray, falls into a trance, and sees the vision 3 times.  Think about the number 3, times Peter denied Christ, times he saw the vision, and then 3 men come to take him to Cornelius, the centurion.

   Peter was hungry, the vision shows animals and reptiles and the spirit tell Peter to kill and eat.  Peter says he has never eaten anything impure or unclean.  The voice tells Peter "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean".   We may have our own idea or tradition of what is right and wrong.  God will lead us the right way.

    When Peter gets to Cornelius' house, he has realized the vision is telling him that he "should not call any man impure or unclean".  AKA FEED MY SHEEP!

  How often is our life like Peters, peaks and valleys, ups and downs, deny and not speak up, then become bold and speak up boldly.  Sometimes our idea of right and wrong is not what God is telling us (speaking of traditions often found in churches).

  It is important that we remain in constant pray and contact with God and His spirit so  we can not only talk the talk, BUT,  walk the walk! 

  We can learn a lot by following Peter (Petros). Thank you for reading. Love you all.  FEED JESUS' SHEEP!!]

  In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny