Psalm 18:2 Who do you call out to? God or others?

 Hello on this great Saturday.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  MY ROCK OF SALVATION IS THE LORD!!

   Hey, don't forget to "SPRING FORWARD" with your clocks tonight.

There once was a man who faced a lion and lived; then a bear and lived. Then face to face with a huge giant of a man and lived; then pursued by the powers of the country and lived; even his own son tried to kill him, but he survived.  WHY?

   This man was a man after God's own heart.  Yep, you guessed it, KING DAVID!!

Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

   We also face fearful times, there are giants in our lives and things we think will set us back physically, emotionally, financially, and personally.  It can be difficult, but we need to depend upon the LORD for our deliverance.

  David used 7 expressions to show the faithfulness of God.  We know these to be true and we just need to trust and obey; for there is no other way.

  To quote from Jeff Wells devotional book:

  When troubled, cry out: the LORD is my rock.

  When discouraged, cry out: the LORD is my stronghold.

  When weary, cry out: the LORD is my strength.

  When fearful, cry out the LORD is my deliverer.

  When overwhelmed, cry out the LORD is my fortress.

  When worried, cry out: the LORD is my refuge.

  When alone, cry out: the LORD is the horn of my salvation.

  When tempted, cry out: the LORD is my rock.

For all that we need, just cry out to God who is our rock and our refuge.  Yet, be patient as God is always on time, but not always our time.  Love y'all.  Thanks for reading today.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Psalm 18:1 I love yo, O LORD, my strength! PRAYER

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!!

  What is prayer all about? It is talking to God; listening to God; confessing to God; but it is all about loving God.

  Prayer is a way to connect with God and in communication we draw closer to God.  Prayer is about a love relationship between you and God.  When you love someone you communicate with them, share with them, and tell them things that come from the heart.

   When you love someone you enjoy their company and want to be with them, hang around, and just enjoy the moments together.  This is where we should be with God.

  Do you have a thirst or hunger to be with God?  To be in His presence? To share, laugh, cry, be angry, be happy, just share all your emotions?  Prayer is not a duty or something we do out of commitment.  Prayer is the overflow of love for the God of the universe.  1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

   DO YOU?!?  If your heart is not right with God, now is the time. Give it all to God.  Thank you for reading today. Love y''all.

In Christ''s Love and Grace

Johnny

JOY in the LORD? Yes? No? Psalm 16:11

  Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Do you take JOY in the LORD?

   Life is interesting.  Churches are even more interesting.  There are churches that teach "unity", that there is good in every approach to God and has no one particular creed or ritual requited.The focus is on the potential good in all.

   Then you have the "prosperity" churches.  They believe you need to GIVE to GET.  The way to gain riches is to give more money to the kingdom, especially to their churches and ministries.

   And we could get into Muslims, Buddhists, Hinduism,Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism, Shinto, Atheism, Folk religion, Confucianism, Jainism, Chinese Salvationist, Indigenous and more.

   All beliefs are "similar" in the fact they believe in a "HIGHER BEING", however, only 1 religion has a true LIVING GOD. and that is Christianity.

  Being a Christian does not mean I am a Methodist, Lutheran, Assembly, Church of Christ, Catholic, etc. but it means we believe in and have a relationship with the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  The only Son of God who died for our sins.

   And because of this God wants us to have joy and pleasures in our lives.  But why do bad things happen?  So often it is a result of our actions, especially when God is not involved in what we do.  But things do happen to good people and we know not why.  Why is that?

   Because God's ways are not as man's ways.  God sees the BIG picture, whereas we see the here and now picture and not the end result. God picked David, the least of all his brothers.  Why? He knew David's heart. Does this help us?  To some, yes; to others no. Obedience, patience, and loving God is a key.

 But why does my friend have terminal cancer?  He loves the LORD.  Ask God for an answer.

   1 Thessalonian 5:17  Pray without ceasing.  This is where we get the answers.

God is the happiest person in the universe and he wants happiness for you and me as well.  John Orterg commented, "Joy is at the heart of God's plan for human beings."

 Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life;

    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Thank you for reading. I welcome your comments. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Troubles weighing you down? What to do? Matthew 11:28-29

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

   Often the troubles of our life get us down; we look at the world events and that frustrates us; and we see others that seem to be just happy and without a care in the world.  

  Why me?  Why am I feeling this way?

   So often we forget who is actually in charge.  There is only one who is in charge and it is not me or you.  Yes, it is God.  So often we forget to give everything to God.

   If you are feeling down, feeling alone, feel like you are in this battle by yourself, do not despair.  Take heart in what Jesus said:

   Matthew 11: 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

   Don't forget who is our father in heaven and who really cares for you. Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Is one of your burdens reading the Bible daily? Hmmm Psalm 1:2

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  DELIGHT IN THE LORD IN ALL THY WAYS!!!

   What is your favorite dessert?  I like chocolate and frozen yogurt swirl cones.  Hmmm, good.  It is hard for me to pass Braum's without stopping for yogurt.  It is like a pulling, a magnet, a force that wants me to come in.

   Well, what about your Bible?  Does it pull you in or do you do it out of duty?  Or maybe just a ritual and you don't fully comprehend what you are reading?

   Psalm tells us to "MEDITATE" day and night on God's word.  This does not mean to ''read it through'' as a duty, but to think about what your are reading, maybe talk out-loud to yourself, but read for clarity and to understand.

  Once you get into reading the Bible to absorb and understand it will become the chocolate or yogurt that pulls you.  You will delight in the word of God.

   Just like your favorite treat, the more you engage with the Bible, the more you will like it and yearn for it.  Many people "know" the Bible, but do not resonate or relate to God's word.  It is just a big book of history that the main parts are remembered, but not taken seriously.

   God's word (Bible) helps us in knowing God's will and want for us.  That is the eternal life that is promised by God, who never breaks a promise.  So, are you a casual reader of the Bible, OR, are you totally engaged in God's word and working for the kingdom of the LORD and you are walking with JESUS?

   Start today, reading the word, set a time aside each day to be with God and absorb HIS word.  Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

   If you read daily you will become as is Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither.  In all that he does, he prospers.

   Read on, absorb much, share lots, and delight in the word. Thanks for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you praise God in all things? Job 1:21 (13-22)

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

   Last time I wrote about do we suffer because of sin.  Today we will look at the faith, trust, obedience and loyalty of a man named Job.

  First what happened to him?  One, the Sabeans came and stole his oxen and donkeys and killed the servants.  Two, fire came and burned up his sheep and servants.  Third, the Chaldeans came down, took the camels and killed the servants. Then a mighty wind came and collapsed the oldest son's house and killed all Job's children.

   Can you imagine. Being the wealthiest man on earth when you woke in the morning and then by days end you have lost everything, wealth, possessions, and offspring.  What a tragedy.

   So what did Job do?   He was definitely upset and then maybe his most famous verse  Job 1:21  Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.  The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away may the name of the LORD be praised..

   During all this catastrophic happenings Job refused to stop trusting God.  He did not turn away, ignore, or renounce God in any way.

   Suffering is always a test of faith for the believer.  Will you, or have you trusted God despite your suffering and pain?  We all have suffering, some really big happening, some not so big, but in the end DO YOU TRUST GOD?

   We may want answers and only get them when we get to heaven, but, in the end, we need faith, hope, and trust.  We may not understand now, but one day we will.

  When darkness falls upon you, cling to the living God. Stand on Gods promises in his word.  God is with you every step of the way and we do not understand his ways, but only to trust and obey. Just remember what Job said Job 19:25-26 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.    And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.

   Trust God in the good times and the bad.  Thanks for reading. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do we suffer because of sin?? Job 1:1

 Good morning everyone.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

HE IS RISEN!

  Have you ever heard of someone telling someone else the reason they are not healed is because of lack of faith?  Why would a Christian say something like this to another?  How hurtful.

  You are where you are because of your sins?  If I drink, get drunk and fall down the stairs, then yes, it is due to my sin.  But this is not always true and why would we want to think this was so?

   Take Job, he was an upright person before the LORD and he lost everything, children, livestock, wealth, everything.

  His friends accused him of past sins and that was why he was in this situation. Job experienced excruciating pain and agony.  We can not imagine what all he went through, yet his "friends" did not come to support, but to accuse.

  Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.

  Are you able to look beyond the idea of sin in my past, your past, others past, and support each one through LOVE? 

    If sin is our reason for suffering, what sin did JESUS commit?  He suffered terrible beatings, pain, cursing and taunting. So what sin did he commit?  NONE!

   We live in a fallen world.  This is not heaven.  Bad things happen to good people, and worst things happen to some of the best people.  This is not because of sin.  Living in a fallen world, satan is alive and well and comes to steal and destroy.

   Stand strong on the word of God.  Forsake him not, and be a faithful servant to the one and only living GOD.  God, please bless each person that is reading this and let each one be loving and kind to those around them and accuse them not without cause.  Thank you. Love y'all.

In Christs Love and Grace

Johnny

Courage: doing the right thing in the presence of fear. Ester 4:16

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

   Wow! What would you do at a time when you and your whole family could be eliminated? 

  Most of us know the book of Ester. Haman, an evil man who hated Mordecai and the Jews manipulated the king to pass a decree to annihilate all the Jews.  King Xerxes was okay with this as he trusted Haman.

   When Mordecai heard of the decree he was in despair, tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes and wailed in the hallways and streets.  When Queen Ester heard of this she made contact with Mordacai.

   He asked her to go before the King and ask for mercy.  At first Ester was hesitant because anyone before the king who was not summoned could be put to death.  Mordacai said she would die anyway if the decree remains.  This is when Queen Ester gave the famous "If I perish, I perish".

   Ester's response after communication with Mordacai was said in

 Ester 4: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

    Courage is not the absence of fear; courage is doing the right thing despite the presence of fear.

  Are you in a bad or fearful situation at this time?  Maybe God is calling you to trust him.  Be in obedience to God. Trusting and keeping our eyes focused on God will help us act courageously.  Maybe it is sharing the gospel, talking to family members, being involved in your church, or whatever.

   Just as Ester, will you be willing to say, "If I perish, I perish!".  Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Who do you cry out to in time of despair? 2 Chronicles 20:12b

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

   What do we do when we experience tragedy?  Financial problems?  Marriage problems?  Employment problems? Parenting problems?  Health problems? or anything else---

   Usually WE ( you and I) try to FIX it ourselves.  Do we call upon God. Probably not.  We look to ourselves or other "men" to help with the situation.

   What did King Jehoshaphat do?  2 Chronicles 20:12 For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us.  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

   He is speaking to God and what?????   His eyes are on the LORD!!!

So, where should our eyes be?  What did Jehoshaphat do? He and all the people gathered to fast, pray, and cry out to God.  So why did they do this? Because they were in terrible trouble, desperate need of help.  What did they know?  1- they were powerless against the approaching army; 2- they did not know what to do; and 3- they then focused on God for deliverance.

    When we stop and give it all to God we are showing dependence, humility, trust and obedience to the living God.

   Do you have a problem that is festering in your iife?  Then say a prayer to the LORD.  Maybe like this::  O God, the only power that can solve this is your mighty power, I don't know what to do, but I will keep my eyes focused on you.

    Take time today to thank the LORD, pray, be honest with God, and maybe even fast for your particular situation. 

Humble, pray, & repent 2 Chronicles 7:14

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

  2 Chronicles 7: 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

   First, this was to the people of Israel, yet it relates to us today as well.  We, his chosen need to do 3 things.  One, call on the LORD and Humble ourselves.  Admit God is God and we are not; let God do His work.

   Second, we must pray and seek the LORD.  This does not mean Oh God help me, but be in fervent prayer and speaking to God. Just you and Him.  We are talking about continual and sincere prayer.

   Third, turn from our wicked ways.  This means to repent, truly repent, not just being sorry for what you did and getting caught, but turn away and don't repeat what you have been doing.  This is in being OBEDIENT to God and what He asks of us.

  If we do these three things then God promises to answer us three ways.  One, He will hear us. Two, He will forgive our sins. Three, God will heal our land and pour our His blessings on us.

   The hardest for us to do is be patient, follow God, and believe He will follow through.  Too often we want to push it ourselves. LET GO, LET GOD!!!

   Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

p.s. Abraham Lincoln set apart a day of prayer and humiliation 30th of April, 1863. To read his speech click here. 

Giving to God what is His 1 Chronicles 29:14

 Good Saturday to all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  REJOICE IN THE LORD!!!

   David gives credit to God for all he has and the joy of his people who also rejoice in giving back to God.

   How often do we give out of obligation, commitment, or what we feel is our duty.  Then we take the time to share that "I pay my tithes".  This should be an humble experience between you and God.  

  We want praises from men?  I hope not when giving back to God what is already His and He was gracious enough to share with us.  David was humble in his rejoicing of giving to God as should we.

  We should not see giving to God as a duty, obligation, or commitment, but yet a PRIVILEGE TO GIVE BACK TO GOD.

  Look at 1 Chronicles 29: 14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

  We are not nobly serving God, but have the privilege to serve God.  Thank you God for all you have given us. 

Love y'all, thanks for reading.  

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Where is your focus? On God or worldly things?

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

   This morning in one of my devotionals the following came through and it definitely spoke to me.  I want to share this with you and it came from Time of Grace devotional.

Fix your eyes

by Katrina Harrmann

 

My husband is an avid cyclist. As he was teaching our kids to ride their bikes, he offered a piece of wisdom I’ve never forgotten: “If you see something in the road that you want to avoid, don’t look at it or you’ll ride right through it.”

 

I thought he was crazy. But as I learned to navigate a narrow road bike tire down the shoulders of busy roads littered with sticks and rocks—and sometimes big chunks of glass—I was shocked to find that he was quite right!

 

If I saw a big rock in my path, for instance, the more I stared at it, the more my bike seemed to veer directly for it! In fact, my bike would unerringly lean toward whatever hazard had caught my eye. But when I looked through it to the safest path, I sailed through free and clear.

 

Life is like that too sometimes. We tend to follow what we keep our eyes on.

 

Sometimes this is not great stuff. It’s stuff that is bad for us or can cause addictions. There are many things we shouldn’t be looking at or investing our time or efforts in. But when we focus on Christ, we tend to veer in his direction, which is a lovely way to veer! 

 

Remember. In life (and in cycling!) … you tend to follow what you keep your eyes on.

 

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1,2).

Thank you for letting me share with you. Love you all

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Forgiveness - what is forgiveness? Is this your prison?

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. HE HAS RISEN!!  AMEN!  AMEN!!

  I will share with you what is very hard for me and probably for many of you also--- FORGIVENESS!

 What is forgiveness?  By Webster's new world dictionary forgiveness is:to give up resentment toward or the desire to punish, to be inclined to forgive.

   Colossians 3:13

"Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

  Forgiveness is a hard process, a foreign concept to many to be able to really forgive.  I, as a Christian for many years held resentment toward some individuals and really could not say anything good about them.  However, once God took hold of my "sin of unforgiveness" I began to understand much better.

   Recently, today really, is when I actually feel free of this bondage.  I put myself in the prison of unforgiveness and through my passive agressive rebellion refused to take the keys to freedom and forgive.

  This was my prayer today, to ask My Father in Heaven for forgiveness, to love those whom I wanted not to forgive, then I actually felt freedom.  It is so interesting that we can keep ourselves in bondage, knowing full well what to do to be released, yet we become stubborn and want to hang on to those little pieces that are hurting us inside.

  How often are we as Pharaoh with Moses and our hearts become harden, when simple forgiveness would free us?

  If you have struggled as have I, here are some scriptures that may help you.

  Ephesians 4: 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

   1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

   Matthew 6: 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

   Today, my prayer is that you be set free by going to God, confessing, and feel the freedom.  I am preaching more to myself than I am to you.  
May your day be wonderful and blessed. Love you all.

In Christ;s Love and Grace

Johnny 

What is your brand?

 Good morning everyone.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE KING, LORD, LIVING GOD! REJOICE, I SAY REJOICE!!

  If you know anything about cattle men, they identify their animals with a BRAND.  My dad's brand was bar H open box.  So when we saw this brand we knew it was our animal.

   We are branded as well, however, some of us don't show our brand very well.  It is like a tattoo that we got in a place where we could hide it.My brand is open arms J closed arms.  

   Meaning, Jesus opened his arms to me, accepted me, and closed his arms to hold me close.  I am saved by the grace of God.  BUT, do I show it?

   A proud rancher may take you out, show you his prize bull, and note there is his personal brand on that bull.  When you go out, do others know you are a child of the King, of the LORD of Heaven, of the Living God?

   Do your actions, your face, your demeanor show the salvation, the love, the kindness, the cradle of God's grace?

   This came to me this morning in my sleep.  Do you display the love of the father or your own self-righteousness?  My prayer is that others will see Jesus Christ in me, ask why I am this way, and then I can share the good news that Jesus Christ is alive and coming back and all you have to do is accept the GIFT of SALVATION by saying Jesus I believe in you.

   Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you a Spark? Will you be the spark that starts a fire? A Revival?

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

  Well, a lot went on in January.  Wildfires in California, President Trump taking office, executive orders signed, and life.

   A fire does not just start.  There has to be something to start that fire and it comes from a spark of some sort.  Welders have a flint spark lighter, cars have spark plugs to cause combustion in the engine, camping we can use flint sticks or magnesium sticks to cause a spark in building a campfire.

  What I am saying is that a spark is important.  With the fires in California, after the spark, wind came up and caused the fire to spread rapidly, aka wildfires.

   So how does that relate to you and me.  We are in a battle, not necessarily a physical one, but a SPIRITUAL BATTLE.  We can sit around and talk about the world, how it is going to hell in a hand basket, OR, we can be a spark in the spiritual world and cause a "wildfire of spirituality" across the land.  A REVIVAL!!!

   If I am one little spark, what can I do?  My spark can cause the potential spark next to me to ignite, One creates two; then we continue to spark and two makes four; and the spark continues on.

    That one little spark just needs a little wind and then it will be doing what Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 28:19 Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

  As Christians, I strongly believe that we should be the wildfire of spirituality, the spark, that either starts or contines to generate the wildfire revival that America and the world needs.

   My friend, be the spark, say a word, give someone a cross, give out a Bible, some type of small spark that will ignite another.  Together we can.  

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

   

Do we give praise to God enough? 1 Chronicles 29:11

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

  Let me begin by asking for your prayers for my family as some of us are experiencing the flu or flu like symptoms.  Thank you.

1 Chronicles 29: 11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,

 for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

   David is at the end of his 40 year reign as king.  He gathers the people for a final goodbye.  He tells them that he has generously donated his personal fortune for the Temple of God, a temple that his son Solomon will build.  The people were excited and gave generously and joyfully.  Everyone was excited and rejoicing.

  David gave his final praise to God in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13.  Please take time to read it, click on the blue.

   True worshippers, Christians praise God. They have seen the glory of God and tasted the goodness of God.  You and I, as true Christian have felt the love of God and enjoy worshipping Him.

  True worshippers or Christians have burning hearts for God and can''t wait to worship Him weekly, daily, moment by moment.

  God takes care of us, even when we don't ask.  Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Words of encouragement for the you today!!

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

 

  We all need encouragement from time to time. Encouragement may come from many places, work, family, friends, community acknowledgment, church, or wherever you happen to be.

  However, we need to remember  the one who gives us everything is the best encourager, best listener, best guide in our lives.  And that is God.  Here are some verses of encouragement.

  John 16:33

"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 34:4–5, 8

I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

May you be encouraged today my friend.  Then tell someone what Jesus has done for you in your life. Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

1 Kings 19:11-12 Can you hear the whisper of God?

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

  If you recall Elijah challenged 450 priests of Baal and Asherah to the burnt offering duel to let their gods light the fire or his God to set the offering on fire.

  Well, the priests gods could not do it, but the Living God of Elijah and our living God did set the offering on fire. (1 Kings 18:38)

  After this battle with the priests at Carme,l Ahab, the king of Israel, who was married to a wicked woman, Jezebel, came and told her what had happened. She then sent a messenger to Elijah saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." (1 Kings 19:2)

   Now Elijah had just defeated and slain 450 idol priests through the power of God and because of this woman ran in fear.

  Elijah flees 40 days into the wilderness to Horeb (aka Sinai). Sinai is the Mountain of God.  God meets Elijah here and see what happens:

  1 Kings 19:  11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

  God tells Elijah to go out and stand before the LORD and what happened? A strong wind, an earthquake, and then fire, but God did not speak to Elijah that way.  After the fire was a SMALL STILL VOICE!

   We, the peoples of America and even the world have some type of noise going on almost constantly.  The tv, radio, traffic, people talking, there tends to be noise constantly.  God does want to speak to us, so we must listen for that still small whisper.   

   That whisper is God speaking to our hearts and giving us advice, guidance, and assurance.  Do you have a quiet place to go to listen to God?  If not, why? 

   It is simple. Get up a little earlier than the rest of the household, or possibly stay up later.  Maybe in your car once you reach your destination.  It could be time alone almost anywhere, but stop, listen, and hear the voice of God.

  Many of us are not good at listening, but now is the time to hear the whisper of God.  Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

p.s. Elijah had the power of God on his side, so why did he run from Jezebel?

1 Kings 18::38 Elijah trusting the Living GOD

Hello everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. HE IS GREATER THAN I !!!!

  Elijah was a prophet during the reign of Jezebel, a very very wicked woman.  The Israelite were not worshipping God as they should and Elijah was about to show that God is a true living God.  The other gods, Baal, Asherah, were not real. 

  1 Kings 18:  38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 

  Now prior to this Elijah challenged the priests of the other gods.  Do  a sacrifice on an altar and let the gods light it up, aka set fire to it.

   The 450 priests called to their gods, cut them selves, and nothing happened.  Well, except that Elijah made fun of them by saying things like your god may be asleep, or not listening, doing other things, etc.

  Then is came Elijah's turn. Refer back to the scripture: 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

  At this point the people acknowledged the living God.  The message to the Israelites is the same today as it was then:  The LORD is GOD.  Only the LORD is GOD.  HE is all we need. We should worship GOD only, no other thing.  We have to trust God as He is bigger than we can imagine.  Let Go, Let GOD!!!

   Thank you for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

 

2 Samuel 6:14-15 Lets dance and be intoxicated (read on)

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  GOD IS GREATER THAN YOUR PROBLEMS TODAY - LET GO, LET GOD!!!

   Wow!  Should we dance?  Should we be intoxicated?  Hmmmm! Food for thought.

  2 Samuel 6: 14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

  So what did King David do?  He danced!!!  Where?  Before the LORD.  What is a linen ephod?  A linen apron which was associated with priestly rituals and oracular practices.

  Okay, King David, a man after God's own heart, DANCED and only had on a LINEN APRON.

  Why would he being doing this?  15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

  David and the house of Israel were bringing the Ark of the LORD.  There was great rejoicing, dancing, and here people were becoming intoxicated.

  Not intoxicated as in alcohol, but intoxicated with God.  All dignity, self-centeredness goes away and it is all about the LORD GOD,  the LIVING GOD.

   This is how we should be, like King David, so passionate, unrestrained, even reckless in our worship.  It does not matter the people around us, we are doing this to God.

   What others think matters not for eternity; what matters is how we work for God and how he sees us.

   When you meet people on the street, driving, in a crowded store or at church, be not sour faced but rejoicing because you are a child of the Living God.  

   Let loose, dance for and before the LORD. Love you all. Thank you for reading today. Share the good news with just 1 person today.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you fighting a battle today?? Who's bigger God or your batte? Let go, let God!

  Good morning everyone.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  BLESSED BY GOD INDEED!!!

   Who is the most dangerous man you know?  The most dangerous man is one who is more concerned about God's reputation than his own reputation.  Why?  Because this man will impact the kingdom of God, the people around him, the whole area he resides in, and then those impacted will reach nations of the world.

   This man will also have a childlike trust in the faithfulness of God.  God will deliver us as long as we are obedient, believe, and revere God as the most high.

   David was this man. He went up against a 9 foot plus giant that the armies of Israel were afraid to face or challenge.  And what did David say?

  1 Samuel 17:36  Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.

   David had not fear and trusted God to deliver him.  Do you?

 1 Samuel 17:47 And that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear.  For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand.

   God likes us to trust him in all things.  What is your problem?  Does it seem impossible?  Which do you think is bigger-- your problem or God?  What is God calling you to trust him for today?

   Put all your faith in God, he will deliver.  Our God makes our problems look miniscule in comparison.

   If you have not already, take the step, let God have your problems, pray, listen, and wait for Gods answer. Love y'all.  thank you for reading today and for the ones who responded to my test. Amen!!

In Christs Love and Grace

Johnny

1 Samuel 16:7 How do you look in the eyes of God????

 Good morning everyone!!   God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED1111

    As a young man or woman, or even older man or woman, being human we have a tendency to look at the outward appearance of mankind.  Wow!! He or she is really good looking.  However, lurking inside may be the worst horror story you could imagine.

   God sees the wonderful story inside as well as the horror story inside.  Satan tries to turn the wonderful story into a horror story, whereas God can take the horror story and make it a wonderful story.

  1 Samuel 16:  7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

    God rejected Saul because of his disobedience and sent Samuel, the prophet, to Jesse's house.  So what is the first thing Samuel thinks?  Here is the oldest son, Eliab, and Jesse,, because of Eliab''s outward appearance, really thinks this will be Saul's replacement.  But no.  

   We all tend to be as Samuel was at first and look at the body, the fitness, thinness, hair, tan, athletic gifted and just physically attractive.  We often tend to be this shallow person and fail to see the real good traits of an individual.

  So what does God want?  God wants people, men, women, boys, girls, whose hearts are turned to and cherish the living God.

    Where are you today?  Is the attractiveness of the world holding you captive, OR, are you trusting God in all things?

    Thank you for reading with me today.  Today, may you see people as God sees them. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

p.s. share God's word with one person today.

Ruth 1:17 Loyalty until death 1 Samuel 15:22 Obey (loyalty & obedience)

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

   Ruth told Naomi she would follow her, even unto death.  Naomi said no more and they went forth to the homeland. 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

 

 In 1 Samuel 15:22  is obeying.  22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

    You probably know that some people, maybe many, show up at church, put their time in, hear God's word, and think they are in God's favor.  But what does Samuel say when speaking to Saul?  

  Samuel asks does God delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices?  He says obeying is better than sacrifice;  follow God's word is better than the fat of rams.  This all boils down to O B E D I E N C E to the LORD's word.

   God does not want religious ceremony, or a church ritual, or sacrifice.  All our Heavenly Father wants from us is obedience to his word, to live his word, to be loyal to the word of God.

  Through our obedience we will find joy.  It may come at different costs, but in the end it will bring joy.

  Today, my prayer for me and you is that we will show unreserved, wholehearted, immediate obedience to God.  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ruth 1:16 Loyalty, Love, Commitment

 Good morning all. Or could we say God's morning!!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  YOU ARE INDEED BLESSED TODAY!

  In Ruth we see a woman and her mother in law who have been devastated by the deaths of their husbands.  Naomi was Jewish and Ruth was a Moabitess.  After the passing of the men in their lives they chose to leave and return to Naomi's homeland.

   Naomi encouraged Ruth to return to her homeland, her family and not follow her.  Ruth had nothing materialistic nor did Naomi.  But Ruth carried something many in today's world do not have ----L O Y A L T Y !!!

   Naomi said go home; but Ruth said (in Ruth 1:16) 16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

   Ruth is loyal, faithful, and has chosen to go with Naomi and accept her God.  Because of this, God honored Ruth's faith and loyalty.  How so?

   Boaz, a relative of Naomi took Ruth as his wife (read the whole love story in Ruth) and she gave him a son - Obed.

  Well, the story does not stop there, Obed had a son Jesse who had a son David.  Yes, King David.  So here you have a woman, Ruth, who is not even Jewish, chosen by God to be the great grandmother of Israel's King David.

  This is the royal line leading to the Messiah, Jesus.  God honored Ruth, a woman of faith who showed love and loyalty no matter what the cost.   How about you?

  Is God honoring you for your love of Jesus and loyalty to God?  Food for thought. Love you all, thanks for reading.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny